Disclaimer: All Twilight characters belong to Stephanie Meyer! Also various lines are taken from both the Twilight Saga and Notting Hill.
I just want to say a big thank you to those who are following and reviewing my story. You don't understand how much I appreciate it! Much love.
Enjoy!
Chapter 1 – First Sight
'Two households, both alike in dignity / In fair Verona, where we lay our scene, / From ancient grudge break to new mutiny / Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean…'
Bella Swan could easily recite these words without batting an eyelid having read this play more times that she could count. Whilst the tale was somber and always brought her to tears, Bella was absolutely enraptured by the story of these two star crossed lovers.
However, despite being a closet romantic, love was something she severely lacked in her life, much to her mother Renee's dismay. At the ripe old age of twenty five, Renee Dwyer would have been married, divorced and with child by now!
Although Bella was open to finding someone, she was perfectly content with her life… Well that, and the fact that there was no one else who could truly capture her attention in this microscopic town.
She lived in the quiet, but pleasant town of Forks, which housed no more than one thousand people. Bella moved here at seventeen when her father Charlie was diagnosed with cancer. When Charlie passed three years later, Bella found herself tethered to the place where her father had lived his short life.
After selling her childhood home, Bella bought a relatively average sized apartment that conveniently sat five minutes away from the bookshop where she worked.
Having cared for her father constantly, Bella couldn't help but feel lonely when she finally got her own place. This led her to putting in an advertisement for a roommate.
Less than three months later, Jasper Whitlock moved in. At first Bella had been very nervous about sharing a space with a man, particularly one as handsome as Jasper. But it was evident from the beginning that their relationship was purely platonic. Jasper was a stoner, and came across extremely mellow and at times quite dim. But the irresponsible, lanky, blonde-haired man became the brother Bella had always wanted.
Ding.
Bella raised her head from her tatty, old novel to welcome in the first customer of the day. Days at the bookshop were often slow for Bella as very few people came in, hence the reason why her head was buried in her favorite play.
Bella's eyes unconsciously traveled up the height of the man who was now browsing the classics section. Even though she could only see his profile, it was obvious to Bella that this man was very attractive.
Standing at an impressive six foot three, the customer wore classic black Converses. His black jeans were slung low on his hips and when he reached to the top shelf, his white v neck t-shirt and black leather jacket would rise, revealing a slither of pale white skin. Bella bit her bottom lip, entranced by his movements.
A black baseball cap sat backwards on his head, covering his hair, and his eyes was equally hidden behind a pair of Ray-Bans. Bella was under the impression that he was hiding for some unbeknownst reason, silently concluding that it was nowhere near sunny enough for sunglasses.
She shrugged to herself and turned back to the book. But she found that she couldn't for the life of her concentrate. It was like she was hyperaware of his presence. C'mon Bella, don't even entertain the thought. He would never be interested in you anyway. You're the plain Jayne.
Bella never felt overly confident in her appearance. Her average brown hair fell long, neither straight nor curly below the middle of her back. She was too pale, even for Forks, which did not make sense having spent the vast majority of her childhood in sunny Phoenix. Her eyes were the same color as her hair- a muddy brown. Not a bright blue like her best friend Alice's, or a soft green like her other friend Esme's. She was just… Bella: boring and predictable.
"Excuse me?"
Bella jumped from her inner musings to find her one and only customer standing before her desk, book in hand. Bella's voice got stuck in her throat as she stared at his sharp jaw-line, straight nose and rosy red lips. I wonder what it would be like to kiss him…
"Sorry, Miss? Would I be able to purchase this?" the Adonis said, holding up a copy of Dracula.
"Oh! Um… sorry!" Bella blushed tomato red, he's going to think I'm such an idiot she scolded.
"Uh that would be… nine dollars p-please" Bella said, stuttering. She inwardly rolled her eyes at the pathetic display she was putting on in front of this gorgeous man. Way to go Bella, you're officially a loser!
Once he handed over the money, Bella expected him to hightail it out of there, but he stayed rooted to the spot. She raised her eyes to his face and saw that he was staring at her book.
"Really? Romeo and Juliet?" He asked in a tone of unmistakable disgust.
"What's wrong with Romeo and Juliet?" Bella said defensively, all nervousness gone.
"Well, I've always found the character of Romeo to be a bit pitiful."
Bella narrowed her eyes, offended; she'd always had a crush on the fictional character. But her expression did not deter the man.
"First of all he's in love with this Rosaline. Don't you think that makes him a little fickle? And then, a few minutes after his own wedding, he goes onto kill the cousin of his wife. That's not brilliant - mistake after mistake. Could he have not ruined his happiness more thoroughly?"
Bella's jaw had dropped. Not only had he given a reasonable argument, but he also possessed the sexiest British accent that had made her completely lose her train of thought.
She shook her head, in an attempt to get out of her stupor. His superior smirk spurred her on. "Well I think you've missed the whole point of the play! Shakespeare uses the sub-plots to offer a clearer view of the actions of the main characters, Romeo's infatuation with Rosaline being a prime example. His obsession with her stands in obvious contrast for his later love for Juliet. It provides the audience with a comparison, through which the audience can see the seriousness of Romeo and Juliet's love and marriage," She took note that she was making wild hand gestures, and continued.
"Also Shakespeare is demonstrating the depth of Romeo with the death of Tybalt. It shows that he is three-dimensional character. His love for his family and friends make him a stronger person, and it is his passion which dictate his actions."
Silence.
This time it was the man who had lost his voice, his mouth was opening and closing like a fish.
Bella felt a flash of satisfaction seep through her body as she crossed he arms waiting patiently for the previously smug male model. After several minutes of quiet, the customer coughed.
"Well… that's a valid point."
Bella's posture softened and she couldn't control her giggles. Her laughter was infectious and soon the duo was laughing hard, tears streaming down their cheeks at the absurdity of the moment. Once their amusement had subsided, the man spoke again.
"Thank you for that enlightening conversation…" He hinted
"Bella"
"Bella" her name came out in a whisper. Her heart stuttered as she could've sworn he muttered the word 'beautiful'. Wishful thinking.
"Anytime…" She replied, voice trailing off copying him.
"Edward." He said, giving a small, almost nervous smile.
They both stared at one another. Bella wished she could take his sunglasses off and see his eyes. She would bet her apartment on them being just as beautiful as the rest of him.
"Well I must get going… I hope to see you soon." Edward said shyly, which contrasted greatly with the confident demeanor he held when he first walked in.
"Me too." Bella stated softly.
Edward slowly backed out of the shop, purchased book in hand, face still turned in Bella's direction.
When the bell dinged, signaling his departure, Bella turned around, and slid down to the floor.
Holy Shit.
