Yay, a really long chapter 3. Well, long for my standards anyway. I know, I know the wait. But my finals are over as of Wedensday. Just two more and I'm done. Which means when I come home tomorrow after writing two essays in an hour anda half, I want lots and lots of e-mails in my inbox *hinthint* I really would love to have closer relationships with my reviewers, so ask questions, leave insanely long reviews, give me something to reply to. I'm sure I speak for many authors when I say we love that sorta thing.
Also, remember to vote for the Indies (closing Wedensday I believe) and the Bellies!
Major thanks to my beta, BohemianBuffalo. When you finish reviewing, go read her story Parallels and Opposites.
*3*
BPOV
"Miss? Miss, I'm sorry to bother you, but can you help me with something?" The old lady asked feebly.
Shut up. And no, no I can't help you.
I popped my gum, sighed, and stood. "Please, call me Bella." I told her warmly, plastering on a fake grin and offering some fake cheeriness. "How may I help you?"
If you wanted to help me, you'd leave me fucking be. Now I've lost count of my calories.
"I was hoping to find this special cookbook last week, one all about using spinach? A nice young lady with blonde hair told me it wasn't in and she'd order it." Tanya, that fucking whore. "Then she told me it'd be in today. I couldn't find her when I first came in." Of course not, she's using her break to blow her boy toy in the backseat of his car. "So, I was hoping you could help me?" She was such a sweet old lady.
But she made me lose track of my calorie count. Bitch.
I kept the grin intact, adding in an extra little umph for the old lady. "Of course I can. What was the title of the book?" I clicked around on the computer a little, trying to find the program to see what was in stock. This meant closing my epic Spider game as well as the website I was looking up BMIs on. That was important shit, but the outdated computer couldn't handle that many programs at once. I was talking to Mrs. Winkston about getting a laptop or some fuck awesome PC. A Dell or something.
"Oh…I um…let's see. Something with Sprouts…" She mumbled, pulling up her purse. Her purse happened to be bigger than her.
"I thought you said spinach?" I inquired, trying to be helpful and cheery.
"Oh, yes, yes. You're quite right. Silly me. Maybe Cooking with Spinach?" She offered, still searching her purse.
"I'll check." I grinned at her. I typed the title in as quickly as I could. Fuck. "I'm sorry, ma'am. That title doesn't seem to exist. Perhaps it's something else?"
"Oh, deary. Perhaps you could search for spinach? See what comes up?" She looked up from her purse to give me an innocent stare through her three inch lenses.
"Sure." I typed in Spinach and found not one, not two, not three, but five hundred sixty seven thousand three hundred and ninety two results. Fuck. My. Life. "Ma'am?" The old fart was digging so far into her bag, I thought I'd have to call in a search and rescue team.
"Yes sweetie?" Good Lord, did her voice just echo?
"There are…a lot of results for spinach. Could you be more specific?"
"Hmm, I'm not sure. My memory just isn't what it was when I was a beautiful, young girl like yourself. The boys were such flirts then. Always trying to get me to kiss their cheeks and go to movies with them. But I can tell you I never opened my own door or worked a job. How you young girls put up with their behavior is beyond me. So disrespectful. Whatever happened to chivalry? I mean – "
"Ma'am?" I spat out through gritted teeth. "The book?"
"Right, right. Silly me, thing always slipping my mind. Why just last week – "
"Ma'am, I do have other things I need to do. Maybe you could take some time to look through your things and call me over when you've find the title?" I suggested, praying she'd accept the offer.
Her eyebrows furrowed and her lips puckered, which made her look even more like a prune, and she nodded. "Yes, I suppose that would do." She agreed. I grinned and turned towards the stock room. I'm pretty sure the bitch muttered, "Kids these days, so rude." I think I'll just burn the damn book.
I went to the bathroom in the store room and found it locked. "Damn it Tanya. In the fucking bathroom? Take that shit to his car next time, you whore. And some old hag is here for a book about spinach?"
"Murt muh mbck ump! Mrb mqurite mprout!"
"Fucking shit, Tanya. At least take your mouth off his dick before you talk to me! That's fucking nasty." I wrinkled my nose and headed back out to the front of the store. I bit my lip, knowing with my lock the old fart probably had a heart attack while I was in the back. Or she was a klepto.
"Aren't you a handsome young man. And in a bookstore! Not enough men read these days. Are you here for the blonde girl that works here? I hope you're not here for the other girl, she's quite rude. Not at all good for you, I'm sure."
Whore. I'd kill her.
"Ma'am, any luck?" I called, staying at the register so she wouldn't feel like a moron. Well, more than she must already feel like one. I grinned at her as the man she was rambling to muttered a "'Scuse me" and walked away.
"Well, yes, I think I found it. The I Love SPINACH Cookbook." She held the paper close to her oversized glasses as she read, sounding out each syllable slowly, resembling a five year old.
I typed it in real quick and my cheeks began to sting from smiling so much. "Looks like it's coming in tomorrow, ma'am. A bad thunderstorm in Memphis delayed shipping. It's in Seattle right now, I'm afraid."
"Oh drat. I suppose I'll be back tomorrow then." She sighed. "How much was it again?"
"It says here that it will cost thirteen twelve." I'm about to punch your face in old lady, just leave already.
"Really? Oh that's far too much. I thought it would be cheaper. I don't really need that book. Thank you though." She smiled, her dentures almost falling out, and left.
I'll. Fucking. Kill. Her.
What the fuck are we supposed to do with a cookbook about fucking spinach?
Mother fucking old hag needs to go fucking die already before she finds herself in a shitload of trouble with somebody stronger than I am.
"Miss? Miss, can you help me with something?" The man from before called.
"Just a second, sir." I closed up the search and headed towards the store room.
Okay Bella, breathe in and breathe out. Chillax. Chill-fucking-ax. Tanya's break is over and your's is about to begin. Get the skank, take care of the customer, and you're on break.
"Slutbag! Break's over! Suck faster so I can get outta here."
"Mmrb!"
"Come on, baby. I'm getting bored!" He whined. Huh, he didn't sound like Chad. Oh well.
I walked back out to the register and looked up. And what a site it was to look at.
"H-hi sir. Can I serve- help. Can I help you?"
"Yeah, I'm a doctor over at the hospital and I need a book on Ideational Apraxia. I think a patient might have it and I wanted to look it up. But I don't know where to look or if you'd even have something on it." His grin was lopsided and bright fucking white. Like, blindingly white. And crooked. Or lopsided. Which I might've mentioned already. But hot damn that was a gorgeous smile.
"Can you, um, repeat what type of book you're looking for? I can try fu –finding it in our database." I stuttered, turning bright read. God, when was the last time I fucking blushed? Damned gorgeous man.
"Ideational Apraxia. Should I spell it or…?"
"No, no I've got it." I breathed. "You can, um, look around while I, uh, check. The computer kind of, um, loads slowly sometimes."
"Thanks. What's your name, just so I know?" He looked at the ground but brought his piercing gaze back to me. Was he trying to get me to have eye-rings or something? But damn were those some yummy emerald eyes. I wanted to wear them. I'd wear eye-rings if they would be like his eyes.
"Blo - Bella. My name is Bella." Fucking sped.
He grinned at me, crooked again, ran his hand their his hair and walked away. God his hair. I wanted to build a fucking shrine for it. It was curly and messy and dorky and fucking bronze. Who's got hair the color of a penny?
Apparently, this motherfucker.
I smacked myself in the forehead. Twice. Once for acting like a chimp in his presence, and a second time for thinking it would ever happen. Guys like him don't need, or want, girls like me. Ever.
I did the search, fortunate enough to find we actually did have a book on Additional Boxers or whatever it was. Figures we had a book on this stuff but not spinach.
Tanya emerged from the backroom, chugging down a water bottle. I rolled my eyes at her and she shot me a look clearly saying "At least I'm getting laid".
"So, why did you need me out here so badly?" She plucked my gum from the counter and shoved three pieces in her mouth.
"Some old woman wanted a book about spinach that's not coming in until tomorrow. Lucky for you, she decided it would cost too much and left. Now, I'm dealing with a customer so go brush your teeth or something. New boy toy has got some funky smells going on down there." I scrunched up my nose and fanned my hand in the air.
"At least I've got a boy toy, skinny." She sneered, plopping herself down onto the stool behind her register. "Go take your break, I'll deal with the customer."
Let her deal with the god? Like fuck I would.
"Not happening. I started this customer, I'm finishing with him. Just go brush your fucking teeth."
"Watch your mouth, Swan. Someday the boss is gonna walk in here and listen to you goin' at it with your cursin' and fire your bony little ass." She glowered.
"But then you'll be bored. And you'll quit. Because you'll hate the new girl and you'll hate that she's more attractive than you."
"Whatever Swan." She rolled her eyes at me.
If we didn't look as different as night and day, we could've been twin sisters with the way we argued.
Sex-on-legs came back as we finished fighting, carrying a pile of books. Umm, marry me much? The books ranged from classics to modern autobiographies and I kind of felt like fucking him senselessly in a pile of my favorite books. The paper cuts might be kind of distracting and painful though.
He looked up sheepishly at me while I ogled his books. "I've got a library at home that I need to fill and I just couldn't help myself."
I giggled, trying to make it look like I didn't want him to fill me. "You don't have to explain anything to me. And we do have a book on what the…Ideational Aproxia?"
"Apraxia, but very nice try." He laughed. "So, uh, where's the book? I can get it while you start checking out my books?" He shuffled his feet and smiled at me, unsure if I'd accept his plan.
Fucking hell his insecurity was hot.
"Yeah, that'd be fine." I grinned, praying he didn't know his laugh made me want to cum right then and there.
He dropped the books with a thud and I instructed him where to go.
"So that's why you wanted to handle this customer." Tanya smirked, watching his ass as he walked away. "Damn, I'll hit that."
"You'll hit anything with a dick."
"But I'd rather hit that thing with a dick." She arched an eyebrow at me. "You weren't hoping to get him, were you?"
I snorted. "Like he'd even want me."
"That's true. So, how about you send those books over here and I'll take care of him. You can go start your break." Tanya encouraged, unbuttoning two buttons on her shirt. But she's not a whore at all, really.
"I already started scanning, thanks though." I told her sourly, checking out a biography about Edgar Allen Poe.
Tanya huffed and sulked on her stool while Mr. My-Laugh-Makes-Girls-Orgasm returned. He grinned at me and I was sure I'd become a pool of liquid on the floor, but I was still the same height.
Floating puddle, perhaps?
"Did I keep you waiting long? I'm sorry about that, but it was the only copy and kind of hard to find."
"Maybe next time I should just get it myself." I giggled. When did I become a fucking teeny bopper and when did he become Justin Timberlake?
Granted, I don't think I've ever wanted to jump Mr. JT as badly as I want to jump this man and dry hump his leg like a dog. But whatever.
He kept smiling at me as I finished checking out his books and I kept my gaze down. He obviously didn't realize his smile was causing a party in my panties and I wanted to keep it that way.
"So, what's your name?" Tanya asked, popping her gum as she sidled over to my register.
"Edward. Edward Cullen." He smiled politely at Tanya and looked back at me.
"I'm Tanya. So what do you do for a living?" Her gum popped again.
"I work as a doctor over at the hospital. Mostly stuff in the ER or pediatrics." His voice was clipped and courteous, nothing like the warmth he gave me.
"That's so amazing. I wish I could do something like that. I usually model, but the economy's just such a mess. But I usually donate my money to hospitals for kids and stuff, ya know?" Tanya rambled, attempting to impress him. She leaned over the counter towards him, pushing her boobs up to her chin trying to be seductive.
"Yeah, that's really nice." Edward agreed. Tanya popped her gum in response. Edward flicked his eyes over to her and couldn't help but stare at her boobs. I rolled my eyes at it and began bagging the books.
"Erm, Mr. Cullen?"
His eyes snapped towards me and he grinned again. My fucking God he grinned a lot. "Call me Edward."
"You're still actually going to have to pay for all your books, Edward."
He flushed slightly and scrambled for his wallet. "Geez, I'm sorry. I completely spaced there. You take credit cards right?" I nodded and accepted the plastic from him, swiping it and letting him finish up. I ripped of the receipt and stuck it in the bag.
"Have a nice day Edward." I smiled, handing the giant bag over to him.
He started to turn away, hesitated, and turned back. "Hey, would you like to – "
"Eddie, take my number, before you go. You could call me sometime?" She batted her eyelashes obnoxiously and handed him a business card, trying to puff her boobs out more. She just reminded me of a blowfish instead.
He took the card and nodded. "Yeah…I'll see you two sometime then." He looked disappointed as he walked away but I ignored it. He should be happy he's got Tanya the supermodel's number.
Of course he got her number. She's Tanya – smart, curvy, tall, blonde, witty, and charming. What man wouldn't want her number?
And why would any man want mine? Plain brown eyes, plain brown hair, pale as any albino, short and fat. Not to mention the red splotches of broken blood vessels, my rough knuckle, and the purple circles under my eyes. Those weren't exactly what you wanted to use when drawing a man in. He was too gorgeous for me anyway. A living Adonis should have nothing to do with a fuck up like me.
But…something about him was just so different.
I sighed and shook my head. "I'm going on break."
***
EPOV
I flipped through the pages uselessly, soaking up none of the text as I looked at each page. I just couldn't get her off my mind.
I slammed the book shut and rubbed my eyes with the heels of my palms. She was just so beautiful and radiant and … I don't even know.
I sighed, pulling out the card the blonde girl had given me.
Tanya Denali, supermodel and bookstore cashier.
Several numbers were written below it, but she had underlined her cell number with a black sharpie.
I flipped it over between my thumb and my pointer a few times, just letting it spin, bit by bit.
Why won't she leave me alone?
She was petite, skinnier then she should be. Her chocolate colored hair was wavy and shiny and I wanted to run my fingers through it. Her lips were full and pink and oh-so-kissable. And her eyes, oh God, her eyes. They were so round and innocent and expressive. Brown had always seemed so dull. Until … Bella.
I buried my face in my palms again, wishing she wouldn't be there, yet hoping she would be. I sighed, unsure if I was really happy about this or not when she was still there.
I almost had her number, almost had a date. Until Tanya gave me her number and my courage was shot down.
Why?
Having a supermodel ask me out should be the last thing to kill my confidence, but it did. I felt like shooting myself over such a stupid thing. I could've at least tried. She wasn't wearing a ring, so it was a clear invitation.
I could always call Tanya, maybe she could help me … but then she would want a date.
I sighed, knowing I didn't have time to think about this. I avoided women and dating for this very reason. My work needed me. My patients needed me, far more than any woman did. Bella was no exception.
I tore up the little card and watched the pieces fall to my desk like snowflakes. I brushed them into the garbage can, vowing to myself that I wouldn't think about Bella anymore. I would never go back to the bookstore again, never flirt with her if I saw her in the street, and never look for her.
I opened my book, closing my eyes, and sighing as I did.
And Bella was still there.
I needed to know more.
I will not switch back and forth, promise. Just one change a chapter, if that.
I put up my twitter and my blogger on my page, as well as a new LJ ff community you guys should check out called Edwardville. And if you follow me on twitter, PLEASE tell me in a review/PM. Because I had to block some people I didn't know and couldn't find them following anybody I DID know and I don't want to block my readers. So if it's not obvious you read ff in your statuses/who you're following, please tell me ahead of time. And that's it.
