Honey (Book 1)

Chapter 15

  Lunch comes and I am an anxiety ridden teen who doesn't know where the fuck to put their arms and how to properly move their feet.

It must be obvious because as Jasper and I make our way to the cafeteria, he gives me a very light pat on the back and a small reassuring smile. It doesn't sound like much and the effect surprises me a bit but, I genuinely feel a little better by the time we make it to the table.

I take my seat between him and Rose, everyone there besides Edward and Emmett.

Part of me is relived to not see Emmett so soon. Even though Rose said he was okay with it, it's still a bit strange. However, part of me feels that everything this family does is at least a little bit strange.

"So, Bella, how are you feeling? I'm sorry these miscreants got you sick within two seconds of being with you." Alice giggles from her seat as she is wrapped around Jasper's left arm like a little snake.

Smiling in amusement, I shrug. "I'm fine. I get sick easy, I guess."

As Rosalie goes to speak, Edward and Emmett are suddenly there, pulling out their seats and placing food down.

"Why do you guys all bring or buy food when you don't eat it?" As soon as it comes out of my mouth, I regret it as they all stare at me strangely. My cheeks burn. "I- I mean. You guys never eat lunch, and on days that I don't feel like eating, I don't bring food. It just..seems like a waste, you know?"

I bite my lip, awkwardly looking anywhere but the five pairs of gold eyes that stare me down.

Jasper and Rose reach towards me at the same time. Jasper to just barely pat my shoulder and Rosalie to grab my hand in hers, bringing it to her lap.

The feeling of calm and contentment fill me as I look up at the blondes. Jasper gives me a nod.

"You're right." Rosalie says and like that everyone recovers. "Good point, Bella."

I nod, feeling awkward again.

Everyone starts talking then and it's like the incident never happened.

Alice and Emmett speak the most, as usual, Rosalie adding more than usual and Edward is completely silent, staring a hole in the table. Jasper adds things occasionally but sticks to his normal silent interest.

Emmett, quiet for a moment as converstanion carries catches my eyes and he smiles.

Its quick and almost completely unnoticeable but I catch it and see the happy glint. It's clearly not just because he's happy, but it's meant for me and I'm grateful for it, as I take it as acceptance.

We'll probably be talking later and I actually am not anxious about it because Emmett's Emmett. And I may not have known the Cullen's long but I know they're all pretty great.

Well.

Except maybe Edward. I don't know much about him, except he gets my Rose upset a lot and I do not like that.

By the time lunch is over, most of my worries are gone and I bump into Mike and Eric on the way to Biology as Edward makes it clear he does not want to walk with me.

"So, you and Rose? Besties, huh?" Mike smirks.

"What-"

"Let me just say, I'm surprised and in awe. I really thought you and Alice would be bff's, you know? Rosalie just seems-" Eric says and Mike continues, "Cold. Like, closed off."

I stop walking and glare. "How about you mind your business, yeah? Don't be such gossips."

Walking faster, as to get away, I make it to Biology by myself and roll my eyes as Edward glares at me. "You have some shit to spout to?"

I huff as he says nothing, and pull out my work when the bell rings.

It's probably a solid five minutes later but Edward suddenly says in a low, soft voice, "Maybe later." A sort of smile twisting his lips, he looks at me with dark eyes.

I give a small chuckle and nod before getting back to work. The rest of the class went in comfortable silence between us.

After gym, though, as I walk out of the locker room I bumped into Alice. Or i almost did as she caught me before I realized she was even there.

"Bella!" She smiles brightly, placing both hands on my shoulders. Her speech quick and pitch high. "I'm so glad about you and Rose! I can't wait for you to come over tonight, it's going to be the beginning of a very bright future. I wish you could come over now but I'm sure Charlie wants to see you so, hurry home and try to come over as quick as possible."

"Uhm, alright, Alice. Sure." Scratching my neck in confusion, I nod and go along with her. "But, what exactly are-"

"Just come over, Bella. We want to hang out with you and Rose wants to see you!" Her smile widens and her eyes glint with something I do not understand.

"Where exactly is Rosalie?"

"Her, Emmett and Edward left by now. Jasper is waiting for me." She suddenly loops her arm with mine and starts dragging me towards the parking lot. "Let's go."

"You know, for someone so small, you are quite strong." She doesn't answer besides a small, tinkling giggle and wink.

She chatters as we go, about her family and about plans we need to make. However, they sound kind of like plans she already made with herself and is just now telling me.

When we get to the parking lot, Jasper is indeed waiting for her by his car.

"Hello," he says, tipping his head in a polite manner and offering me a slight smile.

"Hey, Jasper." I don't really know what it is about him, but I can't help but to like him. Jasper seems like he doesn't like people, but it seems like he tries hard to just be around me and I have to respect that.

Even though he can be a bit intense and is almost always silent, the exact opposite of Alice, he gives off such friendly vibes.

I don't know. Just another weird Cullen thing probably.

"We'll see you at the house." Alice says and with a quick hug they get into their car.

As I drive myself home, I wonder what awaits me at the Cullen home. Something about going there tonight seems...different.

I wait until Charlie gets home, which is about a half hour after I get there. It gave me time to finish my homework and straighten out my room a bit.

"Hey, dad. How was work?"

Charlie comes in through the kitchen and offers me a smile. "Same old, same old. How was school?"

"Pretty much the same." I hand him a beer from the fridge as he sits at the kitchen table and goes through the mail. "Would it be alright if I went to the Cullen's house today?"

"Yeah, of course. Are you eating with them?"

"Probably not. I was thinking about having something now, with you before I go."

He looks up from the mail then, with a soft smile and nods. "That sounds great, thanks bells."

I nod, a tad uncomfortable from the emotion in his eyes that stirs something in me. Instead of pondering that, I turn back to the kitchen and start to make a simple dinner.

Over dinner we have random conversations and it's nice. We do the dishes together and he kisses my forehead as I grab my bag on the way out.

"Be safe, Bells, and have a good time!"

"Thanks, dad, I will."