CHAPTER 7
The night in Forks was different from others; the darkness seemed to absorb the town's light, and the yellow streetlamps gave the streets and landscape an unsettling feeling.
> Bella's Room
Bella woke up suddenly, and for an instant, she saw Edward staring at her. She turned on the bedroom light, but it was empty. Was it a dream? Why Edward? Why couldn't she shake the feeling of his gaze? That he was different, almost unreal for a human. And she was on her way to becoming obsessed with his presence.
> Forks High School
Bella stood in the same place where the accident had happened; her mind replayed past scenes, remembering how she could have died, and noticing a small detail that had gone unnoticed.
Logan… He reacted faster than anyone. His strength, the warmth of his skin when she touched him… that wasn't human. Stopping a moving van with one hand, even if he got hurt, was something no one could do without dying. And then there was Edward. Bella had dreams where he was always watching her, but every time she tried to reach him, he disappeared… leaving no trace, as if he were only a product of her imagination. But was he really?
The weather and gray clouds predicting rain didn't help her mood; inside, she told herself that something wasn't right, that something was dangerous… It felt like a non-human feeling.
Behind her, the class gathered for the field trip. Today she missed Logan a little; since they started talking again, she never felt alone. He was unique… he made everything feel different, like being kids again under that cloudy sky.
Mr. Molina organized the class for the excursion.
"Make sure you have your permission slips!" the teacher told them enthusiastically.
Bella looked one last time at the tire marks on the pavement and rejoined the group.
She blushed when she saw Edward with his siblings; beside him were Alice and Jasper. While watching them, she didn't notice Mike approaching her side.
"Yes! It's you, you're alive!" Mike said, striking an exaggerated pose like Frankenstein.
"Yeah, I think it was… a false alarm," Bella answered shyly.
"I'm glad you're not dead, because knowing that would've been terrible, right?" Mike looked away, embarrassed.
"I'd also like to ask, how's Jimmy? He's not answering messages and the guys don't know where he lives."
Mike looked at Bella, then looked away timidly; his nerves were obvious.
"And also, in a month… I mean, it's far off, but I wanted to ask you…" Mike began.
Bella wasn't listening anymore; she was distracted watching Edward stare from afar along with Mike, as if he could anticipate what they would talk about, his gaze serious. For a moment, the world seemed to stop; her heart pounded, and Edward's presence was a magnet she couldn't ignore.
Bella quickly refocused on her conversation with Mike.
"Sorry?" she asked.
Mike froze, as if he hadn't heard her the first time.
"I was asking… if you wanted to… go to the prom with me?" Mike asked, his face slightly red.
Realizing what he meant, Bella looked around for help. She didn't have Logan to look after her.
"Uh, the prom… I won't be here that day," she said, giving a quick excuse. "I'm going to Jacksonville that weekend."
Bella added with a small smile.
"And can't it be another day?" Mike asked in a whisper.
"Sorry, I already bought the tickets." Bella looked away and added, "Why don't you invite Jessica instead?"
"I'm sure she'll love the idea," she kept trying to convince him.
Bella signaled Jessica with her eyes across the school's green field, and Mike followed her gaze.
And once their eyes met, Jessica smiled at him.
Edward walked past them and for a moment Bella lost track of the world.
> Excursion Greenhouse
The teacher guided the students through different specimens and plants, giving small notes and summaries about each one.
Bella kept her eyes on Edward, who was farther ahead with his siblings.
The teacher showed a machine and compost while the students began to joke around.
"Look at the amazing things you can do with compost," he said as he placed a recyclable cup into a machine. "Compost tea."
He said it laughing and handed the cup to Tyler,
who accepted it jokingly with his friend.
"Wait, don't drink that!" Mr. Molina said.
Edward stood a few steps from Bella, and when she walked past him, she was surprised to hear…
"What's in Jacksonville?" Edward asked, still looking ahead.
"How did you know?" Bella seemed surprised by the unexpected question.
"You didn't answer my question," Edward said, this time looking at her in the eyes.
"As if you were going to answer any of mine," Bella said, trying not to sound shy. "You don't even say hi."
"Hi…" Edward said ironically.
"Now, will you tell me what's in that place?" he continued insisting.
"Floridians, that's what's in Jacksonville."
Bella turned to leave, but tripped, and before falling Edward caught her, preventing the fall. His scent so close threw her off a little, making her frown slightly.
"It would help if you actually looked where you're walking, you know?" he told her sharply.
Bella just looked at him, feeling attacked, and quickly walked forward.
Edward hurried to catch up with her.
"Sorry, I know I was rude to you, it's just…" his expression froze and he didn't know how to find the words.
Bella simply looked at him like he was crazy and walked away.
After that awkward moment, Jessica ran up to her with a huge smile.
"Guess who just asked me to prom!" Jessica almost screamed with excitement.
Bella just smiled.
"It's just that I think Mike was going to ask you… Don't you think it would be weird?" Jessica asked a little insecure. "Everything's fine, right?"
"Not at all, you two make a great couple," Bella answered almost shyly, feeling relieved.
"I know, right!" Jessica ran toward Angela.
Bella walked out of the greenhouse, heading for the school buses.
> School Buses
Edward approached Bella without her noticing.
"I think it'd be better if we weren't friends."
Bella was surprised again by not feeling him approach.
"I think you should've thought about that before talking to me," Bella answered with her head down, her hair trying to cover her face.
"Do you think we should be friends?" Edward looked into her eyes.
"I just don't understand why you avoid me, your mood swings, I don't get them," Bella said, a bit hurt.
"You don't know anything," Edward snapped, then walked away from her.
His cold tone hurt her a little, and right at that moment Alice appeared with a smile.
"The bus is about to leave," she looked at Bella. "Do you want to come with us?"
But Edward cut her off abruptly before Bella could answer.
"The bus is full," he said as he climbed in, and Alice was left with an awkward look.
Rain felt close; the atmosphere made her feel even more insecure, and at that moment she just wished Logan were near her.
To be continued…