Lola Swan: Trough her eyes (1)

1 Lola Swan

Lola brushes her long chocolate-brown hair over her shoulder and picks up her lunch tray. She walks to the table, the one that she has been sitting at since her first day. There was another new student that year—a blond boy with blue eyes and a shy girl. Lola is still a small girl but is no longer scared now that she has her group of friends. One of them is Mike, the new boy.

Jessica is a vibrant girl. Her hair is a lighter brown. She is the chatty one and probably Lola's closest one. Angela is a sweet and lovely friend; she will always support those she cares for.

'For tomorrow, be nice and welcoming towards Bella.' Lola says, putting her tray down. She takes some fries. Bella is her sister and lives with their mom in Phoenix, Arizona. 'At least try, Jess.'

Jessica did roll her eyes: 'Ok.' She says, her lips pressed together.

'Your sister comes back.' Mike says, stretching his words: 'I know.' He nods slowly but probably doesn't remember that Lola's sister is moving back. Jessica giggly sips from her drink. Jessica likes Mike. She really likes him and has done so since she befriended Lola. He doesn't realise it.

'Maybe we should do something.' Angela suggests: 'After school? So, we can get to know her.'

Lola nods: 'I like that idea, Angela.'

'Don't you think that Bella needs some time to adjust? To unpack or to decorate her room.' Jessica suggests.

Lola looks at her best friend. It's annoying that she has this arrogance and boldness about not wanting to get to know her sister. 'Maybe we can go to the beach later once the weather improves. Jess?' Her friend nods. They don't know Bella, so they cannot know that Jessica is right. Her sister can be shy and sometimes needs her own space.

The first lesson after lunch is Biology. Lola and Mike are a team during this class. She writes something down on their assignment. Mike looks over her shoulder: 'Ok, this one is c.'

She nods, crossing the correct answer. 'Ok, almost done.'

Mike nods: 'This was not even that bad.' He laughs.

'I'll hand it in.' Lola says. He is not as stupid as they claim him to be. People tend to take the jokes as stupidity. When she is back, he is doodling on a paper. Making spirals with his pencil, nothing artistic. It's five more minutes until the bell goes.

'What do you think he'll ask?' Angela asks. They have an examination tomorrow. It's about the ear and hearing.

'He'll probably ask for a picture where you'll need to fill in the dotted lines.' Lola says. It's something that's on most of his tests.

Lola sits at the kitchen table with her schoolwork in front of her. The sound of the microwave distracts her. She opens it and takes out her lasagne. She pokes her fork in it and looks at the clock. She promised to call Jessica. While she eats, she checks her agenda. She has done almost all of her homework. Everything looks fine. She did a few things in advance because of her sister's arrival.

'Lola, do you remember we're picking up your sister tomorrow?' Her father stands in the door opening.

'How could I forget. It's been way too long.' She sees her sister every summer and Christmas, but it's always Lola that makes the trip. Bella has been avoiding the rain, and so Forks. 'Do you remember that I'm driving and taking my car?'

He pulls a face. 'No, I forgot, but Bella prefers it.' He moves to go back to the couch. They both know Bella would prefer a regular car because their father is Chief Charlie. He makes sure that the people in Forks stay safe.

Lola finishes her plate while writing some numbers in front of her leftover homework. It's her way of planning. She'll do math after her call. She clicks her pen, takes her plate and puts it with the other dishes. She takes her phone and dials Jessica's number: 'Jess....'

'I'm so happy you called...'

'I did promise you that I would.' Lola says and sits down on the ground.

'I know, but my mom was telling me a story about the daughter of her friend's sister... It was boring.'

'She can hear you.'

'No, she is in the front yard. She went to talk to the neighbour instead.'

This is typical for them; both gossip as much as the other, like mother, like daughter. 'You're going to be kind to Bella. She'll be sitting with us at lunch, and we'll sit together. All of us.'

'Yes. Yes.' Jessica says impatiently. Lola predicted something like this would happen, but she is happy with the result. 'You have to make her wear something nice.'

Is Jessica helpful? 'I'll try.' Lola answers.

'Ok. Did you see that show last night?'

'No, I didn't.' Lola says. She isn't a tv person. She watches movies with Angela and Jessica, but that's it. 'Was it that dating show? Did they both say yes at the end?'

'Yes and no. The woman said that there was no chemistry.' Jessica starts explaining.

'Ok, and when. Are you going to ask Mike out?'

'Ask Mike out? Why would I do that?'

'Don't play dumb, Jess.' Lola giggles: 'I know you like him, like really like him.'

'Maybe.'

'I think you'll have to tell him. You're going to regret it if you don't.'