When I First... [E.C.]

Crucible Perfection

Sophomore Year

6

When I first sat at a lunch table with Edward, it was in October, a few days before Halloween. There were orange and black streamers hanging above virtually every door and little paper pumpkins lying around in strange places. One had even made its way into my Converse in my locker during gym class. I never asked the "why" question for that.

Edward had waved me over to the table seating his siblings. My heart had pounded inside of my chest, uncomfortable with the idea. I looked over to Angela, Eric, Ben, Mike, and Jessica — our newest edition since I started talking to Edward; her wet dream come to life — and saw them with wide eyes. I smiled softly and saluted them before taking a seat in between Edward and Alice.

"Alison, these are my other siblings Jasper, Rosalie, and Emmett," Edward said and I waved to all of them before leaning over and shaking their hands. I always liked the formal greeting instead of just nodding heads and having an uncomfortable silence. It's weird and definitely rude.

I couldn't help but stare at Rosalie and notice how her blonde hair cascaded down her shoulders and practically choked me with its beauty. She was a bombshell, a dreamboat, a natural goddess.

I smiled and said, "You're really pretty, I love your hair," I said, trying to engage in some kind of conversation with her.

She grinned. "Thanks, Alison. Your eyes are amazing. The blue is strikingly bright."

I blushed and thanked her. Emmett asked me some weird questions, ranging from where I liked to go hiking and whether or not I liked the new Avril Lavigne album. He was big and odd but I found myself liking him.

I turned to Edward after a while and asked, "So, what do you think we'll do for a project?"

The corners of his mouth turned up. "A dramatic reading of The Crucible," he said. He then added, "I assume."

I sighed, grabbing a french fry and dumping it into the honey mustard. A year had passed and I haven't kicked the obsession. "I'll be Abigail Williams, I guess." I looked over at him.

He caught on and nodded. "I'll be John Proctor."

I chuckled. "I hope you know how to act. Mr. Berdy won't be impressed with anything less than..." I then leaned in and whispered, "perfection."

Alice giggled and Edward joined in.