I'm sorry for the constant change of pov but it seemed appropriate.
I'm also sorry it took me a while to update, I'm not entirely sure of this chapter so please read and review. I would really like some more reviews, they get me going and inspire me to write. And I reply to all of them. :D
Thank you, and I hope you enjoy the chapter, tell me what you think! :D
DISCLAIMER – I do not own twilight or any of the twilight characters.
Chapter 3
"Come on Bella!" Alice pleaded, dragging me by my hand towards yet another large department store,
"Haven't we got enough?" I gestured towards our array of shopping bags,
"No!" She looked at me as if I'd pulled a gun out on her, wow, shopping meant alot to Alice,
"Okay, just a couple more shops" I sighed, I decided giving in was the best option, it was clear Alice wasn't going to,
"Thank you!" She grinned.
This shopping trip had been extremely tiring, we'd been to almost every shop in Seattle, and luckily it hadn't rained, yet. Alice had at least twenty bags whereas I had a little less, more around about four. Keen to get home and fix Charlie dinner I'd been trying to persuade Alice to go, but she couldn't get enough of the stores.
"How about this one?" She asked, holding up a long dark purple cardigan,
"Didn't you buy one just like it already?" I slumped against a mirror and sighed,
"No, the other one was dark red" She sounded slightly offended, clearly my lack of enthusiasm was bothering her but I couldn't make myself more interested, I was running out of compliments rapidly,
"Well, like I said about all the others, it looks good"
"I suppose I'll get it" She replied, "Cardigans are in this year, why don't you get one too?"
"I'm not sure it would suit me as well as it suits you" I admitted sheepishly, everything Alice had tried on suited her perfectly, it fit her well proportioned body like a glove. Whereas on me they all looked slightly odd, hanging off me in an unshapely manner. Shopping with Alice definitely wasn't a way to boost your ego.
"Oh go on!" She chucked me the same cardigan in my size and we proceeded to yet another section of beautiful clothes that I was sure wouldn't look at all good on me.
Finally an hour later, armed with another ten shopping bags, Alice agreed to call it a day and we headed to Alice's car, a sleek dark red Porsche. She had refused to ride in my truck, complaining that it wouldn't make it to Seattle and back in one piece.
We hit the motorway at a speed I didn't even think was legal before I thought it was an appropriate time to ask about Edward. I hadn't found the right moment all day but at the speed Alice was going we'd be home in no time and I really couldn't deal with the anxiety of not knowing if Edward would be in school ever again for another day.
"So how's Edward?" I asked nervously, hoping she wouldn't notice the flush of red to my cheeks,
"He's good thank you" She smiled, her eyes not straying from the road in front of her, phew,
"That's good" It was good, maybe he would be in school after all, "Will he be back in school on Monday?"
"Yes, I've caught him up on all the classes don't worry" She replied, her expression unchanging. What was about me talking about Edward that bothered her, I could tell it did, but I couldn't tell why and that was bothering me.
Alice dropped me off outside my house, I gratefully thanked her for the lift home and the shopping trip. She told me she'd had alot of fun and wanted to do it again sometime. I groaned inwardly and forced a smile. Yes I had enjoyed shopping with Alice more than anyone else, but I still disliked it as much as I did before. After enduring a brief interaction with Charlie where he asked me about my day I proceeded to my bedroom where I dumped my shopping bags in my wardrobe vowing to sort them out later. To be honest I just didn't want a reminder at how awful some of the things Alice had convinced me to buy looked on me.
I made Charlie and myself dinner and then settled in front of the television, flicking through the paper. Nothing caught my interest, my mind only seemed to be able to form one thought right now, and that thought was Edward. His un-natural beauty and musical voice played constantly on my mind. I couldn't understand why he meant so much to me but it felt like we had a bond. I felt silly just thinking it, but maybe there was something there, maybe he felt it too? Ha. There I go, kidding myself. This crush had gotten way to far, I decided to try and go a whole hour without a thought of him.
Naturally, I failed.
EDWARD POV
School tomorrow, I thought to myself idly. I would be seeing her again. Smelling her again. Could I handle it? Was I ready? Could I be sure I was no longer a danger to her? No. I couldn't be sure, but I had taken all the precautions I could. I lay on my sofa with my eyes shut, completely motionless. Thinking. I did this too often, I had really honed my brooding skills. Claire De Lune played almost silently in the background, this music soothed me. I felt almost an instant wave of calm drift over me. But I knew better than that.
"Jasper" I accused, not opening either eye,
"Yes" He replied, his voice came from not far away,
"Would you mind not doing that?" I asked calmly, "I am really trying to relax on my own, practice for tomorrow"
"Of course" He whispered and I heard him walking away, towards Alice's room if I wasn't mistaken. I repressed a chuckle.
Alice had been out with Bella all day Saturday, but she had been sure to shower before I returned from the hunting trip with Emmet, just in case. She had tried to drop hints at how nice Bella was and at how sweet she seemed when she asked if I was okay. But I just shrugged it off, I couldn't handle this girl crushing on me, if she got too close, I could take it too far. I could feel the worry building up inside. Why couldn't Jasper turn up now? No. I had to learn to control myself, I couldn't, I wouldn't allow myself to hurt Bella. She hadn't asked for any of this. Then again, neither had I...
BELLA POV
Tossing and turning it didn't seem like sleep was an available option tonight. The clock said 3:30am, so technically it was morning. Who cares? I flipped over for the billionth time and pressed my pillow over my head. I had no idea what was stopping me from sleeping. Well, I did but I had forbidden myself to think of him. I was failing miserably but not about to admit it, even to myself, so I propped myself up against my pillows and felt around in my bedside draw for some paper and a pen. Staring absentmindedly across the room and out the window I became engrossed in gazing at the night sky. It was over run slightly by a murky grey cloud blanket so no stars, but other than that it looked quite pretty.
Aware that more time had passed than I intended I looked down at what I had drawn and there was Edwards face staring back at me. Of course I hadn't managed to capture his magnificent beauty or the evenness of his features. But even I was impressed at how alike my drawing was. I pushed the pad and pen away in my draw and flipped over once more, finally able to drift off.
I woke up bright and early Monday morning. Well, early anyway. Bright? Not so much. The grey clouds appeared much thicker than they had a few previously when I had been staring up at them and a light drizzle had begun.
I grabbed a quick shower and forced myself while getting dressed to wear at least one item I had purchased this weekend, for Alice's sake. I chose a dark blue top and a pair of my faded old jeans. Accompanied of course by a thick winter jacket. I fixed myself a bowl of cereal and a warm mug of tea, I was dreading leaving the house already, but the idea of seeing Edward was an event I was looking forward to more than any birthday or Christmas, but also an event that I was dreading and somehow tying a knot in my stomach, making the cereal hard to digest. I gave up, rinsing the bowl out, I donned my rain jacket and headed out to my truck.
EDWARD POV
I can do this, I smiled to myself. Totally satisfied. Her scent was still as appealing as ever, more so as I had almost missed it, but I was able to control myself. I was prepared for it this time. I knew that it was going to tease and tantalize me for the entire day. But I was almost completely at ease. I was still sat on the edge of my seat, as far away as possible, another precaution, but I felt much more in control.
I decided now would probably be a good time to introduce myself. I was aware I had been impolite by not even acknowledging her the day we met. I decided I would write a note, it may be a little childish, but it was only fair.
BELLA POV
I couldn't believe he was really here. Right next to me. We hadn't spoken but he didn't seem as intense as he had last time I had seen him. His hair was still like a ruffled lions mane, his eye's still a liquid topaz. They seemed lighter than the last time I'd saw them, maybe it depended on his mood? Stop thinking crazy! I scolded myself, whose eye colour changed depending on their mood!?
I tried not to stare at him, yet my mind would trick me, convincing myself I was only going to glance, but my eyes always seemed to linger, greedily taking his flawless appearance. I wasn't nearly 'full' when the bell went but I was relieved to remember I had last period Maths with him. We sat next to each other there as well, or at least we would have if he had attended. To be honest his absence didn't bother me anymore, as he was here now and I felt a strange feeling of being complete.
EDWARD POV
I had not given much thought to Bella, as she seemed to only tease me. Albeit unintentionally, I tried not to concentrate on her too much, but it suddenly came to my attention she was the only being I couldn't hear. Of course I could hear her speak, but focusing on her now, over the maths teachers explanation about simplifying equations, I realised I couldn't hear her thoughts. I focused as hard as I could on the girl next to me, but no sound came from her. Except her fluttering heartbeat. Which I must admit was kind of cute, but I was getting frustrated not knowing what she was thinking. Maybe I was having a 'block'. I listened out in the classroom and I could hear every 'voice' but one. Bella's.
I decided I would write the note now. Silently ripping a piece of paper out of my exercise book, I began to write.
BELLA POV
Had he really just passed me a note?
My hands shook as I opened the neatly folded paper, to view the amazingly precise handwriting before me.
'Hello, my name is Edward Cullen. I should have formally introduced myself, I apologise. You are Bella Swan. I would like to thank you for entertaining Alice on Saturday, she thoroughly enjoyed herself.'
I felt my cheeks burning, I hadn't been just entertaining Alice, I had enjoyed myself!
I was flattered that he had decided to introduce himself finally but also a little miffed he had jumped to assumptions. I glanced once in his direction, his eyes were fixed to the front of the class. I wasn't sure whether he wanted me to write back or not, but I felt the need to. This may be my only chance, and of course, it was only polite...
EDWARD POV
I was slightly amused at the expression on her face when I passed her the note, her eyes had widened as if I were passing her a bomb and her heart rate had accelerated quite a bit. I wished she wouldn't blush though, I could only control myself with her 'help'. I decided to focus my gaze on the teacher, it would distract me enough until she replied.
Moments later I was unfolding the paper.
'Hello. Yes, I'm Bella. Don't worry about the formalities, it's very nice to meet you, and about Saturday... I truly did enjoy myself, I may have bought more clothes than I needed, or wanted... but Alice is a lovely girl and enjoy spending time with her.'
I wrote back immediately. I felt like I wanted to get to know Bella more, I didn't know why. It was unexplainable, but I felt drawn to her. As if her scent wasn't 'bad' enough, I had this feeling of needing to know her more.
BELLA POV
'Alice has a tendency of 'convincing' people what to buy, or persuading people. She's very talented. I am glad you enjoy spending time with her, I find myself almost constantly irritated by her presence.'
Alice irritating? I suppose I could see his point, I could just about handle a few hours of her bouncy personality before I felt like I was going crazy. It made me laugh how we seemed to be getting on so well, yet we had never spoken before. I wished I could hear his voice again, I missed the musical hint to it. Alice's was very nearly the same, but nobody was exactly like Edward. I had learned that.
EDWARD POV
'I must admit she is quite hyper. Her good mood puts me in a happy state of mind, but I don't share her exact enthusiasm for fashion. Though I don't think she is irritating, then again I don't live with her. Brothers and sisters...'
The last words got to me a little, I loved Alice as a sister, but we did not have genuine blood ties. It hurt to be reminded. Then again how could Bella have known? She couldn't...
BELLA POV
The notes were thrown back and forward too fast for Mr. Fenton to realise. It was only seconds after I handed Edward a note that another one would be in front me. His writing was so elegant...
'I suppose so.'
This proved to be a final note. I wouldn't write back, there was nothing to reply to. My heart sank at the thought that our conversation was over. Would this be our last?