𝐭𝐰𝐨

It had been one week since the pharmacy and Bella's homecoming and for some dumb reason I couldn't get Emmett out of my head. And I'd tried everything to get him to go away, and I mean everything.

I tried distraction: reading, helping Jake in the garage, baking nonstop with Sue Clearwater. I went to some parties, hoping the weed and alcohol would kick him from my mind, but the intoxication just made my thoughts get weirder and less filtered. I even hooked up with Paul a couple of times, which would normally fix any intrusive thought, but even he only acted as a temporary escape from the dark haired boy.

It got to the point that I was trying to find reasons to go to Forks. And then promptly talking myself out of them because, he was a Cullen. Sure he was hot but, he was still one of them. Even if I didn't partially believe the legends, Billy's hate for them was enough to deter me away from the golden eyed family.

It didn't help that Bella was constantly going on and on about the family. Apparently her first day at school was less than great. I guess Edward Cullen totally shunned her and acted as if he despised her for literally no reason.

I ran my fingers through my hair, pulling at the blonde roots with a groan. What was wrong with me? Why was I so hung up on a guy I'd literally said less than ten words to? Either way, his face was haunting my dreams and I needed to figure out some way to get it to go away.

Maybe seeing him again would convince me he's not as attractive as I originally thought? Pharmacy lighting can really alter someones looks... right?

With a sigh I got up from my bed, going over to throw on my sneakers. I smoothed out my skirt and quickly fixed my sweater and hair in the mirror, making sure I looked okay. I stopped myself half way through fluffing my curls, what am I doing? Who cares what he thinks about me, I'm going to Forks to get him out of my head, not stuck farther in it.

I turned away from the mirror, grabbing my keys and purse on my way out the door. I skipped down the stairs, taking them two at a time. I figured since it was nearly lunch hour, I could ask Bella to lunch. That way I'd get to see Bella and I'd get this stupid boy outta my head.

"Where are you headed?" Billy asked from his spot at the table where he was writing something on some parchment.

I smiled over at the man, "I'm gonna go take Is some lunch, figured I owed her a visit since I haven't seen her since she got here."

"Okay, be safe, the roads are icy," I could hear the concern in his tone. He hated when I drove anywhere, hated the thought of something happening to me again.

I gave him a small smile, bending down and giving him a quick kiss on the cheek, "I'll be okay, promise."

As I left the house, I pulled out my phone, dialing Bell's number. The air was cool but it didn't bother me much, just raised goosebumps on my bare legs. I contemplated changing but decided it didn't matter enough, I'd be inside anyways. I leaned against the hood of my silver car as I waited for her to answer. She did on the fourth ring. "Hello?"

"Hey, Is. I was wondering if you wanted to have lunch together? I can pick something up?" I offered, picking at my nail polish that was chipping away. I'd have to repaint soon.

"Yeah, that sounds great. Will they let you eat in the cafeteria?" She questioned.

I nodded, then remembering she couldn't see me I spoke, "yeah, it shouldn't be a problem. If anything we'll just eat in my car."

Bella agreed again then said something about getting to class, so I hung up. As I went to unlock my car, I saw a familiar boy walking up my driveway. He was shirtless and wearing cargo shorts, which was odd for such a cool climate, but he had been doing this for months so, I was used to it by now.

I smirked at the boy, "Paul, to what do I owe the pleasure?"

He looked grumpy, like always, as he looked down at me. "Where are you going?"

I rolled my eyes, sighing, "not that it's any of your business, but I'm going to have lunch with Bella Swan... Charlie's daughter."

Paul nodded, then looked away sighing, "I don't like when you go to Forks."

I couldn't help but laugh slightly at that, "okay, well that's not really my problem Paul."

He glared down at me and I knew he didn't like my response. Well too bad, buddy. I wasn't his girlfriend, so it's not like he had any say in what I did with my free time. He opened his mouth to say something but I turned and opened my car door.

"Are you gonna be at the party Friday?" I asked as I bent into the car to start it, I wanted to get it warmed up before I left. I stood back up and turned to him, ignoring the way that he had been totally looking at my ass. I wasn't surprised, Paul and I had been hooking up since summer, so I really couldn't care less where his eyes wandered. 

Paul shook his head, "you know I don't go to those bonfires anymore."

I smiled up at him, nodding, "I know, you're too good for them now, huh?" I teased, moving to place a hand on his chest. I instantly warmed at the touch, he was like a human radiator. "Well, maybe I'll ditch the party too and we could hang out?"

Paul relaxed slightly under my touch and nodded, "yeah, sounds good. Be safe, Liv."

I nodded before turning away and getting in the car. "See ya."

I got out of my car in the Forks High School parking lot, shivering as the cool air hit my legs. Maybe I should've changed, I thought but pushed the thought away as I instead decided to focus on the fact that I was going to see Emmett again.

Part of me felt bad for using Bella as an excuse to see him, but I really needed to get this boy gone. Besides, I could pay Bella back with a girls night or something. I made my way into the school, food bag in hand, making my way to the front office.

An older lady sat behind the desk and I smiled kindly at her, "hello." I greeted politely. "I'm here to bring lunch to my friend, Bella Swan."

The lady smiled at me, nodding, "yes, of course, just sign your name on the visitors log and-- do you know where the cafeteria is, dear?"

I shook my head while writing down my name, she quickly gave me directions and I smiled in thanks before leaving the office and making my way to the canteen. Everyone was in there and I found myself sighing. I hadn't seen any of these people properly since fifth grade, when my mom died and I began going to school on the reservation, hopefully they don't recognize me.

I opened the doors to the cafeteria and felt all eyes on me, it was uncomfortable, to say the least. Thankfully Bella quickly came up to me, saving me from embarrassing myself. I gave her a smile and wrapped an arm around her.

"Hey Is, I brought some burgers," I pulled back and waved the bag in front of her. 

She smiled in thanks. "Do you want to sit with my friends?" She asked and I nodded, following her over to the table.

As we walked I couldn't help but glance around. When my eyes found his, I cursed myself. Cafeteria lighting looked good on him too, obviously. He was sat with four other people, his siblings, I'm guessing. His eyes were on me, our gazes locking. My breath was stolen and I stumbled on my feet slightly, breaking eye contact to laugh with Bella as she commented on my clumsiness.

"I know, it's like I have two left feet sometimes," I huffed as we approached a table. I recognized literally every single person sat at the table and I groaned mentally. I did not miss Forks school, and definitely not the people.

"Liv, this is--"

"Olivia?" Jessica Stanley said, a smile on her face.

I sighed, smiling slightly, "yup, it's me."

"Wow, yo-you.... grew up," Mike stated, stuttering as he slowly looked over me, making me a little uncomfortable.

Eric sighed too, "you know, Liv, I've been thinking, we should totally--" Angela slapped him on the back of the head and I couldn't help but laugh.

I sat down in the empty seat beside Bella, handing her the paper bag as she began digging through it. "How do you guys know Liv?"

Jessica, oh so kindly, decided to share my life story, "we went to school together, you know, before her mom died and she moved to LaPush."

I nodded, clearing my throat and looking at the table while Bella handed me my burger and fries, setting her own down in front of her. Angela smiled kindly at me, "don't you have school? What are you doing here-- not that it's not good to see you!" She quickly covered up but I didn't mind.

I smiled at Angela, she bothered me the least out of this group, "I tested out last semester. I was tired of going to school." I laughed slightly. Billy let me test out as soon as I mentioned the idea to him, saying that he didn't care what I did as long as I had my diploma or GED. He helped me through the whole process.

"Cool, so you get to like do whatever you want now, huh?" Mike said, picking at his lunch as he stared at me.

I laughed slightly, popping a fry in my mouth as I shook my head. "I have a job and I'm gonna go back to school in the fall, get a degree or something, I dunno." 

The table fell silent for a moment before they all began breaking into their own conversations. I could feel eyes on me as I ate my fries silently, it was like a burning sensation and without needing to look I knew who it was. And as my eyes looked up, it was confirmed. There, standing up from his table was Emmett Cullen, his golden eyes staring right into mine.

I watched as he walked out of the cafeteria and I felt the magnet in me pull to follow him, I didn't care to question the feeling as I stood up. "Hey, Is, I'm gonna run to the bathroom, I'll be back." She nodded, going back to her conversation with Angela about the latest homework or some shit.

My feet carried me blindly down a hallway and as I walked down the empty corridor I scolded myself. Why was I following him, exactly? I came here to stop thinking about him and this obsessing was doing the exact opposite.

As I rounded a corner, two hands grabbed my arms, pulling me around to face them. I gasped at the cold, the touch sending electricity through me and kick starting my heart. When my eyes met golden ones, I internally scolded myself. What am I doing?

"Are you following me?" Emmett asked, dropping his hands as he looked down at me. He was at least a foot taller than me, as I only came up to his chest in height, so I really had to crane my neck to look at him. How tall was this man?

I blushed without meaning too, "n-no. I was going... to the bathroom," I lied, biting my lip as soon as the lie fell through, it didn't sound at all convincing.

Emmett laughed, the sound vibrating through my chest, my heart stuttering at the sound. Why was I like this? I'd never been like this before. "Kinda looked like you were following me," he persisted, seeing through the lie.

I scoffed, crossing my arms over my chest, trying to hide the effect he had on my body, "don't be so full of yourself, it's not an attractive look."

Emmett smirked down at me, stepping a little closer. I felt my cheeks tint a deeper shade and I knew for a fact it was visible. Damn me and my pale skin. "I think you find me attractive enough."

I swallowed hard, dropping my arms, "that's awfully presumptuous of you." He wasn't wrong though. He was very muscular. To the point that his t-shirt was tight across his chest and hugged his arms tightly. I couldn't help it as my gaze fell to them for a moment before going back to his eyes. His eyes held a look that said, 'see, told ya so.' 

"Don't worry, I find you attractive too, princess," his eyes glanced down at my legs for a moment, then back up to my eyes and I could feel my breath catch as I watched him closely. Before I could respond though, the bell rang and Emmett pulled away, turned and began walking down the hallway without so much as a goodbye.

My heart was pounding in my chest and I felt like my legs were glued to their spot on the floor. What the fuck was that?