Disclaimer: Sadly I don't own Twilight, Stephenie Meyer does.
Flashback: Spring Break.
What the hell was I thinking when I agreed to this? Had I been on drugs?
What. The. Hell.
It was all Jessica's fault of course. Jessica and my mom where behind this torture. When Jess had first suggested the four of us spend spring break in Panama City I had just rejected. I'd rather give birth to a nest of vipers than spend a week surrounded by a bunch of horny drunk idiots.
Unfortunately Jessica had brought the whole matter up again when my mom had been visiting me. Of course my mom had been over the moon and had ordered me to go, refusing to see reason. She had always been afraid that I was missing out on things because I had my nose buried in a book. She scolded me for my 'unnatural' behavior and said that I should be out there, enjoying myself and experiencing the joys of student life.
Whenever she wanted me to go out more she would always have some kind of horror story prepared about a reclusive old lady being found dead and half eaten by her cats. She just couldn't accept that I was having fun and being happy, but that I just did that in a different way than she had when she was younger.
When Jessica had brought up the idea about Spring Break my mom had almost jumped up and hugged her, she was so glad that finally her daughter would have a chance to do 'normal' student things. She even paid for the trip, knowing I didn't have the money to cover for it since I needed every penny to pay for my education at Yale. With all my excuses out of the way there had been no other way than to accept Jessica's invitation with as much grace as I could muster and let myself be dragged off to Florida.
So here I was, Bella Swan, on a beach. Five words I'd never thought I'd put together in a sentence. I was more of an indoor kind of girl. Always had been, always will. Give me a book and some nice music and I'll be perfectly happy.
Everywhere I looked I was surrounded by an ocean of half naked people. I'd never looked more out of place in my entire life. My own, modest one piece bathing suit seemed almost like a nuns habit amongst the barely there bikini's most of the other girls where wearing and my skin was way too white for a beach. This morning before I had allowed someone to drag me to my own personal hell I had carefully covered every inch of exposed skin in sunblock, remembering the last time I had gone sunbathing. I had fallen asleep in the backyard and had woken up red as a lobster. The burns on my feet had been the worst. I hadn't been able to wear any kind of shoe for a weak and only flipflops for two weeks after that.
I turned towards Angela who was lying on the deck chair next to me frantically trying to ignore the couple dry humping on her other side. Thank God she was here with me or I would have gone mad. She seemed every bit as uncomfortable as me. Every bit as tired too.
We had arrived late last night, dead on our feet and dying to get to bed. When Jessica had come back from the front desk to where we had crashed onto our suitcases stating there had been a 'slight problem' I had wanted to personally rip off both her arms.
"Erm...Sorry guys, the people of the motel seem to have made a mistake." Jessica had said in a slightly panicky voice..
"What kind of mistake?" Lauren grunted and for once I really loved her. I was really too tired to be ripping of arms and I was glad to notice at least somebody still had the energy for it. You could always count on Lauren in a situation like this.
"Well, I specifically requested two twin-bedded rooms, but we only got one. I guess we have to share." She explained, looking a little frightened in Laurens direction.
I breathed a sigh of relief. If that was all it couldn't be too bad. I'd share a bed with Angela and Jess and Lauren could take the other one.
"Let's just get up to our rooms." I suggested, waking past Lauren who was still huffing with indignation.
Lauren hadn't been too happy about our accommodations in the first place. Being a Mallory she was used to five-star tropical resorts and cheap motels obviously weren't her thing. But since the rest of us stemmed from more modest backgrounds she had had to settle for this.
When we got up to our room I immediately dismissed the idea of getting any sleep that night. We where on the first floor, overlooking the pool which would have been nice had it not been for the screaming uproar that was taking place over there. The beds where tiny and way to bouncy for my taste. When Angela crawled in next to me she nearly send me flying into the wall.
Next to me Jess and Angela appeared to be in a full fledged bitchfight about who was hugging the blankets. As I held on to the side of the mattress, trying not to fall on the ground I could hear the distinct sound of someone vomiting into the pool. Charming.
I almost dozed off somewhere during the night when I was startled by the sound of some idiot running around the pool screaming how some skank wanted to have sex with him.
"Way to go, champion." Angela murmured sleepily turning around, nearly launching me into the wall. Again.
Oh God. I was in my own personal hell.
I was brought back from my thoughts by a volleyball flying inches past my head.
"Sorry!" a girl cried as she dashed past me, her boobs nearly flying out of her top as she ran..
"Ange, I think I'm going to go back to our room and try and try to sleep a little. Are you coming with me?"
Angela nodded violently like she was just as anxious to get away from here as I was. When we passed the pool on our way up we heard Jessica's high pitched squeal coming from the pool.
"Bella! Angela! There you are! Come join me in the pool. The water is lovely!"
"No, thanks." I replied, remembering the noises from last night. I debated warning Jessica about the fact that she was swimming around in other peoples vomit, but I didn't think she would listen to me. She was too busy eying up the male population.
Angela and I actually managed to get some sleep before we had to get up to get ready for our night of clubbing. Jessica had harassed me into it, threatening to call my mom if I said no. She seemed to determined to force this spring break thing on us. In the end Angela decided to come with me to offer moral support.
--
A few hours later Angela and I found ourselves sitting in the upstairs lounge-area of a club staring at the pandemonium beneath us.
As soon as we had entered the club Lauren and Jessica had bailed on us in search of hot men. They where now in the middle of the dance floor grinding into each other.
"Oh my God! Are they going to do what I think they are going to do?" Angela shrieked.
Jess and Lauren, apparently not satisfied with the amount of response to their dancing had started to 'perform' their lesbian-act and where now engaged in a full on kiss.
If it was male attention they where after, they sure had it now. Every man around them had stopped dancing and was staring at them, eyes glazed over. Some where even starting to drool a little.
I rolled my eyes at Angela. "I'm going to get us some drinks. What are you having?" I asked.
"Just a coke please." she replied.
I squeezed my way through the crowds and waited at the bar for the bartender to notice me when I felt a hand on my ass. I brushed it away and turned to look into the face of a very drunk frat boy who was now staring blatantly at my breasts.
"Mmmmy...nnnname...issssssss...C...Ch...Chuck..." he slurred. "Wwwwwhat's... your...nnnnname?" While he was talking he dangerously swayed in my direction, nearly falling from his barstool.
"I'm Bella" I replied. Waving over to the bartender so I could get the hell away from Chuck the Sponge.
"Bel-la...huhuhuh..." Chuck seemed to think I had said something extremely funny. "Yyyou... know ...t...th...that means...beautiful...in Italian?"
I rolled my eyes. "No, Chuck, I've never heard that one before," I said mockingly, hoping Chuck would pick up on the fact that I really wasn't interested. Unfortunately I had no such luck. Maybe if he had been looking at my face he would have noticed my disgusted looks, but unfortunately his eyes where still fixed on my boobs.
At that point I seriously considered flashing the bartender to get his attention. Luckily one of them had seen me and I was ready to place my order. The man seemed puzzled by my request for two cokes and made me repeat my order twice, no doubt convinced he'd missed what kind of liquor I wanted in my drinks. Like I was going to drink in a place like this! I wasn't exactly a teetotaler, but I sure as hell wasn't crazy. If I got myself boozed up I'd only end up being felt up – or worse – by some guy like Chuck who – by the way - at that moment was roaring with laughter about something.
As soon as the waiter had cleared off to get my drinks, Chuck returned his attention to me, still laughing about something. Oh boy...
"Bel-la," he started, leaning in my direction. "I'm...Chuck" he swayed dangerously on his stool and I had to suppress the urge to help him. He might be a pig, but I knew first hand how it felt to fall of a barstool.
"Yes. You already told me." Why did I always have to attract the total losers. Was there some kind of sign over my head saying 'I'm desperate' or something?
"I'm Chuck...a...a...and...I...like...to...ffffu.."
"Whoa there!"I interrupted him, quickly grabbing my drinks and throwing the money on the bar. "Too much information, Chuck!" I added as I quickly got away from pervy Chuck.
I could faintly hear a thud over the thundering basses of the music and turned to see Chuck lying next to his barstool like a burst balloon. I shook my head and proceeded towards Angela.
"What took you so long?" She yelled. "I had to call Ben twice - you hear me TWICE – because some of those perverts over there wouldn't believe I had a boyfriend!" she complained pointing towards what looked like a football team made up of grinning drunk idiots.
"Sorry Ange, I had my own battles to fight over at the bar." I apologized.
Angela eyed me curiously.
"Believe me, you don't want to know." I added, rolling my eyes at the memory of pervy Chuck.
Right about that moment a very drunk Lauren swaggered over to where we where sitting.
"I think I had a little to much to drink." she managed to slur before throwing up on the floor right next to where Angela was sitting, tumbling onto one of the couches and falling asleep.
"We'd better get her home." Angela sighed. "Thank God, that means we can get out of here!"
"You take Lauren home, I'll go and tell Jess, okay?" I asked.
"Fine by me." she replied, hoisting Lauren up and dragging her towards the exit.
"I'll be right behind you." I said scanning the dance floor for a sign of Jessica. I found her in the arms of a spotty college boy of the kind she normally wouldn't allow within a ten feet radius of her. Guess she must be just as drunk as Lauren.
She looked up, just as I was looking at her. "Bella!" she shrieked, the music drowning out the sound of her voice. She stuck her hand in the air, urging me to come over to her.
Shaking my head to myself I made my way to the stairs, dodging all drunk on my way before carefully descending.
Of course me being me...I fell.
Fortunately I bumped into something soft on my way and remained conscious – though a little fuzzy - in spite of my fall. I could hear Jessica standing over me screaming bloody murder. A rich velvety voice I didn't know answered her I would be alright.
"I'm fine Jess, really" I managed to croak.
"Are you sure?" She asked, not so much concerned but more annoyed that I had ruined her perfect evening with one of my displays of clumsiness.
"Perfectly fine Jess" I said, trying to open my eyes. "Go back to what's his name."
She didn't wait for any evidence of my wellbeing but just swaggered off to where her latest 'conquest' was standing.
I finally managed to open my eyes, taking a good look at the man I assumed belonged to the strange velvety voice I had heard. He was tall, beautiful. His hair a strange bronze color, his green eyes fixed on me, their expression worried and...enthralled? He was strong too. I could see the outline of his muscular arms and chest through his button up shirt.
He somehow reminded me of a young Mr Darcy - one of the main characters from my favorite novel and my secret crush since I was twelve – but then again he was sexier than Mr. Darcy. It was his hair. It was messy and perfect and it just oozed raw sex.
"Are you alright?" he asked.
"Think so," I muttered. "My head hurts a little but I don't think I'm bleeding or concussed." I said, assessing my injuries.
"I gather you have experience with this sort of thing?" he asked, a crooked smile appearing on his lips. I nearly fainted at the sight of it.
"More than you can imagine." I sighed.
"I'm Edward by the way. Edward Cullen."
"Bella Swan" I replied, taking his hand. A strange sort of electric current passed through me when we touched and I nearly dropped his hand in shock. I wondered if he had felt the same thing, but didn't dare to look up.
I let him help me up and lead me towards the lounging area. He carefully placed me on the sofa before taking a seat next to me. For the moment all thoughts of Lauren, Jessica and even Angela had vanished I could only think about me and Edward sitting on a sofa. Together.
I was to nervous to say something, afraid that if I did I would be spitting out word vomit and ruin my chances forever. The good thing was that he seemed nervous too. He kept stealing glances at me from the corner of my eyes, his lips moving as if he was trying to say something. Could it be that he was actually interested in me?
"So, what was that you where saying about Mr. Darcy earlier?" he finally asked.
OH MY GOD! Did I say all of that out loud? Stupid Bella!
"Uhm...nothing. Just something I thought about...Jane Austen fan," I muttered, still fascinated by his hair. I wondered what it would be like to touch it.
Think of something else Bella. Anything! I looked up at his face with seemed to hold a look of curious amusement. I followed his eyes to see my own hand hanging midair between my shoulder and his head.
Oh no! Tell me I didn't just nearly touch his hair! Stupid stupid Bella!
I had no doubt blushed a new shade of red, because his face had become worried again.
"Come. Let's get some fresh air." he said, picking me up and carrying me out of the club bridal style before I could say anything.
I was too frightened of doing something stupid to object. He carried me out of the club across the road and onto the beach where he plopped down on a deck chair never relinquishing his hold on me.
I was suddenly hyper aware of the fact that I was currently on a nearly deserted beach, wrapped in the arms of a man who looked like he just came sauntering out of a 'Cool Water'-commercial.
"I should get back to Jess before she makes an utter fool of herself with that guy she met." I sighed, after a few moments had passed. It was the last thing I wanted to do right now.
"Why?" he sounded slightly disappointed.
"I'm just afraid she's going to run of and marry the guy." I said, unable to hide my disgust of the word 'marriage'.
"Oh, I think she's perfectly able to take care of herself." he laughed, strengthening his hold on me. I leaned back into his chest and closed my eyes. I tried to get my head around what was going on. Did this lovechild of Doctor McSteamy and Mr. Darcy actually want to spend time with me?
"I take it you're not a great fan of matrimony?" he asked. There was something in his voice I couldn't quite put a name to.
"Not really!" I laughed. "My mom and dad have been married for twenty-five years now, at least twenty of which they've spent hating each others guts. I guess that kind of put me off the whole marriage thing. Plus...I really don't like being the center of attention and that's kind of what the whole wedding thing is about. Isn't it? Spending half a day getting dressed up so a whole bunch of freeloaders can stare at you whilst getting drunk on your expenses."
"I guess when you look at it like that, weddings seem kind of pointless." he laughed, before turning serious again. "I've always thought of them as the fulfillment of the love two people have for one another. But I guess that's easy for me to say since my parents still love each other just as much – if not more - as they did on their wedding day."
I sighed, breathing in his delicious scent. "Hmmmm. It's hard to argue with you when you put it like that."
"So you're not completely against marriage after all?" he asked.
"Perhaps a small Vegas ceremony performed by some terrible Elvis impersonator would be just about bearable."
Edward nearly rolled of our chair laughing, his chest shaking violently making my body shake with him. I sat up and tried to glare at him but failed miserably. His laughter was just too contagious.
"Gee, thanks for making fun of my 'perfect' wedding!" I said, playfully jabbing his shoulder. It probably hurt me more than it hurt him though.
"You weren't serious, were you?" he asked, still laughing.
"I might have been..." I started.
He looked at me wide-eyed. "Come on Bella! How could any Jane Austen fan possibly let herself be married by Elvis! Where's the romance in that!" he yelled unbelievingly.
I took some time to ponder his words. He was right I guess. Getting married by Elvis wasn't exactly the summit of romance but then again, I'd never been in love till now so I've never given much thought to weddings.
Wait a minute? Did I just admit to myself that I was in love with Edward? Had the alcohol fumes gone to my head? I'd only known the guy for an hour at most. How could I possible be in love with him or discuss things like weddings?
I looked up at him to see him frowning at me. He was waiting for me to say something.
"Then tell me, what is your idea of the perfect wedding?" I asked.
"I'd tell you, but you'd have to close your eyes." he replied, smiling his crooked smile again.
"What?" I probably looked as puzzled as I was.
"You have to see it to fully appreciate it." he whispered in my ear, sending shivers all over my body. "Trust me..."
"Kay..." I said - my voice quivering slightly – closing my eyes. I'd do anything if he asked me like that.
"Imagine a meadow..." he started in a voice that was almost dreamy "A small, perfectly round meadow bordered by trees on three sides and a bubbling stream on the other. It's spring. The sun shines on the few selected guests sitting on folding chairs surrounded by wildflowers. " I sighed. It sounded perfect.
"The bride's wearing a simple summery white dress, the groom a plain black tux. They stand in the middle of the meadow as the minister joins them in marriage but they don't hear a single word he says. They only have eyes for each other."
"Wow." I managed to sigh, taking a shaky breath.
I refused to open my eyes. Not ready to part with the perfect scene in front of me. For a moment I wondered if he – like me - had imagined it was the two of us together in that meadow but I almost immediately dismissed the thought, reminding myself again that we'd only met about an hour ago.
I was shaken from my thoughts by the feeling of something soft and warm, brushing lightly against my lips. It couldn't be...could it? Please God let it be true! Please God let this demigod be kissing me!
I cautiously opened one eye, only to see his face so close we were almost touching. His lips hovered over mine, like he was afraid to proceed without my permission. Trembling with fear and anticipation I leaned forward and closed the gap.
The kiss seemed to last forever, but was still far to short. Our lips moved in perfect unison, like they had been made to do this. When he pulled away we where both panting for air. I leaned my forehead against his, breathing in his sweet scent. I felt like I was on some kind of high.
"I'm sorry." he gasped, leaning away from me.
What? Why was he sorry? Was I such a bad kisser? Did he have enough of me already?
"Why?" I asked, my panic very audible.
"I asked you to trust me and then I took advantage of you by kissing you. I'm sorry" he muttered, still trying to catch his breath.
I let out a shaky laugh. "Technically, I started the kiss so you have nothing to worry about. In fact, you could take advantage of me any time you like. I don't mind."
His lips came crashing down on mine again, out second kiss much more passionate than our first. I parted my lips, urging him to deepen the kiss and he willingly obliged. I felt like I was going to spontaneously combust when I felt his tongue gently caress mine. Somehow during our kiss my hands had ended up in his hair, holding on for dear life.
Neither of us wanted to be the one to break the kiss. In the end it was Edward who pulled away first. Right on time because the black spots had started to dance in front of my eyes.
"Breathe, Bella," he whispered against my overheated skin, gently brushing a few strands of loose hair out of my face.
I took in a shaky breath. "Wow, that was..."
"Exquisite" he added.
We spend the rest of the night talking and kissing. I'd never felt this comfortable around someone in my entire life. It felt like I could tell him anything. I found out he was a second year medical student at Dartmouth and that his friends had dragged him out here for a 'week of fun' but so far he was having just about as much fun as I was.
When the rosy glow of breaking dawn appeared on the horizon we both knew it was time to go. Angela would be worried sick about me not coming home.
Edward walked me back to the hotel, never letting go of my hand. He seemed a little put out about when he saw the place I was staying but he never said a word.
He walked me to my door and tenderly kissed me goodnight.
"Would you like to spend the day with me?" he asked nervously.
"I'd love to." I said. "How about you pick me up around one, or is that too early?" I knew I wasn't going to get any sleep tonight.
"Deal." he chuckled, kissing me one last time and walking away. I missed him already.
I opened the door to find two snoring drunks and one grinning minister's daughter.
"Guess I don't have to ask how your night was." Angela smirked, patting the space on the bed next to her.
"Sorry I bailed on you Ange. I fell down the stairs and Edward took me out to get some air. I guess we forgot about the time."
"Don't worry!" Angela laughed. "Jessica told me all about you and Edward when she got back." She added with an evil glint in her eyes. "Sooooo...tell me about this Edward."
I told her everything about what had happened from the moment I fell down the stairs to saying goodbye, Angela's eyes growing in size with every new sentence.
"Wow" she sighed when I was done.
"Yeah, I seem to be saying that a lot around him as well." I laughed.
"You'd better try to get some sleep." she said. "You wouldn't want to fall asleep on your big date tomorrow, would you?"
I said goodnight to Angela and attempted to get as comfortable as possible on the little deathtrap of a bed. Before I dozed off I tried to take stock of the situation. I shouldn't be feeling the way I felt. It was too much too soon. But since the first time Edward and I touched it was like something had shifted inside my body. I could see my future with him laid out before me as clear as if I was watching a movie. It scared me almost as much as it set my body on fire.
In the end I couldn't reconcile my head and my heart. I decided to just follow my mother's advice and go with the flow.
Of three things however I was absolutely certain:
1. Spring break rules.
2. Panama City is a slice of heaven.
3. I was completely and irrevocably in love with Edward Cullen.
I've never spent spring break in Florida, but from what I've seen and heard about it, it doesn't differ that much from the Spanish Costa's in summer which – unfortunately – I do have some experience with. I've used some of the things that happened to me in this chapter. Unfortunately all the bits with Edward in them are figments of my own imagination.
Further on in this story you'll get parts of this chapter in Edwards POV.
Please review and maybe (if I get enough reviews) I'll give you a second chapter this week.
