Chapter 2 – School. Who knew? (Renesmee)
I could breathe now. I was far enough away from the house that I could reflect clearly on what Aunt Alice had sagte to me.
She had leaned in the doorway glancing up to be sure mom and dad had left the garage, “You have a full tank of gas, satellite radio, CD player and MP3 player jack and Emmett installed an airbag in the steering wheel.” She had said. I gave her a quick glance. How could they think I’d be reckless, irresponsible even? “We don’t doubt you.” She leaned in closer to my ear. “Your mother and father are just very protective.” We giggled to each other, “Promise you’ll have some fun with it. It’s got a kick. I’ll apologize now for the fifty miles on your odometer, Jasper and I took it for a spin last night to see how it runs. They souped up the engine it can really pick up speed.” She finished with a smile.
“You can count on it.” I replied with a sly grin. “I’ll just keep the speedometer out of my head when I get home.”
“Good girl.” She patted my shoulder. “You’re cynical and beautiful, Du always make a scene—” She winked while she sang and shut the door.
It wasn’t that they didn’t trust me, I knew that. I was the last person they had to worry about. Mom knew I needed to spread my wings. Like a black bird.
“That’s what I’m naming you.” I sagte patting the dash board.
I liked that my family knew my style. I wasn’t a flashy Porsche oder mustang kind of girl. This car suited me.
The roads were clear from here to town so I made good on my promise and hit the gas. Relaxing in my sitz I felt the engine kick into gear. It was like flying through another dimension. Kind of the way it feels when I Zeigen my thoughts to others. I Liebe speed. My aunts and uncles know this well and always allow me to inch the speedometer higher whenever they let me drive. Mom and dad on the other hand like me to keep it down to a maximum of sixty.
Mostly mom.
She lightened up a bit about driving over the legal limits after turning, but she still thought better of running than driving. It doesn’t matter how close I am to vampire when it came to my skills, they want me to act human, I think. That’s fine, but when they aren’t around, I’ll give in to my Mehr animalistic tendencies.
I am very different from them. I like it that way though. Aunt Alice and I have that in common. We easily relate to all sides of things and think outside the box together a lot. Uncle Jasper used to insist on taking us places until the giggling got to be too much, that’s when he decided to stay Home while we went out alone.
Alice and I promised to always keep each others secrets no matter what. And let me tell Du we have plenty. But keeping things quiet in our family means we need a safeguard. A way of keeping the gewölbe, tresor door shut if Du will.
She came up with the ‘sing-a-long’ technique while my parents and I were still living in New Hampshire. It was been 3am when she called.
A yawn crept from my lips as I rolled over and grabbed my cell phone off the end table, “Hello?”
“Hey Nessie!” I heard the glocke tones ring excitedly through the earpiece.
I sat up quickly, “Aunt Alice! It’s been weeks, how are you?”
“Fantastic, as usual.”
“And Jasper?”
“Hold on.”
I heard muffled discussion then the familiar calming tones of my Uncle Jasper came through the phone, “Hello.”
"Hi! What’s going on?” I knew this conversation sounded lame and inarticulate, but I was tired and they knew it.
“The usual. We’re planning a hunting trip in the mountains Weiter week. Emmett’s dying for a bär fight.”
I chuckled lightly, “Always the brute. I wish I could come.”
“When are Du coming to visit?”
“Hey!” I heard Alice say loudly in the background and heard the rough crackle as she snatched the phone from his hand. I could just imagine her sticking out her tongue at him like he’d done her some kind of playful disservice.
“Ness—oh…” A pause, “He misses you.”
“I miss him too. I miss all of you.”
“I know. It doesn’t look like it will be too long before Du can come home. Is it snowing there yet?”
She couldn’t see my future, though she was much better at seeing around me now and if my parents had made a plan she’d know it, “No. Well, wait.” I hopped out of bett and pushed back the curtain to look through the window. The gentle white flakes had to have started just before my waking, powdering the lawn below giving it the most beautiful refinement. “Just started.”
"I’ll say two days then, give oder take an hour.”
“Really? So soon?” I was excited of course, but also a bit skeptical. My parents changed their minds quite often, I think mostly because of me, something that sent Alice over the edge, since she had to watch their futures shift from one decision to the Weiter daily. That just meant I got to talk to her more. She usually called to complain about their indecisiveness, often.
“Break starts tomorrow doesn’t it? They’ll know Du want to be here. No doubt about it. This is solid.”
I breathed a sigh of relief, crawling back under my blankets. That was good news. Solid meant it was certain. Had she sagte blurry I wouldn’t bother getting my hopes up.
“Listen, I want Du to do something for me.”
“Yeah?”
“That trip is supposed to be a surprise. I know Edward misses hunting with Emmett and Jasper as much as they miss having him there, and your mother is in definite need of some girl time.”
“She won’t change her wardrobe Alice, I’ve been trying.”
“I don’t give up so easily. Anyway, I need Du to keep it a secret.”
“Easier sagte than done, have Du forgotten?” I sighed, “Heaven knows we’ve been gone long enough for Du to,” I sagte this Mehr for myself. “Dad can hear my every thought.”
“I know. That’s why Du and I are going to play a game.”
“What?” I asked skeptically, playing with a loose string on my comforter.
“What is the last song Du heard tonight before lying down for bed?”
“Your herz Is An Empty Room,” I replied biting my lip. I picked this action up from my mom.
“Death Cab. Nice. Okay, do Du remember all the little riffs and note changes?”
“Of course I do.” The fact my mind worked just like any vampire’s seemed to throw them for a loop Mehr often than it should have.
She cleared her throat. An unnecessary Bewegen but it fit the tone of the moment, “Burn it down, ‘til the embers smoke on the ground. And start, new, when your herz is an empty room. With walls of the deepest blue—“
I still don’t know how it works, but all the other thoughts in my head drifted away when I opened my mouth and softly continued, “Hold the space, how it ages when you’re away. The spring blooms, then Du find the Liebe is true. But Du don’t know what now to do.” I bit my lip again.
“You got it! Now, when your dad comes in, which he will in about, thirty seconds, just let the song play like background noise. He’ll notice. Don’t get me wrong. But he still won’t hear your thoughts.” She had a smile on her face I could hear it plain as day. I wasn’t positive it would work, but I was willing to try anything. I needed a little privacy.
“All right. I should go then?”
“Probably. Tell Edward I say ‘Hi.’”
“I Liebe you.”
“I Liebe Du too. We all do.” There was a chorus of ‘I Liebe yous’ in the background. I smiled to myself. “I’ll see Du soon. Think positive.”
“I will.”
“Promise?”
I scoffed, “Yeah. Promise.”
“All right. Bye for now Nessie.”
“Bye for now.” I no Mehr than set the closed phone on the end tabelle when my door opened. My dad stood in the doorway, light from the hallway filtering around his silhouette.
“You’re awake.” He stated softly.
“Yeah. Alice called. She says ‘Hi.’”
“How is she?” He asked leaning against the door frame. He did this a lot, must have been one of his Mehr human propensities slipping through.
“Fantastic, as usual,” I quoted. I saw the confusion draw on his face as he shifted in the light. I knew he could only hear the song playing out note for note, word for word in my head. Wanting to keep him from my mind as little as possible I forced a yawn.
“I’ll let Du go back to sleep.”
“All right. Liebe you.” I said, lying down on my pillow.
“I Liebe Du too.” He closed my door slowly, watching as I rolled toward the wall. He hadn’t heard anything. Alice was right. I should have known. That was when I decided I was going to be doing this a lot more.
I pulled into a parking spot, a little too fast but there were only two other cars there so I was sure no one noticed. The large brick buildings were as inviting as Home could ever be. I’d grown to adore architecture through looking over Esme’s work. She was an incredible artist. Perhaps she will let me help with her Weiter project. I could make renovating a hobby, I thought to myself as I climbed out of my Black Bird and headed for the office. I walked through the door inhaling deeply. The scent of old coffee and the yellowing walls brought a smile to my face.
“Can I help Du dear?” I heard the Frage but couldn’t Bewegen my eyes to the long schreibtisch in front of me.
“Maybe.” I looked away after a few Mehr Sekunden of scrutinizing to see Mrs. Cope, her hair graying and her smile worn. “I’m Renesmee Cullen.”
“Ah, yes.” She’d been expecting me. “I’m assuming Du have your paperwork.”
“Oh.” I pulled the manila envelope from my bag and presented it to her. One Von one she pulled each sheet from the parcel and set them out on the lacquered surface.
“I was very surprised when your father called,” She replied, not looking up from her review of my documentation. The flush in her cheeks let me know she had thought well of him during his time here. “He spoke very highly of you, says Du are very intelligent.” With a nod she pulled the paperwork back together and laid it atop the envelope. “I have your schedule right here,” She pulled a half sheet of paper out from below the desk. “Your father approved each of the courses,” she made sure to state before placing it in my hand.
I looked it over carefully, Advanced Placement English, Honors Physics, Honors Biology, Honors Chemistry, Advanced Placement American History, and Calculus iii with the initials PC Weiter to it.
“Your Math class is held at six pm at Peninsula College.” She sagte as my finger paused on the course.
She watched me hesitate. Why would I want a college class when I could spend be spending Mehr time in these beautiful buildings?
“I can take Du out of it if you’d like. Switch you—“
“Would you?” I interrupted, looking to her with a beseeching expression.
“Of course, if Du could just give me one moment.” She began tapping lightly on the keyboard beside her. After a Minute she looked up, “All right, Du are all set. Your Calculus class is now third Stunde and Honors Biology is sixth.”
“Thank Du so much.” I sagte with an appreciative smile.
She returned the gesture with a nod, “Of course Miss Cullen. Have a good day.” I nodded and exited.
The air smelled of rain and the clouds above me confirmed it. There would be a downpour Von lunch. I walked quickly toward the English building. There were Mehr students here now; they all watched me enter with wide eyes. I knew I was Mehr attractive than an ordinary human. This thought usually stayed to the back of my mind, but now that there were thirty males and to the same ratio jealous females looking in my direction, it floated to the front, burning me with shame. I didn’t want to be too different from all the other girls here. I wanted to make friends. I hoped beyond hope I wouldn’t clash too horribly in this ordinary student body.
I took a sitz at the back of the class. I pulled out my notebook and pen and began Schreiben a Liste of things I wanted to ask my family about later on the first page.
“Is anyone sitting here?” A soft voice asked nervously. I glanced up to see a tall girl with the most brilliant blue eyes and ash blond hair staring down at me.
I shook my head, “No.”
“Oh. Thank you,” She sagte sweetly, taking the sitz beside me and pulling out her own notebook.
“I’m Michelle Lawrence.” She smiled gently.
“Renesmee Cullen.” Was I going to make Friends immediately? Right here in my English class?
“Renesmee? What a strange name. No offense. It’s just, odd.” She shied away slightly.
“It’s all right. Du can call me Nessie if you’d like, everyone else does.”
“All right, Nessie. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” She held out her hand. How formal. I shook it with a smile. She took a quick look at her hand. I figure she noticed the warmth of my skin compared to hers, “You’re new this year?”
“Yeah. These buildings are splendid.” I looked around the room in awe, how did such a glorious structure feel like prison to humans? I’ll have to ask mom about that.
I could see Michelle following my gaze around the room in my peripheral vision, “They are pretty. I guess.” She tilted her head to one side considerately, “What class do Du have next?”
“Hmm?” I had distracted myself too fully with finding shapes in the chipped ceiling paint. I reflected on her question, pushing reality back to the forefront of my mind, “Oh, Honors Physics.”
“Wow, a bit over my head. I’m Mehr for biology. I want to be a nurse.”
“What a great profession, my grandpa’s a doctor. Are Du taking Honors?”
She nodded, “Sixth hour.”
“Me too.” She smiled thankfully.
The sound of the door clicking shut echoed off the plain white walls. The teacher, Ms. Pritchett, stepped to the center of the room with a smile. She was a kindly looking, middle aged woman with long auburn red hair wearing a too-big white bluse with a coffee stain on the collar, a black pencil skirt, and hounds tooth ballet flats. I assume she wore these to tie the outfit together. I wanted so badly to redress her; she was too pretty for such unflattering clothes. A little color would brighten her complexion right up.
I laughed at my thoughts.
“Good morning.” She said, looking over all of our faces. “We are going to start this term with a look at Shakespeare’s most astounding works.” She hoisted a large stack of Bücher from her desk, I wondered how her small arms could support the weight as she set them into smaller piles at the front of each row, “So, if Du could please each take a book then pass them back I would really appreciate it.” I was ecstatic. I ran my fingers over the new copy of Shakespeare’s collected works as it reached me and smiled. The smell rising from it was Mehr than intoxicating, a mixture of brand new and closet worn.
Class went Von quickly. Too quickly for my taste, but I was thrilled with the homework. A Midsummer Nights Dream, one of my favorites.
Michelle walked me to the Science building. She was very sweet to help, even though I already knew where I was going.
“I’ll see Du in math.”
I nodded.
“Good luck in Physics.” She waved to me once, heading to History.
Physics flew by. The class had me reeling. Almost a challenge, nothing I couldn’t figure out after Lesen the text though. Our homework was to put together a project on aerodynamics. Could things be any better?
I entered my Calculus class and took at sitz at the back of the room again. Michelle was waiting for me.
“How was Physics? Scary?” She asked with an expectant expression.
“Not really. Mr. Krebs is a bit of a fogey though. And on oben, nach oben of that, he likes himself a bit too much. Du should have heard him yammering on and on about his trips to Europe. Hilarious.” I knew I could Zeigen her his actions but that wouldn’t have been the best of ideas. We’d just met I didn’t want to scare her off.
“Yikes. Sounds boring. Du understood everything all right?”
I nodded.
“I’m glad.” She smiled. She truly cared if I was doing all right, being new and all.
A throat cleared. I looked up to see Mr. Demanz shaking his head at the side conversations held around the room. “We’re here to learn ladies and gentlemen!” Not another one. “Now, I’ll hand out text Bücher at the end of class. Du will put a book cover on it, Du will write your name in the front cover, and Du will not write anywhere else inside. Are we clear?” The entire class nodded. “Good. Now that we have that out, I’d like to do some introductions. McCarthy!” He pointed to a smallish looking boy in the front row closest to the door. The boy slid so low in his sitz at the finger’s aim I thought he might hit the floor. “Why don’t Du start? Tell us a little about yourself.” The young man stood up anxiously. He wasn’t as small as he’d looked in his seat. He was actually tall with a bit of muscle mass to him. He ran a hand through his thick brown hair and hung his head.
“Poor Andrew. He’s never liked public speaking.” Michelle whispered, not turning her head.
“I’m Andrew. I’ve lived in Forks my whole life. I play basketball, and I like cars.” He sagte quickly, taking his sitz again.
“That wasn’t so bad now was it McCarthy?” Mr. Demanz patted him roughly on the shoulder. “Who’s next?” I cleared my throat and rose my hand. I was Mehr than willing to take this challenge. He didn’t intimidate me, though I knew that was his goal. “You then,” He pointed his thick finger in my direction.
I stood quickly. Oops, too quick, Michelle was staring at me, her expression bewildered. “I’m Renesmee Cullen—“
“A Cullen, huh?” Of course he’d heard of us. We were the freaks of this small town.
I nodded. That’s right and I’m half vampire. What are Du going to do about it? “I just moved here with my parents from New Hampshire. I like to—“
“Are Du another one of Carlisle’s goodwill kids?” He asked gruffly. So nosey!
“No.” This man was intolerably irritating. Taking a deep breath I pulled the story vorwärts-, nach vorn that had been engraved into my mind since I was a few days old. I’d practiced it—unnecessarily—every night since I made my decision to try on a human education. “My parents died when I was eleven.” This was added later of course, “Edward is my uncle. He and Bella adopted me, made me their own. They are my parents now.” The best anyone could hope for.
“They’re just kids themselves.”
“They’re very mature for their age,” I sneered. And they’re Mehr intelligent than Du could ever be.
“So, Charlie Swan’s got himself a granddaughter. And she’s only seven years younger than his own babe.” He shook his head.
Unable to stop it, I growled. Why you—do Du want to try my teeth out? I could have lunged vorwärts-, nach vorn and killed him before he knew what had happened. I ground my teeth together, my jaw tight, “Mr. Demanz, may I continue my introduction? oder do Du have another twenty Fragen about my Home life?” The class froze, I could hear their hear rates jump considerably. I was sure no one spoke to Mr. Demanz this way and got away with it. I prepared my Weiter mental threat completely thinking the worst.
But, he smiled, “Yes, continue Miss Cullen.”
“Thank you.” Didn’t think he knew how to be reasonable. “As I was saying, I like to read and write, dance and sing, and in my spare time I fisch with my Grandpa Charlie, work on engines with my Aunt Rose, and I like to Shop and research incurable diseases.” Oops again, a little too much information. I stared at the perplexed faces around me, “They’re quite fascinating. Anyway,” I continued quickly, “I am very pleased to be here with all of you. Oh, and it’s a pleasure to meet Du Andrew.” I sagte brightly. He smiled softly as I took my seat, much slower than I had stood.
“Yes. Um. Who’s—“
“Oh, and Mr. Demanz, I know my first name’s a bit of a mouthful so Du can all call me Nessie for short.”
He nodded, seething at my interruption “Yes. Nessie. Fine.” He shook his head now and continued with his Zurück question, “Who’s next?”
Honors Chemistry proved to be my most boring. The only exceptionally stirring thing Mrs. Brighten had to offer was an expansive collection of chemicals and new Bunsen burners.
I had been right about the rain. Michelle and I ran toward the cafeteria. I did my best to keep pace with her though I would have preferred a faster gate.
She was still in awe of my previous, slight, confrontation. “You stood up to Demanz!” She exclaimed as we moved quickly through the lunch line. “I don’t think anyone’s done that before.”
“Well, if he’s had a Cullen in his class prior to me then someone most definitely has.” I smirked.
“True. And. Wait. Did Du growl at him? oder was I hearing things?”
“You heard that? Ugh.”
She smiled, “Don’t worry I think I was the only one who was really paying attention to you. Everyone else had their eyes on Demanz. I think they were hoping for fist fight oder something.”
They don’t know how close it came. Though, I wouldn’t have been using my fists. I bit my lip ironically.
“If Du don’t mind me asking,” She started, pulling me back from my thoughts, “What is it about your family that has everyone so spooked all the time? They don’t seem so bad to me, a little too beautiful and very quiet. But that could be anyone’s observation from a distance. Then again, I’m only in Forks during the school Jahr so I don’t know if things are different over the summer.” She was so blasé about my family’s peculiarity I was almost in shock.
I shook my head, “Some people just like to keep to themselves.” We took a sitz at the back of the lunch room, “Some of us Mehr than others,” I affirmed, opening up my apfel, apple juice. “My Aunt Alice for instance, she likes to be out in public, while my Nana Esme prefers being at Home doing the things she believes a mother and grandmother should do. What’s so weird about that?” I took a sip of the beverage.
“Nothing. I’m sorry if my Frage offended you, I was just curious.”
“Don’t worry about it.” I waved a hand at her casually while removing the cellophane from my turkey sandwich. “It’s natural to be curious.” I took a bite while she nodded in return. “Speaking of which, why is it you’re only in Forks during the school year?”
She placed her drink on the table, “I spend summers with family out of state.” Her words were quick and resolute. I wasn’t about to pry.
“Hey Michelle, Nessie.” Andrew grinned nervously down at us. He really was tall. Nowhere near as tall as Jacob but at least a head taller than my father.
“Hi Andrew!” Michelle said, a soft rosa polishing her cheekbones. Awe, she likes him. “Do Du want to sit with us?”
“If it isn’t any trouble,” He bowed his head a little.
“Not at all,” I smiled noticing his blue-gray eyes. He took a sitz beside Michelle whose cheeks darkened profusely.
“So what was up in Calc? Du have a death wish oder something?” He asked with a bemused grin.
“Death wish? That old kook couldn’t touch a hair on my head. Is it so wrong to defend ones privacy?” I didn’t get enough as it was with my dad constantly listening to my every thought. Not so often lately since I started Singen all the time, but he still caught a few things I wish he hadn’t.
“No, but Demanz is a jerk. He’ll string Du up Von your toe nails before he’ll let Du speak to him like that again.”
“Well, I have a spooky family on my side, so I don’t think he’ll try it.”
“I wish I did. Maybe he would have ignored me today instead of making me go first.”
“It wasn’t so bad though was it? They’re only your peers. No one sagte anything any Mehr profound.”
“Besides you.”
I felt my face flush, “So, what is it Du like about cars? My friend Jacob rebuilt a Volkswagen Rabbit.” I wasn’t around when he did this, but I still knew the story. That car was his baby.
“Really? That’s amazing! I’d Liebe to have a look. Oh, did either of Du see the beetle in the parking lot this morning?” I chewed silently while Michelle shook her head. I wanted to see his reaction to the artwork I had the privilege of driving. “Beautiful, mint condition,” He sighed longingly.
I grinned, “It’s mine.”
His face fell, “Can I take a look under the haube sometime?” Just like Jacob.
“Sure, after Jacob. I promised he’d be the first.” Well, I hadn’t directly promised but it was implied.
“Fair enough.”
“There’s my Chelle Bell!” An excited voice called from the middle of the lunch room.
“Kasie!” Michelle had wrapped her arms around this girl just as the ‘e’ finished ringing off her lips.
These two were indisputably related. Their height and build were the same, as was their blond hair. They looked almost as if they could be twins except this Kasie’s eyes were green rather than blue and her face was Mehr square. Michelle walked back to the table, her arms linked with her. “Andrew, Nessie, this is my half sister Kassandra.” I knew it.
“Kasie, please. It’s a pleasure to meet Du both.” She smiled pleasantly.
“She and her mom just moved here from Miami.” Michelle turned quickly to her sister, “I cannot believe Carol actually came to Forks!”
“Me neither. All the rain kind of bums me out, but Du know, I’ll get used to it.” She shrugged.
“Why don’t Du have a seat?” I gestured to the chair between Michelle and me.
“Thank Du Nessie. That’s very nice of you.”
Kasie’s movements were quite graceful for a human and her voice was light and flowing. She scooted her chair so close to Michelle they were practically touching as she opened her bottled water. There was an unnamable, electric imminence flowing between them. I tipped my head to the side as I surveyed it.
“Which one of Du is older?” Andrew asked with his mouth full. I was glad he asked.
“Actually, we’re the same age. I’m only older Von a couple of weeks.” Michelle said, playing with the tab on her Hawaiian Punch.
“Our father wasn’t really the most faithful of men.”
“Wasn’t?” I seemed to be the only one who noticed her use of the past tense.
“He died last year, a mugging gone bad in New York.” Michelle didn’t seem too sad about this.
“He was a salesman, he traveled a lot,” Kasie clarified. “My mother was devastated. That’s why we moved here. She wanted me closer to Michelle.”
“So this is who Du spend your summers with.” I sagte making the connection. Michelle nodded.
“We only got in last night oder I would have called. I’m sorry I missed English this morning.” She frowned gently.
“It’s fine. Nessie kept me company.”
“I’m glad.” She smiled gratefully in my direction.
AP History flew Von faster than I would have favored. Luckily I had one Mehr class and Mehr homework to tie me over my joy.
I chose a sitz at one of the tables against the wall. Michelle took the empty sitz beside me just as the bells rang and sighed, crossing her arms to reflect what the grimace already told me.
“What’s the point in Physical Fitness Testing? Who cares if I can touch my toes oder do twenty sit ups in a row?” She scoffed. Her pout reminded me of a small child who’d just been told ‘No’ in a toy store. I laughed. She jutted her chin out, “What’s so funny?”
“You should see the look on your face right now.” She craned her neck so to catch her reflection in the display case beside us. She stared at her reflection, pressed her lips together, and her face contorted with hilarity. She joined my laughter.
A microscope landed gingerly before us. We looked up at Mr. Banner whose face was anything but amused, “Are Du girls ready to Mitmachen us oder should we wait?” We both bit our lips to contain the mirth and shook our heads. “Thank you.”
Michelle walked with me to my car as the school Tag ended.
“Do Du want a ride home?” She was taking the bus and I didn’t think it’d be polite to make her take such a bumpy ride when I was headed the same direction.
“You wouldn’t mind?” She asked.
“Chelle!” Kasie called from across the lot. She was standing beside a silver Mustang. One of those new deals Du see on the car lot that everyone ogles but no one buys. “You want a ride?”
“Do Du mind?” She asked. She was Mehr polite than I could have surmised.
“Not at all.”
She smiled widely, “I’ll see Du tomorrow then Nessie. Thank Du for offering me a ride.”
I nodded once, “Anytime.” She skipped away. She was a bit clumsier than her half sister; she tripped on a crack in the concrete. She recovered easily. No harm done.
I could breathe now. I was far enough away from the house that I could reflect clearly on what Aunt Alice had sagte to me.
She had leaned in the doorway glancing up to be sure mom and dad had left the garage, “You have a full tank of gas, satellite radio, CD player and MP3 player jack and Emmett installed an airbag in the steering wheel.” She had said. I gave her a quick glance. How could they think I’d be reckless, irresponsible even? “We don’t doubt you.” She leaned in closer to my ear. “Your mother and father are just very protective.” We giggled to each other, “Promise you’ll have some fun with it. It’s got a kick. I’ll apologize now for the fifty miles on your odometer, Jasper and I took it for a spin last night to see how it runs. They souped up the engine it can really pick up speed.” She finished with a smile.
“You can count on it.” I replied with a sly grin. “I’ll just keep the speedometer out of my head when I get home.”
“Good girl.” She patted my shoulder. “You’re cynical and beautiful, Du always make a scene—” She winked while she sang and shut the door.
It wasn’t that they didn’t trust me, I knew that. I was the last person they had to worry about. Mom knew I needed to spread my wings. Like a black bird.
“That’s what I’m naming you.” I sagte patting the dash board.
I liked that my family knew my style. I wasn’t a flashy Porsche oder mustang kind of girl. This car suited me.
The roads were clear from here to town so I made good on my promise and hit the gas. Relaxing in my sitz I felt the engine kick into gear. It was like flying through another dimension. Kind of the way it feels when I Zeigen my thoughts to others. I Liebe speed. My aunts and uncles know this well and always allow me to inch the speedometer higher whenever they let me drive. Mom and dad on the other hand like me to keep it down to a maximum of sixty.
Mostly mom.
She lightened up a bit about driving over the legal limits after turning, but she still thought better of running than driving. It doesn’t matter how close I am to vampire when it came to my skills, they want me to act human, I think. That’s fine, but when they aren’t around, I’ll give in to my Mehr animalistic tendencies.
I am very different from them. I like it that way though. Aunt Alice and I have that in common. We easily relate to all sides of things and think outside the box together a lot. Uncle Jasper used to insist on taking us places until the giggling got to be too much, that’s when he decided to stay Home while we went out alone.
Alice and I promised to always keep each others secrets no matter what. And let me tell Du we have plenty. But keeping things quiet in our family means we need a safeguard. A way of keeping the gewölbe, tresor door shut if Du will.
She came up with the ‘sing-a-long’ technique while my parents and I were still living in New Hampshire. It was been 3am when she called.
A yawn crept from my lips as I rolled over and grabbed my cell phone off the end table, “Hello?”
“Hey Nessie!” I heard the glocke tones ring excitedly through the earpiece.
I sat up quickly, “Aunt Alice! It’s been weeks, how are you?”
“Fantastic, as usual.”
“And Jasper?”
“Hold on.”
I heard muffled discussion then the familiar calming tones of my Uncle Jasper came through the phone, “Hello.”
"Hi! What’s going on?” I knew this conversation sounded lame and inarticulate, but I was tired and they knew it.
“The usual. We’re planning a hunting trip in the mountains Weiter week. Emmett’s dying for a bär fight.”
I chuckled lightly, “Always the brute. I wish I could come.”
“When are Du coming to visit?”
“Hey!” I heard Alice say loudly in the background and heard the rough crackle as she snatched the phone from his hand. I could just imagine her sticking out her tongue at him like he’d done her some kind of playful disservice.
“Ness—oh…” A pause, “He misses you.”
“I miss him too. I miss all of you.”
“I know. It doesn’t look like it will be too long before Du can come home. Is it snowing there yet?”
She couldn’t see my future, though she was much better at seeing around me now and if my parents had made a plan she’d know it, “No. Well, wait.” I hopped out of bett and pushed back the curtain to look through the window. The gentle white flakes had to have started just before my waking, powdering the lawn below giving it the most beautiful refinement. “Just started.”
"I’ll say two days then, give oder take an hour.”
“Really? So soon?” I was excited of course, but also a bit skeptical. My parents changed their minds quite often, I think mostly because of me, something that sent Alice over the edge, since she had to watch their futures shift from one decision to the Weiter daily. That just meant I got to talk to her more. She usually called to complain about their indecisiveness, often.
“Break starts tomorrow doesn’t it? They’ll know Du want to be here. No doubt about it. This is solid.”
I breathed a sigh of relief, crawling back under my blankets. That was good news. Solid meant it was certain. Had she sagte blurry I wouldn’t bother getting my hopes up.
“Listen, I want Du to do something for me.”
“Yeah?”
“That trip is supposed to be a surprise. I know Edward misses hunting with Emmett and Jasper as much as they miss having him there, and your mother is in definite need of some girl time.”
“She won’t change her wardrobe Alice, I’ve been trying.”
“I don’t give up so easily. Anyway, I need Du to keep it a secret.”
“Easier sagte than done, have Du forgotten?” I sighed, “Heaven knows we’ve been gone long enough for Du to,” I sagte this Mehr for myself. “Dad can hear my every thought.”
“I know. That’s why Du and I are going to play a game.”
“What?” I asked skeptically, playing with a loose string on my comforter.
“What is the last song Du heard tonight before lying down for bed?”
“Your herz Is An Empty Room,” I replied biting my lip. I picked this action up from my mom.
“Death Cab. Nice. Okay, do Du remember all the little riffs and note changes?”
“Of course I do.” The fact my mind worked just like any vampire’s seemed to throw them for a loop Mehr often than it should have.
She cleared her throat. An unnecessary Bewegen but it fit the tone of the moment, “Burn it down, ‘til the embers smoke on the ground. And start, new, when your herz is an empty room. With walls of the deepest blue—“
I still don’t know how it works, but all the other thoughts in my head drifted away when I opened my mouth and softly continued, “Hold the space, how it ages when you’re away. The spring blooms, then Du find the Liebe is true. But Du don’t know what now to do.” I bit my lip again.
“You got it! Now, when your dad comes in, which he will in about, thirty seconds, just let the song play like background noise. He’ll notice. Don’t get me wrong. But he still won’t hear your thoughts.” She had a smile on her face I could hear it plain as day. I wasn’t positive it would work, but I was willing to try anything. I needed a little privacy.
“All right. I should go then?”
“Probably. Tell Edward I say ‘Hi.’”
“I Liebe you.”
“I Liebe Du too. We all do.” There was a chorus of ‘I Liebe yous’ in the background. I smiled to myself. “I’ll see Du soon. Think positive.”
“I will.”
“Promise?”
I scoffed, “Yeah. Promise.”
“All right. Bye for now Nessie.”
“Bye for now.” I no Mehr than set the closed phone on the end tabelle when my door opened. My dad stood in the doorway, light from the hallway filtering around his silhouette.
“You’re awake.” He stated softly.
“Yeah. Alice called. She says ‘Hi.’”
“How is she?” He asked leaning against the door frame. He did this a lot, must have been one of his Mehr human propensities slipping through.
“Fantastic, as usual,” I quoted. I saw the confusion draw on his face as he shifted in the light. I knew he could only hear the song playing out note for note, word for word in my head. Wanting to keep him from my mind as little as possible I forced a yawn.
“I’ll let Du go back to sleep.”
“All right. Liebe you.” I said, lying down on my pillow.
“I Liebe Du too.” He closed my door slowly, watching as I rolled toward the wall. He hadn’t heard anything. Alice was right. I should have known. That was when I decided I was going to be doing this a lot more.
I pulled into a parking spot, a little too fast but there were only two other cars there so I was sure no one noticed. The large brick buildings were as inviting as Home could ever be. I’d grown to adore architecture through looking over Esme’s work. She was an incredible artist. Perhaps she will let me help with her Weiter project. I could make renovating a hobby, I thought to myself as I climbed out of my Black Bird and headed for the office. I walked through the door inhaling deeply. The scent of old coffee and the yellowing walls brought a smile to my face.
“Can I help Du dear?” I heard the Frage but couldn’t Bewegen my eyes to the long schreibtisch in front of me.
“Maybe.” I looked away after a few Mehr Sekunden of scrutinizing to see Mrs. Cope, her hair graying and her smile worn. “I’m Renesmee Cullen.”
“Ah, yes.” She’d been expecting me. “I’m assuming Du have your paperwork.”
“Oh.” I pulled the manila envelope from my bag and presented it to her. One Von one she pulled each sheet from the parcel and set them out on the lacquered surface.
“I was very surprised when your father called,” She replied, not looking up from her review of my documentation. The flush in her cheeks let me know she had thought well of him during his time here. “He spoke very highly of you, says Du are very intelligent.” With a nod she pulled the paperwork back together and laid it atop the envelope. “I have your schedule right here,” She pulled a half sheet of paper out from below the desk. “Your father approved each of the courses,” she made sure to state before placing it in my hand.
I looked it over carefully, Advanced Placement English, Honors Physics, Honors Biology, Honors Chemistry, Advanced Placement American History, and Calculus iii with the initials PC Weiter to it.
“Your Math class is held at six pm at Peninsula College.” She sagte as my finger paused on the course.
She watched me hesitate. Why would I want a college class when I could spend be spending Mehr time in these beautiful buildings?
“I can take Du out of it if you’d like. Switch you—“
“Would you?” I interrupted, looking to her with a beseeching expression.
“Of course, if Du could just give me one moment.” She began tapping lightly on the keyboard beside her. After a Minute she looked up, “All right, Du are all set. Your Calculus class is now third Stunde and Honors Biology is sixth.”
“Thank Du so much.” I sagte with an appreciative smile.
She returned the gesture with a nod, “Of course Miss Cullen. Have a good day.” I nodded and exited.
The air smelled of rain and the clouds above me confirmed it. There would be a downpour Von lunch. I walked quickly toward the English building. There were Mehr students here now; they all watched me enter with wide eyes. I knew I was Mehr attractive than an ordinary human. This thought usually stayed to the back of my mind, but now that there were thirty males and to the same ratio jealous females looking in my direction, it floated to the front, burning me with shame. I didn’t want to be too different from all the other girls here. I wanted to make friends. I hoped beyond hope I wouldn’t clash too horribly in this ordinary student body.
I took a sitz at the back of the class. I pulled out my notebook and pen and began Schreiben a Liste of things I wanted to ask my family about later on the first page.
“Is anyone sitting here?” A soft voice asked nervously. I glanced up to see a tall girl with the most brilliant blue eyes and ash blond hair staring down at me.
I shook my head, “No.”
“Oh. Thank you,” She sagte sweetly, taking the sitz beside me and pulling out her own notebook.
“I’m Michelle Lawrence.” She smiled gently.
“Renesmee Cullen.” Was I going to make Friends immediately? Right here in my English class?
“Renesmee? What a strange name. No offense. It’s just, odd.” She shied away slightly.
“It’s all right. Du can call me Nessie if you’d like, everyone else does.”
“All right, Nessie. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” She held out her hand. How formal. I shook it with a smile. She took a quick look at her hand. I figure she noticed the warmth of my skin compared to hers, “You’re new this year?”
“Yeah. These buildings are splendid.” I looked around the room in awe, how did such a glorious structure feel like prison to humans? I’ll have to ask mom about that.
I could see Michelle following my gaze around the room in my peripheral vision, “They are pretty. I guess.” She tilted her head to one side considerately, “What class do Du have next?”
“Hmm?” I had distracted myself too fully with finding shapes in the chipped ceiling paint. I reflected on her question, pushing reality back to the forefront of my mind, “Oh, Honors Physics.”
“Wow, a bit over my head. I’m Mehr for biology. I want to be a nurse.”
“What a great profession, my grandpa’s a doctor. Are Du taking Honors?”
She nodded, “Sixth hour.”
“Me too.” She smiled thankfully.
The sound of the door clicking shut echoed off the plain white walls. The teacher, Ms. Pritchett, stepped to the center of the room with a smile. She was a kindly looking, middle aged woman with long auburn red hair wearing a too-big white bluse with a coffee stain on the collar, a black pencil skirt, and hounds tooth ballet flats. I assume she wore these to tie the outfit together. I wanted so badly to redress her; she was too pretty for such unflattering clothes. A little color would brighten her complexion right up.
I laughed at my thoughts.
“Good morning.” She said, looking over all of our faces. “We are going to start this term with a look at Shakespeare’s most astounding works.” She hoisted a large stack of Bücher from her desk, I wondered how her small arms could support the weight as she set them into smaller piles at the front of each row, “So, if Du could please each take a book then pass them back I would really appreciate it.” I was ecstatic. I ran my fingers over the new copy of Shakespeare’s collected works as it reached me and smiled. The smell rising from it was Mehr than intoxicating, a mixture of brand new and closet worn.
Class went Von quickly. Too quickly for my taste, but I was thrilled with the homework. A Midsummer Nights Dream, one of my favorites.
Michelle walked me to the Science building. She was very sweet to help, even though I already knew where I was going.
“I’ll see Du in math.”
I nodded.
“Good luck in Physics.” She waved to me once, heading to History.
Physics flew by. The class had me reeling. Almost a challenge, nothing I couldn’t figure out after Lesen the text though. Our homework was to put together a project on aerodynamics. Could things be any better?
I entered my Calculus class and took at sitz at the back of the room again. Michelle was waiting for me.
“How was Physics? Scary?” She asked with an expectant expression.
“Not really. Mr. Krebs is a bit of a fogey though. And on oben, nach oben of that, he likes himself a bit too much. Du should have heard him yammering on and on about his trips to Europe. Hilarious.” I knew I could Zeigen her his actions but that wouldn’t have been the best of ideas. We’d just met I didn’t want to scare her off.
“Yikes. Sounds boring. Du understood everything all right?”
I nodded.
“I’m glad.” She smiled. She truly cared if I was doing all right, being new and all.
A throat cleared. I looked up to see Mr. Demanz shaking his head at the side conversations held around the room. “We’re here to learn ladies and gentlemen!” Not another one. “Now, I’ll hand out text Bücher at the end of class. Du will put a book cover on it, Du will write your name in the front cover, and Du will not write anywhere else inside. Are we clear?” The entire class nodded. “Good. Now that we have that out, I’d like to do some introductions. McCarthy!” He pointed to a smallish looking boy in the front row closest to the door. The boy slid so low in his sitz at the finger’s aim I thought he might hit the floor. “Why don’t Du start? Tell us a little about yourself.” The young man stood up anxiously. He wasn’t as small as he’d looked in his seat. He was actually tall with a bit of muscle mass to him. He ran a hand through his thick brown hair and hung his head.
“Poor Andrew. He’s never liked public speaking.” Michelle whispered, not turning her head.
“I’m Andrew. I’ve lived in Forks my whole life. I play basketball, and I like cars.” He sagte quickly, taking his sitz again.
“That wasn’t so bad now was it McCarthy?” Mr. Demanz patted him roughly on the shoulder. “Who’s next?” I cleared my throat and rose my hand. I was Mehr than willing to take this challenge. He didn’t intimidate me, though I knew that was his goal. “You then,” He pointed his thick finger in my direction.
I stood quickly. Oops, too quick, Michelle was staring at me, her expression bewildered. “I’m Renesmee Cullen—“
“A Cullen, huh?” Of course he’d heard of us. We were the freaks of this small town.
I nodded. That’s right and I’m half vampire. What are Du going to do about it? “I just moved here with my parents from New Hampshire. I like to—“
“Are Du another one of Carlisle’s goodwill kids?” He asked gruffly. So nosey!
“No.” This man was intolerably irritating. Taking a deep breath I pulled the story vorwärts-, nach vorn that had been engraved into my mind since I was a few days old. I’d practiced it—unnecessarily—every night since I made my decision to try on a human education. “My parents died when I was eleven.” This was added later of course, “Edward is my uncle. He and Bella adopted me, made me their own. They are my parents now.” The best anyone could hope for.
“They’re just kids themselves.”
“They’re very mature for their age,” I sneered. And they’re Mehr intelligent than Du could ever be.
“So, Charlie Swan’s got himself a granddaughter. And she’s only seven years younger than his own babe.” He shook his head.
Unable to stop it, I growled. Why you—do Du want to try my teeth out? I could have lunged vorwärts-, nach vorn and killed him before he knew what had happened. I ground my teeth together, my jaw tight, “Mr. Demanz, may I continue my introduction? oder do Du have another twenty Fragen about my Home life?” The class froze, I could hear their hear rates jump considerably. I was sure no one spoke to Mr. Demanz this way and got away with it. I prepared my Weiter mental threat completely thinking the worst.
But, he smiled, “Yes, continue Miss Cullen.”
“Thank you.” Didn’t think he knew how to be reasonable. “As I was saying, I like to read and write, dance and sing, and in my spare time I fisch with my Grandpa Charlie, work on engines with my Aunt Rose, and I like to Shop and research incurable diseases.” Oops again, a little too much information. I stared at the perplexed faces around me, “They’re quite fascinating. Anyway,” I continued quickly, “I am very pleased to be here with all of you. Oh, and it’s a pleasure to meet Du Andrew.” I sagte brightly. He smiled softly as I took my seat, much slower than I had stood.
“Yes. Um. Who’s—“
“Oh, and Mr. Demanz, I know my first name’s a bit of a mouthful so Du can all call me Nessie for short.”
He nodded, seething at my interruption “Yes. Nessie. Fine.” He shook his head now and continued with his Zurück question, “Who’s next?”
Honors Chemistry proved to be my most boring. The only exceptionally stirring thing Mrs. Brighten had to offer was an expansive collection of chemicals and new Bunsen burners.
I had been right about the rain. Michelle and I ran toward the cafeteria. I did my best to keep pace with her though I would have preferred a faster gate.
She was still in awe of my previous, slight, confrontation. “You stood up to Demanz!” She exclaimed as we moved quickly through the lunch line. “I don’t think anyone’s done that before.”
“Well, if he’s had a Cullen in his class prior to me then someone most definitely has.” I smirked.
“True. And. Wait. Did Du growl at him? oder was I hearing things?”
“You heard that? Ugh.”
She smiled, “Don’t worry I think I was the only one who was really paying attention to you. Everyone else had their eyes on Demanz. I think they were hoping for fist fight oder something.”
They don’t know how close it came. Though, I wouldn’t have been using my fists. I bit my lip ironically.
“If Du don’t mind me asking,” She started, pulling me back from my thoughts, “What is it about your family that has everyone so spooked all the time? They don’t seem so bad to me, a little too beautiful and very quiet. But that could be anyone’s observation from a distance. Then again, I’m only in Forks during the school Jahr so I don’t know if things are different over the summer.” She was so blasé about my family’s peculiarity I was almost in shock.
I shook my head, “Some people just like to keep to themselves.” We took a sitz at the back of the lunch room, “Some of us Mehr than others,” I affirmed, opening up my apfel, apple juice. “My Aunt Alice for instance, she likes to be out in public, while my Nana Esme prefers being at Home doing the things she believes a mother and grandmother should do. What’s so weird about that?” I took a sip of the beverage.
“Nothing. I’m sorry if my Frage offended you, I was just curious.”
“Don’t worry about it.” I waved a hand at her casually while removing the cellophane from my turkey sandwich. “It’s natural to be curious.” I took a bite while she nodded in return. “Speaking of which, why is it you’re only in Forks during the school year?”
She placed her drink on the table, “I spend summers with family out of state.” Her words were quick and resolute. I wasn’t about to pry.
“Hey Michelle, Nessie.” Andrew grinned nervously down at us. He really was tall. Nowhere near as tall as Jacob but at least a head taller than my father.
“Hi Andrew!” Michelle said, a soft rosa polishing her cheekbones. Awe, she likes him. “Do Du want to sit with us?”
“If it isn’t any trouble,” He bowed his head a little.
“Not at all,” I smiled noticing his blue-gray eyes. He took a sitz beside Michelle whose cheeks darkened profusely.
“So what was up in Calc? Du have a death wish oder something?” He asked with a bemused grin.
“Death wish? That old kook couldn’t touch a hair on my head. Is it so wrong to defend ones privacy?” I didn’t get enough as it was with my dad constantly listening to my every thought. Not so often lately since I started Singen all the time, but he still caught a few things I wish he hadn’t.
“No, but Demanz is a jerk. He’ll string Du up Von your toe nails before he’ll let Du speak to him like that again.”
“Well, I have a spooky family on my side, so I don’t think he’ll try it.”
“I wish I did. Maybe he would have ignored me today instead of making me go first.”
“It wasn’t so bad though was it? They’re only your peers. No one sagte anything any Mehr profound.”
“Besides you.”
I felt my face flush, “So, what is it Du like about cars? My friend Jacob rebuilt a Volkswagen Rabbit.” I wasn’t around when he did this, but I still knew the story. That car was his baby.
“Really? That’s amazing! I’d Liebe to have a look. Oh, did either of Du see the beetle in the parking lot this morning?” I chewed silently while Michelle shook her head. I wanted to see his reaction to the artwork I had the privilege of driving. “Beautiful, mint condition,” He sighed longingly.
I grinned, “It’s mine.”
His face fell, “Can I take a look under the haube sometime?” Just like Jacob.
“Sure, after Jacob. I promised he’d be the first.” Well, I hadn’t directly promised but it was implied.
“Fair enough.”
“There’s my Chelle Bell!” An excited voice called from the middle of the lunch room.
“Kasie!” Michelle had wrapped her arms around this girl just as the ‘e’ finished ringing off her lips.
These two were indisputably related. Their height and build were the same, as was their blond hair. They looked almost as if they could be twins except this Kasie’s eyes were green rather than blue and her face was Mehr square. Michelle walked back to the table, her arms linked with her. “Andrew, Nessie, this is my half sister Kassandra.” I knew it.
“Kasie, please. It’s a pleasure to meet Du both.” She smiled pleasantly.
“She and her mom just moved here from Miami.” Michelle turned quickly to her sister, “I cannot believe Carol actually came to Forks!”
“Me neither. All the rain kind of bums me out, but Du know, I’ll get used to it.” She shrugged.
“Why don’t Du have a seat?” I gestured to the chair between Michelle and me.
“Thank Du Nessie. That’s very nice of you.”
Kasie’s movements were quite graceful for a human and her voice was light and flowing. She scooted her chair so close to Michelle they were practically touching as she opened her bottled water. There was an unnamable, electric imminence flowing between them. I tipped my head to the side as I surveyed it.
“Which one of Du is older?” Andrew asked with his mouth full. I was glad he asked.
“Actually, we’re the same age. I’m only older Von a couple of weeks.” Michelle said, playing with the tab on her Hawaiian Punch.
“Our father wasn’t really the most faithful of men.”
“Wasn’t?” I seemed to be the only one who noticed her use of the past tense.
“He died last year, a mugging gone bad in New York.” Michelle didn’t seem too sad about this.
“He was a salesman, he traveled a lot,” Kasie clarified. “My mother was devastated. That’s why we moved here. She wanted me closer to Michelle.”
“So this is who Du spend your summers with.” I sagte making the connection. Michelle nodded.
“We only got in last night oder I would have called. I’m sorry I missed English this morning.” She frowned gently.
“It’s fine. Nessie kept me company.”
“I’m glad.” She smiled gratefully in my direction.
AP History flew Von faster than I would have favored. Luckily I had one Mehr class and Mehr homework to tie me over my joy.
I chose a sitz at one of the tables against the wall. Michelle took the empty sitz beside me just as the bells rang and sighed, crossing her arms to reflect what the grimace already told me.
“What’s the point in Physical Fitness Testing? Who cares if I can touch my toes oder do twenty sit ups in a row?” She scoffed. Her pout reminded me of a small child who’d just been told ‘No’ in a toy store. I laughed. She jutted her chin out, “What’s so funny?”
“You should see the look on your face right now.” She craned her neck so to catch her reflection in the display case beside us. She stared at her reflection, pressed her lips together, and her face contorted with hilarity. She joined my laughter.
A microscope landed gingerly before us. We looked up at Mr. Banner whose face was anything but amused, “Are Du girls ready to Mitmachen us oder should we wait?” We both bit our lips to contain the mirth and shook our heads. “Thank you.”
Michelle walked with me to my car as the school Tag ended.
“Do Du want a ride home?” She was taking the bus and I didn’t think it’d be polite to make her take such a bumpy ride when I was headed the same direction.
“You wouldn’t mind?” She asked.
“Chelle!” Kasie called from across the lot. She was standing beside a silver Mustang. One of those new deals Du see on the car lot that everyone ogles but no one buys. “You want a ride?”
“Do Du mind?” She asked. She was Mehr polite than I could have surmised.
“Not at all.”
She smiled widely, “I’ll see Du tomorrow then Nessie. Thank Du for offering me a ride.”
I nodded once, “Anytime.” She skipped away. She was a bit clumsier than her half sister; she tripped on a crack in the concrete. She recovered easily. No harm done.