Summer solstice

Before The Storm

Before The Storm

Alice Cullen was looking at me. I didn't even need to turn and look at her to know. I could just feel it. While debating whether or not to actually look up at her, I heard Mike yelling my name and coming over. He was a nice kid, he really was but something in my spine told me he wasn't looking to be my friend. Taking a deep breath, I lifted my head and turned to him smiling, "Hey Mike." He said something but I was ignoring him. I was thinking that since I clearly was no longer enthralled with the hood of my truck, I could just turn and look at Alice right?

I craned my neck a little and looked at her. She was talking to her sister and then just looked up, like she knew I was looking at her. She smiled. I could make out those white teeth from across the parking lot. I raised my hand in response and smiled back weakly. Maybe it was me being shy yesterday. I could of said something else after all. I watched as she sauntered off with her family. My eyes were glued to her back, completely taking her full body into my mind. If she was going to haunt my dreams every night like she did last night, the least I could have was a full visual.

"Bella? Bella, Bella, Bella?" God, Mike's annoying voice interrupted my thoughts. He caught on I was ignoring him. Turning to him, I plastered a fake smile on my lips. "Hey sorry, what's up now?" He muttered something about class and lunch and I just nodded, grabbing my stuff and starting towards the school. I silently thanked God when Angela appeared at my other Mike free side. "Hey Bella, what are you up too this weekend?" I didn't even need to face Mike to know that the smile had fallen. Yep, that boy was planning on asking me out.

"Uh, I'm not totally sure yet. You know, second day here and all." I said with a few nods of my head in a repetitive matter.

"Come with us to La Push. It's the local beach around her. Surf's pretty good if you're into that sort of thing." She said to me as we stepped inside the school hallway. For some reason the first thing my eyes sought were Alice and I found her, leaning casually against some lockers next to her brother. Her found mine again and I blushed. I was close enough that she saw and a smile crossed her lips. I lowered my head and looked at Angela quickly, "Oh surfing isn't my thing. I have this general lack of coordination and it's an issue." I laughed to let her know it was a joke and she chuckled along with me.

"Ha, hah, ha. Good one Arizona!" Mike said in a ridiculously obnoxious laugh. We were passing by the Cullen's right at that moment and I swore Alice was rolling her eyes at him. I blushed again. Okay, this was getting a little old here. This blushing every time Alice looked at me wasn't going to fly with much longer but then again, even I knew what little control I had over it.

"I wouldn't mind coming with you though." I said shifting my attention back to Angela. She was going to be a good friend, I had that gut feeling. Her eyes lit up as we stood to separate for classes. "Awesome Bella. I'll see you in Calc." She headed off in one direction with Mike, leaving me alone in the slowly emptying hallway. I stood in my spot for a minute, looking up just to see which way Alice had went and was surprised to see her gliding towards me. Even her steps were flawless, kind of like her. As she reached me, I swallowed the nervous lump that had grown in my throat.

"Hey." I said attempting to be casual.

"Hello," came her soft response, complete with a smile, "Shouldn't you be headed to class? You'll be late."

I laughed slightly, shrugging my shoulder, "Shouldn't you?"

"Touché Bella Swan." She eyed me as she slowly walked away. The way she said my name sent shivers right down my spine. I stood rooted in that spot as I watched her disappearing. I didn't even notice I was biting my lip until she was gone. Huh, that was new. Sighing with a grin on my face, I stepped into my morning class and regained my strength and thoughts. It was pointless to even take notes. The only thing I was thinking about was the way she said my name, Bella Swan. She made it sound so much more extraordinary than it was. I spent the rest of the morning in a haze from our brief encounter, basically just being present in my classes. Lunch. That's what I want. Not to actually eat, but to just be there, to just sit and be in her presence again. Angela and I stepped out of Calc, our conversation focused on the weekend and the La Push plans. I told her of Jacob Black and how he might show up. She tried to tease me about having a crush on Jacob. I couldn't help but laugh. There was a lot I didn't know but I knew I didn't have a crush on Jacob.