I stood on the Gilberts' door,step the next day, patiently waiting for someone to open the door.
Mr. Tanner knew my uncle, and I had to talk to someone about it.
I needed to talk to Gran about it, but one of two things might happen.
1. She might feign memory loss and alert Mr. Tanner. I can't have him clamming up me, too.
Or 2. The likely scenario is that it will make her sad to remember Beau.
I wanted to talk to Caroline, but she isn't answering; maybe she's at school already. he told me about the open andhe and Bonnie were the only ones who knew little about my project.
I'm not sure where Bonnie lived so that left Jeremy.
And speaking of Jeremy, it's wild that he and Vicky slept together; she's practically a woman, whereas Jeremy was still a kid.
None of my friends-
Ex-friends.
None of my ex-friends have gone all the way; at least, they
hadn't when we were still speaking. Lauren Mallory would probably be the first among the group, then Jessica Stanley, and finally Angela Webber.
Though Angela would probably wait for marriage.
And in Forks, it would be scandalous for a first-year student and a senior going all the way. As for drugs, sneaking a beer from the fridge was the farthest they'd get.
I wore a brown lace paneled long button-sleeve knit top, faded jeans, and brown sneakers.
I'd already rang the doorbell once, and I didn't want to be rude, but this was an emergency. So it pressed it again, multiple times, until the door flew open and was face to face with Elena Gilbert.
She wore a ruffled black leather jacket, a ruffled kimchi blue polka dot halter top, denim jeans, and black sneakers.
Seeing her made me feel underdressed.
We stared at one another momentarily, then Elena cleared her throat, and I looked away.
Up close, it was easy to see why everyone was mesmerized by her; Elena Gilbert was truly gorgeous.
'Hello, Bella?' she gaped at me, confused.
'Hi, Elena.'
We were speechless for what seemed like forever when Elena spoke, 'Is there a reason why you're on my doorstep, Bella?'
'Yes.' I enunciated.
Silence again as we looked away from each other again.
'Care to share?'
'Jeremy,' I spoke at last, 'is he here?'
'No, he left an hour ago.'
Dang, it.
Maybe...
I glanced at Elena; she gazed at me for a moment, then proclaimed, 'Well, as interesting as this has been-'
'Wait a second.' I blocked her way.
'I'm meeting my friends at school.' she weaved around me.
'I'll go with you.' I staggered after her. 'Safety in numbers.'
'Safety in numbers?' She veered around, facing me. 'What's
that supposed to mean?'
'Whatever attacked Vicky is still out there.'
'Oh. Fine.' she sough. 'Do what you want.'
I -or at least tried to walk pace with Elena; her long legs made it complicated.
'Stop walking so fast, Elena.'
'This my normal speed, Bella.' she groaned, stopping and allowing me to catch up. 'Why did you want to talk to Jeremy?'
'My uncle,' I hyperventilated, 'he died in the Bosnian war.'
'I've never heard of it.'
'It's not as well known as the Gulf War. It started in April 1992 and ended in December 1995. My family was still living here when he enlisted. Doesn't Mystic Falls host a memorial for fallen heroes?'
She scoffed at the inquiry, or maybe she was scoffing at the actualization that one of the fallen soldiers she'd been honoring her entire life was related to me.
'Jeremy already left.'
'Have you spoken to Caroline? She's not answering her door.'
'Have you tried her cell?'
'I don't know it.'
'I figured you had it since the two of you seem so close.' she sneered.
What was the issue?
'Because she told me about the comet? Or because I knew about Damon before you?'
'Is there a reason why you're following me?'
'My uncle, Beau Higginbotham, was friends with Mr. Tanner.'
I showed her a photo of Mr. Tanner and Beau; Elena took a glance and then looked forward.
'Okay...'
She didn't care about my revelation, so I didn't need to waste the brain cells explaining why this was a big deal.
'Never mind.'
'Don't you have some friends to bother?'
An uneasy silence came after her comment, and Elena pulled
ahead, leaving me in the dust.
When I got to school, I found Jeremy, but he was Vicky; I didn't want to disturb them. I couldn't find Caroline, though, no matter how hard I searched. I even looked for her at lunch, but she wasn't there.
But I did see Bonnie sit with a group of people that didn't include Stelena.
The other day, she was team Stefan, and now...
'Hey.'
She jumped at the sound of my voice. 'Bella, hi.'
'Sorry, did I scare you?'
'No, I was just thinking.'
'What about? Do you mind if I ask?'
'Kind of.'
'Sorry, I didn't mean to pry.'
'No, it's not that-' she looked at Stelena. 'What do you think about Stefan Salvatore?'
'He's gorgeous!' I blurted out without thinking. She raised an
eyebrow at my confession. 'I mean, he's nice to look at.'
'Besides the fact that he's nice to look at,' she said sternly, 'what do you think about him?'
'I don't know, he's an enigma. It feels like...'
'He's hiding something?'
'Yes.'
So Bonnie was also suspicious of him; I wonder if she thought vampires, too.
'What do you think he's hiding?'
I shrugged. 'Why he's in town. How long has he been in town.'
She eyed me curiously, then tentatively touched my arm, then pulled away.
'Mr. Tanner.' she sounded scared.
'Mr. Tanner was friends with my uncle.' I said slowly. 'They were buddies-'
'Why are you dreaming about vampires?'
How did she know that?
'Why are you poking around in my head?'
I'm crazy; I sounded crazy, but...
'I...' Bonnie stopped.
But...
'I have to go.'
Bella rushed off, pushing past Elena, who was on her way to invite Bonnie over.
'Watch it!' she called.
Not even 5 seconds later, Bonnie rushed out of the room, leaving Elena dumbfounded.
'Ok, that was weird.' she remarked as she legged it over to me. 'I wonder what she said to Bonnie.'
'Maybe Bonnie asked her to try out for cheerleading.'
'We don't let newbies join.' Elena insisted. 'Besides, she can barely walk without stumbling on her own feet. And I don't think Miss. Not Like Other Girls would join. She's too good to join.'
'Bella might surprise you.'
Bella is dreaming about vampires, and Bonnie saw it.
Dammit, Damon.
What are you planning?!
I'm unsure what to do about Bonnie, but I think I'm strong enough to compel Bella to forget.
Unless she, too, is a witch.
'What's special about her?' Elena flared.
You took words right out of my mouth, Elena.
What's with Bonnie?
She touched me and saw my dream...
I'm already thinking about vampires; why not witches, too?
Witches aren't real, Bella.
Neither are vampires, Isabella.
Witches and vampires, what's next, werewolves?!
Maybe that's why Charlie and Renee left.
'You cut class, Miss. Swan.'
The voice snapped me out of my thoughts, and I looked up and realized I was on the field.
Standing in front of the football coach, Mr. Tanner.
'You lied to me.' I flared.
'I did no such thing!' He shot back, making me jump. 'I would have told you had you asked.' he turned to the field. 'Mr. Lockwood, is there anything you're good at? 'Cause it isn't history, and it sure as hell isn't defending the ball!'
'Yes, coach.'
'Now do it again!'
'Could we talk about my uncle?'
'Tomorrow, during lunch. Parent-teacher conference.'
'Parent-teacher conference?!'
'Cutting class is not acceptable under any circumstance! Besides, I'm sure you want to ask your grandmother things as well.'
'Ok.'
'Go home, Bella.'
I slowly backed away as Stefan Salvatore approached Mr. Tanner.
Was Stefan Salvatore going to join the football team?
'Watch it!'
I was shoved forward and nearly fallen if someone hadn't caught me.
'Bella.' That was Bonnie's voice. 'Are you alright?'
'Yes, I'm fine.' I turned to find Bonnie and Elena standing before me.
Elena probably was the one who shoved me; she had a brown tank, while Bonnie wore a blue one. Elena's shorts looked purple, and Bonnie's was brown.
Ignoring the question and Elena, I turned to Bonnie. 'Have you seen Caroline?'
'I was just asking about Caroline.' Bonnie looked at me, then turned to Elena. 'Seriously, where is Caroline?'
'It's not like her.'
'I went to her home before school, but she answered. She doesn't give off ditcher vibes.'
Elena ignored me as Bonnie nodded in agreement. 'I'll try her again.'
A blue 1969 Chevy Camaro convertible drove up with Damon Salvatore in the driver's seat, and Caroline was next to him.
'Elena.' I motioned toward the car.
'Uh...'
'Oh, my god. That must be the mystery guy from the grill.'
'That's not a mystery guy. That's Damon Salvatore.'
'Salvatore, as in Stefan?'
Caroline strutted over to us, grinning. 'I got the other brother. Hope you don't mind.' Elena and I exchanged a glance as Caroline turned to the other girls. 'Sorry, I'm late girls. I, uh, was busy.'
Elena looked at Damon; he ogled the underaged girl before everyone, then drove away.
'Bella?'
'Hmm?'
'Are you trying out?'
'Oh, sorry.'
I bumbled off the field and watched the cheerleaders. Elena wasn't keeping up with the others, and after a while, Caroline told her to observe.
I thought she was fine, better than I could be.
She slowly mopped over to watch Stefan; I thought about going over to her and saying something encouraging but decided against it.
She might deem it fake or condescending.
When I got home, I told Gran about the parent-teacher conference. Naturally, she was upset about my cutting class and sent me upstairs.
After I took her shower, I began reading Wuthering Heights. From my bedroom window, I noticed Damon's car pull into Elena's driveway. he and Caroline got out, and she went to the door, but he turned to me and grinned.
I could feel the Bundy vibes even after I shut the blinds.
'Sorry, Miss. Marie,' Mr. Tanner sighed as he stood before Gran and me at noon the next day, 'Bella and I got you here on under deception.'
She wore a light brown dress with tiny pink flowers all over it, light brown shoes, and a light brown sweater. I wore a cream-colored peasant top with blue embroidery, dark jeans, and sneakers. I must have combed my hair thousands of times before school and a few more before the meeting. I even wore my cat's eye ring, silver and turquoise cuff, and St. Jude bracelet.
Jewelry my mom bought me for my last birthday, I thought it would be appropriate.
Mr. Tanner was wearing a white polo shirt and blue jeans.
'What do you mean?'
'I found a bunch of old photos during the move,' I handed her a photo of Beau, Mr. Tanner, J.G, and I.F, 'And I've been on a mission trying to find the other people in the photo since.'
'Where did you find this?' Gran took the photo; she looked teary-eyed.
'In a box of old things in the attic when i packed up in Forks.' I stood, stumbling. 'Who are those people?'
'Bella...'
'Gran, I have to know.'
Gran put her hand over her mouth and turned away. 'I can't do this...'
'Gran-'
She stood and hobbled out of the room as I called after her. 'Why is this so important to you?' Mr. Tanner turned to me.
'Two years ago, when we lived in Forks,' I sighed, 'my dad was shot. Naturally, I wanted to save him.'
'And you tried to offer blood...'
'Yeah, I couldn't give him blood because I'm not his daughter. Gran doesn't know I know.'
This was the first time I had admitted to myself.
'Miss. Swan..' he sighed. 'I have class in 5 minutes. Can we discuss this after tonight's game?'
It felt peculiar to say it out, let alone another person. The very made thought me sick; I just wanted to go home.
Home, home.
Forks.
I wanted to go home and into my parent's arms; I wanted to be a kid again.
I sat on the girls' room sink, head buried in my knees; I heard approaching footsteps and felt someone standing next to me.
'Why are you hiding in the girls' room?' they asked.
'Because I'm a freak.'
'Well, yeah, but so is everyone else.' they stepped closer, and I could see black boots when I peeked under my arms. 'What's wrong?
Eyes closed, I leaned back against the wall and shook my head. 'It feels strange to say it aloud.'
'You're being dramatic.'
'You couldn't possibly understand.'
'Enlighten me.'
'You couldn't begin to understand the complexity of my life.'
Finally, I unlocked my eyelids and turned, giving the orator the attention they gave me. I nearly jumped out of my skin when I saw Elena Gilbert glaring with folded arms; she wore a blue lace tank and a mini skirt.
'I think I'm clever enough to keep up.'
'Are you allowed to wear such a short skirt?'
'Bella.'
'I'm just saying it's short.'
'Bella.'
'It might distract the male population.'
'Bella.'
'You're evading the question, Elena.'
'As are you, Bella.'
'It's nothing.'
'Well, then it's nothing, spill. What feels strange to say aloud?'
'When I was 13, my dad got shot.'
'Oh, well, someone you love getting shot is a very traumatic experience no matter when it happens.'
'Him getting shot isn't a traumatic experience.'
'Oh, well, keep going then, I guess.'
'Naturally, being his daughter, I wanted to give blood.'
'Did you give him blood?'
'I couldn't. We weren't compatible.'
'Bella, what are you saying?'
'Charlie Swan is not my father.'
'Your mother had an affair?'
'No. My mother and father... aren't my mother and father; I am adopted.'
The sentence made me want to vomit: Charlie and Renee were my parents. And I'm not sure what made me tell Elena Gilbert, of all people, but she...
She felt familiar.
'Okay,' Elena sighed, 'that is... complex.'
'I never wanted to know about my birth parents until my parents died.'
'Do you want to talk about it?'
'No.'
Not with you, not anymore.
'Fair enough.
'I saw Damon and Caroline at your house last night.' I was eager to change the subject. 'What did they want?'
'Just a dinner with friends. You know, I had a nightmare about him last night.'
She seemed surprised that she told me that.
'Me, too! Not last night, but-
The bell rang, causing her to swear. 'Are you coming to the game tonight?'
'Football, no, I'm not-'
'And I'm not taking no for an answer. You are coming to that game even if I have Stefan throw you over his shoulder caveman style.'
The thought made me turn red, and I would be an excellent chance to see Mr. Tanner
It was pleasant talking to Elena; she invited me to sit with her and her friends during lunch when I felt lonely.
I guess Elena Gilbert isn't so bad.
I went to the game; how could I miss my little brother's first game?
I knew Elena was there, but the redolence of Bella made it difficult to track her. Just when I think I have her, a gust of wind changes my objective.
No human I've encountered in all my years as a vampire has ever smelt so sweet. Whenever I get a hit of her scent, I'm sent into overdrive.
How can Stefan, the blood addict, stand it?
Maybe he's using her like I'm using Caroline.
Stefan, you little hypocrite.
Her scent, intoxicating as it may be, is a distraction; I can smell her even at the boarding house; any vampire within a mile of Mystic Falls can smell her.
I could give her to Kathrine as a treat; she'll be famished after being in the tomb.
Footsteps took me out of my thoughts; I watched Elena go to her car. I crept up behind her, and she turned and jumped when she saw me.
'You scared me.' she confessed when she saw me. 'What are you doing here?'
'I'm hiding from Caroline.' I told her.
'And why is that?'
'I needed a break. She talks more than I can listen.'
'That could be a sign.'
'Well, she's awfully young.'
'Not much younger than you are.'
'I don't see it going anywhere in the bigger picture. I think she'd drive me crazy.'
'Caroline does have some really annoying traits,' she admitted, 'but we've been friends since the first grade, and that means something to me.'
'Duly noted. I'm sorry if I make you uncomfortable. That's not my intention.'
'Yes, it is.' she sizzled. 'Otherwise, you wouldn't put an alternate meaning behind everything you say.'
She has Katherine's fire.
'You're right. I do have other intentions, but so do you.'
'Really?'
'Mm-hmm. I see 'em. You want me.'
'Excuse me?'
'I get to you. You find yourself drawn to me. You think about me even when you don't want to think about me. I bet you even dreamed about me.' she stiffened. 'And right now...You want to kiss me.
The stinging slap she gave me said otherwise.
'What the hell? I don't know what game you're trying to play with Stefan here, but I don't want to be part of it. And I don't know what happened in the past, but let's get one thing straight...I am not Katherine.'
She stormed off.
Vervain, Stefan gave her vervain.
Football games are extremely vociferous; I can hardly hear myself think. I didn't understand why people liked this sport, but it was interesting.
I bet Charlie and Renee would like it; they'd like me to be nice to Elena.
Speaking of Elena, I spent the whole day looking for her; she was probably on the field, being a cheerleader.
But I didn't see her; I saw Bonnie and Caroline, Matt and Tyler. I did see Mr. Tanner, though, acting like the stereotypical sports coach in every sports movie I've ever seen.
I needed to get close to the field so I could talk to him. I tried calling him, but he couldn't hear the crowd.
A football player from our team looked at me, and he was tackled; I had the feeling that it was Stefan Salvatore, and I was right because when he stood and took off his helmet, I saw Stefan's glorious face and we made eye contact briefly before he ran off the field.
'Salvatore!' Tanner called, rushing after him.
I think the game is over; everyone is leaving.
'Bella!' I turned to see Bonnie and Caroline approaching. 'You came?'
'Elena said it would be fun.'
They exchanged a glance and then looked at me.
'Elena invited you?'
'Well, I didn't have a choice; she threatened to kidnap me.'
'Have you seen Elena?'
'No, isn't she a cheerleader?'
'She didn't- have you seen her?'
'No, not since this earlier. Is the game over?'
'Yes.'
'Did we win?'
'Duh.'
'Oh. I'm going go fine, Mr. Tannner.'
'Wait, a minute, Bella.' Bonnie said.
'I have to find Mr. Tanner and hurry back home. My Gran-'
I was cut off by a panicked scream, 'Help! Somebody help!'
