2. Out of Focus (Nikteche)
My publisher called a few days ago and told me to start working on a second book, which was easy enough to do because I've been rolling around ideas in my head for a few months now. I grabbed a thick notebook and my favorite black pen I used for writing and walked the few blocks to the city's park. Whenever I wanted someplace quiet to think, I always went to the same park. It was in the heart of the city but possibly still the most peaceful place.
It was early in the morning yet, and there weren't that many people lingering around. I sat myself on the bench, propped up my legs, and let the words flow from my head to my pen and onto my paper.
Every so often I stopped to give my cramped hand a rest, and would look out at the surrounding scenery for ideas. I had been sitting at the bench for nearly two hours when a familiar head of coppery-brown hair caught my eye. Edward was standing parallel to me, looking deep into the trees of the park and his camera lifted up to his line of vision.
I quickly jumped off of the bench and hurried as fast as I could back the way I came. Of course, me being me, I tripped over the first twig my feet came in contact with. A loud 'oomph' accentuated me as I sprawled onto the leafy ground.
"Bella?" I groaned when I heard Edward approaching me. His strong arms encircled my waist and I was lifted to me feet. I glared at the ground, blushing, and dusted myself off. "Are you ok?" He asked, plucking a leaf from my hair.
"Fine," I said curtly. "Must you continue to stalk me?" He smiled, amused at my assumption.
"You seem to think quite highly of yourself," Edward said, bemused.
"Can I see your camera?" I asked.
"Sure…" he answered a little warily. It was a digital SLR, one that I was familiar with. I quickly looked at his gallery of images and wasn't surprised to see a few of me sitting on the bench. I had to admit, they were really good photographs, the angle and lighting complimenting my features. I showed him and silently argued with a raised an eyebrow.
"Point taken," he said a little sheepishly.
"I should be going," I said. As I turned to walk away, his hand caught my wrist.
"Wait, Bella, please." I let out a short, frustrated laugh before facing him.
"Honestly Edward, I've told you quite frankly before, I have no interest of having you in my life, no matter how little of a part it may be."
"But I want you to be a very big part of my life," he said, looking me straight in the eye. My breathing hitched for a split second, and I shook my head as if to clear my now muddled thoughts.
"Please Bella," he pleaded. "Give me a chance." I found it immensely hard to deny him anything when he used that tone on me, and the way his green eyes seemed to be looking into my very soul.
"Fine," I agreed, walking away. I could practically feel the smile radiating off of him even though my back was turned. As I neared my apartment I came to the realization that Edward Masen had just dazzled me into the answer he wanted.
Oh well, I thought. Payback's a bitch.
O~o~O~o~O
Four days later, a thick brown envelope came in the mail addressed to 'The Beautiful Bella Swan'. I didn't know postal services aloud that. Inside were several prints of the photos Edward had taken of me ranging from large 8x10's to tiny wallet sized pictures. Alice squealed over them for hours.
"Edward Masen took pictures of you!"
"Yes, I know Alice," I said while rolling my eyes and indicating to the stack of prints on the counter.
"I would kill for him to do a shot of me," she said, sighing.
"Why don't you ask him?" I suggested. "After all, if you wanna me my lover, you gotta get with my friends!" I said, quoting the Spice Girls. She broke into a fit of giggles before becoming serious once more.
"You haven't agreed to a date yet?"
"He hasn't asked," I shrugged. "But should I really date my stalker?"
"Probably not," Alice snickered. "But he's hot." I immediately turned three shades of red at her statement. "Admit it, he is."
"He is," I said, blushing profusely.
"Hah!" She crowed. "You finally admit you're attracted to a guy!"
"What?" I sputtered. "I didn't say-"
"No, but if you think he's hot that means you like him!"
"Can we please not have this conversation," I said as I walked away from her.
"Oh please Bella, I don't need a sign to know I'm right." Just then there was a knock on the door and I screamed in surprise. Alice started laughing as I scowled and went to answer it.
"Oh, hi Edward." I said. Alice came prancing up behind me.
"Told you so Bella. I'm always right." I narrowed my eyes at her in warning but she just winked and danced away. Edward cocked an eyebrow at me in question but I just shook my head, not wanting to explain in the least.
"Did you get my pictures?" he asked.
"Yes, and you can come in if you'd like." I stepped aside and motioned with my arm.
"I'd like that very much," he said, sweeping past me. I caught a whiff of some extraordinary scent that followed him and nearly drooled; it was absolutely delectable. I followed him to the kitchen where Alice was perched on a stool, rifling through the photos again. I swear it was her fourth time.
"You caught the lighting just perfect in these," Alice gushed. I mouthed 'suck up' behind Edward's back and she very subtly rolled her eyes.
"Alice wants to know if you'd take a few of her," I said to Edward. He turned towards Alice who was fuming (anger directed towards me, of course).
"I'd love-"
"Bella thinks you're hot!" Alice blurted, interrupting him. I blushed a whole new color while gaping wide-eyed at her. Traitor. Edward spun to face me, amusement laced in every one of his features.
"No, I don't," I informed him, my tone apologetic. His face fell ever so slightly and the ice around my heart melted a bit.
"You don't like my looks?" His eyes usually sparkling with mischief were now sad and downcast.
"I, well, um, I…" Alice was laughing silently behind his back and I shot her a full-fledged glare before starting again. "I do think you're attractive…"
"Just attractive? I think you're stunning." I made a tiny gagging sound in the back of my throat, which sent through my roommate over the edge, and she would have fallen off her stool if not for Edward steadying her.
"What's so funny about that?" He demanded, looking from me to her and back again.
"Bella's…face…" Alice hooted. I sighed.
"Alice, I think you should leave the room," I said curtly.
"No," she refused bluntly. I momentarily forgot Edward was in the room with us.
"Do you really want me to burn your new collection?" I threatened. She gasped, wide-eyed.
"You wouldn't."
"You bet your little pixie ass I would." She immediately jumped from the chair and booted it from the room, no doubt seeing the truth in my threat. I bet she was running to secure her newest paintings behind lock and key.
"What may I ask, is her new work?" Edward sat down on her now abandoned chair and I took the one next to him.
"A line of me," I scowled and grabbed his photographs for something to keep me busy. "And just so you know, you're not eligible to buy it."
"What?" He asked, shocked and a little disappointed. "Why not?"
"Because it was part of my terms of agreement that you, under no conditions, could own the artwork."
"Well that's not fair."
"Hasn't anyone told you? Life isn't fair," I said. I, for the second time of the day, flipped through the photographs he had so generously sent me. I would have been flattered if it didn't seem like such stalkerish behavior. I stopped and looked longer at one that had caught my eye earlier.
"That's my favorite," Edward said, looking over my shoulder.
"It's very nice. Thank you for taking the pictures." I paused for a moment. "How did you know I was at the park?"
"I was coming up to see you but I noticed you walking down the street so I altered my course."
"So you were in the park for all the hours I was sitting there writing?" This guy just never gave up.
"Yes, originally I was going to talk to you, but the scenery in the park is just fabulous."
"Alice really wants you to take a few pictures of her," I said, almost prodding him to do so.
"I'll talk to her," he smiled crookedly and stood up. "I have to get back to work now."
"Oh." I felt disappointed, which was irrational because I barely knew Edward and I didn't even like him.
"Would you mind much if I were to call and ask you out?"
"Um…no, I wouldn't…mind," I said, stumbling over my words. "Um, here's my number." I ripped off a sticky note from a pad and wrote down my cell number.
"Great," Edward grinned. I walked him to the door to see him out. "Good bye Bella."
"Bye Edward," I said softly as I closed the door behind him. I slumped against it once it snapped shut and slowly fell to the floor so I was sitting with my knees hugged to my chest. For some reason, I was anticipating the phone call more than I should.
