A/N: I'm sorry this is up so late in the day, I went out at the last minute and hadn't had the chance to post this earlier today. It's better late than never right? But, to make up for it, I'll post chapter 4 on Friday :) This chapter was a fun one for me to write, so I hope it's fun for you to read. I just wanted to take a minute to thank the two of you who have been reviewing: 'Stella(hey wait a minute...)' and 'andthenitwentboom' soo much for sending me your comments, I absolutely love them and I adore you guys for them, it makes my day and makes me so excited to post updates every Tuesday. Stella, I wish I could reply to you on here but you don't have an account. But know that I love love lovveee your reviews, you're great! I love that you have so much in common with the main character, including your name haha and good luck with majoring in English! I'm an English major too (just switched) soo I share your OCD for spelling and grammar, especially the small things like your/you're and there/their/they're. Drives me nuts.
Anywho, I hope you guys like it!
Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight, I'm just having fun with the world Stephenie Meyer created.
3. The Stella Project
When I told Jessica that Tyler aka 'omigod Edward Cullen' (her exact words when I mentioned Tyler's name) had asked me out for coffee, she insisted I give her every juicy detail. I wished I could leave out the Twilight talk, and just get to the good parts of the conversation, like when we talked music and gushed over similar favourite artists, or bonded over our love for older movies, but the Twilight talk was the foreplay to the greatest pick up line of all time, so it was absolutely necessary.
"OMIGOD!" Jessica shouted, so loudly I had to pull the phone away from my ear.
"Jess, compose yourself."
"He's perfect. You've caught the perfect guy on the planet. I just knew he was a twilighter from the moment I laid eyes on him."
"How could you possibly know that?"
"Hello! His contacts! Only a true twilighter would get themselves topaz coloured contacts. I've been dying to grab a pair myself."
"Please don't. The posters that are undoubtedly wallpapering your walls right now are enough." I grumbled.
"Man, you know me so well! Sandy and I went to Wal-Mart after school and I got one of every poster they had. I got an extra of Edward to tape up to my ceiling so I can see his face every night before I go to sleep."
"Oh my goodness, you did not just say that."
"If you read the books you'd understand."
"Oh, speaking of sparkly, non-existent vampires, I forgot to tell you something that will probably have you squealing like a little girl."
"What?"
"He drives a silver Volvo."
"WHAT! OMIGOD NO HE DOESN'T! AN S60R?"
"A what? I don't know. It's a Volvo."
"The model matters, Stella! Was it like the one in the movie?"
"I don't know, I haven't seen the movie."
"YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE – okay, we need to have a movie night asap! You know what a Ford Focus is, right?"
"Yes."
"Okay, does Tyler's Volvo have that hunchback type thing like a Ford Focus?"
"No."
"OMIGOD HE DRIVES EDWARD'S CAR!"
"STEL, YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO DRIVES EDWARDS CAR?!?" Lindsey's voice broke through Jessica's screeching squeals.
"Lindsey, get off the phone!"
"I didn't know you were on it, I was going to call someone when I heard Jessica. Now what is this about Edward's Volvo? It is absolutely imperative that you answer me!"
"Stella went out to coffee with an Edward Cullen look alike who also drives a Volvo!" Jessica explained.
"WHAT! YOU WENT OUT WITH EDWARD?!? Ugh! This is so unfair! You don't even like Twilight, why do you get an Edward?" With that, Lindsey hung up. I could only imagine the lecture I'd be getting at dinner about how I don't deserve to be with a living, breathing version of Edward Cullen. Why is it so difficult for them to understand that Tyler is not Edward Cullen?
"Don't take it personally, every girl who has read the books is on a manhunt for their own Edward. I am so happy for you Stella! This is just what you need, to be swept off your feet by Edward Cullen."
"For the last time, his name is Tyler. And what do you mean, this is what I need?"
"Well, don't take this the wrong way but, you've been a little bitter when it comes to other people's relationships. Maybe a little romance will lighten you up."
"I am not bitter."
"Last week when we saw Joey Porciano with Kelsey Jacobson you said you gave them a month and a half, tops, because of Kelsey's skanky tendencies."
"I was simply stating facts. Kelsey never stays with the same guy for more than a month and is well known to cheat during relationships."
"Okay, a couple days ago when Peter Gordon and Heather Spada were telling each other 'I love you', you made a puke face."
"I'm not a fan of PDA." I tried every excuse I could, but Jessica had a point. I couldn't stand people in relationships. It wasn't that I was against love or anything, but I was...bitter. I'm bitter that I don't have love in my life. There. I said it. I, Stella Swift, am bitter.
"Whatever you say." Jessica sighed.
"Well, consider me no longer bitter because I'm going to take a risk with Tyler." I said, grinning from ear to ear. I liked the way it sounded, taking a risk with Tyler. It made it so much more real, like I could actually be in love in the near future.
"Maybe there's an Emmett look alike out there for me and then we can double date!" Jessica said.
"What about Mike? Two days ago you couldn't stop talking about how perfect he was, now you want an Emmett look alike?"
"I still like Mike. He's just been taking his sweet time with me and I'm sick of waiting for him to come around."
"Maybe if you didn't beat around the bush and asked him out, he would."
"Ugh, I don't know. Sometimes I feel like he's more into other girls than he is me. He was all chatty with Brittney Lovell the other day and completely ignored me. I deserve better than that. I deserve a Cullen."
Clearly, this conversation wasn't going to come out of the 'I want a Cullen' area and I wasn't in the mood to hear her drabble on and on about a man who doesn't exist.
"Alright, well I'm going to get going. I'll talk to you later."
After talking to Jessica and being subjected to the hysteria surrounding Tyler and his likeness to vampire Edward Cullen, I couldn't help but be a little curious. All I know about the character is from what I've heard from Lindsey, I've never experienced him first hand. I began to toy with the idea of actually reading the first book, just to see what it was all really about.
But, before I delved off into a fictional world, I needed to get some information on the real one first. It was time to Google Tyler McCulley.
I thought I hit the jackpot when the first thing to come up on Google was a Facebook for a Tyler McCulley from Portland, OR. Oregon is close enough to Washington, and he could have moved or something for all I know. When I clicked on it I realized it was a very far cry from a match, for the Tyler McCulley in Portland, OR is a sixteen year old Asian boy.
After going through many pages of Google and coming across the same Asian Tyler McCulley, I came to the conclusion that this search was a lost cause. Either Tyler never used a computer before in his life or he's so low key that he's untraceable.
I stared at Google with a bit of disappointment that it had let me down. I began to strum my fingers on the keyboard, thinking of what to do next. I've been hearing all day that Tyler is the living Edward Cullen. My fingers did all of the work before I could object, and within 0.23 seconds, Google had given me 7,080,000 search results for 'Edward Cullen'.
There was a Twilight quotes website that caught my attention. While I still haven't given in to the pressure to read the books, reading a couple quotes couldn't hurt. It was solely for research purposes, to see what the character was like and if it really did add up to Tyler.
They seemed to speak in the same fashion. Both were very articulate and sophisticated with their words. There were many quotes in which Edward was concerned for Bella's safety, which reminded me of how Tyler reacted when I burned my lip on my coffee. Still, these measly little similarities prove absolutely nothing. Tyler is way too cool and chill to be this up-tight, 'don't be friends with me I'll kill you, but I can't stay away' dude. Edward's too cautious in Twilight, and then when he does take a risk he thinks he's going to hell. Tyler is all about taking risks willingly and enjoying the benefits. Their outlooks are completely opposite.
"Oh my God I knew it! I knew you couldn't resist forever!" Lindsey was standing behind me, mouth gaping open as she caught me looking into Twilight.
"I'm just looking at quotes, settle down." And that she did, right in front of me on my bed. Getting rid of her is never easy.
"You might as well admit that you already gave in. You're reading snippets of the book right now, which is basically like reading the entire thing." She cocked an eyebrow at me.
"I haven't given in, I'm just curious. I barely got past the chapter 9 quotes and there's, what, 23 chapters in that book?"
"24 actually, excluding the epilogue. Just answer me this: Do you like what you've read?"
"I don't know, I guess. I mean, I don't hate it."
"Okay, you have a vague interest for it. Why not just read the first chapter and see if it grabs you in like it has the rest of us?"
For once, Lindsey was being rational about this. She was still trying to get me to read the books, but in a calm fashion that gave me the room to dislike it if that's what ended up happening. And I guess she was right, I was sort of reading it by reading quotes, I might as well be thorough with my research and read the words in between the quotes I've read.
"Alright." I sighed. Lindsey's face lit up instantly, and with that she was gone. If I only knew it would be that easy to get rid of her, I would have agreed to read Twilight months ago. But, she was back seconds later with her precious copy of Twilight.
"Okay, there are some guidelines to reading this copy of Twilight."
Lindsey had a total of four copies of the book: one with the movie poster cover, a hard cover for her bookshelf, a paperback copy for her bedside used for numerous re-reads and, finally, the original copy of Twilight she bought when she first read and became obsessed with the series. This copy was read only once before being placed on a special shelf, all by itself, to be preserved forever. I was actually pretty surprised she was allowing me to use this copy, one she insisted could only be read by her eyes because it was the original and more valuable than the holy grail.
She leant out all of her other copies of Twilight to friends, including the one she gave to Zack which is no doubt stashed in his gym bag somewhere, doomed to never to see the light of day again.
"Linds, I can just wait for one of your friends to give one of your other copies back."
"No. I want you to read this one. I just need you to promise me you will not fold the cover back, that you will not bend or doggy-ear the pages and that you place it on its own shelf or space when not in use." She held the book out to me in her palms and I swear it was glowing. I wasn't sure whether I could pinch the sides of it or if I had to hold my palms out and let her place it in my hands. I hesitantly held my hands out, ready to grab if need be. She watched me as I placed the book on my lap. Her threatening glare quickly turned into a smile as she reached her bedroom door.
Literally ten minutes after Lindsey gave me her most prized possession, Jessica IM'd me about it.
Jessica; wants a stupid, shiny Volvo owner Says:
OMG ur reading Twilight?
*Stella Says:
How on Earth do you know that?
Jessica; wants a stupid shiny Volvo owner Says:
Ur sister just posted a blog about how u finally came 2 ur senses and are reading the book.
*Stella Says:
Omg you're kidding me. She blogged about that?
Jessica; wants a stupid shiny Volvo owner Says:
Ya, u should see how many people have commented on it already.
*Stella Says:
Great, that's all I need, people I don't even know to know about me and that I'm reading Twilight.
Jessica; wants a stupid shiny Volvo owner Says:
Actually they've known for a while. She's been blogging about u 4 months.
*Stella Says:
What do you mean, for months?
Jessica; wants a stupid shiny Volvo owner Says:
Go check it /tu/thestellaproject
I clicked the link which brought me to a page collaged with photoshopped pictures of me with each of the Twilight books, along with little captions like "I love Twilight!" and "I was a crazy old fart to not read these sooner!" and, my personal favourite "Edward Cullen, whisk me away you sexy, sparkling, vampire, you!".
The blogs began four months ago when the frustration of my resistance could no longer be kept to herself, at which point Lindsey decided to vent them out to the entire world. The first one was titled: Innocent Twilighter Plagued with Heartless Sister, dated July 3, 2009:
Dear Readers,
Today I begin a new quest exclusively on tu entitled The Stella Project. I am determined to convince my older sister, Stella, to read the Twilight series one way or another. It is an absolute tyranny that a young woman such as my sister is living without the great experience the Twilight series has given all of us. Therefore, I will do everything in my power to ensure that she joins in the joys that the great Stephenie Meyer has bestowed upon us in these four books.
Stella's refusal only fuels my goal. I willingly accept the challenge and will come out victorious in the end. Someday, somehow, she will open her eyes and give in.
I, Lindsey Swift, vow to clear the fog from her judgement, to lift the veil out of her eyes, to blow away the clouds that are clouding her sanity, to unclog the negativity and guide her into the light.
The Stella Project has begun.
The last entry Lindsey posted under The Stella Project was entitled VICTORY IS OURS, posted 13 minutes ago.
My fellow Twilighters, it is with great pleasure that I deliver to you the final instalment of The Stella Project. Today, the clouds were parted, releasing a breeze to shoo away the fog, the sun's rays beaming down as Stella saw the light. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, Stella has finally stepped foot on the right path and has agreed to read the Twilight series.
The months I have spent preaching the beauty of Twilight, retelling its stories and the love born within its pages have been worth it. For months, Stella has been stubborn and her sanity unclear as she refused the gift I was offering, but finally she has broken through the negative energy. Curiosity was sparked and today I found her looking through Twilight quotes online.
What makes this victory even sweeter is that she went to Twilight on her own will, taking the initiative and the effort to research Twilight and read the many quotes we've all come to love.
I feel like a mother goose who has just witnessed the flight of the last of her little ducklings, one who has rejected using its wings while its brothers and sisters took off flying to the sky, until today when it realized the magnificence of flight. It is because of this that I have bestowed onto Stella my most valuable possession: my original copy of Twilight. She will read the pages only my eyes have read. This makes that copy of the book even more precious to me, for it will mark the spark of her obsession.
I am very proud to announce that Stella Swift is a Twilighter.
It is on this happy note that I gladly close the doors on The Stella Project.
Victory is ours, twi-hards. Victory is ours.
The entry alone was ridiculous in itself, but what was even more insane were the comments left by creepers who have been following The Stella Project from the beginning. These people treated Lindsey like some kind of fearless leader or God with comments like:
"Lindsey, you are a legend! Your dedication and passion is very admirable. I only wish to be half the Twilighter you are!" – EdwardsBB34
"OME! YOU DID IT! You are incredible Lindsey! This victory took some serious Volturi powers to accomplish, but you did it! Congrats!" – TeamSwitzerland4eva
My head shook from side to side indefinitely. I opened up my chat with Jessica, my fingers pounding on the keyboard as I vented out my frustrations to her.
*Stella Says:
I can't believe she did this! That little runt! And what the hell is OME? Are they seriously getting all 'oh shanty shanty' with her? I'm amazed, I'm in complete and utter shock.
Jessica; wants a stupid shiny Volvo owner Says:
Lmao it's not OME as in 'ohm' it means 'Oh my Edward'.
*Stella Says:
Seriously? I don't know which is worse. Wait until dinner, I'm going to spill the beans, she's going to get in SO much trouble. How is she not a nerdy loner at school? I mean, what kind of ninth grader has a Twilight blog?
Jessica; wants a stupid shiny Volvo owner Says:
Twilight is really popular Stel. She's like a legend for having the guts to have a blog. People from all over the world love her.
*Stella Says:
Whatever. I can't wait to see how long she'll be grounded for. And as for me reading that stupid book, count me out.
Jessica; wants a stupid shiny Volvo owner Says:
Oh come on Stella don't be like that. Just read it. If not for The Stella Project, then for u. U know ur curious, so kill the cat and get it over with already.
*Stella Says:
IDK we'll see. I have to go eat dinner, ttyl.
To say I was royally pissed at dinner was an understatement. Everyone at the table could feel the heat from the anger radiating from me. I didn't care though, I wanted them to see it, especially Lindsey. Out of all the things she's done on her crazy escapades to get me to read this series, this has to be the absolute worst. Now kids all over the world know my name and, up until today, have pegged me has a heartless bitch for not reading their beloved books.
Lindsey took a seat across from me at the table, her smile shrinking as she took in my angered expression.
"Can you blink? You're freaking me out." She cringed.
"You saw it?" Zack whispered to me. Even he knew? Why is it that nobody cared to tell me about this before? I let out a long, exasperated sigh in response to Zack's question. I noticed him nod to Lindsey, letting her know all hell would break loose soon, I'm sure.
"Stella, I – " Lindsey's attempt at an explanation wouldn't make a difference to me.
"Why don't you tell us about The Stella Project?" I asked Lindsey once both of my parents were seated at either side of the table.
"Uh oh..." My mother mumbled. My parents glanced at Lindsey in unison. I was about to question it, but ignored it instead. Lindsey sat there, speechless.
"Lindsey created a blog specifically about me just because I won't read those stupid books. She's been telling strangers about me for months." I answered for her. The table was silent. But it wasn't the dead silence of people in shock. They weren't fazed by this news at all, they just continued eating like nothing was going on.
"Stella, it's a harmless little blog. She didn't say anything hurtful." My mother said humbly as she pecked at the peas in her plate.
"You knew about it?" I asked, stunned that even my parents knew about this. My dad shrugged in response to my question, as if I were asking him if he liked the peas.
"You all knew and didn't bother telling me?"
"We knew if we told you, you would overreact just as you are now." My mom answered.
"Obviously. How could you let her keep saying things about me on the internet?"
"Really, Stella it's nothing. It's barely a speck on the world wide web. It's not like the people who read it even know you."
"Exactly. I don't need people from China knowing who Stella Swift is!"
"What's done is done, let it go."
I couldn't believe they were all being so blasé about this. If Lindsey was blogging about them I bet they'd be all over it in a heartbeat, but because it's me it's nothing? I ate the rest of my meal in silence as the rest of my family were chatty about Zack's football practices and Lindsey's lead in the upcoming holiday play. I felt almost non-existent and completely worthless in that moment.
I was finished eating before everyone else, since they were too busy chatting it up to actually eat their food. I picked up my plate, put it in the sink and went to my room. None of them even realized I was gone, or maybe they had but couldn't care to pay any mind to it.
I basked in the silence of my room, staring at the plain beige walls as the time ticked away. My eyes caught site of the Twilight book my sister had given me to read and for a moment I toyed with the thought of putting it back on the shelf in her room, a slap in the face to her victory. But, as I stared at the stack of pages just waited to be read, I couldn't help myself. Curiosity was giving the cat a very slow, agonizing death ever since the books became popular. The cat finally died in the seconds it took for me to pick up the book, carefully hold the cover up and read the first few lines.