Hey again, awesome to have you guys back.
I'm shocked that people actually read this, and for you to favorite it and review is just amazing to me, I am so thankful for you guys, seriously, consider my mind blown.
I hope you liked the previous chapter and are ready for more.
Bella's no longer in 5th grade, so you don't have to worry about that.
I'm thinking updates are gonna be once (hopefully twice) a week, on weekends, since I unfortunately don't have too much free time.
One last thing, This is probably a good time to warn you that there're going to be some lemons down the line, so anyone who is opposed to the idea or is underage, now will be the time to leave. This is rated M for a reason.
None of the characters are mine.
7 years later
The harsh sound of a heavy drum beat jostles me awake. Damn it, I have to remember to change my alarm's tune. Happens every damned morning.
I reach for my phone and turn the blaring noise off. 9:45 on Monday morning, the last week before I'm off to college has officially started.
I groan and force myself to leave the bed, I will not spend my last days of freedom asleep. Plus, I have a flight to catch.
I look at my room, all empty and lonely. And although I'm excited to start this new chapter of my life, I can't help but feel nostalgic. In this room I had made my first real friend, I had grown comfortable in my own skin, I had started to be confident and believe in myself.
I remember the move here, I was such a mess, having left everything I knew behind, including my dad. It was that summer when I had started my diet, thinking the only way the kids at the new school would be nice to me is if I go there looking like a supermodel. Obviously, I was 11 years old so I didn't really have a chance of achieving that goal, but I did lose some weight and was ecstatic about that.
I remember the first day of school, I was all confident and smiles as my mom drove me to school. I was still shy as hell as I walked into the classroom and the teacher introduced me to class, but I no longer feared the criticism of the other kids. I liked how I looked and I felt great about succeeding in my task. And I let it show.
That was when I met Rose. I smile to myself as I look at the picture of the two of us on my wall. She was such a cute girl, all blonde hair, blue eyes, pink lips. The perfect girl. Well, until she opened her mouth that is.
Rose and I had instantly become friends. I had been so shy as I asked her to come to my house after school to do our homework, but she happily agreed.
We were inseparable ever since.
The honk of a car brings me back from my reminiscence. I roll my eyes at myself as I look at my phone and notice the time. 10:15. I'm unbelievable.
"Bella!" my mom calls from downstairs and I hear her coming up the stairs as she yells that Rose is here.
I get up and walk over to the armchair where I had left the clothes I decided on for today -Just a green tank top and jeans- as my mom knocks then opens the door.
"Oh, good. You're up. Rose is getting annoyed" she smiles fondly. "Are you all set to go?"
"Yeah, mom, I'm just getting dressed. Can you help me with the suitcase?" I roll my eyes at my friend as she honks again. Got it Rose, you're here.
My mom nods and goes to get larger suitcase, leaving me to carry the small one and the handbag for the plane. I start to argue but she shushes me and leaves, allowing me to get dress. I'm gonna miss my mom.
I finish getting ready at the speed of light and when Rose honks again I run down the stairs. As I reach the door I remember my bags and sighing, I go back up to retrieve them.
When I finally walk outside, Rose is just about to honk again. "Keep your pants on, I'm here" I mutter as I put the bags at the back of her car. She smirks.
"Bella, baby, I'm gonna miss you so much! You have to call me as soon as you land ok?" my mom gushes as she throws herself at me. I hug her back, trying to keep the tears from my eyes. "I will, mom, I promise".
My mom keeps hugging me and crying and saying how much she loves me, and although I feel the same way, I just don't want to cry right now, and I'm definitely my father's daughter, so I don't like prolonged goodbyes.
"I love you too, mom." I say, hugging her once more before I pull away, tears sting my eyes. I get in the car and wave at her as we drive off.
"So, where to?" I ask when I've gotten my emotions in check.
"Emmett's. Then back to my place." Rose says, glancing at me through her sunglasses. Emmett's Rose's boyfriend in forever, and he'll be attending UCLA with the both of us. I think it was the best day in Rose's life when we all got our acceptance letters. She had been horrified that she would be away from either of us.
"Why back to your place?" I ask. She looks at me as if I've gone insane. "Someone will have to get my car back home" she says, rolling her eyes at me. I guess I deserve that.
"Is Jasper taking us?" I ask and she nods. "Yep, he's not leaving for Columbia till Wednesday."
I try to imagine Rose's life away from her twin brother. I remember a time when they couldn't stand each other, Rose had even made me promise not to say hi to Jasper when I came over after school, but they're so close now, it's scary sometimes. Like they're one person and not two.
Rose is cranky, so I leave her be. she'll get over it in a couple of minutes. I gaze out the window, trying to rid of the anxiety. I'll explode if I spend the rest of the day this nervous.
Rosalie stops the car and I realize we've reached Emmett's. He knows not to mess with Rose so he's already waiting at the driveway with his suitcase and all, saying goodbye to his little brother. He hugs his mother one last time and pats his brother's back, and then he's in the car with us. Emmett's mom comes to hug Rose goodbye as well and wishes us all good luck as she waves.
And then we're off. Emmett's as excited as I've ever seen him, and he fills the car with chatter the whole way to Jasper's. I have no idea what he's saying, I'm too busy trying to make my stomach stop rolling. Rose seems more relaxed now, as I predicted, and it helps calm me down a little. She makes me call Jasper and tell him to wait for us outside as we're a little behind on schedule. I'm sure she's over reacting but I'm just as nervous if not more so I don't say anything about it.
After having picked Jasper up, Rose decides to let him drive as she's too nervous and doesn't want to crash the car. I think that's preferable.
She moves into the back seat with Emmett and I ride shotgun. Jasper puts on some country music and I'm sure Rose is gonna throw a fit, but I guess she's too nervous to care or she doesn't even notice, cause there're no complains from her.
Jasper smiles at me and attempt some small talk, I'm unable to really cooperate but I appreciate his effort and I do feel a lot more relaxed.
The drive is not too long and before I know it Jasper helps unload the car of our luggage and is giving Emmett this manly half-hug that guys do. "Good luck, bro" he says then adds "You better keep her safe and happy" and gives him a threatening look I didn't know he was able to make. Emmett nods and shakes his hand, then pulls him into a bear hug and Jasper laughs. I can't help but laugh too.
Then, Jasper turns to me. He hugs me tightly and wishes me luck and to have a great time. I nod and wish it back to him, as he too will be starting college soon. I hate goodbyes, I realize as I pull back, tears again threaten to fall. Jasper is like a brother to me, I can't believe how hard this is for Rose.
I don't want to intrude, so as they say their goodbyes I start carrying my stuff to the entrance, and Emmett follows me. We wait for Rose at the door. As she approaches I can see that she's crying, and I squeeze her hand as Jasper yells at us to have a safe flight. We wave at him and then we go in the airport.
I'm so nervous I don't realize anything that's happening. Everything's a blur and I feel like a little girl following her mother shoes in the supermarket to not get lost. I just walk after em and Rose through security and passports and whatever. All I know is we're waiting in lines, and we do as we're told and we're waiting again, and again, and I feel like any second my heart is gonna break through my ribcage and just jump out. I feel like a little girl and I know it's pathetic, but I can't help it.
Finally, we're on the plane. We sit together thankfully, and I got a window seat. My leg bounces as we wait for takeoff, it feels like forever. The seatbelt sign flashes and I take a deep breath, as the plane starts to move, faster and faster. And then we're off the ground. And just like that, I'm smiling. So huge I think it could break my face. Rose stares at me and then we're both laughing. Finally excited instead of nervous.
"Thanks" I say to the cab driver as we get out at our new apartment. Our parents have all chipped in and got us two apartments in a building right next to campus. We originally thought we would all stay at the same place but then Rosalie's dad put his foot down and refused to let her live with Emmett. So now it's me and Rosalie at apartment 8 and Emmett at apartment 12. I wonder briefly if he'll look for a roommate or rather if I should, since Rose is bound to be at his place more than ours.
We walk in and I immediately squeal. The place is awesome. The walls are a very pale peach color. The wall right across from the entrance is all floors to ceiling windows and I could just picture myself sitting there and looking out doing nothing. This is home.
We go to bed immediately, exhausted from the flight and the anxiety and excitement. Emmett stays with Rose shockingly.
I fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow I had the sense to fetch from my suitcase.
The next day we go shopping, first for stuff for the apartment and then just for clothes. Rose and I decide to find a spa and have a girl's day tomorrow.
We ask some of the sales girls about cool places around and we find this cute looking spa that's really close to home and they also recommend a club that has open mic nights and a lot of cool stuff. We decided to check it out tomorrow night after our girl's day.
When we get home we order some Chinese and start to organize the apartment until the food arrives. Then we just hang out for the rest of the night.
The next morning Emmett decides he's not in the mood for girl's day and Rose and I both snicker at him as he pouts. Instead of hanging out with us today he'll be going to check out the football court and whatever else there is to check out. He's on football scholarship so he wants to know everything as soon as possible. It's like he's going to Disneyland. I roll my eyes.
Rose and I head out to the spa. The place is very cozy and as soon as I enter I feel like I never want to leave. We get massages and facials, and then decide to add manicure and pedicure just for the hack of it.
When we're done Rose calls Emmett and he's already back from his day of fun. We head back and Emmett waits for us with two pizzas at the apartment- one for him and one for us. I laugh at him.
After we've eaten, we put away some more stuff from our bags and then retire to our bedrooms. I start shelving my books and when I come across Jane Eyre I just feel like reading it again. I guess I fall asleep at some point because Rose wakes me up at 8:30.
"Bella, we want to head out to that club soon, get up". I nod and turn over.
"Belllllllaaaaa" Rose whines and swats my butt.
"Ow! Fine Rose, I'm coming", I get up and take a quick shower. I decide on a light blue dress that reaches mid thigh I bought on our shopping spree yesterday, and wear flat sandals with it. I don't feel like heels. My hair is unusually cooperative so I just let it loose in gentle waves down my back and pack a hairspray in my purse in case it gets crazy. I go low on makeup, only putting on some eyeliner and mascara, plus a pale pink gloss. I'm ready within half an hour.
Rose is already waiting for me when I walk out of my room. She looks gorgeous as always in hot pink top with generous cleavage, black skinny jeans and black stiletto heels. I'm glad her shoes aren't too high because otherwise I'd feel like a dwarf standing next to her.
Rose whistles at me as I approach her and I blush even though it's just Rose.
"Wow, Bella, you look HOT!" I don't know how it's possible she didn't say anything about my flats but I welcome it. I don't to be forced into high heels like usually. I mutter my thanks and compliment her back just as Emmett walks out of her room. I wonder if he's even seen the inside of his own apartment yet, or even the outside of it.
The club is pretty much just around the corner so we walk there. The place is already filled with people and we actually have to wait in line to get in. Emmett goes and gets us drinks while we sit at an open table. It's lucky we even found one. There's a stage across from us and some girl is playing guitar. She has a really good voice and though I don't recognize the song, it gives me chills. When she's done she smiles shyly and leaves the stage as the crowd yells and cheers. She really was good.
Emmett's back with our drinks and I take a sip just as my phone vibrates.
I look at it and find a bunch of missed calls from my ex boyfriend. Mike and I had been together for 5 months, but had been friends ever since I moved to Arizona. When we broke up we decided our friendship was too important so we stayed friends. I can't really hear anything from as we're sitting right next to the speakers so I look for someplace quieter to call him back. I end up sitting at a far corner of the bar. As I wait for him to pick up, I notice a guy and a girl walking up to the stage. They start singing just as Mike answers.
"Hey Bella!" I smile. "Hey Mike, sorry I missed your calls, I didn't hear my phone."
"Don't worry about it, I just called to check up on you, see that you got there ok and all" he says "What's that noise? Where are you?"
"I'm at this bar, there's an open mic, it's really good. I'm really good, everything's going great so far" I say and as I look up I see a guy looking at me. Not looking, staring. I stare back at him, letting him know he got caught. I assume he would divert his gaze since this is what you do when you get caught staring at someone, but instead he keeps looking me square in the eye from across the bar. I'm trapped in his gaze, his blazing green eyes boring into mine and it's only when I hear Mike's puzzled voice through the phone that I remember I was I the middle of a conversation.
"Bella? Are you still there?"
"Oh, yeah, I'm sorry Mike" I glance back at that guy and his eyes are still on me. When he sees me looking again his perfect lip quirks up into a delicious crooked smile and I feel myself flush. He is hot. "I'm sorry Mike, can I call you later?" I think I interrupted him in the middle of a sentence but I can't be sure.
"Uhh... yeah, sure. Talk to you later Bella."
I hang up and when I look up, the guy is gone. I try to search for him around the club with my eyes but I don't see him. My face is hot and I go to the ladies room. I splash some water on my face, trying to stop the fire and I breathe deeply until I feel myself calm down. I don't know what it was about this guy but his gaze was so intense, my heart feels like I've just run a mile.
I walk out and go back to our tables. I ask Emmett for another drink and he happily complies. On the stage is another couple, singing Air Supply. The crowd cheers as they finish the song and the room goes less loud as we wait for the next performance. I look at the stage, looking forward to the next artist. I'm amazed at how good everyone is. Suddenly there's chaos on the stage as 4 people get on. Emmett brings me my Cosmo and I thank him as I look on, trying to understand what's going on. I realize 3 guys are pushing the fourth one on stage. He laughs and tries to get off, shaking his head at them as they try to persuade him. The crowd cheers on and the guy looks at his friends wearily before nodding. He smirks at the crows and I catch his green eyes as he bends to pick a guitar off the floor. It's him.
He starts strumming the guitar absentmindedly, as he looks expectantly at his friends. I realize he doesn't know what to play. Someone at the crowd yells something I can't catch and he smiles broadly and starts strumming again. This time it's definitely a song. The music flows through the speakers and I recognize Eagle Eye Cherry.
His fingers move expertly on the strings and he drums on the guitar a little with every time his fingers go down. I find myself weirdly jealous of the inanimate object in his hands. Surly I'm drunk, I think as I sip from my third Cosmo.
The crowd cheers and he starts singing, his voice confident and warm.
"Go on and close the curtains, because all we need is candle light, you and me, and a bottle of wine…"
I shiver as my mind starts imagining the situation. Oh, I'd love to drink wine with him to the candle light, have him staring at me with these green green eyes... well, maybe not wine. Maybe Cosmo, I think as I walk to the bar and get myself another one. I feel bad asking Emmett again. I stay seated at the bar, thinking it will grant me easy access to all the Cosmo I might want, as I stare at him intently. He's hot.
The crowd sings with him as he near the last chorus and I wish they'd shut up cause all I want to hear is him.
"Girl you know I got to go, and god I wish it wasn't so…. Save tonight…"
Rosalie is suddenly at my side, talking to me, and I want to scream at her to shut up because I was trying to hear his voice. I don't though.
"Bells, Em and I are gonna go, are you coming?"
I'm coming? Am I coming? Out of this bar? Away from him? No. my mind is blurry but I trust myself that I don't want to go.
"Na, not yet, I'm having fun Rose. I know the way back, don't worry."
"Are you sure Bella? I don't know about this…" Rose looks anxious, but I wave her off. No way am I leaving.
"I'll be fine, I have my phone, I'll call you." I say as I kiss her cheek. Oh my god, Rose, just go already, I'm trying to listen to this god sing!
She gives me one last glance and waves, leaving. I look back at the stage and there's a girl setting up the mic. Fuck! He's gone. I should've left with Rose. I look at the direction she had gone but I don't see her.
"Hey" a soft voice murmurs from my other side and I turn back too quickly, my head spinning. Too many cosmos. But I'm fine. Well, at least until I register the face that belongs to that voice.
"Hi" I squeak. It's him. His eyes are so green, they're just soooo green. Thank god I didn't leave with Rose.
"I'm Edward" he says, smiling. Edward. I hate that name.
"You were really good" I say without thinking, trying to not dwell on the name thing. It's not like his last name is Cullen.
"Thanks. You have a name?" he looks at me from behind his long dark lashes and I nod mutely. Damn it Bella, get a fucking grip!
He smirks. "Would you mind telling me what it is?"
"Bella" I blush furiously.
"Beautiful name. Bella" the way he rolls it on his tongue… oh my god, I need help.
"You want a drink?" he asks, glancing at my now empty glass. I bite my lip. I think I should stop drinking, I'm making a fool of myself. He licks his lower lip as he stares at me, his eyes so green.
"Sure, thanks."
He orders me another Cosmo and gets himself a beer. "So, are you a student?" he asks.
"I'm starting Monday, at UCLA."
"Me too. First year?" he smiles crookedly at me as I sip from my drink and I thank god and whatever else is out there that my sharp intake of breath didn't turn into a full mode chocking session. I nod.
"What will you be majoring in?" he asks, bringing his bottle of beer to his lips and taking a swig.
"English literature, I haven't decided on minors yet". I say, biting my lip again. He's so close, I can smell his cologne, it's addictive. My head spins again and I have to force myself to not take a whiff and potentially scare him off.
"Do you like to write as well? Or is it only reading for you?" he asks.
"I try writing, but it's not really working. I'm hoping classes will help me with that". I'm in full on blushing mode now. I can't believe I'd just told him I tried writing and couldn't. That's too personal.
He smiles at me reassuringly. "Yeah,'s not really working for me either."
That piques my interest. "Do you write?"
"No, no, I'm not Cummings or anything, I just think it'd be cool to write a song, you know? Not that 'in your most frail gesture are things which enclose me,
or which I cannot touch because they are too near' will work in a song..." he trails off and runs a hand through his already messy hair.
Suddenly my lips are on his and my hands in his hair. I don't know when I gave my body permission to attack him but it doesn't seem to be listening to me as I scream at it mentally to back off.
Edward recovers from the shock and his tongue darts out to lick my bottom lip. I open my mouth slightly, granting him access, and I can't believe this is happening. His tongue battles with mine and he tastes so good, I never want to stop. I moan into his mouth and his hands tighten on my back. I realize I'm practically sitting on his lap and he seem to realize it at the same time as he pulls me closer so I am actually sitting on his lap.
One of his hands wanders down to my thigh and I moan as my stomach tightens and oh my god I want him.
He pulls back suddenly and looks into my eyes, his breathing harsh, matching mine. I've never felt this out of control before.
I stroke his hair gently before I pull slightly with just the tips of my fingers. He groans. I bite my lip, and his eyes darken.
"I want to do that" he says, his voice low, and so fucking sexy.
"Do it" I breathe. I release my bottom lip from my teeth and lick it.
And his mouth is on me again. He takes my lip between his teeth and tugs gently. I moan. His hands are everywhere- on my thighs, my back, my chest, in my hair. He kisses me twice more on my lips and then his mouth moves to my neck, sucking and nipping.
I pull myself impossibly closer to him and I feel hardness at my thigh. I whimper at the contact and he groans as I push back harder against him.
He stops his ministrations against my neck and pulls away, staring at me again.
"How drunk are you?" he asks. I blush, I have no idea.
"Bella, I think we should stop",
"Please" I hear myself breathe. He closes his eyes as he groans.
"Look, do you live close by? Walking distance?" he asks after a minute. I nod enthusiastically.
"I'll walk you home" he smirks at me "Then, if you want to, you could give me your number and we could do that again when I'll know you'd remember it in the morning".
I whimper, but nodded. It's good that he's the responsible adult. I roll my eyes at myself. I grab my purse and he helps me to my feet. I nod at him and as we start walking out of the bar he keeps my hand in his.
I walk us to the apartment, grateful that it's so close. I feel humiliated, I can't even look him in the eye. I'm so embarrassed, I'm never drinking again.
"Hey, don't be upset ok?" he smiles at me kindly as we reach my building.
"As long as you remember my name we're good" he jokes and I feel myself smile.
"Edward" I sigh.
He grins crookedly at me again and my heart melts. "Bella"
He brushes my cheek with his fingertips and looks straight into my eyes as he leans down to kiss me. Softly, this time. The kiss is too brief and I want to prolong it but I feel I have forced myself on him enough for one day.
"So, can I have your number?" he asks shyly and I roll my eyes as I grin at him and take his phone to program my digits into it.
"Thanks. Good night Bella." He leans back down to touch his lips to mine.
"Good night, Edward."
I go inside, and as I wait for the elevator I can't contain my joy and my smile could probably blind people if anyone saw it.
Hmmm... And so they meet again..
This chapter felt so long to me, I don't know if it really is or not, but as I was writing it I couldn't wait until they met! I had to force myself to not skip anything important just to get there already lol.
But it was all background stuff that needed to be written, so, yeah...
I hope you liked it
please review and tell me what you thought.