Twilight OC Rewrite

Chapter Eleven: Complications

Everyone watched us as we walked together to our lab tables. Just as Christian sat close to me, when I turned around, I saw Edward had started sitting exceptionally close to Bella, their arms almost touching.

Mr. Banner backed into the room then — what superb timing the man had — pulling a tall metal frame on wheels that held a heavy-looking, outdated TV and VCR. A movie day — the lift in the class atmosphere was almost tangible.

Mr. Banner shoved the tape into the reluctant VCR and walked to the wall to turn off the lights.

And then, as the room went black, I was suddenly hyper-aware that Christian was sitting less than an inch from me. I was stunned by the unexpected electricity that flowed through me, amazed that it was possible to be more aware of him than I already was. A crazy impulse to reach over and touch him nearly overwhelmed me. I was losing my mind.

The opening credits began, lighting the room by a token amount. My eyes, of their own accord, flickered to him. I smiled sheepishly as I realized he was doing the same, peering sideways at me. He grinned back, his eyes somehow managing to smolder, even in the dark. I looked away before I could start hyperventilating. It was absolutely ridiculous that I should feel dizzy.

Christian reached his hand out slightly to grab mine under the desk and we sat like that throughout the class. The hour seemed very long. I couldn't concentrate on the movie — I didn't even know what subject it was on. I tried unsuccessfully to relax, but the electric current that seemed to be originating from somewhere in his body never slackened. I wondered to myself if this was some variant of his weather control, but that seemed silly. Occasionally I would permit myself a quick glance in his direction, but he never seemed to relax, either.

I breathed a sigh of relief when Mr. Banner flicked the lights back on at the end of class, and stretched my arms out in front of me, dropping his hand. He gave me a sideways glance and chuckled.

"Well, that was interesting," he murmured. His voice was dark and his eyes were cautious. "Shall we?" he asked, rising fluidly.

I almost groaned. Time for Gym. I stood with care, worried my balance might have been affected by the strange new intensity between us.

The boys walked Bella and I to our next class in silence and paused at the door; I turned to say goodbye. His face startled me — his expression was torn, almost pained, and so fiercely beautiful that the ache to touch him flared as strong as before. My goodbye stuck in my throat.

He raised his hand, hesitant, conflict raging in his eyes. This moment was different from the lighthearted way he'd put his arm around me. This was delicate in the way we were last night. So close, yet so far. He swiftly brushed the length of my cheekbone with his fingertips. His skin was as icy as ever, but the trail his fingers left on my skin was alarmingly warm — like I'd been burned, but didn't feel the pain of it.

He turned without a word and strode quickly away from me. Edward also left in silence.

I walked into the gym, lightheaded and wobbly with Bella as my support. I drifted to the locker room, changing in a trancelike state, only vaguely aware that there were other people surrounding me. Reality didn't fully set in until I was handed a racket. It wasn't heavy, yet it felt very unsafe in my hand. I could see a few of the other kids eyeing me and Bella furtively. Coach Clapp ordered us to team up in pairs. Bella and I didn't choose each other for once; it's better to have a partner who can actually play.

Mike paired with Bella and I paired up with a girl named Ariel who I'd noticed a few times in Gym. It didn't go smoothly. I somehow managed to hit myself in the head and Bella clipped Mike's shoulder. I spent the rest of the hour in the back of the court, the racket held safely behind my back.