CH29: TROUBLE

Emmie's POV

Once daddy drove us to school and kissed us goodbye, Nessie left my brother and I to find Mia. Deep down I wished she'd be at my side for all my classes but I knew that she was a year ahead of us. Besides, I had all the time to spend with her at home. I completely understood that she had been separated from Mia for quite a while and that she wanted to make up for that lost time.
"What's up with the face?" Rommel asked with one of his eyebrows shooting up.
We had reached the main entrance by now and like the gentleman he was, despite his churlish ways at home, he opened the door for me.
The second we stepped into the halls, the loud, mindless chatter switched to inquisitive whispers. And being the absolutely beautiful half-immortals we were, we heard each every word said.
"I hate having to compete with not one, but TWO Cullen girls..."
"Rommel smiled at me the other day and I swear my heart was going to jump out of my chest!"
"I don't care if Emmie's a freshman. I'd tap that any day..."
The last comment was very flattering but disgusting at the same time. Those guys were lucky that my power was strong enough for me to keep my brother still.
I pulled him towards the south hallway where it was usually deserted.
"Rom, would you calm down please?" I asked him, getting peeved.
"How can I calm down when jerks like that are talking about you like that?" He replied matter-of-factly.
I rolled my eyes and shook my head. It was enough having my dad, 2 uncles and a grandfather being over protective of me. But I'd have to admit that even when it gets annoying, I'm grateful for Rommel.
I sighed and answered him.
"These guys are all talk. They never actually do anything but that. And come on, Rom. Don't tell me you don't enjoy everyone admiring us the way they do. Cos for me, I love it."
He returned the rolling of the eyes and said, "Well, duh. You were raised by Rosalie Hale. If anything, you crave attention more than mom does."
"Ha-Ha," I answered him as sarcastically as I could because he was telling the truth, I did love attention. I'm beautiful so I choose to embrace it. I honestly didn't get why everyone else in my family abhor the adoration humans have towards for our kind.
Just then the bell rang and my brother and I continued making our way to our home room. We were originally supposed to have different classes but Seth and my parents were clearly against it. They trusted us being independent and to confront high school life as individuals but having the father that we had, he definitely had no confidence in regular high school boys.
So as a result, we had all but one class together. 5th period was my orchestra class while he had band.
After another 5 minute walk to Health, hearing more of the inconspicuous prattle, we were finally upstairs and the day officially began.





It was lunch time now and I was in the food line. I had my eye on the last three red velvet cupcakes. I was second to next to the cash register when I felt a tap on my shoulder.
I turned around swiftly, thinking that it was Nessie wanting to cut in front of me.
"Hi, Emmie," Nina said shyly to me. It seemed she was almost hiding behind her usual stack of library books she carried around all the time.
"Hey there, Nina," I replied kindly.
I didn't really know her all that much and in a way, I kind of felt sorry for her. She had so much potential to be really pretty behind her accustomed ponytail braid and braces. The most surprising is how sweet and friendly she is. Her physical appearance would make you think that she was just the typical brace-faced nerd. Little did anyone really know was that she had a really stunning voice. And if that wasn't enough, she also had amiable heart.
Poppa told me how impressed he was with her. He began to notice that she would visit the hospital ever so often to read for the ill children and on other days she would comfort and talk with the elderly. It was a shame to see everyone treat her so insensitively.
"I know I'm probably bothering you right now but—"
"Oh, don't be silly! You're not bothering me. In fact, would you like to join me and my brother and sister?" I asked. It was easy for me to keep up this charade during school. I already see Nessie as my sister.
"Oh no, no, I couldn't. I wouldn't want to intrude. I just wanted to ask you a little favor."
As I paid for my cupcakes, I was starting to get really suspicious with what she wanted me to do.
"Umm, sure I guess. What can I do for ya?"
"Well I was wondering if you can give this to your mother and father," she answered, handing me an intricately patterned basket filled with several fruits, it seemed, that I've never seen before.
I looked at her completely puzzled and she continued speaking.
"It's kinda my way of saying thank you to your parents. My family and I were going through a tough time paying the hospital bills for my sister and plus with the emotional toll of her miscarriage..." she started tearing up and I didn't know what to do. I wasn't good at comforting humans. Thankfully, she composed herself and looked me straight in the eye.
"It's truly amazing to find that the people who don't have a beating heart are the ones willing to help the downtrodden."
I stared at her pale blue eyes in utter shock. Did I hear her correctly?
"Please extend my thanks yous to the rest of your family as well."
And just like that, she made her way out of the cafeteria. I stood at the same spot for another minute or so to process what just happened right now.
I didn't get that much time because before I knew it, someone else was trying to get my attention. And this time, it was Nessie.
Her expression frightened me even more than my conversation with Nina.
"Emmie, your brother..." was all she had to say to break my trance. I hated being surrounded by all these humans. I couldn't get to my twin fast enough to see what was going on...