Kidnapped

Chapter 2

Bella 

The weeks that followed were full of catching up. Fortunately, I had Alice Cullen who was more than willing to help me catch up and who I shared a fair majority of my classes with. The Cullen siblings were a blessing in disguise. They introduced me to their friend group which consisted of Jessica Stanley, Angela Webber, Lauren Mallory, Mike Newton, Eric Yorkie and Ben Young. I was shocked to find out that Jacob Black, Billy's son and long time friend to Charlie, was also part of that group. It was nice to see a friendly face. 

I did notice the one person missing from the Cullen family. Edward Cullen. I didn't see him that first week and by the second, I was starting to believe maybe he didn't go to school. It wasn't like there were many high schools in Forks and an hour drive to the one in Port Angeles seemed like a stretch. And then one Monday afternoon, I saw him sitting by himself at the furthest table in the cafeteria. I watched in astonishment as his siblings laughed and chatted with everyone else at our table and no one paid a mind to him. 

Weeks trailed by and I'd get small glimpses of him here and there. Alice and Emmett never talked to him, and I wanted to know why. I had never asked, I didn't want to intrude, but I couldn't help feeling as if... maybe... just maybe all he needs is a friend. 

"You're thinking awfully hard there, Swan." Mike Newton's voice dragged me out of my train of thought. "What's going on in that little head of yours?"

"Nothing," I lied, shutting my locker. "I spaced out." 

"Okay." He leaned against the lockers with his arms crossed. "I was thinking... if you'd like to go see a movie with me sometime?" 

My cheeks heated. "I'm sorry?" 

"Yeah, like this weekend?" 

Oh, dear God, no. I had a sneaking suspicion that Mike Newton had a crush on me, but I was holding onto the hope that he'd be the kind that held onto that crush and just never said anything. Clearly, he was not. 

"Aren't you dating Jessica?" I asked. 

"No... I mean, she likes me and all, but it's complicated." 

"I don't think it's that complicated. She really likes you, Mike, and honestly, I don't think I'm ready for a relationship right now. I'm sorry." 

Mike nodded with a forced smile. "It's all good. Worth a shot. I'll see you later, Arizona." 

Mike walked away quickly, almost as if his ass was one fire and I was just about to bump my head against my locker when a chuckle behind caught my attention. I turned, only to find Edward sitting on the floor, his back against the wall, one leg up with a book on his lap. The hall was moslty clear with everyone having rushed to class before the last bell, but not him. He wore a grey flannel, sleeves rolled up to his elbows and unbutton to reveal his black shirt underneath and dark jeans. His copper hair fell over his forehead, nearly reaching his brows. He looked beautiful and perhaps even a little lonely. 

"What's funny?" I asked.

Edward shrugged without looking up from his book. "I don't know who was more scared shitless, you or Newton over there." 

"It's not nice to eavesdrop." 

Edward looked at me with a bored expression. "You're not in a private area. Perhaps you should let Newton know that when he attempts to ask you out a second time that he should do it in a not so public area." 

"There isn't going to be a next time. I just told him I'm not ready for a relationship." 

Edward turned back to his book. "That is not going to stop him, trust me. He is going to wait about a month or perhaps two so chances will be more in his favor. If there's one thing everyone knows about the Golden Boy is that he is relentless."