SKIN DEEP
twelve | glass house

Imogen stared at the greenery rushing by, the only color in the ordinary grey day. She was tense, her back straight and her hands resting on her thighs. 

She was in the car with her mother.

Bella had e-mailed her earlier in the morning to let Imogen know that she wouldn't be giving her a lift to school as Edward had turned up at the house, offering to drive her to school as ordinary couples do.

But they aren't ordinary, Imogen had thought while shrugging her shoulders.

"Did you enjoy dinner last night?" asked Evelyn, trying to clear out the silence.

Imogen just rose an eyebrow at her mother's awkward attempt at starting a conversation where there was really no need for one. So, instead of answering her mother's question, she threw back her own question, "Can we just not talk?"

Evelyn kept her eyes forward and sighed, "Can I not have a conversation with my daughter?"

Imogen let out a small breath, "No, because I do not wish to speak to you."

Evelyn sucked in a breath, "Imogen, would you stop being so harsh and defiant all the time?"

Imogen smirked when she noticed the 'Forks High School' sign appear. "No, I will be as harsh and defiant as I want because I will then be making my own decisions."

As the car came to slow as it pulled into the car park and Evelyn pulled up, she turned her body sideways to face her daughter. But, by the time she blinked and opened her mouth, Imogen had already exited the car, having no interest to hear another word leave her mother's mouth. Evelyn just groaned out in frustration and threw her head back against the head rest.

Imogen stood besides the car, looking around to see if she could catch the sight of Bella or the Cullens, but neither of them were there. So, she took it upon herself to actually attempt to be social and headed in the direction where screeches of excitement could be heard from Jessica.

"Yo, Imogen!" waved Eric, jumping up and down slightly, holding flyers in his hands. 

Imogen smiled awkwardly and joined them, "What do you have there, Eric?"

Eric smiled at Imogen and handed her one of the many flyers he was holding, ready to hand out to any passing student. "The word's out. It's Monte Carlo themed."

In a confidence that none of the others knew she had, Imogen said, "Well, if a flapper dress is not acceptable, then I cannot come."

Instead of taking on board what dress she said she was wearing, Jessica's mouth dropped open and she jumped in the spot slightly, her open-mouth turning into a wide smile that was slightly forced. "You're coming to the dance! No way!"

Angela smiled from besides her, knocking Imogen's shoulder slightly, "That's amazing news, Imogen."

Jessica nodded, agreeing with Angela. "So, who are you um, who asked you to the prom?"

Imogen looked down at her feet before turning her head away from the group slightly to where she spotted the Cullen clan - minus Edward - had parked up and were having a small conversation while glaring at the passing students who even glanced at them. She turned her gaze back to the girls and smiled in disappointment, "Nobody asked me. Alice just convinced me to go, especially with how gorgeous the dress is she has lent me for it."

Jessica looked at her dumbfounded, "Alice Cullen? Alice Cullen gave you a dress?" Then she added after a quick glance over at the Cullen, "But she's weird."

Imogen glared at Jessica slightly, before turning her gaze back to settle on the Cullens. "She's not weird."

Jessica let out a slight huff before turning back to what Eric was saying to other students passing by. Imogen continued to watch the Cullens glaring at everyone, before she landed her gaze on Jasper, who was staring at her intently. A light blush scattered across her cheeks under his gaze, before her head snapped away at Angela saying, "Oh my god."

Imogen followed Angela's line of sight to see Edward and Bella together, Edward placing his arm over Bella's shoulder in a cool manner and a slight smirk gracing his lips. Imogen just shook her head at the two, taking note of the obvious glare that Rosalie had set on Bella and Edward.

Just then, the bell rang and all students gravitated towards what most students would call their own personal hell.

***

"Are you looking forward to going to the, ah, prom?" When he spoke he sounded as though that question was foreign to him, as though it was something that he had never asked someone about.

Imogen turned her face towards him, blocking out her mother's voice, giving him her full attention. She smiled lightly, "Maybe." Then she looked down towards her hands resting on the desk, her thumbs picking at her fingernails.

Jasper's eyebrows furrowed, "Has someone asked you?" Imogen's eyes snapped back up to meet his golden ones, golden curious eyes staring at her like a cat.

She stammered slightly, becoming nervous from the very simple question. "No, they haven't."

Jasper looked even more curious, eyes seeming to brighten, "You have someone in mind?" His head tilted to the side slightly.

Imogen's eyes widened slightly at how forward he was being, something that seemed out of character for Jasper. She shook her head before facing forward again, turning her attention back to the lesson, Jasper doing the same after watching her for a few seconds longer.

***

"Why are we going to the house again?" Imogen asked her mother, looking out of the window at the trees rushing past. Just minutes before getting ready to go for her appointment with Carlisle, Evelyn informed her daughter that the appointment would be at the Cullens home and not at Carlisle's office.

Evelyn glanced at her daughter before her eyes focused back on the long, winding road. "He said that he had some things to deal with at home and didn't want you missing your appointment."

Imogen nodded and continued to stare at the scenery, eventually coming to recognize the same road that led to the Cullens' home. "You're going to be alright?"

Looking at her mother in the reflection of the glass, she nodded, "Why wouldn't I be?"

Evelyn shrugged her shoulders as she parked the car in front of the house. She let out a low whistle, staring at it in amazement, "This is nice. Why didn't you tell me it was so..."

Imogen watched her with an eyebrow raised, "Open? Light? A glass house?"

Evelyn just looked back at her daughter and pursed her lips. She just nodded and sighed. "I'll be here to pick you up tomorrow."

Imogen's eyebrows scrunched together, shaking her head in disbelief. "What?"

Evelyn's eyes lit up and nodded. "The Cullens invited you to stay. Well, more precisely, Alice. She apparently wants to have a sleepover."

Imogen closed her eyes and let out a deep breath before turning to open the door and escape the car, "Thanks for telling me, Evelyn." She slammed the door shut in her mothers face and shook her head in disbelief, but then let a small smile slip on to her lips and a little chuckle escape.