『 CHAPTER iii: JUNE WAS ... 』

JUNE WAS HAPPY. SO EVERYONE IN SCHOOL SAID. June was this. June was that. June woke up on the right side of the bed this morning. June got a new box of Pop Tarts, her friend Tyler Crowley joked. June was off of work today. June was not going to die. That last one was far fetched. No matter how many June was she heard throughout the morning, no one could actually correctly guess what June was exactly, well, was. The real reason was intangible. June couldn't exactly show everyone what she was excited about, because that's what she was more than anything, excited. Bella was supposed to be arriving in a few days. June could hardly contain the beam that came from her and everyone seemed to notice.

Even her dad when he was making her Pop Tarts in the toaster, gave her a weird look as she practically bounced from the stairs. Her outfit even took form of her excitement — a yellow sweater with a baby blue skirt and some long socks that had a few holes in them with her trusty Converse that had seen more rainy days than sunny. June was eccentric-feeling today.

Whatever the case people thought she was happy or excited or anxious about, it all boiled down to her big sister coming to live with them starting tomorrow. June wondered if Bella would like her. She had always been marvelous company to June. Though they were four and five respectively and Bella had always seemed older for her age and took the responsibilities too seriously — June can remember five year old Bella warning June to not eat PlayDoh and June giggling the whole time as Bella chased her to keep it out of her mouth. Times changed though, Bella could've too. She could just not care about June and strictly want to finish school and that was it. Which would be fine. June didn't need everyone to like her, that was a life motto. She didn't hate anyone either. Bella disliking her would matter in the long run away. Because you can't affect someone who's gonna die with your hate.

She'd stress over it later, at length. Right now she had to deal with the attention seeking of the fellow school peers as she walked into the school — the con of Forks, everyone knew your damn business before you could fully comprehend your own damn business. So June was ... steadily faking the oh, thank you's and the polite, sure's when Eric or Tyler or Mike or any other guy came up and asked to carry her bags to class. Usually it was always Mike. June could barely look him in his sad puppy blue eyes. Their friends always used to say if they got married and had kids, their brood would have the most prettiest blue eyes.

And on her way to second period, AP biology, Mike walked beside her, straining under the weight of her bags ( as she strained through daily ) did Mike do the one thing that she was dreading the entire walk: he talked.

"Cheer going good?" Mike asks firstly.

June indulges him, "It's great, tons of teen spirit — like Nirvana level. But none of girls would know good alt music even if it slapped them in the face."

"Still got those vinyls I got you?" Mike presses, smiling at her words. "From Port—"

"Angeles?" June finished, chuckling at the absurdity of his question. As if she'd chuck them out? "Of course. You can't find those babies anywhere else in that good of condition for that price."

"You always did like that vintage stuff." Mike looked at her in that starry eyed way he always had.

"Still do," June says awkwardly. She clears her throat, knowing she was being too calloused. She'd dial it down. "But how are you, Mikey, and your family? I haven't seen your mom in forever, I miss her so much. And her tuna casserole."

Mike brightens visibly. "Well my moms good, she misses you too. And dad. They're busy with the store as usual." He nods. "You should come over sometime."

June softens, "Yeah. I'd like that."

The hope that blooms in Mike's eyes hurts her more than a sunny day going away. "Really?"

"Of course," She nods. "I mean, just cause we're not together doesn't mean we can't still hang out. As friends. We used to have such a good time remember? We were good friends before we were anything and it doesn't need to change—"

"No, June," Mike says suddenly. His eyes darken to a navy and she blinks. "I can't do this."

June understands. She tucks a strand of honey colored hair behind her ear, nodding. "I get it."

Mike sets down her bag gently. He gestures to the class they've stopped by. Her class. "I want to. I do. But it's ... it's too much." He says to her. "You mean a lot to me, June. You're the best thing that's ever happened to me. In this town, there isn't anyone else like you—"

"That's not true. I'm nothing." She says quickly. "And that's the reason we never would've worked in the long run. I'm too perfect to you. In your eyes I could do nothing wrong. That's not what a relationship should be — you should love someone, with their faults." He could never know mine. Relishing in my awaited death.

"What's so wrong with being perfect in my eyes?" Mike asks, his voice helpless. "When you are."

June swallows thickly. She picks up her bags and finds it strange she doesn't find them as heavy as Mike did. "That's a dangerous thing, Mikey. You got a big heart, and that's not the dangerous part; whoever you end up with is gonna be lucky to have someone who loves them that much." She goes to the door. "But it's not me."

During the entire class time of Bio she's nervously shifting the rings on her fingers. She doesn't know why; she finishes her worksheet quicker than everyone else had. June finds herself seeing those horrid images she had seen when she passed out. She puts her head down and it's only worse. When she looks up, she subconsciously turns to see Alice Cullen and Jasper Hale sitting there in the far off corner as they usually do. Alice Cullen, her pretty face, pulls a queer smile and nods to her in acknowledgment. Jasper Hale, his curly blonde hair and all, moves a little when he nods as well to her. June gives a semblance of a smile. There's something off about things now — things are different almost. And not because she didn't even want to touch any plants without the fear of them sprouting up like the flowers of the Garden of Eden.

      The bell rings and she sighs, gathering her stuff and once again frowning to herself as to why her bag isn't as heavy as usual. Maybe she had grown used the weight. Making her way to her third period, she's stopped by someone when she hears her full name being called out. Furrowing her brows, she turns and comes face to face with who called her.

               "Juniper." Edward Cullen is standing right in front of her. The Edward Cullen. He has a bouquet of flowers in his hands. She tried really hard not to focus on the type of flowers. "My family heard about what happened. My father told me you liked Bellflowers." He hands her the bouquet.

Hesitantly, still in shock, she takes it. Edward had never spoke more than ten words to her just stared. "Bellflowers are my favorite, thanks, Edward—" She eyes the beautiful flowers.

         "I'd like to apologize for my ... behavior." Edward says out the blue. His eyes are an extreme type of gold.

"Behavior?" June laughs a bit. "You've never showed me you have any. You just look at me like I ran over your dog. All your family does, actually."

       Edward doesn't falter, he only meets her eyes coolly. "Then I apologize for that. You just look like someone we used to know, that's all."

June blinks. She doesn't really know what to say? Because she never thought she'd be in this situation. Talking to Edward Cullen. Or any Cullen for that matter. She thought they strongly disliked her. "Oh. It's fine really ... I just thought you had some issue with me, or that maybe I might've done something unconsciously or you heard rumors—"

"I don't hate you, if that's what you presume," Edward chimes, his face pulling into a brilliant smile.  "None of my family does. In fact we hold your father in high regards, he's always been kind to my father. That extends to you, Juniper."

"June."

Edward furrows his brows. "Sorry?"

"Everyone calls me June," She says as she hugs her notebook to her chest, the flowers in her hand. "Like my friends and stuff."

       "And I'm your friend?" Edward's lips twitch, amused. "Or stuff."

June looks at him with big blue eyes. "If you wanna be," She shrugs playfully. "There is some benefits of being my friend believe it or not; of the I work at a Sully's Diner and can get you extra fries kinda variety."

            "I'm leaning more on the cheerleading co-captain, kinda variety," Edward surprises her with his joke.

"Who knew you were full of jokes, Cullen?" June quirked a brow.

"It tends to happen from time to time." Edward retorts, then more somberly. "I'm sorry I've never made it a deal to talk to you sooner."

June can't help but think the same. He was good company so far, he made her smile. It was a rare feat, because she didn't want to brag, but June Swan was an expert fake-smiler. That and she was, well, you know gonna die ... sometime, she didn't know when of course, but there was that other regret. Edward furrowed his brows, perplexed and heavy hearted hearing the girls passing thoughts as she smiled up at him. He tried to dig but it was like a barrier was there, like if she was unconsciously not letting him in her mind.

     "So, why didn't you?" Her voice brings him out of his prying in her mind.

Edward leaned on the wall, raising a brow. "Sorry?"

June sighed playfully, "Why didn't you ever talk to me? I know you're a junior and all—"

"It has nothing to do with our age difference," Edward says quickly. She furrows her brows. He smiles. "It's more of a ... social issue. You're not exactly available all the time. Or approachable."

June was taken aback, "Me? That's–I am so approachable! I mean I work a lot and stuff but I've decided to cut back after fainting—"

Edwards chuckle cuts her off, "You don't even know, do you? Really know. It's amazing."

   June faltered, "Okay then, tell me what I don't know, oh wise and observant Junior Edward Cullen."

He nods, accepting the challenge with a smile. "For starters, your ex looks like he's seconds away from ripping my head off."

June's eyes widened and she turns to see Mike Newton in fact full on staring at Edward like he ran over his dog. She frowned at her own analogy. She was so morbid. But Mike kept glaring and Edward stared back. June rolled her eyes. "He's ... I don't know what he is."

"In love with you."

"He might think he is," June retorts.

Edward raises his hands in defense, but he doesn't drop his smile. "You don't approve of having an admirer?"

                     June rolls her eyes, looking down at her flowers and then back at Mike who smiled at her softly. She smiled back then said to Edward. "Love is a nice thing to have, but I never really knew him enough to love him. And he doesn't know me. He can't possibly love me."

"I assume you don't believe in Coup de Foudre?"

June tilted her head, "Excuse-eh-moi?"

Edward throws his head back and laughs a bit and it surprised the people around them walking by to hear him do so. June chuckles. "It's French, you got that part. But Coup de Foudre, basically an event you can't control, you can't see it, love at first sight is the prime example."

            Or in my case, your own death, June thinks to herself smugly. Again, Edward catches her passing thoughts and frowns for a still moment. She shakes her head at him, "Oh, then no, it wasn't a Coup de whatever." She replies coolly.

The bell rings suddenly. Edward and June look at each other. He raises a brow. "You should have lunch with my siblings and I — today."

    June winced, "I promised Sully's I'd go in early."

Edward grins, standing straight.  "Did the taking it easy part my father told you about mean nothing?"

         "I'm not some weakling," June frowns. "It's been a few days. I'm fine. Chill." He nods. She snaps as if she's gotten an idea. "You all could come to Sully's! If you fancy a greasy burger, or ya know," She gestures to him. "Eat human food. I'm sure we can grab some grass outside and put it in a bowl for a more healthier option."

Edward leans on the pillar again. "Burgers are fine." He tells her. "Sully's lunch for then. I'm always game for a good chance to ditch."

              June hummed and held her notebook tighter, "A bro after my own heart," She says cheekily, she's so pretty he smiles even more. "I may not believe in French phrases but I do believe this is a start of a beautiful friendship, right?."

Edward stuffed his hands in his jeans, those grand topaz colored eyes staring back at her. Her blue eyes were quite magnificent, he'd like to say he's never seen them before. But that was a lie. He's seen them once, on a face that was exactly like June's. Only it wasn't June. That girl lived in a very different time than now. But it was as it had been back then; blue and gold, fighting against each other. Edward had kept his distance — he had been distant for two years, he would've never had, but then June Swan had to go and wear the face of a ghost he thought he had buried almost a half century ago.

     "I truly wish for that very much, June."

•—•—•—•

SULLY'S WAS AS BUSY AS IT ALWAYS WAS and her boss, Farrah Sully, had gave her a stern lecture about overworking herself. Nodding the entire time, June went on to do as she usually did. Overwork. June couldn't believe the simple exhaustion diagnosis that Dr. Cullen gave her. She wasn't sure she'd believe anything anymore until she figured it out herself — she didn't know what terminal illness had you bringing to life dead flowers with a simple touch. June knew the reason she collapsed in pain was something more than overworking herself. Maybe it had nothing to do with it. Whatever the case, she retraced her steps that day to try and pinpoint what exactly she could've done that caused her mental pain. She did schoolwork but if it was going to give her an episode like that, then she'd be on the floor everyday.

June almost dropped the food she was setting down on a table when she finally remembered; she touched Jared Cameron's shoulder. June could scarcely remember their reactions, only bits and pieces. Sam had been the one yelling at the whole diner to call an ambulance and he ended up picking her up and taking her in his truck or something. She couldn't remember Jared. Or why she reacted in such a way. She had hugged Sam the other day. It couldn't be her cousin. June was more determined than ever to find out what exactly was going on with her; she feared going to her grandmother's house. Daphne, her mom, had forbade her from going when Daphne herself wasn't there. June never understood why but Daphne's orders were left to Charlie and in turn, it was usually what her mom said was the real deal. She need to know though. Maybe her grandma can tell her something more, maybe another peak at her cards and a glimpse of an upcoming death? Hers? Maybe? Hopefully? Or just maybe that June was ... something.

The door opened, signaled by the ding of the bell at the top. June was on her break when she saw who it was that walked in. The Cullen's, minus no one, we're all there. His siblings were eyeing the diner as if it was some museum; she was sure they'd never been here before, to the diner she means. Because she was sure that with their bodies, they did a lot more of that hiking than eating these greasy ( but delicious ) burgers and whatnot.

                    June caught Edward's eye. She waved. He smiled and gestures where they could sit. June went over, "You all can sit wherever, I'll bring the menus." She called to them.

      Edward nods to her and his family watch as she goes off towards the back. They take a seat on a booth in the far corner and all settle when it's the silent tension that is brought up. Edward can feel his sister, Rosalie, glare at him as she had been since he told them they were coming to the Diner where June worked. He knew he was insensitive. He knew it in his core that Rosalie always had the most difficult time even looking at the girl who wore her old best friend's face so easily, so alive, so living. But he couldn't hold himself back anymore.

      "Is no one talking?" Alice raises a brow as she looks to her husband who has the same thought, "I think that June even sounds like her."

Rosalie's eyes darkened. "But she isn't her."

      Emmett sighs as Edward tosses him a look, rubbing his wife's arm in comfort, "Baby, come on. Ali's just pointing out the—"

"Obvious?" Rosalie finishes, scoffing as she cross her arms and sends another glare Edward's way. "Yeah, I've noticed that June Swan sounds just like my dead best friend, Alice."

            Alice sighed, "I thought it would make you feel better." She says wistfully. "Seeing June; it would give you some closure—"

            "It gives me no closure when a fraud has the face of—" Rosalie immediately stops. She hears when June comes back out of the back room with menu's in her hands.

June smiles at all of them, "Here you go," She says as she hands them each a menu. She looks to them and takes out her notepad. "Drinks, anyone, first off?"

     Emmett nods, "I'm feeling a chocolate milkshake."

June's pretty blue eyes sparkled, "Alright, good choice. And for the rest?"

Edward wanted a Sprite, Rosalie wanted a tea and Alice wanted a milkshake as Jasper and Emmett ordered. Writing it all down she saw they had skimmed through the menu and closed it up. June raises a brow, "Ready to order?" 

    "We'll all take some burgers," Edward answers smoothly.

June beamed, "They're legit the best thing on this earth." She vows.

"I'll keep you to your word, Juniper." Emmett shoots her a easy smile and nods.

"You all can call me June," She tells them, meeting their eyes. She notices at Rosalie looks at her almost pained. June clears her throat. There's another waitress that passes by and June hands her the order to which the girl nods. June looks back to them. "Is this your guys first time here?"

"First time." Alice smiles. "Nice place."

June nods, "Ain't it?" She beams. "Has that old school vibe I wished to live in — when milkshakes and burgers and fries costed three dollars and there was a jukebox playing jazz."

   "Didn't know you liked jazz." Edward said.

"Duh, we like, just started talking. Today." June rolled her eyes at him and it earned a chuckle from his family. "Plus, not that I'm ashamed, people wouldn't know good jazz anyway."

"Edward here has a pretty decent collection," Jasper chimes with a nudge to his brother.

            June's eyes brighten, Edward falters under her gaze that is too blue to be human. "I do. You should come see it sometime."

"Dude, I'd love that." June says earnestly.

"Rose is a good singer, too." Edward gestures to the blonde who kept staring at June sadly. She sobered up and blinked. "Right?"

        Rosalie says softly, "My brother likes to brag."

June smiles at her. "I'm sure it's not anything near as tone deaf as me, though."

Emmett grins, "I'm sure that's not true."

June laughs a bit, wincing. "The dogs nearby start howling up thinking its some sort of siren or something."

The Cullen's laugh at her words and the bell dings which means the order was ready. June gets and walks over to the island where the food rests. She gets it and brings it over to them. Setting down each plate to each sibling along with their drink. Satisfied, she clasps her hands together.

"Okay, enjoy," She tells them. "Or bon appetite. See Edward, I know French too."

Edward chuckles a bit but then it's like the entire diner goes silent as the door opens and the bell rings out. June frowns as she sees the entire Cullen family go stiff as rods and turns to see its only Sam and Jared by the door, along with Billy Black and Old Quil and Harry Clearwater. June thought that was strange; for same to be with his former father in law, so casually as if Sam didn't break his daughters heart. They immediately meet her eyes and she feels a million times smaller. Sam catches her eye and then who she's serving, and she swears his eyes go black.

June goes over to them, "Hey, guys, take a seat wherever I'll be with you all right now—"

"What are they doing here?" Sam immediately asks.

June somehow knows he's talking about the Cullen's. For some reason, the Rez people always had a problem with them. "Because, Sam, I invited them to try out the burgers."

Sam looks at her, unconvinced. "Really?"

"Yes, really," She hisses back. "Now, what's your damage—?"

"I'll talk to Farrah Sully," Harry Clearwater steps in suddenly, talking to Sam rather than her. "Tell her that June had to go home early—"

"What? Harry, why?" June asks, suddenly outraged.

He says nothing but his eyes drift off to where the Cullen's sit. June was outraged when more. She never got the prejudice that everyone gave them. They were just kids, her age, their dad was a respected doctor that didn't need anything of the treatment that some people from the Reservation gave them. They were lucky to have Dr. Cullen, who could've gone anywhere else and gotten paid better but they stayed in this small town all for people like her cousin and Harry and the rest of the Rez to hate them. June didn't get, June was ... confused more than anything.

"June, I think it's best if you just go home." Billy Black came up next to them and told her. "Charlie should be waiting at home, you should rest. It's a long ride to pick up your sister tomorrow."

June bit her tongue. She smiled at them sweetly, they all seemingly relaxed at her smile. "You're right." She said and then called out. "Five to-go boxes!"

Suddenly, she was giving them to the Cullen's who immediately knew what June was doing and began to put their burgers in the boxes. She stared at Sam who was on the verge on some kind of rapid testosterone frenzy. She smiled at them again.

"Hey, Eddie, you mind taking me home?" She says smoothly.

Sam and Jared's eyes widened and Sam immediately went to protest, "I can take you."

"I don't want you to," June said.

"June—"

"It's not really up to you, Sammy." She says.

"June please just—"

Edward, reading her thoughts the whole time she was giving silent ire to her cousin, smiles genuinely. "It's really no problem. I'd be more than glad to take her home." He says. His family all walk out the diner and he puts a cold hand on June's arm. "Ready, June?"

June didn't look back at the angered faces of Billy and Harry and Sam and Jared and Old Quil. She could feel it somehow. But she didn't care; she knew her dad would applaud her for her actions. He hates the prejudice as much as she does. She remembered a time where Billy and Charlie didn't talk for weeks because of the Cullen's moving in. And as June, she was really glad with her choice as Rosalie and Alice and she all stared talking about random things here and there the whole way to her house. They didn't fit the bitchy and weird stereotypes that everyone had given that school; Rosalie was actually a sweetheart that looked like she could kill you and Alice was a sweetheart looking girl that could probably actually kill you. Emmett loved to make bawdy jokes and openly show his affection for Rosalie. Jasper was quite but had an occasional witty comment to spread here and there. As for Edward, he was just really cool to be with. They all talked in the car ride like she had known them her entire lives and it was a feeling that June wasn't accustomed to. And when she got home, waving at her new friends and hearing them call out See you tomorrow!

June was ... herself.

note: so like dani, june won over the cullens. and there's a reason that sam and jared were all protective over our june 🔍🔍📝📝👀👀👀