Word Prompt: Laugh

Dialogue Flex: "Did you do this?" he asked.

This time of year, the late night is unusually warm for Atlanta.

Our time on the balcony mostly passed by in silence.

I didn't mind.

A few times other people stumbled out to join us, only to turn and leave as quickly as they came.

The couple that didn't stop kissing as they fell out the door. No doubt looking for a little privacy.

The old man holding himself and apologizing as he swore under his breath and mumbled about finding a bathroom.

The girls who were so drunk they could barely stand upright.

They all made us laugh.

I felt relaxed and carefree.

It'd been too long since I felt that way.

"Edward?" A short woman stuck her head out the door.

"Yeah." His face fell and I noticed a visible change in his stance. He was more rigid, not so casual anymore.

My eyes dance between the two and my stomach knots. I never thought to ask if he's taken. I didn't even think to look for a ring.

I fake a smile as she approaches.

"There you are." Her hand slides around to circle his arm, "Who's this?"

My cheeks ache. Faking a smile is hard work.

"This is Bella," His voice is soft again. Almost soothing. I wonder if I'll get to hear much more of it.

"Bella, hello." She looks up at Edward and he's looking at me. Now her eyes are the ones dancing, watching Edward watching me.

She huffs, "It's nice to meet you. I'm Alice Whitlock. Edward's sister."

Now my smile is real.

Relief doesn't even begin to describe it.

"Hey." I extend my hand to hers.

"We have to go. Jazz already left. Are you ready?" Alice shuffles on her feet.

Edward's looking out at the night. Not at me, not at her. My palms begin to sweat as I get nervous. I'm not sure what's next. What do I say?

"Do you need a ride?" Edward had moved closer and I didn't even notice. I was lost inside my worry again.

"I'm not sure. I need to see if my roommate has left yet." Rosalie never gives it up so I'm doubtful that she left with her dancing buddy, but it doesn't stop me from silently praying that she has made an exception.

They follow me as I look around for her and I don't see her anywhere. Would it be wrong to pump my fist?

...~{sYa}~...

The light is bright as it fills my bedroom. I glance at the clock. I've only been in the bed about three hours.

But I feel good. Bubbly. Excited.

I turn up my iTunes. I can't help but dance as I move around the room and tidy up.

I made a mess last night.

I feel as though I'm fourteen again.

It's so exhilarating.

"Hmmm." Someone clears their throat.

I jump and see Edward standing in my doorway. He's watching me again. And smiling.

I panic. I'm still in my sleep shirt.

I see Rosalie peek out from behind his shoulder and raise her eyebrows. That little shit. She could have least gave me a heads up.

I gesture for him to hang on. I turn down my music and tug at the edge of my shirt wishing it were longer.

I pick up yesterday's sweat pants that are at the top of my dirty clothes pile and slip them on.

I turn back around. Edward's now in my room. His fingers are ghosting over the picture.

"Did you do this?" he asks.

I step to stand beside him. "Yes. Last night after you two dropped me off. I couldn't... I wasn't sleepy."

"It's good." His fingers still touching it. "Beautiful," he says it like he means it.

His voice is so... gentle.

I glance at the picture. I wonder if he knows why the greens in the sky are so much brighter than all the other colors.

"Last night huh?" He leans in to look closer.

"Yeah, I was... inspired." I recall how as soon as I stepped in my room last night, my fingers twitched at the blank canvas propped in the corner.

The unopened box of chalks beside it practically sang to me.

I hadn't been inspired in such a long time.

Maybe it was the fireworks, and maybe it was Edward. Maybe even both.

The picture was of last night's sky and the horizon and how I remember the fireworks used to glide along the water all those years ago.

"You're early," I tease him, all though I find it quite all right.

Perfect even.

"I..um-," he seems unsure, "I though you might wanna get some breakfast?"

"I'd love to." The words fall so effortlessly. "Can you give me a minute to get ready?"

He nods and stares at the picture some more. I notice his fingers are now stained from touching the chalk dust.

Just like mine.

A/N: So I guess you noticed that I am using just one story line. I know some ladies don't.