Twilight Reimagined (Vampire Swap)

Chapter seven: Bella POV: Icy

I went straight to Carlisle's office, my mind reeling from the exchange Edward and I just had. He knew something was wrong with me. He knew it wasn't just me-it was also my family. He was fully intending to figure out what that thing is. And what the actual fuck was the emotion going on between us because that was not normal. Nor was it wanted and nor will it be further thought right now.

I sighed, leaning against the wall. It isn't that bad. If I just ignore him and go back to only talking to my family and Angela nothing will happen. Edward will take a hint and ignore me, too. I only have to endure the rest of this year and my final year at Forks high and then I can go off to Art school. Maybe build up my skill in oil paintings?

Carlsilse walked in from his round to check on patients, arching a brow at me with a questioning gaze. I just shook my head, pacing around the side of the room like I did in Carlisle's home office a few days ago. Hopefully this won't become a hobby. . .

* * *

Well, it's official. Edward is almost as stubborn as me.

It's not that we've talked much, because the first time he tried I ignored him and the second time we had a repeat of our argument in the hospital corridor. But, we still said the mandatory 'hello' and 'how have you been' to each other.

I wanted him to forget about his suspicions so I could simply get to know him without the fear of being discovered, but no.

So we're stuck in a weird limbo where we chat, but it's stiff and words are exchanged in a harsh, cold tone.

It wasn't helping that I had an annoying little pixie tell me my plan won't work and this was the wrong way of going about things. I had half the mind to think Alice was trying to set me up.

All of this happening in such a short time plus the feeling I refuse to acknowledge made me snappy and a little rude to almost everyone. The exceptions being Carlisle, Esme and the cause of all of these changes and problems.

I also was even more on edge because Alice had a knowing, smug grin on her face during lunch. "Ugh will you just spit it out?!" I demanded when the bell rang, hastily grabbing my uneaten lunch to throw in the bin. I wondered if it would be better to bring a paper bag from home and make it seem like my lunch was in there-it was so wasteful to buy food and not eat it.

Then again, that abrupt change could draw attention to myself, and I was already forced under the spotlight because I was talking to someone who wasn't in my family or Angela. Who, by the way, was acting like Alice, trying to get me to be more friendly to Edward and ask him out.

I sighed, rubbing my temples as I sat down in my seat. Just ignore him. Just ignore anybody that's giving you this unnecessary stress.

I tensed when Edward sat down and looked at me, concern and curiosity in his green eyes. I exhaled sharply, looking towards the front of the room with my arms crossed in front of me. A few minutes later, Mr.Banner started his lecture and I found out why Alice was so smug during lunch.

"You and your table partner are to make a poster about a genetic disorder I will randomly assign to you. You need to have at least two pictures, a summary, a cause for the disorder and the effects of having it. You will need to present your poster to the class, but I will allow you to use index cards while you inform us about your genetic disorder. We will brainstorm and plan out the poster today, research tomorrow, make the poster and present it. I'd highly suggest, get as close as I can to forcing you to work on this project as homework as well." Mr.Banner instructed, immediately passing out small pieces of folded paper.

I didn't move, my eyes on the empty space where Mr.Banner was. Edward didn't say anything, either. Mr.Banner placed the paper on our desk and I sighed for the millionth time today.

"Well, let's see what we got." I amended, looking over at Edward. A little voice in my head was rejoicing in the opportunity to try to make friendship work. If he would just get over that fucking car crash. . .

Edward grabbed the paper and unfolded it in between us. "Fabry disease?" He mumbled, looking at the paper like it was an alien.

"alpha-galactosidase-A deficiency, It's an inherited neurological disorder. It occurs when the alpha-galactosidase-A can't break down lipids to smaller materials to produce energy for the body." I summarized.

I looked over at his confused expression and chuckled. "Sorry, my Dad-er,Carlisle-is a doctor, as you know, and has a profound curiosity about all things genetic. Sometimes I sit down with him in his study so he can let all of his research out."

"The others can't understand it?" he asked, an amused smile gracing his face.

"Well, it's not like they're stupid or anything, but Carlisle sometimes forgets to use words people who haven't gone to med-school would know. I've done similar research, so I can better grasp what he's trying to say." I smiled in spite of myself as a stunning crooked grin shaped his lips and relished in the sound of his laugh.

"Well, I'm sure we can try to find a way to simplify it." Mr.Banner called attention to pass out worksheets. It was a small packet with templates of possible formats to use for our poster.

Edward and I actually laughed and acted like good friends as we debated over which template and materials we should use for the poster. Soon we were done and just sitting at the table waiting for class to be over.

"Do you spend a lot of time with Carlisle?" he asked abruptly, referring to our former conversation.

"We're close. Usually we bond over books, but science and medicine too." I hesitated before speaking again, wondering how much of my life I can and should share. "I guess it makes sense. I was the first one who got adopted and we've been together for a long time. What about you? I know your parents weren't too affectionate, but they had to give you some memories to hold onto."

He didn't speak for a second, seemingly trying to think of one. "When I was eight we went to a waterpark. I think the name was Oasis waterpark? My Dad spent most of the time trying to keep in touch with his boss, hanging out at a little cafe they had. But Mom and I spent the whole day swimming and getting over our fears of water slides. Other than that, my kid experiences were either from baby-sitters, nannies or field trips."

"What about with Joana? Are you settling in ok with her?" I asked, upset that he seemed to treat his parents like distant cousins.

"She's great. She works hard but still makes time for us." Edward replied, and I smiled in relief. The bell rang and I instinctively got up, grabbing my bag.

"Want to meet up after school? I think we have to pay for our own supplies." Edward asked, glancing over to Mr.Banner at the last part.

I bit my lip. Would he mention the argument we had? "If you can double check to see if we need to get anything, we can meet up at the front of the school as soon as I drop my siblings off and shop for anything." I agreed.

Edward smiled and nodded. With that, I went over to gym, too lost in thought to get annoyed by Mike trying to talk to me.

I always found it odd group projects and stuff was just never mentioned (with the exception of the example of Bella's kindness in Midnight Sun) so I figured why not add one? To make the timeline make sense here's the chain of events w/dates.

January 17, 2005-Edward moves to Forks. January 18, 2005-Edward's first day at school. January 24, 2005, First conversation w/Bella. January 25, 2005-car accident. February 7, 2005-shopping for a project.

Please comment and I hope you have a nice day/night!

-Cloudy