***STEPHENIE OWNS IT ALL BUT THIS PLOT. SWEETWARD IS ALL OURS!***
A/N: Thanks to everyone that is reading this story and loving it. I realize the subject matter will bring out strong reactions in some, but please remember that this is a work of fiction and we are using creative license quite a bit. Ally's last author's note said it all, so I don't feel the need to express any more thoughts on the matter. I hope you enjoy my chapter and just know that we are having such a great time writing this one for you guys!
EPOV
So, our junior year at UDub was upon us and I was even more in love with Bella Swan than I ever thought possible. I was working up the nerve to tell her I loved her in that way and I thought the best way to do that was to take her out on a real date. I had been trying to find the right time to ask her out for a few weeks now, but that time never happened. We were so busy with our classes and studying that I never had an opportunity.
The days turned into weeks, then the weeks turned into months and soon it was time for mid-terms. I was just finishing up my last exam when that douchebag Mike Newton came and slid into the seat beside me.
"Hey, Fat Fuck, I got a deal for you so listen up."
"What the fuck do you want Newton? Get outta of my fucking face idiot." I made to stand up but he stood too and faced me. This guy just didn't get it and apparently he had a death wish because I could beat his ass in ten seconds flat.
"Calm down Fatzilla, don't sit on me. I came to tell you that I'm going to be taking Bella out this weekend so I want your greasy, food laden hands off her immediately. She's mine Cullen. You got me?"
"Oh she's yours huh? Tell me genius, does BELLA know this little tidbit of information? Because she hates you douchebag."
"Look Fat Albert, I just need you to step back and let me have time with her. If you do that, I'll make sure Crowley and everyone else shuts up about your fat ass." Was he serious with this shit?
"Well, Michael, despite what you think, I don't give two shits what you and all your asshole cronies think or say about me. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a coffee date with a hot brunette." I grabbed my backpack and stepped around him, but he caught my arm. This guy was really starting to piss me off.
"I warned you Cullen. You won't like what happens next." I glared at his hand on my arm and he finally released his grip. I was so mad that I knew I had to get away from him before I ended up pounding his useless ass into the ground.
I texted Bella and asked if she was ready to go and she told me she'd meet me at Buy the Bean, which was our favorite coffee hang out near campus. I had made up my mind that today was the day I was going to ask her out and maybe confess a little of how I was feeling.
I decided to walk to the coffee shop because let's face it, I could use the exercise. That and the fact that I planned on eating several of their amazing blueberry muffins. God, I'm such a fat ass. Rolling my eyes at my unhealthy attitude, I arrived at the coffeehouse and spotted Bella already at a table with our coffee and a plate of muffins in front of her. Fuck, I loved this woman. I couldn't get to her fast enough.
"Hi Sweetheart." I leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. She smelled so damn good and I was instantly hard. Of course I was. This is the state of arousal she kept me in constantly.
"Hey handsome. I got our coffee and I figured you would want some of their orgasmic muffins." She winked at me and I nearly jizzed in my pants. Wait, did she call me handsome?
"Well, they are really good, but I don't know if I would go as far as orgasmic. I mean, have you ever had an orgasm Bella?" It's time Cullen, let it all hang out.
"Of course I have, but never a great one." She shrugged her shoulders and blushed a beautiful crimson. Why stop now? Let's hit it home.
"Well maybe you haven't gotten one from the right person yet." I winked at her and shoved a muffin in my mouth.
"Maybe I haven't." She sipped her latte and I couldn't believe it. She wasn't shrinking back or backing down. Maybe this was going to be easier than I thought.
"Look Bella, I was just wondering. What would you…" I didn't get another word out of my mouth before I heard his voice.
"Well look what we have here folks. I certainly hope you all have gotten all the food you need already because it looks like Edward FAT IS MY MIDDLE NAME Cullen has entered the building and will begin hoarding all the food any second. Moms, hold on to your babies because if they get anywhere near his GIGANTIC ass they may disappear forever! That's a big ass so it could happen. Hey, Crowley, wide load for sure huh?" Newton was standing on a chair at the front of the coffeehouse.
"I would say so Newton. BEEP BEEP BEEP! Watch out, Cullen is backing that thang up!" Crowley was like his puppet and I needed to get the fuck out of there. Everyone was staring at me with looks of disgust on their faces. I can't say I blamed them though. I looked down at myself, my fucking gut touching the table as I was squeezed into the chair. My hands looked like two over inflated balloons. My shirt was tucked neatly around the two large fat rolls where my abdomen should have been. Newton and Crowley were right. I was disgusting. Then I looked up at Bella. The look on her face was pure horror. It appeared she finally saw the real me and was disgusted. She looked over at Newton and glared at him. Within seconds she was up and out of her chair and heading over to the two dickheads. I jumped up and tried to grab her, but naturally my fucking foot hung up around the chair leg and 305 pounds came tumbling down onto the floor. As if I needed any more embarrassment. Newton and Crowley burst out laughing so hard they were crying and Bella was by my side instantly.
"Oh God, Edward, baby are you ok?" She was touching me all over my face with tears in her eyes. I couldn't even look at her.
"Bella, please, I have to go. Just leave me alone." I managed to haul my big ass off the floor and practically ran out of the coffeehouse. I kept running until I could barely breathe and felt like I was going to pass out. I couldn't live like this anymore. As much as I tried to let Cocky Cullen take the brunt of the assaults, this one hurt Edward too damn much. I needed to get away from Newton and Crowley and all these motherfuckers. I was done. I was absolutely done. I knew what I needed to do and who would help me. Getting out my cell phone, I scrolled through my contact list until I found the one I needed and hit SEND.
"Edward! Hey man, what's up?"
"Emmett, I need you man."
Emmett McCarty was my cousin. He lived in Chicago with his longtime girlfriend, Rosalie Hale. Emmett and I had always been close growing up. He stayed in Chicago after my family moved to Seattle when Dad was offered a chief of staff position at Harborview. The rest of my extended family still lived in Chicago.
Emmett and Rosalie owned a gym in Chicago. He was a fitness model as well as a personal trainer and Rosalie was a personal trainer and a nutritionist. We talked and they both agreed to help me shed these extra pounds that were suddenly making me miserable. I would be transferring to Concordia University in Chicago to continue my studies in journalism. I talked to my parents and my Dad was able to call in a few favors to get me registered and set up to have my credits transferred so I could pick up right where I left off in the middle of my junior year. I would be staying with Emmett at his apartment.
It has been a week since the coffeehouse incident and I hadn't talked to or seen Bella at all. I was ignoring her. She texted and called so many times. She even came by my house. I knew I was being a dick but I wasn't ready to face her. I knew I would have to because I was leaving for Chicago tomorrow morning. I couldn't bear the thought of leaving her, let alone leaving her without saying goodbye. I had to do this. Maybe I could succeed and get healthy then come back to Bella a new man. A man she could be proud to be with. Oh who was I kidding? She would have a boyfriend as soon as I left. Why wouldn't she? Sighing, I texted her quickly.
Hey Bell, can I stop by your apartment in a bit? Need to see you. –E
She answered me right away, which shocked me.
OMG Edward baby are you ok? I'm so sorry about what happened. Yes, please come over. I miss you. XOXO –B
I grabbed my keys and started out the front door just as my Mom was coming in.
"Hey Mom, I'm heading to Bella's apartment to say goodbye. I'll be back later."
"Edward, honey are you sure this is what you want to do?" She cupped my face in her hands.
"I have to do it Mom. I have to do this for me." She nodded and kissed me. I was going to miss my parents and my little sister but I was determined to make this change and come back to them better than ever.
When I knocked on Bella's door my hands were shaking. Within seconds, the door flew open and she launched herself into my arms. I stumbled back a bit but steadied us quickly. She was hugging me tightly and had her face buried in my neck. God it felt so perfectly right to have her in my arms. Why can't I just tell her?
"Bell, it's ok. We need to talk. Can I come in?" I sat her back down on the ground and steadied her.
"Damn, I'm sorry Edward. I didn't mean to attack you like that. Of course, come in." She stepped to the side and I walked over to the couch. Taking a seat, I patted the cushion next to me and gestured for her to sit beside me.
"Bella, you know that I care a great deal about you right?" She nodded. "Sweetheart, I have to do something for myself. The other day, with Newton and Crowley showed me that I can't deal with being here, around them, anymore. I can't listen to their words anymore Bell. I'm transferring schools. I leave for Chicago tomorrow morning." I waited for her response. Her eyes widened slightly and then suddenly filled with tears. She reached out for me and before I knew what happened, she was straddling my lap with her face in my neck. I felt her hot tears spilling out and it was my undoing. I sat up and wrapped my arms around her back pulling her impossibly closer to me. One of my hands slipped up the back of her shirt and when I felt the bare, hot skin against my naked palm I couldn't help the moan that escaped my throat.
"Edward, please don't leave me. You are everything to me. You're my friend. My best friend." She wound her hands around to the back of my neck and began to run her fingers through my hair. I was in ecstasy with her writhing around on my lap. I knew I should stop her but it felt so fucking good.
"Bella, I can't take being ridiculed like this anymore. It's too much." I removed her hands from my hair and pulled her up off my lap. I had a boner from hell but I didn't think she'd seen it.
"But do you have to leave? Edward what am I going to do without you?" Her chin quivered as a fresh round of tears threatened. I could feel my own tears welling up.
"Bell, you know that you are my absolute best friend in the entire world. You see the real me, you always have and I love you for that. That will never EVER change. Do you hear me? You will always be my Bella, my best friend." My world, the woman I love, just say it Cullen!
"Then stay with me Edward."
"Bella, I can't. Please don't make this harder for me. I promise I will email you all the time, I'll call, I'll text. We won't lose touch. I promise. I'm only a phone call away."
"Spend the night with me Edward. Tonight. Please?" Oh my God. She didn't know what she was asking me. There was no way I could do that.
"Bella, love, I can't. Please understand, it's not because I don't want to. But saying goodbye to you is hard enough right now. If I stayed longer it would only get harder. I really need to go." I stood up and pulled her with me. She immediately wrapped me in a warm hug.
"I'm going to miss you so much Edward."
"God Bell, I'm gonna miss you too." I rested my forehead against hers. She looked up into my eyes and before I could talk myself out of it, I pulled back and turned my head to the side as I ever so gently brushed my lips against hers. She stiffened in my arms for a brief second but immediately relaxed and sighed into my mouth. I fought everything in me not to deepen the kiss. With my heart pounding in my chest, I removed her hands from around my neck and kissed her knuckles.
"Be careful in Chicago Edward. I'll see you soon ok?"
"Bye Sweetheart. I'll let you know when I arrive." She nodded and I walked out the door and out of her life. For now.
I stood in the hallway beside her door for a few seconds to compose myself. That's when I heard her sobbing behind the door. The very audible 'no' that slipped out of her mouth almost had me going back inside. But I couldn't do that. I had to leave. I had to get myself to a better place so I could be healthy for myself and for Bella. I loved her and I hoped she'd wait for me.
Chicago was….cold. Of course, it was January so naturally it was cold. Emmett and Rosalie both had met me at the airport when I arrived. I texted Bella to let her know I got here safely and told her I would call her later after I got settled in. I was in Emmett's guest room unpacking when Rosalie walked in.
"So can we talk about what you want to happen Edward?" She sat down at the desk just as Emmett walked in. He took a seat next to her so I thought it was a good time to let them know what was on my mind.
"Well, to make a long story short, I want to get in shape. I'm tired of being a fat ass. I promise to start eating healthy and making better choices for myself, and I promise to work hard to get there. I just need the two of you to guide me. I know I'm gonna fuck up, I know I'm gonna eat several slices of pizza and then feel like shit for doing it. I'm gonna want to skip working out some days, but I want the two of you to kick my ass."
"It's not going to be easy Ed, I won't lie to you. And it's a complete lifestyle change. You have to be serious about this. If you are, then I'm all about helping you out man. If you commit yourself to me I will get that weight off slowly and at the same time get you toned up and looking almost as good as me." Emmett winked and I rolled my eyes. He was always such a crack up. Rosalie added her two cents.
"I'll get you eating right Edward and teach you how to make better choices. But I need a commitment from you too." Rosalie smiled brightly.
"You've got it Rose. I'm doing this. There is a beautiful girl that I need to make fall in love with me. The future Mrs. Cullen is back in Washington and I need to be the man she deserves."
We talked a bit more and before I knew it, Rose had come back and told me dinner was ready. I was excited to start my new life immediately. When I walked into the dining room, Emmett and Rosalie were walking in with their plates and Rosalie sat mine down as I took a seat. Normally, my dinner would consist of several large slices of pizza, some breadsticks, and about a gallon of Coke. Tonight however, was a different story.
On my plate was a grilled, skinless chicken breast, steamed green beans, and brown rice. There was a large glass of ice water with a lemon wedge placed in front of me as well. Suddenly it was clear. Yep. I was going to starve to death.
After dinner I took a quick shower and sat down at my laptop to send Bella an email. My classes started up tomorrow so I needed to get a good night's sleep. My first workout with Emmett was also scheduled for tomorrow. I decided that I wasn't going to tell Bella that I had decided to get myself in shape. I wanted that to be a big surprise for her when I went back to Washington after graduation.
From: Edward Cullen
Sent: Sunday January 13, 2013 9:23 PM
To: Isabella Swan
Subject: Hey Bell!
Sweet Bella:
Hi Sweetheart! I hope this email finds you doing well. I'm settling in ok, missing you something fierce though.
Tomorrow is my first day of class and I'd be lying if I said I was looking forward to it. I know it was the right decision for me to come here. Assholes like Newton and Crowley exist everywhere, I know that. But maybe here I can find a fresh start. The stares and ugly snickers that I've heard throughout most of my life finally took their toll. My only regret is leaving you behind.
Bella, I'm not sure you are aware of the depth of my feelings for you. You know that you are my best friend and that I care for you so much. The day at the coffeehouse, before the dick squad interrupted us, I was going to ask you to go on a date with me. A real date. Flowers, dinner, movie, the whole nine yards. I wasn't sure if you would say yes or no, but I needed to know. I guess I should tell you that I think, no, I know my feelings for you run way deeper than I ever let on. Could you ever love someone like me Bella?
I better get off here and go to bed, although I'm sure sleep won't find me. Take care Sweetheart. I will dream only of you.
Yours,
Edward
I hit send and closed down my laptop. I wondered what she would think of my declarations. Would she return my feelings? I laid myself out there as much as I could for now. As for tomorrow, well, we'll just have to wait and see.
A/N: So he made the move to Chicago….how many of you want to strangle and brutally beat the Dick Squad? Poor Edward….but at least he's determined to get healthy! Stay tuned ya'll! XOXO Shannon XOXO
