Author's Note: Hi Hi! This is Jess so you know. WOW! We finally are getting this out. I feel so proud of Adri, cause she's done most of the work. She's like, the editor out of the two of us, so she's been under like, a lot of my 'GET IT DONE! I WANT TO SEE IT!' Being screamed (typed) at her. Without her, this story wouldn't be going out now, as it is! Now, I'll stop talking and then Adri can have her say, then the story will start! (Adri hears from sidelines: awwww!)
Summary: Bella Swan must compete in the United States Expo. She break hearts and take names, trys to keep a clear head and not let love fool her of her rightful rank to move on to the worlds. Could her potential crush ruin everything she has worked on all these years. Especially when that crush is none other than THE Edward Cullen, and neighbourly enemy? AU AH bellaxedward // slight alicexjasper, rosaliexemmett
Disclaimer: We don't own Twilight. Though, we do own the plot!
Rated: T, for mild language and suggestive material.
"Come on Bells! Push it!" My brother, Emmett shouted at me from the side lines. I grunted and leaned forward a bit more onto my horse, Pegasus. Yes, I said Pegasus. She is an amazing horse, but she doesn't look anything like the horse from Hercules. She doesn't have wings, and she isn't white. In fact, my horse is chocolate brown; just like my eyes –so I've heard. She has a star on her forehead, and I had thought about naming her Star, but no. Emmett decided that he was going to name her on the way over. As much as I love my brother, he can't pick names. We finished the last jump, and I guided Peg to the fence were my brothers were leaning. Emmett Swan, was leaning closest to the gate. He looked like he'd been up all night, pushing weights... again. He had curly brown hair and brown eyes. He looked like a serious weight lifter. "Good run Bella," he said as I trotted into a stop and pulled off my riding gloves.
"Actually Emmett, that was one of her best," my other brother, Jasper Swan said as I took my helmet off. Jasper has blonde hair and pale green eyes. He's built, but not as much as Emmett. He's more into history than working out. I smiled at them.
"Thanks guys. I felt like I could have gone just a bit faster, but I didn't want to over work Pegs."
"And you'll be smart not too," Jasper said pushing away from the fence and walking into the arena with me. "You might want to go cool her down." He walked over to me and helped me off, he made sure I didn't fall. I brought Peg with me into the stables and guided her to some water from the troph. I wiped off the sweat from my forehead then picked up my lucky brush and brushed her down. I didn't hear another horse come in the stable as I kept brushing Pegasus.
"That's a fine horse you have there," I turned around slightly startled only to meet the most gorgeous eyes I had ever seen. They were emerald and shone in the early morning's light, as if a sun catcher were hidden in them somewhere. I almost swooned, the only thing saving me was my brush falling out of my hands- bringing me back into reality. I cleared my throat as I bent down to retrieve my brush, only to have the new stranger's hands to beat me there. We both straightened at the same time and stared at each other until it got painfully awkward.
"Hey did you see that horse that came in here Bel- ummmm," Emmett came in just before it got even more awkward. The stranger cleared his throat as he handed me my brush. I grabbed it and reddened slightly under his gaze.
"My name is Edward by the way. Edward Cullen," he extended his hand towards me, I grasped it slightly firmly and shook his hand.
"I'm Bella. Bella Swan and this here," I motioned towards Emmett, "is my annoying older brother Emmett. Pay no attention to him." I rolled my eyes and turned around to continue brushing Pegasus as she had moved to eat the hay.
"Excuse me, I'm only annoying because ... because ... you are," I snorted, "anyways, nice to meet you Ed, but I have got to do this ... thing ... which requires me to go and do alot of stuff outside of the barn," Emmett made a point of this by making an imaginary square in air, turning and walking out of the barn. I brushed Pegs some more and turned towards this mystery man, who was standing in my barn.
"I don't mean to be rude or anything," I started, "but may I ask what you're doing here... in my barn?" This Greek god laughed. His bronze hair, flying slightly with the wind that came in through the barn.
"Oh, I was just riding by, when I noticed someone jumping. I came to check it out," he said while walking towards his horse. "I didn't mean to intrude or anything..." I smiled.
"Oh no! It's all right. ... Are you a jumper then?" I led Peg into her stall and closed the gate. I walked towards the carrots that I brought in this morning, and grabbed two.
"I am," he said. "We moved to this town for the Nationals." I didn't remember the house next to us being sold, nor did I remember any moving trucks.
"So that means your good then, right?" I walked over and gave Pegs a carrot.
"I guess so. Do you ride?" I nodded.
"I do. That might have been me, that you saw riding earlier," I walked towards him holding out the other carrot. He looked surprised at me. I laughed.
"It's for your horse," I explained. "You think I'm going to feed my horse and then not feed yours?" He laughed while taking the carrot.
"I guess not," he walked over to his horse, and fed it the carrot.
"Your horse is beautiful," I said, un-tucking my riding shirt. I wanted to get this long sleeve shirt off, because frankly, California weather, means for a lot of sweating.
"Thank you. But honestly, I think your horse beats mine," I shook my head.
"Not at all. I'd kill to have a pure white horse like yours," I pointed to his horse. It had to be the whitest horse that I've ever seen.
"Well, your horse has to have the most gorgeous rider ever," he said staring me in the eye. "Trust me when I say, your horse beats mine," I blushed. I'm glad that today I chose to wear an undershirt. I pulled the shirt over my head, making me not able to reply. I reached over and hung it on the rack that was there, making sure to grab the tee shirt beside it and pull it on quickly.
"You know," I said sitting down on a stool. "I highly doubt that." He looked bewildered.
"And why is that?" I pulled my boot off, moving to my other foot.
"Because I'm far from gorgeous. I'm the most plainest person alive," I undid my riding pants, revealing my short-shorts. I'll have to remember to thank Kate one day. I took off the socks and stuffed them into my boots, before grabbing my flip flops. Edward walked towards me and sat down beside me.
"Well, I think that you're wrong. You are by far, the most beautiful woman that I have seen, ever." I blushed.
"Trust me. I'm not," I picked up my water that was sitting beside me, and took a sip. "Did you just move here?" He nodded.
"Two days ago. I guess I'm your new neighbour," maybe that's why I didn't seem to notice new neighbours.
"So does that mean that you're going to be going to the public school? Or the private one down by the bay?" It doesn't matter what school he's going to, I know people at both. People that are far more gorgeous than me. He looked at me.
"Uh, the private I think. It was the only one with a horse program, in the area," I laughed and turned towards him.
"Trust me, it's the only decent program in the area," he looked at me, confused.
"Only decent program?" He asked confused. I nodded.
"Yeah, the public school has a horse riding club, but that really doesn't do much. Then there are some riding clubs around town, but those are even worse," I looked over towards him. "It's a good thing you chose the private school."
"How would you know?"
"I've done all of them," I explained. "Well, not all of them. My brother, Jasper, did the public school one. He quit after about... a week. Said something about it being a waste of time," the new neighbour, Edward, nodded.
"So you've done every other one then?"
"Yeah. Pretty much."
"So does this mean your competing too?" He asked me, after I finished brushing some dust out of my hair, with my fingers. I left my hair down, grabbing a head band to hold back my extremely long bangs.
"Yes. I'm jumping this year."
"What division?"
"Uh, I think it's the senior? 'Cause I'm apparently too old and 'pro' for the junior," I shrugged. I stood up and turned towards Edward. He was stiff as a board. His back was ramrod straight, and it looked like he wasn't breathing. I mean, not even a hair was moving on his head. It was eerie, yet I found that he was even more gorgeous, just staring into space.
"Uh, Edward?" I said, stepping back. "Is something wrong?" That seemed to pull him out of his trance. He looked at me. I could see the hurt in his eyes. And anger.
Anger? Why would he have to be angry? I don't think I did anything wrong... "Edward, are you okay?" I asked taking another step, because his eyes were starting to freak me out. He shook his head.
"Are you Isabella Swan?" How did he know my full name?
"Excuse me?"
"I asked, if you were Isabella Swan."
"Why would that matter to you, anyways if I was?" I was taken back at the resentment in his voice. The hurt was starting to settle in. I thought that I had found a friend, that didn't want me for my money, or to get to my brothers. He groaned.
"I can't be doing this," With that, he got up and left. He jumped onto his horse and rode off. I could feel the sadness wash over my body. I felt a tear fall down my cheek. I was crying, over this guy that I just met! What happened to the Isabella Swan, that didn't cry over anyone, especially boys, when they hurt her? What happened to the Isabella Swan that didn't get bothered when someone left, because they found something better to do or someone better to be with? I think I found her. She's hiding, in the middle of China. I wiped my eyes, and walked out of the barn feeling hurt, confused, and angry.
Half an hour later ...
"Bella? Come out," Jasper pounded on the door for the umpteenth time and he wasn't about to stop. I had locked myself in the bathroom, so there was the possibility he actually had to use the toilet but I wasn't going to chance it. Why had this stranger, this... boy upset me? I usually don't do this. Honestly.
"Bell-la!" Now Emmett had started on the door. "Get out! I need to take a massive du-"
"Bella. Come out, please," Jasper tried the knob. I stared at it for a few seconds before I got up off the ground and looked at myself in the mirror. Pitiful.
"You let a strange boy do this to you. You let tears come down your face for a stupid thing. ... Something you don't even understand," I said to my mirror image angrily. I jerked the cold water on and let it run before I stopped the drain. I let the water raise to a good level and turned off the tap. I then plunged my face in the icy water, hoping to forget some of my worries. It did help, until I opened my eyes. I let my face sit in the water until I felt my body starve of oxygen. I lifted my face and drunk in the air. It helped, a bit.
"Bella, are you okay, what happened?" Jasper, always trying to be the caring person. More of a father than Charlie honestly could ever be. I pulled the plug to the drain and grabbed the nearest towel, drying my soaking face. I looked at myself in the mirror and made a verbal pact.
"You're not going to be a push-over from now on. And that Edward guy will never hurt your feelings ever again. He's the competition. He's not worthy. He-" I started.
"Bella! Who are you talking to?" Jasper asked, yelling through the door more loudly.
"BELLA! GET OUT! I NEED THE BATHROOM!" Emmett shouted after Jasper.
"He is going down," I made sure that I looked half-way decent and as if I hadn't just been crying. I walked out of the bathroom as if nothing had been wrong.
"Oh thank God!" Emmett pushed past me and ran into the bathroom.
"You okay? Were you crying? Bella?" So much for the facade. I thought miserably. Jasper grasped my hands. "Bells?" I smiled half-heartedly.
"Yep, just cramps," I pulled my hands out from his and walked towards my room, letting Jasper being left confused in my wake. I got about three feet towards my door, before Jasper caught on.
"Bella!" He shouted at me, making me stop in my tracks. "Don't you lie to me!" He started walking towards me. "I know for fact, that you had your period last week!" I groaned. I'm not going to lie, I was kinda grossed out at the fact that he kept track.
"Can't you just leave it alone, for once?"
"Bella," he said looking me in the eye, "you know I can't."
"Why not?"
"Because you're my baby sister, that's why," I groaned again. He was only two years older then me. "And it's my job to look out for you."
"Jazz, please!" I begged him, wishing he'd just drop it. He pulled me into a hug.
"Does it have anything to do with that family that moved in down the street?" He asked rubbing soothing circles on my back. "Mostly, that boy? Edwin, I think?" I laughed.
"It's Edward, Jazz." He laughed with me.
"Well, does it?" He asked. I nodded.
"Yeah, it does," he pulled me away to arms length.
"Bells, I don't want you hanging out with him too much."
"Why not?" This questioning thing was getting old, not to mention I doubt we'd 'hang out' even if I wanted to.
"Because he made you cry!" He shouted at me. "What other excuse do I need? Here's one," he said letting go of my arms, making a b-line for his bedroom. I followed Jasper in and sat beside him on the bed. "How about the fact, that he's your only real competition?"
"Only real competition?" I asked confused.
He nodded. "Bells, he's the Edward Cullen. The guy that rules Florida?"
No! He couldn't be! That Edward Cullen was a jerk! He was arrogant, crude, dis-respectful and so full of himself! The Edward Cullen that I met today, was down-to-earth, caring, sweet, and respectful. I shook my head.
"No Jazz! This guy I met, was nothing, NOTHING, like that Edward Cullen."
"Bells," he turned towards me, "have I ever lied to you?" I inclined my head as I thought about all the times he talked to me. "Bella," Jasper said a bit whiney and annoyed. I hung my head and shook it no. "Then please, please believe me!"
"Jasper, this guy that I met this afternoon, was... was caring, aaand he was respectful and so down-to-earth! Besides, I don't think he wants anything to do with me anyways. Probably thinks I'm some stuck up horse riding bit-"
"Woah! Isabella! No Swearing!" Emmett shouted happily as he walked in the room, cutting me off. I chuckled.
"Then why are you always swearing, Emmett?"
"Because I'm your older brother. That's why," I groaned once again.
"What's with you two? Always pulling the little sister-big brother move on me. I'm not five anymore!" I got off the bed and walked towards the door. "I'm going to my room guys. Talk to you later," I spoke softly and walked out of the room and went into mine, which was conveniently placed next door. As soon as the door shut I ran and flopped, belly first, onto my bed thinking of the day's events. So much. ... For the first time, I thought I found someone who didn't want me for my money—a friend, but this new friend got me thinking. As I thought, it made me sad, then angry not to mention confused out of my mortal mind. Then I thought I understood, but that only made me confused again. So that made me angry. Why dear friend, why must you be my enemy? I had high hopes. Now ... now I don't know. "AGH!" I turned over so I could stare at my blank ceiling. "A summary of my life," I murmured to myself. I stared at the ceiling for at least an hour before felt my eyes start to slowly close.
-
-
"Bella! Let's go! We're going to go greet our new neighbours!" My father yelled at me through the door. I rolled over on my bed, and noticed it was 12:30. My stomach growled as I sat up.
"Coming!" I got off the bed and got dressed quickly. I managed to tame my hair. I put on flip-flops and grabbed my purse making sure everything was inside it (I never go anywhere without it), before opening the door and walking downstairs. Emmett, Jasper and Charlie- my dad, were all waiting for me. Once I stepped off of the bottom step, Emmett grabbed my hand and yanked me out of the house.
"Finally Bells!" He said as he pushed me into the car.
"For God's sake Emmett! What's the hurry?" I asked doing my seat belt up as Jasper and Charlie climbed in.
"Emmett says that he saw the most gorgeous blonde in her bedroom window," Jasper told me doing up his seat belt. Emmett turned around from the passenger seat.
"It's true!" I laughed awkwardly at my brother.
"Emmett, how can you see from you bedroom window?" I was completely confused. There's no way in hell he could've seen them.
"It's not that hard Bella," He replied.
"For me or Jasper, it's not. But it would be for you. Your bedroom is on the other side of the house," that didn't seem to phase him so I finished what I was trying to get across. "It's facing Mrs. Anderson's house."
Jasper broke out laughing, as Emmett groaned and turned around.
"I know what I saw! And I saw she was a blonde!" He turned on the radio, attempting to try to stop us from replying.
"So was Mrs. Anderson," I mumbled to Jasper. He just laughed harder. We pulled into the driveway (have no idea why we didn't just walk- it wasn't that far), and Charlie shut the car off. We all got out and walked towards the door. I didn't notice my dad carrying anything, until he handed it to me. I gave him a questioning look.
"It'll look better if it came from a woman, and then maybe they won't know it's store bought," I shook my head in a condescending disapproval way towards my dad before I stood towards the door beside Jasper. He knocked. We waited a few seconds and then heard someone walking towards the door. The door was opened and there standing was a woman, who looked about to be Charlie's age. She had a heart shaped face, with caramel coloured hair and bright green eyes. She had on a apron and looked like she might have been baking. Their house smelled like freshly baked cookies, plus the hint of some flour on her.
"Hi there! How can I help you?" She asked, cleaning her hands on her apron.
"Hi, I'm Bella Swan. We're your new neighbours! We came by to introduce ourselves," I said when I noticed that no one else was going to talk. "These two are my brothers, Jasper and Emmett," I pointed them out, then pointed at my dad, "and this is my father, Charlie." She smiled before sticking out her hand.
"Esme Cullen! It's a pleasure to meet all of you!" I shook her hand and smiled at her a warm smile before she moved onto the rest of my family. She left me wishing that I had known my mother... "Won't you all come inside, and meet the rest of my family?" She asked once she finished. She started to head inside, before I remembered the basket.
"Oh! Mrs. Cullen! These are for you!" I said handing her the smiled at me.
"Thank you Bella! And please, just call me Esme. Mrs. Cullen sounds far too old for me," she turned towards my brothers, smiling. "And that goes for the rest of you too." We followed her into a living room- where she told us to have a seat so she could get the rest of the family. I looked around the room, and noticed a baby grand piano sitting in the corner. It looked like it hadn't been played in awhile, and I started to wonder who's piano it was. Esme walked back in, and noticed me looking at it. "Do you play, Bella?" I shook my head.
"I used to growing up, but I got more into horses and stopped playing. I wish I learned more though."
"I know how you feel," she said sitting down beside me. "My son is the player in this family. I used to play, but I had to stop because my parents thought it wasn't a good career choice, it broke my heart," I was about to reply, but I noticed someone walk into the room. Esme left. She was short- well shorter then me- and had black hair that was spiked out in every direction. She was wearing a bunch of Hollister clothing, but she didn't look like a snob.
"Hey everyone!" She said as we walked into the room. "I'm Alice!" I looked over at my family, and noticed that Jasper was plainly staring at Alice. I inwardly laughed. I could use this later...
"Hi Alice, I'm Bella," I said because again, I noticed my family wasn't going to say anything.
"Hi Bella! I can tell that we're going to be great friends!" She skipped over and gave me a hug, before sitting down beside me. I smiled.
"That sounds great," I turned to the rest of my family, and sighed. They weren't going to speak up. "Alice, these are my brothers, Emmett and Jasper," I pointed to them, then pointed at my dad, "and that's my dad Charlie." I had finished introducing everyone when someone else walked into the room. She looked like a model, that just walked off a runaway in Paris. She had blonde hair that reached her shoulders, and walked in with an air of confidence. She was wearing Abercrombie and Fitch.
"Hello everyone, I'm Rosalie- but please just call me Rose," she said as she walked in. This time, Emmett was gapping at her. I guess he was right, there was a blonde in this house, but I still don't know how he saw her.
"Hi! I'm Bella. These are my brothers, Jasper and Emmett," I just went on and introduced them, seeing as they won't speak up, "and this is my father, Charlie." She turned to me and smiled.
"Hello Bella, I think we're going to be best friends! I can just tell. I suppose Alice already said something like that, right?" I nodded.
"She did, I guess she beat you to it," I replied. Rosalie chuckled.
"I guess she did. But she always does," Alice smacked Rosalie playfully from where she was sitting. Alice then turned to Rosalie.
"Rose, where's Edward?" My eyes grew wide. No, no, NO! I don't want to see him! I don't think I can handle it. I spent most of my morning crying because of him.
"Hello everyone," the velvet voice said. I turned towards the voice, and saw him standing there. His hair was even wilder then it was this morning. It looked like he'd been running his hands through it a good number of times.
"I'm Edward," he said not turning towards me.
"I'm Jasper. This is my brother Emmett," Jasper pointed to Emmett, then to my dad. "my father Charlie, then my sister, Isabella." He pointed at me. Suddenly Edward whipped around and looked at me. He glared.
"Isabella." He spoke calmly, but I could tell there was hostility in his voice. "Wonderful to see you again," I smirked.
"Don't think I could say the same thing," he looked taken back. I could hear both Rosalie and Charlie gasp at me. I felt Alice lean into me.
"Way to go Bella!" She whispered to me, lightly patting me on my back. I looked at Rosalie, and saw that she was smirking.
"Well, it was lovely meeting you all," he said turning to my brothers and father. "And it was great seeing you again," he said to me, before storming off somewhere. Once he was gone, Alice and Rosalie broke out laughing. I gave them a confused look.
"What's so funny?" I asked.
"No one has ever said something like that to my brother, besides Alice and myself," Rosalie explained.
"And that coming from a girl, that has had him in his room all morning pacing, is priceless!" Alice said laughing.
He's been in his room, pacing all morning, because of me?
Author's Note(s): It's Jess again! I guess I'm just special, cause I got my notes in first. Anyways, I really hope you all liked the first chapter! It was so much fun writing it, and then seeing the email in my inbox letting me know that Adri had added, and then sent it to me to update too! Hopefully the next chapter will be out before school starts again, which is September 8th for me, and we will start getting into the plot more. This was just building it up! Again, I really hoped you liked it! Review and add to alert? That would make me so, so, so, so happy! :D
Adri here: YOU (Jess) EDITED FIRST! Anywho, we're going to TRY and put up another chapter, because I don't want to be those people who never do update ... which reminds me- if you are one take my advice and start SOMETHING anything, at least post a note saying you're discontinuing (lots of disappointment there) :3 normal text ;]
Anything is appreciated from yous (yes... dare I say it- flames). ... But what would be MORE appreciated is if yous went to our homepage(s) 8D yaaaay! :3 kay, ima shud up now.
Also if you haven't noticed already, I'm in bold, italic and she's in