5. First Impressions

When we entered the classroom, Angela went to sit at a black topped lab table, she didn't have a neighbor, right behind none other than Edward Cullen. He was in the seat in front of her, near the window and lacked a neighbor as well.

Why they weren't already partners, I wonder.

Shrugging, I walked up to the teacher to get my slip signed and receive the program book. Mr Banner signed my slip before he scanned the class. "You can sit next to Ms Webber, Ms Swan."

Smiling as I could be with Angela, I made space for Bella to give in her own slip before I walked towards my new lab desk.

As I walking to the desk, I passed Edward's desk and lifted a brow at his expression. He looked like he was having a bad case of diarrhea. Who told him to glare at my sister like that?

He was staring at Bella with the most hostile gaze and the only reason I had yet to plant a pen in his coal black eyes was that it didn't look like he was angry at Bella but at himself.

Opening my book, I watched as Bella stumbled her way to her seat, taking a quick sniff at her clothes as Edward had scooted the farthest away from her, as if she really stank.

I looked the other way, working extremely hard not to burst out loud—Bella would kill me right there.

I mean, it wasn't the best of first impressions for someone as shy as my sister but from a sibling point of view, it was hilarious. And I would definitely go to hell for laughing, even if it wasn't out loud.

As Bella hid behind her hair, I finally focused on the lecture.

Mr Banner's take on cellular anatomy, something I'd already studied, was passionate and creative. Something I liked and there wasn't a second where Angela and I were bored with the experiments.

Occasionally, my eyes would wander towards Edward, who was sitting so still he didn't look like he was breathing and I was now concerned for his health.

***

A fast hour later, the bell rang, and it was loud, making Edward fluidly rise from his seat and quickly walk out of the classroom.

"Hey, did you stab Edward with your pencil or something?" Mike, a guy from our lunch table stood before Bella's desk. "I've never seen him like that."

"I don't know." Bella shrugged as Angela and I joined them but I could see the gathering of tears in her eyes.

She wasn't sad though—she was angry. Somehow, Bella's anger was wired to her tear ducts. She usually cried when she was angry, which is why I could never take her seriously.

"Do you need any help finding your next class?" Mike asked us as Angela went her own way to another class.

I shrugged. "We both have gym next, I'm sure we can find it."

Our little Mikey-Mike here was very interested in Bella but when I tried to leave them alone, Bella had grabbed my jacket and didn't let go.

Mike supplied most of the conversation on our way to the gym building. He lived in California till he was ten, so he knew the sentiment of being new in Forks High. He was a bit clingy but he was nice.

***

Coach Clapp, the gym teacher gave Bella and I new uniforms but didn't make us play for today's games, to my obvious disappointment and Bella's utter delight.

I watched four simultaneous volleyball games with great interest—I wanted to sign up for the volleyball team even when I'd researched the high school.

I kept myself fit and safe—meaning runs every morning as well as self-defense classes every two days. I took the classes in Phoenix and did not intend on giving them up anytime soon.

Way too soon into the second game, the bell rang to signal the end of the class.

"Thank god." Bella muttered next to me.

I chuckled, remembering how many injuries she'd sustained—and inflicted—playing volleyball.

This year was bound to be eventful.

***

I was slowly walking to the office to return my paperwork, Bella having gone ahead of me as I was talking with the coach about joining the team.

Turning a corner, I ran into a hard—like rock hard—chest, nearly falling before a pretty cold hand held me up.

"Sorry, I wasn't looking." I looked up and lo and behold, standing in front of me was Edward Cullen.

His dark eyes stared at me with confusion, as if he couldn't figure out something. "Rebecca Swan, right?"

"Becca." I corrected.

"Edward Cullen."

I shook his head, wondering about his shift in attitude from Bella to me. "Nice to meet you, Edward. Though it would be nicer if you didn't glare at my sister as if she'd insulted your family."

He hesitated, probably looking for a decent reply. "It's complicated."

"Un-complicate it then." I grinned but there was a warning tone in my voice.

He chuckled at my light threat. "Order received, princess." He made a mock salute.

I laughed, surprised by his personality. He was far more chill than I would have guessed and I was loving it.

"I'm more of a queen." I leaned forward to whisper with a smirk. "See you later, Edward Cullen."

"Yeah, later, Becca Swan." I heard him say as I walked into the front office.

I gave my paperwork to the lady from this morning just as Bella had finished her own paperwork.

"Were you talking with Edward Cullen, right now? What did he say?" Bella began to fire questions at me.

"He invited me for seven minutes in heaven in the janitor's closet." I rolled my eyes at her downcast expression. "None of your business, Bella. But I will say, he isn't as bad as he seemed."

"What? He acted as though I stank all throughout biology... do I stink?"

I eyed her up and down with a grin. "Is that a trick question?" I joked.

"Shut up." She nudged my shoulder with a laugh. "You're annoying."

"Come on, crazy eyes. Let's go home."

"I don't have crazy eyes." Bella rolled said eyes.

I arched a brow. "For Edward Cullen, you do."

***

The first dinner night with dad was just as fun as it'd always been—well, for dad and I at least. Bella was acting as if her world had ended when it was only one boy that ignored her.

I was in my sleepwear, ready to sleep when Bella came in.

"He really didn't like me, huh." She sat on my bed. "I told you I didn't fit in."

"Don't be a hypocrite, Bels, it's not a good look." I sighed. "When they give you attention, you balk and when they don't, it's the end of your world? It's just a boy that you've known for five minutes. Get over it."

Bella heaved a big sigh. "You don't understand. He was so mean."

I shrugged. "You're right, I don't. And I don't want to." I said. "You don't know what was happening with him, no need to judge. Besides, he doesn't owe you anything."

"He was glaring at me!" She snapped.

"He wasn't the only one." I snapped back. We were glared at by quite a few of girls. "Why do you only care when it's this one stranger."

There was a beat of silence before Bella shrugged. "I don't know." She said as she walked out of my room.

I sighed, plopping down on my bed. I knew what was happening.

Bella was fascinated by beauty and the Cullens were the definitions of it. So seeing such a being not be fond of her, she probably had quite a shock.

But as far as I was concerned, that was life. Not everyone had to like you and you didn't have to like everybody. Unfortunately, Bella couldn't quite grasp that concept.

I once again hoped this year would be eventful—not how Bella wanted it to be—before I fell into a well-deserved slumber.