BPOV
I woke up to a very irritating sound of my alarm.
"urrghhh .. shut up u stupid, idiotic piece of machine. Lemme sleep" I groaned, pulling the covers over my head. I'm not a morning person, not at all. I was just gonna get back to my sleep when someone pulled the covers away from me.
"Bella, get your ass up from the bed or else am gonna get a jug full of water on you. Don't tell me I didn't warn you beforehand" came the stern voice of my mother. If I didn't knew her better, I would have tried to sleep for some more time, but knowing my mother, she'll do just exactly of what she said.
"ya ya … I'm up. I'm up" I said with a groan. I opened my eyes to see my mother standing beside my bed with her hands on her hips and giving me a death glare. "Miss Isabella Marie Swan, its almost 8 in the morning. We'll be late again because of you." Oh shit! I cursed inwardly, I had totally forgotten that its Sunday and we are supposed to go to church, like every other Sundays. All of us had made this a routine in our lives. And by 'all of us' I mean me, my mom, my dad and my brother.
My mother, Renee, is nearing her forties but she looks way younger than that. One who doesn't knows her eaxct age will never guess it right. She is a fashion choreographer and she loves her job. She used to be a model herself in her early days but after I was born she left that but she could never leave the glamour world nor could they let her leave and so today my mother is one of the most famous fashion choreographers in the business.
My dad Charlie was a cop. Yes, you heard it right, a cop! But he took early retirement when my mother gave him an ultimatum of 1 month to leave the job or else she was gonna give him a divorce. Though the divorce part was not as serious as my mother made it sound but she was really scared. We all were. Charlie was shot during his duty one day and after that my mother beaceme very possesive … a lot more than it was needed may be. But I cant say that since I am not the woman whose husband was shot. I was scared for my father but not as much as my mom. Anyways, Renee asked Charlie to take early retirement and after lots and lots of arguments, Charlie did what he was asked to and now he has started a bar, Eclipse, with his retirement fund. Eclipse in now one of the most popular bar out here in LA.
Now coming to my brother, his name is Emmett and he is into show business as well. My brother is a fashion photographer, the best in town. But he's not just the best photographer, he's also the best brother. Me and Em are very close and there is nothing, and I mean nothing at all, that the two of us don't share with each other. He's one of my best friend and even he wont say this, I'm his best friend as well.
"Bella, are you gonne get up from that bed of yours? Or you want me to bring the jug" said Renee, pulling me out from my train of thoughts.
"Oh mother! I am up, now go, I'll be down in 15 minutes." I quickly moved and went to the bathroom and started the shower. Then brushed my teeth and rinsed my face and mouth. By then the water was warm enough, so I got in the shower. Within 10 minutes I was done with everything and dressed in a white top and white peasants skirt. I ran downstairs to find my family sitting in the couch, waiting for me. I groaned inwardly. Now Renee is again gonna start about how lazy I am.
"Good Morning Belly" Emmett grinned at me and winked. He knows just how much this nickname of his irritates me. He looked at me, then Renee and then back at me. Then the bastard chuckled. He chuckled. He loves this too much when Renee is mad at me. Just way too much. Charlie looked up at me and smiled sympathetically. I gave him a soft smile and turned to Renee who was glaring at me. "When are you gonna understand the importance of time? How many times do I have to tell you that you should get up early? How many days we are gonna be late just because my lazy ass daughter didn't wake up from her sleep? I am so tired of all these…" Renee kept adding more and more questions and I just stood there, looking here and there, but not her. Never her. I saw Emmett trying not to laugh and Charlie just kept a plain face.
"Renee, darling. We shall discuss this later or we are gonna be more late than what we already are" said Charlie to get me a rescue. I gave him a smile, saying the "thank you" that I couldn't say out loud. Not right now at least. Renee just looked at me once more before storming out of the house.
"Thanks dad and by the way good morning" I chuckled as I went over and gave him a hug.
"morning my baby girl" said Charlie returning my hug. "Now lets go or your mom will be more pissed and we don't want that" I nodded and we all walked out of the house. My mother was already inside the car. Dad locked the door and we walked to the car. Me and Em took the front seats. Em would be driving like everytime and I'll be sitting beside him, enjoying the nature. After we all got settled inside the car, Em started off for the church. I put on the radio and 1 of my favourite song was being played. One in a million by backstreet boys. I love their music, its just awesome.
Oh by the ways, I didn't tell you people about myself. I am Isabella Marie Swan, to cut it short, I'm Bella. I'm 23 and am gonna graduate this year. I have been doing my MA in english literature from ULCA all these years and finally am gonna graduate. I have been offered from few of the publishing companies to join as their creative head but am keeping my options open so that when I have to choose I am not limited to a few. The whole family is very supportive to what the other does. My family inspires me to write and its because of them that tomorrow I'm gonna publish my first piece of work. A novel that I have been working for few years now. I started it in my second year of ULCA and when one of my best friend, Angela, found it out, she without even asking me, sent a soft copy to a publishing company. I was so mad that I stopped talking to her but then I became so miserable without her that in few days I went running to her and said sorry for behaving like an idiot. Angela being Angela, the most kindest person in planet Earth, forgave me in an instant. She actually insisted that she was not even mad at me. We talked for the whole day and when I was about to leave she gave me the best news of my life. The publishing company had called her up that morning before I came up to her place to inform her that my work was selected and they were gonna publish my book as soon as I finish it. So here it is, my first book "Always and Forever" to be released tomorrow. I was a bit tensed but my family was there with me and so were my friends. I didn't had much to worry about when I saw them around me, praising me for my work and loving me for no reason but just because they were mine and I was theirs.
"Cummon move" said Emmett as the car came to a stop. I didn't even realize when we had already reached the church. We all came out of the car and walked inside the church. We took seats quickly and in some time the priest started the prayer. After half an hour, we were all coming out of the church. Mom and dad went first. I saw Emmett was with Rose, his girlfriend and walking towards me were two of my besties. One I already told you about, Angela and the other, well the other is a strong force of nature whom you cannot stop unless and untill she stops herself on her own. My pixie rockstar, Alice. Angela is a lawyer. She joined a law firm this year and Alice is a fashion designer. She's a total package.
"Heyy Bells" said Angela and Alice, as they came and hugged me. "how was morning?" asked Angela with a snicker and Alice just giggled.
"This was only left. You two also start laughing now" both of them knew how most of my mornings passed. I shook my head as Em n Rose made their way to me. Em was laughing at me. Rose smacked him in the head and winked at me. Rose is like a big sister to me, very loving and very protective. Its not just because she and my brother are engaged but she loves me like am her own little sister.
"What was that for?" Em whined looking at Rose and rubbing the back of his head.
"For being a jerk to my little sister. Right Bells?" She asked as she came and gave me a hug.
"Right Rose" I chuckled as I hugged her back.
"She's my sister if you don't remember" Em said looking at Rose.
"Does that mean I am not?" Rose countered, giving him a glare which meant If-you-say-no-then-am-gonna-kick-your-ass and my big bro knew it too well to not mess with her. He just huffed and backed off.
Angela and Alice were laughing with me and Rose joined in. Emmett just stood there, making all sorts of faces. He was just so cute. My big bear of a brother. I chuckled inwardly. He says that he hates it but I know that he loves it when I call him my big bear bro.
"Oww Emmie … I'm sorry" I said as I gave him a hug. He just laughed and hugged me tighter. I sometimes just wonder how I don't choke when he hugs me the way he's hugging me now!
"So what are we doing today?" asked Rose
"Well, we have to go and check the venue for tomorrow and then we gonna go and try some dresses for the event at Alice's and then we are all having a booze party at my place at night." Said Alice.
"Sounds great to me" snorted Angela. We all just laughed as we nodded our head in agreement while moving out of the church. Emmett and Rose took Em's black volkswagon and me and Angela went with Alice in her yellow prosche. We all headed towards Twilight, the hall where we are having the book release tomorrow. We got inside the hall where Ben, my friend and Angela's fiance was waiting for us. He was the owner of Twilight.
"How is the most awesommest writer?" Ben asked as he pulled me in a massive hug.
I chuckled "too much flattering wont get you extra zeroes on the pay check Ben" I joked. Everyone laughed along with me and Ben.
"It doesn't hurt to try, does it?" I just laughed at his question. He winked at me and led us to the part of the venue where the event is mainly gonna take place. Everything was perfect and according to what I wanted. The decorations were to be done in ivory silk and white flowers. It was very elegant. I looked at Ben and smiled big.
"Its totally perfect. Thanks Ben." I squealed. Everyone laughed.
"Okay. Lets get going. Me and Em are gonna go to the rehearsals now. We'll see you later at Alice's place" said Rose.
"You not coming with us for trials?" I asked with a pout. Rose was the biggest help when it cam to pick my dresses. Alice was the best designer no dbout but it was Rose who knew what looked best on me.
"Sorry Bells, my show is in two days and if I miss today my designer gonna kick me out of his show" said Rose.
"Ya right! As if we don't know that every designer dies to work with the top supermodel in LA fashion industry." I made face but Rose seemed giulty. I just laughed and went over to where she was standing with Em. "heyy! I was only kidding. We'll meet you in few hours at Alice's place. Kay?"
"Thanks Bells. We'll see you in few" she smiled as Em hugged me once more before they both left for their work. After them we also bid bye to Ben. Angela was going to help him with few last minute preperations so me and Alice left for her store. She pulled in front of Alice's, her boutique, after 15 minutes. We made our way inside to her office. She left me for few minutes to get the dresses she had already chosen for me. I just needed to finalize one amongst all those. Well there were just 3. One red halter top to go with a white skinny jeans. One blue off shoulder dress which ended in mid thigh and the other was all black which flowed till my feet. All of them were fab since the designer was Alice but I was having a hard time choosing. This is why I needed Rose with me when I had to choose, she always had the best solution.
"The blue one" said a velvety voice. My head snapped up and I was captured in the depth of those deep green eyes. I tried looking away but like every other time I was unable to do so. We stared at each other for what felt like forever but it was probably just few seconds. Someone cleared her throat and those greep eyes left me. I took a deep breath which I had been holding for quite long I guess.
"Edward" I barely managed to get that word out of my lips. I know my cheeks were the deepest shade of red now. Stupid blush. It said everything, nothing to hide!
"Bella" The way he said my name, as if it was the last name he was taking. He smiled a crooked smile, that always managed to take my breath away and took a step towards me. He sat opposite to me and picked the blue dress out of the three.
"This one will look good on you. Blue always suits you." He said as he handed me the dress and smiled. I just smiled like a fool. No words escaped my lips so I just nodded.
"Nervous about tomorrow?" he asked. I slapped myslef inwardly. Speak Bella! Speak!
"Yeah" I managed to get it out from within. I was fidgeting with my fingers when he came up and held both my hands in his. I snapped my head up to see him sitting in front of me. I felt a pulse of energy pass through me. It was both relaxing as well as exciting. I really don't know what I felt at that very moment. Even the simplest of his touches makes me crazy. Always.
"Don't worry Bella. Its gonna be fine. You are an amazing writer and your book is as amazing as you are. So just relax. And if you feel any bit of nervous then just close your eyes and take deep breaths. It'll help and moreover we all will be there with you all the while. Right Alice?" he said to look up at his sister. I had totally forgotten that the pixie was in this room as well. She looked at me and gave an evil smile then turned to Edward.
"Of course Edward … we all will be there with Bells tomorrow. Nothing to worry at al." Said Alice. Alice was such a bitch. She knows exactly how badly Edward affects me and still she plays all these tricks with me. I love her to death but right now I wanted nothing more than to kick her ass. I glared at her and she started giggling. Edward looked at her again with a quirked eyebrow as if to ask if she was ok? She just shrugged her shoulders and looked at me.
"Well I think the decision is being made. Even I liked the blue one personally. So I'll just go get it packed." Said Alice as she left the room. It was just me and Edward then. I looked up to see him watching me directly in my eyes as if trying to search something. But all to soon he broke the contact and smiled at me.
"So, whats plan for the night?" he asked, leaving my hands and got up to chek a file that was laying in the table. I immediately felt a loss.
"umm.. we are going to your appartment later for partying I guess. What about you?" I asked.
"well I don't have anything to do tonight so probably I will join you all, if you don't mind that is." He chuckled.
"Oh cummon Edward. Stop that" I laughed. "as if you need my permission to meet your own friends. Emmett will personally kill me if I ask you not to join" I said. Emmett and Edward were best of friends. The both were 25, like Rose. All of them have been friends from the days of ULCA. Emmett took a course in photography, while Rosalie took in engineering and Edward was the one with music. He is working with NYS now-a-days but I guess he will start on his own very soon. He is a fabulous musician, lyricist and singer. You don't find one like him these days.
"That's not right. He wont kill you. But … he might try his new tricks on you." He said and we both laughed. Emmett and his new new tricks. My brother is a big prankstar and Edward is his partner in crime, especially when they are played on me.
"Lets move now Bells. I'm done." Said Alice walking inside the room. I wanted to kill her for taking my time away from Edward. But then like the best friend she was, she did exactly what I wanted her to do. "Edward, you also come with us since you don't have any work now." She looked at me and winked. I blushed. Again !
"Yeah sure. Let me get my keys." Said Edward as he made his way out of the room.
"Alice" I lunged myself at her. "You bitch. Everyday you play the same game with me. He'll understand if you keep doing like this." I said.
"That's what I want." She smirked. "Seriously Bella, you should tell Edward that you like him. Its high time."
"I cant Alice. You know I cant. What if he doesn't like me? I cant loose his friendship by letting my feelings for him take control. Its way to risky." I said sitting in the chair with my hands on my head, looking down.
"You will never know what he feels unless you tell him Bella" said Alice, taking a seat in front of me. "Listen to me" she said pulling me to look up at her. "You are a totally, amazingly beautiful woman. He will be an idiot if he doesn't like you. Just take a chance and tell him how much you like him. You never know what turns out to be" said Alice. "Anyways … cummon! Lets go. We have to get things ready before the others show up." I nodded and walked out of the room to see Edward standing outside the door. I felt all the air leaving my body. A million question bombarded my mind. What if he heard what we were saying? What is he doesn't like me and after knowing everything, he hates me now? What will he say? What will he think? And I don't know what else. I just stood there looking more pale than ever, staring at him. He cleared his throat and I immediately looked down at my feet. He said he will take his car and meet us at the appartment. We didn't say anything else. He left and me and Alice took her porsche. We drove to her and Edward's place in 10 minutes and found Edward's volvo already there. That means he was already here. I shouldn't have been surprised. He drives like a maniac. Me and Alice made our way inside the appartment to find Edward sitting in the living room, writing something down. It was his composition diary. He says his soul resides in that diary of his. He pours each and everything in it. As soon as we walked in he looked up but he didn't smile which he usually does. I forced a smile but he still didn't return it and that got all my dbouts confirmed. He had heard every word me and Alice spoke in the room and now he hates me for loving him. My first love and probably my last. I don't think I can love anyone after him. Yes, I loved him and he … well … he didn't. I wanted to cry at that moment but I couldn't do that. I had to be strong till I found a place alone. May be when I got back home at night. It was the safest place for me. I just excused myself and went to the washroom. After splashing few handful of water in my face I came out and started helping Alice with food and drinks.
The doorbell rang, I went to open it but Edward beat me there. It was Ben and Angie. Ben and Edward immediately started talking about some game that was coming this weekend and Angela came to join us. If you don't know Angela I should tell you something. She is very perceptive. By just looking at you she can tell if there's something bothering you. She just looked at me and quirked an eyebrow. "Something you would like to share Bella?" asked Angela. Alice immediately looked at me and turned to Angela "Must be the nerves Angie. Afterall it's a big day tomorrow for her" said Alice, rescuing me from the situation. I just nodded softly and started to concentrate on what I was doing. Angela knew we were hiding something but she is not pushy, something I love about her. She just shrugged her shoulders and started helping us.
The doorbell rang again. It had to be Rose and Emmett. But the sound that came wasn't familiar to me. We were done with all the arrangements so the three of us took the trays outside. There was a blonde woman standing on the door with Edward. Both smiling, looking at each other. She gave him a file and then she left. Edward locked the door and looked back. As soon as his eyes landed on me he immediately looked away. I couldn't do anything but walk with Alice and help her setting the tea table.
"Heyy! Its fine Bells" said Alice giving me a soft smile. I just nodded looking at her … trying to smile but miserably failing in it. The bell rang again, it was Rose and Em this time. All of us gathered around the table and started making small talks. Most of it was about my tomorrow's book release. All this time I felt a pair of eyes on me but whenever I looked up, everyone was onto each other. By this time Jasper, our friend and Alice's boyfriend also got here. He is such a charming guy that he can even tame a girl like Alice. He is the best guy out there but of course after Edward. Always after him.
"So Bells … how are your feeling about tomorrow?" asked Jasper, smiling at me.
"Well … I really don't know Jazz. Its hell of emotions building up inside of me. I am feeling excited and nervous at the same time. Its just so mixed up. I think am gonna pass out tomorrow." I sighed looking at everyone.
"Oh my sweet Belly. Why are you being so overly dramatic?" chuckled Em. He walked up and sat next to me, pulling me sideways towards him. "You gonna rock it honey, don't dbout yourself. And moreover, we all will be there with you." He said smiling at me. I loved my brother.
"Thank you Emmy bear" I said snorting. He made a face at the name but at last gave up and started laughing with all of us. All of them again started making small talkes. I was the odd wheel amongst all of them most of the time, but today Edward was also there. Though he has had many girlfriends till now but they were never a part of our group. In this group of ours, there were three couples, Em & Rose, Ben & Angie and Jazz & Alice and the two of us, me and Edward. We were the odds in the evens. Alice always tells me that one day me and Edward will also get together like the rest of them did but it never made sense to me. Edward, being the perfect guy he was, why will he ever want a girl like me. He was my friend and me his. Though I loved him to pieces, I know he will never want me like that.
It was almost 2 at night when Angela said that he and Ben were leaving for the night. Jasper also said bye and Alice went down with him for their own special goodbye. Rose and Em were also making preperations to leave. I didn't had my car with me today so I had to go with them. Alice came up after sometime with a goofy smile plastered on her face. I really didn't wanted to know what she and Jazz were upto few minutes back.
"Well, we are also gonna go now. See you tomorrow Alice, Edward" said Rose. Em took his keys from the key bowl and went to say bye to Edward who was standing in the balcony. All this while, me and Edward didn't share a single word amongst ourselves. To say I was hurt was beyond what I was feeling right now. I felt broken, shattered. But I couldn't show it to them. I just gave a hug to Alice and walked up to Rose who was also waiting for Em. Em came back after sometime with Edward walking with him.
"Bye Rose" said Edward giving her a hug. "Bye Eddie" chuckled Rose, hugging him back.
"Rose" whined Edward and we all laughed. Well, I tried atleast. He looked at me and his smile faded. I hated myself for that. We didn't say anything else. We all went down and got on the car. Em dropped Rose first and then we headed home. As soon as we reached, I said a quick good night to everyone and went straight to my room. I changed into my pajamas and got on my bed. I thought of what I could say to make it all right between me and Edward again but came up with nothing. I eventually slept, crying all this while.
Next morning I woke up with a very bad headache. My head was hurting like hell. I got out of the bed and took a shower. After changing into a pair of balck track-pants and a white top I came out to the balcony. I was very nervous about today. This book is a part of me that I was gonna share with the world and it was totally killing me and then there was this part which was constantly thinking about Edward. What if he didn't show up for the function today? What if he never talks to me? I looked at the watch and it was just 6. Better sleep than think about all this, I thought to myself and crawled in the bed again. I thought about Edward as I let sleep take over me again.