Chapter Text
"We got two classes together. This is going to be awesome!"
"Great. At least I'll know someone there." I took back the paper and pocketed it.
"Yeah and-"
"Emmett. Aren't you going to introduce me to your lovely friend?"
We looked over Emmett's shoulder and I swear my heart stopped and I felt all power to my brain shutdown, the wiring disconnecting with a low whine.
...wow.
"Oh shit yeah. Sorry." He bonked his forehead with the palm of his hand. "Bella, my family. My family, Bella." He gestures to the two gor- I mean the two women standing beside him. The shorter of the two scowled intensely at the grinning boy, obviously displeased with his informal introduction. He looks down, noticing the icy glare from the raven haired beauty. He rolls his eyes, sighing. "Fine. Guess we're going with names now." He makes a show of clearing his throat, earning a look that was no doubt the source of the expression: if looks could kill from the small girl. "These two fabulous ladies here are commonly known, affectionately might I add, as munchkin and- ow!" He pouts, rubbing his stomach and shuffles a few inches away from the smaller girl. I watched amused. "This delightful abusive sprite," The girl's eyes narrow, "is Alice and the cheerful looking one next to her is Rosalie...what? It's true. At least try and smile please." The blonde rolled her eyes and crossed her arms, already looking annoyed.
Geez. What crawled up her amazingly looking butt?
"Uh hi." I waved. God they were pretty. Breathtaking, really. And ooh I'm rhyming again. Stop that.
The spiky haired one who I'm guessing is Alice by the way he gestured to each one, walked over to me and gently offered me her hand. I briefly - and I use that term heavily - had the urge to kiss the top of it but instead clasped it, hoping my palms didn't feel sweaty, and shook it gently. Her hand was ice cold, just like Emmett's when he helped me out of the Jeep yesterday.
I held in my frown.
Hm. Maybe poor blood circulation runs in their family.
"Hello Bella. It's wonderful to meet you." Her beautiful dimpled smile jolted me and I felt a warm fluttery feeling bloom in the pit of my stomach for some reason. How odd. "How do you like Forks so far?" She asked.
"Um it's n-nice." It's totally soggy and gross. I hate it here. "It's growing on me." I added. Like seriously. Moss. Everywhere.
Alice giggled at something and I swear my heart tripped over an artery because it was fumbling in my chest at the sweet fluttery sound. Holy hell that was sexy.
...wait-what?
I blinked – several times – and finally noticed the tall statuette figure gently approaching; a delicate pale hand extended and hung in the air, waiting for my acceptance. "I'm Rosalie."
I'm um – what was my name again? Damn it I know this!
I shook my head, blushing furiously at my inner stupidity. "Oh hi. Sorry it's um…it's been a rather slow morning. My caffeine hasn't woken me up I guess." What caffeine? You haven't drunk coffee since Mia. Old habits you guess. "Hello Rosalie. It's nice to meet you." I finally manage coherently. See! That wasn't so hard was it?
The three siblings shared a knowing look but then turned their eyes back to me.
Again I say, how odd. Is this what the rest of the day is going to be like? Because if it is I might as well tape my eyebrow to my forehead so I don't have make the effort. Lord knows it's probably going to quirk at every slight thing that confuses me today.
Why do I get the feeling like the day is never going to end?
The three gorgeous teens regarded me oddly, smiling almost knowingly, their expressions seeming misplaced for the situation.
What? Was there something on my face? I just barely resisted the urge to wipe my mouth and prod my face.
Other cars were beginning to arrive, filling up the once empty lot with gawky teenagers. I could practically feel their eyes on me as they climbed out of their cars - a blonde guy nearly falling on his teeth when he wasn't willing to peel his eyes away from me - or gossiped with their friends.
I wasn't one to hold the opinions of others in high regard, or act like it actually meant a fig to me, I could really care less, and really, why worry about it?
But, I was beginning to border on paranoia as the growing crowd of students began milling about the parking lot, staring at me, watching my every move.
Talk about stage fright.
I don't like crowds. Never have. Most likely I never will. But over the last few years I've discovered that I like them even less now. Which isn't much at all.
I could tell, even without the blatant finger pointing from the less subtle of my peers that today was going to be a long day. Or a shitty one.
Guess we'll see.
"After you m'lady." Emmett gestured, offering me his elbow. I inhaled deeply as I accepted the muscled forearm with a soft smile. "Later ladies." Both woman waved in our direction as their eyes never left my face. I swallowed roughly and jerked my head in front of me, not having the guts or the tongue to say goodbye to them.
Emmett was all smiles though, completely unaware of the careful gaze I was getting from the two women he knew so well as we made our way to our shared class.
Okay Bella. You can do this. It's just ...first days jitters is all. Nothing to be anxious about. No bigs. You got this. Just remember your manners. Say please and thank you when necessary. Learn stuff and don't die. Yeah. Totally encouraging. And for crying out loud stop acting like a jitter bug! You are not on crack so calm down!
Emmett opened the door for me when we arrived by a forest green door with the numbers 104 in white block font.
Upon entering the room, I was given the usual formal greeting one would expect on their first day by the teacher, introduced to the entire classroom from the front of the room and made to say one thing about myself –fuck my life- which went something like this, "My name's Bella Swan and I like horror movies and no that does not make me weird." I chuckle nervously. My new classmates looked at me strangely, like I had just bitten off the head of a chicken and spat it into the crowd.
Yikes. Tough crowd.
Emmett, who I now claimed as my new buddy, patted me encouragingly on the back and ushered me to the back of the class and to an empty seat.
I was so happy to finally be sitting down. Course I was still being stared and hushed about by my new classmates, it was still a hundred times better than being ogled by the whole student body before I even stepped foot on campus.
Note to self: investigate possible fear of crowds... Could be a problem at band concerts…
Though it's not all bad. I haven't tripped at all this morning...yet. So that's still something to look forward to.
And I also had a feeling that Emmett was too busy glaring at any one that so much as whispered 'new girl' or glanced at me too long for me to be worried about it.
Bless his buff heart.
I was arriving a few months into the quarter, so it's safe to say that I was too new to survive the year unnoticed. Even though that would have been super lovely, it was only wishful thinking.
Hey. A girl can dream right?
I felt a gentle nudge to my shoulder and turned my head.
"How good's your aim?" Emmett side whispered.
"What? Oh um good I guess. Depends. Why are you asking?" I asked baffled.
"Here…hold this." Emmett pushed a long piece of plastic in my hands. Is this a straw? I looked through its long tunnel at the teacher up front. Yup. It's a straw. I turned my head to look at Emmett who was busy rolling small pieces of paper into little balls on the desk, a pink tongue peeking out at the corner of his mouth in deep concentration.
I quirked an eyebrow. "Seriously?"
"What? Oh come on. Live a little. This is only one of the ways I keep my sanity in this place."
"Aren't there more constructive ways to spend your time like, I don't know, learning."
He shook his head. "No point. I already know all this stuff."
"Oh really." My voice rises in incredulity. "Are you like a secret brain?" I prop my head in my hands as I look at him with a lazy smirk.
"Yup." He smirks. "Mah brain's huge." he winked.
I covered my giggles with my hand. With a shake of my head I told him, "With that ego of yours to overcompensate with I doubt it's that big."
"Oh Bella, you wound me."
I bumped his shoulder, "Shut up. I was just teasing."
He bumped right back. "I know. Totally hurt my man parts though. I hope you feel guilty."
"Well you tell little Emmy how remorseful I am alright?"
Emmett smirked and looked at me. "We are going to get along just fine, Ms. Swan."
"If you say so Mr. Cullen." My lips curled. He bumped his massive shoulder muscle lightly into my much smaller and wholly unimpressive one.
"So have you seen much of the town yet?"
"No offense but...there's not that much to see." I replied gently, though honestly.
"Only said by someone who doesn't know where to look."
"Very true."
"It'd be my honor to be your guide."He announced sagely and bowed his head, carefully sweeping his arm out and over me, and curtsied, I think, which was only slight since he was sitting down. I suppressed a smile and rolled my eyes playfully at his silly antics.
"Well with an offer like that, Mr. Cullen, how can I possibly say no?"
"I know right." He waggled his eyebrows.
I shook my head and wrote the finishing formula that Mr um... Mrrr ...whatever-his-name-is was working out on the board.
"His name's Crotchet." Emmett supplied helpfully as if reading my mind. I nodded as I watched the man go from the right end of the board and resume writing the equation from the beginning. Seriously. Who still works in chalk?
"God. How I would love to just knee him in the Crotchet. B- my ass." He mutters. I smiled at his petulant complaint as he folded his arms, clearly pouting his displeasure with a supposed 'bad' grade he got.
Emmett, as I was starting to learn, was a little trickster. An adorable, mischievous trickster with a heart of gold as it turns out. The large bear of a man was responsible for three welts on the back of Mr. Crotchet's neck and a possible bruise on the poor man's backside when Emmett's spit ball storm ended with Mr. Crotchet tumbling to the floor unexpectedly. I arched an eyebrow at my desk partner, watching from the corner of my eye as he sat innocently with his fingers threaded together on his diligently taken notes with a small, barely-there smile on his face. Then, Mr. Crotchet shot up from the floor grabbing quickly for his desk chair which, unfortunately, happened to be a rolling chair, sending him crashing to the floor again with a squeaky yelp. I stifled my chuckles because as guilty as I felt for laughing, it was rather amusing to see him fumbling for purchase on the desk. Grasping clumsily for the side of the desk like he was drowning, Mr. Crotchet pulled himself up, this time slowly, and finally regained his height, and his dwindling dignity.
Poor guy.
The man straightened up, cleared his throat nosily, and glared hatefully at the remaining students who were laughing unabashedly. I pursed my lips and watched Emmett's reaction. Oh God. The guy looked constipated. He looked pained like he was seconds away from bursting.
Apparently not trusting us for a second, my new teacher sat carefully in his chair and glared at us for the remainder of class, giving up his verbal and chalky demonstration on the board.
Five agonizing minutes later the bell rang and we were free to go, not without a steely glare to every one of us as we had to pass his desk to get out of the classroom.
"That was horrible." I said, clutching my books closer to my chest. My guilt suddenly reigning supreme in my chest as I thought about what just happened.
"Are you kidding? That was awesome!" Emmett grinned excitedly. "Did you see his face?"
I sighed. "Yes, Emmett. I saw his face."
"Man he looked pissed."
"Oh gee, I wonder why." I muttered dryly. Emmett steered us to the right where my next class was and I followed as I walked along side him.
"He had it coming. You'll catch on just how much of a jack ass he is. Trust me. What I did was justice in its sweetest and most hilarious form. You'll come to enjoy that memory soon enough."
"If you say so Emmett." Though I doubt it. We stopped by a double door leading to what I'm guessing is my second period.
"Well this is where we part madam. Your next class after this one is down this hall and to the right. Keep walking until you find your room number. Got all that?"
I nodded.
"Good. Well I guess I'll see you around. Enjoy your day Bella!" I waved as he jogged away with a dimpled smile.
"Thanks Emmett."
I pushed the door open, holding my breath.
Here we go…
I walked in.
Oh hell. What is with these people? I'm really not that interesting kids. Please look away.
"Isabella, I presume." I turned to the cheerful voice to me left, surprised as an attractive blonde woman smiled at me in greeting. I fumbled for words but swallowed carefully and smiled shyly.
"Um I prefer Bella. But yes that's me."
"Wonderful. Welcome to Forks High and I hope you enjoy my class and refrain from sleeping throughout. I'm Ms Lewis." I waved awkwardly at her. The older woman smiled at my shyness and gestured to the class. "Please, sit anywhere you like."
I nodded and scanned over the current seating arrangement, looking for an available seat. Seeing one close to the back but slightly toward the middle, I made my way there.
The lesson was simple enough; we were going over contrast and how light could make a bigger impact on a subject, making it look even more dramatic versus nearly blacking out the image with heavy tones. She was giving us examples and we were to come up with our own piece tomorrow. I had an idea of what I wanted to work on so the assignment shouldn't be too difficult to finish.
I wonder if Forks has a Michaels by chance. Charcoal could just be what I need.
Though I had come to expect the staring I couldn't help feeling like I was being…studied? Like I was being analyzed. It was weird and I was probably being paranoid but I couldn't shake it; especially in my art class. Someone was taking great care to figure me out. Don't ask me how I know this. I'm pretty sure I've gone insane and will need a straight jacket by the end of the day. Which is why as soon as the bell rang I was out of there before anyone had gotten their stuff together.
This day is just getting longer and longer, I thought bitterly. My only motivation was getting in my car at the end of today and picking up Mia. Being able to hold her tightly and smiling as she squealed and giggled to get out of my gentle vice grip.
Though my happy thought soon went up in flames as I saw another passerby point at me as he mentioned me to a group of his friends excitedly. I rolled my eyes.
I hate people, I thought grumpily, my steps rushed as I tried to make my way through the halls without running into someone, ignoring the constant staring and hushed voices and freaking pointing from clustered individuals standing by rows of lockers on either side of me. Hell...it's like these kids have never seen a new student before. Geez and I thought I was deprived. I forced myself to keep my head up, even though, I desperately wanted to hide behind my hair and pretend that no one could see me, as ridiculous as that sounds.
As pathetic as that sounds. I didn't deal with change well. Like at all. I detested it and avoided having to deal with it when I could. But thinking that, knowing that's how I feel, I still don't regret moving here. I don't like it here, I'll be honest but still, the change was needed.
It was an important necessity. For me...and Mia.
I shook my head and tried to focus, nearly missing the next turn to my next class.
Thankfully the teacher didn't feel the need to introduce me to the entire class like my last period and I was spared from making a fool out of myself. Ms. Ross pointed to my seat and I walked there quietly. The instant my tush hit the plastic chair the person in front of me swiveled in his seat and I was assaulted by an overbearing cloud of cologne, making me gag on my spit.
The spiky blonde, who I recognized as the guy who ate pavement this morning when he wouldn't budge his eyes from the sight of me, laid his forearm across my desk and gave me the douchiest attempt at 'the nod' that I've ever seen.
"Whassup. I'm Mike." The guy said in a tone, I'm guessing, was supposed to come off as suave and cool, but failing miserably.
"Hey Mike." I gave him a lazy two finger wave, which he smiled at excitedly for some reason.
I willed my eyebrows to stay put.
"So where you from?" He asked.
"Phoenix." I replied.
"Cool." He nodded, grinning.
Yup."
"I bet its hot there."
"Then you'd guess right."
"Totally different from Forks too."
"Right again."
"Not as many trees though. That kinda sucks."
"Yeah we're having a shortage this year." I muttered dryly.
"That's too bad." He said in all seriousness looking deeply concerned at the news of our tree scarcity. Oh my golly he thinks I'm serious.
Can I just say wow? If this conversation gets any more stimulating I may need a sedative.
I let him prattle on for a good five to ten minutes before the teacher finally decides to do her job and begins class, sending Mike and his stink cloud away for the time being. I swear a minute longer and my slightly dull pencil would have found itself halfway sunk in Mike's eye—I-I mean…
Let's just leave that thought alone for now…
When the bell rang at the end of class I stood from my seat, but before I could take a step toward the exit, Mike stopped me. Dear God what now?
"So listen I was wondering," He began anxiously, rubbing the back of his neck. "If you would like to sit with me and my friends during lunch."
Are they as boring and over eager to please as you are? I almost asked.
"Um…"
"They're great I promise." He added quickly. "Except Lauren. She's mostly a bitch to the extreme but you learn to just go with it and eventually you forget she's there."
This does not soothe me at all.
"Um sure. Why not." Who else am I gonna sit with? It's not like Emmett offered. Though maybe he might have. Whatever.
By the time lunch rolled around I gave up on trying to figure out the layout of this place and followed the hungry crowd.
I opened the double doors and immediately I heard my name being shouted through the cafeteria.
Mike was waving his arm about in a ridiculous attempt for me to spot him.
I see you dumbass.
I gave him an embarrassed nod and pointed to the lunch line, hoping he'd get the hint and stop making a fool out of himself. Eventually he plopped his butt in his seat and I silently made my way to the end of the lunch line.
As I eyed the food options with a skeptical eye I found my once growing appetite dwindling.
An apple it is then. It was the safest option for lunch, I figured. I paid for my fruit and walked to Mike's table and sat down next to a brunette with glasses.
Mike introduced me to each person at the table but he went by it so quickly I barely had time to remember their names properly. Though Lauren's death beam expression was hard to miss so she was the first person I remembered. Conversation picked up around the table again and I was just happy to sit there and listen.
"So are you going to the back to school dance?" Mike asked, a little too eagerly, looking up at me from his plate, before raising a fork lift of whatever brown mystery glob the lunch lady aggressively slapped on his tray. I held in a grimace as I watched it jiggle on the spork. Food should never jiggle, ever, unless it's like gelatin or something of that sort. I mean, that's pretty much its only purpose in life right? To jiggle merrily and ...why am I talking about this? Oi, my brain.
Everyone waited expectantly for an answer, all eyes trained on me. I found my knee bouncing anxiously as I tried to think of an appropriate answer that didn't sound close to, "Hell to the no." or the infamous, "Hey look at that!" pointing behind them and bolting from my chair before they turned back around. Yes I would so do that. If I was desperate enough. Like really desperate.
Yeah I'm not good with confrontation. I hated being in the spotlight.
"Um I can't." I breathed, my voice low and the words running together a little too closely. I pulled air into my lungs slowly, calming myself and forcing stillness into my already frantic heart. I'm not good with interrogation either. Or sharing anything about myself. I knew, especially by the irritated skeptical look Jessica was practically stabbing me with, that I was in for a heap load of questioning.
"Aw why not?" Mike whined and I held in the urge to roll my eyes. Really? You're using that tone and you're how old mister? Mia doesn't even whine like that.
"I have to babysit." I said before taking a large bite of my apple. See and it's not a total lie. It's just a simple one. So it's very easy to follow. I subtly nodded at my reasoning and took another bite of the green fruit.
"Oh really? Who?" Jessica leaned in and gave me a somewhat nasty look and for the third time in the span of twenty minutes I wondered if she was bipolar. Though my gut was telling me that she was normally this unpleasant but also I think I was putting her on edge for some reason.
"Does it matter?" I replied back with just as much bite. "Either way, I can't go."
"Still want to know who you're supposedly babysitting. Especially since you just got here. You can't possibly know anybody so soon." Jessica glared. I sent her a look, it's the look I used with Mia whenever she was throwing one of her fits and I knew that she knew that nothing positive was going to end in her favor. I quirked an eyebrow, completely unimpressed and just stared...Jessica lasted five seconds and then she was huffing and darting her eyes elsewhere.
Hm. - I hid my smile behind my apple and took a bite, chewing happily. - I win.
"There's no supposedly," I used air quotes. "about it. I am babysitting. Really appreciate it if you would kindly lay off." Give me points! I said that somewhat civilly. Up top! ...anyone? ...okay then. I'll just high five myself...like a loser.
"Enough guys. It's really no big deal who Bella babysits ...right guys?" The cute nerdly chick says in a tone, making eye contact with every single occupant at the table until they all nodded. I smiled.
Go you nameless girl.
I mouthed a thank you to her when no one was looking.
She nodded, smiling softly in my direction. 'You're very welcome.'
So I think I have one new friend after today. That's something, right?
It was finally the end of the day and I couldn't be happier. The only thought in my head as I practically ran to my car was - Mia. Gotta get Mia. And something that sounded vagually like - Holy God I survived! I hate school so much. I can't wait to hold Mia and play freaking Peek-a-Boo for an hour. God I missed her. I hope she was okay today? I mean she doesn't know this place, the kids she plays with are strangers to her. Its all so new for her. I just hope she's alright and I hope the teacher hasn't lost her mind by now. God help the woman if Mia decided to lose her shit today and make things difficult. It was a likely possibility that I was afraid of. I crossed my fingers on both my hands as they rested on the steering wheel as I drove to the day care center.
I knocked at the door when I got there and waited anxiously for an answer. Can she be any slower? Mia will be a teenager by the time they get around to answering the door. Whoa. Scary thought.
"Oh Ms. Swan. Sorry for the wait. I was wrestling a three year old when you knocked. Please come in."
"How was she?" I followed her down a narrow hall way until it opened up to the play area.
The woman smiled as we watched Mia play with a stuffed dog and a small army of Barbies and Kens. I loved watching her play. She got so into her toy stories sometimes. I couldn't help but be fascinated and amused she emoted so adorably but so seriously as she played. Currently, Mia was really engrossed in her game as she gave the dog an irritated voice and began telling off a row of Barbies. The Barbies, apparently, were just as annoyed. I shook my head. Such drama. "An angel." I heard her teacher reply. "She is such a sweetheart." I smirked at that. "And smart too." The woman adds, gushing.
I groaned and looked at her. "Oh don't tell me you're in love with her too?" I joked.
She chuckled. "It's kind of hard not to be."
"First day and already she has a fan." I smiled. "What a lucky girl."
The woman smirked at me from the corner of my eye as I watched Mia manipulate the dog's paws so it looked like it smelled something bad, fanning the front of its snout with one paw and covering it with the other.
"Weird dog." I mumbled.
I walked up behind her slowly, careful not to step on any toys (or kids for that matter) whilst watching as Mia bounced her characters around at appropriate times when they were talking.
"You aww stink reawwy bad." I hear Mia say in an exaggerated gruff voice. "I don't wike being here."
"Then go away you stinky puppy dog." Said a blonde Barbie doll. "And don't come back!"
"Guys guys!" A brunette doll came into the picture, holding out her plastic arms in front of both of them. "Don't fight. You need to be nice." She seemed to be trying to console both parties but neither of them were listening.
"No. They're monsters! They're going to eat you!" The dog said.
I raised my brow at that. So backwards. Huh. I would have thought the dog would be the bad guy.
"Nu-huh!" Mia and the brunette shook their heads together. "They awesome! They wuv me and Mia."
My ears perked up at that. So she was including herself in the story?
"They're going to eat you!" Mia growled cutely making the dog look angry as its body dipped low like it was going to attack. The brunette got in front of the Barbies, as if shielding them from the fluffy animal.
"You're wrong! They never -"
"Roar!" The dog made to pounce on the Barbies and in the brunette's direction when Mia's hand left the waist of the brunette and shot out, sending the dog flying away in the air.
"Bad dog. You wisten!" Mia scolded. I laughed before I could stop myself, nearly falling on my ass. So cute. Mia's head whipped around at the sound of my voice, her eyes brightening and her smile wide as she shot up from her spot on the floor and leapt for my legs, almost knocking me over again.
"Oh shi - oof! Ha ha! Hey baby girl. Did you miss me?" The girl immediately nodded and stretched her arms up, wiggling her fingers eagerly. I chuckled and picked her up. "Are you sure you missed me? I haven't gotten even one lovey-" Mia's little arms wrapped tightly around my neck, nearly choking me in her grip.
Gawd! Girls like an anaconda.
I patted her back and laughed - as best I could - regardless. "Okay okay. I believe you! Let me up." Her grip loosened - if only slightly - and she leaned her cheek against mine still holding me to her as if I was the one being cradled.
"I missed you too" She whispered in my ear like a secret. I smiled and squeezed.
"Good. I was beginning to worry."
Her head shook against my cheek.
"Never worry."
My smile grew. "Come on. Let's get on home little one."
"Where's home?" She asked. I stopped dead in my tracks, stunned, completely unprepared for a question like that, and especially one so heavy and so hard to answer from a three year old.
I felt my nose burn, foretelling of emotions that I knew didn't deserve to be seen. Swallowing the painful lump in my throat, and vigorous rub to my nose, I began walking again. "It's where ever I'm at baby." I held her tighter. "It's wherever I'm at. Now come on. Maybe if you're good we'll get you some ice cream on our way to the house."
I laughed as Mia squealed and bounce excitedly in my arms.