Currently obsessed with the Runaways – movie and music. So good. Check 'em out. Thanks for reading.
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BPOV
Despite the fucked-up situation, it was the best I'd felt in a long time. Seeing Jake's pictures burned to a crisp was strangely cathartic, even if I didn't quite remember setting them on fire. There was probably a lot of Jake's shit around that I had overlooked that I could also burn.
Edward and I stood awkwardly in the kitchen for a few minutes. Finally, I cleared my throat.
"Um… well. It's Sunday…" I trailed off lamely. I didn't have anything to do, but didn't really want to prolong this weird morning-after-that-wasn't.
"Oh, yeah—hey, I'm sorry." Edward looked embarrassed. "I should go. Do you work on Sundays? Can I walk you anywhere? I don't have my car…" he patted his pockets searching for his keys.
"No, it's okay. I was going down to the Thriftway for groceries. If you want, I can drive you home… Do you live close by?" I began washing the bowl in the sink.
"It's Forks, Bella. Everything is close by," he grinned. "I took a cab to Eclipse. Since I had planned on getting shit-faced—fuck!" he exclaimed suddenly.
"What?" I dropped the bowl, startled. It didn't break, but it clattered noisily.
"I was supposed to meet my sister, Alice, for lunch at the diner." Edward ran his hand through his hair in desperation, making it look even more tousled.
"No problem, I can drop you off, and then she could drive you home, yeah?"
"If you're sure you don't mind…"
"It's no trouble. Let me just change out of these clothes. Back in a sec," I said, gesturing to my sweatpants and hoodie.
"Thanks, Bella." Edward smiled somewhat sheepishly.
I pulled on a pair of jeans and a dark blue blouse. Throwing my hair up in a ponytail, I grabbed my bag. It was the end of November; I could just put on my heavy parka.
"Ready," I called, and Edward met me at the apartment door. I grabbed my keys from a hook on the wall. Edward stopped and stared at a picture that took up most of the wall.
It was me on the beach at La Push. You could only tell it was me by the long hair caught blowing the wind. The sun was setting, and it gave off a beautiful light.
"Who took this one? I mean, it's pretty obvious you're a photographer, but who's behind the camera here?" He leaned in closer to the picture as I stuffed myself into my coat.
"Mmm, Jake did, actually. About the only good thing he left me with. But since he's not in it, I think we can spare it the Zippo." I smiled and ushered Edward out.
"I don't even know where in Forks I am," Edward said conversationally as we rode the elevator down. "I'm sure it'll look completely…" he trailed off as we exited the building. The chilly wind nipped at our exposed faces.
"Is it familiar now?" I laughed, jingling my keys. I sobered up when I saw the look on his face. "Are you okay?"
"Um, yeah. I—it's just that your apartment building's right next to my ex's—"
"Edward?" A high-pitched, bubblegum voice pierced the morning air.
"—building," he finished weakly.
I turned to the voice. A girl about my age walked towards us. She had wild, curly red hair and deep blue eyes. The latter were trained on Edward, who stood next to me, pale and now silent.
I tried to whisper discreetly," Edward, who is she?"
Before he could answer, the woman was upon us. "Edward! I thought it was you! What are you doing here?" She hugged Edward tightly and pulled back before he could react.
Edward swallowed visibly. "Hey, Vicky."
Oh. Shit, it was her, the ex! I could sense anxiety rolling off Edward in waves. He was practically speechless, while there was something smug about Victoria's own smile. Bitch probably thought he was stalking her or something. Still pining after her, all this time. No wonder Edward looked all panicked and shit.
He was almost shaking, while Victoria waited for him to explain why he was there. And she was pointedly ignoring me completely. Hell, no.
"Hi! Did you just move in? I'm Bella, I haven't seen you around!" I chattered brightly, channeling one of my old friends from high school. Keep it light and bubbly, with just a hint of malice. I practically shoved my hand in her face, forcing her to step away from Edward.
Finally, Victoria took my proffered hand gingerly with her fingertips. Like it was a dead fish. I flashed another smile, even though I wanted to wipe my own hand on my jeans.
"Well, Bella, as it happens, I've lived here for quite some time now." Her tone was condescending and forced. "Edward and I… we used to go out awhile back." She glanced at Edward as she said this, and he stared at his shoes. He looked… trapped, and desperate.
Admittedly, I had known him less than 24 hours, but after he had helped me forget about a hellish night and torch some Jake mementos, I was his unconditional ally.
Fuck this.
"Oh, really? Edward, baby, you didn't mention that!" I giggled and pressed myself against Edward, lacing our fingers together.
Edward only had time to look at me with wide, stunned eyes before Victoria butted in.
"Edward, you're dating her? Since when?" Her nostrils flared, though she tried not to show her agitation.
I ignored the implied insult. "Hmmm, let's see… about six months?" I answered. I leaned in and kissed Edward's surprised mouth. "Best six months ever, right babe?" He still tasted faintly of booze.
"I, um, think that…" Edward stammered.
"So, we haven't seen each other in almost a year, have we Edward?" Victoria crossed her arms over her chest, heel tapping. Where did this bitch come off acting all self-righteous and shit? I nuzzled Edward's neck lightly and turned to Victoria.
"Well, we're thinking about moving in together. We just click, and everything's been really intense, but just wonderful," I gushed. Edward shook his head as if to clear it once, and I took the opportunity to stand on tiptoes and plant another kiss, on his cheek this time.
"Moving in?" Victoria's naturally high-pitched voice went up another octave.
"Yes! Oh, which reminds me, we're late for that meeting with the realtor, so we should get going." I nudged Edward and stepped on his foot.
"Vic—Victoria, it was… good seeing you… again… and I, um…" Edward gave me a side-long glance, urging me to help us escape.
"Nice to meet you, Victoria!" Have a great day!" How unoriginal. I grasped Edward's forearm, locking it with mine and dragging him away.
Victoria stood there for a moment or two, before stomping off on her chunky-heeled shoes. I tugged on Edward, who was still out of it.
"Come on!" I hissed in his ear, and then we rounded the corner. Edward slumped against the faded brick wall, and I let go of his arm.
"Oh God. It's like I couldn't think… she made me shut down…"
"Breathe, Edward. She's gone." I patted his back gently.
"It's just… I didn't think she still had that effect on me," he winced.
"The power to make you hurt?" I supplied. A feeling I knew all too well.
"Yeah," Edward grimaced. He inhaled deeply until some color returned to his face.
"You feeling better now?" I asked, stamping my feet in the cold. The wind was still whipping against us.
"I think so. Where are we going, by the way? I thought your car was—"
"Well, I wanted to walk away from psycho-bitch in the opposite direction, so she wouldn't know which was my car."
"Why?" Edward looked puzzled.
"You know, in case she felt inclined to egg my truck or key the paintjob, or something."
"Ohhh, exacting some sort of revenge on the new girlfriend?" he teased, nudging me with his shoulder as we headed back.
It was my turn to stutter and flush red. "Hey, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. Vicks there was getting to me too."
"Nah, it's okay. That was some quick thinking. I should really thank you for bailing me out like that."
"My pleasure." I stopped in front of my old Chevy pick-up. "Here we are."
"This is not your car." Edward stared in disbelief at my beautiful red behemoth. "Is there even a decent sound system in this piece of sh—"
"Hey, don't hate the truck. Get in."
Edward huffed but climbed in. The truck started with a bang and we puttered along at 50 miles per hour.
"Can't it go any faster?" Edward grumbled, fiddling with the radio dial.
"Okay, look. We can't all be… shit. What is it you do, and what do you drive?"
"Oh. I'm a teacher. I drive a Volvo."
"Soccer mom car? Really?" I laughed.
"Bella, I swear to God…" Edward threatened. But there was a wide grin on his face.
For the first time in months, it felt like everything would be okay.
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Reviewers get teasers. I discovered Coming through the Rye, by mac214. Check it out, it is awesome.
