I keep looking at my hand as I walk back to my dorm. When I get there, dazed, Jessica is laying on her bed flipping through a magazine.
"Whose sweatshirt is that?"
I pause for a moment. I forgot I was wearing it.
"This guy. His name's Edward."
"Edward…Cullen?" she asked.
"I don't know his last name. Why?"
"He dated Tanya for a while. Does he work at that coffee shop?"
My heart sinks. Tanya is Jessica's gorgeous best friend. And I am the plain and rather boring Bella Swan. How can I ever compare to tall and voluptuous sex on legs when I'm short and tiny in every way?
I sigh and sit on my bed, looking again at my hand. Maybe if I go back tomorrow something else will happen. Maybe we will talk more and maybe I can ask him about Tanya. Or maybe he doesn't really like me at all and maybe I'm over-analyzing everything. Maybe this day was too good to be true. I snuggle under the blankets in my bed and check my phone for the first time all day.
30 text messages.
Jake.
Jake.
Jake.
Jake.
All from Jake.
I open the last one and read it.
"Okay, I guess you're ignoring me. Mature, Bella. You know what, I'm done. If you ever wanna talk I'm here. But I won't bother you anymore."
Ugh. He makes me so mad sometimes. What a drama queen. QUEEN.
I close my phone and ignore all of his texts. I don't need another reason to be upset right now.
How could the most perfect day end this way?
***
As I pull on a purple hoodie and a pair of leggings Jessica asks me if I want to grab breakfast with her before class.
"No thanks, I'm not going to class today."
I know it's not Jessica's fault that Edward dated Tanya, but the fact that she told me really pisses me off.
I sling my bag over my shoulder and head for the coffee shop again. I know it's bad to skip class, especially math since I am beyond terrible at it. Oh well. Seeing him again is more important.
I trudge through the misty morning to the Cherry Street Coffee House once again. Inside Edward is tending to a long line of customers, so I sit in the beanbag from yesterday and wait for him to notice me. Or something.
As the line thins out and people leave he looks in my direction and hops over the counter.
"So you got my note?" There's the smile.
"I did, actually. Why did you want me to come back?"
"Maybe because I enjoyed talking to you yesterday. And because I want to make you another drink. And because I want my sweatshirt back."
I blush and pull his jacket from my bag.
"Thanks again for that."
"No prob. Are you busy at all today? My brother is coming in later so maybe we can hang out for a while when he takes my shift."
Class? What class? Edward. More Edward.
"Nope, nothing planned!" I smile at him. "How about that coffee?"
As he makes my drink I lean on the counter and ask him questions. "So you have a brother?"
"Two. And two sisters."
"Wow, big family?"
"We're all adopted, actually. Esme- my mom- had problems conceiving. So her husband Carlisle suggested they adopt. They always wanted a big family. We're all pretty close."
I was jealous. My family had always been me and my dad and sometimes my mom. I'd never had that kind of relationship with either of them.
"I wish I could have that." I told him.
"Maybe you'll meet them sometime."
What did that mean? Did that mean he wanted me to meet them? As in he liked me enough already to bring me home after one day? I ask him more questions.
"So what's your story, Edward? Where are you from?"
"I'm from Port Angeles originally, but we moved here a few years ago when Carlisle got offered a job at Seattle Grace hospital. He's a surgeon. And the rest of us co-own this coffee shop."
"Wow, Port Angeles? That's pretty close to me! I'm from Forks, actually."
"Tiny place, huh?"
"Yeah. Not much goes on there."
He hums and hands me my mug.
"Enjoy."
I take a sip and sigh. Who knew coffee could be this amazing?
"This is so good. Thank you."
He leans his elbows in the counter, face in his hands.
"So, Bella. What's up with you? What are you studying? What about your family?"
"Well I'm in my second year at UW. English major. I lived with my dad in Forks; he's the police chief. And my mom lives in Arizona with her boyfriend."
"And do you have a boyfriend?" He glances at me sideways, fighting a smile like he already knows the answer.
"No. I did, until recently. But no. It didn't work."
"Why not?"
Why is he so probing and intense? It scares me. But still, I lay myself out for him to see and judge because I want this.
I take a deep breath.
"Because I'm looking for something different. And recently I haven't been very happy with the way my life is going and I kind of felt like if I wanted to really start over I had to start over with everything."
"What don't you like about your life?"
His face seems to be inches from mine. I bite my lip, nervous under his curious gaze.
"Um, well…I want to go out and have fun and be a teenager before it's too late. I want more excitement in my life and I don't want to be shy and scared of actually living anymore."
"Adventure? You're talking to the right guy here. I can take you on some adventures. Do you like hiking?"
Hiking. Athletics. Not for me, notoriously clumsy Bella. But instead I say "Yeah. I haven't done it much before but I'd love to try."
"Then I gotta show you this one place. Maybe after my brother takes over for me."
After me being so honest with him I feel like he owes me. So I ask what I've been wondering all morning.
"So I heard you know one of my friends? Or my room mate's friend?"
"Who?" he looks puzzled.
"Tanya Denali."
"Oh." He breathes. "We went on a date once, because she practically begged me. She came in here every day and hung herself over the counter trying to flirt with me. I finally agreed to go out with her to get her to go away and it worked, because on the date I acted like a total pig."
I laugh, relieved.
"She's really not my type." He says.
I hesitate.
"What's your type? I blush.
"You."
His answer shocks me and I feel tingly and cold all over.
Just then a customer walks in. I stand back, dazed, and try to process what Edward has just said. He barely knows me. I barely know him. But the attraction is there somehow, and it's undeniable. I feel like we've been together forever before this which is impossible and only happens in movies.
He smiles at me over the register and I feel my tummy do a flip-flop.
The door to the café slams, surprising me. I glance over to see a large man with short, dark hair and arms about fifteen inches in diameter enter the room.
"Eddie!"
"Hello, Emmett."
I glance between them. Was this Edward's brother?
"And you must be Bella?
I'm floored. How does he know who I am?
"Edward told me he met a cutie yesterday. I must say, he's right!"
"Hey man…" came Edward's sheepish response.
I feel heat creeping to my cheeks.
"SOO Bella, wanna get out of here?" Edward begins gathering his things as Emmett shakes with silent laughter.
"Have fun, kiddos."
We exit out the back of the café again and walk around the corner to Edward's bike. He hands me the same helmet as yesterday.
"Sorry about Emmett. He lacks all tact."
"It's okay. He seems like a nice guy. A big teddy bear type, huh?"
"Yeah." The bike vibrates under me and I wrap my arms around Edward.
He looks back at me. "Are you ready for that adventure?"
"Never been more ready."