Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight
A/N thanx to everyone who reviewed. Sorry this took so long. it doesnt move the story foward its just his reaction to their meeting hope you like it. Brace yourself for some language.
4. Italian Hottie
EPOV
"Em, lets go before we miss our flight!" I yelled from the bottom of the stairs. I hated being late and Emmett didn't understand the concept of time, either that, or he just didn't care. This was the last flight out from Chicago for the next few days and I couldn't afford to miss it. Emmett appeared at the top of the stairs with a big grin on his face. I glared at him as he made his way down the steps at a painfully slow pace, taunting me with each step. He knew just how to push my buttons and I could feel myself starting to get annoyed with him, and it's only nine in the morning. We've got a long day ahead of us. I half sighed half groaned as he continued to drag down the stairs.
"Calm down Eddie, we're not going to be late. Stop being such a pussy." He brushed past me, giving me the perfect shot at his kidney. Without hesitation I punched the spot.
"Aaaarrggghh….." Emmett yelled and staggered slightly before catching himself. Ha, let's see a pussy punch like that. I smiled to myself, proud that I was able to rattle his huge frame.
"What was that Em?" I couldn't help the pleased tone from escaping my lips.
"Fine," he started, the words coming out rough and breathy. "You're not a pussy…..you're a princess." He was messaging his side trying to soothe the ache I had just caused. He managed to get out a chuckle through his pain and I couldn't help but let out a small laugh.
"What's so funny?" my father asked from the front door as we approached.
"Edward here was just showing me the difference between a," he paused to look for a better word, "pansy and a princess," Emmett finished, grabbing my shoulder and shaking me around a bit. My father looked at him with a confused look on his face while I glared at him and slapped his hand away.
"Do I need to show you again?"
"Bring it on little brother, unless you're worried we'll miss our flight." My body tensed, preparing to strike. Just as I was about to pounce my attempt was cut short.
"Boys!" I looked over to see my mother with her hands on her hips giving Emmett and me the same disapproving look she always gave us whenever she caught us doing something wrong. "I swear, it doesn't matter how old you boys get you're always roughhousing." She tsked and walked over to us.
"He started it," Emmett whined, pointing his thumb in my direction.
"Did not," I countered and wrapped my mother up in a hug. She laughed and squeezed me back. My mother was the most nurturing and caring person I knew, besides my dad. I used to think that it was his work that made him the compassionate person that he is. As I got older I realized that his work was the result of his caring personality. My parents were everything I wanted to be. They had so much and never took it for granted. I let my mother go and reached over to give my father a hug while Emmett ran over to give one to our mom.
"You guys be safe." My father said into my ear. I nodded and headed out to get into the cab with Emmett right behind me.
"Edward, watch after your brother please- make sure he doesn't get into any trouble," my mother called out to me from the porch.
"Mom!" Emmett shrieked from the other side of the cab. "I'm 20 years old how much trouble do you think I'll get into. I'm not that irresponsible."
"Oh of course dear, I know," she said with a smile on her face, trying to hold back laughter. She glanced up at my father and they exchanged a look of slight worry and amusement.
"Watch your brother Edward," my father called out to me, ignoring Emmett. He scoffed and got into the cab mumbling something about being the older brother. We broke out into laughter and I got into the back of the cab. The cabbie pulled off and we waved back to our parents.
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We got off the plane and headed over to baggage claim to get our things. When our bags came around on the conveyor belt we grabbed them and headed out of the airport to catch a cab. We threw our bags into the trunk and headed off towards the U-Haul place so we could rent a truck.
"I just want to say before I do any heavy lifting I need food in my system," Emmett said, patting his stomach to emphasize his point. I laughed at my brother and clapped him lightly on the shoulder.
"Don't worry Em, you will be reunited with your one true love as soon as I get the key for the apartment," I told him reassuringly. He pumped his fist in victory. I just shook my head and laughed. We pulled up to the U-Haul place and Emmett looked at me expectantly. I knew exactly what he wanted me to do and I wasn't going to do it.
"Don't look at me like that, I paid last time." He scrunched his nose up and threw me a confused look.
"What? No you didn't I did." He said, certainty evident in his tone. I paused to recall for a second if he really had paid the last time. Nope, I'm pretty sure I paid. He was trying to trick me; well I wasn't falling for it this time.
"I know what you're doing Emmett and I'm not falling for it." I started to get out of the car.
"Okay, okay. How 'bout we rock, paper, scissors to see who pays?" I gave him a look that said 'are you serious' but I saw that he was completely serious. Emmett might've been the older brother but there was no mistaking that I was the more mature one. After a moment I gave up and decided to play the dumb game.
"Okay, but if I win you have to carry my bags."
"Deal- as long as you don't complain about how heavy my bags are when you lose." He stated confidently and balled his hand into a fist, readying himself to play. I decided not to say anything back and see how the game would turn out. After three rounds, two of which I won, I climbed out of the car and left Emmett to pay. I figured I'd be the bigger man and not rub my victory in his face. I just left him there to grab my bags and walked into the building to pick up the truck rental. I opened the door and heard the small ding of a bell signaling my arrival. I walked up to the empty front desk and waited. Emmett walked in with the bags and set them down with a huff and then glared at me. I smiled and bit my lip, trying to stifle my laughter.
"Why are you just sitting here, where's the truck?" he asked annoyed as he flopped down into the plastic chair next to the door.
"I was waiting for some assistance but nobody seems to be here- Hello?" I started to call out. When no one answered Emmett joined in.
"Hello?" we yelled in unison hoping to get someone's attention.
"Calm down, I'm coming, I'm coming," a high pitched, shrill sounding voiced called out from somewhere in the back. We waited a few more minutes before a girl came out wearing her shirt tied up above her navel and a pair of shorts that left little to the imagination. My first instinct was to look at her ass- I am a guy after all- then I wondered if it was proper dress code for her to have on such an outfit. She came up to the counter without looking up, smacking away on a poor defenseless piece of pink gum. She apparently had no class and her demeanor disgusted me immediately.
"What do you want?" she asked keeping her head down looking at her nails. She was starting to annoy me- no scratch that, she was annoying me. I composed myself before speaking because otherwise I probably would have berated her right then for her horrible manners.
"I'm here to pick up a rental." I guess the sound of my voice must have intrigued her enough to actually pull her head out of her ass and do her job. She lifted her head up and smiled at me. I assumed it was meant to be alluring but it just looked disturbing. It took all I had to prevent my face from twisting up into a grimace as she leaned over the desk trying to show me her cleavage.
"What name is the rental under?" she asked in a breathy voice. I figured if I used my charm I could get out of here faster.
"Cullen," I answered her as sweetly as possible and threw in a small grin. Her eyes lit up and she smiled even wider. She probably got excited and thought I was flirting back. She typed in something in the computer next to her before turning back to me.
"If you wait right here I'll be right back with your keys Mr. Cullen," she purred before turning around and walking into the back, putting a little more sway in her hips than necessary. She came back in and slowly handed me the keys. Grateful that our time together was coming to an end, I turned and started towards the door.
"Oh Mr. Cullen?" her shrill voice called out, making me cringe. I turned around to face her.
"Don't forget your receipt." She waved a white piece of paper in front of her. I walked back over to retrieve it and nearly sprinted out the door towards the truck. When I was safely outside I looked at the receipt and saw, there scrawled in black sharpie was her number and under the seven numbers was her name, Lauren. I grimaced, crumbled up the small piece of paper and threw it into the nearest trash can. Emmett met me outside by the truck, all the bags in hand. We decided to put all the bags in the back then headed out towards the university to get the address of the new apartment I would be staying in this year. When I offered for Emmett to stay with me he looked at me like I was crazy and asked 'why would I do a thing like that'. Dorm life was more his style than mine.
On the way to Hamilton Emmett had me laughing hysterically. That's one of the things I enjoyed about hanging out with my brother. There was never a dull moment and he always kept you laughing. I pulled into the parking lot of the university holding my sides from all the laughter. I put the truck in park and hopped out. I noticed Emmett take the keys out of the ignition and follow me up to the office.
"You don't have to come with me. I'm just going to grab the address and come right back," I told him.
"I know. I wanted to come. I've missed this place," he sighed. I choked out a small laugh as we walked up the steps toward the main office.
"Why does that not surprise me?" Emmett was your typical frat boy without the fraternity. He had been asked to join a few but refused. He said he wasn't into the whole make-a-fool-of-yourself-while-trying-to-join-some-dumb-group thing, better known as pledging. We walked into the building and saw Mrs. Baker sitting at her desk with her infamous black visor sitting next to her computer. We walked up to the counter and I cleared my throat to get her attention. When she heard me she looked up from her computer monitor and smiled.
"Why hello there Mr. Cullen, how are you today?" she asked as she made her way up the counter where Emmett and I stood.
"I'm fine Mrs. Baker, how are you?" I asked
"I'm just fine and what about you Mr. Cullen?" she asked addressing Emmett. He gave her a big grin and a nod.
"What can I do for you wonderful boys this afternoon?"
"I just came to pick up the information for the apartment."
"Oh, yes just wait right here I'll be back in a few with that." She turned and headed back over to her desk and started typing something on the keyboard of her computer. I waited silently as she printed the information out. She came back with a couple pieces of paper in her hand.
"Okay Mr. Cullen, this is the address," she said laying the first sheet of paper down. "And this is the name of your new roommate." She laid the other paper down. I stared at the piece of paper blankly for a minute while I processed her words. I have a roommate?
"Roommate?" I asked confused. She nodded and pushed the paper further towards me.
"I'm sorry there must be some mistake I'm supposed to be living alone." I pushed the papers back in her direction giving her a small smile in hopes that my charm would get me out of this mess. This was all a big misunderstanding, this could be fixed.
"No mistake, these apartments are managed by the university and there is a policy requiring all first time apartment occupants to have a roommate," she stated simply. What the fuck? Required? I was getting used to the prospect of having the apartment all to myself but now I was going to have to share.
"There's no way to get around it?" I asked hopefully throwing in another heartbreaking smile for extra effect.
"No, I'm sorry sweetie." She smiled apologetically and pushed the paper my way one last time.
I nodded, grabbing the papers and starting towards the door. I walked out of the main office, my spirit shattered by the news I'd just received. Roommate? I feel like I've been bamboozled. Yeah that's right, I said bamboozled. They didn't say anything about the stupid roommate requirement when I put in for the apartment. Maybe next time I'll read the fine print before I sign the contract.
"Well that sucks," Emmett blurted out, breaking me out of my thoughts.
"What sucks?" a voice said from behind us. I whipped my head around to see who it was.
"Jasper, what are you doing here man? I thought registration wasn't for another week." He laughed and greeted me with a handshake/half hug before turning to Emmett and doing the same.
"I know. I had to get out here early to set up my stuff before my sister comes so I could help her." I met jasper last year when we were roommates in the dorms. His mellow attitude made him easy to get along with, that and the fact that we were both into music. Maybe I'll get lucky and my new roommate will be just as cool. Here's hoping.
"You guys came to set up the apartment?" I'd told Jasper about my plans to live in an apartment over the summer while he was visiting his grandparents in Texas. I nodded my head bitterly and sighed.
"What's up Edward?" Jasper asked, noticing my change in mood.
"Edwards got himself a new roomie." Emmett answered in a cheerful tone. Sometimes it irritated me how happy he always was.
"It's not that big of a deal I just wasn't expecting it." Understatement.
"Do you know who you're rooming with?" I looked down at the paper with my roommates' information on it.
"It says here that her name is Bella and she's a first year," I said dryly, folding the paper up and stuffing it in my pocket.
"So you're rooming with some Italian hottie, man you should be happy," Emmett said excitedly with a far away stare on his face, no doubt picturing what this Bella person looked like.
"Why do you assume she's Italian?" Jasper asked his voice laced with amusement.
"Her name is Bella," he said confidently. Jasper and I doubled over in laughter. Emmett looked so serious we couldn't help but laugh at him. Once we calmed down we looked up at Emmett, which caused me and Jasper to break out into another round of side splitting chuckles. He was fuming and had his huge arms crossed over his chest glaring at us.
"Wow Em if looks could kill…" Jasper said through his laughter.
"Whatever, you guys are dumb."
"Don't be such a pussy Emmett," I said mimicking his words from earlier. He punched me on the arm, the force causing my body to jerk forward.
"Oww," I yelled rubbing my shoulder. I looked at Emmett to see the same pleased look on his face I'm sure I had earlier.
"Where you guys headed?" Jasper asked changing the subject.
"We're about to pick up the keys for the apartment-,"
"Then get something to eat," Emmett chimed in, his chipper mood returning.
"I'll meet you guys over there."
"It's alright Jazz you don't have to-"
"Like hell he doesn't. It'll go by a lot faster if he helps," Emmett's booming voice interrupted.
"It's cool man I don't have anything else to do right now. Let me go get my car and I'll see you guys in a little bit." He turned and made his way towards the other side of campus.
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"Let's get this over with shall we?" I said looking into the storage facility where my furniture was currently sitting. My mother insisted on purchasing some items for me since I refused to let her come out and decorate the apartment. She bought a few items and had them shipped out and put in storage until it was time to move in. Luckily there wasn't really that much to move, I promised her I would get the rest when I got out here, so we got it done in record time and placed it all in the apartment. I decided to head to my room and set everything up so I wouldn't have to worry about it later.
"Me and Emmett are gonna go get something to eat you want to come?" Jasper called out from the living room.
"No I'm good I'll just catch up with you guys later."
The rest of the week past by in a blur, we didn't really do much besides hang around and eat fast food. The only thing we'd done with any substantial meaning was pick up our cars after having them shipped out. I had been shirking my responsibilities a little bit, I just wanted to hang out and enjoy the apartment before I had to share it, I would take care of business when the time came but for now I just wanted to enjoy the little time I had. I laid in bed, trying to appreciate the peace that came along with being alone. I wondered what kind of person my roommate would be; if she was messy or neat, or if she listened to Brittany Spears, a thought that caused me to shudder. Nothing would be worse than having to listen to that after coming home from a long day. All I could do was hope.
Wake up
Grab a brush and put on a little make up
Hide the scars to fade away the shakeup
Why'd you leave the keys up on the table
Here you go create another fable
You wanted to
Grab a brush and put on a little makeup
You wanted to
Hide the scars to fade away the shakeup
You wanted to
Why'd you leave the k- "Hello?" I asked groggily. I didn't even try to clear the sleep from my voice.
"Good morning, how are we feeling today?"
"Emmett," I groaned into the phone. "What do you want?" What time is it?
"Nice to hear from you too little bro, anyways I was calling to see if you wanted to hang out today."
"Em, do you know what today is?" I asked annoyed that I had just been woken up and couldn't go anywhere.
"Uh…yeah?" I could tell by his tone that he had no clue.
"Okay, then you know that I have to stay here until my roommate comes so I can give her the key," I said slowly like I was teaching a child how to tie shoes.
"Oh that's right, the Italian Hottie's comin' today, I forgot. Sorry Edward, do you want me to bring you anything?" I was a little shocked by his caring tone.
"Aww Em, are your big brother skills finally kicking in, your nineteen years too late but I guess it's a start." I joked.
"Do you want something or not?"
"Actually yeah, would you mind bringing me something to eat?" I had absolutely nothing in my fridge. We had been eating out everyday for the past week and I hadn't gone to the store yet.
"Sure no problem, anything you want in particular?"
"Mmm," I thought about it. "Nah, just get whatever." I didn't really care what I ate at this point. We were eating fast food so often it all started to taste the same.
"Alright, I'll see you in a little bit."
I stretched and threw my legs over the edge of the bed letting my feet hit the carpet. I leaned over and rested my elbows on my knees and rubbed my eyes with the palms of hands. There was no point in staying in bed now that I was fully awake. I put my phone back on the night stand and made my way to the bathroom. I flipped on the light and looked in the mirror- my hair in its usual disarray and my chin covered in stubble. I considered shaving then figured there was no point I couldn't go anywhere until this girl came. I yawned and reached for my toothbrush and toothpaste. I brushed my teeth and hopped in the shower letting the hot water relax me. I threw on a t-shirt and some basketball shorts. No point in getting dressed up. I walked into my room and pressed play on my stereo letting the soft tones of Claire De Lune fill my room. I flopped down on my bed and stared at the ceiling moving my fingers over the imaginary keys of a piano. It doesn't make sense that I have to wait here for her. If the apartments are run by the school then she should be able to pick up a key at the registration office or even the housing admin. My thoughts were starting to irritate me so I concentrated on the music and moved my hands in time to the melody, when inspiration hit. I leaped up from the bed and sat down at my desk. I pulled out my sheet music and started to scrawl the notes down that were dancing around in my head. I started to really get into the melody of the song when the notes began to die down then vanished. I hurried to write down the notes before I could forget them. I tried to will it to come back but it was no use, it was gone. I sat and stared blankly at the measly four bars I was able to get down praying for the melody to return when I thought I heard a knock at the door. I was unsure so I pressed mute on the stereo so I could listen. Knock knock knock. I stood up quickly and headed for the door. Knock knock knock. The knocking got a little louder.
"Hold on," I yelled out before walking over to the door and opening it.
"It's about time Eddie, what the hell were you doin' in there?" Emmett said before he pushed past me into the living room.
"Sorry, I was listening to my music." I apologized and scratched the back of my head.
"'Nough said, anyways here," he handed me a white paper bag and a 7-11 big gulp cup. I could just add this one to the collection steadily growing in the kitchen. "I got you a breakfast burrito. I wanted to get something Italian but I thought pasta this early wouldn't be healthy so I opted for Mexican its close enough." He smiled and shrugged. He was making a joke once again about my having to share the apartment. I started to punch him in his gut but thought better of it, seeing as how he just brought me food, and settled for rolling my eyes. I sat down on the couch and started taking the burrito out of the bag.
"Alright well I have some place to be, I'll catch you later." Emmett started for the door. His hand was on the knob before I stopped him. Where was he going? He called me this morning to see if I wanted to hang out and now he's busy?
"Whoa, whoa where are you goin'?"
"It's freshman registration dude, I'm going to go scope out the fresh meat." Of course Emmett would be thinking about getting into some chicks pants at freshman registration.
"Don't get anybody pregnant, I'm supposed to be watching you and mom wouldn't be happy with me if I let that happen," I joked.
"You think you're so funny huh? Well enjoy the apartment while you still can."
"Screw you," I spat.
"Someone will be pretty soon," He said wiggling his eyebrows. I chuckled and went to shut the door behind him. I grabbed my food up from the couch and went into my room to eat. When I finished I laid back on the bed and rubbed my full stomach and I started to feel my eyelids droop. Food always made me sleepy.
Bang
Bang
Bang
What the hell? I started to open my eyes.
Bang
Bang
Bang
Bang
Oh shit. I jumped up from the bed. Fuck I fell asleep. Why is it they don't give the keys out at registration? I rushed out of my room to answer the door. I pulled it open and immediately apologized.
"Sorry, I fell asleep. You must be my new roomie." She looked at me but didn't say anything. She didn't look pissed off. I looked around at all of the boxes she had scattered around the front door. She didn't have as much as I had been expecting. We stood there for a minute before either of us said anything.
"Oh, here let me give you a hand," I said breaking the silence as I bent down to pick up one of her boxes. It had a little weight to it but nothing I couldn't handle. I walked in and heard the rustling of a bag from behind me. I sat the box down in the middle of the living room and stared up at her. She was pretty. Her glossy chestnut hair was swept up into a messy bun and her dark sultry eyes reminded me of little puddles of melted chocolate.
"You're my roommate?" she asked, pointing a finger at me and jutting her hip out slightly. I couldn't help the smile that spread across my face at the sound of shock in her voice. I looked up at her and she turned her gaze toward the carpet.
"Why do you sound so surprised?" I stood up and walked over to her.
"Um...I just wasn't expecting you."
"Who were you expecting?" I was intrigued. I couldn't help myself from taking another step toward her. She shook her head not wanting to answer my question. In all honesty she probably expected to be living with a girl. I guess we both had expectations for this apartment.
"I'm Edward." I introduced myself and held my hand out for her to shake.
"Bella," she said, almost inaudibly, looking down at our hands. She seemed nervous.
She looked around the room and unconsciously relaxed her body slightly shifting her weight. I watched as the curve of her hip poked out and a small tantalizing sliver of skin on her stomach was revealed as her shirt rode up a little. She was dressed casually but she still looked sexy in a simple top and skinny jeans that showed off the curves of her body. I wanted to reach out and touch those curves. I imagined what her body would feel like pressed up against mine with nothing in the way of our contact. I composed myself and cleared my head. I can't have these thoughts about my roommate. It would make living here awkward.
"Lets get the rest of your things from outside then I'll show you around." I walked towards the door but didn't feel her following after me. I turned around slightly to see what the problem was and found her eyes glued to my ass. She was checking me out. It was good to know I wasn't the only person struggling with my thoughts.I chuckled to myself and she pulled her head up at the sound and I saw the most beautiful blush come across her cheeks as she bent her head down. It was adorable. Adorable? I inwardly rolled my eyes at myself and started to move the rest of her things in the living room in complete silence. I went for all the boxes since they seemed heavier. They weren't that bad until I got to the last box. I sat the box down quickly letting out a small grunt. What the hell does she have in there?
"Okay so," I paused to catch my breath. "There's not much to show. This is the living room." I spread my arms out wide showing her the space. I took her towards the other rooms of the house and gestured to them quickly. I didn't want to waist time showing her rooms that she would be seeing everyday. I breezed past my room. I was afraid that if I saw her in my room so close to my bed I would take her down. Well not literally but I would want to. Finally, we came to her room.
"And this," I walked in and opened my arms, much like I had in the living room. "...is all yours."
She stepped in and looked around the room, her alluring eyes shifting along the walls and the window. A small frown crept up on her face as she looked at the closet.
"I thought you would have more stuff," I said casually.
"Well I'm not really supposed to be here." A million questions popped into my head as to what the hell she could possibly mean. I just waited patiently for her to explain.
"I was supposed to be in the dorms but that didn't work out so they stuck me here." She sounded sad and I wanted to consol her any way that I could.
"Ah, well dorm rooms are overrated," I said knowingly.
"Why is that?" her eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
"Uh," I struggled to come up with a reason, "it's just not what you think it is." I told her, hoping that would be a good enough answer. "So do you need help bringing your boxes in here?" I asked trying to get off the subject. I pushed off of the wall with my shoulders and pointed toward the living room.
"Oh sure, thanks," she said as I walked out of the room. I could feel her eyes on me and it felt good to have her stare at me but I couldn't understand why. I was used to getting attention from women but the attention I was getting from her made me feel…good? Maybe it was the thought that someone as beautiful as her was attracted to me. I moved all the boxes into her room and mentally kicked myself when I got to the heavy one for not moving them in there in the first place. I sat the box down on the floor.
"What do you have in those boxes anyways?" The last box more specifically. She scrunched her eyebrows and bit her lip and it was the sexiest thing I had ever seen.
"I'm not really sure." Umm O-Kay? I just stared at her with what I hope looked like confusion and not like I was about to have her committed.
"My best friend decided it would be a good idea if she bought me a new wardrobe without me knowing," she explained. I guess that made sense but only a little. What kind of person just goes out and buys someone a new wardrobe?
"Who just does that?"
"Alice," she said the name like it was explanation enough. "You'll understand when you meet her," she added. She was planning on me meeting her best friend? It made sense seeing as how we would be living in the same place. I nodded my head. I found myself getting a little anxious about meeting one of her friends.
"I'll be looking forward to that meeting," and I would be. I wanted to know so much more about her and meeting her friend could give me more insight as to what kind of person she was. I laughed at the thought of meeting this friend. She let out a laugh and it sounded like bells. I was stunned. I wanted to hear that sound again and again. She looked gorgeous with her head thrown back, her white teeth glistening as she smiled. Then I wondered what other sounds could come out of her mouth. I hadn't realized I was starring at her until she bent down to pick up one of her bags. I shook my head and adjusted my pants before she could see the bulge building. Definitely couldn't have those kinds of thoughts. I had to get out of there before the problem could arise again.
"So I guess I'll leave you to it."
"Alright, thanks again for helping me," her silky voice called out to me.
"Oh, don't mention it," I waved it off and left. I walked into my room and leaned against the wall trying to calm myself. Sharing the apartment wasn't going to be the problem, living with Bella was going to be the problem. I was undeniably attracted to her. I had to get out of the apartment for awhile so I could clear my head. It didn't matter where I went I just needed to go somewhere. I grabbed my phone and my keys and headed for the living room when I heard her on the phone.
"We're not. He didn't even ask me out." I couldn't tell but it sounded like she was disappointed. Was she interested in someone? I felt a small pang of jealousy but I pushed it down. I had no right to be jealous. I had no claim on her. I just met her for God sakes.
"After what Ali?" Ali? That must be her friend Alice.
"Alice. I know you tried to set me up." Just then my phone stated to ring. Fuck. I quickly answered it before I could call attention to myself.
"Hello?"
"Edward? Why are you whispering?" I cleared my throat and walked further into the living room and away from Bella's door.
"What's up Jazz?" I cleared my throat again hoping he didn't hear the anxiety in my voice.
"How's the roommate situation going?"
"Actually it's…..uh well," I struggled to find words to explain.
"That bad huh?"
"No it's not bad," depending on how you look at it, "It's just-"
"Hold on Edward I have another call." He clicked over and I let out an exhausted sigh and waited for him to come back on the line.
"That was Emmett- he wants to get something to eat," big surprise there, "we were gonna head over to The Habit, you in?"
"Uh yeah, I was just about to head out anyways- I'll meet you guys there." I said bye and ran back to my room to throw on a change of clothes now that I had a destination. I was about to head towards the front door when I heard one of my favorite bands playing softly from her room, pushing me towards her door. I couldn't explain the feeling that was coming over me. It was like some unknown force drawing me towards her and I couldn't fight the urge I had to see her again before I left. Before I knew it I was at her door. I vaguely remember knocking before she looked up at me with those big chocolate eyes.
"Hey, what's up?" she asked.
"Uh," Fuck. Shit. Uh fuck why am I here? Say something. "Nothing I just wanted to tell you I was stepping out for a bit." Nice move Cullen. I mentally slapped myself at my stupidity and forced a smile. The biggest smile spread across her face and she looked stunning. I had to remind myself to breathe.
"Edward, you don't have to tell me when you're going out. You're a grown man. You can do whatever you want," she laughed. She was laughing at me. Great now she thinks I'm and idiot or weird. I tried to keep the smile on my face as I turned to walk out of the door embarrassed.
"Oh, Edward?" She grabbed my arm to stop me before I could leave. I looked down at her hand surprised by the feeling of her hand on me. She apologized and removed her hand swiftly. I wanted to tell her it was okay, that I liked the contact much more than I should have. I wanted to feel her hands all over me. I'm screwed. My arm tingled slightly and I had to resist the urge to rub it. Had it felt like that when we shook hands? She did that sexy lip biting thing then looked at the ground. I had to force myself to focus on reality.
"Yes?" I asked curious as to why she stopped me.
"I…uh...could you um..," she stuttered a little, was she nervous? "I…need my key."
"Oh yeah, I completely forgot, I'm sorry," I ran out of the room to grab her key off of my nightstand and was back in a flash. I was so wrapped up in her I forgot to give her the key. "Here, I'm sorry I meant to give this to you when you first got here." I apologized again handing it to her. Her fingers lightly grazed my palm as she picked it up and I relished in the small contact. Geez what the hell is wrong with me?
"Its okay, no problem," she smiled up at me again and I felt the butterflies in my stomach go batty.
"Honestly, I don't understand why they don't give you the keys at registration but...." she trailed off.
"That's what I was thinking earlier when you almost broke down the door." I laughed as I remembered the sound of her fist beating against the door.
"Well you would've heard me knock if you hadn't gone to sleep," she shot back. She had a point though.
"True," I said honestly. My phone vibrated in my pocket. It was probably Jasper or Emmett wondering where I was. "Okay, well I guess I'll see you later or when I get back or something." Emmet would be pissed if I kept him from his food and my arm was still a little sore from when he punched me last week.
"Right, see ya," she said with a wave as I left the room again. I walked out the door and pulled my phone out of my pocket as I made my way to my car and sure enough there was a text from Emmett waiting for me.
Em: Ed get your ass down here man I'm hungry ={
I laughed and threw my phone on the empty passenger seat and sped toward the restaurant. I walked in and looked around for my brother and my friend. I spotted them in a booth near a window and headed over.
"About fucking time," Emmett growled. I sat down as he barreled over to the counter to order his food.
"What's going on man?" Jasper asked through a chuckle shaking his head at Emmett. I exhaled and leaned my head against the back of my seat. "Are you really that upset about having a roommate?" He asked taking in my posture. I sighed and lifted my head to look at him.
"It's not that, I've gotten used to the idea, I just didn't think I would be attracted to her." I said just as Emmett sat back down with his tray full of food.
"Attracted to whom, the Italian Hottie?" he asked staring intently at his food, ready to charge. I didn't like that name all of a sudden; it seemed degrading now.
"Em could you stop calling her that, I don't even think she Italian," I growled. He ignored my tone and started to devour his food.
"But she is a hottie," he said with a mouth full of burger. I suppressed a grunt and leaned my head back on the seat again. The cushion of the booth was comforting, but only slightly.
"So when you gonna boink her?" I snapped my head up and glared at Emmett, nostril flared. He couldn't see my face he was too busy gorging on his second burger.
"I'm not going to boink her," I snapped. My voice came out so venomous it surprised even me. Emmett finally looked up from his tray and stared at me with a grin on his face showing off those damn dimples everyone seemed to love so much. I hated them at this moment.
"You mind if I take a crack at her?" he smiled even wider. The bad part about having Emmett as a brother was that he knew how to push my buttons. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself, and stared at him for a minute. I didn't want him to know how mad that made me because it didn't make any sense for me to be possessive over a girl that wasn't mine, over a girl who I didn't even know.
"You don't even know what she looks like," I said lamely in attempt to turn him off of the idea.
"True, but you think she's hot and you have good taste so she must be a hot piece of ass." He was really starting to piss me off.
"You're not going to touch Bella," I spat. I was pissed and I couldn't explain why. I shouldn't be this mad about some chick I just met a few hours ago. Emmett knew I was angry and he just kept smiling at me.
"And why is that?" he asked taunting me. Jasper just looked on watching the scene unfold before him. He knew a fight wouldn't break out between brothers but at this point I wasn't so sure. I took another calming breath and tried to reign in my emotions before coming up with another bull shit excuse.
"Because Em, when you fuck her and dump her I don't want her to end up hating me by association, I have to live with the girl and I don't want to have to put up with her constant crying and nagging," I pushed the words out and hopped they sounded genuine enough. Emmett stared at me for a few seconds before he erupted into a booming laugh causing people to stare at us.
"Calm down Eddie I was just messing with you God, you need to loosen up. You really like this girl huh?" he asked his laughter simmering down to a low chuckle. I knew he was just messing with me but I couldn't control myself.
"What? Psh no I don't like her, I just met her." Right? Attraction: yes. Like: no.
"Yeah whatever, keep telling yourself that." He went back to his food with one last chuckle. I sighed and put my head back in its place on the cushion of the booth. I didn't get anything to eat because I was still working off that burrito I had this morning. Emmett ate and we talked for awhile before we decided to head over to Emmett's dorm to play a few games. I hadn't realized how much time had passed until I started getting sleepy. I thought back to the apartment and my kitchen and felt bad that I didn't have any food in my refrigerator for Bella to eat if she got hungry then pushed the thought away. She was old enough to take care of herself right? I shouldn't be thinking about her so much. I got up and said my goodbyes to Emmett and Jasper before heading out. I pulled up to the building and parked. I noticed the light in the dining room was on. Was she still up? I looked down at my watch and realized it was almost one in the morning. I got out of the car and headed for the door. I put my key in the lock and turned; when I opened the door I was greeted by the most beautiful sight. She was cuddled up on the couch asleep. The light from the dining room spilled into the living room creating a soft glow on her skin making it look luminous. I noticed she still had her shoes on. She must've fallen asleep on the couch. I tip toed over to her and reached down to take off her shoes. She stirred a little and mumbled in her sleep. I looked up to see if she had woken up, when I saw her gorgeous lips form a pout and heard her steady breathing I continued to take the other one off. She shivered slightly and I went to grab my cover off of my bed and draped it over her and watched her body relax as it warmed. She was so gorgeous. I walked into the dining room to turn the light off when I noticed a piece of paper sitting on the table. It had my name on it.
Edward,
There's pizza in the oven, if you want any.
Bella
I felt slightly embarrassed that she had to order a pizza but I felt my body warm at the realization that she thought of me. I know the gesture wasn't romantic and it shouldn't make me excited but she was thinking of me……a little. I walked into the kitchen and grabbed a couple pieces and put the rest in the refrigerator. I picked up the note and walked out of the dining room turning the light off as I went. I walked towards my room and looked at her sleeping form one last time before I went in. I scarfed down my pizza cold, since I didn't have a microwave and laid back in my bed. I felt my eyelids getting heavy so I got up and changed into my t-shirt and shorts from earlier today and flopped back down on my bed. Maybe living with Bella wouldn't be so bad after all.
A/N gotta love Emmett he's such a kidder!! hope you liked my Edward so far. He's might get on your nerves next couple of chapters but thats all I'm saying. Leave one.
song is System of a Down- Chop Suey
