Hey everyone! So this one is way longer, and I think they all will be about this length from here on out, if not longer. Hope that's okay with you all. Why am I being nerdy and posting on a Friday night? Why am I not out with all my friends? Produce calls! Haha, I work tomorrow morning- bummer. Anyway, reading fics late at night is one of my fav things to do! I'm really loving all the alerts and reviews! Thanks for all the input- keep 'em coming (that's what she said)!
As per ujje, I don't own it.
EPOV
I walked over to where Jasper was parked along the curb of the Pick Up/Drop Off area, and he got out of the driver side seat. I threw my bag down next to the car and held up my pointer finger to him to signal him to hold on a sec. I turned back around and went through the airport doors, where the paps and fans were located. I felt bad that I blew off all those people who simply wanted an autograph or a picture, so I stuck around for five or ten minutes to appease them. I also threw a quick apology to the cameraman that I bumped into on my hasty exit to try and catch Bella.
After I finished, I walked back out to Jas, who was busy on his Blackberry. He looked up at me and grinned.
"Well if it isn't the famous Edward Cullen," he chuckled. In a really fake girly voice he cried "Oh! Can I please have your autograph I just love your movies! Let's get married!" I couldn't help but laugh along. I have been asked to marry my fans before, and even though it's a little uncomfortable, it comes with the territory.
"Can it." I wasn't in the mood for that, not now.
"Ah Ed you know I'm just kidding. Dude, how about that sneak attack by the paps? Pretty heavy stuff, they were on you like white on rice man." He walked up to meet me and gave one of those handshake-hug type things that guys do.
"Are you Em now? Since when do you call me dude?" He laughed and threw me the keys to my dream car, the one thing I allowed myself to splurge on, my Vanquish.
Jasper has been my best friend since the third grade. We both excelled in school and sports growing up so we had similar interests. Instead of becoming rivals, we helped each other.
When I started acting, we both just graduated from University of Washington-Seattle, so he went to UCLA to get his PhD. He graduated early, which is unheard of for anyone short of a prodigy. Well prodigy, thy name is Jasper Whitlock. At 27, he's the youngest psychologist to own his own practice. I'd like to say for 27, I'm not doing half bad, either.
Jas is a psychologist and living in LA, so he never wants for patients. People here are crazier than anywhere else, I truly believe that. Diddy had it right- more money, more problems.
He leaned up against the back of my car while I threw my luggage in the trunk.
"Who's the lady friend, Edward?
I couldn't help the smile from spreading to my face. "Bella", was all I said.
He made a whistle sound. "She seems so have made quite an impact on you."His face turned seriously. "I know I always say this, but be careful. These women will do anything to make it in the business. You've gotta make sure she isn't just trying to get her fifteen minutes of fame by going out with you."
I chuckled. She really had no idea who I was. But quickly my chuckle turned into a depressing sigh. I can't believe the way it ended. Jas noticed the sigh. "What is it, man?"
I took a deep breath. "Actually, that's kind of the thing… she doesn't know who I am. Or, she didn't. I was going to somehow let her know who I was, but then the paparazzi surrounded me. I didn't get a chance to tell her anything about what I do. But let's be honest, Jas, what would I have even said? How would you tell someone you're a famous actor without looking completely full of yourself? Now she thinks I lied to her, and what's even worse is she left before I got a chance to get her number. I don't even know her last name, Jas." I finished with a collective exhale.
I threw the rest of my bags into the back seat and made my way to the passenger side door. Jasper looked at me quizzically.
"You feeling okay? You don't even want to drive your Vanquish? She really must have done a number on you, man."
"Nah, I just need to think" I grumbled. Jasper got into the driver's side and threw the car into the ignition. We pulled out of the parking lot in my $130,000 car. Jas switched lanes once we got on the freeway and looked over to me.
"Hey, we can figure this out. We'll find her, don't worry." He gave me a reassuring smile. He always was really great with calming people, maybe that's why he's such a sought after and amazing psychologist. "Let's start from the beginning, let's start with what we do know."
"Good idea," I said. I gathered my thoughts. What do I know about Bella? Gorgeous. Funny. Smells awesome. Not helping… "She went to NYU, and is from Forks, Washington. She's moving here to be with her friends, Alice and Rosalie. Alice is a fashion designer and Rosalie owns a PR firm here in LA.
"Okay, those are good," He sat, thinking for a moment. "Well, you could always look for a PR firm for Rosalie, contact her, and then ask her for Bella's information."
"Good point" my mood was lifting already. I was beginning to feel excited about finding her.
"Okay, what else do you remember her telling you?" Jasper probed.
"Oh, she's working at a store to earn extra money while she finishes writing and looking for a publisher."
"Really? What's it called?"
"She hasn't given it a name yet"- I started to say but Jasper interrupted.
"Not the book you idiot, the store! Where is she working?" he explained.
"Whole Foods, in the Produce section." I thought about her having to work there and instantly had the urge to tell her to quit. I can more than cover her living expenses and anything else she needs. She shouldn't have to get her delicate hands dirty, ever. But something tells me she wouldn't be up for me to pay her way. She's much too independent for that, and that's part of why I respect her so much.
"Cullen, you're a smart guy, but this chick is making you stupid." He said plainly. At that time we arrived at his office, and he got out. I scooted to the driver's side window and rolled it down.
"What the hell, man?" I was so confused. Why was I an idiot? What did I say? Jasper turned around to me but kept walking backwards to his office.
"Edward, call the fucking Whole Foods place. Yeah there's more than one in LA but it won't take long to call, and I bet they'd be more than accommodating if they know that a movie star wants some info. Plus, Bella's not a very common name, and you know what department she's working in, so it should be pretty easy."
Realization dawned on my face. I could do that. It would almost be too easy.
"Jasper Austin Whitlock! If I was a chick I would kiss you. Thanks a lot, I owe you." I suddenly felt lighter. Optimistic. "And thanks for picking me up! I'll see you later tonight. Beers at my place?"
"Sounds good, I'll be there around seven. I'll bring some steaks. Tell Em to bring his own beer if he's going to go crazy like last time" I chuckled as he rolled his eyes.
"Will do, see ya."
I pulled out onto the road again, rolled down all my windows, and sped home to my comfortable apartment downtown. It was a beautiful late summer day in Los Angeles, and it was just starting to cool down. I saw the paparazzi tailing me in my rearview mirror, but not even that could deter my upbeat mood. I can find her, and when I do I'll explain everything… hopefully she'll give me another chance.
I dialed 411. "Yeah, I need the numbers to every Whole Foods in Los Angeles- the produce department. Thanks."
I smiled as I drove home. I would see her soon.
BPOV
As soon as I got to the apartment, I went into the restroom to rinse off my face. I need to calm down. Once I finished, I went back into the apartment, impressed at the size. It was a large, open floor plan with a great kitchen- my favorite part of any home. I was also surprised at how dark it was. What time was it? Six? The girls should be getting home within the half hour. I decided to take a peek at my room and unpack as much as I could.
Ha…No real sense in unpacking. Alice will just dig through everything and discard everything- A noise from somewhere in the house. A floor creak? No, that's not it. It was something bigger… something moving around.
Wow Bella. Get a grip.
I ignored my intuition and walked deeper into the spacious apartment. Alice told me my room would be the biggest one at the end of the hallway. When I asked her why, she responded in typical Alice fashion- 'Uh… Bella! The closet is way too small for both mine and Rose's wardrobes!' As though it was obvious. I suppose I should have known, though. I laughed out loud, meandering throughout the apartment. I found my door in the nearly pitch black hallway. I saw a light flicker from the end of the door of my new room. I told myself it was the sun…
I was finally to the door and thought I heard something. Great, I am totally going to be killed. I rolled my eyes at my dramatics. My curiosity and desire to lie down overruled the need to save myself from a potential thief waiting for me in the shadows. I gently push the door open when-
"Surprise!!!" I heard two voices scream. From the little closet in the corner of my room Alice and Rose jumped out, doubled over in laughter.
"Guys! Holy shit!" I was breathing heavily, nearly shocked to death. "Holy Christ! You scared the absolute crap out of me! What the hell I thought I was going to be murdered!" The girls' faces were beat red from laughing. I soon joined along and we were all cracking up. Just then I felt a huge force tackle me to the small twin bed I had shipped from Charlie's in Forks.
"Sorry Bella, we thought it would be funny! We're just so excited that you're actually here, we took off work today to get your room ready. We wanted to surprise you so… surprise! Do you like it?" Alice said in her hyper voice. I looked around as Rose flipped on the light, and was taken aback.
The room was huge, so huge in fact that my little twin bed was even more dwarfed than normal. I was planning on buying some furniture second-hand, but I guess there won't be any need for it. There was a large dresser that I'm positive will hold all of my clothes in about two drawers, and across the room was a great work desk already stocked with a printer, paper, and pens- not even the cheap pens you buy in a pack, but the really good pens! I could see myself working on my book late at night with the amazing lamp they bought. I looked over the closet, which is anything but small, but too small for the girls. Apart from my bed, Rose and Alice bought all the furniture, even though I told them not to. They really are the best friends anyone could ask for.
"Rose, get your ass over here" I yelled. Rose dove onto the bed with Alice and me and even though it was a tight fit on a twin bed, it was home.
"Thank you guys. For Everything. You've taken me in, a poor produce worker with an aspiration to write, and I can only hope someday I can pay you back. I've missed you bitches," I looked over at them and we all burst into laughter. It was so great to be home.
"So how was your flight, B?" Rose asked. I briefly reminisced on my flight and meeting Edward.
"It was really great; I got a lot of work done." I started to blush because I knew that wasn't the reason it was great. Rose noticed. Bitch.
"Oh, that's why you're blushing like a nun in a sex shop? Uh-uh Bells, spill. You met someone on the flight didn't you?!" Rose demanded, and you don't deny Rose anything. Maybe that's the reason she runs such a successful PR business, Roshale PR. Her firm represents over two hundred A-listers, athletes, and even royalty. Rose personally represents over twenty on her own; if she had balls they'd be made of steel. It doesn't hurt that she's also smokin' hot.
"Oh my God, Bella! You did meet someone! Tell us!" Alice squeaked. She's always insanely overexcited, but her mother is the same way. It's one of the things I love about her, also one of the things I don't love about her- I love it after I've had my morning coffee, and definitely not before. Alice worked with Yves Saint Laurent for her internship and they loved her so much, they offered her a job out of FIT. She's recently been working on a line of her own, although she's not ready to leave YSL just yet.
"Okay, I did meet someone, but it was over before it even started." I thought back to the moment I looked up from my notebook. Edward's eyes peering into mine, the magnificent emerald green. How long we gazed into each other's eyes I don't know. It could have been seconds; it could have been hours.
"Well? Who is he? What's wrong? Why are you sad?" Alice's brain was going a mile a minute, and this is one of those times I did not like her hyper attitude. I sort of just wanted to let it all soak in, but I knew I couldn't just leave my friends hanging.
"His name is Edward. We talked on the plane for hours about everything. We really had a connection, but when we landed I found out he was kind of" -I didn't want to give specifics until I absolutely had to- "wasn't telling the entire truth. I'm not sure if we even belong together, he's in a whole other league." I finished telling them all I was willing to tell tonight. I thought back to the spark of electricity I felt when I shook his hand, and how silly our Nickelodeon debate was. Now I'll never see him again. That truth weighed down on me and all I wanted to do now was sleep.
"Bella, the only way someone would be out of your league is if they were beneath you. He probably wasn't good enough for you anyway, you deserve better than that." Rose could be really motherly when she wanted. She comes off harsh but beneath that exterior is someone so caring.
"Yeah Bella, LA is full of so many hot men you'll forget about Edward in no time. Just the other day I was walking down Sunset and guess who I saw! Robert Pattinson!" She looked over to me and her face fell a little. She knows I'm clueless to Hollywood actors, or was anyway… "Oh Bella, he's the guy from that Twilight movie I made you come see with me last winter! Anyway what I'm trying to tell you is that this city is, like, the Mecca for dating opportunities!" I couldn't help but laugh a little. She was obviously excited.
"So you're saying your type is a pale vampire who drinks animal blood? Gross Al," Rose quipped. We all cracked up at that, and talked for a couple more hours before our positions on the bed made us get up. At 25 we're still young, but three grown women on a twin bed will make anyone's back hurt after a few hours.
It was ten-thirty when the girls left my room. Rose had an early conference call, and Alice wanted to get up early to shop. What Alice didn't mention, not that I needed her to, is that she isn't shopping for herself. She is buying a "Los Angeles Bella" wardrobe since my wardrobe was deemed "too New York". She lectured me for a good ten minutes about the importance of wearing bright colors in LA, as opposed to dark tones that went well with New York.
Whatever.
She would do it with or without my help. She also never said if I was going with her, so I'll just let her wake me up if she makes me go. It'll be a great way to get to know the city. Plus, I don't start at Whole Foods for another two days. Maybe shopping with Alice tomorrow won't be so bad… maybe I'm crazy for even thinking it won't be that bad…
I hope you all enjoyed the chapter, anything you hope to see next time? Let me know, your input is important! It'll be a few days before I update again, unless I miraculously get like 923748 reviews all telling me to update stat! Enjoy your weekend, all!
-Mel
