However, they had to work with other students closely - at least during school hours with some after hours interaction. Besides playing on different Phys. Ed. teams, various group projects in a variety of classes, and, a la Bella, sharing lab/shop bench/equipment/workstation would bring them into close proximity to other student. Instinctive fear might keep a shared lab station clear - if there is enough room to spare. In most public high schools, there isn't enough space for those wanting the class, at least at the beginning of the year. While it is possible that dazzle power could convince an otherwise inclined teacher to substitute a different assignment for a group project, it is also possible that an observant, caring teacher (they exist - we have them on the forum), noticing lack of social interaction, might insist on their participation in a "group" project.Heidi wrote:I seemed to get the impression most of the other students kept a distance from them because they could tell they weren't quite normal. Edward had mentioned several times about how the students kept a distance out of instinctive fear. Also, I believe most of it was tedious to the Cullens at this point, since they would consistently be in and out of high school depending on where they would move during their immortal existence and it probably wasn't the safest thing for them to interact with the other students because of the thirst factor, even if they could control it.Elizabeth wrote: I just want to know why the 'younger' vampires don't even talk to the humans- not until Bella. Why so?
This would lead to other interesting issues - Cullens' house or one of the humans' in the group or neutral (public) locations like a coffee shop or the library? Depending on the group, members they could work online using some sort of groupware.
There is even the possibility of "cheating". The Cullen member of the group does the entire project, to perfection, by themselves, including professional quality presentation materials, and attribute various parts to other members of the group. Perhaps one or more of the other members of the group could deliver and present the project results for their "share" of the project.
I can really see the younger Cullens being really bored with not just the subject matter but also having to interact with the human students (and even most of the human teachers).
Overall, high school wasn't a pleasant experience for me and one that I would go to some lengths to avoid. Of course, as a vampire things would be different (I would be attractive, menacing, invulnerable and when needed stronger and faster than any human. Yes, substitute the antonyms and you have a picture of me in high school).
How would you cope with having to go to back to high school again and again if you had to continue to do it (with minor variations) forever?
Other than the fact that it would have destroyed the entire story, I have often wondered why the Cullens didn't claim to be home schooled. I mean any of them, at any apparent age, could have aced any state mandated placement/achievement test. Or even better, arrive in a new town with a high school diploma showing that the prodigies "graduated" at what ever age seemed appropriate for their current situation. I know that early graduates are rare, but everyone has heard of them.
If five "geniuses" in one family might attract too much notice, they should be able to have one or two of the "younger" vampires sit out a "high school" cycle and get a break. Usually the big "publicity" push would come from where they "graduated" early rather than where they moved to. You'd just have to check in to the school district so you wouldn't be harassed by truancy officers.