Chapter 2: Imagination
The view from my branch was breathtaking. The rain had let up a little, and a few breaks in the clouds let solitary beams of sunlight stream down to the sparkling ground below. It looked like a scene from a painting. I smiled and leaned out further over the branches of the oak tree.
I felt safer this way, both hands security around the bark; and, Edward watching me securely from a higher branch.
"You look happier," he commented. I realized I had been smiling, and quickly smothered it. No need to drop all my cards in front of a stranger.
He was, after all, just that: a stranger. No mater how comfortable I felt around him; and, no matter how much he seemed to make me smile, I couldn't—wouldn't grow attached to him. Sooner or later he was going to have to climb out of his tree and then he'd have to move on with his life; as would I.
I sighed, and looked at the mulch feet below me. Call me crazy, but I really didn't want my feet to ever touch that mulch. I wanted to stay in that tree forever.
My cell phone jingled, and I jumped much to Edward's amusement. He chuckled as I answered.
"Bella," the other line growled, "where the devil are you?"
I groaned and Edward looked at me quizzically.
"I look at my clock," my phone squawked, "and it's already 3 o'clock and you're not here; so what do I do, I go looking for you and you're nowhere to be found!"
"Calm down, and breath," I replied, long-suffering.
"Calm down, that's what you say, calm down!" She trilled. I knew from experience that her face had probably turned a light shade of purple and she was most likely throwing her free arm in the air in exasperation. I rolled my eyes, she was so predictable.
"Yes," I said, "all I can say is calm down, because that's what you need to do, Alice."
Edward looked at me amusement in his features as well as question.
"Ok," she replied taking a breath, "ok, so where are you exactly?"
"I'm in a tree," I said.
Uh-oh, wrong answer.
Alice started to hyperventilate. I groaned, calming her down was going to be a feat, "Ali, don't freak out; I just wanted to get some shelter from the rain."
"So you climbed a tree?" She asked sarcasm heavy in her voice.
"Yes, I did," I said, and she groaned.
Alice, my only true friend, tended to over-react to everything. She was my sanity, though, and I'd put up with her since the fourth grade when she saved me from a nefarious bully. I'd stood up to the sixth grader, and was about to be beaten to a bloody, little pulp when she started to scream her lungs out therefore garnering the attention of a nearby teacher; we've been friends ever since. Mainly because, I can't get her to stop following me around.
Her real name isn't Alice. She forced me to convince everyone when we entered high school that her name was lice. I was always the more outgoing of the pair; and, for some inexplicable reason people believed me when I told them something.
So, upon entering freshman year she was Alice and nothing else. I really couldn't blame her for wanting an alias. After all, I'd had mine since the age of five. I still had nine years on her. But, I had an ace in the hole; I actually knew her real name, and I used it to fit my own agenda. If I was in desperate need of calming her down, calling her by her given name usually did the job.
"What tree are you in?" She trilled.
I heard her with my open ear before my phone processed it. Her shriek was unmistakable. I peered out of the surrounding foliage and spotted her familiar mop of spiky, black hair.
"I'm in the one you're looking at," I replied.
Her gaze turned to the oak and she snapped her phone shut with audible anger.
"Bella, get your butt out of that tree," she called, peering upwards and allowing her face to be damped in the fine mist that the rain had dissipated into.
"Why should I?" I fired back childishly.
"Because I said so, that's why!" She said pushing her dampened hair from her face.
I sighed and looked over my shoulder at Edward; expecting to see those startling green eyes; but all I saw was the green of the tree.
"Edward?" I asked, startled.
Silence.
"Bells, if you hadn't noticed you're talking to yourself," Alice said, her signature, hazel green eyes flashing.
"I am not," I replied, "Edward, where are you?"
"Bella?" She asked, sounding suddenly frightened, "Are you ok?"
Edward wasn't there. I hadn't heard him leave, I was sure I would have heard his descent. I already doubted my sanity, didn't it? Edward could have been something my mind concocted to keep me company that rainy afternoon. I'd never seen him before and probably never would see him again.
His face, his eyes, his demeanor, everything were quite possibly figments of my imagination. I had an overactive imagination; I was the kid who still carried imaginary friends even into middle school. I would still have imaginary friends if my school hadn't notified my parents of it and so, I was forced to give up my posse. That was alright, I wasn't entirely lonely, I had Alice; and she took a lot of looking after. She needed me, and I needed her. We both gave and took.
This wouldn't have been the first time I'd had a conversation with someone who wasn't really there. This was who I'd garnered the nickname 'Sixth Sense' in high school. Though, I didn't really identify with the protagonist of a creepy, horror film; I was annoyed that they compared me to the little kid who saw ghosts. I didn't see ghosts, I created them.
"Bella, if you don't come down here in five seconds I'm going to go find a chainsaw and cut you down," Alice threatened. She really wouldn't do anything aside from stomping her foot and threatening some more; but, I didn't want to deal with her temper if I overstayed my welcome in that fine, old tree.
I climbed down carefully; knowing Edward wasn't there to catch me. I must have invented his strong arms. Sad how convincing my mind could be when I wasn't even trying. Edward was a new creation, though. I rarely had new incarnations of the imagination; just resurrections of my past imaginary friends.
"Not again," Ali groaned as I finally made my way down the trunk, feet splayed on the last rungs of the lowest branches. "Did you start talking to yourself again?"
Really, everyone overreacted to these things. I didn't do it that often; but, often enough to keep my small circle of friends on red alert. What was a couple of conversations with myself? Everyone talks to themselves once and a while. I just did it more 'a while' than 'once'.
"So what if I did," I sniffed.
"Bella, you can't keep doing this," she said, her tawny, green eyes sad. "Who was it this time?"
I'd made the grave mistake of telling her once all about my past imaginary friends. She'd, of course, remembered everything I said and used it against me.
"Someone new," I muttered and pushed past her, suddenly wishing I had a jacket in the after-rain wind. She followed behind at her own pace; giving me some space. I didn't know if I'd frightened her with all my tom-foolery; or if she knew I didn't want company at the moment. Wait that was a lie. I did want company, just not hers.
Why did all the good people in life have to be imaginary?
I wrapped my arms around my chest, using the excuse of warmth instead of admitting the dull ache in my heart. I was lonely. That was my life's story. I was lonely in a room full of people. I was the broken ride in the middle of an amusement park. Sometimes, I felt like that: like I was on display because of how devastatingly boring and bizarre I truly was.
"You want to order a pizza or something?" Alice asked. I nodded, and she added smiling, "Extra cheese."
Extra cheese. My love.
I laughed; and, her expression finally warmed. Good, I hadn't worried her too badly then.
We made our way to the apartment we shared laughing and making small talk. Her parents had insisted upon our living in one of the apartments on campus rather than the dormitories. Apparently it had something to do with the evils of a dorm room. I don't deign to know how parents' minds work. Mine didn't really care where I lived; they were proud enough to have a daughter who was getting an education. Alice probably would have died if she were here alone; so I volunteered to be her roommate. I didn't think her parents were very fond of me—and really, I couldn't blame them—but, they agreed to put us up in this little flat for the duration of our stay in the institute of greater education.
She closed the door behind her and threw her keys onto the kitchen counter, searching under a pile of junk mail for our telephone. Sad to say, we weren't the best of housekeepers. We both tended to pile things that were in our way; so there was a pile of dirty dishes in the sink—I'd make Alice wash them later—and there was a pile of unopened mail by the telephone, and a pile of dirty clothes in front of the closet that encased our ancient washing machine. A washing machine which worked subjectively; we had a washing machine with an attitude. It didn't like jeans, or shirts or underwear; it did, however, like towels. It ate towels like candy. So, we had a surplus of clean towels and that was pretty much it. I'd have to do a load sooner or later or else I'd have to run around naked.
I snorted to myself at the thought of my lack of clothing. I was probably the most modest person I knew. I was the girl who wore oversized T-shirts and shorts to the beach because she didn't like bathing suits; I was comfortable, however impractical it may have been. I always looked odd with a farmer's tan.
"Hey there, Handsome," Ali was saying into the phone. I shook my head as I haphazardly tossed clothes into the beast's mouth, "We want a pizza."
She waited in silence as I measured out detergent.
"Extra cheese," she stated with surety, and then her eyes crinkled at the edges as she smiled, "I love you too, see you in a bit."
She put the phone back into its rightful place, "Jasper's bringing the pizza up in twenty minutes," she said.
Jasper was Alice's steady-beau. We'd both known him since elementary school, where she absolutely hated his guts. He was two years older than we were; actually he was the bully who Alice had 'saved' me from. He had been a bully up until he entered high school, where he mellowed out. He almost served to destroy all my hard work convincing everyone in our new district that Alice's name was in fact Alice. He'd always known her as 'Mary' just like all of out other classmates—who by a stroke of luck stayed in our old school district, while we left. He'd matured in the few years we hadn't seen him due to the age gap. His mop of yellow hair had subdued itself a little, growing longer and in his face and he'd gone from the pudgy, name-caller he once was to the brunt of many high-school dramas. He had a bit of a reputation as being a heartbreaker—no one could blame him; he hadn't really done anything. Girls just fought over him.
Funny as it was, he is—to this day even—completely oblivious to all this. I told him once about a four-month long issue that had totally sucked the life out of my freshman class because two girls liked him and started a war over it. He laughed nervously and looked between Alice and me; and asked her if that really had happened. I don't quite understand how he missed all of that crap. I would have loved to crawl up into a hallow tree and hibernate through those long months, and it seemed Jasper had done just that.
"Jasper was on duty today?" I asked conversationally. Jasper worked at the cheesy—no pun intended—pizza joint down the street. 'Mario's Slice of Heaven' was the fine Italian eatery here. Mario himself was a classy man, with an odd assortment of tattoos and piercing more befitting the owner of a Harley Davidson rather than a pizzeria.
"Mmhmm," Alice hummed back nodding.
"And he's going to bring it here once his shift ends," I prompted throwing in more jeans and detergent.
"Yep," she said leaning around the kitchen doorway and looking at me with baleful eyes.
"What's the matter?" I asked, keeping my voice casual. She was, no doubt, wondering about my adventure earlier today.
"You know," she snapped warily. Oh great, I was currently on her bad side.
"So what if I had a conversation with someone who wasn't really there?" I asked, "It's not like I haven't done that before; and, as for my climbing a tree it really wasn't so bad, little kids do it all the time."
"I know that," she said sighing and crouching next to me, idly sorting through the piles of soiled clothes, "you know I'm worried about you."
Yes. I knew that. Everyone worried about me. They thought that perhaps once I went away to college I'd lose my harsh, overbearing shell and become the flowery, girlie-girl that everyone wanted me to be.
Alas, that would never happen. I was too set in my brash ways. Already engraved upon me like child's handprints encased in cement; my way of being was carved all over me. I was too far encased in my shell to ever be able to break free.
"Yeah, I know," I muttered, starting the washing machine. It made a fretful groaning noise as it shuttered to a start.
"Then why do you still do these things?" She asked, her green eyes slowly draining of their anger.
"Because, it's who I am; and, if that annoys people, then so be it," I snapped, quickly regretting my harsh tone.
She leaned her head forward, dark brown hair tumbling past her ears. I really regretted it now. I knew she cared for me; above all else. I dropped the pair of pants I was holding, and put my hands on her shoulders.
She drew her face up to look at me; and mustered a smile. I hated myself for making her sad.
"Don't worry about me," I smiled and reclaimed my laundry, "besides, we've known for a long time I'm crazy!"
She laughed and went to grab her book bag from where she had deposited it by the door.
"Homework time!" She said brightly, only she could have a sunny attitude about doing schoolwork.
Alice took out her books and started in on her history homework. Despite the fact that laundry was only marginally better than homework; I continued my task, praying that the Homework Fairy would come in the meantime. I'd never been visited by this fairy; but, I hear she was very kind, and also very selective in whom she helped. I'd never fit her prerequisites, so my homework remained unfinished.
After my first load of towels, a knock came at the door; and, Alice danced across the room to answer it.
"Hey," she said airily as she smiled up at our yellow-haired pizza man.
"Hey," Jasper replied leaning down to give her a peck on the lips.
I stuck my tongue out as I moved the towels into the dryer. Thankfully our dryer wasn't as dysfunctional as our washer.
"You don't have to make that face," Jasper grinned, "I bring you tidings of good pizza."
"Only because it's your job," I retorted. Jasper and I had a love-hate relationship. On the one hand, I was glad that he and Alice were together. He was everything to her, and above all else he loved her back. But then again, Jasper and I were still hit-and-miss. I had a tendency to constantly annoy him, and as per the Golden Rule he dished out as much as he took.
"Bells, you want two pieces?" Alice asked, grabbing a couple of plates. I nodded.
She took out two pieces, put them on a plate and handed it to me.
She grabbed her own piece and went to join Jasper at the table.
I was loath to admit they looked cute together. Her head bent over her homework in concentration, and his bent matching hers. She was reading the page; but, he seemed content to trace patterns with his fingertips across her outstretched hand. Sometimes, they were so cute it hurt to look at them.
I choked back the bile rising in my throat and shuffled into the living room, pizza in hand.
I briefly fought with the idea of starting my homework. But my heart wouldn't have been in it. No matter how hard I tried to think of something else, all I could think of was a pair of apple green eyes. And then those green eyes surrounded by the milky white of his face, and then the tangle of his coppery hair, and those dirty clothes.
I shook my head. Dwelling on a figment of my imagination was not a good idea. I should try to live in the present as much as humanly possible. I couldn't lose myself to my imagination.
What bothered me was he had been so vivid. None of my other apparitions had seemed so real. I remembered random things about them. Perhaps an eye colour, or maybe a speech pattern; but, no one stuck out in my mind like Edward. Even his name made him stand out. Due to my lack of creativity, my people generally had stupid names. I distinctly remember having a 'Fred'…
I smiled slightly, remembering having friends like that; remembering better times. Easier times.
I wanted so badly to see Edward again. I wanted him to laugh at me. I promised myself that if he ever came back; I wouldn't allow myself to have the urge to punch him again. I'd be savoring the look of his face. Remembering every detail, so when he left for the last time; I'd be able to resurrect the memory.
Ali peered around the doorway at me. She looked at me and mustered a smile. I was still worrying her. I sighed and stood, "Is all the pizza gone?"
"Nope, there're a couple of pieces left," she smiled, "you want some, I'll bring it to you."
"No thanks, Mom," I replied teasing lightly hoping she wouldn't sense the note of sadness in my voice, "I'll get it myself."
I strode past her into the kitchen; Jasper gave me a look that distinctly said 'Don't freak my girlfriend out anymore'. I snorted at him, and served myself another piece.
Mario, despite his intimidating appearance, was a kindly fellow; and, to his credit, he made a darn good pizza. Alice's and mine standby of a large, extra cheese was always made to perfection. Crafted by the pizza gods, or just a solitary pizza god; if Mario ever heard me say that, it'd go straight to his head. I laughed to myself and Jasper looked at me like I had a third eye.
"Ali, Bella is doing that weird laugh-thing again," he called as Alice ambled back into the kitchen.
Alice chuckled, "Just ignore her."
"Thanks, Ali," I shot back around a mouthful of cheesy pizza.
"Uh-huh," Alice smiled back, reclaiming her seat near Jasper.
"Pig out on the pizza, Bella," he instructed sarcastically as I started on my fourth piece. I'd always been thin—thank you, fast metabolism.
"I will, thanks, Jasper!" I said shoving the crust into my mouth and washing it down with a glass of milk. Jasper rolled his eyes, and then went back to being fascinated by a piece of hair that hung over Alice's ear. It was my turn to roll my eyes.
Alice made a strange noise in the back of her throat, before flopping her head down against her open book. Jasper raised his eyebrows. And I sighed, throwing my fifth piece back into the box.
"What's the matter?" I asked.
She groaned in response, "I don't know the answer!"
"Look it up," I retorted reaching to reclaim my pizza.
"Bella, I seriously don't know—you're good at history, go get your book and help me, please!" She pleaded.
I sighed and re-tossed my pizza back in the box, trudging to the door to where I stashed by bag.
It wasn't there.
Figures.
Now, the real question was, had I left it under that stupid, old tree…? I distinctly remembered using—well, trying to use—it as an umbrella. I didn't remember where I'd put it upon seeing Edward. And I didn't remember picking it up after Alice had found me in the tree. I did have a lot on my mind when that was happening, so I knew I hadn't picked it up. So that meant, my ruined books were getting even more soaked out under that tree.
I scrunched up my nose; she turned her head to look at me. Her dark brown eyebrows furrowed, "What's the matter with you now?"
"I left my backpack out by that stupid tree," I muttered, grabbing my pizza with a vengeance and taking a too-large bite.
"Bella!" Alice whined. Jasper narrowed his eyes, and then sighed, "What tree did you leave it under? I'll go get it."
"Don't worry about it," I said swallowing thickly, "I'll go get my rain boots and go look for it. Knowing my luck, it's probably been stolen and sold on the Black Market by now."
Jasper snorted. I trudged back to my room, despising myself for having to go back there so soon. I knew it would just serve to haunt me.
It was like going back to the scene of a grisly murder and having to relive those moments. I didn't think I was ready to face that yet. I hadn't gotten my imagination wholly reigned in yet. Thankfully, I had the excuse to rifle through my closet to find my rain boots to save me some more time.
I was thigh-deep in my closet mess when I heard Alice's quickened footsteps against the linoleum in the kitchen. I sighed and hoped that she hadn't found another problem with her homework. My book—if it was still there—was probably soaked beyond all recognition.
"Bells, some guy's at the door and he's totally gorgeous!" She gushed, I rolled my eyes, then she added, "He's asking for you!"
Now who could that be at the door...? ;)
A big thank you to everyone who reviewed this! Pam Briggs and greengoldlight4 win a prize. I don't actually know what that prize is. But they win it. They're the only two who reviewed the last chapter--and I squealed delightedly when I read those reviews, so thank you to the both of you.
The playlist for this story is going to be put up in my profile, hopefully you guys will go check it out.
Next time on TGBM:
"Are you a friend of Bella's?" Alice asked. I tried to elbow her in the ribs, but she had ducked away from my striking range and had taken a step forward to study Edward. Good, this was good, she could see him.
"I guess I am," he smiled again; and, rubbed the back of his neck. I noticed for the first time that he was barefoot. That was...disturbing. Did he have shoes on when were in the tree? Why hadn't I noticed something like that? I froze. Was he homeless or soemthing? Great, I really knew how to pick 'em.