At the coffee shop I'm still thinking over how the first day of school went. Aren't all first day of school a train wreak. But I don't let my worry show as the food is put in front of us. Many people send welcoming smiles that I respond with a nod and smile. "Can't get over how grown up you are. And so gorgeous."
Charlie is clearly entranced by his steak, wonder if he remembered lunch, so I send her a smile in thanks. "'Member me, honey? I was Santa one year."
"Waylon, she hasn't had a Christmas here since she was four."
"Bet I made an impression, though."
"You always do."
"No, dad I think I can remember it. Bit hazy but it's up here. Forks isn't a place that you just forget about." I tap on my temple with a smile that he returns.
Cora gives a tsk-tsk, "Let the girl eat her cod, Waylon. When you're done, I'll bring your favorite - berry cobbler. Remember? Your dad still has it. Every Thursday."
"That'd be delicious, thank you." I wait for Charlie to add salt handing him the ketchup before adding a bit of salt to my own food. "Do you eat here every night?"
"Easier than washing dishes."
"I can cook." I would love to get to know Charlie more and have him eating a home cooked meal. Know that he's eating a little healthier. I try to entice him on the idea. "Back in Phoenix I did the cooking. Mom's not great in the kitchen."
"I remember." Charlie trails off and we both laugh at the disaster that is Renée's cooking. "How was school? Meet anyone"
"I met a few people. Think a few friends. At lunch they seemed to only want to talk about the Cullen family."
Charlie looked up at that comment. "Are people talking about them again?"
"Not in a bad way. Just a bit of teen gossips trying to create something out of nothing."
"Just 'cause they're newcomers." Still? After two years they are considered 'newcomers.' I guess the smallness of the town is what kept them news and not just their good looks. Maybe it's that they didn't have a connection to the town. "We're lucky to have a surgeon like Dr. Cullen at our podunk hospital. Lucky his wife wanted to live in a small town. Lucky his kids aren't like a lot of hell-raisers around here."
Charlie sure got himself worked up over the Cullens. "I understand."
"I just don't like narrow mindedness." We both turn back to our food and I let the silence take over the rest of dinner to let Charlie calm down.
That night after finishing homework I was talking to Renée on the phone. "If spring training goes well, we could be living in Florida permanently." Please insert 25 cents to continue.
"Mom, what happened to your phone?" How was Renée able to keep herself and Bella alive?
"Ok, I didn't lose my power cord. It ran away. Screaming. I literally repel technology now." It's a bit funny but shouldn't she be worried of keeping a steady line of communication with her only child. Us emailing was one thing. But how would Charlie get ahold of her if anything happened? I guess Charlie is just used to Renée's ways. "Now, tell me more about your school, baby. What are the kids like? Are there any cute guys? Are they being nice to you?"
It feels like Renée doesn't really know Bella. Bella is clearly an introvert, I really wouldn't have expected much to happen on her first day at a new school, in a different town. I try to lie better than Bella did but take a while to think up a description of the day as I hear a soft 'Bella' of Renée trying to get my attention. "It was as good as a first day could go."
I can't help thinking of Edward's reactions to my presence not that it differed from what I figured would happen. I think my thoughts are going to be pulled more and more to think about him.
This will be a challenging few days of waiting for Edward to come back to school, to the state though I'm not supposed to know that he actually left the state altogether. The next day I couldn't help but hope when I walked into biology class that he'd be sitting there. Yet he wasn't there.
Then another day at lunch with Jessica and Angela while they were watching a video I couldn't stop from looking over to find the Cullen table with only Emmett, Rosalie, Jasper, and Alice.
It was a bit strange when washing my hands in the bathroom to see Rosalie and Alice standing behind me. They watch unnervingly making me feel guilty about what happened with Edward.
After so look I feel like giving up watching out for the bronze-haired teen as I left the school with the group and see that yet again there were only the four Cullens at school today.
Getting ready for bed I realize my mind really keeps going back to how much I want to see Edward. The conflict between us during out first meeting left my mind disturbed and needing a resolution.
Darn you, Edward Anthony Masen Cullen.
YOU ARE READING
Through the Mirror
FanfictionA self-insert/original character story. Inserting Chloe Dawn McCall into the role of Bella Swan. She is driven to avoid the chaos that is a constant though the Twilight Saga.