"Jessica," I yell out as I arrive on the beach, tying my bike up to a post.
"Bella!" she called out, excitedly. She quickly skipped over to me, almost vibrating with energy. "Oh my gosh, I've missed you so much," she said while wrapping her arms around me in a rather awkward hug. I just stood there patting her back lightly. "Okay, so we were just about to start a game of volleyball. You can join us if you want."
"Jessica, you know my balance issues, right?" I say, jokingly, a light laugh escaping my mouth.
"Well, I mean, yeah," she muttered, blushing lightly as she realized at how ridiculous her suggestion had been.
"You know what, I think I'm just gonna try and tan- try being the keyword," I said, slightly sad at my inability to tan. I had always joked about being half-albino, but in reality it was just a weird facet of my nature, my inability to darken in skin tone, that is.
I grabbed the towel I had grabbed quickly before leaving. And, went over to a free spot on the beach. Although, it was a perfectly nice day outside the beach was fairly uncrowded. No tourists. No annoying little kids who are crying constantly due to the salt water or sand that happened to get in their eyes. It was peaceful. The waves crashing against the shore. The soft upbeat music playing the background. The harsh sunlight tinting the sky and the world around me.
I can't quite remember, but I think it was at this time where there was a real shift in me. I had loved Edward,- and I still had at this point, but I was beginning to realize I didn't need him, and I didn't want him to have any power over me. Which, I think turned in to wanting to show off, wanting to show him how much I didn't need him. How I could be completely independent from him, and while he's still pining over me, I could move on. I love him, but I didn't need him. And, I wanted to prove that to myself and to him. Of course, at the time I didn't truly realize what this meant. I just thought that, well I don't really know what I thought. It was very illogical.
Soon enough I was broken from reverie. The silence was shattered, and so was my view of the sun. But, I wasn't complaining. The new view was very nice.
"Hey, you're blocking my sunlight!" I complain playfully, slowly sitting up. He had a strong jaw line, was built quite well as far as muscle goes, and his short, messy hair was this dark brown shade that really suited his tan nicely. He was a typical surfer boy, but for the first time ever, I found that attractive.
"Oh, really? Well, at least I won't be assaulting your eyes," he said playfully.
"Yeah, about that... You might want to look in a mirror." He was surprised at my comment but immediately understood that I was just joking.
"My name's James," he said holding out his hand. I quickly take it in a firm handshake.
"Bella," I reply. A smile spread across both of our faces.
"That's a really beautiful name," he says slowly, his eyes boring into mine. I think he was already smitten.
"Well, thank you," I said, smiling awkwardly. "James is a very... traditional name. But, it's nice." I added the last part quickly
"So, do you wanna play volleyball with us?" he asked shyly.
"What is with everyone a volleyball!" I cried out exasperatedly, throwing my hands up in the air.
"You don't have to play if you don't want to," he quickly said, trying to calm me down when in reality I was just kidding.
"No, it's fine. I'm not actually upset. It' just I fail at playing volleyball, or really any kind of sport. 'Kay?" I replied quickly, smiling, trying to reassure him that it's fine. "How 'bout I go over and watch you play, while I stand on the sidelines."
"That sounds great," he says, eyes twinkling with delight. He holds out his hand for me to take it, but I don't, not quite sure if I'm ready to take that step. Sure, I wanted to prove to the world that I don't need Edward, but I don't even know this guy yet... Flirting is one thing, but actually committing.
A little shocked by my action, he retreats to the volleyball court/net, whatever it's called. I saunter behind him. He really is hot. His ass is perfect. His skin is smooth and toned, faultless. I should go for it, shouldn't I? I mean, me and Edward are over. Never again will I be with him, not after what he said... But, that's besides the point. We're over. Why dwell on the past?
At this point in time, so many things were happening. I was making a million decisions every five seconds. But, all of these decisions were leading up to a new way of life. A life of spontaneity, of freedom, of danger. And, at that moment I wanted that spontaneity more than anything.
So, I acted on impulse. Instead of continuing to amble slowly behind I skipped forward, and practically jumped him- well hug attack is the more appropriate term. He turned around quickly to face me, a smile beaming on his face, one that reflects mine exactly.
"Decided to finally come around?" he said, smirking. I shrugged my shoulders.
"Maybe. What's it to you?" I countered.
"Nothing, just this..." he whispered the last part as he bent down to give me a kiss. I closed my eyes as he got closer. And, slowly his lips melded to mine. It was blissful. Not intense. Not passionate. Not love. Not even lust. And, definitely not a kiss from Edward. But, it was sweet. It was cute. It was safe, sort of.
After a few moments of this simple kiss. He backs away, a content smile grinning back at me. I couldn't help but giggle, as he went to go play volleyball. I continued to walk towards the net to observe the game. While I stood there watching the game absentmindedly I mulled over our kiss. I hadn't melted at it; I hadn't gotten dizzy due to a lack of breathing. But, I had gotten butterflies, and that hasn't happened lately.
I now realize I should have paid more attention at that time. I shouldn't have daydreamed. If I had stayed alert, I would've noticed the piercing eyes of a friend: a friend that wasn't happy about my spontaneity. Thinking back to that moment, is like realizing a person was shooting daggers at me while I remained asleep, unable to deflect said daggers. I don't really think I've seen anyone angry quite like that. Someone so pissed because I happened to get the guy again...
O_o
"I hate you!" she yelled, her breath ragged.
"Huh?" I asked confused. She had just broken me from trance as I was staring off into the sunset, daydreaming...
"It can't be enough that you're gorgeous, that every guy wants you, even the guy that literally has never liked anyone every. No you go and dump him and then go after the only guy that I actually have feelings for. Really? You have to be that much of a bitch. You just threw away the best guy there is, and now your going after mine."
"Jessica, I didn't realize you liked him. I didn't even know you guys knew each other-"
"Maybe that's because you stuck your tongue down his throat two seconds after meeting him."
"I'm sorry Jess. I really.. I didn't know. He seemed to be into me, which I took as a sign that he was available." I was exasperated. I really hadn't expected this, and with my thoughts being concentrated on one thing for the last few hours it was really hard to put any effort into anything else. I pinched the bridge of my nose, hoping to divert a forthcoming headache.
"That's not good enough Bella. Have you even heard of girl code? Hoes over bros? C'mon, Bella. You're supposed to have my back."
"I really have no idea what you're talking about." I'd heard of this stuff on television, but I always thought it was a joke. Sure, I wouldn't have kissed him had I known Jess liked him, but I didn't know at the time... And, obviously we had a connection. So, shouldn't she be happy for me or something?!
"That's BS and you know it. You may be a hermit; you may never watch television but you must know the most basic rule of friendship!" I shook my head, confused at how what I did could have been construed as wrong. She was not impressed, and instead of ranting profusely about my incompetence she simply rolled her eyes and turned on her heel to walk away- or not.
After doing a 360 on her right heel she bent down to my level and whispered into my ear, "You know this means war, right?" A devilish look was displayed on her face. I was scared, which is saying a lot since Jessica really isn't that threatening. But, either way, adrenaline was pumping through my veins and I felt like a deer in headlights. I slowly gulped, and she understood that to be my response. With that same evil smirk on her face she backed up and retreated from the scene, leaving me there, sitting against the wooden pole that held the volleyball net up, looking at the setting sun...
It should probably be noted that I, Bella Swan, am incredibly stupid and naïve. I could probably be sent to a mental institution for what I was about to do. Despite my body's yearn to run away from the situation, I decided to fight. I was terrified of the enemy and I really don't like violence, but something in me decided that for once I had to fight for what I wanted, what I needed.
A/N Don't we all just hate Bella's decisions at times... Okay, so I know that it may seem like she's being bipolar right now, but I think sometimes people need major change to deal with a recent change, like if one thing changes everything else has to for it to be alright. Anyway, this is Bella's way of doing that. Oh, and I'm sorry I made James attractive. I feel like the villain needs to be an attractive choice, that way there's some justification for why she choses this path... On another note, however key James is to the story he is not the direct source of conflict in the story, and Bella's relationship with James, however crucial, isn't the focal point of the story. I hope that made sense.
