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Sighing as she entered her last class of the day, Marlene took off her earbuds begrudgingly as she looked around her new World History class. "Marlene Swan?" An older man, who she assumed was the teacher, called out to her. Clenching her teeth, she nodded as she walked over to his desk. "I'm Mr. Albert, your History teacher, it's an honor having you in class, and I expect great things out of you..."
Feeling the stare of someone from behind her, Marlene's attention was derived from Mr. Albert's words. Shuffling slightly, she carefully turned her head just enough to see Jasper Hale, standing in the doorway of the classroom.
She parted her mouth slightly in confusion as she stared directly back at him, not finding the strength to look away. His expression was odd, his eyes having this sudden anger in them with a hint of confusion and curiosity. His stare was unnerving. It made the usual confident girl insecure, pulling on the end of her hoodie.
"Ms. Swan?" She heard her name, making her jump slightly as she turned to her teacher. "You were listening, correct?"
"Yes sir." She lied through her teeth, not wanting to admit that she had became lost due to Jasper Cullen.
"I see." He eyed skeptically. "Please, take your seat. The only seat free is the one next to Mr. Hale."
"Ok." She mumbled, swallowing the lump in her throat as she turned away from Mr. Albert. 'Of fucking course I have to sit next to the staring weirdo.' She thought, slowly heading to her seat. Jasper had already sat down, his hands formed into a ball on his desk. His posture became more rigid with each step Marlene took towards him, his eyes remaining on her as they followed her.
Finally making it to her seat, she sat down carefully, setting her bag on the back of her chair. She could feel his stare at her back as she went to grab her history book from under the desk, looking at the whiteboard to see what page number they needed to turn too.
From the corner of her eyes, she saw how he continued to stare even as Mr. Albert talked about the day's lesson and assignment. And how he didn't pick up his book or pencil throughout the class.
She wanted to snap at him, ask him what the hell his problem was. Why he just insisted on staring at her like she was some exotic animal that had never been seen before. 'I mean, I know I'm the new girl and all, but why the fuck can't he be subtle?' She thought, writing the answers to the questions that was in the textbook. 'Just don't look at him Marls. He's not worth your time or energy.'
When the bell ring, she was quick to close her book before grabbing her back, slinging it on her shoulder. Discreetly looking, she saw Jasper Hale remaining still, his eyes still trained on her. Scoffing, she paused her actions before slowly looking at him, a nasty glare on her features. As if to prove a point, she made direct eye contact with him as she lifted her earbuds and placed them inside her head. Huffing, she then turned on her heals and stormed out of the classroom.
Desperate to get away from his annoying stare.
***
"I can't get over on how grown up you two are!" The waitress, Cora, beamed at the two Swan girls. "And so gorgeous too! I bet boys at school are tripping after y'all."
"Watch it Cora." Charlie said from across them before taking a bit of his steak. Marlene just smiled bashfully, putting her head down to look at her chicken tenders.
"You two 'member me?" A bearded man asked, showing off his crooked smile. "I was Santa one year."
"Waylon, they haven't had a Christmas here since they were 4 and 5."
"Bet I made an impression though!" He cheered, winking at the two girls playfully. Bella nodded, a small smile on her face, while the younger sister chuckled.
"You always do."
"Let the two girls eat, ya cod!" Cora scolded lightly, shooing Waylon away. "When I'm done, I'll bring you girls' favorite, berry cobbler. Remember? Your dad still has it, every Thursday."
"Yeah, we remember." Marlene lied through her smile. "Remember, Bella?"
"That'd be great. Thank you." Bella added, also smiling up at Cora. Cora nodded before walking away to serve the other tables, leaving Charlie and his two daughters alone. It was an awkward silence between the three, Marlene carefully taking a bite of a fry as she watched Bella and Charlie reach for the salt simultaneously, making things even more awkward as they both paused.
"So..." Marlene trailed off, deciding to break the silence, "you eat here every night, Dad?"
"Better than washing dishes, Mars." He joked, making her laugh slightly.
"I can cook." Bella offered, the two looking at her. "I did the cooking back ho- back in Phoenix." She corrected herself, sharing a look with Marlene.
"And I can wash the dishes for you." The red-head offered, smiling at her dad. "We never let Mom in the kitchen, she would always break or burn something..."
"Yeah, I remember." The three chuckled at the inside joke, all having to experience Renee's cooking skills.
"Well thank you girls. I appreciate that." He said, wiping his mouth and mustache with a napkin. "How was school by the way? Meet any new people?"
"A few people..." Marlene said, recalling the conversation she had with Jessica Stanley and the stare of Jasper.
"Do you know that Cullen family?"
"Are people talking about them again?" Charlie asked sharply, making the two girls surprised. They were most certainly not expecting that sort of tone from him. "Just cause they're newcomers... We're damn lucky to have a surgeon like Dr. Cullen in our podunk hospital. Lucky that his wife wanted to live in a small town. And lucky that his kids aren't a lot of hell-raisers around here."
"Yeah, lucky they aren't hell-raisers." Bella repeated their Dad's words, giving her sister a pointed look, like it was some inside joke between them.
"I just don't like narrow mindedness." He said, ending the conversation there as he took another bite of his steak. Marlene stared at her Dad for a moment before looking out the window of the diner, a hint of a smile on her face.
