1 twilight暮色-第3部分

快捷操作: 按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页 按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页 按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部! 如果本书没有阅读完，想下次继续接着阅读，可使用上方 "收藏到我的浏览器" 功能 和 "加入书签" 功能！


two　girls　named　Jessica　in　my　History　class　back　home。　

〃They　are…　very　nicelooking。〃　I　struggled　with　the　conspicuous　
understatement。　

〃Yes！〃　Jessica　agreed　with　another　giggle。　〃They're　all　together　though　—　
Emmett　and　Rosalie；　and　Jasper　and　Alice；　I　mean。　And　they　live　
together。〃　Her　voice　held　all　the　shock　and　condemnation　of　the　small　
town；　I　thought　critically。　But；　if　I　was　being　honest；　I　had　to　admit　
that　even　in　Phoenix；　it　would　cause　gossip。　

〃Which　ones　are　the　Cullens？〃　I　asked。　〃They　don't　look　related…〃　

〃Oh；　they're　not。　Dr。　Cullen　is　really　young；　in　his　twenties　or　early　
thirties。　They're　all　adopted。　The　Hales　are　brother　and　sister；　twins　—　
the　blondes　—　and　they're　foster　children。〃　

〃They　look　a　little　old　for　foster　children。〃　

〃They　are　now；　Jasper　and　Rosalie　are　both　eighteen；　but　they've　been　
with　Mrs。　Cullen　since　they　were　eight。　She's　their　aunt　or　something　
like　that。〃　

〃That's　really　kind　of　nice　—　for　them　to　take　care　of　all　those　kids　
like　that；　when　they're　so　young　and　everything。〃　

〃I　guess　so；〃　Jessica　admitted　reluctantly；　and　I　got　the　impression　that　
she　didn't　like　the　doctor　and　his　wife　for　some　reason。　With　the　glances　
she　was　throwing　at　their　adopted　children；　I　would　presume　the　reason　
was　jealousy。　〃I　think　that　Mrs。　Cullen　can't　have　any　kids；　though；〃　she　
added；　as　if　that　lessened　their　kindness。　

Throughout　all　this　conversation；　my　eyes　flickered　again　and　again　to　
the　table　where　the　strange　family　sat。　They　continued　to　look　at　the　
walls　and　not　eat。　

〃Have　they　always　lived　in　Forks？〃　I　asked。　Surely　I　would　have　noticed　

them　on　one　of　my　summers　here。　

〃No；〃　she　said　in　a　voice　that　implied　it　should　be　obvious；　even　to　a　
new　arrival　like　me。　〃They　just　moved　down　two　years　ago　from　somewhere　
in　Alaska。〃　

I　felt　a　surge　of　pity；　and　relief。　Pity　because；　as　beautiful　as　they　
were；　they　were　outsiders；　clearly　not　accepted。　Relief　that　I　wasn't　the　
only　newer　here；　and　certainly　not　the　most　interesting　by　any　
standard。　

As　I　examined　them；　the　youngest；　one　of　the　Cullens；　looked　up　and　met　
my　gaze；　this　time　with　evident　curiosity　in　his　expression。　As　I　looked　
swiftly　away；　it　seemed　to　me　that　his　glance　held　some　kind　of　unmet　
expectation。　

〃Which　one　is　the　boy　with　the　reddish　brown　hair？〃　I　asked。　I　peeked　at　
him　from　the　corner　of　my　eye；　and　he　was　still　staring　at　me；　but　not　
gawking　like　the　other　students　had　today　—　he　had　a　slightly　frustrated　
expression。　I　looked　down　again。　

〃That's　Edward。　He's　gorgeous；　of　course；　but　don't　waste　your　time。　He　
doesn't　date。　Apparently　none　of　the　girls　here　are　goodlooking　enough　
for　him。〃　She　sniffed；　a　clear　case　of　sour　grapes。　I　wondered　when　he'd　
turned　her　down。　

I　bit　my　lip　to　hide　my　smile。　Then　I　glanced　at　him　again。　His　face　was　
turned　away；　but　I　thought　his　cheek　appeared　lifted；　as　if　he　were　
smiling；　too。　

After　a　few　more　minutes；　the　four　of　them　left　the　table　together。　They　
all　were　noticeably　graceful　—　even　the　big；　brawny　one。　It　was　
unsettling　to　watch。　The　one　named　Edward　didn't　look　at　me　again。　

I　sat　at　the　table　with　Jessica　and　her　friends　longer　than　I　would　have　
if　I'd　been　sitting　alone。　I　was　anxious　not　to　be　late　for　class　on　my　
first　day。　One　of　my　new　acquaintances；　who　considerately　reminded　me　
that　her　name　was　Angela；　had　Biology　II　with　me　the　next　hour。　We　walked　
to　class　together　in　silence。　She　was　shy；　too。　

When　we　entered　the　classroom；　Angela　went　to　sit　at　a　blacktopped　lab　
table　exactly　like　the　ones　I　was　used　to。　She　already　had　a　neighbor。　In　
fact；　all　the　tables　were　filled　but　one。　Next　to　the　center　aisle；　I　
recognized　Edward　Cullen　by　his　unusual　hair；　sitting　next　to　that　single　
open　seat。　

As　I　walked　down　the　aisle　to　introduce　myself　to　the　teacher　and　get　my　
slip　signed；　I　was　watching　him　surreptitiously。　Just　as　I　passed；　he　
suddenly　went　rigid　in　his　seat。　He　stared　at　me　again；　meeting　my　eyes　
with　the　strangest　expression　on　his　face　—　it　was　hostile；　furious。　I　
looked　away　quickly；　shocked；　going　red　again。　I　stumbled　over　a　book　in　
the　walkway　and　had　to　catch　myself　on　the　edge　of　a　table。　The　girl　
sitting　there　giggled。　

I'd　noticed　that　his　eyes　were　black　—　coal　black。　

Mr。　Banner　signed　my　slip　and　handed　me　a　book　with　no　nonsense　about　
introductions。　I　could　tell　we　were　going　to　get　along。　Of　course；　he　had　
no　choice　but　to　send　me　to　the　one　open　seat　in　the　middle　of　the　room。　
I　kept　my　eyes　down　as　I　went　to　sit　by　him；　bewildered　by　the　
antagonistic　stare　he'd　given　me。　

I　didn't　look　up　as　I　set　my　book　on　the　table　and　took　my　seat；　but　I　
saw　his　posture　change　from　the　corner　of　my　eye。　He　was　leaning　away　
from　me；　sitting　on　the　extreme　edge　of　his　chair　and　averting　his　face　
like　he　smelled　something　bad。　Inconspicuously；　I　sniffed　my　hair。　It　
smelled　like　strawberries；　the　scent　of　my　favorite　shampoo。　It　seemed　an　
innocent　enough　odor。　I　let　my　hair　fall　over　my　right　shoulder；　making　a　
dark　curtain　between　us；　and　tried　to　pay　attention　to　the　teacher。　

Unfortunately　the　lecture　was　on　cellular　anatomy；　something　I'd　already　
studied。　I　took　notes　carefully　anyway；　always　looking　down。　

I　couldn't　stop　myself　from　peeking　occasionally　through　the　screen　of　my　
hair　at　the　strange　boy　next　to　me。　During　the　whole　class；　he　never　
relaxed　his　stiff　position　on　the　edge　of　his　chair；　sitting　as　far　from　
me　as　possible。　I　could　see　his　hand　on　his　left　leg　was　clenched　into　a　
fist；　tendons　standing　out　under　his　pale　skin。　This；　too；　he　never　
relaxed。　He　had　the　long　sleeves　of　his　white　shirt　pushed　up　to　his　
elbows；　and　his　forearm　was　surprisingly　hard　and　muscular　beneath　his　
light　skin。　He　wasn't　nearly　as　slight　as　he'd　looked　next　to　his　burly　
brother。　

The　class　seemed　to　drag　on　longer　than　the　others。　Was　it　because　the　
day　was　finally　ing　to　a　close；　or　because　I　was　waiting　for　his　tight　
fist　to　loosen？　It　never　did；　he　continued　to　sit　so　still　it　looked　like　
he　wasn't　breathing。　What　was　wrong　with　him？　Was　this　his　normal　
behavior？　I　questioned　my　judgment　on　Jessica's　bitterness　at　lunch　
today。　Maybe　she　was　not　as　resentful　as　I'd　thought。　

It　couldn't　have　anything　to　do　with　me。　He　didn't　know　me　from　Eve。　

I　peeked　up　at　him　one　more　time；　and　regretted　it。　He　was　glaring　down　
at　me　again；　his　black　eyes　full　of　revulsion。　As　I　flinched　away　from　
him；　shrinking　against　my　chair；　the　phrase　if　looks　could　kill　suddenly　
ran　through　my　mind。　

At　that　moment；　the　bell　rang　loudly；　making　me　jump；　and　Edward　Cullen　
was　out　of　his　seat。　Fluidly　he　rose　—　he　was　much　taller　than　I'd　
thought　—　his　back　to　me；　and　he　was　out　the　door　before　anyone　else　was　
out　of　their　seat。　

I　sat　frozen　in　my　seat；　staring　blankly　after　him。　He　was　so　mean。　It　
wasn't　fair。　I　began　gathering　up　my　things　slowly；　trying　to　block　the　
anger　that　filled　me；　for　fear　my　eyes　would　tear　up。　For　some　reason；　my　
temper　was　hardwired　to　my　tear　ducts。　I　usually　cried　when　I　was　angry；　
a　humiliating　tendency。　

〃Aren't　you　Isabella　Swan？〃　a　male　voice　asked。　

I　looked　up　to　see　a　cute；　babyfaced　boy；　his　pale　blond　hair　carefully　
gelled　into　orderly　spikes；　smiling　at　me　in　a　friendly　way。　He　obviously　
didn't　think　I　smelled　bad。　

〃Bella；〃　I　corrected　him；　with　a　smile。　

〃I'm　Mike。〃　

〃Hi；　Mike。〃　

〃Do　you　need　any　help　finding　your　next　class？〃　

〃I'm　headed　to　the　gym；　actually。　I　think　I　can　find　it。〃　

〃That's　my　next　class；　too。〃　He　seemed　thrilled；　though　it　wasn't　that　
big　of　a　coincidence　in　a　school　this　small。　

We　walked　to　class　together；　he　was　a　chatterer　—　he　supplied　most　of　the　
conversation；　which　made　it　easy　for　me。　He'd　lived　in　California　till　he　
was　ten；　so　he　knew　how　I　felt　about　the　sun。　It　turned　out　he　was　in　my　
English　class　also。　He　was　the　nicest　person　I'd　met　today。　

But　as　we　were　entering　the　gym；　he　asked；　〃So；　did　you　stab　Edward　
Cullen　with　a　pencil　or　what？　I've　never　seen　him　act　like　that。〃　

I　cringed。　So　I　wasn't　the　only　one　who　had　noticed。　And；　apparently；　
that　wasn't　Edward　Cullen's　usual　behavior。　I　decided　to　play　dumb。　

〃Was　that　the　boy　I　sat　next　to　in　Biology？〃　I　asked　artlessly。　

〃Yes；〃　he　said。　〃He　looked　like　he　was　in　pain　or　something。〃　

〃I　don't　know；〃　I　responded。　〃I　never　spoke　to　him。〃　

〃He's　a　weird　guy。〃　Mike　lingered　by　me　instead　of　heading　to　the　
dressing　room。　〃If　I　were　lucky　enough　to　sit　by　you；　I　would　have　talked　
to　you。〃　

I　smiled　at　him　before　walking　through　the　girls'　locker　room　door。　He　
was　friendly　and　clearly　admiring。　But　it　wasn't　enough　to　ease　my　
irritation。　

The　Gym　teacher；　Coach　Clapp；　found　me　a　uniform　but　didn't　make　me　dress　
down　for　today's　class。　At　home；　only　two　years　of　RE。　were　required。　
Here；　P。E。　was　mandatory　all　four　years。　Forks　was　literally　my　personal　
hell　on　Earth。　

I　watched　four　volleyball　games　running　simultaneously。　Remembering　how　
many　injuries　I　had　sustained　—　and　inflicted　—　playing　volleyball；　I　
felt　faintly　nauseated。　

The　final　bell　rang　at　last。　I　walked　slowly　to　the　office　to　return　my　
paperwork。　The　rain　had　drifted　away；　but　the　wind　was　strong；　and　
colder。　I　wrapped　my　arms　around　myself。　

When　I　walked　into　the　warm　office；　I　almost　turned　around　and　walked　
back　out。　

Edward　Cullen　stood　at　the　desk　in　front　of　me。　I　recognized　again　that　
tousled　bronze　hair。　He　didn't　appear　to　notice　the　sound　of　my　entrance。　
I　stood　pressed　against　the　back　wall；　waiting　for　the　receptionist　to　be　
free。　

He　was　arguing　with　her　in　a　low；　attractive　voice。　I　quickly　picked　up　
the　gist　of　the　argument。　He　was　trying　to　trade　from　sixthhour　Biology　
to　another　time　—　any　other　time。　

I　just　couldn't　believe　that　this　was　about　me。　It　had　to　be　something　
else；　something　that　happened　before　I　entered　the　Biology　room。　The　look　
on　his　face　must　have　been　about　another　aggravation　entirely。　It　was　
impossible　that　this　stranger　could　take　such　a　sudden；　intense　dislike　
to　me。　

The　door　opened　again；　and　the　cold　wind　suddenly　gusted　through　the　
room；　rustling　the　papers　on　the　desk；　swirling　my　hair　around　my　face。　
The　girl　who　came　in　merely　stepped　to　the　desk；　placed　a　note　in　the　
wire　basket；　and　walked　out　again。　But　Edward　Cullen's　back　stiffened；　
and　he　turned　slowly　to　glare　at　me　—　his　face　was　absurdly　handsome　—　
with　piercing；　hatefilled　eyes。　For　an　instant；　I　felt　a　thrill　of　
genuine　fear；　raising　the　hair　on　my　arms。　The　look　only　lasted　a　second；　
but　it　chilled　me　more　than　the　freezing　wind。　He　turned　back　to　the　
receptionist。　

〃Never　mind；　then；〃　he　said　hastily　in　a　voice　like　velvet。　〃I　can　see　
that　it's　impossible。　Thank　you　so　much　for　your　help。〃　And　he　turned　on　
his　heel　without　another　look　at　me；　and　disappeared　out　the　door。　

I　went　meekly　to　the　desk；　my　face　white　for　once　instead　of　red；　and　
handed　her　the　signed　slip。　

〃How　did　your　first　day　go；　dear？〃　the　receptionist　asked　maternally。　

〃Fine；〃　I　lied；　my　voice　weak。　She　didn't　look　convinced。　

When　I　got　to　the　truck；　it　was　almost　the　last　car　in　the　lot。　It　seemed　
like　a　haven；　already　the　closest　thing　to　home　I　had　in　this　damp　green　
hole。　I　sat　inside　for　a　while；　just　staring　out　the　windshield　blankly。　
But　soon　I　was　cold　enough　to　need　the　heater；　so　I　turned　the　key　and　
the　engine　roared　to　life。　I　headed　back　to　Charlie's　house；　fighting　
tears　the　whole　way　there。　

===========================================================================　


2。　OPEN　BOOK　

The　next　day　was　better…　and　worse。　

It　was　better　because　it　wasn't　raining　yet；　though　the　clouds　were　dense　
and　opaque。　It　was　easier　because　I　knew　what　to　expect　of　my　day。　Mike　
came　to　sit　by　me　in　English；　and　walked　me　to　my　next　class；　with　Chess　
Club　Eric　glaring　at　him　all　the　while；　that　was　nattering。　People　didn't　
look　at　me　quite　as　much　as　they　had　yesterday。　I　sat　with　a　big　group　at　
lunch　that　included　Mike；　Eric；　Jessica；　and　several　other　people　whose　
names　and　faces　I　now　remembered。　I　began　to　feel　like　I　was　treading　
water；　instead　of　drowning　in　it。　

It　was　worse　because　I　was　tired；　I　still　couldn't　sleep　with　the　wind　
echoing　around　the　house。　It　was　worse　because　Mr。　Varner　called　on　me　in　
Trig　when　my　hand　wasn't　raised　and　I　had　the　wrong　answer。　It　was　
miserable　because　I　had　to　play　volleyball；　and　the　one　time　I　didn't　
cringe　out　of　the　way　of　the　ball；　I　hit　my　teammate　in　the　head　with　it。　
And　it　was　worse　because　Edward　Cullen　wasn't　in　school　at　all。　

All　morning　I　was　dreading　lunch；　fearing　his　bizarre　glares。　Part　of　me　
wanted　to　confront　him　and　demand　to　know　what　his　problem　was。　While　I　
was　lying　sleepless　in　my　bed；　I　even　imagined　what　I　would　say。　But　I　
knew　myself　too　well　to　think　I　would　really　have　the　guts　to　do　it。　I　
made　the　Cowardly　Lion　look　like　the　terminator。　

But　when　I　walked　into　the　cafeteria　with　Jessica　—　trying　to　keep　my　
eyes　from　sweeping　the　place　for　him；　and　failing　entirely　—　I　saw　that　
his　four　siblings　of　sorts　were　sitting　together　at　the　same　table；　and　
he　was　not　with　them。　

Mike　intercepted　us　and　steered　us　to　his　table。　Jessica　seemed　elated　by　
the　attention；　and　her　friends　quickly　joined　us。　But　as　I　tried　to　
listen　to　their　easy　chatter；　I　was　terribly　unfortable；　waiting　
nervously　for　the　moment　he　would　arrive。　I　hoped　that　he　would　simply　
ignore　me　when　he　came；　and　prove　my　suspicions　false。　

He　didn't　e；　and　as　time　passed　I　grew　more　and　more　tense。　

I　walked　to　Biology　with　more　confidence　when；　by　the　end　of　lunch；　he　
still　hadn't　showed。　Mike；　who　was　taking　on　the　qualities　of　a　golden　
retriever；　walked　faithfully　by　my　side　to　class。　I　held　my　breath　at　the　
door；　but　Edward　Cullen　wasn't　there；　either。　I　exhaled　and　went　to　my　
seat。　Mike　followed；　talking　about　an　uping　trip　to　the　beach。　He　
lingered　by　my　desk　till　the　bell　rang。　Then　he　smiled　at　me　wistfully　
and　went　to　sit　by　a　girl　with　braces　and　a　bad　perm。　It　looked　like　I　
was　going　to　have　to　do　something　about　Mike；　and　it　wouldn't　be　easy。　In　
a　town　like　this；　where　everyone　lived　on　top　of　everyone　else；　diplomacy　
was　essential。　I　had　never　been　enormously　tactful；　I　had　no　practice　
dealing　with　overly　friendly　boys。　

I　was　relieved　that　I　had　the　desk　to　myself；　that　Edward　was　absent。　I　
told　myself　that　repeatedly。　But　I　couldn't　get　rid　of　the　nagging　
suspicion　that　I　was　the　reason　he　wasn't　there。　It　was　ridiculous；　and　
egotistical；　to　think　that　I　could　affect　anyone　that　strongly。　It　was　
impossible。　And　yet　I　couldn't　stop　worrying　that　it　was　true。　

When　the　school　day　was　finally　done；　and　the　blush　was　fading　out　of　my　
cheeks　from　the　volleyball　incident；　I　changed　quickly　back　into　my　jeans　
and　navy　blue　sweater。　I　hurried　from　the　girls'　locker　room；　pleased　to　
find　that　I　had　successfully　evaded　my　retriever　friend　for　the　moment。　I　
walked　swiftly　out　to　the　parking　lot。　It　was　crowded　now　with　fleeing　
student