The end of the school day quickly came. I hadn't paid much attention in class, my thoughts revolving around if I would see Alice again before the end of the day. As I walked outside I noticed the afternoon had become sunny and the silver Volvo was nowhere in sight. I guessed they may have left early to enjoy the rare sunny afternoon in Forks. Hopping into the S13 I drove home, upon entering the house I began to breeze through the early graduation paperwork, leaving out the papers that required parental signatures. Despite being 18, I wouldn't fight the process. I would just have my dad sign them when he gets off work.
Walking outside to my aluminum shed/garage, I took a moment to look over my car. After ensuring everything was pristine, I headed over to my weight rack. I hadn't lifted since the lightning strike, I was waiting to make sure my body was fully healed. Despite being only 5 7' I was pretty strong. I've never really lifted for the gains, I always did it solely to increase my strength. Before the strike I had recently reached a new max 200 lbs on the bench press. I threw on 180 lbs for reps and began pressing the weight. I noticed very little strain. It didn't take long before I decided I needed to move up 10 lbs. I moved up 4 times before I noticed I was benching 220 lbs. I had already broken my previous max, unsure of why it felt so easy, I continued to move up in weight until I reached 250 lbs, where I began to feel strain again. It seemed like 250lbs was my new reps max. I wondered what my 1 rep max was but I didn't have a spotter. I didn't understand why I was so much stronger than previously. I decided not to question it much considering it is likely because of my maturing body, knowing you only fully stop growing around 25 years old.
I wiped the bench clean of my sweat and went inside knowing that dad would soon be home and dinner would soon be served. As I walked in the kitchen Bella glanced up and said, "so you and Alice Cullen, huh?". Turning to Bella, I stated. " I met her for the first time today, but I like her". "Why is it weird to be friends with the Cullens?" I asked. Bella launched into an explanation of the gossip some girl named Jessica told her about the Cullens. After which I said, "well, I could care less what she said, I judge people on what they do, not what other people say they do". Following this comment Bella handed me some dishes, instructing me to set the table. A couple minutes later our dad came through the door giving me a hug and thanking Bella for making dinner.
Once again after dinner me and my dad were washing and drying the dishes. "Hey dad, could you sign the papers I have on the coffee table? They are for the early graduation thing" I asked. He responded shortly, "of course kid, I'll put them on the counter when I'm done". I offered an appreciative "thanks dad", before heading up to shower and get in bed. I knew I needed to get some good sleep to recover after having lifted for an hour earlier.
I woke up to my alarm clock the next day, excited to turn in my early graduation paper work so as to not slow the process to longer than 2 weeks. I was also hoping to see Alice at lunch again today. However, upon arrival at the school, I noticed there was no silver Volvo in the parking lot. A little let down, I headed into the school and dropped my packet of papers to Mrs. Cope, before heading into my first class. The day passed slower than expected. It was likely because of the disappointment of not being able to see Alice. The only nice thing about the day was the sun was out and it was warm out. They passed and the night continued in the routine dad, Bella, and I had started.