A/N: I'm back! This is my new story that I've been working on since I finished The Air I Breathe, and I'm super excited. This story is very differed from TAIB, mainly in the way that I'll be updating every day until Christmas Eve. It's sort of an advent calendar fic. The first chapter isn't really my favourite (first chapters usually aren't) because you need to get the back-story told and introduce characters and what not. But I promise it be more exciting as the story goes on. Chapters are gonna vary in length, some will be on the shorter side, and some will be long. It's just how I write, I stop where it feels natural. Outfits can be found on my profile; there aren't outfits for every chapter, but a lot of them so if you're like me and like some visual, be sure to check that out. Also, this story takes place at the University of Chicago. I know nothing about college, only what I've read in fics and watched on TV, so please forgive any inaccurate information I might give out. The setting isn't really a big part of the story, so hopefully this won't be a problem. So anyway, I'll stop rambling now after the longest AN ever, and I hope you'll enjoy :)
Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight or its characters, everything belongs to Stephenie Meyer.
Counting Down the Days
Chapter 1
Wednesday, December 1st
"Bella, I swear if you don't hurry up I'm going to leave without you and you'll have to eat alone and try to evade Mike Newton's sweaty hands all over you!"
"One second!" I called back as I wrapped the elastic band on the end of my braid, knowing that Alice's threats were never empty. Finally the end of my braid was tied up, and I grabbed my bag before rushing to the door, where Alice was waiting for me. Her four inch heeled boots clicked against the floor as we started to walk towards the stairs and I was amazed that she was wearing heels in the middle of winter. But then again, it's Alice we're talking about.
"Did you get to finish your essay last night?" Alice asked, knowing I had problem focusing on my school work yesterday because of some…distractions.
I shook my head. "I'm heading out to the library after classes to finish it."
"You want company?"
"No, that's okay. I'm not gonna be good company anyway." We walked down the stairs and I started to feel a sneeze coming on. The moment I sneezed I missed a step and fell flat on my ass. Pain radiated up my tailbone and I hissed. "Damn it." Another bruise for Bella. Great.
"Oh God, you okay?" Alice moved in front of me and held out her hand to help me up.
"Yeah, I'm okay," I sighed and accepted her hand, using her as leverage to get up on my feet again. "I should have learned by now that I can't multitask."
My butt was still sore when I sat down at the dining hall to eat breakfast. Jasper, Alice's boyfriend had joined us and he and Alice were now sitting and being disgustingly cute. It usually only bothered me on a small level and today was no difference. Sometimes though, I got a small pain in my chest when I saw them together, only because I had no one to behave all disgustingly cute with. I ripped off another piece of my blueberry muffin and stuck it in my mouth when I felt someone come up behind me and tug on my braid before popping down next to me.
I looked to my left and saw Edward, Alice's brother sit there. I felt my cheeks burn red. "Good morning Edward,"
He grinned crookedly at me and started toying with the red apple in his hands. "Morning Bella."
My heart beat so loudly I was sure he could hear it. It all started this summer when I hung out a lot with Alice and her family. Suddenly I started to see Edward in a new light, and by the end of the summer I was in love with him. I wasn't sure why it took me so long to look at him like that; he was one of the most amazing guys I knew. It didn't help that he looked like a Calvin Klein model with this messy bronze hair, dark green eyes and killer smile; he had girls hanging after him 24/7.
"I have it; do you want to open it now or later?"
"Later," I smiled and continued eating my muffin. Despite of the unrequited feelings for him, Edward was still one of my closest friends and I refused to let it come between us. The fact that he had no idea probably had something to do with it as well.
"Fuck, I forgot my sheet music in my room. I'll see you later." He gave me another grin before rising to his feet and leaving, bag swinging across his back. I resisted the urge to sigh; it felt too crappy teen movie.
"Was that Edward?" Alice had resurfaced from Jasper and looked surprised.
"Yeah, he had to leave though because he forgot his sheet music in his room."
"Damn him, he knew I needed to talk to him. Typical of my brother," she muttered as she pulled out her phone, presumably to text Edward.
"No offence Ali, but you were kind of unreachable," I chuckled.
Jasper laughed and kissed Alice's pouting lips. "I need to go too; I'm heading over to Moore. See you tonight." He gave Alice another kiss, squeezed my shoulder and made to leave.
"Okay, I love you," Alice smiled, a big toothy grin that looked like it could split her face wide open.
"Love you too,"
"I love you too Jazz," I added teasingly and Jasper chuckled.
"Love you too, Bella. Bye."
After he'd disappeared from her sight Alice turned to me. "Hey, stop hitting on my guy. Get your own."
"You know I can't help it," I replied in the same tantalizing tone. "It's the accent; you know I'm a sucker for southern guys."
Ten minutes later I made my way across the campus for my first class of the day which happened to be British Literature. It was a cold but beautiful day, barely 40 degrees but sunny. I wrapped my scarf tighter around my neck and elongated my steps, wanting to get to class a few minutes early. The classroom was barely filled yet, and I sat down in my usual seat in the front. As the minutes ticked by more people started to fill the room, and the teacher Mr Berty entered. I liked him, he was harsh but fair and encouraged everybody to speak their minds.
I felt my phone vibrate with a new text message and pulled it up from my pocket quickly. I couldn't help the smile that broke out on my face when I saw it was from Edward.
Our usual place at 5?
Yes. I'll see you there. I texted back and then slipped my phone back in my pocket.
The seat next to me had been empty up until now, but that changed when a tall, slim girl with dark hair sat down next to me, slightly out of breath. "I over slept!" Angela explained as she tried to calm down her breathing. "My alarm clock didn't go off, I think it's broken."
"Remind me to get you a new one for Christmas. Isn't this like the second time since Thanksgiving?"
Angela nodded but didn't say anything out loud because Mr Berty called the class to a start.
My classes went by quickly, and soon I was heading towards the library to finish my essay on Chaucer, which was due tomorrow. The library was mostly empty, and I walked along the tables to my favourite one in the back, which was pretty isolated from the rest. I started working right away, knowing I wanted to be done by 4.30 the latest. I put on my headphones and started up my iPod on my 'study' playlist.
Two hours later I finished reading through the essay and smiled when I was finished. It was good. I took a quick glance at my watch and was relieved to see it was only little after four. It meant I had time to do some reading before meeting Edward. I walked at a slow place towards the small cafe that had become Edward's and my usual meeting place.
I ordered a large coffee and a bagel to eat while I waited, and then made my way to an empty booth. I slid in on the blue seat with a wince; my tailbone was still sore from this morning's fall. I took a large bite from my bagel and stuck my hand down in my bag, grabbing blindly after the book I needed. Finally I got a hold on it and pulled it out, nearly spilling my coffee while doing so.
"Shit!" I swore but managed to keep my coffee upright. I opened my book and was just beginning to read when a familiar voice interrupted me.
"Hi Bella!" I looked up and saw Mike Newton standing there, looking far too excited to see me than he should be. We met in freshman orientation, and he'd been following me around ever since. He asked me out at least once a week and never got the message that I wasn't interested.
"Hey Mike," I replied while hoping he would just go away so I could read my book in peace. No suck luck though, as he sat down next to me in the booth, far too close for my liking. I shifted uncomfortably, really needing Edward to show up soon.
"What are you doing?"
"Uh, waiting for a friend." I was getting more uncomfortable by the second.
"Angela?"
"No, me." We both looked up and I nearly cried out hallelujah when I saw Edward standing by the table, looking more than slightly amused.
"Hey Cullen," Mike stuttered out. He was terrified of Edward. Why, I didn't know.
"You're in my seat."
Mike was in such a hurry he nearly fell over while standing up and I bit my lip to hold in my giggle. With a 'bye Bella' Mike left the coffee shop, only glancing back at us once. Of course, as he wasn't watching where he was going he collided with the glass door. This time I couldn't contain my laughter, and soon Edward joined me. He sat down in Mike's vacant seat and put his messenger bag up on the table.
"What are you reading?"
"Alice in Wonderland. Did you bring it?" I was impatient, excited for what I knew was coming.
Edward nodded. "Are you ready?" His voice was serious, like he was a secret agent or something.
I nodded severely. "I'm ready." My voice was as serious as his, and I struggled to stay in character as Edward opened his bag and took out a colourful calendar with Santa and his reindeers on it. My eyes met Edward's and my heart did back flips in my chest.
He handed me the calendar and I located the tiny square with the number 1 on it. Carefully I flicked the cardboard piece open and it revealed a tiny milk chocolate candy cane. I picked it up and quickly broke it in half before the chocolate had time to melt, and handed Edward one of the pieces. His fingers touched mine when he took it, and I felt a surge of electricity flow through his fingers into mine. I ate the half piece of chocolate, feeling it melt on my tongue. I nearly had a heart attack when Edward ate his and then licked his fingers clean of the chocolate. That man was going to be the death of me.
"The countdown has begun," he said, and I nod in agreement.
"Yes it has."
If today was any inkling, the 23 days left until Christmas was going to be very interesting.
Like it? Loathe it? Love it? Let me know.