3: Katie

KATIE'S POVSeptember 3rd

I crashed as soon as I hit the pillow, but slept fitfully. Nightmares settled into an ache low in my gut. By 4:30 AM I was wide awake, unable to fall back to sleep. With my backpack already packed for the day, all I had to do was brush my teeth, brush my hair, and get dressed— all of which could be accomplished in about twenty minutes.

I sat up as quietly as I could, ignoring the alarm clock, and reached over to grab the book on my nightstand. It was a romance novel— cliche, but easy to read. I read about a few chapters before I was unable to continue, closing the book carefully and putting it back where it was on my nightstand.

I tried to fall asleep again, forcing my eyes shut, but every time I closed my eyes, he surfaced in my memory. The memories that I tried so hard to run away from. The memories of Johnathan.

I reached my hand out in the cold air, the chill darting it's way up my exposed arm. "It's snowing," I said breathlessly, turning back to Johnathan with wide eyes. He blinked as I complained, "It's April!"

"So?" He exclaimed, thrilled. He quickly grabbed me by the hips and lifted me over the door's threshold. He set me down onto the patio, lightly dusted with snow, and I was lucky to have been wearing any shoes at all.

"John!" I exclaimed, delighted, unphased by his strength. "Your hands are cold!"

"You know I can't help that," his melodic voice sing-songs. He doesn't let go, though, only wraps his arms around my waist tighter. "God, you smell good."

"Watch it," I laugh, lightly shoving his chest. "Find some other girl to sink your teeth into. I'm off limits."

He laughs alongside me, leaning in to touch his forehead to mine. I try not to shiver in the cold air— I am only in my pajamas, after all. "I love you," he whispers into my hairline.

"I love you, too." I exhale, lifting my face up to meet his.

I rub my hands over my eyes and force myself to shut out his laughter. The way he used to comment on how my heart would race whenever he touched me. Stop, I chastise myself, unless you feel like reliving all of the pain, too.

I check the clock again— 6:00. Late enough now that I can get ready without drawing too much suspicion. I gently pad out of bed, opening my closet doors to search for an outfit. However paradoxical the statement, it was lucky that I was relocated in the summer— today would be everyone's first day of school, not just mine. Although, I bet there's not many newcomers to Forks High School.

I settle on a warm brown sweater, straight leg jeans, and my trusted brown converse. I don't mean for all of my clothes to fit oversized— they just do. I mean, I had always been lean, in a way, taller than most girls my age, but it got worse after my parents passed. I was now on the underweight side, straying from lean to gangly. Not on purpose, of course. I've been living by myself for the past month while everything was sorted out.

I look in the full length mirror and play with my hair, trying to figure out what to do. I decide on a plain braid down my back, loose and long. It settles a bit past my shoulder blades. I don't bother with makeup. Not that I disapprove of those who do like wearing it— I'm just too much of a perfectionist. Luckily, this side of the family has good genes, at least when it comes to clear skin, so I've never really felt the need to try my luck.

I brush my teeth as usual, but spend an extra amount of time looking myself over in the mirror. Now that I've spent time with Bella and Charlie in person, I can see the familial resemblance. My Dad shared Charlie's nose, the shape of his eyes, the set of his jaw. I have more of my mother's features, but I still have the Swan nose, that's for sure. Bella doesn't really look like her father much, but she does share his face shape. While we don't have much in common, Bella and I definitely look related.

When I finish getting ready, it's only 6:30. I could go and make breakfast, but I'm so nervous that I feel queasy. What am I going to say to Edward? Speaking of which, how am I going to deal with another clan of vampires? I've had my fill. It was stupid of me to assume that a place like Forks, even colder and darker than Oregon, wouldn't have their kind.

I go back to my room and pull my knees up to my chest. When did life become so complicated? I mean, I've never had it easy, that's for sure. At sixteen, I've already worked two jobs to help my parents make ends meet. I play sports and get good grades sorely to have some sort of basis for a scholarship, because God knows I won't be able to afford college unless it's paid for me.

Bella knocks on the door around seven. I call for her to come in, and she cautiously comes and sits on the ground next to me, mirroring my pose.

"I didn't know you knew about vampires," She says quietly. The kindness in her words pain me. "I'm sorry for how you... found out, I guess."

"It's okay," I say dismissively. I give her a small smile and look back at my hands.

"You can be honest with me. I promise not to... judge you. Edward wasn't lying, you know. He really can't read my mind. And I'd keep a secret, just so you feel safer around him."

I smile more genuinely. "It's okay, really. I could... tell he had no ill will. It's just..." I give her another glance over my shoulder. "A vampire? Really, Bella?"

She laughs, gentle but strong. "He's waiting outside, if you still want a ride. You can always take my truck instead. Or your car. I wouldn't mind."

I shake my head. "This is bound to happen one day or another. C'mon. Let's not be late on our first day."

I swing my backpack over my shoulders and follow her down the stairs. When we get to the front door, she fumbles to lock the house, and I meet Edward's stare.

It's not malicious or hateful or anything of the sort. Honestly, he just seems... confused. Like he's trying to get a read on me but is grasping for straws. I level my gaze back at him, bored and demanding. Might as well try and establish some dominance— I've already tried the other approach with vampires, and boy did that end badly for me.

"Hello, Katie." He says evenly. "How did you sleep?" I get the impression that he was with Bella most of the night (not in the way it sounds) and he probably heard me tossing and turning.

"Katelyn." I say in response. "You should call me Katelyn." A petty blow, but...

He frowns at me, not hiding his frustration. Bella touches his arm gently, as if reminding him to play nice. "Are you ready to leave, Katelyn?" His jaw is clenched.

I shrug. "I guess so. Are we walking, or is there some sort of invisible batmobile that I'm missing?"

He practically growls at me "My car is over there." I follow his gaze to a nice silver car parked across the street. I hear Bella whisper something in his ear, and the quietest sigh leave him before he walks past me towards the driver's seat.

"Katie?" Bella says softly from behind me, and I almost startle. "Don't be mad at me for saying this, but I think you should try... to be nice to each other. Or at least try your best not to provoke him. I'll make sure he does the same."

"Don't worry about me. I've fought vampires before," I add in reassurance. "I won't let him bite me."

She blinks, confused, but a sudden clearness comes into her vision. "Oh! Edward doesn't drink blood."

I laugh at her. "That can't be true, Bella. All vampires have to have blood to survive." I honestly feel a little bad for her— she's been going this whole time believing that Edward doesn't hurt people?

"Edward only drinks animal blood," Bella says, guiding me to the car. "Honestly. That's why his eyes are golden. None of the Cullens drink blood from humans."

I think about it for a while. It would explain the weird eye color I noticed in both Edward and his sister, Alice. "Huh," I say, swinging myself into the backseat.

Edward and I spend the car ride in almost complete silence. Bella, in the other hand, works her hardest to bridge the gap— she explains my living situation to Edward (which I presume he already knows, and she's just being polite) and describing the Cullen family situation to me. How they're a group of vampires, all adopted by Carlisle Cullen, a doctor in town. All of them are coupled— Emmett and Rosalie, Alice and Jasper, and Edward and Bella. Carlisle acts as the father in the family while Esme acts as the mother.

I try to process all of this information slowly— a vampire clan that isn't human bloodthirsty? That don't murder humans for sport? This is what I had imagined when I first met Johnathan. But that was a fantasy, and this was real.

By the time we get to the school, I'm lost for words. Bella turns to me, expectant, and I just blink at her. She nods at me once in encouragement. "That's... you have an interesting arrangement. High school?" I ask, my brows raised.

Edward chuckles darkly. "The younger we start in a town, the longer we can stay."

"But you don't... just live your life out how you want it?" I push him, looking for a better answer. If I had the choice, I would only come down to society to find a new book, not re-live high school.

"It makes the most sense— Carlisle wants to help people as a doctor. His children are expected to be enrolled in school." He explains, parking the car by the front of the parking lot. Teenagers from all over stare at us— I would bet my entire CD collection that Edward had a reputation. "So, into school we go. It's a small sacrifice for all he does for us."

A genuine answer. I try my best to sound challenging. "Can I ask you a question?"

He hesitates. "Sure."

"Where is the reception office? I need to check in and get a schedule." I say sweetly, reveling in the annoyance my delivery must have just caused him. I reach over to grab the door handle, swinging the door open and standing up.

"I'll walk you," Bella offers, squeezing Edward's hand before following me out. She guides me to a small office, smaller than the one at my old school had been, where an old woman gives me my schedule. She calls me Katelyn, and I don't bother correcting her, although I'm sure I'll have to correct others throughout the day.

"Thank you," I say, glancing at my schedule. It's full of boring-looking classes. At my old school, you needed two more classes to graduate, and I had enough credits to skip my Junior year completely. I decided against it, though, and instead am taking the most advanced classes Forks has to offer (which is not many). AP Biology, AP Literature, and the highest math this school has: Calculus. I see a PE class on my schedule, too. Other than PE, I have no classes with Bella. However, the student count at the school is so low that they only need one lunch to accommodate all of the students. Imagine that! My last school had 4 separate lunches just to try and feed the 2000+ kids. Needless to say, I will be eating with Bella.

In the courtyard, Bella squeezes my arm and very slightly tips her head in the direction of a group of boys throwing a football back and forth. "That's Mike," she whispers to me, and I can tell she is talking about the boy closest to us. "A... friend of mine."

Mike spots Bella and waves enthusiastically. I watch as his eyes trail to me, and his mouth literally drops open. The boy, Mike, snaps his mouth shut, running over to say hello. On his way over, he pretends to throw the football at us. Bella practically ducks, while I put my hands up as if to catch the ball. "It looks like the un-athletic thing was just passed to you, Bella." He jokes, unable to settle his gaze on either one of us. "I'm Mike," he says, putting out his hand and turning to me. "Bella's told me all about you. Katie, right?"

"That's me," I joke half-heartedly, giving him a shy smile. His blatant appraisal is off-putting. "Nice to meet one of Bella's friends."

Mike's gaze lowers down to my lips as I talk. A little creepy, I must admit, but he's got such a dog-like disposition that I almost laugh. He looks back up at my eyes again as he says "of course! Do you need help finding your first class? Or has Bella got you covered?"

I glance at my watch- it's about 5 minutes until class starts. I turn my attention to my schedule, and then look back up at him. Before I can say anything, Bella chimes in. "That would be great, Mike, if you don't mind. Katie's class is in a different building than mine and I don't want to be late for English..."

Mike brightens. "Of course! Where are you headed?"

I turn the brightly colored paper towards him. "Wherever Advanced Art with Mr. J takes place, I guess."

He looks back up at me, gesturing to a small group of buildings across the courtyard. "It's over there. I actually have the same class first period!" His grin is blinding. "C'mon, I'll show you."

I follow him through the grass. He's not starting any conversation, so I don't, either. I take a moment to look around, absorbing my surroundings. Tall trees circle the school, making it feel especially private and secluded. In Oregon, we had trees, of course, but my school was in the city and there really weren't any around. I actually really like the somberness of the woods— it makes the world feel still.

"Katie?" Mike asks, hesitant, and I snap my attention back to him.

"Sorry. My mind wandered," I explain, trying not to grimace.

Mike just beams. "Bella does that too," he shakes his head like it's an inside joke. "You Swans sure are wrapped up in your own heads."