Bella came back from Italy a few days later, the Cullens returning with her.
It was strange going to school with them, now knowing what they were. I wasn't scared, however. It was just something I had to get used to.
I was sitting with my friends, Mike, Jessica, etc., when Bella and Edward joined us. I made eye contact with Edward and gave him an awkward smile. He nodded back. I remembered Jake telling me something about some Vampires having powers. I wonder if Edward has any. I heard him let out a low chuckle. I looked at him curiously. "Can you hear me??" I thought, not aloud of course. He nodded. Good to know, I noted to myself.
Mike was talking about some sort of graduation speech that Jessica was giving. He spewed some cheesy crap about how "we are the future" and "Anything is possible if you just believe. I rolled my eyes, praying that my graduation speech would not be that cheesy.
I'm not gonna lie, the fact that my friends are graduating is making me a little worried for next year. I'd probably spend lunch alone unless I made some new friends, which was virtually impossible for me. The only reason I have friends now is because Mike was trying to get into my pants, which thankfully stopped recently. I think Jacob gave him the hint.
Angela nudged my arm, noticing me zoning out, "You good, Y/N/N?" I nodded, "Yeah, just thinking about how excited I am to watch Jessica's speech." I smiled, wrapping an arm around Jess and giving her a side hug that she leaned into.
It was then two more Cullens joined us, Alice and Jasper. "I've decided to throw a party." Alice chirped. "After all, how many times are we gonna graduate high school?" Jasper commented, earning a small giggle from me, which I covered with a cough. They both looked at me and I gave them the same awkward smile I had given Edward earlier.
Jake will probably smell them on me later and I'll have to explain that they sat by me at lunch. He wasn't jealous- just worried and cautious of the "leeches" as he called them. I pushed this to the back of my mind as they discussed the party. I chose not to say anything as I was probably not invited, me being an imprint and all. "Everyone's invited." Alice said, looking me in the eyes. I bit my lip and nodded.
The rest of the day went by quickly, nothing out of the usual happening. As soon as the last bell rang I gathered my things into my backpack and rushed outside- only to be met with my boyfriend waiting for me outside the school.
A wide smile broke across my face and I jogged towards him, pulling him into a hug that he quickly reciprocated. He sniffed me a little and pulled back with a scrunched face. "Why do you stink of bloodsuckers?" he asked, confused. I sighed, "A few of the Cullens sat at my table at lunch," I explained in a low tone. He looked angry, but then I put a hand on his arm, making him calm down.
We left before Bella and Edward came outside. Jake was avoiding Bella, and though I understood why I thought it was somewhat childish. He should just be happy that she's okay. A small part of me was happy that they didn't see each other, but I knew it was wrong. They were only friends, after all.
I liked having Jake pick me up from school. It meant I didn't have to ride the bus. I know I could drive, but I need to save money on gas. After all, I don't have a job and my mom works all the time just to pay bills, she doesn't need an extra thing to pay for.
"My place or yours?" Jacob yelled so I could hear him as we drove down main street. "Yours, my mom isn't home." I yelled back, leading him to take a turn down the road that led down the reservation.
One might think that I would want Jake to come over because my mom isn't home, but that's not the case. I like being around people, especially Jacob's family. Plus, I don't know how to cook- so it's a huge plus that either Emily or Billy cook when I'm at their respective houses.
After a few more minutes, we arrived at Emily's house. I quickly jumped off the bike and took off the helmet I had on. I set it on Jake's bike and walked into the house with him. "Hey Em!" I yelled as I entered the door. Emily turned her head to me and smiled. "Y/N! Ugh, I'm so happy you're here." she remarked, coming to give me a hug. I hugged her back just as tightly.
"Y/N, I gotta go patrol, are you good here?" Jacob asked, taking my hand as I turned around to face him. "Of course!" I said, kissing his cheek, "Be safe." He smiled and ran outside.
"So," Emily started, "how about a girl's night?" She knew I could never say no to that. I giggled and nodded. "I'll call my mom and let her know I'm staying the night here." I responded. My mom was glad to know that I was well taken care of tonight. She always worries about leaving me alone.
I sat on a stool at the kitchen island while Emily made dinner, I didn't even try to help because, as previously mentioned, I am not a good cook. I only know how to make eggs, bacon, and pancakes, and even those push my abilities to the limit at times.
"I'm worried about my mom. She's been pushing herself a lot lately. She works two jobs and is barely ever home." I confessed to Emily, "I want to help but I don't know how. I've offered to get a job but she refuses. She doesn't wanna 'take my childhood away from me' but I'm barely a child anymore. I'm sixteen and I turn seventeen in like three weeks." She gasped at the last sentence.
"Sorry to interrupt, but your birthday is in three weeks?! Why didn't you tell me??" Emily asked incredulously. I shrugged, "I've never really had a birthday party before so I didn't think it'd be a big deal. I just go out to eat with my mom every year. My dad was always too busy to come."
Every sentence I spoke only made Emily more shocked and sad. She shook her head before speaking, "Well, you're going to have a birthday party this year. And EVERYONE is coming. Do you wanna invite your friends?"
Before I knew it, Emily was in full birthday planning mode, planning the meal and cake, asking what decorations I wanted. I've never had someone care this much before, besides my mom. This will be the first time I'm actually excited for my birthday.
I am so grateful to have Emily in my life.