My Child (Twilight)

{2} Classes [11]

Algebra turned out to be much easier than I had anticipated. The familiar equations and formulas that Mum had drilled into me months ago came to mind effortlessly, allowing me to follow along without much trouble. This unexpected ease gave me a boost of confidence, something I hadn't felt when I first walked into the classroom. I even found myself answering a few of Archie's questions during the lesson, which helped me relax a little more.

Archie made small talk throughout the class, and though I was initially nervous, I managed to respond without stumbling over my words. It wasn't long before I felt a little more comfortable around him, enough that the idea of making a friend didn't seem as terrifying as it did this morning.

Glancing at the clock, I realised there were only about ten minutes left until the end of class. The atmosphere had lightened, and most of the students were quietly chatting among themselves now that the lesson was effectively over.

"So, you're related to the Cullens, then?" Archie asked casually, scribbling down an answer in his notebook.

"Yes, they're my siblings," I replied, remembering what Dad had mentioned about people being curious because of my connection to the Cullens. It seemed that curiosity had found me sooner than I expected.

"And the two in the office as well?" he asked, looking up from his notes.

"Yeah, they're my brother and sister," I confirmed.

Archie nodded, seemingly intrigued. "Yeah, your family's quite known around here."

"Really, why?" I asked, genuinely curious. When I had brought it up with Mum and Dad, they'd given me a vague answer, which only made me more interested.

"Well, I've heard that your siblings—the ones who've been here a while—kind of keep to themselves and haven't really bothered trying to fit in. Lots of people think that they are either mysterious or weird," he said, hesitating slightly as if he wasn't sure how I'd take that.

"Yeah, but they're really nice," I assured him, picking up on his apprehension. I didn't want anyone to think poorly of my family, especially since they'd been nothing but welcoming to me.

"I haven't spoken to any of them," Archie admitted, "well, except for you. They're all in the year above. I'm assuming the two in the office also were?"

"Yes, Rosalie and Emmett," I confirmed. "I'm the only one in a different year."

Archie seemed to take this in stride, though I could tell he was curious. "Where are you from? You don't sound American."

"Oh, I'm from Norway," I explained. "I was fostered there, but now I'm back with my brother, sister, and new siblings."

Archie's eyebrows lifted in surprise. "Oh, so you're actually related? Like, blood-related?"

"Yes," I replied, nodding. "I'm Rosalie and Jasper's brother, biologically. But I got separated from them for a bit."

"That's interesting," Archie said, looking thoughtful. "I heard that Jasper had a twin who didn't come here. But you're here now. Is that why Rosalie and Emmett weren't here at the beginning of the year?"

I hesitated, unsure of how much detail I was supposed to go into. Mum and Dad hadn't exactly prepared me for this part of the conversation. "Yes," I said slowly, trying to sound confident even though I wasn't entirely sure what else to add.

Archie didn't seem to notice my uncertainty. He just nodded, like it all made sense now. "That must have been tough, moving around like that."

"It was," I admitted, relieved that the conversation was moving away from the specifics I wasn't sure I should reveal. "But I'm glad to be here now."