Senses

Ch. 7

I walked into the lunch room the next day, without the crutches, thank God. The swelling and the pain in my ankle had already started to go away, and I was glad. My joy was short lived, however. I was ambushed by Mike and Eric the minute I entered the cafeteria. "LaPush?" I shoved Eric away from me and sat at the crowded lunch table. My eyes strayed to where Edward was sitting with his siblings. "What are you two going on about?" Bella sighed in annoyance as she plopped into the chair next to me. "LaPush, baby," Eric smirked. "LaPush beach. It's...LaPushhh," Mike added. "You in?" they asked in unison. "If you stop saying that, yeah," Bella snorted, throwing French fries at them. "What about you Tammy?" Mike asked. "I guess," I reluctantly agreed. They all cheered and started up a discussion about the details of our upcoming beach trip, constantly getting off track because they continuously gave Ben flack for not being able to go. We were meeting Saturday morning at Newton's Olympic Outfitters, Mike's family's store. We all traded phone numbers so we could keep track of who was and wasn't going and in case plans changed last minute. I think Mike just used it as an excuse to get Bella's number. I felt a migraine coming on, so I went to the lunch line to get something to nibble on, thinking it would help. "You are...something else. Y'know, I still wonder what the hell you are exactly, because you're too perfect to be human," I spoke softly to the presence I felt behind me. I was rewarded with a soft, familiar laugh. "Let's hear some of your theories then," Edward said. I paid for a bag of goldfish crackers and immediately tore into them as we walked. "I think those can wait for another time," I smirked, dodging his questions like he had dodged all of mine. We strolled along in content silence as we left the cafeteria from the side exit, the chilly afternoon wind quickly greeting us. I stopped in the middle of the sidewalk when I saw him heading for the parking lot. "Are you not coming to biology?" I asked. He shrugged and turned to face me with a dazzling smile. "Skipping class every now and then is healthy. Care to join me?" Not because of an absence or family reasons, but Edward Cullen was skipping class just because? I couldn't possibly imagine it. I just chuckled and waved goodbye as I headed toward Mr. Banner's class. "Maybe next time," I called over my shoulder. His musical laugh echoed around me, but he was already gone.

Mr. Banner came around with little forked prongs and slides. We were doing blood typing, yay. My head continued to ache and the static in my brain grew worse. I was contemplating just heading to the nurse's office and sleeping through the rest of the school day. He held up Mike's finger and pricked it, showing the little bit of blood that came out. Bella, sitting next to Mike, immediately put her head down and groaned, "Mr. Banner, can I go to the nurse's office?" I stood up just as Mike raised his hand. "I'll walk her down there," I volunteered. Bella smiled weakly at me, her eyes showing the relief of not having to walk with Mike. He slumped down in his seat when Mr. Banner told me yes. Poor Mike Newton, with his petulant little frown and obvious desperation. I gently looped my arm through hers as we left the building. She stopped in the middle of the sidewalk and I let her go as she sat down on the curb and rested her head on her knees. "What's wrong?" Edward piped up from behind me. I wasn't even surprised at this point. He had this tendency to always pop up on me. "I think I've got it," I replied. Bella just looked up at us and groaned before laying her head back down. "They're blood typing today and my friend got a little queasy," I explained. "We're on our way to the nurse's office." He bent over to inspect her, then looked at me with a confused expression. "Is she always this pale?" he asked. "As pale as she is, no she's never this pale," I snorted. Bella looked up at me with a slight glare and held her hand out. "C'mon Bella," I sighed, pulling her up. Edward stood there as we began to walk away, looking unsure. "Do you need any help or is she alright?" he called, jogging to catch up. "I don't suppose you can find a way for us to get out of class for the rest of the day," I mumbled sarcastically. "Actually..."

He smiled softly to himself before leaving us to go to the secretary's desk and speak to her. I led Bella past them into the nurse's office. The static feeling was getting worse, and I felt like my head was going to explode. She laid on the empty cot as I spoke to the nurse. "She fainted in biology. They're doing blood typing today," I said. The nurse nodded as she placed a cold wash cloth on Bella's head. "There's at least one every year," she sighed. "Just keep that on your head sweetie." About five minutes passed, and Mike came in toting a boy who was in our biology class. Bella hopped up and handed the rag to the nurse. "I think I'll be fine," she smiled. Her skin was still clammy, but she did look much better. Mike set the kid on the cot before following us out. "You sure you're okay?" Mike asked. Bella looked at me in annoyance before looking over her shoulder at him with a gentle smile. "I'm okay, I swear," she sighed. "You should probably get back to class," she added. Mike pouted a little. "Yeah, well- um, I gotta stay with Andrew until the nurse sends him back," he stammered. I turned away to hide my silent laughter as he shuffled back into the nurse's office. Edward came up to us with a triumphant grin. "Guess who has excuses to go home early?" Edward asked, handing me two slips. "Oh, I could kiss you!" I squealed. There was an awkward silence as he looked at me in surprise. "Bella, are you okay to drive home?" I asked to get the focus off of my outburst. She nodded, but wobbled a little with each step. "Give me your keys," I sighed before turning to Edward. "You asked if you could help. Would you mind doing me one small favor?" I pleaded. "And what would that be?" he asked, crossing his arms over his chest. I took Bella's keys and then dug mine out of my pocket. "Follow me in my truck. I'm gonna drop Bella off and then I'll bring you back to your car," I said. He took the keys and followed us. Our vehicles were parked next to each other, so I helped Bella in the passenger side of her truck as Edward was getting into mine. "Go easy. That car is my baby," I teased, earning a loud laugh from him.