After Dark

12.

I stand in the living room and wait. Today is the day.
The school begins. I'm moving back and forth excitedly. After a few minutes, Bella, Edward and Renesmee finally come downstairs.
"Good morning", Ren greets and hugs me.
"Excited?", Bella asks, while Ren has already disappeared into the kitchen.
"Of course", I say with a smile.
I got ready hours ago and put my hair up in a messy bun. That's how Bella and I can certainly be differentiated.

I decided to wear the blue contact lenses.
That's how I feel more like a human.

After Ren is finally done with the breakfast, and everyone else is here too, we go out to the cars. I go alone in my car.
That's a good thing, because I have my peace. The others are doing their second year here now. Carlisle already registered me during the holidays, the timetable was also sent to us, that's why I don't have to go to the director first. There are three classes. In the 11a are Rosalie and Alice, in the 11b Emmett and Edward and the others are in the 11c. I just don't have a class yet. But that will change soon.

We enter the building. Edward just taps me encouragingly on the shoulder, so I get his gift. I just look at him questioningly, but he seems to have his reasons.

Everyone is already in their classes. I hear a woman calling my name. She waves over to me,
"Amber Cullen, 11c", she says smiling.
Relieved, I enter the classroom. I was hoping to be with Ren, Bella and Jasper.
The teacher asks me to introduce myself. After that is done, I go to the empty seat next to Ren. I look around and discover again this boy.
Be pleased too soon.

I let my gaze wander through the class. Again and again the same thoughts as for example 'Oh my, she's hot' or 'Great, another Cullen'.
The last thought was from a girl with blond hair. Ren smiles at me and I return the smile. Then the lesson begins.

After six hours we're allowed to go home. We're all standing in the parking lot and talk. Unfortunately, my gaze falls repeatedly on this guy, he looks at me again and again. Something about him is different.

Ren nudges me, whereupon I turn away from him.
"Where are you staring?", she asks with a grin. I look at her,
"Nowhere", I say.
"See you at home, I have to get something for the school", I say and get in my car.
I turn on the music player of the car and select a song. Hotter Than Hell from Dua Lipa. My current favorite song. I turn the music up loud and drive from the parking lot.

My first destination is a stationery store and then a bookstore in Port Angeles. In the stationery shore I get a folder and a few pens. At home there are enough pens, but having my own is better.
In the bookstore, I look for a book by Shakespeare and one about American history. At the cash register I meet a tanned boy. He looks at me urgently. He smells like a wet dog, so I want to get out of here as fast as possible.
He grimaces and seems to know what I am.
I pay quickly and leave the store. Now I drive home.

~

Days pass again. Things are going well at school except for the classmates.
At least one friend I found. Her name is Carissa, I get along well with her. Unfortunately, she's the twin sister of Grayson, the guy from the forest.

We didn't hear anything new from the Volturi. That's reassuring.

I'm sitting in my room. The homework is already done. I'm bored, so I'm going downstairs.

Immediately when I enter the kitchen, a good-humored Renesmee meets me and hugs me stormily.
"Calm down, Ren!", I say surprised,
"What's going on?", I ask then.
"Alice wants to make a girl's day tomorrow!", she screams and hops around wildly. I start to laugh.

Two hours later I'm sitting on the bed reading the book about American history. But suddenly my phone rings.
Whatsapp.
Who wrote to me?, I ask myself. I only downloaded this app because Carissa asked me to.

Carissa: Hi

Me: Hi

Carissa: Hru?

Me: What?

Carissa: How are you?

Me: Oh, I'm fine and you?

Carissa: Fine too. What are you doing?

Me: Reading

Carissa: Reading!?! 😱

Me: Yes, I'm reading

Carissa: Why? 😱

Me: Because I like to read

Carissa: You probably don't have any hobbies, right? 😐

Me: No, I have other hobbies. What are you doing?

(Of course, my favorite activity is hunting, but I can't tell her)

Carissa: Playing video games with my brother

Me: Cool
*wondering what video games are*

Carissa: Okay, let's talk about those hobbies you allegedly have tomorrow

Me: Okay, see you tomorrow

Carissa: Bye

I put the phone aside, let myself fall on the bed and look at the ceiling until the sun rises again.