4: Katie

KATIE'S POVSeptember 3rd

My first few classes are a bore. Mike attempted to whisper to me throughout art class, which sucked for many reasons. One being that Mr. J immediately decided to move me to the front of the class so that Mike couldn't talk to me anymore (yes, it was just about as awkward as it sounds). I realized ten minutes in I would already know everything Mr. J had to teach. Actually, that was a common theme in many of the classes. I felt so condescending thinking this, but... this school just wasn't challenging. Not like David Douglas High School had been.

As was typical for the first day, I wasn't required to take notes, so I spent most of class with my mind wandering. My parents had died only a few short weeks ago, but it felt like a lifetime. A month ago, I still believed I would be entering my junior year with my friends from home. Praying that Johnathan would stick around for a while longer. And look where that had gotten me!

I almost sigh in relief when the lunch bell echoes over the loudspeakers, my stiff back protesting as I push up out of my seat and sling my backpack over my shoulder. "Katelyn, do you mind coming here?" My English teacher prompts, beckoning me to the front of the classroom. I oblige, hesitating in front of her large wooden desk.

Mrs. Taylor, a woman who I'd guess was middle-age, peers up at me through her large round glasses. "Well, you sure do look like Bella," she says quietly, shaking her head. I must be giving her a strange look, because she backpedals. "Word gets around fast around here, Miss Swan. I apologize."

"It's alright," I say dismissively, itching to leave the classroom. "What did you want to talk to me about?"

Mrs. Taylor hands me a folder with the syllabus inside. I glance it over quickly and look back up at her. "Which of these units are you familiar with?" She asks me, a blank expression on her face. The way her hands are gripped together, however, makes me believe this prompt has a motivation.

"All of them," I admit sheepishly, blushing. "I was in an advanced program back at my old school."

Mrs. Taylor nods, unfazed. "Just as I suspected. The education available at Forks is..." she trails off, for good reason. "I was wondering if you'd like me to bump you up to my Senior-Level Literature class. Your schedule may have to change a bit, but I think it would be doable."

I want to resist, but what good would that do? "Alright," I say cautiously, handing her the folder still clutched in my hands. "Thank you."

"No problem, Katelyn." Mrs. Taylor nods, giving me a warm smile. "Sorry for holding you up. I hope you enjoy lunch."

"Thanks," I repeat, grabbing hold of the straps of my backpack. "And... I'd prefer if you called me Katie."

Mrs. Taylor beamed at that. "Alright, Katie. Enjoy," she says dismissively, encouraging me to leave. I follow the winding hallway to the cafeteria, noisy with commotion. I assumed the lunchroom would be mostly full, but it's fairly empty. Most kids, I'd guess, are taking advantage of the sunlight still available to them. Well, not sunlight exactly— but not rain.

"Katie!" Bella calls, beckoning me to a mostly full lunch table. "There you are! I thought you had gotten lost!"

I smile shyly, avoiding eye contact from everyone already sitting at the table. I spot Mike from the corner of my eye. He hits the boy next to him discreetly, as if to say, I told you so. "Nope. Mrs. Taylor held me after class," I joke, taking the seat to Bella's left. I can't ignore the group around her anymore, so I say, "Hi. You don't mind if I sit here, do you?"

Mike beams. "Not at all! And Mrs. Taylor is such a hard ass. I have her for English." I almost groan. Of course. "What did she ask you?"

I shrug. "She asked if I wanted to be moved into one of her other English classes. I didn't know what to say."

Mike's smile widens. "Hey, maybe we would be in the same class!"

I smile to be polite. "Maybe." The table seems at an awkward impasse, not knowing what to say next. "Oh! Hey, I'm Katie," I add quickly, glancing around at those sitting around me. There seems to be three girls sitting to Bella's right and three boys sitting to my left— an almost perfect balance. If I had to guess, by the open seat next to Bella, I'd say that Edward sits here occasionally.

The girls introduce themselves first: a kind-looking girl named Angela, with a thin frame and short brown hair; directly followed by two meaner looking girls, Jessica and Lauren, who gave me a once-over filled with jealousy. They were clearly annoyed with the way Mike was looking at me, like a dog chasing a new toy. Instead of introducing himself, Mike just says "and you know me," with a wink. The boy across from Angela introduces himself as Ben, Angela's boyfriend. The last boy, an extremely tall boy named Eric, has inky black hair and an otherwise average appearance. An odd assortment of friends, in my opinion, but who am I to judge?

"So, Katie, did you leave a boyfriend behind in Portland?" Eric asks, an eyebrow raised playfully. "Cuz, y'know, the girls around here are starting to bore me..." Wow. Way to get straight to the point.

Lauren rolls her eyes, her eyes darting at me with anger before returning back to Eric. "Oh, lay off. She's a year below us, remember?"

He raises his hands, as if to signify his innocence. "I'm not opposed to dating younger ladies—"

Jessica groans. "Ew, Eric. That was the creepiest thing I've ever heard you say."

Most of the table laughs— me included, to Eric's disappointment. Mike stands up from his seat across the table and whispers something into Ben's ear. Ben glances at me quickly, then stands up to switch places with Mike.

"So, why'd you move to Forks?" Lauren asks, a sharp edge to her voice. She masks it with a fake smile. "Good story?"

I can see Jessica kick her from under the table. Sentiment clear: she already knows. "My parents died, and Charlie is my Godfather." I say, my throat feeling a little tight. "Not super interesting," I lie.

"Oh," Lauren's face falls a little. "How did they die?" She asks bluntly, picking at her salad absentmindedly.

"Lauren." Mike says, his voice hard. "What are you doing?"

She pretends to act surprised. "What? Oh, I'm sorry! Did that hurt your feelings? I was just curious!"

Bella grabs my hand under the table and squeezes it once, a reminder that she was right there. If Lauren wasn't one of Bella's friends, I would accuse her of trying to start something. "Right," I say, sarcasm practically dripping from my words. "Word gets around here fast. You don't have to pretend like you don't already know."

Lauren's cheeks go pink, and she turns her gaze away from me. She looks up at a clock, a look of faux surprise lighting up her face. "Oh, it's getting late! I promised I'd meet Tyler in the courtyard. Excuse me."

I watch her leave, a small part of me extremely satisfied. I turn back to see that everyone, including Bella, is staring at me. "I've never seen anyone challenge Lauren before," Jessica says, her jaw dropped.

"Sorry," I grimace, looking down at my hands. "Habit."

"Don't be sorry," Eric laughs, a bit obnoxiously. "She's a bitch. Definitely deserves it."

"Eric!" Jessica challenges, fighting laughter herself. "Don't say that about her!"

"I'd listen to Jessica. Lauren might come back to prove you right, Eric," Mike adds, glancing between Eric and me. "She should apologize to you, if anything. What kind of question was that?" He asks it almost to himself.

I shrug. I can feel a gaze on the back of my head, and know it's coming from vampires a few tables away. My mind almost thrums under the attention. Vampire... Vampire... Vampire... my mind warns me. "It's okay. I've gotten worse." True. A few have even blamed me for my parents' death. They don't even know the truth, and they still suspect my role in it! If only they knew the guilt that eats me alive every day that I'm here and they're not.

The table once again lapses into an awkward silence. Bella prompts Jessica to point out the major groups— athletes, cheerleaders, nerds... and, of course, the adopted Cullens. Jessica frowns when talking about them, and just as I suspected: Edward has a reputation. I can tell Jessica is holding back, mostly because of Bella's presence. "They started dating last year. Although, I'd guess you already heard that from Bella."

"Something like that," I agree, avoiding eye contact with Alice. She stares at me with a strange intensity, like she's trying to predict my responses and can't. I know she can hear me, after all, with her increased hearing. "Hey, do you guys have a track team by chance?"

"You're a runner?" Ben exclaims, eyes wide. Not in underestimation, however— more like surprise.

"Just because I'm un-athletic doesn't mean she is." Bella clarifies, mostly for my benefit. That doesn't surprise me. Bella has definitely proven herself clumsy these last few days.

"Yeah, we do." Mike says, looking up at Bella. When he turns to me, his eyes are lit up. "We don't practice until the spring, though. Do you play any other sports?"

"Cross Country," I say simply. The blank look I receive makes me feel like I need to elaborate. "When I was in seventh grade, I was chased by a boy my age who was trying to cut my hair. I ran for so long that I didn't even realize I had lost him... the track coach at my school saw me and practically forced me to join the team. But other than that..." I trail off, uncomfortable with the silence. "Sorry, was I rambling?"

Angela laughs melodically. "Not at all. You're very animated. That makes you a great storyteller." Her words reassure my initial understanding— Angela truly is a kindhearted person. I can see why Bella was attracted to this group of friends.

"I'm just trying to imagine this poor guy who tried to chase you and got humiliated," Mike chimes in, scooting on his chair a little bit closer to me. I resist the urge to move closer to Bella.

I am saved from the embarrassment of having to speak again, the bell ringing just in time. I pull the folded paper from the side pocket of my backpack, rotating it until it's the correct orientation. Science. Great. I bid my goodbyes to the group, and Mike offers to walk me to biology, but I manage to convince him I don't need any help finding my way.

The rest of the day goes by much quicker than the first half had, filled with hours of Science, an awkward PE class, and Math. As soon as school ends I book it for the courtyard to try and spot Bella. Eventually, my gaze falls on Alice Cullen. I haven't met the rest of the Cullens, but Bella showed me a picture, and they're all stunning. Alice looks wary when she notices my gaze, and I'm almost glad. So, the news that I was aware of therr... kind must have made its way to her. Good. Totally less awkward that way.

Alice hesitates a moment, then steps forward to catch my attention. "Hello, Katie. Remember me? I'm Alice." Her pixie cut gives her a younger look, extremely feminine, and my blood seems to sing in her presence. Her brow is furrowed slightly, as if focusing hard.

"I remember," I reply as politely as I can manage. "Erm, have you seen Bella anywhere?"

Alice continues to look at me. "Not yet. She'll be out with Edward in a minute or so." While her words are chipper, her gaze is unrelenting.

I hesitate, once again weighing my options. I decide to push a single thought to her. What are you trying to do?

Alice blinks at me, surprised, and I can't help but think that surprise isn't a good look for her. "How did you do that?" She asks carefully, still fairly energetic. Her eyes are wide with wonder. "I can't get a clear read on you."

I deliberate inside of my own mind again. I doubt that she would deny me access to her hands, if I asked... but is it worth it? "Oh! There they are," I say, drawing Alice's attention to Bella and Edward, trailing each other out of the front doors. "Nice to see you again, Alice." I give her a smile, tight-lipped, and raise my gaze to the students around us, who are all pretending they weren't listening.

I turn and leave as quickly as possible without running, not sparing a glance over my shoulder as I swing into the backseat of Edward's car.