Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight, or any of the characters...
A/N: Wow. So I didn't think it would take me this long to update :o! I've had exams over the past month so although I already had half of this chapter finished, it was near impossible to find any time to stop and write, so this is coming to you over a month after the last chapter... i'm so sorry! I promise that updates won't be this long with me again, I've already done most of the next chapter, so it shouldn't take too long, so please keep reading if you haven't given up on me already! This chapter's quite a bit longer than the first one too, so I hope you enjoy it :D
And to those of you who reviewed, favourited, or put me on alert, thankyou so much! You guys are a-m-a-zing!
The distant sound of gulls, and the ever present ebb and flow of the tide was the only sound that I awoke to. Light was creeping in through the gaps in the blinds, washing over the features of the room so that their silhouettes stood out, golden wisps of light illuminating the edges of the clothes chest on the right wall, my suitcase and my clothes from yesterday strewn across the cream carpet. The walls were a faint coffee colour, with dark, earth coloured drapes at the windows, and a door facing the bed that led into the bathroom.
It was a fairly large bedroom, although not as big as the one I had back in New York. I much preferred the size of this one though, because I would probably have enough things to fill this room, unlike the room at the Windsor's, which had been pathetically empty.
Here, there was a desk on the window wall, and a large set of heavy wooden shelves next to it, empty, but not for long, once I bought my CD's and books in from the car. On the other side, the clothes chest was facing the wooden shelves, and next to the chest, a large, cushioned sofa. There was also a flat-screen hanging on the wall next to the door leading through to the bathroom, and a full length mirror on the other side.
The bed, which would be on the left as you walked in to the bedroom, but was opposite to the bathroom door, was large, with a thick black wrought iron frame and a large golden comforter. This was where I was, buried beneath the duvet and comforter, my head sunken in to a mass of large square pillows. I let out a content sigh, stretching out my body under the warmth of the sheets. Reluctantly, I pushed myself up, leaning on one elbow, to check the time on the bedside table, where there was an alarm clock- I had decided against setting this.
2:03pm. Shit! I had been asleep for over fifteen hours, possibly a new record. Deciding I couldn't stay in bed any longer, even though I could have easily fallen asleep again, I threw back the duvet, cool air hitting my legs, having only slept in a shirt and boxers.
I heaved myself up off the bed, dragging my feet over to the bathroom. Shower time.
I stayed in the shower for a good twenty minutes, and another ten minutes later, and I was clean and dressed. Rubbing my hand over my jaw line, I could feel a rough layer of stubble- I would need to bring in the rest of my stuff later so I could have a shave.
I had dressed myself in a simple white t-shirt and a pair of three quarter length khakis that I would be able to wear on the beach, assuming I would be going down later.
After attempting to flatten down my hair just the tiniest bit, to no avail, I headed downstairs.
I found Emmett in the kitchen, chatting away on his cell.
"Yeah man, I'll be down later... Is everyone there already? ...Yeah alright... yeah for sure... Later dude." Closing the call, Emmett turned, spotting me lurking in the doorway.
"You're up!" He beamed, his eyes lighting up with joy.
I raised my eyebrows. "You haven't kept yourself locked in the house because of me, have you?"
Emmett shrugged, walking over to one of the stools at the island and throwing himself into it. "I'm supposed to be meeting some friends down at the beach in a bit, but I thought I'd wait for you, see if you wanted to come? I was gonna' take the boards down..."
I walked in to the room, sitting down on a stool opposite Emmett. "Yeah sure, you don't mind?" I didn't want to be a tag along.
Emmett shook his head. "Nah, they all want to meet you anyway- I told them the other day you were coming."
A jolt passed through me. "You didn't tell them why, did you?"
A look of suspicion crossed his face. "No, but Mom and Dad didn't tell me why either, just that there were some arguments..."
I nodded. "That sums it up well enough."
Emmett paused. "Edward-"
Knowing what he was going to ask, I cut across him "-another time, Em."
He simply nodded.
After I had had some food, we spent the next hour dragging my possessions up to the top level of the house- books, CD's, my old acoustic, clothes, pictures, my laptop and the rest of the junk I had accumulated over the last few years. Once that was done, I could sense Emmett's impatience to get down to the beach, and my will power to stay up at the house any longer was also fading. The sun was high up in the sky, the temperature a good 30ᵒC. Changing my trousers for my red board shorts (Annabelle had insisted buying me a good five pairs from Hollister before we went to Hawaii last year) I was ready to go. I decided to leave my t-shirt back at the house- it was hot enough, and I doubted I would tolerate the material sticking to my torso for long. The boards were already out at the back door, and Emmett was waiting for me.
"Which one am I using?" I asked, eyeing the two boards.
One was a deep burgundy colour on the underside, with a thick black strip down it, and white colour on the top with some surf company logo on it in black. The other was a cream/white, but on the top and bottom there was a thick mustard yellow stripe down the centre.
"I normally use the red," Emmett began. "But if you'd rather-"
"The yellow's fine with me," I insisted. He grinned.
We each grabbed a board, and then set off down the narrow path between the low dunes, the sea visible over the tops of them. In next to no time, we were on the beach. The sea was startlingly blue, and the sand stretched on for a good distance each way. There were quite a few people on the beach, and Emmett started in the right direction, obviously the place he met his friends.
"So how many people are coming today?" I asked, turning to watch Emmett, who was surveying the sea.
I ran a hand through my hair as I spoke, moisture accumulating along my hairline due to the hot temperature.
Emmett turned to look at me, shrugging as he did so. "About ten, probably. There's Jasper, I don't know if you remember him, we've been friends since kindergarten..."
I nodded, an image of a lanky blonde boy popping up into my minds-eye. "Yeah, we met a few times."
"Then there will be Alice, that's his girlfriend, and her best friends Bella and er.. Rosalie," he looked away, trying to distance himself from anything he had implied through the tone of his voice. "Erm... yeah, then Mike, Tyler, James, Ben, Garrett, Tanya, Irina, Angela and Kate. Normally more people come down but a few are on holidays and most were down here yesterday."
I chuckled. "Other than not hitting on Rosalie, did you miss anything else out?"
Emmett groaned. "Shut up. But I wouldn't go near Irina if you're asking, I know we're not brothers but seeing as we're cousins it would just be-"
"Got it," I nodded.
"And Angela and Ben are a couple, as well as Kate and Garrett."
"Mhmm."
We we're now approaching a group of people, sat midway down the beach, watching two people out on the waves.
"He's down again!" A guy with scruffy brown hair laughed, leaning back to wrap his arm around a tall girl with light brown hair swinging over her back, giggling as she leant her head on to the boys shoulder.
"Such a tool," another laughed, and this one I recognised. He was tall, toned and tanned, with blonde hair that fell into sharp blue eyes, which looked up to meet Emmett and I. A large grin stretched across his face, and he jumped up.
"Em! Edward!"
He ran over, engulfing Emmett in a 'man hug' and then turning to me, doing the same. "Long time no see Edward," he beamed.
"Hi Jasper," I smiled, surprised he remembered me, but then of course, Emmett had told him I was coming.
We made our way over to the group, who were now all watching me, not the two boys surfing.
"Hi guys," Emmett waved, dropping his board on the sand. "This is my cousin Edward-remember I told you he was moving down from New York?"
They all nodded, and I received a collective group of 'hi's' as well as several waves.
I smiled back. "Hi."
Emmett individually took me round each person to introduce me, until I had a face to match everyone's name, except for Tyler and James, who were the two surfing, and Bella and Rosalie, who hadn't come down yet. Emmett had huffed when Alice had told him they were up in the town with the Private School boys.
We had reached Tanya, Irina and Kate last. Tanned, leggy, toned blondes, it wasn't hard to see why guys found them attractive. However, I made a note of the white blonde haired girl- Irina, and the one wearing her hair up in a sloppy bun, was Kate. But the third, Tanya- she was something else. Curly, strawberry blonde hair, bright blue eyes framed with thick lashes, and full pink lips, the bottom one pulled in between perfectly white teeth as she gazed up at me. I couldn't stop the immature 'she'd get it' popping up in to my mind. Maybe I should try and maintain a good reputation here when it comes to girls, because my reputation in New York had been severely tarnished- if I had wanted, I got. I didn't want Emmett thinking his cousin was a monster.
I flashed her my crooked smile, and her cheeks flushed pink ever so slightly.
And then Emmett clapped me on the shoulder, pulling me away. I could feel Tanya's gaze on my back.
The time passed by quickly, and I even managed to pick up surfing, having not been on a board properly for a number of years. It was exhilarating, and I hadn't realised how much I enjoyed it.
We were now lying in the sand, the afternoon sun weakening ever so slightly, although it was still a good 28ᵒC. The course sand felt good on my back as it mixed with the water droplets that ran down my back. My hair was still wet from the sea, and tiny beads of water ran down my shoulders and chest.
"So, you're coming to school with us all in the fall, right?" A girl's voice asked.
Opening my eyes, I looked up to find Tanya sitting beside me, her legs crossed, rubbing lotion onto her arms as she eyed me curiously.
"Er yeah, I'm supposed to be going up there next week to get enrolled." I replied, sitting up. "I'm hoping Emmett or Carlisle will drive me though, I don't have a clue where the place is."
Tanya let out a giggle. "I thought you came up here a lot when you were little? Still don't know your way around?" She teased.
I smirked at her. "Around Wrightsville yeah... not Wilmington. Anyway, I was twelve the last time I came down here, you expect me to pay attention to what direction we drive at that age?"
She smirked back. "You look like a smart guy, I'm sure it wasn't beyond you."
I laughed. "Emmett was also twelve, I don't think he was smart enough to have jumped a few grades all the way to high school- we never went up there. Just to the Elementary."
That giggle again. It was cute. "Well, if you're looking for someone to show you around, and Emmett is a bit, er... preoccupied, as he usually is of late, I'm up for it..." she bit her lip, unsure.
I raised an eyebrow. "Are you implying my cousin is some sort of man whore?"
Tanya leaned forward to lie on her front. "Maybe."
I chuckled. "None of that cheek and we might have a deal."
"I don't know about that," she murmured.
"Meaning?"
"You'll have to take me as I come." Not so subtle flirting, Tanya...
"Do you come with the bikini too?" I played along.
"If you like..." she smirked.
"I think we may have reached an agreement then," I joked, holding my hand out to shake hers.
She took my hand, laughing. "Pleasure doing business with you."
"Sure is." I snickered. "About Emmett's ... 'preoccupation', though. Should I be expecting late night visitors often, do you know? Our rooms are next to each other."
Tanya rolled her eyes. "If he has his way, then most probably. Once Rosalie gets her claws in to someone, I doubt they could get away if they wanted to."
"You don't sound like you're her biggest fan." I mused, my eyebrows creasing.
A look of innocence crossed Tanya's face. "Oh no, I love Rose, Bella too, just like everybody else in this town."
So there it was. Jealously, it sounded like. Rosalie Hale must really be something to have Emmett so caught up, and from Tanya's description, it didn't sound like he was the only one around here. And Bella too? I vaguely remembered Emmett mentioning that she was supposed to be here, and something about a group of Private School boys from Alice, their best friend. Well... they were yet to show.
Girls. I thought wryly.
"Edward?" Emmett's voice rang out.
I turned to find him sitting with Jasper and Alice, all turning to face me.
I flashed Tanya a smile, pushing myself up off the ground. "Later."
I made my way over to where Emmett was sat, Jasper opposite him with Alice wrapped up in his arms.
"What's up Em?" I asked, sitting down next to him.
He was sporting a huge grin. "Jazz man has a free house this weekend."
I raised an eyebrow. "I think I see where this is going..."
"Friday, you up for it?"
I hesitated. "I don't know man..." I knew for sure that Carlisle and Esme didn't approve of my behaviour that had occurred at the Windsor's and I most certainly did not have a clean slate before that - I had lost my parents three years ago, and being in care, I had had some particularly rebellious years. I didn't want to disrespect them by going to a house party the first week I got there and doing God knows what.
"We won't tell them it's a party." Emmett guessed my thoughts. "Just that his parents are away and Jas wanted a guy's night."
My mind was flying back and forth. I couldn't lock myself away for the next year, and I didn't want to be known as Emmett's introverted, antisocial cousin. Maybe it would be okay, I doubt Esme would want me to sit at home on my own whilst Emmett went out and enjoyed himself.
"Okay," I nodded. "Count me in."
Emmett beamed, as well as Jasper.
"It's not going to be a guy's night though, right?" Alice looked up at Jasper sternly. With an angular face and dark cropped hair, Alice was perhaps one of the tiniest 17 year olds I had ever met, yet the expression she was giving Jasper was scary.
"Of course not," Jasper assured her, planting a kiss on the top of her head.
"Good," Alice smiled, satisfied. "Because I already invited Bella and Rose."
"That doesn't come as much of a surprise. So are they coming down or not?"
I felt Emmett tense next to me, and Jasper threw him an amused side glance.
"No idea." Alice shrugged. "My phone died, but I doubt they'll bother now."
I felt a strange pang of disappointment. I had wanted to see what all the 'hype' with these two girls was, but now I would have to wait until another day.
. . .
It was fairly busy up near the pier, where the weather remained warm as the sky began to glow orange. The sun was starting its descent, interrupted only by faint clouds way out to sea.
Esme had suggested that Emmett and I should walk out for a meal, seeing as she and Carlisle were up in Durham for a dinner party, one which they had been unable to get out of.
It was now roughly eight, and Emmett had insisted he couldn't wait in any longer, because he was simply too hungry.
Meandering through the crowds, we found a small bar that served food, and grabbed seats out at the front under the canvas. Chattering aimlessly, we ordered our meal, and Emmett insisted on buying us beers, seeing as the area was apparently not strict when it came to drinking.
"So," Emmett started, as the waitress took away our finished plates. It was now completely dark outside, the stars obscured by thick clouds that had moved in off the sea. It was roughly quarter to ten.
I raised an eyebrow in question, as Emmett took a sip of his third beer.
"What did you think of everyone?" He asked, as if I should have been expecting the question.
"They were all nice," I replied, playing with the label of my Heineken. And they had been. I had found everyone I had spoken to easy to get along with and welcoming.
Emmett rolled his eyes at my brief answer. "You and Tanya seemed to be getting along pretty well."
I chuckled. "Yeah, we were just talking Emmett, doesn't mean I'm 'crushing' on her."
Emmett leaned back on the wicker chair, stretching his arms up behind his head before resting them on the chair arms. "So you don't think she's hot?"
I rolled my eyes. "I didn't say that."
Emmett smirked.
His phone, which lay on the table, lit up as it began to vibrate. He picked it up, looking at the caller ID before answering.
"Hey Mom, what's up?"
As Emmett spoke, the waitress arrived with the bill, which I paid. By the time I had finished, he was off the phone.
"Erm, so my Mom and Dad aren't coming back until tomorrow... the exhaust has gone on the car and they can't get anyone out until the morning. She said they'd probably be back around one." Emmett grimaced.
"Well that sucks for them..." I mused. "Do you want to-"... but suddenly, Emmett wasn't looking at me. He was staring at a spot above my left shoulder, transfixed.
"Em?" I asked, confused. No reply. "Emmett?" I hissed, leaning over the table to snap my fingers in his face. He seemed to collect himself, turning to look at me quickly, running his hand through his hair to try and distract himself.
"That's Rosalie, over there." He simply nodded his head in to the direction he was staring. "Don't turn around, she's coming over."
I snorted. "Emmett, you are so whipped!"
"Shut up man!" Emmett hissed.
This sent me into a fit of laughter, perhaps because the beer had gone to my head ever so slightly. Emmett was blushing furiously, which I found hilarious. I sank in my seat, managing to stop my laughter, although a smirk remained, as I felt someone approaching behind me.
"You could have told me you were up in the town Em." I looked up to see who was standing over our table, and I had to do a double take. This was who Emmett had been seeing? Lucky son of a bitch. I thought to myself, before internally retracting my statement, because Esme wasn't a bitch.
I was looking at a tall, slender, tanned girl, with killer legs and a figure that would put most models to shame. Her face was flawless, with high cheekbones, a defined jaw, full lips, and ice blue eyes framed with thick lashes. Thick, wavy blonde hair fell to her stomach, which was visible due to the bikini top (covering what were certainly fine assets) and open flannel shirt she was wearing, along with ripped denim shorts that showed off her toned legs. This was Rosalie Hale.
"I could say the same to you," Emmett raised his eyebrows, teasing, but it was obvious he was covering up his annoyance.
Rosalie rolled her eyes, before turning to look at me. "Are you going to sit and be rude, Emmett, or are you going to introduce me to your friend?"
I raised an eyebrow at her forwardness, for which she eyed me curiously.
Emmett groaned in annoyance at her evasion of an excuse. "Rosalie, this is my cousin, Edward Cullen. Ed, this rude lady who just strutted up and interrupted our meal is Rosalie Hale."
Rosalie smirked. "I'm sure you appreciated my interruption Emmett, don't deny it. Nice to meet you Edward- so you're the cousin from New York?"
I raised my hand in greeting. "Yeah that's me. Hey."
She eyed me, somewhat appreciatively, before moving round the table to sit down in the chair next to Emmett. I had to force myself not to stare at her legs as she moved. She's with your cousin man.
"Sure, Rose, join us why don't you." Emmett gave her a cold look, which surprised me, considering how hung up he seemed to be over her. Must be some kind of love/hate relationship going on here...
She smiled at Emmett, then at me. "Oh don't mind me, I'm just waiting for Bella, she's trying to get Alex Taylor to buy us some liquor, and then we're off god knows where."
Emmett shook his head. "And I always thought Bella was so innocent."
Rosalie leaned forward to pick up Emmett's half finished beer, bringing it to her lips before taking a drag, watching Emmett as she did so. He kept his cool pretty well as she placed the bottle back in front of him. "She has her moments," Rosalie smirked, never taking her eyes off of Emmett. It didn't go unnoticed to me as she slipped her right hand on to his thigh, her thumb running circles at his knee.
Still looking effortlessly cool, Emmett grinned at her. "Well, you're welcome to drink your liquor at mine, my parents are out of town for the night."
I rolled my eyes- so much for my talk with Emmett about trying to keep on his parent's good side.
"We may just do that, here she is now."
I looked up as a girl approached our table, and this time, I had to force myself to keep my mouth shut. What I was looking at, must be the closest thing to perfection I was ever going to see.
A/N: Next chapter, we meet Bella! I hope you liked it, and please tell me if there's anything you're not liking about the way I'm writing this, I'm happy to take on positive criticism to try and make this better reading. The next chapter WILL be up soon, but please review and tell me what you think anyway, and the next one may just be up a bit quicker, especially seeing as I left this one so late!
Also, if you're reading this, then I'm guessing you read the chapter too, so thanks!
Anna
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