A/N: Wow. You are all insanely nice. I spent this morning wondering if I was going to have any new reviews from last night and praying they were positive haha. Therefore I decided to update this afternoon, as opposed to tomorrow, just for you lovely people who asked =)
Couple things:
Sing Your Heart Out.287 and Jocelyn Torrent : thanks for the advice.
loooou: I hadn't even thought of that, but yes, lets just say she did know =P
RebelRogue127: As far as I'm aware the title is just the first thing that came to my head. I might try to work it in; I'll see how it goes.
And to everyone else - thanks =)
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Keep it together, keep it together, keep it together! Bella tried desperately to get her heart in check but since the incident yesterday, every time she pictured that perfect impish smile her heart tried to beat through her rib cage. Tightening and loosening her sweaty grip on the steering wheel she tried to stop letting her mind run away with her. What if she talks to me again today? What if she just comes up to me and starts a conversation? I need to think of things to say. Witty things. Something funny. A story!
She navigated her truck into her usual space and in her rear-view mirror she saw the Cullens getting out of a silver Volvo. How many cars do they have?! She wondered.
She saw Edward leaning against the neighbouring car absorbed in a discussion with his brother and sister [she had previously been informed the giant senior was known as Emmett and his sister, who also appeared to be his girlfriend, was Rosalie]. The remaining brother, Jasper, got out next, at the side closest to the other three and Alice was left to skip round from the other side. None of them seemed to be paying any attention to anything other than their own private discussion but Bella could have sworn Alice met her gaze and smiled before striding into the school.
The day went by slower than usual, which was quite a feat, and Bella's concentration was compromised due to her wandering mind.
She hadn't stopped thinking about Alice all day. It was driving her mad. Sure there had been days like this, in the beginning, where she couldn't stop thinking about the dark haired beauty but after realising she was never going to get anywhere near her, the fantasies and daydreams began to dwindle until they were completely voluntary. Now that she knew Alice knew she existed, she couldn't help but indulge herself once again. Dreams of What if..? and sly glances and secret touches and confessions. Fantasies that started out innocently enough but left her aching when she had to bring herself back to the real world.
Lunch was the usual routine. Mike walked her to the lunch hall dropping in 'sly' compliments, she grabbed the first thing that looked edible even without an appetite and they both took a seat at the table where the rest of the group waited. Bella was always sure to grab a seat that put Alice in her peripheral vision. Like every other day, Alice seemed oblivious to everything and everyone except her siblings.
"Bella! Are you listening?" Jessica looked a bit offended.
"Huh..? Oh sorry, I'm just... a little distracted..." Bella started twirling the apple round in her hands trying to ignore the other's stares.
"With..?" Mike had on his typical concerned look. It was getting sickly now.
"Algebra. I don't seem to be grasping the latest topic so well..." She prayed her lying had improved over the years. Looking up she saw Jessica's expression soften and Angela's understanding nod - algebra was never spoken of fondly amongst the group. She glanced over to the Cullen's table again and her heart stopped.
Alice was staring at her. There was no doubt. Those unbelievably hypnotic eyes contrasting with her pale skin, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of her mouth. I exist to her. I really do exist.
Before Bella had a chance to wave or at least smile back, the Cullens were up from their seats and moving away.
Dammit! She sighed. Mike looked at her briefly but no one else seemed to have heard - or if they did they didn't want to question it.
Soon after the Cullens, the occupants of Bella's table were also getting up and putting away trays before heading to their next class. Bella trailed behind the rest, not really in the mood for mindless ramblings, when she noticed a pair of feet match the stride of her own.
"Did I hear you say you were having problems with algebra? Because if you need any help I'd be happy to assist. I actually do a bit of tutoring for those with serious problems so I'm sure we would nail any of yours easily." She had that easy smile again as if she was talking about a much loved pet or fond childhood memories. So innocent looking.
"I - I really appreciate it but I think it's just my lack of concentra -- Wait! How did you --" Bella's mouth was still sitting open as she was interrupted.
"Oh really? That's too bad... Well, I guess it's not if... It doesn't matter. If you find you do need a hand though just let me know." Another flash of those Hollywood perfect teeth "That includes any issues with AWOL footballs."
Alice winked and skipped down the corridor before Bella even had time to blush.
Bella had decided to take a detour on the way home to give herself some alone time. Living with Charlie definitely had its perks, such as no invasion of privacy, but there's only so much deep thinking you can do in a bedroom that looks exactly as it did when you were seven. Slightly distracting.
By the time the Chevy pulled in the driveway Charlie was already home.
"Bella?" Came the gruff voice over the TV.
"Yeah, just me Dad. Want me to put dinner on?" Her jacket cut through the air and landed on the nearest stool, pinned down a second later by her bag.
"Harry dropped by with some of his fish fry."
"I'll just sort that then."
Dinner was silent as usual but it wasn't the usual comfortable silence. Bella knew it was because she was on edge, and Charlie was a lot more observant than anyone gave him credit for.
"Is everything alright Bells?"
"Sure Dad, just tired, y'know. Change in atmosphere or something, I heard that can affect you..."
Charlie just looked at her, not really buying it but knowing better than push a hormonal teenage girl.
"Alright but you can come to me about things... Any time Bells, I know it's not always easy just packing up and leaving your home. You seem to be settling in great though. That Mike kid seems to have taken a shine to you. He's a good kid - always helping out his mum, keeping in at school. You could do a lot worse I assure --"
"Dad please! It's not like that. Mike and I... We're just friends. That's it, just good friends."
"Alright but I'm gonna be keeping an eye on the rest of those bozo's." He narrowed his eyes.
"Dad! Just drop it. Please. I'm not interested in any of them."
Charlie had never been there to be responsible so it was still weird to Bella when he took on his parental roles.
Dammit! Maybe I wasn't lying at lunch...
"I could always ask Alice tomorrow... It'll be the perfect excuse, she did offer... But what if she was just being polite. And I would need to face an entire table of Cullens - They really do give off the impression they hate me. Maybe not a good idea... But I really need help..."
Bella muttered to herself, not really expecting the empty room to give her advice. She sighed, unsure if she had the self restraint to start a conversation with Alice Cullen and not confess undying lust.
As Bella climbed into bed she heard heavy footfalls outside her door.
"Bella? Were you talking to someone?" Came the gruff voice through the closed door.
"Nope, just myself. Must be Forks making me go crazy."
She heard him huff and stomp downstairs.
Damn Forks must be making me go crazy if I go ahead with this plan...