Hi! Long time no update, but things should be back to normal now!


The Geek and the Cardboard Girl

Chapter Two

Edward's POV

"You can sit down over there if you like," I say, vaguely gesturing towards the corner of the room. It's pleasing to note that my arm is quite steady and hasn't started shaking wildly yet, like I expected it to. "I'll just, uh, order your drink..."

Bella smiles back at me and nods, clutching the towels close to her chest. "Thank you, Edward."

She remembers my name.

As I queue up, I'm suddenly struck by how insane all this is. I don't usually do things like this... I'm boring, the very definition of it. I actually like being boring... it's safe and reliable.

It's not like it's a recent habit - I've always been a bit of a bore. And, as my soon-to-be-sister-in-law Rosalie has helpfully told me several times, a bit of a geek, too.

It's true - not only does my tragic appearance make it obvious to the whole entire world, I also have several lame habits and hobbies. For example, I'd rather sit at home watching a DVD boxset than go out partying. I'd rather drink tea instead of alcohol. I'd rather go on my laptop instead of playing baseball or whatever the 'cool' people do.

Yet I'm here having a drink with somebody I've only just met. Somebody who is so beautiful that I find it hard to string together coherent sentences without sounding like a rambling fool. Somebody who I first saw dressed up in cardboard and handing out leaflets in the pouring rain while people rushed by rudely ignoring her.

This, by my standards, is quite mad. In fact, before this, the wildest thing I've ever done was over a decade ago with my childhood friend Jasper. We stayed up all night long to hold a Star Wars marathon, complete with costumes as fancy dress. By the end we both practically collapsed face first onto the floor, completely exhausted. I swore that if I ever saw a lightsabre again, I'd shove it up somebody's-

"What would you like, sir?"

I blink and see a man in a green cap waiting expectantly behind the counter for my order. Crap, what did Bella want? Did she even say?

Was it tea or coffee? Or maybe a cappuccino? A smoothie?

My mind's gone blank... this has never been so difficult before. I have no idea what women like to drink.

I have no idea about women whatsoever.

"Um... two teas, please," I eventually say, sounding unsure. You can never really go wrong with tea... and if Bella doesn't want it, I'll drink it instead.

While I wait, I turn around and see her sat in the corner at the back, wrapping the towels around her body. My eyes linger in her direction and I can't help thinking how pretty she is.

When I first saw her from a distance, it was a little alarming considering how much she resembled a drowned rat. Well, she certainly doesn't look like a rat, far from it really, but that's always good for the emphasis.

In fact, I was reluctant to approach her at first. She was just a strange cardboard girl who was at a risk of contracting pneumonia. Obviously the doctor's instinct in my head kept nagging me to help her, yet I feared what she'd think of me. People tend to laugh at my clothes and my general look and I try to ignore the comments at all costs, therefore, as a result, I barely approach people or even bother socialising.

My idea of a great night in would be sat in front of the computer, emailing Jasper. It's quite sad considering I talk to him more than my own father, but I blame that on a lack of common interests. Not because I'm a bad son.

But still, these bad experiences have really affected me. At school I was bullied terribly because I was different and never really 'fitted in,' and I'm now reluctant to do normal things, like going to a party. Just recently, my brother Emmett invited me to his 'stag do,' as he calls it, and my less than enthusiastic reaction caused him to snap.

"For God's sake, Edward, stop being so flaming uptight..." he had said in despair. "You really need to loosen up, man."

Emmett's words and heavy sigh had both cut through me quite painfully, mainly because he was speaking the truth. He's my own brother after all and he was honest enough to tell me the facts, however brutal they may be, and yet I still don't want to accept any of it.

I really couldn't be blamed that time around for my response, though; he had just filled me in with his plans for everything and the details had made me feel physically sick. He'd apparently planned some gigantic party, involving alcohol, strippers, blazing lights and music, and a few surprises along the way.

Altogether that pretty much summed up my general idea of hell.

Despite this, I was kind of obliged to go... he could obviously tell that I didn't particularly want to because of my face like a sour lemon that had been sucked dry, and he was clearly pissed off with me because of this attitude.

"It'd just be the one night," he continued, chopping the carrot on the board with a little too much force. I hoped he wasn't pretending that the vegetable was a certain part of me, because that was enough to bring tears to my-

"Are you even listening?"

I blinked and nodded wildly. "Sorry, yeah. But Em, you know I don't like these kinds of things..."

"Oh, it's all about you," he grumbled, slamming down the knife. "I should have known."

Well done, Cullen. You've royally messed up once again.

My lips refused to move as he shook his head. Come on, hurry up and redeem yourself...

"I didn't mean it like that," I managed. "I- I just... it was the initial shock of it. Alcohol's very bad on the liver... in fact, when-" I was about to launch into another of my textbook facts, but just about stopped myself at the look of distaste on his face. Do not get on the wrong side of him... you've learnt that from experience. With a sigh, I added, "That's all." And reluctantly said, "Of course I'll go."

As soon as those words escaped, I frowned at myself. You weren't supposed to say that!

"Oh, really?" Emmett asked, his face brightening a little in hope and clear surprise. "That's awesome!"

Before I could register, he thumped me on the back, knocking some of the wind clear out of my lungs. I used to find it amusing how his arms were the size of my legs, but now it just gets old. And sometimes quite painful when he suddenly decides to scoop me up and lift me off the ground on a random basis.

He calls it an 'excited habit.' I call it agony.

"So I'll give you some more info soon, yeah? When it's all worked out and everything. Just don't tell Rose anything, she wouldn't be too happy."

"Sure," I replied quietly, along with a weak laugh. Out of the blue, I was hit with the sudden urge to leave. "I'd, um... I'd better go now actually."

After that, I walked along the sidewalk for a long time, deep in my thoughts. I kept telling myself that some people were a lot more worse off than me, yet I was there panicking over a stupid party. I could have just been a normal adult and acted all excited at the chance to get drunk, yet I was left with a hollow feeling in my stomach. Dread. Sickness. Fear.

Even though the party was my main worry, Emmett's words kept swirling around in my mind more than anything like a broken record.

You really need to loosen up, man.

It made me really think... if I kept acting that way, avoiding things that I hate like the plague and being generally uptight, would I end up losing those that I hold near? The few people who actually still put up with me?

They wouldn't do that. Surely...

But the thought kept nagging me, until I saw the cardboard girl in the distance looking completely drenched. It seemed like fate was giving me an opportunity to change and I vowed to myself that I would do something spontaneous, even if it meant making a fool out of myself. From now on, I'd act normal and do adventurous things like an average person. Or at least try to.

And now, here I am. It all went surprisingly well, despite a bit of babble on my behalf, and I have absolutely no idea what's going to happen now. But I've met a very good looking woman, so it can't be all that bad.

"Here you go."

I mumble my thanks and hand over the money, then carefully navigate my way back to the table, extra careful not to trip over and spill hot water over Bella. Sure, she's cold, but I don't think she'd appreciate that kind of warm-up.

When I sit down and give her the cup, she smiles widely. "Boy, I really need this right now... thank you!" I watch as she reaches into her pocket. "How much was it?"

"Oh no, don't worry about that," I interrupt. "It's fine."

"If you're sure..."

She takes a tentative sip and wraps her hands around the mug for comfort. To my relief, she's not looking so pale anymore and now her brown hair only looks a little bit damp; she's been manically towel-drying it for a long time, and she now has a kind of just-stepped-out-of-the-shower look.

Maybe I shouldn't think about that too much...

There's silence for a few moments and I start to panic. Don't sound boring... say something interesting... don't ruin this now!

My eyes move to the messy cardboard beside her. The ink has run and it's completely ruined. "Do you think there's any chance of salvaging that?"

A brief laugh escapes her lips and I see her eyes crinkle around the edges. "It's such a shame, but I think it's completely ruined now."

"Am I sensing some sarcasm, there?"

"Yeah, well done Sherlock," she grins, making my heart race in my chest. It's quite lame to think that this is the most exciting conversation I've had in a long time, and quite upsetting at the same time to think it'll probably be the one and only time.

"So, are you from around here?" she asks randomly, trying to keep up the conversation. "I haven't seen you around before and it's quite a small place."

"Yeah, I've been here my whole life," I say with a smile. "I guess you've just been avoiding me."

"Damn," she grimaces, punching the air. "You've sussed out my plan."

She's insanely beautiful when she does that. The way the light catches her face makes her seem so young, yet her eyes seem strangely old or wise, as though she's been through a lot. Maybe I'm over-analysing as I usually do, but that's my first impression.

I notice that she's looking at me silently. Come on, say something else...

"What do you do?" she asks, taking another drink of her tea. It's hard not focusing on her lips and the way they latch onto the cup.

"I'm a doctor," I tell her and her face seems to light up. "I work down at the Forks hospital... the shifts are killers but it's worthwhile." I suddenly catch myself. "Sorry, I don't want to go on about myself all the time... where-"

"No, no, it's fine," she insists. "I'm really interested. What made you want to become a doctor?"

"Well, my father's a doctor," I say. "I guess that probably influenced me. But I've always liked helping people, I think. The idea of saving lives is pretty appealing."

"But isn't all the blood horrible?" she asks with a grimace. Her nose wrinkles up adorably. "And all the gore?"

"It doesn't bother me," I reply with a smile. "I just imagine that it's something else."

"Like what? A piece of meat?"

I snort. "We are meat, really. Why do you think some people are cannibals?"

"Ugh," she shudders. "Moving swiftly onwards, please..."

I snicker to myself. Maybe I'm too quick to say this, but it does seem strangely natural talking to Bella, almost as though we're old friends. I'm probably just being too hopeful and optimistic, but even that's different from my usual perspective on life, so that's a bonus.

Perhaps this whole being-more-spontaneous thing was a good idea... maybe I could make a diary and try to do at least one out-of-the-ordinary thing every day. That would certainly make me a better person and-

"Edward?"

"Sorry," I stammer. "Lost in my thoughts."

"Oh. What were you thinking about?"

"Nothing in particular."

She looks at me strangely. "Oh. Right."

"Did you say something, anyway?" I ask, trying to change the subject. "I zoned out."

"I was just commenting on how random all this is. I never expected to be doing something like this when I woke up this morning."

"I bet you didn't," a new voice suddenly says, "and there's a reason for that."

We both turn around with a start and, standing beside Bella, looking down her nose, is a terrifying pixie-like woman with eyes of steel. Her hair is dark and spikes out in every possible direction, almost like mine, and her hands are planted firmly on her small hips.

This isn't good.

I glance over at Bella and she looks like she's in shock. Her mouth is open and she's frozen, blinking wildly.

"Miss Brandon, I-"

Crap, it's her boss.

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but did I not give you a job to do? I don't recall giving you the task of having tea with a-" Her eyes sweep over me critically, "total stranger." Her glare then moves to the ruined piece of cardboard to Bella's left. "And please don't tell me that's what's left of my advertisement..."

"Okay," Bella murmurs. "I won't."

Several other people in the shop have decided to stop in their tracks and stare over in our direction, and I silently plead with them to stop, mostly for Bella's sake. This is humiliating enough for her as it is and she could do without several pairs of nosey eyes watching her embarrassment.

"Swan, you realise how much money is spent on resources and advertising, yes?" her boss continues. "And yet you completely disregard that, showing no respect whatsoever towards the company. I-"

"No, I didn't mean to, I-"

She cuts Bella off with a sweep of her tiny manicured hand. "I don't want to hear your excuses. In fact, I've suffered long enough with your average work skills. You're no longer a part of the company, Miss Swan. This, at last, is my excuse to fire you."

I sit there helplessly, trying to find a way to help her because this is all my fault, not Bella's, yet my mouth won't move.

"I-"

"Do I have to spell it out for you?" her boss spits. "You're fired. F-i-r-e-d." She pauses, looking at us both in what appears to be disgust. "You can keep your ruined cardboard and your geek, though."

And with that, she saunters out of the building and off down the street without a backward glance.

It's all quiet for a long time, before the sound of chatter gradually builds back up around us.

I can't look at her. The guilt is too much.

I try to do something good and it ends up like this. I don't even know her, and-

"Bella," I eventually manage, "I... I'm really sorry. I didn't mean-"

"It's not your fault, Edward," she says quietly, reluctantly looking up to meet my eyes. "I agreed to come here. I should have known better."

"But your job," I stammer. "I-"

"Please, it's okay." She sounds defeated and her face is set in a disappointed mask. "At least I'll be away from her now."

I search around for something consoling to say, but come up with nothing. The truth is, I've cost her her job. She now has no source of income. How will she get food, pay the bills, buy new clothes?

"Bella-"

"I think I'd better go." She heaves herself upright and carries her soggy cardboard in her hands. The towels and remains of the tea remain behind abandoned. The advert almost crumbles underneath her fingers and I stand up to try and help her.

"Thanks for the drink," she murmurs, not accepting my assistance. "Um... I guess this is bye, then."

Before I can stop her, she's heading glumly out the doors with her head hung low.

Crap.

The idea of being different crumbles in my mind. It'd be an understatement to say that it hasn't been a good start.


I apologise for the long break. I was obviously away for 2 weeks, and then it took quite a while to write this. But never mind, I hope you liked it anyway! The updates will be weekly on a Friday from now on - please leave some feedback if you can! Thanks for reading!