A/N:Here is BPOV leading up to what happened with Edward in chapter one. I know there will be unanswered questions about these characters but that will all come to light in coming chapters. Just keep with me and please review!
Disclaimer: All characters and plot belongs to Stephanie Meyer. No copyright infringement intended.
The lovely Twilightzoner betas.
Chapter Two: Obligations and Pleasant Conversations
"Alice, I have to go, I'm about to check into my hotel."
"Okay fine, but remember to wear the outfit I picked out for you, have a few shots before you go inside, and please don't let any of those bitches make you run and cry in the bathroom like they did in high school."
Ugh, thanks for the reminder. "Yes, Alice, I promise. Now, I really do have to go… okay bye!" I hung up before she could respond.
I loved my best friend, Alice. She was my roommate all throughout college at NYU and has kept me sane ever since. When I decided to go to New York for school, my dad was furious. He hated that I would be so far away, especially since my mom had abandoned us when I was younger. But I had to get away. Forks, Washington was suffocating and held nothing for my future. I thought he would finally come around, but I haven't seen him since he flew out for my college graduation and have only talked to him on the phone a few times since.
But I was okay with that. I had a great support system in New York. Alice and her older brother Emmett had their own family issues, so we usually spent the holidays together and always included each other in everything. Emmett was definitely a womanizer, but we were used to his constant string of short term girlfriends.
Emmett had actually been the one to finally convince me to fly out here for my dreaded high school reunion. He said it would be the perfect time to show them all that I actually succeeded at something. I ran my own high end art gallery in the center of Manhattan and wrote part time on the side. I had already published two novels, under a pen name, of course. I would die if my father ever read one of these books and knew it came from my own dirty mind.
But more importantly than showing up my classmates, I needed to see my dad. He had been diagnosed with cancer this past January and had refused any visitors up to this point. It got really bad a few weeks ago, and he had now taken up residency in the hospital in Seattle. I would never forgive myself if he died without being able to say good-bye.
I wasn't sure how long my stay out here was going to be. Alice and Emmett were already planning a trip out in two weeks, but I really didn't plan on staying much longer than that. I had a life to get back to.
I opened the door to my suite and immediately went to the bathroom and started the shower. In three hours I had to face all the people who made my life hell for my entire adolescence, and I'd be damned if I didn't make myself look drop-dead-sexy beforehand.
I allowed the hot water of the shower to melt my tense muscles. Even though I flew first class, cross-country airplane rides always sent my body into tight spasms and horrid aches. It didn't help either that I felt entirely alone.
I wrapped the plush towel around me when I was done and started a pot of coffee before I got ready. Caffeine was a huge addiction of mine, but I figured it was better to be addicted to that than other things. I allowed my hair to air dry and then used a curling iron to create perfect curls that hung loose around my shoulders. I applied my makeup, slightly darker eyes than usual, but this was a special occasion.
The outfit Alice picked out for me was a nude colored tight fitted dress and four inch peep toe heals. There was no way I was wearing that in public. I would thank myself later for sneaking in gray dress pants that accentuated my slight curves and a dark rosy top that showed just the right amount of cleavage. I figured I would wear the shoes anyway, so I didn't completely lie to Alice when I told her I wore what she picked out for me.
I checked the clock for what seemed like the hundredth time this hour. The reunion started at 8:00 in the hotel ballroom. No one was shocked that the reunion wasn't held in Forks; there really wasn't a hotel large enough to hold the event, or so they said. I didn't really care. I just liked how I could be close to my dad and get this retched occasion over with.
I pulled my phone off of the charger next to the bed and checked my missed text messages, one from Alice, two from Emmett.
"Give 'em hell, Bella!"
"Bella, please don't worry. You will be great and they will love you. Call me as soon as you get back to your room- no matter the time!"
"Hey Bells, if that Mike Newton kid gives you any trouble just kick him in the balls, and I'll take care of him when I'm out there in a few weeks! Love you, baby sis!"
The last text from Emmett had me laughing, but it couldn't prevent the single tear that slipped down my cheek. You can do this. You, Isabella Marie Swan, are a beautiful, confident, successful… yeah, yeah, yeah. I'm so full of shit. I can't fool anybody. Yes, you can, too, fool them! They were all fooled in high school! No, I was just a raging bitch in high school. No one even came close enough before I bit their heads off. They never had a chance to know me. Well, this is only one night. Put on a smile and try to pretend you care what they're all doing with their lives. Just one night. Just one night.
Right. That's all it was. Just one night of pleasant smiles and shaking hands, I can do this. Their harsh words can't hurt me anymore. So who cares what they said about me back then. I was seventeen! And besides, even if I do run out crying, it's not like I have to see them again. The sooner I go and make an appearance, the sooner I can leave. Charlie would want this. Everything will be fine. Just go, Bella.
Ugh. I gave up on my own internal battle and grabbed my purse on my way to the door. As I entered the east-side ballroom I immediately felt nauseous. I quickly made my way to the bar and ordered two shots of Captain's spice rum, courtesy of Alice's request, of course. I breathed a sigh of relief as the liquor slid down my throat. Liquid confidence - I in no way had a problem with that.
The bartender gave me a knowing smile when I finished, and before I could slip away I felt an icy hand run up my back. As I turned around to get a view of this pervert who put their hand on my ass, I was lifted up into a suffocating hug. My internal instincts told me to run, fast.
"James. I should have known."
"Oh come on, Bella. What's with the attitude? Aren't you excited to see me?"
"No, not really. I'm not really fond of men who run their hands along my body without my permission."
"Aw, just as much a prude as you were in high school."
"James, weren't you in prison for rape? I would hardly call myself prude when it came to you, just careful."
"It was not rape. It was completely consensual. Just a little young, that's all."
"That's disgusting." As I was trying to make my escape he grabbed my arm to pull me back to him. Before I had a chance to verbally abuse him, and use Emmett's advice and kick the bastard in the balls, he was shoved back into the bar.
"Get the hell off of her!"
"Look who it is, Edward fucking Cullen, always screwing up my chances to get laid."
Edward held James by the collar of his shirt, and his eyes were on fire. I knew Edward was overly emotional, but to be honest, I just didn't understand why this brought out so much passion in him. It kind of pissed me off. I didn't need Edward's help to deal with James. If he would have given me one second, I would have James crying on the floor holding onto his crotch for dear life.
Luckily, some blond guy got a hold of Edward before he slammed James' face in, but I turned and left after that. The last thing I wanted was attention to be brought to me.
After my social run in with nasty James and psycho Cullen, I simply wandered and tried to blend in. I ran into Jessica Stanley, and she held my presence for what seemed like eternity as she filled me in on the past ten years of her life. I really wished I could remember what she was saying, but instead I watched how every time she mentioned Mike Newton her eyebrow would twitch. Apparently, her face spasms were more important than her words. If that were any description of the Forks' population, I was in for a long night. And for the record, her eye twitched twenty-seven times.Shoot me now.
When I was finally able to slip away, with the excuse of needing to use the restroom, I was relieved to find a quiet, small, common area hidden beside the stage. I fell onto the couch and shut my eyes. I was mentally exhausted. I now, all too well, remembered why it had been ten years since I'd returned here.
Without any noise to give me warning, my skin started tingling, and it felt like there was electricity in the air. My eyes shot open and were drawn to a tall, slender, incredibly sexy man standing against the wall across the room watching me.
"What the hell, Edward? Are you trying to kill me?"
No answer.
"Okay, creeper. Thanks for the pleasant conversation, but I think you should go now."
He just continued to stare at me with those piercing green eyes. I felt like he was trying to read me, as if staring at me hard enough would grant him access into my mind. I wish I could say that I felt uncomfortable, but if I were being honest with myself, I didn't feel violated, just completely embarrassed. I could already feel the blush rising in my face.
I stood up to walk away, since he clearly did not come in here to talk to me. But before I opened the door, his violet voice said my name.
"Bella, don't go."
"I'm sorry, but what exactly do you want, Edward? You want to catch up and reminisce on old times? Oh wait, we don't have any. We were never friends, so stop treating me like I'm some long lost buddy of yours."
"Will you stop?" His words were full of anger and completely caught me off guard.
"I came to see if you were okay. You know, after that whole James thing."
"Edward, it really wasn't a big deal. I could have taken care of him on my own. I did not need your help."
As I was speaking, he was slowly stepping closer. My feet automatically retreated until I was pressed up against the wall.
"Why can't you get off your damn high horse for one second and let others help you? Is your heart so stone cold that you can't let anyone in?"
His hot breath was now on my face as he spat his words at me, filled with anger, yet his eyes were full of lust.
"My heart was closed off a long time ago."
"That's a fucking lie, Bella."
Before I knew it I was being lifted up and pinned up against the wall by his body.
Yes, this was going to be a long night indeed.
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