A "Normal" Day at Forks High

Subject: A "Normal" Day at Forks High Wed Mar 25, 2009 10:40 pm

Joan glanced around the cafeteria wearily, rubbing her arms for warmth. It was raining again like it did every day, just on and off. The gray sky and crappy, florescent lights made the room look unbearably bleak. It give Joan the chills. She walked over to her usual table in the far corner, closest to the doors. But more specifically, it was farthest away from the Cullens' usual table.

She didn't dare think about the Cullens, knowing what awful images it would bring to mind. But every now and then, she would ask herself, 'Did I really see what I thought I saw?' And the horrid answer would always be, 'Yes.' Soon, images of the night in the forest would flash through her mind.

The weather was much like it was now: rainy, cold, yet tolerable.

It had simply been a walk from her house, down the road and back. She needed to clear her head of the stressful day she had had.

She hadn't been expecting to sidetrack into the forest. She had simply wanted to see the scenery.

Joan didn't expect to see a deer scampering away in terror a few feet in front of her. She didn't want to see someone she knew, one of her fellow classmates even, jump on the back of the deer and push it towards the ground. He leaned over the helpless animal precariously, as if he were in deep thought. But soon, he swooped down and chomped into its neck. The deer sounded like it was dying.

She didn't stick around to see that her classmate had sucked the innocent animal dry. She already knew what had happened, though she wished she didn't. Instead, she ran as fast as she could, all the way back home, breathing heavily and thanking God that her classmate hadn't turned around and decided to eat her.

'A monster.' Joan wasn't stupid; she read enough folklore and mythology to know exactly what he was.

'A vampire.'

She watched his family walk in and sit down at their table with an air of superiority and mystery that made Joan want to gag. But instead, her throat clenched in fear as she saw the man who had taken the deer down, the one with blond locks and a pained face, walk in as if he were any normal high school teenager.

It made her seethe with anger.

Subject: Re: A "Normal" Day at Forks High Thu Mar 26, 2009 5:37 pm

Alice walked into the cafeteria beside Jasper, noticing his pained expression become even more pained, but not by much. She sighed. Ever since the Taylor girl had seen him hunting, he'd been a nervous wreck. They've all been on the edge, waiting for Joan to tell the world. Rosalie thought they should have just killed her. Alice had disagreed:

"Rose, she won't tell."
"Screw you! Just because she won't now doesn't mean she won't ever tell," Rosalie had countered.
"True, but if she does decide to tell, then we can kill her, or turn her into one of us, whichever Carlisle decides," Alice found herself pleading. "Please, Rose, we're not killers."
"Says you, but fine.We won't kill her...yet."

Alice relived this conversation as the Cullens walked towards their regular table, passing Joan's in the process. She noted Joan's subtle muscle tensing as she saw Jasper, but mentally shook herself. She won't tell, she reminded herself. But what's the harm in talking to her?

Decided on this, Alice rose from the Cullen's table, much to the others' concern. "I'm going to talk to her," she murmured so only the other Cullens could hear. Their distaste and shock wasn't lost on her, but she stood her ground. Gracefully, Alice walked over to Joan's table, trying to ignore the awkward stares from her fellow students.

"Hi Joan!" Alice said brightly as she approached Joan's table and sat down across from her. "I lost my notebook, do you know what the Biology homework was?" she used a simple pretense to get Joan talking. Hopefully it worked. Worse case scenario, Joan could scream bloody murder and the Cullens would have to relocate. Again. Alice mentally shook herself and continued smiling at Joan, hoping she didn't seem too peppy.

Subject: Re: A "Normal" Day at Forks High Thu Mar 26, 2009 9:56 pm

'Why is she over here?' Joan's heart skipped a couple beats at the pixie's sudden appearance. She didn't expect this either. 'Expect the unexpected now, I guess.' She thought quietly to herself.

Alice was probably over here to explain how her boyfriend really wasn't a vampire and their entire family really weren't monsters even though they all looked identical with their pale skin and golden eyes. Not to mention their tendencies of not eating and not coming to school on sunny days...

But Joan wouldn't buy any of it. She knew what she saw and Alice's sudden interest in talking to her was just more proof that it had happened.

Joan lifted her head from her lunch and smile timidly at Alice, even though Joan was a few inches taller than the vampire. 'Don't think of it as an advantage!' She scolded herself mentally as she told Alice in a friendly, strained tone, "It was the Punnet Square worksheet and to study for the quiz on genes..."

And then, Joan turned her focus back onto eating her lunch. 'There. Conversation done. Now go away, bloodsucker.'

Subject: Re: A "Normal" Day at Forks High Fri Mar 27, 2009 6:17 pm

"Okay, awesome, thanks!" Alice smiled at Joan, sensing that she probably wanted to be left alone. Little did she know that Alice Cullen never gave up. "Do you want to help me study?" she asked Joan for the benefit of the other students' curiosity before adding, "Joan, please talk to me. I really want to explain, may I do so without you running away screaming?" I really hope she listens to me, lest Rose gets her way...no, I won't let her. Joan will listen, she's a smart girl. Alice thought confidently.

Then the skeptic in her head began talking, What the hell are we doing here? You're only proving that Jasper actually did kill the Bambi-look a like in front of her. Why bother? She's going to tell. You know that.

Yeah, but I don't want her to be afraid of us, Alice responded meekly. Joan should at least understand us before judging us, we're not evil!

Says you, laughed the skeptic.

Shut up, I think she's going to talk! Alice turned her attention back to Joan.

Subject: Re: A "Normal" Day at Forks High Sat Mar 28, 2009 12:34 pm

Joan felt her hands tremble as her breathing froze; her eyes shot up from her lunch and looked straight into Alice's golden eyes once more. Her own eyes widened in fear; the vampire's voice sounded even more threatening covered by a coating of sickeningly sweet. '"Running away screaming"? That sounds...' Joan's thoughts trailed off as her human instincts took over at the thought of a threat from a predator.

She stood up from the table and ran out of the cafeteria, ignoring all the odd glances and stares from the student body. She needed to get the hell out of here before the vampires decided to dispose of her.

'At least I'm not screaming.' She thought sardonically to herself.

Subject: Re: A "Normal" Day at Forks High Sat Mar 28, 2009 5:56 pm

Alice looked around at the staring students, then at her siblings, who seemed mildly alarmed. Then she bolted out the door after Joan, at a safe, human pace. "Joan, wait! Joan!" she called after the human as she slowly caught up to her. "I just want to talk! Joan!" Aw great, I scared her witless, way to go, Einstein, Alice thought bitterly, still chasing Joan. "Please talk to me! I swear I won't hurt you! Joan!"

Alice kept up her steady pace once she was several feet behind Joan, wondering why the hell she bothered. She should have just left well enough alone, like Rosalie told her to. But Joan would have still been scared of the Cullens, and she didn't even know the whole story.

"Joan, please talk to me," she found herself pleading once again. She really needed to get a spine soon. Maybe after she got this all sorted out. If Alice could sort this mess out.

Subject: Re: A "Normal" Day at Forks High Sat Mar 28, 2009 7:41 pm

The pleading tone in Alice's voice made Joan stop in her tracks; she sounded really desperate to explain herself. She slowed down and looked around to find herself outside near the picnic tables. Joan turned to look at Alice who had also stopped in her tracks a couple feet away.

"Okay then," Joan suddenly found strength and defiance in her stride, taking the stupid advantage of the height difference between them; "Explain." 'Maybe it's the smart, reasonable thing to listen to what she has to say,' she told herself, 'Hopefully it won't kill me.'

Subject: Re: A "Normal" Day at Forks High Sat Mar 28, 2009 7:47 pm

Alice blinked, relieved to have Joan so readily agree to listen. I better make this good...

"Well, we are vampires, but not in the way you think. We don't kill humans, we hunt deer and other animals, as you witnessed Jasper doing. We're not evil, Joan, but we don't want the whole world to know either. Please keep our secret?" Alice explained in a rush, desperate for Joan to understand. I hope she keeps our secret, she better keep it....

Subject: Re: A "Normal" Day at Forks High Sat Mar 28, 2009 7:51 pm

Joan took a long intake of breath before it was kicked out of her by Alice's explanation; 'Only kills animals? Seriously?! So my life's not in danger? But wait...'

Joan asked curiously, examining Alice over like she was a new species of insects, "Why?"

Subject: Re: A "Normal" Day at Forks High Sat Mar 28, 2009 7:56 pm

"Why keep the secret? Or why kill only animals?" Alice inquired. "I'll answer both for good measure. We only kill animals because we want to coexist peacefully with humans, how can we do that while we suck their blood out for our own needs? And I'm asking you to keep the secret because the humans would flip if they knew, and there's other...different...vampires out there, ones that want the secret kept at all costs. Even lives," she added darkly. "Any other questions?"

Subject: Re: A "Normal" Day at Forks High Sat Mar 28, 2009 8:04 pm

Joan's blood ran cold at the thought of the other vampires; she shuddered visibly but soon began to chuckle. She had no idea why since she was scared witless at this moment. But she just couldn't stop the deranged laughter at all.

"I... I don't believe it," she managed to say as she held her sides in her fit of laughter, "I don't believe any of it. There's no way..." 'Calm down, Joan... Don't go insane now of all times,' Her inner mind told her, making her laughter die down a little.

Joan asked with some laughter still in her tone, "How do I know you won't kill me?"

Subject: Re: A "Normal" Day at Forks High Sat Mar 28, 2009 8:06 pm

Alice rolled her eyes. "Have you noticed any odd disappearances since we arrived in town? No? Well, wouldn't there be any mysterious deaths around town if we were truly evil?"

Subject: Re: A "Normal" Day at Forks High Sat Mar 28, 2009 8:18 pm

"Well, what about Bella Swan?" Joan countered, feeling confident despite her overall fear of having a conversation with this predator. She continued in a matter-of-fact tone, "Ever since she started dating Edward, she's been in more trouble than she needs to be. Almost getting hit by a car, coming back from visiting her mom in a leg brace and several cuts and bruises... That doesn't sound very safe."

Joan wasn't exactly the greatest of friends with Bella but whenever something happened to the new, popular girl, it would circulate around the entire school. And now, she was using the information to prove a vampire wrong. Huh.

Subject: Re: A "Normal" Day at Forks High Sat Mar 28, 2009 8:30 pm

"That's because Bella's too desirable for her own good, most of the human- eating vampires want her blood, that's how she keeps getting hurt," Alice explained. "We're not evil, Joan."

Alice knew someone was going to question Bella's injuries, but not quite like this. She steeled herself for any other questions Joan might ask.

Subject: Re: A "Normal" Day at Forks High Sat Mar 28, 2009 8:44 pm

Joan huffed in disbelief at the explanation, "So are you saying you guys are pure and pacifists? That you've never killed in your life? Well, I call bullshit on that because vampires are created to be predators to humans. How can you not be evil? It's your nature... or it's supposed to be."

'Where the hell is this confidence coming from?! Especially in the face of danger?' Joan thought, shocked by how her usual assertiveness was suddenly overtaking her fear.

Subject: Re: A "Normal" Day at Forks High Sat Mar 28, 2009 8:50 pm

"I'm not saying we're pure, we've killed some humans, but we have self-control now, there's no need to worry," Alice explained.

Why am I proving myself to this human? I should just kill her now, Alice thought exasperatedly.

Subject: Re: A "Normal" Day at Forks High Sat Mar 28, 2009 9:12 pm

Joan was about to say something more when the school bell rang. The students from inside began to mill back in, casting glances at the two in fiery debate.

But Joan ignored it, saying, "I've got to go now, vampire. I still don't trust you but I'm not blabbing your secret to the world anytime soon so don't worry." She turned and walked towards the parking lot, thanking God that she had a partial schedule and could leave right after lunch. 'I don't know how long I could have talked to her without getting killed.'

She unlocked her SUV when she heard a shout from behind her; "YO! JOAN!"

She whipped around to see Mike, Jessica and Tyler running towards her. 'Since when did they decide to start talking to me again? Oh well, play nice, Joan. Or else, they'll start some nasty rumors about you like they did the Cullens and Bella.' She didn't know why but inside her, she felt a pang of pain for the Cullens and how everyone treated them. But she ignored it, turning towards her 'kind of' friends.

"Hey guys," she smiled tiredly, "What's up?"

Mike said in a triumphant, loud voice, "Road trip!"

"You guys have class, don't you?" Joan inquired, "You are still juniors."

Jessica shrugged, throwing her bag into the backseat, "So? You're a senior. And it's healthy to skip."

Joan sighed, "All right, where to?"

"PORT ANGELES!" They are chimed in.

Tyler climbed into the passenger seat as Mike and Jessica climbed into the back; he asked, "Hold on, what's up with you and the Cullen girl?"

Joan closed her door and revved the engine and said angrily, "Nothing. Really. She just lost her homework."

Tyler persisted, "Then why did she chase you-"

"I said NOTHING. NOW stop being a BRAT and buckle up." Joan said aggressively. It wasn't fair to take her anger out on these guys but she was still steaming about the Cullens 'chaste' ways. 'It's not true,' she reasoned, 'There's no way they could be around humans this long and not snap.'

She glanced back in her rearview mirror to see Alice still standing there, staring at her. She looked away, shuddering in fear, 'That's NOT creepy.'

-----Later that night------

Subject: Re: A "Normal" Day at Forks High Sun Mar 29, 2009 3:06 pm

Alice stared after Joan and her 'friends', kind of dazed. What the hell just happened? Did I seriously just tell her about us? Then she noticed her family approaching her. Oh God, I'm in for it now...

"ALICE! Get in the car! NOW!" Rosalie screamed as the Cullens got into her convertible.

Alice meekly obeyed, sliding into the backseat between Emmett and Jasper.

"Now, what the HELL was that? WHAT IN THE NAME OF DR. PHIL DID YOU TELL HER?" Rosalie snarled.

"Um, it's called 'loving thy neighbor'?" Alice looked away from Rosalie's glare, looking down at her lap. "She had to know, so I told her...about us...and our diet...and other stuff..."

"Alice, love, you shouldn't have done that, we're going to have to relocate now," Jasper chastised her gently, ignoring Rosalie's growl at the word "relocate."

"We can't relocate! I'm so close to graduating!" Rose wailed, glaring at Alice with such intensity Alice feared she'd die from the hatred.

"Rose, we won't have to relocate, I know it," Alice responded.

"Oh really? So we're going to kill Joan?" Rose asked dubiously.

"No, we won't. Joan will keep the secret, I'm sure of it," Alice said confidently.

"Shorty...humans can't keep secrets," Emmett shook his head with doubt.

"Some can't, but I know Joan will," Alice tried persuading her family. "I'm thinking of stopping by her house tonight and talking to her. She hates us, but only because she doesn't understand."

"What are you going to do? Bite her?" Rosalie chuckled. "You better not, Carlisle would flip."

"No, not exactly. I'm just going to talk to her..."

"You're not going to turn into a Edward, are you?" Emmett laughed.

"No, I'm not in love with her, you sick bastard!" Alice smacked Emmett.

"Just making sure."

The vampires drove to the Cullen house and discussed what course of action should be taken. Carlisle was all for Alice talking to Joan, but Rosalie disagreed. Alice just tuned them all out except for Carlisle, who she was fond of.

"Okay, I'm going now," Alice said once the sun went down. I need to get out of here! she screamed on the inside. "Bye everyone!" she kissed all the Cullens on the cheek, then went out to the garage. She got into her Porsche and began to drive to Joan's house, more than a little nervous. C'mon, the worst she can do is slam the door in your face, she told herself as she approached Joan's house and knocked on the door.

Subject: Re: A "Normal" Day at Forks High Sun Mar 29, 2009 5:36 pm

Joan stepped out of her bathroom, drying her hair with the towel when she heard the doorbell ring. She called down to her dad, "I got it!" He only grunted in return, too focused on the basketball game. Joan rolled her eyes but smiled good-naturedly at her father's boyish tendencies.

It was nice to have such a loving and caring father, someone who would appreciate you for who you are and was also easy to talk to. About anything.

'Well, almost anything,' Joan thought dejectedly as she thought back to the conversation she had today with one of the Cullen snobs, Alice. 'Well, they aren't really snobs,' She reasoned, 'Just secretive. With good reason.' Yet, she still couldn't wrap her mind around the fact that five of her classmates were actually vampires. Well, vampires who don't suck human blood, but vampires nonetheless.

She had been rather frightened by the prospect of it but after the conversation, she felt a bit more reassured if not anymore cautious about it. It still was a lot to take in.

Joan looked out the front window and Alice Cullen, of all people, was standing under her porch light, waiting patiently by the door. She took in a slight intake of breath at the sudden appearance of her but somehow expected her presence after today's conversation.

So she straightened out her sweats and tank top so she looked a bit more presentable and opened the door with a half-hearted smile, "Hey, Alice."

Subject: Re: A "Normal" Day at Forks High Sun Mar 29, 2009 5:46 pm

Alice observed Joan's somewhat disheveled appearance. "Oh, I'm sorry, did I disturb you?" she asked. I hope I haven't pissed her off... she thought worriedly. "I wanted to talk about today's conversation, I didn't want you to go away pissed, you know?"

Subject: Re: A "Normal" Day at Forks High Sun Mar 29, 2009 5:50 pm

"It's cool," Joan replied smoothly, "Just decided to clean up." She gestured inside her house, "You wanna come in?" 'Wait, why am I being nice? She is still a vampire!' Joan's inner mind yelled at her but Joan chose to ignore it, allowing Alice to come in.

Subject: Re: A "Normal" Day at Forks High Sun Mar 29, 2009 5:56 pm

"Sure, thanks," Alice stepped into the house. "Um, what's caused the change of heart? I was under the impression you hated us..." she asked quizzically.

Subject: Re: A "Normal" Day at Forks High Sun Mar 29, 2009 6:04 pm

"I don't hate you," Joan answered honestly, "I don't have enough reason to hate you nor do I know you enough to hate you."

'God, I sound like the cultured mother that my dad teases about.' She scolded herself mentally as she continued to explain, "I think you understand that it's... instinctive to shy away or fear someone so... predatory if you will."

'Stop it, STOP IT!' Joan continued to yell at herself, 'Try to sound your age! She think YOU'RE the freak here if you keep it up!' "So we can chill upstairs for a bit, if it'd make you feel better." Joan offered as she made her way to the bottom of the stairs.

Subject: Re: A "Normal" Day at Forks High Sun Mar 29, 2009 6:10 pm

Alice blinked at Joan's vocabulary. Seriously? Has she hit her head? "Yeah, I totally understand," she said as she followed Joan up the stairs. "Since you don't know that much, what do you want to know?" she inquired. "I'm willing to answer any and all questions."

Subject: Re: A "Normal" Day at Forks High Sun Mar 29, 2009 6:33 pm

"Jo, sweetie!" Her father called from the living room. It sounded like a commercial break. "Who was at the door?"

Joan said in return, "One of my tutor kids. Came in late because of orchestra rehearsal. We'll be upstairs."

"Can you come in here for a minute, honey?" 'Oh crap. Don't bust me now, Dad...' Joan jerked her head upstairs, gesturing to Alice that she should go now. Joan went back downstairs into the living room.

Her dad has his arms crossed over his chest, standing next to his favorite spot on the couch: directly in front of the TV. She twisted her arms behind her back, twining her fingers as she smiled innocently, speaking in what she hoped to be a normal tone, "What's up?"

Her dad had that serious 'I'm concerned' look on his face that she knew all too well, "Jo, you know I don't like when you tutor kids this late at night. You're going off to college soon. You still need to keep up your own grades in your final semester of high school. That also means... You need a good night's sleep every night until then. So not too late, okay, sweetie?"

Joan's heart warmed at her dad's concern, causing her to give him a big bear hug and smile big, "Okay, Dad. I promise." She pulled away and bounded upstairs to her room when her dad called out, "I love you." She looked over the railing down at him and smiled, "I love you too."

She pulled away and walked into the room, shutting her door close quietly as she started, "I'd like to know everything about you, Alice. Where you came from, how you got here, how long you've been a vampire... Just... start anywhere."

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