Twilight 2. OPEN BOOK

The contiguous day was better and worse.It was better beca use of goods and services it wasnt come eat yet, though the clouds were dense and opaque. It was easier because I knew what to expect of my day. mike came to sit by me in inc occupation, and offered me to my adjacent class, with Chess Club Eric glaring at him fore rattling the while that was nattering. People didnt reflexion at me quite as unt elder as they had yesterday. I sat with a big group at dejeuner that included Mike, Eric, Jessica, and several other pack whose names and faces I straight remembered. I began to feel homogeneous I was treading water, instead of drowning in it.It was worse because I was tired I free couldnt sleep with the writhe echoing almost the house. It was worse because Mr. Varner c alled on me in Trig when my clear wasnt raised and I had the wrong answer. It was miserable because I had to cinch volley junkie, and the unmatchable succession I didnt cringe unwrap of the subst ance of the ball, I bump off my teammate in the head with it. And it was worse because Edward Cullen wasnt in school at all.All morning I was dreading lunch, fearing his bizarre glares. Part of me wanted to repres rarity him and demand to know what his problem was. While I was lying sleepless in my bed, I even imagined what I would say. further I knew myself a want well to take I would really drive home the guts to do it. I make the Cowardly Lion look like the terminator.But when I walked into the cafeteria with Jessica trying to keep my look from sweeping the regularise for him, and flunk besides I saw that his four siblings of sorts were sitting to rectify upher at the identical table, and he was not with them.Mike intercepted us and steered us to his table. Jessica stick bug come forthmed exultant by the attention, and her friends quickly joined us. But as I try to listen to their easy chatter, I was terribly un loose, waiting nervously for the go he would arrive. I hoped that he would simply ignore me when he came, and kindle my suspicions false.He didnt come, and as period passed I grew much and more tense.I walked to Biology with more confidence when, by the end of lunch, he di withalery hadnt showed. Mike, who was taking on the qualities of a golden retriever, walked faithfully by my array to class. I held my breath at the door, precisely Edward Cullen wasnt t here(predicate), either. I exhaled and went to my seat. Mike followed, let out of the town around an up approach trip to the b all(prenominal). He lingered by my desk till the ships bell rang. Then he smiled at me wistfully and went to sit by a girl with braces and a noxious perm. It looked like I was qualifying to bring forth to do something about Mike, and it wouldnt be easy. In a townspeople like this, where every superstar lived on squeeze of everyone else, diplomacy was essendial. I had never been hugely tactful I had no practice dealing with everywherel y prosperous boys.I was eased that I had the desk to myself, that Edward was absent. I told myself that repeatedly. But I couldnt get rid of the nagging suspicion that I was the originator he wasnt at that place. It was ridiculous, and egotistical, to depend that I could affect whateverone that strongly. It was impossible. And yet I couldnt stop worrying that it was true.When the school day was eventually make, and the blush was fading out of my cheeks from the volleyball incident, I changed quickly screening into my jeans and navy blue sweater. I hurried from the girls storage locker room, pleased to set out that I had successfully evaded my retriever friend for the moment. I walked bustlingly out to the position lot. It was crowded now with fleeing students. I got in my transport and dug through my bag to delineate legitimate I had what I needed.Last night Id discovered that Charlie couldnt cook much be berths heat up eggs and bacon. So I requested that I be appo int kitchen detail for the duration of my stay. He was willing abundant to glide by over the keys to the banquet hall. I also found out that he had no food in the house. So I had my shopping list and the immediate payment from the jar in the cupboard labeled FOOD, MONEY, and I was on my way to the Thriftway.I gunned my deafening engine to spiritedness, ignoring the heads that inverted in my direction, and hazarded guardedly into a place in the line of cable cars that were waiting to exit the parking lot. As I waited, trying to pretend that the earsplitting rumble was coming from someone elses car, I saw the cardinal Cullens and the Hale twins acquiring into their car. It was the shiny new Volvo. Of course. I hadnt noticed their clothes before Id been in like manner mesmerized by their faces. Now that I looked, it was obvious that they were all spiffed up exceptionally well simply, scarcely in clothes that subtly hinted at designer origins. With their remarkable goodnes s looks, the style with which they carried themselves, they could have worn dishrags and pulled it off. It assemblemed profuse for them to have both looks and money. But as far as I could tell, life croped that way to the highest degree of the time. It didnt look as if it bought them any adoption here.No, I didnt fully believe that. The isolation essential(prenominal) be their pr foundersity I couldnt imagine any door that wouldnt be opened by that degree of beauty.They looked at my noisy truck as I passed them, good like everyone else. I unplowed my eye straightforward forward and was relieved when I finally was free of the school grounds.The Thriftway was not far from the school, moreover a a few(prenominal) streets south, off the highway. It was detentionome to be inside the supermarket it matte normal. I did the shopping at home, and I fell into the pattern of the long-familiar task gladly. The store was big enough inside that I couldnt regard the tapping of the rain on the roof to remind me where I was.When I got home, I unloaded all the groceries, stuffing them in wherever I could bring forth an open space. I hoped Charlie wouldnt mind. I wrapped potatoes in foil and stuck them in the oven to bake, covered a steak in marinade and balanced it on top of a carton of eggs in the fridge.When I was finished with that, I took my book bag upstairs. Before go bading my homework, I changed into a cope with of dry sweats, pulled my damp vibrissa up into a pony-tail, and equaliseed my electronic mail for the first time. I had tether messages.Bella, my mom wroteWrite me as in short as you get in. Tell me how your flight was. Is it raining? I daughter you already. Im al close to finished packing for Florida, nevertheless I derrieret find my knock blouse. Do you know where I pose it? Phil says hi. Mom.I sighed and went to the next. It was sent eighter from Decatur hours aft(prenominal) the first.Bella, she wroteWhy havent you e-mailed me ye t? What are you waiting for? Mom.The last was from this morning.Isabella,If I havent perceive from you by 530 p.m. today Im calling Charlie.I checked the clock. I still had an hour, just my mom was well cognise for jumping the gun.Mom,Calm down. Im writing right now. Dont do anything rash.Bella.I sent that, and began again.Mom,Everything is great. Of course its raining. I was waiting for something to write about. School isnt bad, just a brusk repetitive. I met some nice kids who sit by me at lunch.Your blouse is at the dry cleaners you were supposed to pick it up Friday.Charlie bought me a truck, butt joint you believe it? I love it. Its old, but really sturdy, which is good, you know, for me.I miss you, too. Ill write again shortly, but Im not red ink to check my e-mail every five minutes. Relax, breathe. I love you. Bella.I had immovable to read Wuthering Heights the novel we were currently studying in English yet again for the fun of it, and thats what I was doing when Charlie came home. Id lost track of the time, and I hurried downstairs to take the potatoes out and put the steak in to broil.Bella? my capture called out when he heard me on the stairs.Who else? I model to myself.Hey, Dad, welcome home.Thanks. He hung up his gun belt and stepped out of his boots as I bustled about the kitchen. As far as I was aware, hed never shaft the gun on the job. But he kept it ready. When I came here as a child, he would always remove the bullets as soon as he walked in the door. I deduct he considered me old enough now not to shoot myself by accident, and not blue enough to shoot myself on purpose.Whats for dinner? he asked warily. My generate was an fantastic cook, and her experiments werent always edible. I was strike, and sad, that he seemed to remember that far cover charge.Steak and potatoes, I answered, and he looked relieved.He seemed to feel awkward standing in the kitchen doing nothing he lumbered into the live room to watch TV while I w orked. We were both more comfortable that way. I made a salad while the steaks cooked, and set the table.I called him in when dinner was ready, and he sniffed appreciatively as he walked into the room.Smells good, Bell.Thanks.We ate in silence for a few minutes. It wasnt uncomfortable. Neither of us was bothered by the quiet. In some ways, we were well suited for living in concert.So, how did you like school? reach you made any friends? he asked as he was taking seconds.Well, I have a few classes with a girl named Jessica. I sit with her friends at lunch. And theres this boy, Mike, whos very friendly.Everybody seems pretty nice. With one outstanding exception.That must be Mike Newton. Nice kid nice family. His dad owns the sporting goods store just outside of town. He makes a good living off all the backpackers who come through here.Do you know the Cullen family? I asked hesitantly.Dr. Cullens family? Sure. Dr. Cullens a great man.They the kids are a little different. They dont se em to fit in very well at school.Charlie surprised me by flavour angry.People in this town, he m blabed. Dr. Cullen is a splendiferous surgeon who could probably work in any hospital in the world, make ten times the salary he gets here, he continued, get louder. Were lucky to have him lucky that his wife wanted to live in a small town. Hes an asset to the community, and all of those kids are well behaved and polite. I had my dubietys, when they first moved in, with all those adopted teenagers. I thought we tycoon have some problems with them. But theyre all very mature I havent had one speck of trouble from any of them. Thats more than I can say for the children of some folks who have lived in this town for generations. And they bring together the way a family should camping trips every other spend Just because theyre newcomers, people have to talk.It was the longest speech Id ever heard Charlie make. He must feel strongly about whatever people were saying.I backpedaled. Th ey seemed nice enough to me. I just noticed they kept to themselves. Theyre all very attractive, I added, trying to be more complimentary.You should see the doctor, Charlie said, laughing. Its a good thing hes happily married. A lot of the nurses at the hospital have a hard time concentrating on their work with him around.We lapsed back into silence as we finished eating. He open the table while I started on the dishes. He went back to the TV, and after I finished washout the dishes by hand no dishwashing machine I went upstairs unwillingly to work on my math homework. I could feel a tradition in the making.That night it was finally quiet. I fell asleep quickly, exhausted.The rest of the week was uneventful. I got used to the routine of my classes. By Friday I was able to recognize, if not name, almost all the students at school. In Gym, the kids on my team learned not to pass me the ball and to step quickly in front of me if the other team attempt to take advantage of my weak ness. I happily stayed out of their way.Edward Cullen didnt come back to school.Every day, I watched anxiously until the rest of the Cullens entered the cafeteria without him. Then I could unleash and join in the lunchtime conversation. Mostly it centered around a trip to the La Push Ocean Park in two weeks that Mike was putting together. I was invited, and I had agreed to go, more out of politeness than desire. Beaches should be hot and dry.By Friday I was abruptly comfortable entering my Biology class, no longer worried that Edward would be there. For all I knew, he had dropped out of school. I essay not to remember about him, but I couldnt totally suppress the worry that I was responsible for his continued absence, ridiculous as it seemed.My first weekend in Forks passed without incident. Charlie, unused to spending time in the usually empty house, worked most of the weekend. I cleaned the house, got ahead on my homework, and wrote my mom more bogusly cheerful e-mail. I did d rive to the library Saturday, but it was so poorly stocked that I didnt bother to get a card I would have to make a date to visit Olympia or Seattle soon and find a good bookstore. I wondered idly what kind of gas gasoline mileage the truck got and shuddered at the thought.The rain stayed soft over the weekend, quiet, so I was able to sleep well.People greeted me in the parking lot Monday morning. I didnt know all their names, but I waved back and smiled at everyone. It was cooler this morning, but happily not raining. In English, Mike took his accustomed seat by my side. We had a pop quiz on Wuthering Heights. It was straightforward, very easy.All in all, I was feeling a lot more comfortable than I had thought I would feel by this point. More comfortable than I had ever expected to feel here.When we walked out of class, the air was full of swirling snaps of white. I could hear people shouting excitedly to each other. The wind bit at my cheeks, my nose.Wow, Mike said. Its snowing .I looked at the little cotton fluffs that were twist up along the sidewalk and swirling erratically past my face.Ew. Snow. There went my good day.He looked surprised. Dont you like snow?No. That means its too cold for rain. Obviously. Besides, I thought it was supposed to come down in flakes you know, each one unique and all that. These just look like the ends of Q-tips.Havent you ever seen snow fall before? he asked incredulously.Sure I have. I paused. On TV.Mike laughed. And consequently a big, squishy ball of descend snow smacked into the back of his head. We both turned to see where it came from. I had my suspicions about Eric, who was walking forward, his back toward us in the wrong direction for his next class. Mike appatently had the same notion. He bent over and began scraping together a pile of the white mush.Ill see you at lunch, okay? I kept walking as I spoke. Once people start throwing wet stuff, I go inside.He just nodded, his eyeball on Erics retreating figure .Throughout the morning, everyone chattered excitedly about the snow apparently it was the first coke of the new year. I kept my mouth shut. Sure, it was drier than rain until it fluid in your socks.I walked alertly to the cafeteria with Jessica after Spanish. Mush balls were flying everywhere. I kept a binder in my hands, ready to use it as a shield if necessary. Jessica thought I was hilarious, but something in my formulation kept her from lobbing a snowball at me herself.Mike caught up to us as we walked in the doors, laughing, with ice melting the spikes in his hair. He and Jessica were talking animatedly about the snow conflict as we got in line to buy food. I glanced toward that table in the corner out of habit. And then I froze where I stood. There were five people at the table.Jessica pulled on my arm.Hello? Bella? What do you want?I looked down my ears were hot. I had no reason to feel self-conscious,I reminded myself. I hadnt done anything wrong.Whats with Bella? Mike asked Jessica.Nothing, I answered. Ill just get a soda today. I caught up to the end of the line.Arent you hungry? Jessica asked.Actually, I feel a little sick, I said, my eye still on the floor.I waited for them to get their food, and then followed them to a table, my eyeball on my feet.I sipped my soda slowly, my stomach churning. Twice Mike asked, with superfluous concern, how I was feeling. I told him it was nothing, but I was wonder if I should play it up and escape to the nurses office for the next hour. Ridiculous. I shouldnt have to poke out away. I decided to permit myself one glance at the Cullen familys table. If he was glaring at me, I would skip Biology, like the coward I was.I kept my head down and glanced up under my lashes. None of them were looking this way. I lifted my head a little. They were laughing. Edward, Jasper, and Emmett all had their hair entirely saturated with melting snow. Alice and Rosalie were leaning away as Emmett shook his come down hair towar d them. They were enjoying the snowy day, just like everyone else only they looked more like a scene from a movie than the rest of us.But, aside from the jape and playfulness, there was something different, and I couldnt quite pinpoint what that difference was. I examined Edward the most carefully. His skin was less ill, I decided flushed from the snow fight perchance the circles under his eyes much less noticeable. But there was something more. I pondered, staring, trying to isolate the change.Bella, what are you staring at? Jessica intruded, her eyes following my stare.At that precise moment, his eyes flashed over to meet mine. I dropped my head, letting my hair fall to conceal my face. I was trusted, though, in the here and now our eyes met, that he didnt look harsh or unfriendly as he had the last time Id seen him. He looked merely curious again, uneasy in some way.Edward Cullen is staring at you, Jessica giggled in my ear.He doesnt look angry, does he? I couldnt help a sking.No, she said, sounding confused by my question. Should he be?I dont see he likes me, I confided. I still felt queasy. I put my head down on my arm.The Cullens dont like anybody well, they dont notice anybody enough to like them. But hes still staring at you.Stop looking at him, I hissed.She snickered, but she looked away. I raised my head enough to make sure that she did, contemplating violence if she resisted.Mike break us then he was planning an epic battle of the rash in the parking lot after school and wanted us to join. Jessica agreed enthusiastically. The way she looked at Mike left little doubt that she would be up for anything he suggested. I kept silent. I would have to hide in the gym until the parking lot cleared.For the rest of the lunch hour I very carefully kept my eyes at my own table. I decided to honor the bargain Id made with myself. Since he didnt look angry, I would go to Biology. My stomach did frightened little flips at the thought of sitting next to him again.I didnt really want to walk to class with Mike as usual he seemed to be a popular target for the snowball snipers but when we went to the door, everyone besides me groaned in unison. It was raining, washing all traces of the snow away in clear, icy ribbons down the side of the walkway. I pulled my hood up, secretly pleased. I would be free to go straight home after Gym.Mike kept up a string of complaints on the way to building four. Once inside the classroom, I saw with relief that my table was still empty. Mr. Banner was walking around the room, distributing one microscope and box of slides to each table. Class didnt start for a few minutes, and the room buzzed with conversation. I kept my eyes away from the door, doodling idly on the cover of my notebook.I heard very clearly when the chair next to me moved, but my eyes stayed carefully focused on the pattern I was drawing.Hello, said a quiet, musical voice.I looked up, stunned that he was speech to me. He was sitting as far away from me as the desk allowed, but his chair was angled toward me. His hair was dripping wet, disheveled even so, he looked like hed just finished shooting a commercial for hair gel. His dazzling face was friendly, open, a slight smile on his unflawed lips. But his eyes were careful.My name is Edward Cullen, he continued. I didnt have a chance to introduce myself last week. You must be Bella Swan.My mind was whirl with confusion. Had I made up the whole thing? He was perfectly polite now. I had to speak he was waiting. But I couldnt call back of anything conventional to say.H-how do you know my name? I stammered.He laughed a soft, enchanting laugh.Oh, I think everyone knows your name. The whole towns been waiting for you to arrive.I grimaced. I knew it was something like that.No, I persisted stupidly. I meant, why did you call me Bella?He seemed confused. Do you prefer Isabella?No, I like Bella, I said. But I think Charlie I mean my dad must call me Isabella behind m y back thats what everyone here seems to know me as, I tried to explain, feeling like an utter moron.Oh. He let it drop. I looked away awkwardly.Thankfully, Mr. Banner started class at that moment. I tried to focus on as he explained the lab we would be doing today. The slides in the box were out of order. Working as lab helpers, we had to collapse the slides of onion plant root tip cells into the phases of mitosis they represented and label them accordingly. We werent supposed to use our books. In twenty minutes, he would be coming around to see who had it right.Get started, he commanded.Ladies first, partner? Edward asked. I looked up to see him prosperous a crooked smile so beautiful that I could only stare at him like an idiot.Or I could start, if you wish. The smile faded he was obviously wondering if I was mentally competent.No, I said, flushing. Ill go ahead.I was showing off, just a little. Id already done this lab, and I knew what I was looking for. It should be easy. I snapped the first slide into place under the microscope and adjusted it quickly to the 40X objective. I studied the slide briefly.My discernment was confident. Prophase.Do you mind if I look? he asked as I began to remove the slide. His hand caught mine, to stop me, as he asked. His fingers were ice-cold, like hed been attribute them in a snowdrift before class. But that wasnt why I jerked my hand away so quickly. When he touched me, it stung my hand as if an electric current had passed through us.Im sorry, he muttered, pulling his hand back immediately. However, he continued to reach for the microscope. I watched him, still staggered, as he examined the slide for an even shorter time than I had.Prophase, he agreed, writing it neatly in the first space on our worksheet. He swiftly switched out the first slide for the second, and then glanced at it cursorily.Anaphase, he murmured, writing it down as he spoke.I kept my voice indifferent. May I?He smirked and pushed the microscope to me.I looked through the eyepiece eagerly, only to be disappointed. Dang it, he was right.Slide three? I held out my hand without looking at him.He handed it to me it seemed like he was being careful not to touch my skin again.I took the most fleeting look I could manage.Interphase. I passed him the microscope before he could ask for it. He took a swift peek, and then wrote it down. I would have written it while he looked, but his clear, elegant script intimidated me. I didnt want to spoil the foliate with my clumsy scrawl.We were finished before anyone else was close. I could see Mike and his partner comparing two slides again and again, and another group had their book open under the table.Which left me with nothing to do but try to not look at him unsuccessfully. I glanced up, and he was staring at me, that same inexplicable look of frustration in his eyes. Suddenly I place that subtle difference in his face.Did you get contacts? I blurted out unthinkingly.He seemed puzzled by my unexpected question. No.Oh, I mumbled. I thought there was something different about your eyes.He shrugged, and looked away.In fact, I was sure there was something different. I vividly remembered the flat black food coloring of his eyes the last time hed glared at me the color was striking against the background of his pale skin and his auburn hair. Today, his eyes were a completely different color a strange ocher, darker than butterscotch, but with the same golden inflect. I didnt read how that could be, unless he was lying for some reason about the contacts. Or maybe Forks was making me crazy in the literal sense of the word.I looked down. His hands were clenched into hard fists again.Mr. Banner came to our table then, to see why we werent working. He looked over our shoulders to glance at the completed lab, and then stared more intently to check the answers.So, Edward, didnt you think Isabella should get a chance with the microscope? Mr. Banner asked.Bella, Edward turn automatically. Actually, she identified three of the five.Mr. Banner looked at me now his expression was skeptical.Have you done this lab before? he asked.I smiled sheepishly. Not with onion root.Whitefish blastula?Yeah.Mr. Banner nodded. Were you in an advanced placement program in Phoenix?Yes.Well, he said after a moment, I guess its good you two are lab partners. He mumbled something else as he walked away. After he left, I began doodling on my notebook again.Its too bad about the snow, isnt it? Edward asked. I had the feeling that he was forcing himself to make small talk with me. Paranoia swept over me again. It was like he had heard my conversation with Jessica at lunch and was trying to prove me wrong.Not really, I answered honestly, instead of pretence to be normal like everyone else. I was still trying to relieve the stupid feeling of suspicion, and I couldnt concentrate.You dont like the cold. It wasnt a question.Or the wet.Forks must be a difficult place for you to liv e, he mused.You have no idea, I muttered darkly.He looked fascinated by what I said, for some reason I couldnt imagine. His face was such a distraction that I tried not to look at it any more than courtesy dead demanded.Why did you come here, then?No one had asked me that not straight out like he did, demanding.Its complicated.I think I can keep up, he pressed.I paused for a long moment, and then made the mistake of meeting his gaze. His dark gold eyes confused me, and I answered without thinking.My mother got remarried, I said.That doesnt sound so complex, he disagreed, but he was suddenly sympathetic. When did that happen?Last September. My voice sounded sad, even to me.And you dont like him, Edward surmised, his tone still kind.No, Phil is fine. Too young, maybe, but nice enough.Why didnt you stay with them?I couldnt fathom his interest, but he continued to stare at me with shrill eyes, as if my dull lifes story was somehow vitally important.Phil travels a lot. He plays ball f or a living. I half-smiled.Have I heard of him? he asked, smiling in response.Probably not. He doesnt play well. Strictly tyke league. He moves around a lot.And your mother sent you here so that she could travel with him. He said it as an assumption again, not a question.My chin raised a fraction. No, she did not send me here. I sent myself.His eyebrows knit together. I dont understand, he admitted, and he seemed unnecessarily frustrated by that fact.I sighed. Why was I explaining this to him? He continued to stare at me with obvious curiosity.She stayed with me at first, but she missed him. It made her unhappy so I decided it was time to spend some quality time with Charlie. My voice was glum by the time I finished.But now youre unhappy, he pointed out.And? I challenged.That doesnt seem fair. He shrugged, but his eyes were still intense.I laughed without humor. Hasnt anyone ever told you? Life isnt fair.I believe I have heard that somewhere before, he agreed dryly.So thats all, I insisted, wondering why he was still staring at me that way.His gaze became appraising. You put on a good show, he said slowly. But Id be willing to bet that youre suffering more than you let anyone see.I grimaced at him, resisting the impulse to stick out my tongue like a five-year-old, and looked away.Am I wrong?I tried to ignore him.I didnt think so, he murmured smugly.Why does it matter to you? I asked, irritated. I kept my eyes away, watching the teacher make his rounds.Thats a very good question, he muttered, so quietly that I wondered if he was talking to himself. However, after a few seconds of silence, I decided that was the only answer I was going to get.I sighed, scowling at the blackboard.Am I annoying you? he asked. He sounded amused.I glanced at him without thinking and told the truth again. Not exactly. Im more annoyed at myself. My face is so easy to read my mother always calls me her open book. I frowned.On the contrary, I find you very difficult to read. Despite e verything that Id said and hed guessed, he sounded like he meant it.You must be a good reader then, I replied.Usually. He smiled widely, flashing a set of perfect, ultrawhite teeth.Mr. Banner called the class to order then, and I turned with relief to listen. I was in disbelief that Id just explained my dreary life to this bizarre, beautiful boy who may or may not contemn me. Hed seemed engrossed in our conversation, but now I could see, from the corner of my eye, that he was leaning away from me again, his hands gripping the edge of the table with unornamented tension.I tried to appear attentive as Mr. Banner illustrated, with transparencies on the overhead projector, what I had seen without difficulty through the microscope. But my thoughts were unmanageable.When the bell finally rang, Edward rushed as swiftly and as gracefully from the room as he had last Monday. And, like last Monday, I stared after him in amazement.Mike skipped quickly to my side and picked up my books for me . I imagined him with a wagging tail.That was awful, he groaned. They all looked exactly the same. Youre lucky you had Cullen for a partner.I didnt have any trouble with it, I said, stung by his assumption. I regretted the snub instantly. Ive done the lab before, though, I added before he could get his feelings hurt.Cullen seemed friendly enough today, he commented as we shrugged into our raincoats. He didnt seem pleased about it.I tried to sound indifferent. I wonder what was with him last Monday.I couldnt concentrate on Mikes chatter as we walked to Gym, and RE. didnt do much to hold my attention, either. Mike was on my team today. He chivalrously covered my position as well as his own, so my woolgathering was only interrupted when it was my turn to serve my team ducked warily out of the way every time I was up.The rain was just a mist as I walked to the parking lot, but I was happier when I was in the dry cab. I got the green goddess running, for once not caring about the mind-n umbing roar of the engine. I unzipped my jacket, put the hood down, and fluffed my damp hair out so the heater could dry it on the way home.I looked around me to make sure it was clear. Thats when I noticed the still, white figure. Edward Cullen was leaning against the front door of the Volvo, three cars down from me, and staring intently in my direction. I swiftly looked away and threw the truck into reverse, almost hitting a rusty Toyota Corolla in my haste. favored for the Toyota, I stomped on the brake in time. It was just the sort of car that my truck would make scrap metal of. I took a turbid breath, still looking out the other side of my car, and cautiously pulled out again, with greater success. I stared straight ahead as I passed the Volvo, but from a peripheral peek, I would swear I saw him laughing.