Chapter 3: Serendipity
I got into my silver Volvo and cranked up the stereo. Chase Coy filled my ears and only made me think of Bella. Not like I wasn't already. What was I thinking? Putting my card in her purse! She probably thought I was insane. Geez.
Baby I just need you here tonight,
I'm all caught up,
it seems I'm stuck on you.
I started to drive home. I couldn't get her out of my mind! I pulled into a Starbucks a couple blocks from my house and the same song was on in there!
Baby I just need you by my side,
To have and to hold,
I know it's getting old, but I can't stop dreaming of you.
Before I knew it, I ordered a Peppermint Hot Chocolate. I took a seat at one of the big comfy chairs and laid my head back, trying to get her out of my mind. It was so intense I could hear her sweet voice.
"Grande Peppermint Hot Chocolate, please."
BPOV
"So. You and that last guy kind of hit it off, eh?" Alice nudged me in the side.
"Whatever. I still hate you." I just glared and got into my car.
"Well, I'll be out of your hair for the rest of the night. I have a date with Jasper. Will you drop me at his place?" Oh. So that's what she was dressed up for.
"Don't worry," she said, "I'll be home before dawn."
I left her at Jaspers and started home. After thinking about it, I really didn't feel like sitting at home and doing nothing. I pulled in to a Starbucks and ordered my usual drink.
"Grande Peppermint Hot Chocolate, please." I gave the cashier 5 bucks and the barista (Person at Starbucks who makes the drinks) asked for my name to identify the drink. "Bella." I told her.
"Bella?" I heard my name echoed by a musical voice. I turned to see Edward getting up out of one of the chairs. His emerald green eyes seemed so alive. I kept staring at him until the barista interrupted me.
"Peppermint Hot Chocolate for Bella." She said, and placed my drink at the serving bar. I grabbed the cup and felt the searing heat. I almost dropped it but Edward caught it just before my fingers released.
"Careful. It's hot, silly Bella." He grabbed a cover, slipped it onto my cup, and handed it back to me.
"Thanks," I said, blushing. "I'm a bit of a klutz." I sipped my drink slowly, trying not to burn my tongue.
"It's no problem. Want to sit outside with me? It's a little crowded in here," He asked, grabbing a light jacket off the back of the chair he was sitting on. He smiled at me with that same crooked smile and I felt my heart soar.
"Sure. I'd love to." I couldn't say no to those eyes. We were the only ones sitting outside and it felt nice, secluded, and personal. "What are you drinking?" I asked as he sat down and took a sip.
"Ah. Uh... Peppermint Hot Chocolate... It sounded good..." He looked down slightly and I couldn't help but laugh. He was so cute. We began asking more and more questions, learning even more about each other.
"Any hobbies?" I asked, taking a large gulp of my cocoa.
"I play the piano." He looked down again, like he should be ashamed of it.
"Wow! That's so amazing. I am... musically challenged." I brought out a laugh from him and myself. He was even more beautiful when he laughed, if that's possible. "I wish I could hear you play sometime." I said, trying to get more out of my empty cup.
"I have a CD of me playing in my car." He grabbed my cup and popped off the lids, pouring some of his drink into it. "We can sit in there and listen to it, if you want."
If it was any other person, I'm sure I would have said no, but I felt so safe with him.
"Yeah cool." We got up and he led me to the silver Volvo and opened the doors. We got in and he grabbed a thick overflowing CD holder. He pulled out a blank silver CD and popped it into the CD player. The car was immersed in amazing classical music.
"Wow." I couldn't say anything else. I was speechless. We sat there for an immeasurable amount of time, asking even more questions. I learned about his childhood and he learned about mine. We had gotten so close in such a short time. In a fit of laughter I looked up to the dark Starbucks windows and down to the clock on the dashboard.
"HOLY CROW!" I screamed. I startled Edward out of his laughing and he looked worried.
"What? What?" He asked, eyes wide.
"It's 1:30 in the morning!" I started to gather my things and couldn't get the door open. "Alice is going to be so pissed." I finally got the door open and got out. I leaned in the door and stared right into Edward's shocked eyes. "I'm sorry. I had a lot of fun tonight. We should do it again. Bye, Edward." With that I closed the door and climbed into my car, speeding out of the lot and down the road to the apartment I shared with Alice.
I got out of the elevator and walked down the hallway quietly, trying not to disturb Alice. She was bound to be home by now. I slowly opened our front door and dropped my keys on the coffee table. I didn't turn on the light but started to my room anyway. I quickly ran into the corner of the couch, stubbing my toe.
"Oww!" I hissed, grabbing my foot. The lights flicked on and I fell backwards, staring up into the face of a very bemused Alice.
"And where have you been?" She asked me, giggling. I had expected her to be mad... What was going on?
"Don't worry, Bells. I am mad that you're home so late and didn't tell me where you were," she said as if she had read my mind, "but you can tell me all about it tomorrow. Goodnight." And with that she walked into her room and shut the door.
EPOV
. "I'm sorry. I had a lot of fun tonight. We should do it again. Bye, Edward." That's all. No number. What am I gonna do? It could be weeks before she finds my card. Sigh. Oh well, I guess I'll just leave it up to fate. What was that silly word my mother always used? Oh right, Serendipity. Ugh. I'd just have to leave it up to serendipity. Ugh.
I walked into my apartment and sauntered to my room only to be stopped by my giant best friend. "Eddie's home very late. What was he doing, hmm?" He asked with this silly giant grin. I had brought the coffee cups inside with me to throw away and I chucked one at Emmet's face. He caught the cup and stared at it.
"Ooh! Eddie was with a girl! This cup has lip-gloss on it! And what's this? A name?" I tried to walk around him but it didn't work. "So, who's Bella, Eddiekins?" I just glared at him and threw the other cup.
"Don't call me that. My name is Edward." I shoved past him and into my room, locking the door. I laid down on my bed, not even bothering to get undressed. I stared at the ceiling and fell asleep peacefully, dreaming of her.
