Edward POV
He was late again, damn him. I don't know why I even bother. I tried ringing Emmett's cell phone, but he wasn't answering. It was raining heavy, and I was trying to reach Emmett, when a huge gust of wind blew my umbrella away.
Just. What. I. Effing. Needed.
My mood considerably darkened, as rain-soaked, I entered the café near where we were supposed to meet. The air in the café was warm, and despite myself, I felt a smile tug at the corners of my mouth. The warm smell of buns and cinnamon always brought back sweet childhood memories, and I closed my eyes savoring it all in. Just then, I heard Emmett's loud guffaws. He was sitting on a chair, grinning wide at me, amusement all over his face.
The heck was he doing here?
"Emmet, what the-?" I stopped. He wasn't alone. Next to him was the tiniest girl I had ever seen. Well, second-tiniest. Nobody could beat my sister. She was soaked, and nursing a cup of hot chocolate. Her milky white skin glowed in the café light, and my breathing hitched slightly. Though her eyes were red, she was laughing hysterically along with Emmett.
With a start, I realised, at me.
"Who are you?" I asked, throwing her a look. Why was I so bothered by her? Who was she?
She stopped laughing immediately. Her eyes widened a bit in fear, and I immediately wanted to apologize. I didn't though. I continued to look at her with narrowed eyes, hoping against hope that she couldn't hear my heart thudding in my chest.
"Who the fuck is she, Emmett? Weren't you supposed to meet me now?" I muttered darkly. It was supposed to be said in a low tone, but I guess she heard it. Her entire body seemed to sag at my words.
EDWARD. Where are your bloody manners? Why are you so unnerved?!
Emmett glared at me. The little girl got up, and I fidgeted slightly. She was beautiful. Her blue top fitted her snugly, and because it was wet, hugged every curve. And my, what curves. My fingers twitched.
I averted my eyes, but it was too late. She caught me staring at her, and her lips parted slightly. Colour rose into her cheeks, and they reminded me of the roses in my mother's garden in full bloom. Strange way to put it, Edward.
"I'm sorry, Emmett. Thank you, once again. I should be leaving now." she said, in the softest voice. The sadness in them broke my heart.
Emmett's eyes flashed at me. I knew he was wondering why I was behaving like a dickhead. I was wondering the same.
Instead of apologising, however, I flashed her the cockiest grin I could summon. "Well, bye!" I sang, drumming my fingers along the table.
Emmett couldn't take it. "Edward, what the heck is wrong with you, man? Bella, I'm so sorry. I apologise for his terrible manners. Bella, this, unfortunately, is the brother I was telling you about. Edward, this is Bella"
Bella. It suited her. Bella. Bella.
"Emmett, my brother, would you please tell me what you were doing with Bella," I darted a look at her, "instead of meeting me as we had planned?!"
Why does it even bother you what he's doing with Bella?! Why are you so mad?!
Emmett rolled his eyes, and a grin broke out, "So it's a funny story. I was waiting for you, just outside as we planned, and I bumped into Bella here. The poor girl, she was walking blind as a bat and shivering like a chihuahua. So I got her a hot chocolate, right sweetheart?" He winked at Bella and she blushed slightly.
Something dark flared up within me.
I snapped at him, "What? So now you take in every fucking charity case that comes your way?"
Bella POV
When he entered the café, my heart had run into overtime. He was the most beautiful person I had ever laid eyes on. His hair was like a forest fire. It was overgrown, and glowed copper, and I had to blink twice to make sure I hadn't made that fact up. He was closing his eyes and smiling slightly, and all I had wanted to do was run my finger down his jawline to see if it would draw blood. Yes, it was that sharp.
Emmett started laughing at Edward, and I joined in invariably. He looked at us, and his eyes flashed angrily. He looked at me for a moment, and I swear those eyes melted, but then a moment later the mask was back on.
All through the conversation, his words cut me deep. I had the constant feeling of being unwelcome and I kept trying to leave. I was embarassed.
And then he went and said it.
"What? So now you take in every fucking charity case that comes your way?"
I could feel Emmett drawing in a breath to fight, but I interrupted. I could feel my eyes tearing up, and I had to leave.
"I...I'll go." I stammered, and once more blinded by my tears, I stumbled out into the rain. I didn't know where to go. I didn't want to go back to my parent's house haunted with memories, and I sure as hell couldn't go back to Jake.
Fucking Charity Case.
The words rang out loud in my head, and I stopped in the middle of the road.
BEEEEEEEEP. I heard the car honking loudly, I looked to my left and saw the headlights in my face, I braced myself for the impact...
