Chapter 5

It was lunchtime.

Mike and Eric were acting that awkward mixture of polite and creepy just like in the movies.

But there were a few differences.

Naturally Bella wouldn't notice that things had deviated from the script.

The dickhead of a guy who kissed her on the cheek. The kiss never came. He was stopped by a pair of his friends when he got close. Mike still ran off to chase him and Eric still shut down Angela after she snapped a photo of Bella. However the significance of the failed kiss showed something.

The plot was not absolute.

"Who are they?" Bella asked. For some reason her eyes were naturally drawn to the group before they even entered the dining hall.

There was something uniquely captivating about them.

Angela lowered her voice, "The Cullen's."

"They're Dr and Mrs Cullen's foster kids. They moved down here from Alaska like a few years ago."

Angela added softly, "They kind of keep to themselves."

"Yeah cause they're all together. Like together, together. The blonde girl that's Rosalee, and the big dark haired guy, that's Emmet. They're like a thing. I'm not even sure that's legal."

Angela argued back, "They're not actually related Jess."

"But they live together, it's weird!"

"The little dark haired girl that's Alice, she's really weird. She's with Jasper, the blonde one who always looks like he's in pain. Dr Cullen's like this foster dad slash matchmaker. Maybe they'll adopt me." Jess finished with a judgemental smile.

Bella took a small bite of her meal. She hadn't been feeling very hungry since she set foot in Forks, "Who's he?"

Jessica turned her head to see. Bella watched as her lips formed an O shape.

"That's Edward Cullen. He's totally gorgeous, obviously."

Jess smiled bitterly and speared a potato on her fork, "But apparently nobody here is good enough for him."

He was pale, that was the first thing Bella noticed about him. Something about him was enchanting, maybe it was the way he seemed to glide across the floor or maybe he was simply that good-looking.

Their eyes met. Golden pupils gazed into her own brown eyes that seemed so dull in comparison.

Then his brows furrowed together. His handsome face morphed into a picture of frustration and confusion.

Across the room Bella shifted uncomfortably in her seat

She tried to think of what she'd done wrong, 'Is there something on my face?'

Glancing at her reflection in the shiny metallic surface of her lunch tray she subtly checked for spots or food. There were neither.

"Hi! Bella right, I'm Alexander."

The voice played in the background to her thoughts. Edward's red lips were all she could think about.

"Yeah, hi." Bella replied distractedly. Her eyes never left the table.

"I'm on the student council, I thought I'd ask if you needed any help settling in." The boy continued. His voice was deep and baritone.

The boy's voice finally broke apart the image of Edward in her head.

For a second Bella frowned uncomfortably. She'd never been like this. She was obsessing over a boy she hadn't even spoken to. Before today she wouldn't have even known who he was.

But now this stupid rude boy was all she could think about.

"You ok? I promise I don't bite."

The boy's voice startled Bella from her thoughts.

"Yeah I'm fine, thanks. First day, I'm a little distracted I guess."

'Are all the boys in Forks this hot?

The mouthful of chicken and potatoes became impossibly dry in Bella's mouth. The gentle smile of the boy in front of her brought some pink to her cheeks as she blushed.

'Why do you have to act so stupid all the time!' Bella lamented at her earlier obliviousness.

"New place, new people, it's a bit much I get it. Nice ride though, I saw it outside. You'll have to let me drive it sometime. If that's okay with you of course."

Bella hurriedly tried to find the words to reply. At the moment her brain was a complete mess.

"Yeah, sure. But uh-the clutch, you've got to double jump, I mean push, I mean pump...it!"

Bella watched the boy's Adams apple bob as he laughed. Despite fumbling her words completely, she didn't feel so nervous anymore.

"I'll make sure to do all of that. See you round Bella!"

The black haired boy, Alexander, Bella remembered, waved and left. Bella's subconsciously eyes followed him across the room.

At the door to the cafeteria the boy suddenly paused. Freed from her stupor Bella's thoughts started to churn furiously, she had to look away, she couldn't let him think she'd been watching him walk away!

It was too late.

A few strands of hair tumbled across the boy's forehead. His hazel eyes locked paths with her own.

From across the dining hall the boy smiled brightly. Colour drained from the world as that pair of hazel eyes became the center of Bella's world.

Then he was gone.

Bella didn't say a word for several minutes. Only when Jessica prodded her for the hundredth time did she return to reality.

Angela smiled kindly, "So you met Alexander. Don't worry, he has that effect on people."

Bella shook her head, pretending not to understand. The lie was a bad one and she knew it, "What-what effect?"

"Oh you know, the one where you stare at a door for 5 minutes while your friends steal all of your lunch." Jessica said with a giggle.

It only took a moment for Angela to lose control and join in.

"What? No, I didn't..." Bella tried to defend herself.

"Really I didn't, I was just-"

The smile spread across Bella's face as she talked. She tried to stop herself but moments later she was laughing alongside Jessica and Angela.

Eventually the three girls got a hold of their laughter. Still occasional giggles escaped as they clutched their stomachs.

Bella held up a potato with her fork, "Yeah. Maybe he does have an effect on people."