A/N: I hope you're all staying on plot!
Edward and Bella are hopelessly falling for each other despite their best efforts.
Since it's Christmas Eve, I thought I'd give you all a nice long chapter!
Disclaimer: I do not own Edward or Twilight
4. Distractions
I slept peacefully that night considering the most handsome man on earth was sleeping right next door to me. I dreamt of Edward but it was too blurry to actually remember it. I woke up next morning, with a loud yell. I opened my eyes to see Emmett shouting at me, his body bent over me, he had a big grin on his face.
"Emmett, what are you doing?" I grumbled, rolling around so that my face was in the pillow.
"I'm waking you up little sister. It's breakfast time!" His grin was still on his face but this time he wasn't as loud, his voice was more soothing and relaxing. My hands that were on the pillow beside my head turned into knuckles.
"I don't want breakfast. Leave me alone." I whined and mumbled at the same time.
I heard some giggles from the back. I bet Rose and Alice had invited Edward and Jasper to my room to show them what they would were to be waking up to every morning if they lived with us. I sat up angrily and saw the other four were standing in the doorway all trying to compose their laughter. I glared at them and turned around and looked up to glare at Emmett.
"Are you okay? I mean, seriously, we can leave you if you want?"
"Too late." I said, jumping off the bed and folding my arms across my chest. Emmett continued, grinning again,
"Bella, come down with us. It's breakfast time and Alice said that you make the most amazing pancakes. Please?" He pouted at me; it looked incredibly funny to see Emmett pouting a small lip when he had such a big body.
"Sure, sure. Would you like honey, chocolate, berry or plain?" I said, sticking my hip out on one side, pretending to be a waitress. Alice burst out laughing along with Edward and Jasper. Rose was smirking at me, probably because I was actually talking to a guy and using my sense of humour.
"I'm coming down," I said, giving up, "Just let me freshen up."
"Alright!" Emmett boomed and high fived at me. I high fived back at mock enthusiasm and walked to the en suite in my room. Our of the corner of my eye, I saw Emmett ushering everyone out of the room telling them to "Hurry up so we can make some food, I'm starving." I rolled my eyes as I shut the door to my bathroom. Oh my god! My hair was a total mess! I brushed my teeth and got dressed. I decided not to push my luck with Alice so I didn't wear my blue hoodie although my body was aching to wear it. It felt like a comforter around me. Instead, I wore my black jeans. They weren't those tight skinny ones, ugh, they just looked sick! Mine were a little baggy but not too much and were ripped in parts for style. They were a bit big on me so I had to fold them a little at the bottom parts. I wore my cap again and I wore a tight black shirt full-sleeved with a deep pink sleeve-less one that was just one size bigger than my black one. I quickly tied my hair in a ponytail and slipped my mobile in my pockets and then headed downstairs. The cool thing was, that everywhere was carpeted, even the kitchen! So you didn't have to wear shoes. I wasn't too fond of laminate flooring, neither was Alice and Rose.
When I went inside, Rose, Emmett and Jasper were sat on the same couch watching TV. Emmett looked up and pointed to the kitchen.
"Yes, I know where the kitchen is Emmett." I laughed along with everyone else. I wondered where Edward was. I opened the door and saw Edward and Alice laughing and singing to some song, they were both busy doing something. Alice was making the tea and Edward was spreading jam on the toast. I laughed out loud when I saw him.
"Good morning sleepyhead." Edward said. I had longed to hear his velvet voice and here it was again! I couldn't believe I would be hearing this everyday.
"Good morning to you too," I said, smiling at Edward.
"And, may I ask what it is that you find so funny?" He asked, looking with an amused smirk at me.
"Nothing, it's just that guys don't normally make breakfast or do anything that involves the kitchen or any other kind of domestic products."
"Well, I guess I'm not normal then." Edward said, going back to looking down at his food.
"No, I guess you're not." I said, mumbling underneath my breath as I walked over to the refrigerator to get out some eggs. Alice had gone to put the tea on the dining table and when she came back she shrieked.
"Isabella Marie Swan, what do you think you are wearing?"
"I think I'm wearing clothes." I said back at her.
"Bella, you are so senseless. You're not supposed to wear clothes like that!"
Edward laughed and I looked at him with a pleading look, he could at least help me out.
"No way," he mouthed back at me. I raised an eyebrow, guessing that he was probably scared of pixie Alice too.
"Alice, leave me alone." I said, crouching down to find the suitable equipment for making pancakes. I was still looking for it when Edward said to Alice in a hushed tone,
"Is she always that grumpy in the morning?"
"Yep, you better get used to that. She might scare you too like she did to poor Emmett." She still had an annoyed tone on.
I scoffed and said, "You know, I can still hear you." Alice and Edward just laughed at me. Great! He was joining them! After that, Edward went too and the rest seemed to have already started eating. I had come just in time with my plate of pancakes. I loved my cooking and so did Emmett, apparently! We all ate and laughed and talked about our previous lives and about where we had come from and our lives before. I didn't open up and tell everyone about the Jacob issue, I would let Alice and Rose tell Jasper and Emmett. I didn't want to be the one to spoil the pleasant mood. I learnt that Emmett played the drums, Jasper played the guitar and Edward played the piano and the guitar. Apparently, they would get a good record deal at the end of the school year, hopefully producing albums.
Edward, Jasper and Emmett wanted to go and get their things as quick as possible since they were wearing yesterday's clothes. Edward made a face at this and ran his hands through his hair; apparently he needed his "shampoo" since his hair was less softer.
He looked really irritated; I rolled my eyes at him. Honestly, with so many other things to worry about he worries about his hair not feeling soft enough! They left shortly after we had all cleaned up to get their luggage. It wouldn't take long but it would take them quite a few trips up and down, they had quite a lot of luggage. When they left, Rose, Alice and I flopped down on the couch, a little too tired to do anything. Alice was the first to break the silence.
"Rose, Bella, I cannot believe this but Jasper is like the most amazing person I have ever met." She squealed and bounced up and down next to us.
"Yeah Alice, we can tell. You two seem really good for each other." I said, smiling sincerely at her. It was true, the way they looked at each other, and you could so tell that they were such a cute couple.
"And Emmett and I had a great time last night. I haven't managed to get along so well with a guy. Normally, they are not good-looking but are fun to hang around with or they are good-looking and not fun to hang around with." She sighed, "But Emmett is so humorous and good-looking at the same time."
"Aww," Alice said. Clapping her hands in delight.
"Bella, thank you so much for allowing them to stay here. I thought you would say no." She reached over and hugged me.
"It's okay." I shrugged. "I could just see it an all four of you that you really got on well. Plus, they feel like family already. I knew that you'd both kill me if I'd said no," All three of us chuckled at that since it was near to the truth! "So, I guess I couldn't stop you from having that. Hey, I mean, just because I haven't had good luck doesn't me you guys won't, right?" Alice nodded with tears in her eyes and she hugged me tight.
"Thanks Bells," Rose said, hugging me next.
"Oh yeah, Alice?" I said, remembering something.
"What?" she said looking up at me.
"Next time can you please not say, "it doesn't show off your figure" in front of the others. It really is embarrassing." I said, scolding her.
"Oh sorry. It just came out naturally." She had a big grin on her face.
"Yeah Alice. It's not funny. Bella looked like a tomato last night." Rose laughed along.
"Hey," I said, swatting her arm. She jumped up and danced away into the kitchen laughing all the while. Alice and I were still giggling when Rose came out with her mobile reading a text.
"Oh guess what you guys. My mum and dad have sent some money for us since we are officially living in a house. They want us to have fun since this time won't come again."
"And exactly how much is that Rose?" I said, giving her a stern look. I didn't like people paying for me or doing anything for me. Rose and Alice were pretty rich and I was just on average. I had spoken to Rose's parents once when they rang and her mum was very nice. She said that I was welcomed in their house if ever I wanted to come.
"Shut up Bells." Rose spat back. She hated it when I did this. "This is from my parent's so please just accept it."
"I don't think so Rose. You know how that makes me feel."
"Bella don't ruin it for us. We like doing this. If we were your true friends then you would let us do this for you." Alice's high-pitched voice filled my head. What the heck? They had cornered me.
"Fine." I said dropping my head in my heads and giving a frustrated sigh.
"Wohooo." Alice squealed in excitement. They knew they had won me over now.
My ringtone, Clair de Lune, drowned out Alice's squeals. I looked at my phone, my mum was calling me. Alice scrunched up her nose at my ringtone; she didn't like classics, whereas I loved them. I thought I might as well take a walk down the street as well, just to get some fresh air. I flipped open the phone.
"Hey mum. I'm going to call you back. Just give me five minutes I said and shut the phone again. I turned to Alice and Rose and said, "I'm going out for a bit." They nodded and turned their attention towards the news on the telly. I went upstairs and grabbed my black leather jacket, it would look good with what I was wearing. See I did have dress sense! I ran back down. I zipped up the jacket and flipped open the phone. I opened the door with my phone in one hand. I was about to run out when something found my foot. I tripped and fell and Lo and Behold! There was Edward. I fell straight into his shoulder. I heard him laugh as he set me up straight. I looked down with a bewildered expression.. There, right in front of the door, was a suitcase.
"Ouch," I rubbed my nose. It felt as if it was broken.
"In a hurry?" Edward said, laughing at me and rubbing his shoulder slightly.
"Sorry," I mumbled, blushing again.
"No problem." He said. "Although my shoulder hurts a little…" I rolled my eyes and he laughed. I looked around him,
"Where are Emmett and Jasper?"
"Oh, they're bringing two suitcases in Emmett's jeep and I brought one in my Volvo." Glancing at his car. He looked almost proud when he mentioned his car.
"Erm… Nice car?" I asked. How are you supposed to compliment a car?
"Thanks." He said chuckling at me; once again he took my breath away. Suddenly, I remembered my mom's call.
"Sorry Edward, I've got to go. I need to make a call."
"Okay," He moved out the way and said, "Just watch your step."
"Oh, I will." I said. Walking off with my back towards him. Once my mum was on the phone all thoughts of Edward left my mind. My mum was always really worried for me. She was reluctant to let me go in the first place and now she was afraid of my health and all the other things. When I rang her, I told her all about last night and assured her how great it was now to have Emmett, Jasper and Edward living with us. At first she was worried but then she relaxed. She always said that I was like an open book and she could read me really well and she could always catch me out when I was lying since I was so bad. She could tell that I was really happy and I think it made her worry less. After the phone call, I just stood against the wall watching the little kids play basketball. Their lives were so free of worries. I imagined what they would grow up to face, so many difficulties and problems. Life does that to you when you grow up and get responsibilities. A tear slid down my cheek and I quickly wiped it away before someone saw me and thought that I was a complete idiot. I took out my ipod and placed it in my front jacket pocket. I put the headphones in and let the soothing music just sink in.
When I got home, an hour later, both the Jeep and the Volvo were parked outside behind my black Audi TT. I was given this car two years ago as a present from my mum and dad when I had first passed my test. They were both very proud. Renee couldn't drive as she was always too scared and Charlie only drove his police car. When we went out somewhere, he would always take the siren off, so that we could fit in with the other families! I opened the door and went inside. Everyone looked up and became silent. It felt too awkward, I think they must have been talking about me. I slid down on the sofa next to Emmett and kicked off my trainers, putting them beside the couch. I pulled my earphones off so they dangled over my jacket.
"Nice jacket, Bella. Can I try?" Emmett boomed, a huge grin on his face.
"Sure." I said laughing and unzipping it. Everyone laughed as well imagining Emmett in my jacket. He put my jacket on and it looked ridiculous on him.
"Emmett, you look so weird." I said, trying to stop laughing. I had to clutch my stomach since it was hurting so much from laughing. Emmett pulled off my cap and put it on him. He got up and did a cat walk in the living room. The jacket was just managing to cover his shoulders and he the sleeves stopped a little more than half way down his arms. It only managed to go halfway down his chest.
"What do you think? Do I make a good Bella?" He asked looking at us with a looking of faux concern on his face. We were all too busy laughing to reply and Jasper was covering his mouth to control his laughter.
"No way." Alice squeaked out next from her fit of giggles. "Bella would never catwalk like that. She'd do a guy walk."
"Oh, how could I be so stupid!" Emmett said, hitting his hand on his head. He started to walk like a guy, moving his shoulders and putting his hands in his trouser pockets.
"Hey," I yelled and threw a cushion at him.
"Was that good?"
"Brilliant," Alice squealed and Rose high-fived him. Jasper was being himself and was shaking his head at his older brother and smiling. Edward was laughing at us, the smile reaching his beautiful green eyes. I almost got lost in his eyes for a second. Emmett sat next to me, making the couch go down.
"Here, this smells of girls anyway." He said, scrunching his nose and giving me my hat back. He still had my jacket on though. I took my cap from him and said,
"Well now you made it smell like boys."
"Uh-huh. Well then I've made it smell better for you." I scoffed and said,
"I happen to like my strawberry scent." Giving him an accusing look. He grinned at me and put one strong arm around my shoulders so that I couldn't escape. He pulled me down in the sofa and rubbed his head on me.
"There, now your strawberry scent has gone and my boy scent is on." I shrieked, trying to pull back but he was too strong. Now everyone was laughing so loud and I could even here Jasper laughing.
"Help," I managed to get out.
"No-one's going to help you now, sister." He said and he started tickling me. I am the most ticklish person in the world. I squealed and screamed and finally everyone decided to jump in then. Rose whispered something in Emmett's ears, which made him stop. His head snapped up to meet her gaze and she winked seductively at him. Jasper and Alice found this opportunity to draw Emmett's hands behind his back before Emmett could do anything about it and Edward helped me get out from underneath Emmett.
Everyone was laughing now and Emmett had a big goofy grin on his face and every so often he would take a look at Rose. Heaven knows what she said to him, probably something flirtatious or sexy. She tried teaching me the Art of Seduction once, but since I didn't want to get into a relationship, I just could not be bothered learning it. Rose and Alice were experts, though, and if they unleashed their powers on anyone, they could get whoever they wanted straight away. We sat down to watch TV, Rose was sat on the couch and Emmett was sat on the floor in front of her and she was stroking his hair. Alice was leaning on Jasper and her legs were in Rosalie's lap. Edward and I were sat on the other couch, just like friends, with a small distance in between us. Edward leaned in and whispered in my ear,
"Sorry I couldn't help you earlier, I know what it's like to be in your position."
"Hmm… As I recall, all you did was sit there and laugh." I said, giving him an annoyed look and a pout. His face was even to mine and I blushed when I looked straight into his eyes.
"My apologies. I will make it up to you." He said, smiling with that crooked grin on his face. "So who did you have to ring that it was so important you had to damage my shoulder in the process?"
"Oh sure, like it was my fault your big suitcase was in the way." He chuckled lightly making me laugh too. "It was my mum." We both became serious. "She rings nearly everyday, she's worried about my health ever since Jacob." I saw Edward's knuckles whiten when they turned into fists. But he had his guard up and had a permanent smile on his face, so as not to show his true feelings.
"Geez Edward," I said putting my hand on his fists and opening them up. "Relax." He looked down at our hands and I moved them back blushing furiously. "Sorry." I whispered. I looked back up at him again, he must think I was an idiot but he had a smile on his face and his emerald eyes were sparkling so I carried on. "She didn't want me coming to New York so far away from home but I had made up my mind, I just wanted to get out of there for a while and move on. I told her about you guys moving in and how happy I was."
"Did she not mind that we had moved in your apartment so soon?"
"No, I'm a terrible liar and my mum can understand my true feelings straight away. She knew I was truly happy." I glanced at everyone else, "I told her that you five were already feeling like my family, I didn't think that I could be this happy but apparently I could." I smiled sincerely at Edward and he smiled back. We didn't have to talk but I knew that he felt the same way too. I think we all did. After watching America's Criminals, Alice switched off the TV and said,
"I have had the best idea!" She said, clapping her hands excitedly. "Since Jasper, Emmett and Edward have officially moved in I think we should go out and celebrate."
"Alice that seems like a good idea but what do you mean by celebrating. It better not have anything to do with shopping because that's not celebrating." I warned her. I heard Edward laugh his musical laugh quietly, but loud enough for me to hear. He was making life so much difficult for me, the more I wanted to stay away; the more he kept drawing me closer to him! Stupid, beautiful boy!
"No, I was thinking that we should eat out tonight and then we can go to a dance club which is not far from where I had in mind."
"Cool," Emmett boomed.
"That sounds like a good idea," Jasper said smiling at Alice.
"Wait, have you guys already packed?" I said looking around at Emmett and Jasper.
"Well Jasper and I have, but Eddie had too much to pack so he left it and said he'd do it later."
"Don't call me that." Edward said, he had an angry look on his face. "What?" He said looking at me. "I don't like Eddie. I like my name, Edward."
"But isn't Edward an old-fashioned name? Which century are you from?" I laughed at my own joke.
"Not the same as you, obviously." He said, nodding his head at me. We burst out laughing and then Rose said,
"Okay, we've only got a few hours and us girls need to get ready."
"Rose, what do you mean get ready."
"Nothing," she replied. "Let's go upstairs."
"Oh my God," I whispered under my breath and got up as Alice and Rose dragged me up the stairs I heard the boys laugh as Rose and Alice continued to drag me into the bedroom. They normally liked to "get ready" in my room since I had an en suite and a huge mirror.
"Rose, Alice, I look perfectly fine in what I'm wearing." I tried backing towards the door.
"No Bella. We haven't brought you to dress you up, I can't see pigs flying yet." Alice said, sitting down on the bed next to me and pretending to look out my window.
"Spill." Rose ordered.
"What? Spill what? Are you guys feeling alright?" I said, looking and feeling utterly bewildered.
"You know what. What's going on between Edward and You." Alice kicked in; she looked very excited like, she was going to hear some top gossip. My mouth hung open as I tried to register what they were saying.
"I was only talking to him, chill. There is nothing going on. Do you know he has a girlfriend called Tanya?" They both nodded 'yes', "And you know that after what's happened with me and Jake I can't just start a relationship with anyone again. I'm scared." I hung my head low and Alice and Rose hugged me tight, assuring me that everything was going to work out fine. After that, Rose and Alice took turns showering and then they spent a lot of time putting make up on or choosing which dress to wear or doing something to their hair. I spent the whole time lying on the bed with my eyes closed listening to my ipod. Someone tapped me on my shoulder. I opened my eyes to see Edward sat on my bed!! I jumped up and blushed at least 15 shades deeper of red. I sat up and he laughed,
"Sorry didn't mean to scare you but where are Alice and Rose." He had a smirk on his face.
"Erm, they're in the bathroom," I nodded my head in the direction. He got up and winked at me before knocking on the door.
"Excuse me ladies. It's Edward, I was wondering if I could borrow Bella for a while. Since Emmett and Jasper won't help me unpack, and you two are too busy, I thought I'd ask Bella. Is that alright?"
"Yeah that's fine." I heard Rose shout and Alice giggled. Edward smiled with an accomplished look on his face as we walked out of my bedroom.
"Which one is your room then?" I asked Edward.
"This one," It was the same one that I showed him last night, the guest room.
As we walked inside he shut the door and said,
"I told you I would make it up to you for putting the suitcase in front of the door."
"Thank you," I smiled at him and looked around to see his suitcase. There were three big suitcases standing next to the door. My jaw dropped at the sight,
"What did you bring?" I asked wearily.
"A lot." He grinned.
"Well, I guess I would rather prefer doing this than help Alice and Rose to dress up."
He chuckled and went over to the suitcases. He opened one and threw the top back.
"These are my clothes." He indicated to what was in front of him. He opened the second suitcase and said,
"These are my CD's." His whole suitcase was full of CDS!
"Whoa, that's an impressive collection." I said, surprised that he liked music so much,
"It's nothing compared to what I've got back home. These are just a few I couldn't live without." I raised my eyebrows at his few CD's as he opened the third suitcase.
"This is a mixture of clothes, CD's, pictures and other stuff." He said.
"So, do you think you've got the guts to help me? Or do you want to sit back and enjoy listening to your ipod and watch me suffer?" He gave me a puppy-eye look. I rolled my eyes and said,
"I think I'll help. What do you want me to do?" He made a "yes" gesture with his arm, pretending to be very relieved which made me laugh. His expression turned very serious then. He walked over to me and put his hands on my shoulders.
"Bella." He said in his smooth velvet tone. I looked up thinking what could have possibly changed the mood so fast. He carried on. "I am trusting you and giving you the authority to stack my CD's up. Consider it an honour." I burst out laughing at how ridiculous he was and swatted his arm. He laughed his musical laugh and then we both got up to work. I sat down beside his CD's and started to take them out and stack them.
"You bought a CD rack with you?" I asked, not looking up at him but laughing at how attached he was to his CD's. He looked up and smiled and said,
"Well, I couldn't possibly line them up on the floor and get dust all over them, could I?" I laughed and mouthed "O-K" to myself.
Edward put on his stereo and we were both listening to a classic song, which I could not recognise. Well, Edward was listening and I was listening to Edward singing softly with the music. I wondered what he would sound like when he was singing properly. A familiar CD caught my attention, stopping my thoughts from Edward. I gasped and Edward turned around, wondering what had happened to me.
"Debussy?" I asked, looking up at him from the CD. He was my favourite piano music artist.
"You know him?" He asked smiling. I nodded and took my phone out,
"This is my ringtone." I said.
"Clair de Lune." He said smiling and walking over. "It's beautiful." He said looking me straight in the eye.
"I know," I whispered back.
"I didn't think you were that type." He said softly. I laughed at him and said,
"Don't judge a book by its cover, Edward Cullen." I pointed my finger and waggled it at him.
"You sound a lot like my mother." He chuckled, "Only she would say Edward Anthony."
"Why, does she prefer Anthony to Cullen?" I asked confused. He laughed out loud throwing his head back. I just stared at his perfect neck; I had a strong urge to reach over and to feel for myself how smooth it was. It was a relief when he put his head in its place and looked at me, amused.
"My full name is Edward Anthony Cullen." His hands went through his bronze mess again. I cocked my head to the side and looked at his hair,
"What product do you use? It never seems to move out of place, every time you run your hands through it, it seems to fall back in place." He leaned in closer and whispered,
"You are very observant aren't you?" I blushed, turning 93 shades of red!
"Well, hardly anyone can miss your messy hair." Teasing him always turned my attention away from ogling at him.
"Sorry, it's a secret." He whispered in my ear and walked off with a smirk, turning his back on me.
A/N
Well here you go.. my longest chapter yet
Hope you all enjoy it
Please tell me what you think I need reviews people!!