Shifting Moon Ch 3
"Hey, no short jokes. Or I'll start with the tall and buff guy jokes… I don't know any, but I can find some online, I'm sure."
"What short jokes? I didn't once mention my surprise that you can reach the coat rack, and me opening the door only had a little to do with my worry that you couldn't get the proper leverage from your angle." I joked with her.
Once we stepped out of the door, I saw a guy standing there, at first glance I thought it was a teen like me, but the way he stood spoke of experience and time you wouldn't normally see in someone in their late teens. I guessed him to be about 6ft 1in with a muscular build, but lean still, not bulky like me. Guessing from his appearance, I figured him to be the light weight high repetition type of guy at the gym. He had honey-blond hair that was slightly shaggy, falling just short of hitting his collar. His eyes were a brighter brown than the color of Alice's, but they still had a resemblance to each other's color-wise. His skin was pale like Alice's, but I could see raised spots all along his face and neck. The bumps and lines looked like scars he had received very young, and they had mostly faded away to the point that they were hardly visible to him.
As soon as she saw him, Alice's face brightened like a lightbulb and she jumped into his arms and shouted, "Jasper! You came to walk me to class. I love you!"
I watched Jasper's face as he looked at Alice in his arms, and you would think it had been years since they last saw each other, part of me wondered if that was true. He looked at her with such warmth and devotion that I had no doubt that he would be with Alice so long as he lived. Strangely, I could almost feel the emotions I saw on his face. Then he looked at me and every muscle and tendon in my body tightened to the point it was painful.
If Alice was danger, then my instincts told me that this man was death incarnate. I truly felt as though I was under the gaze of a battle-seasoned Lion. One who was in the prime of his youth and ready to accept any challenge that came his way. The fear I felt was primal, my fight or flight response was fully engaged, and my mind was just trying to decide what direction gave me the best chance to get away. Suddenly, my anger kicked in and started to overwhelm me. I could feel the rage bubbling just below the surface as I tried to hold it back by reflex. I knew it was a bad thing to release my anger, but I just couldn't stop myself. With the last bit of my will starting to burn in the flames of my anger, I mentally apologized to Bella and Charlie for the trouble I was about to cause them.
Unexpectedly, I felt like a cool winter breeze ran through my body and the anger started to recede under its gentle chill. I let out the breath I had been holding and took another deep one trying to stabilize my emotions. My muscles relaxing caused me to stagger and I tried to reach out for the wall of the building to stabilize myself. Before my hand met the wall, I felt Alice's cold hands take my other arm, "Are you ok Thomas?"
Ashamed of my anger and loss of control, and just as importantly, not wanting to scare the first friend I had made at school, I said "I am good Alice." I managed to get out between deep breaths. "I just lost myself there for a second, must have been from coming out of the warm room and into the cold. I haven't gotten used to the temperature extremes yet. Sorry if I scared you."
"Let's get you out from in front of that their door pardner, the next person out is liable to rap the back of your head with it." A thick southern accent spoke up. I knew it had to be Jasper even without turning to look. He had a very calm voice that made you react to the tone faster than the words spoken. Automatically it seemed my body moved away from the door, Alice still holding onto my arm to steady me in case I needed it.
"Thank you for the warning, my name is Thomas Raizel. I am very sorry if I came off as rude earlier, I am not sure why my body froze up like that." I told a bald-faced lie, but it was better than telling him that he scared me to the point I was going to fight like a cornered Honey Badger.
Before he could respond, the door opened and I heard someone say "He is here, it's Jasper. Where is the new guy?" A face peeked out around the door, saw me, and noticed my troubled expression. "Are… Are you ok? Do you need me to get the teacher?"
"I am fine, no need to get Ms. Ross. I just got a little dizzy coming outside is all."
The looks the students, (yes, there were about 4 at the door now,) gave Jasper and I were doubtful, to say the least.
Ignoring the looks being sent his way, Jasper reached out his hand to me "It's good to meet you, Thomas. Like my little hummingbird here said, my name is Jasper, Jasper Hale."
"Nice to meet you Jasper, sorry again for acting this way. Phoenix weather is just so different than here in Forks." I took his hand and used the temperature excuse again for the students watching. I released his hand as soon as would be considered polite and regained my balance. "You wanted to show me my next class Allice?" Indicating we should get moving.
"Yeah, follow me and Jasper, it's right this way." Alice gave Jasper an approving look for some reason, and the three of us started towards a building in the distance.
"So, what brings you to Forks Thomas?" Jasper asked me.
"Family. Chief Swan is my uncle, and my sister Bella is his daughter. We decided to move here so her mother could travel with her new husband."
"Well, that don't hardly add up unless we're in Arkansas. How can he be both your uncle and your sister's father?" Jasper asked with a chuckle. Alice laughed also.
Knowing this would be their reaction to the way I stated the relationship, I hoped the amusement would help them forget the awkwardness from our initial meeting. "Well, my mother was Bella's mother's sister and when mine passed away, she and Bella took me in. Her name is Renee, and she is the ex-wife of Charlie Swan. Over the years I just got into the habit of calling Bella my sister so it's hard to think of her any other way."
"What about you two? The connection between you guys is like destined lovers or something from stories and anime. I have never seen two people so meant for each other." I meant every word of what I said.
"My twin sister Rosalie and I share in your loss of our mother and moving to live with our aunt. My aunt Esme can't conceive children, so she and her husband Carlisle adopted a whole passel of kids. Alice here was one of the ones adopted and like you said, it was fate from the start between us. Isn't that right my hummingbird." Jasper looked down at Alice who was happily skipping alongside them.
"I just had to wait until you came along to complete my world," Alice responded. As we talked, we got to a little building with a large number 5 on the side of it. And I could see the next building just a short way away had a number 6 on it.
"Well, I don't want to interrupt the time you can be used to whisper sweet nothings to each other and make all of us single guys and girls jealous enough to turn green. Thank you for showing me the way and I hope you forgive me for being all weird after class. See you two around." I waved as I headed to the least favorite class on my schedule.
Getting to class in plenty of time, I entered and walked directly to the desk as I rummaged through my backpack for the schedule all my teachers needed to sign. "Mr. Jefferson sir, I am a new student and I have my schedule here for you to sign."
"Leave it here on my desk and grab a book from that cupboard for yourself. You can collect the schedule at the end of class."
"Yes sir, I will also grab a book for my sister who will be starting class this hour as well." Just as I spoke, the door opened, and Bella came stumbling in. I smiled at her and went to the cupboard to get us each a book and made it back to the teacher's desk just in time to hear him tell her to get her signed schedule after class. I handed her the book I selected for her and asked the teacher "Is there assigned seating or do you know what seats are usually open?"
"Yes, the two in the back left are for you. If there are issues later on, I will move you as needed."
Bella looked at me like she wanted to say something as we walked back to our seats and just as soon as I sat down Bella asked me "What's this I heard about some senior punching you for talking to his girlfriend?"
(Alice & Jasper POV)
As soon as Thomas left, Alice and Jasper moved away from the entrance door to building 5 and started talking rapidly and low so they couldn't be overheard.
"That was a very angry young man, darlin." Jasper said while he reached his hand out to grip Alice's left hand.
"I can't see him, Jasper. He has never been in any of my visions. I knew that Chief Swan's daughter was coming but how could something like him slip through my visions? I can't wait to show you what he drew, but I won't take it out and let it get ruined in the rain."
"Wait, you mean to tell me you have been having visions of this Isabella Swan everyone is talking about? Why didn't you say anything?"
"The visions are changing too fast right now; someone has to make a decision, I think. But if it's the right decision then she will affect us all. Well, she will be my best friend too. Unless Thomas turns out to be my best friend…" She put a finger of her right to her chin. "If he is not in my visions, does he affect them? So much I don't know about my abilities, yet we rely on them so heavily."
"You're spinning me in a web of confusion here darlin."
"What did you feel when you saw him? He got all tense like he recognized you or was afraid of you."
"His emotions are like a bonfire of anger. I could feel him through the door as I was waiting for you. When he came out with you, I saw him looking me over and sizing me up the way you do when you meet someone for the first time. But well, most of my attention was on you love. Once I turned to look at him, I felt a great weariness, like he was ready to fight or run. The beginnings of fear and then suddenly it was like all those emotions were fuel for his rage. Before that point, he had no hostility towards me, but the anger started to overwhelm him. I had no doubt that he would attack me with everything he had at that point, so I had to use my ability to calm him down."
"It could have been me not paying attention, but I think he also saw my scars. His eyes focused on my face and neck intensely for a longer time than most humans."
Alice still had her finger on her chin. "Humans can't see your scars without a strong light illuminating them. He is getting more and more mysterious. I hope this doesn't mean we have to move again; I really like it here."
"Your safety is my priority love, our living arrangements can change but you know I won't stand for you to be in danger."
Alice smiled at him, "Your sweet dear but you know I will be safe, even if it's just to keep you from fighting. It's so exciting, Bella's first day here and so much is happening."
"Well, you best get yourself to class. I will see you at lunch, then later you can tell me about these visions you have been having."
Alice jumped up and gave Jasper a quick kiss and turned for the door. Once she was inside, Jasper headed off for his class and figured he would make it just in time. Holding his breath as much as he could to reduce the smell of the oh-so-sweet human blood that constantly tempted him, Jasper caught his name being whispered from time to time.
"I heard he was being pushed up against the wall by Jasper, just for talking to that little freak Alice."
"But I heard the new guy was huge, too big to be our age. I bet he got held back a couple of years. I wonder if they will fight after school?"
Jasper inwardly groaned, he and his family tried to keep the attention on them to a minimum and this was likely to keep the spotlight on them for a couple of weeks at least. Jasper sighed and wondered what everyone would say at lunch.
"If the new guy likes the way Alice looks, just wait until he gets a look at Rosalie. I mean all the Cullen's are gorgeous, but Rosalie is beauty incarnate."
"Ha, he will take one look at Emmitt and duck his head if he isn't able to take even Jasper on."
Jasper stopped paying attention at this point and just made his way to class making his face as stoic as possible and tuning out all the chatter. He hoped none of his siblings had heard of this rumor.
(Scene Shift Thomas)
Once the boring government class was over, I had to yet again convince Bella that I had not in fact gotten into a fight on my first day. I had not in fact been trying to steal a senior's girlfriend. And finally. We had not in fact pledged to have a fight to the death after school over her. How she got these rumors in just the 15-minute break between classes was a wonder.
I had to do all this before we even made it up to get our signed schedules, which we had to remind Mr. Jefferson that he had taken from us. Did all this really happen in just the first two classes of the day?
After leaving Bella to go to her Trigonometry class, I made my way to Biology with Mr. Banner. I couldn't help but notice that many of the people I passed were looking at me and whispering to each other and wondered just how far this stupid rumor spread in such a short time. This continued all the way to building 2 which I had to find by relying on the map given to me in the morning.
Upon entering the classroom, I walked directly to the front of the office and introduced myself to the teacher. After he signed my schedule he directed me to the books for the class, "I am afraid that you will make this class uneven in numbers so you will do a majority of the work on your own. If you struggle, then I can consider placing you with some of my top students as a three-person team."
"That's ok Mr. Banner, my biology is strong so I shouldn't struggle too much. If I do, I will be sure and let you know." It may have been my imagination, but this teacher came off as very condescending and stuck up. Good thing I held back on asking him if his first name was Bruce, I probably wouldn't like him when he is angry. The class proceeded normally, but I could tell that it was going to be a waste of time for me and Bella. We were both in the accelerated class in Phoenix school system and what we are learning in this class is about two years old to me. Good thing I kept all my past assignments on a thumb drive so I could just reuse them. Poor Bella being the old lady type, she hand-wrote all hers and I know she didn't bring them with her.
That should be good information to give her a hard time on. School had always come easy to me, even before my mother died, I was quite the fat nerd back then. This school was shaping up to be even easier than I was used to. Wonder if I can test out and graduate early. I was trying to act oblivious to all the staring I was getting and just hoped that it would calm down in time. Finally, the bell rang releasing me from the tiny classroom, I decided to take all of the 15 minutes I was allowed between classes after today. I needed to be early enough to get the teacher's signature today.
My final class before lunch, Mr. Varner, and calculus/trigonometry all the way back to where I separated from Alice and Jasper. If memory serves, I should pass Bella as she has just the trigonometry portion this last hour, she never did like math much. Making my way, I did not see Bella. I wondered if her 4th-period class took her in a different direction than the one I was coming from.
Mr. Varner proved to be another unpleasant man who forced me to stand at the front of the class and introduce myself to the class like I was a performing monkey. He is definitely going to get bashed in the Swan home if he made Bella stand up here. She hates being forced into the spotlight, though Renee did say that she opened up a good bit just by interacting with me.
After class, I went to my locker to drop off the books I had accumulated and then made my way to the lunch room.
Walking down the hall I see Bella looking around at the entrance of the cafeteria as she stood with another girl. This girl was slightly shorter than Bella and had very frizzy dark hair. Once Bella caught sight of me, (let's face it I kind of stood out so it wasn't hard.) she waved as if I hadn't seen her already.
"Hey Thomas, how's your day going so far?"
"It's good, looks like I will be able to reuse a lot of my essays from Phoenix here." I smiled knowing this would irritate her. "Who is this?" I pointed to the girl beside her.
Before Bella could say anything, "I'm Lauren, we have Spanish together and I invited her to sit with my group at our table. But she wanted to wait for you, and I was fine with that." She spoke very quickly and really emphasized the "I" in her introduction. I know it's shallow, but I already placed her in the self-centered category, but I wasn't above letting her work her way out of that group in my head. It depended on her at this point.
"Hello Lauren, I'm Thomas." I introduced myself. "Well let's get in there and see what passes as food in this school. I hope they ignored that hag Michelle Obama's sorry attempt at improving school lunches. How are they going to listen to a lady that has never let her daughters eat in a true school cafeteria much less eaten in one herself."
"He he, you're so funny Thomas."
Lauren had a high-pitched laugh that just grated on my nerves. But if she came with Bella, I would stay strong… For now!
I started looking around for the exits as soon as I walked in and gauged where the heaviest crowds would be, a normal habit of mine. I spotted a table in the back, that was completely empty and all the kids in the area avoided it. That's a perfect table for me I decided, close to the exit and out of the way. I could put my back to the wall and watch everyone that entered or came near me. Wondering why no one else was interested in that table I turned my attention to the food being served by the lunch ladies. Lauren's eyes got bigger and bigger as she saw the amount of food I was collecting on my tray. After paying for it I waited for Lauren and Bella to finish paying for their lunch.
Lauren points to a table that is in the middle of the room, "It's over there, those are my friends. They will be dying to talk to you too." I get antsy right away, but I was also trying to cope with my issues, so I was willing to try for today. Once we sat down, Lauren did some introductions. I started eating but kept my eyes towards whoever was talking and used their facial expressions as my queue to nod or shake my head to the comments I just didn't really want to listen.
I glance over at Bella and see her in the typical defensive posture she has when around a lot of people. Her shoulders were hunched and eyes down with her making quick glances through her hair at whoever was talking, but then looking away as if not wanting to be caught staring. She was definitely the one-on-one type of social girl and my trust issues with people often came off as stuck up. It was usually the 3rd or 4th interaction with people that they started to realize that I didn't care about what they were saying unless it was truly interesting to me. We made a true socially awkward pair.
Out of nowhere a strong burst of a sweet sugary smell overpowered my nose. The smell made me almost gag on the spoonful of chili-mac I was eating. It threw my taste buds off, smelling sweet but eating spicy. Looking around, the first thing I noticed was that everyone kind of froze for a second, like a herd of sheep with a wolf smell in the air. No one looked right away but everyone was aware that danger had approached, and they didn't want to draw attention to themselves, so they resumed their normal routine.
My senses told me exactly where the feeling of danger was coming from, and I tensed up more than was normal for me. I really didn't like the feeling because I knew that if you are too tense then it locks your movements down and makes them jerky and slow.
I started to analyze what I was seeing so I could get a handle on my nerves. First up was a true vision of beauty… No dummy, analyze the threat first! I told myself. Hovering over the woman I was trying to not stare at, was a figure that was just slightly taller than me, and his build was surprisingly bigger than mine as well. With short dark curly hair and a chubby boyish face with dimples any grandmother or aunt would want to squish between their fingers. The words devoted just began to describe the way he looked at the gorgeous being in front of him. I felt that if I built an altar and put a picture of this woman on it then he would be the first to kneel before it, when the real thing wasn't around that is.
Now on to the woman (Anyone calling her a girl would have to be blind.). She stands 5ft 9in with long wavey blond hair that fell past her shoulders to the middle of her back. She had a statuesque figure that would put any model to shame, even after they had been brushed up with Photoshop. She is astoundingly gorgeous. Her eyes and skin were the same color as Alice's to the point you had to wonder if they were natural or if their foster parents had a special skin care product. She moved like a queen entering her throne room, demanding everyone's adoration, and deeming it barely worthy of her acceptance. With a hint of "Do better next time you look at me!" coming across with the slight smirk on her lips.
This woman knew she was utterly without comparison, the top beauty in the room, and made sure every girl around her knew they would never be more than second place with her in the room. With these two leading the group it was hard to look past them. But once I did, I noticed the familiar figures of Jasper and Alice. Moving with the normal skip in her step Alice looked around and when she saw me, she gave me a little wave which I returned. She also looked at Bella and I could see an almost longing look in her eyes as if seeing a best friend after a long separation. Jasper had a look that was comparable to mine right now. His body tense as if he was trying to control himself and a look on his face like something was painful.
"Did that freak just wave at us?" Lauren said looking around the table for support to her words. When she noticed me returning the wave, she had a dumbfounded look on her face and just said "Oh.".
"So, is it true that Jasper wants to fight you for talking to his girlfriend?" A tall black kid asked me. I remembered his name was Tyler, I think.
"Not at all, he was very pleasant when Alice introduced me to him. I have art with her, and we are partners."
Everyone looked at me suspiciously, but no one commented. Then I heard Bella ask, "Who are they?" When I looked at her, I saw her eyes glued on one of the two figures behind Jasper and Alice. He was shorter than all the other men in his family (That I had seen.) standing around 6ft 1in. To me, he looked skinny but the way he moved spoke of hidden strength and speed. He had short, messy hair that was a shade between brown and red. I thought copper was as close to a color as I could use to describe it.
A girl at the table with long mousy blond hair and looking like a strong athletic type with her being taller than most girls at the table. Jessica, I believe was her name, answered Bella.
"Those are the Cullen's!" she said like a person getting ready to share some juicy gossip.
As if she had yelled out loud to get his attention, I saw the one Bella was looking at turn his head towards the table we sat at. Looking him over again I had to go with my earlier thought. The Cullen's definitely have a skin care product that was unavailable to the rest of the world. No other way they could all have the same pale ivory almost marble-like skin tone. The guy looked at Jessica as if to ask why she called for him but said nothing and turned his eyes towards Bella. After a second or two his eyes had a puzzled look and his face creased slightly into a frown for just a brief second before he was nudged from behind. "Don't just stand there stupid! Move!" A melodious yet irritated voice said from behind him.