The Right Swan: Edward LS

Chapter 8

Bella's P.O.V.

I was happily and nervously eating lunch. Across the cafeteria sat the Cullens, including Edward. He was laughing with his siblings as the big one, Emmett, shook his snow-covered hair towards his sister and his girlfriend. It was the first snowfall of the new year and everyone was enjoying it except me. I scowled the whole way to lunch and evaded snowballs to the best of my ability. I hated the snow, and what happened yesterday certainly didn't help my mood. Charlie grounded me for accidentally pushing Toni down the stairs. I didn't even mean to do it, yet I was being punished!

I examined Edward and noticed something was different. He was less pale and the circles under his eyes were less noticeable. There was something else that seemed off about him, but I wasn't sure what it was. I continued to stare, going so far as to squint my eyes in concentration.

"Bella, what are you staring at?" Jessica asked. I internally swore at Jessica as Edward's eyes flashed over to meet mine. I tried to make it look like I wasn't staring at him, but I dropped my head and let my hair conceal my face. I didn't want him to know I was staring at him.

"Edward Cullen is staring at you," Jessica giggled in my ear.

"He doesn't look angry, does he?"

"No. Should he be?" Jessica asked confused.

"I don't think he likes me," I confessed. I was embarrassed for having to say that. Edward was such a good-looking guy, and I felt like a loser. I dropped my head to the table and hid it in the crook of my arm.

"The Cullens don't like anybody. Well, they don't notice anybody enough to like them, but he's still staring at you."

"Stop looking at him," I hissed. Jessica snickered but looked away. I smiled on the inside of my arm. I was finally getting his attention. The bell rang and I threw my lunch away before I headed to Biology class. Edward was already in his seat when I entered the classroom. I sat in my chair and pulled out the materials I would need for class.

"Hello."

I was startled as I heard his quiet, musical voice speak to me. I was doodling in my notebook, waiting for class to start when he spoke. His voice was like velvet: smooth and gentle and unlike any voice I had ever encountered. It added to his attractive character.

I was stunned, to say the least, that he was talking to me. Just a few weeks ago, he was glaring at me like I was a danger to everyone in the room/ I was excited If I talked with him, I knew I could get him to like me. When I looked up to meet his eyes, I was disappointed. He was sitting as far away from me as our biology desk allowed. His hair was dripping wet from the rain that was coming down in buckets outside, and all of his facial features except his eyes expressed friendliness; his eyes were careful.

"My name is Edward Cullen," he continued. "I didn't have a chance to introduce myself last week. You must be Bella Swan."

He spoke so well, unlike the other boys that attended Forks High School. It was refreshing to listen to, but it made me feel like I was speaking with royalty. I had planned to execute the whole 'act natural' thing, had it planned since lunch, but he completely threw me off.

"H-how do you know my name?" I stuttered out to my embarrassment. I cursed myself internally and my face changed to a red hue. Edward shifted uncomfortably in his seat and cleared his throat.

"I think everyone knows your name. The whole town has been waiting for you and your sister to arrive."

I grimaced and soured at the mention of Toni. It was still unfair what happened yesterday.

"Right, both of us," I muttered quietly. "No," I continued, "I meant, why did you call me Bella?"

Edward looked at me like he was perplexed by the content of my words. It was a fair question as everyone in the school seemed to call me by my full name the first time they met me.