A/N: Chapter Two! I'm updating at like 2 AM. Seems like I do my best work at night. Eek! Well, I wanted to get this out there ASAP seeing as I got a pretty good response to yesterday's update. And, if you check Stephenie Meyers website, she posted the rough draft (I think) of Midnight Sun, so I'm currently reading that. Am I the only one out there who obsessively checks edwardandbella(dot)net and SM's website? haha.
The chapter title is by Duncan Sheik. It's an old 90's song. :)
Disclaimer: I own nothing relating to Twilight but this plot. Don't sue me? :)
Chapter Two – Barely Breathing.
I can't believe I actually asked Alice to do something tonight. Of course she had to pick a party.
I was in our room, half my closet thrown carelessly on my bed trying to find an outfit. I had no idea what was important for a party, so that wasn't helping. I sighed, realizing that I had only one option if I didn't want to embarrass myself tonight.
"Alice," I called as she was listening to her iPod pretending not to notice my dilemma.
"Hm?" She asked innocently as she smiled sweetly.
I sighed again in frustration. "You know what I need, Alice."
She squealing and ran towards her closet, pulling out a dress and a pair of death-trap heels. I was shocked to find that the dress was nice, something I could see myself wearing. It was black and went just above my knees. It showed off curves I didn't know I had, and had a bronze colored metal circle where my cleavage would be, connecting to two straps that went at an angled, showing off my neck, then connecting to the back. Unlike the dress, though, the heels were and accident waiting to happen. They were pointy and black, the strap went around the back of my heel and had a pretty design on top. I found myself wondering how anyone could walk in them.
Nevertheless, I never argued with Alice when it came to clothes, or anything for that matter. She had an uncanny 'ability' to guess what would happen.
"Thank you, Alice," I smiled at her.
She giggled, "Anytime. Now go take a shower so I can do your hair and makeup!"
I pouted but went to take a shower anyway. I sighed as the warm water relaxed my muscles, releasing tension. My favorite strawberry shampoo and freesia body wash calmed me down even more. I stepped out and wrapped a towel around my body in time to hear Alice yell something at me.
"Bella! I'm coming in! I don't care if you're buck-ass naked in there! Dressing you will just be a whole lot easier that way," Alice's voice was outside the door before she opened it.
"Alice!" I squealed. I didn't think she was actually going to barge in here. She roughly handed me my clothes and said "Change," and left. Probably to get her torturing devices.
I pulled on the dress and Alice came back in. She pushed me out the door and sat me down in her desk chair, beauty supplies covering the desk. She quickly applied all kinds of things to my face. She then went on to my hair, curling it with a curling iron, every once and a while spraying hair spray. When I looked in the mirror, I was surprised to see that I liked my reflection. I didn't look at all like myself.
My makeup was subtle, yet... sexy. My eyeliner was smoky, my lips full and plump and light pink and I had a little bit of blush on my cheeks, not that I needed it. My hair was in gorgeous curls, shiny and cascading down my shoulders.
"Wow," was all I was able to choke out. The makeup and the dress on, I had to admit, I looked pretty. Normally, I had dull brown hair, big plain brown eyes, and a pale complexion. Alice truly did work miracles.
But, as always, compared to Alice, I looked plain. She had on a purple, black, gray, and white designed halter-top dress with matching purple peep-toe wedge-heels. She went for purple and silver for her eyeshadow. Only Alice would have been able to wear that makeup and look good.
Rosalie had perfect timing, deciding to walk in just then, wearing a black babydoll dress that went mid-thigh, with zebra print on her breasts, and a two strings tying around the back of her neck. She had on simple, practical black heels and her golden hair was waving delicately to the middle of her back. She looked perfect as always, with just mascara, eyeliner and lip gloss on.
She smiled warmly at me when she looked me over.
"You look beautiful, Bella." It did my self-esteem some good to know that she thought I was beautiful.
"Thank you," I bent my head down in embarrassment as my cheeks lightly flared.
She chuckled, "Truly, you do. Now come on! We have a party to go to!"
We drove to a house near campus. Saying house was an understatement. More like a mansion, or castle.
"Two of my friends, Tommy and Aaron, live here. You might know them? Tall, dark brown hair, bright blue eyes. They look like twins, but they're really three years apart. Tommy's a freshman, Aaron's a senior," she looked at me with a smirk on her face.
"You'll love them," Rosalie added with a giggle.
I sighed, getting out of the car. I didn't want to be set up by Alice again.
We were met at the door by two impossibly identical guys. The one that opened the door was just like Alice described, Tall, dark brown hair, and blue eyes. He had dimples on his cheeks and he smiled, showing off perfect teeth. His brother looked the same, only slightly taller with more muscles, and his face more mature.
"I'm Tommy, Tommy Hayes," said the first guy. I felt a pang at the familiar first name, but smiled, and shook his outstretched hand.
"Nice to meet you Tommy," I turned to the guy next to him "So, then you're Aaron, right?"
He chuckled and took my hand with a murmured "yes" and kissed it. My mouth fell open lightly and I felt myself swooning. He was too cute. He laughed again and said "And who are you?"
It took me a second to remember my name. "B-Bella, Bella Swan" I stuttered. I had trouble breathing, he literally took my breath away!
"Nice to meet you, Bella. Come in," he laughed at my expression. Get a hold of yourself, Bella!
Alice still had that stupid smirk on her face. Rosalie just giggled, and went to find Emmett. I stuck with Alice as we went to find Jasper, but when Alice starts acting all lovey-dovey with her boyfriend, I leave. I found myself squeezed between two couples making out on the couch and got up to get a drink when Edward ran into me. He spilled punch on his dress shirt, which was luckily black, and swore.
"Jeez, Bella! Watch where you're going would you?" he yelled at me. He then eyed me in my dress and his mouth fell open.
Silently fuming, I yelled back at him, "You ran into me, Edward. And by the way, my face is up here so stop staring at my legs!"
He tried apologizing, but I smirked and walked away, fully ready to leave, when I was pulled into somebody.
I looked up to find myself looking at Mike's face.
"Oh, Mike! Hey, I was just leaving…" I tried to say but he pulled my closer, suffocating me into his chest.
"Dance with me Bella," he slurred. His breath stunk, hitting me in the face making my eyes water. I just nodded and turned around, my back facing him, trying to dance. I didn't want to upset him. Who knew what a drunk Mike would do if he didn't get his way?
We did dance for a while while I felt someone staring at me. I ignored it and continued dancing. That is, until I felt Mike practically groping me from behind. Disgusted, I tried to pull away from him, but his grip on my waist was too strong. I was probably going to have bruises the shape of his hands there tomorrow. I whimpered, fearing what he would do.
"Mike! Let. Go!" I yelled. He just held on tighter. That is, until he was thrown into the wall by a furious looking Edward.
"Stay away from her, or I swear, if you ever touch her again…" he growled.
"What are you, her boyfriend or something?" Mike yelled angrily. Edward's jaw set as he answered.
"Yes. Actually, I am her boyfriend." I stared at him in shock.
"Bella?" Mike questioned.
I looked at Edward, who was staring at me, and decided to play along. "Y-yeah, he's my boyfriend." I ducked my head so that he wouldn't be able to see that I was lying.
He just huffed and stomped off. Edward followed suit and headed out the door, me trailing behind.
He sighed, "What do you want Bella?"
"What was that back there?" I asked referring to him saying he was my boyfriend. "Mike will probably tell the whole school that we're apparently dating! When we are clearly not, nor will we ever!"
A flash of hurt crossed his face before he said softly, "Just because we aren't a couple doesn't mean I don't care for you, Bella." I was stunned. Edward, caring about me?
I wished now more than ever I knew what happened this morning with Alice. Maybe she was upset that he cared for me? I shook my head. Who was I kidding? He didn't really care about me. He was just trying to make up for earlier. And Alice would only want the best for me.
"Bella?" he questioned.
"What," I snapped.
He opened his mouth to speak but seemed to change his mind and said "Never mind. Do you need a ride back to your room?"
In truth, I did need a ride, but I didn't want to go with Edward. He was a jerk.
"No, thank you Edward. I'll find a ride from someone else," and I walked back into the house. Walking back into the house, I tripped and braced myself for the fall only to find myself hovering over the ground, inches from it, with someones warm arm around my waist. I got up ready to snap a 'thank you' to Edward and saw stunning bright blue eyes.
"Oh! Thank you…" I trailed off, not sure if he was Aaron or Tommy.
"Aaron," he smiled. I smiled back.
"Thank you Aaron," I gave him one last smile as I started to walk away.
"Hey! Are you alright? You seemed a bit upset before you almost fell," he asked, concerned.
"Yes," I answered automatically. I took a look at the skepticism on his face and answer truthfully, "Maybe. I don't know."
"Well do you need something? Maybe I could help you…" he smiled again, showing off his cute dimples.
I couldn't help but smile back. "Um, I'm not sure. I really need a ride back to my dorm, but…"
"Say no more, I'll just get my keys and tell Tommy I'm giving you a ride. He'll probably tell Rose and Alice," he grinned.
I smiled even more. "Thanks, that would be great." His blue eyes smiled back at mine. I looked at his face and thought, he really was beautiful.
"Bella?" he asked when he caught me staring.
"Hm?" I smiled distracted. He chuckled.
"Nothing." We continued walking down the hallway, me right by his side, clutching to his arm. I didn't want to have another run-in with Mike. He smiled when he felt my hand and brought it down to his hand and entwined them. I smiled and marveled at the warmth.
"Hey, Tommy, I'm driving Bella back to her room. Can you tell Alice and Rose?"
"Yeah, sure. Whatever dude," he replied distracted.
Aaron smiled at me. "You ready to go?"
I shrugged on my jacket. "Yup, let's go," I smiled back.
The ride home was interesting. We talked a lot and I was surprised to find we had a lot in common. We both had a wide range of music we enjoyed and we both liked to read. Though the classics appealed more to me, he was about adventure, mystery, and horror. Where I was clumsy, he was a skilled basketball player.
All in all, we had a great time. When it came time to leave, he walked me to my door and ran a hand down my cheek, leaving a burning trail behind. He left with a whispered "goodnight, Bella" and I went to bed, thoughts on what happened tonight with Aaron. These thoughts eventually led to what Edward said to me. I can't believe I actually thought he cared! That jerk would never care about a woman's feelings. A was a fool to think that he actually cared.
Edward Cullen, caring about me, Bella Swan? Ha! Impossible.
I wish was my last thought as I drifted off to sleep.
'Cause I am barely breathing,
And I can't find the air.
I don't know who I'm kidding,
Imagining you care.
And I could stand here waiting,
A fool for another day.
Kinda a filler/introduction chapter, much like last chapter. The actual plot should start showing up soon! haha. I see this story going on for a while. Maybe 20+ chapters. I've never tried it before, so we'll see where it goes. Oh, and sorry for you guys that don't like OC's. I needed Aaron and Tommy in here for a reason, you'll find out later. haha. :)