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Post by Jayden Murphy on Jan 5, 2009 13:56:39 GMT -5
The noise of the student in the cafeteria spread all over campus Jayden trudged through the heavy rain to get to the building. The noise grew as Jayden pulled open the inside door and entered the cluttered, light room. The noise was defending. Not just the conversations, but the heart beats and minor noises; a chair scrapping, a knife cutting - it all added up. Still standing in the doorway, Jayden looked out over the sea of chairs, trays and people. She saw the lunch carts and shivered a little. This would be her first experience eating in front of humans, though she like most human foods some till baffled her; like Jell-O, horrible texture and no taste.
The door opened again behind her and she was be pushed along by a small wave of people. When the wave dispersed Jayden found herself in the almost middle of the room. For the second time that day she found herself alone in a place full of people. This time she couldn’t drop her head; her eyes looked everywhere taking everything in. She had been shocked at her actions that morning, but now it all seemed worth it. Even the boring History lesson that was still to come after lunch seemed to all be adding to this experience.
She headed towards the salad lunch cart. Still standing a little way from it she looked at each item of food in turn, not sure the protocol for eating and self service. Looking up from the food see search the room again. She had not seen any Cullen yet or Bella and knew they weren’t in the room just yet; that scent she’d have noticed. Then she looked for Angela who had helped her that morning. Then finally a deep search for Amber, the friend girl whose party she had attended a few weeks previous.
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Post by Amber Jefferson on Jan 5, 2009 14:21:01 GMT -5
Heading into the cafeteria, Amber cringed a little at the noise. No matter how long she spent at the school, she still couldn't get beyond that initial twinge of fear when she entered such a huge crowd. The noise, the commotion, it all combined to create what Amber imagined was probably the closest impression to a zoo that mankind would ever manage. It honestly made her wonder sometimes how she belonged to the same species. She hated making noise unless she was around people she trusted implicitly and yet these kids the same age as her seemed to thrive on it. Shaking her head in disbelief, she tucked her books under one arm and picked up a tray, heading toward the salad cart. She had spotted a face she knew and she was more than happy to join the girl, despite the fact that they barely knew one another. She had come to Amber's housewarming at the invitation of the Cullens, and anyone the Cullens trusted was fine by her.
"Hi Jayden!" she said cheerfully as she reached the girl's shoulder, seeing her confused expression. "Doesn't exactly look appetizing huh?" she asked, grimacing slightly. The vegetables had a slight tinge of brown around the edges and under the pale light of the sneezeguard looked almost anemic. "Reminds me of a book I read once when I was little, about vampire vegetables. The Celery Stalks at Midnight. I will never look at another salad the same again." She chuckled and grabbed a bowl, handing another to Jayden. "Don't worry, I'll help ya. It's a bit confusing when you're new, but pretty soon, you get used to it. You just grab the tongs" she picked up the plastic tongs and snapped them shut a couple of times, demonstrating their use, "Pick up something you think might be food" at this she picked up a rather wilted tomato slice, wrinkling her nose and placing it delicately in her bowl, "And put the tongs back."
Looking again at the cart, she glanced past the line of students toward the register, frowning at the length of the line. "I think I might grab the mac and cheese actually" she said, adding a few carrots to her bowl. "I think that might actually have some nutrients still intact. What're you going to have?"
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Post by Jayden Murphy on Jan 5, 2009 15:13:14 GMT -5
The see of faces gave up only one familiar one; Amber. She smiled widely when she saw her. At least this would be a friendly. Jayden still dreaded if Edward saw her. She wondered if he had caught her scent at all. At some point during her morning Jayden though she had caught his or Alice’s. As the Amber approached Jayden took a moment to compose herself and try to be as friendly and as human as possible. She waited for Amber to speak first then she replied.
“Hello, Amber.” She smiled, “It is lovely to see you again.”
When Amber commented on the food Jayden wouldn’t help but laugh, though the vampire vegetables book quickly drained that smile. She wondered if anything she had done at the party had given her secret away. She was always careful, perhaps been too careful was just as bad?
Jayden made an effort to follow Amber closer to the salad. She watched as the tongs were shown to her. Though not something new she humored her friendly helper. The carrots looked limp and browning, as did the lettuce. Jayden followed behind Amber adding a little of what she did. However, the offer of Mac and Cheese didn’t appeal.
“I think I’ll have an apple” Jayden nodded as they reached the end of the line, “So who do you sit with?” She asked, desperately hopping she would reply the Cullens.
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Post by Amber Jefferson on Jan 5, 2009 18:35:02 GMT -5
Amber was surprised to see the look on Jayden's face when she mentioned the book she had studied in school, though she could understand it. It had given many students nightmares, it wasn't all that odd that it might still haunt some now.
"You didn't like that one either huh?" she said, giving Jayden an understanding smile. "Yeah, it was pretty creepy. Vegetables that come to life and attack animals and people? Ew! If they were going to write something about mythical beings, they could at least make it believable. Though I guess it would be kinda cool, not the vegetable bit, just the vampire bit." She grinned at her friend, back in her old element. She had spent a lot of time growing up watching old horror movies, and she felt she would never outgrow her love of them. "But then, wishful thinking doesn't get ya anywhere. Kinda like this lunchroom."
She smiled as Jayden opted to turn down the Mac and Cheese, chuckling as she looked at it and then at her plate, a disgusted look on her face.
"Ugh, you're right. What was I thinking?" she skirted carefully around the pasta, feeling slightly nauseous at the sight of it. The closer they had gotten, the more unappetising it appeared. She hastily reached back over to the salad cart, grabbing a small dish of fruit salad. "I think I'll stick to the fruit too, at least that looks safe." She glanced around the cafeteria, noticing that as usual, all the tables were occupied save a couple. One was generally considered the Cullens' territory, the other was almost never used except when she sat there.
"To be honest, I don't really sit with anyone. I mean, I sit with Mike when I do sit with people, but..." she trailed off, raising an eyebrow to the table she saw Mike at, sitting with Jessica, a few others, and Lauren. "Let's just say, kids like me don't exactly belong in Lauren's crowd. Usually I just sit by myself." She thought a moment, noticing that the Cullens hadn't yet arrived. She hadn't really met Alice beyond brief hellos, but Edward was nice enough.
"You're friends with Edward and Alice right? We could sit with them, if you want."
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Post by Jayden Murphy on Jan 5, 2009 21:34:38 GMT -5
Jayden was just reaching for the apple when Amber uttered the word Vampire. In her whole existence Jayden wasn’t sure she’d ever heard it said so casual, let alone in a sentence such as that one regarding believability. Jayden forced a smile and picked up her apple.
“Yes wishful thinking.” She nodded, “Vampires are just stories, anyways.” She hoped it sounded like t fitted, not forced or like the outright lie that it was. After all, she knew Vampires were no story and not that far away.
As they walked away from the cart Jayden once again glanced around the food hall. There were two distinctively empty tables, either looked fine to her. She stopped next to Amber and listened to her mention a boy’s name. Her voice was even as she said it, but it changed as she spoke of the other kids. Jayden felt her heart go out to this girl. Who could not like her, she had only been kind to her the few times they had spoken.
Jayden was still watching Amber as she turned and asked her about Alice and Edward. She was at a loss of what to say about her relationship with the Cullens, Especially Edward. As for Alice, who could not like Alice? Jayden just hoped this sudden decision to join the ranks of education wouldn’t break any already strained bonds with them. Jayden looked back at Amber and spoke softy, “I know Edward yes, and Alice though I’m not sure were the greatest of friends of anything.” She looked toward the empty, back table by the window and nodded, “Shall we sit there?
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Post by Edward Cullen on Jan 5, 2009 22:18:38 GMT -5
Edward had been off all day. He had picked up the familiar scent of the hybrid on school property, but neither him nor Alice had seen her all day. He couldn't understand why she was here, and it worried him. He had told her if she desired to join Forks High, he would aid her in enrolling. He had been through the process more than any of his other siblings, so he was quite familiar with how to work the system. But she had declined his offer and now hadn't even informed the family that she was going to be spending the day at the school.
It was now lunchtime and he had met Bella at her locker to walk her to the cafeteria. They had reached the lunchline, where Edward was picking out random food when he realized Jayden's smell was even stronger here. She was here. He could finally figure out what she was doing at Forks High today. At least he hoped he could with all the other students around. He turned his head as he neared the cashier to see where she was and that she was about to sit at their table with Amber, a girl who worked with his father. "Looks like we'll have company for lunch" He commented to Bella as he paid for both of their lunches.
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Post by Bella Swan on Jan 5, 2009 23:12:49 GMT -5
The day had been a long one for Bella, just monotonous class after monotonous class complimented by occasional gawking stares from classmates that either had just found out that she and Edward were engaged, or that just couldn’t believe it. She wasn’t really surprised that they couldn’t believe it - she certainly couldn’t. She hadn’t been brought up to crave a white wedding with puffy white dresses, but it was more that she still couldn’t easily put ’Edward’ and ’wedding’ together. It was like putting Michelangelo’s David in a mug and a ball point pen in the Galeria dell'Academia - especially when she was put into the equation. She put that to the back of her mind, however. It was what Edward wanted and she was happy to do it because of that.
Thus, as she met her fiancé by the lockers, it was with a loving smile and a flair of butterflies in her stomach. If she still got butterflies seeing him approach her after a few hours apart, what would she be like when she saw him down the aisle? The butterflies intensified in her stomach and she instantly stopped that line of thought, glad that he couldn’t read her mind. Once in the lunch queue she felt better, her mind now focused upon what culinary delights to fill herself with that day. She looked up as Edward spoke and cast her head back to their usual table when they weren’t sitting with Mike and Jessica and saw Amber and Jayden sat there.
“Oh,” she commented softly, her brain not thinking anything of it for a few moments. “Oh! I didn’t think…” she turned her face back up to Edward, a confused frown on her face. “But I didn’t think she -” she paused, not wanting to say anything for the hybrid’s advanced hearing. “Oh…”
She picked up her tray containing an apple, bottle of lemonade and some kind of pasta, which she was assured was macaroni cheese, and turned to walk over to them.
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Post by Jayden Murphy on Jan 5, 2009 23:45:34 GMT -5
Jayden had just sat down at the table she selected with Amber when she caught a scent on the breeze from an opening door. She didn’t look up to find out who it was because she already recognized the familiar scent. Just as Jayden reached the table she stole a glance over her shoulder. Edward was in the lunch line and was looking at her. She couldn’t read any emotion on his face or from his body language, but she didn’t linger looking at him for too long. She turned quickly and took a seat next to Amber facing out into the lunch room, but she close to stare intently at the food on her plate. She picked at the apple with her nails, and then picked apart the wilted lettuce. It was then she heard Edwards voice, low but to her hearing clear. She glanced up again and saw him and Bella walking towards them. As they walked she watched Bella’s mouth move and listened to the stammered reaction and reply to Edwards’s news of her presence. A smiled played at the edge of her mouth, humored by Bella’s reaction to her appearance at school. However, she knew her sudden appearance at school would shock and possibly Anger Edward; she dropped her head and pushed the plate away. “Not really hungry, I guess” She mumbled to Amber.
As much as Jayden hated to admit it, today’s impromptu arrival at school was a very silly and ill thought out move. She had told the receptionist that her parents were thinking of transferring her and she wanted to check it out. That was all well and good for one day, but to enroll she knew she would need to accept Edward’s previous offer of help. And getting on the wrong side of his temper was not the way to do that.
Jayden listened for their steps approaching the table as she had a feeling Edward would come over. She heard them and saw their feel enter the view of their downcast eyes. Slowly she raised her head and gave a both welcoming and apologetic smile. “Hello Edward.” Turning to Bella she nodded, “ And it is nice to see you again, Bella.”
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Post by Amber Jefferson on Jan 6, 2009 7:13:36 GMT -5
Amber watched as Jayden picked at her apple. She had seen her look across the cafeteria and knew the look had been directed toward Edward. Even people who knew Edward better than she did tended to get that expression, a look almost verging on fear. It never ceased to confuse her, he had never been anything but pleasant to her, though she didn't doubt that if he got angry he would likely have a harsh temper. He had the air of someone who kept themselves reined in more out of necessity than choice, and she couldn't help wondering whether it was so that he didn't upset others, or so that he didn't upset himself.
"What's wrong?" she asked softly, not wanting Edward and Bella to hear. She knew the two were a couple, and didn't want to say too much, in case it was that that caused the nervousness. Before she could speak again though, they had reached the table she and Jayden had chosen. She saw the look Jayden gave them, recognising it a little too easily for her own comfort. It was the look of someone who had been caught doing something they shouldn't, and despite barely knowing the girl, she felt a twinge of protectiveness. It was none of her business of course, but if Edward was thinking he was going to make Jayden's first day here difficult, Amber knew she would have something to say about it. She stabbed a strawberry slightly more viciously than she had intended, letting it rest in the dish as she welcomed the newcomers.
"Hi Edward!" she said cheerily, hoping to stave off any kind of confrontation. Although she had made few friends since arriving in Forks, she had had no trouble settling in, and she wouldn't let anyone spoil that experience for Jayden, boss's son or not. "Hiya Bella!" she added, realising that although she barely knew the girl, it would be rude not to welcome her. "Wanna join us? I was just telling Jayden about a book I read back when I was in third grade. I think maybe I scared her a little" she chuckled, smiling at Jayden. She hoped she was relieving the odd tension, but she wasn't sure whether she was succeeding or just making it worse.
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Post by Edward Cullen on Jan 6, 2009 11:40:08 GMT -5
"I didn't think so either" Edward responded to Bella's stammering, feeling a bit put off that he hadn't been aware of her coming here beforehand. He wondered if there was a reason that Jayden had kept this hidden from his family. Surely if she had even told Carlisle about it, he would have mentioned it to Edward and Alice since they would be likely to encounter her.
They walked over to their table and Edward began searching for both of their voices amongst the pool of thoughts that surrounded him. Jayden's seemed nervous, and uncomfortable, and Amber appeared oddly protective of Jayden, seeming to want to ensure she had a good first day. With Amber here Edward would not be able to confront Jayden, so he would appease them both and do his best to control his current annoyance with the hybrid.
He gave a smile to them both. "Hello Jayden, Amber" He said turning to both of them as he said their names. "We'd be happy to join you" Edward said, holding his tray of food with one hand while pulling out the chair for his new fiance with the other. Once she was seated he pulled out his own chair and sat down placing his tray of 'food' on the table. "It must have been a scary children's book then, perhaps the author should revise his target audience"
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Post by Jayden Murphy on Jan 6, 2009 12:48:25 GMT -5
Even Amber’s cheeriness and concern couldn’t help how Jayden felt when Edward approached. She knew she had done wrong and under his glare she just felt worst. She heard Amber ask her what was wrong but she failed to muster the words before Edward and Bella had been invited to join them. Greetings exchanged and all seated the topic of the Vampire vegetables floating in the air and Jayden just stared ahead. Her mind was flooded by smart and insulting comments to say relating to the book that was been discussed, but she didn’t say anything of the kind. The biggest part of her mind was finding ways to explain all this to Edward, to apologize. And part of her was trying to control her temper that she knew would flair if his did, though she hoped he wouldn’t start anything here.
In that way Edward reminded Jayden of a father. He had a way of making you know you had done wrong and made sure you knew it would be discussed later.
Jayden return to the conversation, but still avoided looking at Edward. She wouldn’t meet his eyes, not now. She heard the comment of target audiences and smiled with the others. “Amber did say it the book frightened most others in the class.” Jayden spoke with and unfelt calm, “But not that’s not what scared me, I am made of tougher stuff. I’m just a little over whelmed with the whole day.”
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Post by Amber Jefferson on Jan 6, 2009 14:40:53 GMT -5
Amber couldn't help laughing at Edward's comment. It was said so seriously, it was comical.
"Nah, it wasn't that bad. I think some kids just can't take their bloodsucking veg. Me on the other hand, I headed straight for the first copy of Bunnicula I could find. It was quite pathetic really" she gave a resigned smile. She had spent most of her childhood at school in the library, reading, and could remember most of those books. Most of them had been simple little stories like the two she had mentioned, though she had always had a secret weakness for classics like Jane Eyre and Shakespeare.
"I think Jayden's right though, I'm just teasing. I know you feel" she continued, smiling at Jayden, feeling a little sorry for her. Here the girl was just trying to get through her first day and Edward, the one person who seemed to know her best was acting like a complete stranger. He had similar mannerisms to Carlisle, and this was one she knew well, thanks to her outburst some time ago at the hospital. It was one that seemed to say 'I'm not happy, but I'll let you work out why'. With Carlisle it always made her feel as though the quiet disapproval was warranted, but with Edward, on the rare occasions she had seen it, it just irritated her. She forced back the feeling, concentrating on trying to make this a good day. It didn't matter that she hadn't slept well, or that she had flunked her latest Math test, all that mattered, all that ever mattered, was what was happening in the moment.
"I was terrified my first day here, all the people and everything, it's scary. It's nice that you have friends here already though" she grinned, gesturing around the table. "You've got Edward and Bella, and me! We'll make sure nothing happens to ya, right guys?" She glanced in Edward's direction, wondering if he had noticed her not-so-subtle hint. She was well-versed in hiding bad moods, but she also had a habit of always wanting to look after the underdog, and in this case it looked like that was Jayden, and in the mood she was in, she dreaded the repercussions if she lost her temper. Detention...expulsion...who knew?
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Post by Bella Swan on Jan 6, 2009 21:15:38 GMT -5
Bella grinned at her fiancé as he easily and suavely pulled her chair out for her whilst balancing his tray and she sat down, trying to emulate his astounding grace. She failed, miserably, of course, her knee knocking against the table leg just to accentuate her clumsiness. She blinked and looked down, biting back a wince, before she looked back up at the other three, a curious smile on her face.
“Hello,” she echoed Edward, who had already smoothly taken his seat and greeted the two girls. She didn’t know either of them very well at all, to be quite honest. Amber had helped her out a couple of times last year, and they lived in the quiet knowledge that they were there for each other if needed, but didn’t pursue an active friendship. As for Jayden, all she really knew about her was what Edward told her. She knew that she was ’different’ and had appeared in Forks a few months ago, just before the whole newborn thing had happened in Seattle. She also knew that she hadn’t wanted to come to Forks High and had spoken to her a couple of times at Amber’s party and when they were both at the Cullens’, but nothing beyond that.
A smile curled at the corners of her mouth as she heard Edward’s comment about the book’s target audience and a surge of affection warmed her chest. She picked up her fork and began to poke at the macaroni without actually spearing it on to the implement properly. She glanced up at Jayden and noticed the inclination of her head, directly away from Edward, which incensed her curiosity all the more.
“First days are awful,” she added, after Amber, remembering the stare-fest she suffered with a small shudder. That made her look at Jayden in a fresh light. Maybe she had just started at school on her own to attempt being ’normal’ without the Cullens’ help. Sure, she probably should have told someone, Carlisle, at least, in case something went wrong.
“Yeah,” she agreed quickly to Amber’s solidarity claim, her pleasant nature showing through her curiosity for a moment. “Sure we will,” she glanced around the cafeteria and returned her gaze to Jayden. “It doesn’t look like the newspaper guys have found out about you yet, so you should be safe for now.”
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Post by Jayden Murphy on Jan 7, 2009 2:21:28 GMT -5
Listening to others describe their first day at school did little to to calm the ansiety that Jayden was feeling in all honesty she was dealing quite well with the whole idea of school. It was dealing with the reality of, perhaps, getting on the wrong side of Edward again that was unnerving her. She smiled thankfully at Amber for trying to tempt support out of Edward and Bella. In truth she really didn’t expect any. Though she had never really spoken to Bella she had the sense that if Edward was to be unhappy with her for this outing then Bella would be too. Due to this preconceived notion of Bella Jayden was truly shocked when the Bella voiced a solidarity with Amber about helping her through everything. Jayden’s head came up to smile at Bella, still avoiding Edward’s eye line. It was hard to do when they were sat so close.
Looking at the two of them Now, Jayden could understand a lot of what Edward and his parents had said those few months back when she had first met them. Seeing it now, Jayden felt remorse again for the way she had judge their relationship. However, she still was not an avid support of Human Vampire relationships.
The smile on Jayden’s lips curb a little at the mention of a newspaper. The last thing she needed was publicity. “I’m not news.” She said looking between Amber and Bella for confirmation, “I’m not even enrolled her yet. I’m just weighting up my options and observing for the day.”
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Post by Edward Cullen on Jan 7, 2009 10:59:27 GMT -5
When Edward first sat down he was annoyed. Clearly Jayden had gone behind his entire family's back to come here on her own without so much as a warning to them. But now he was irritated. Despite having acted politely and in a friendly manner when he sat, deciding not to start anything in front of an audience, Amber was jumping unnecessarily to Jayden's defense and getting upset with him. Edward couldn't believe this girl who he thought he had gotten along with, had even attended a party at her house, would now side with someone who she probably barely knew. Edward had given Amber no reason to justify her thoughts or bitter words right now. Humans... He thought to himself irritated now by half of the table.
His irritation almost made him not even realize they were talking about vampire stories. Had she suspected something? Had Jayden foolishly said something. He scanned their thoughts and determined it was just a coincidence that they were speaking of vampire books and relaxed a bit.
"Of course we will" Edward seconded after Bella spoke, his eyes were locked on Jayden, but he spoke calmly. "Had we known you'd be here we would've given you the grand tour, made sure you had no problems whatsoever"
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