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Music- Like Knives: The Fashion.

Chapter Four- Like Knives

Yet again I looked up at the clock. It was almost closing time. Mr. Alexander came up to me with an embarrassed yet angry look on his face. He was in his early sixties and he reminded me of a grandfather you have always wanted. The kind that would give you everything you owned. He was part of the reason I loved this place. That and the diversity of books; Mr. Alexander collected books not based on popularity but based on their intrigue.

"Hey Bella, can I ummm ask you to do something?"

"Yes?"

"Ok… Well, there are two people in the back corner." Like me, his face turned bright red.

"Yes, and? Did you want me to go and help them…?" I trailed off as Mr Alexander's face blushed further.

"They are being ahhh… I saw them on the CT camera…. Perhaps you could ask them too….?" It hit me what he meant then. Great. Some loved up couple were having 'fun times' in the store. I don't know why people thought it was alright to get it on in the bookstore but it had happened on more than one occasion. Is there something about literature that ripped people into a sexual frenzy? I snorted. Only you Swan my internal monologue snipped. I groaned because it was always me that had to tell these people off, but plastered a grin on my face. I knew how uncomfortable this made Mr. Alexander.

I marched to the back of the shop, furry spurring me on. I stopped short when I realised who it was. I felt tears almost prick my eyes. A swirling in my guy, pain ripped through me and I reached out to hold myself up. I wanted to scream, and hit him over and over. Why did I feel this way? I barely knew Edward Masen, I'd had a few encounters when I was a rude, sarcastic bitch and he was an arrogant jerk and suddenly I felt like he was breaking my heart.

Swan, pull yourself together, you are out of control. Remain professional. You need to harness how ridiculous these emotions are, you need to be angry at him. Right on cue, the girl lifted her leg up to wrap around his waist. You've got to be joking. Of course, lady luck was on my side tonight. Suddenly I was furious. Twice in one day I was privileged to the superior attitude of a familiar bronze haired jerk. I bet he thought rules didn't apply to him. In my work place he thought he could deface the travel book section like that? I bet he thought he could get away with it. Hadn't I already been tormented enough today? I coughed loudly. They didn't seem to notice. Whoever this girl was, I was suddenly impressed. She seemed fairly flexible. Her legs wrapped around him like that. I wonder if he liked public places or if it was her idea. I stifled a laugh. Jesus Bella, seems like you're thinking about them a bit too much.

"Excuse me." I made my voice loud. Again nothing. Only the occasional porn star style moan that the chick was making. "Excuse me." nothing. No response. "Hey Pretty Boy." His head jerked back. He tried to manoeuvre his face around the girl's long hair. I laughed freely when he inhaled a few strands. Serves him right.

"Bella?"

"Yeah…..Listen Edward. I really don't think it's a little inappropriate to pin some girl against a book shelf in the store." I cringed at the hurt that seemed to lace my tone.

"Bella, I'm sorry. I didn't know you worked here." what did that have to do with anything? He was trying to protect my jealous little eyes from his whoring ways?

"And that makes it alright?"

"No, its just….." he trailed off trying to determine the best way to save my mood. Ha. What a novelty concept. A good mood for me was long gone.

"I'd like both of you to leave the shop now." I finished it off with my best customer smile.

He looked upset. His face paled and his eyes darkened. "Bell-"

"No, Edward. Please take your skanky friend and leave." I couldn't see reason now and I didn't care how rude I was being.

"How dare you?" her hands swung to her too tiny waist. I groaned. Edward's hand pinched the bridge of his nose. Why was he looking frustrated? I was on the one who had permanent scarring from what these two had been doing in the back section of the store.

"Carly just shhh for a second." My jaw dropped, how could he be so commanding?

"Fine Eddie, while you talk to this nun," she sneered her charming nick name and I struggled to refrain from slapping her. "I think I will just pop next door and pick up some, supplies." I groaned again. It was a pharmacy next door. Edward just nodded. He didn't try to follow her. Instead he took a step towards me. I took one backwards. He sighed.

"What I am trying to say is tha-"

"Why are you still here? I asked you to leave the store. I will get security if I have to."

"Don't be ridiculous." He shook his head from side to side. "Bella…Bella….Bella." his voice dropped lower and it seemed to growl my name. The hairs on my arms stood up. After what I had just seen, why did it feel like my body still wanted him?

"What?"

"I didn't mean for Carly to be like that. I only came in here looking for Orwell's 1984. And we got carried away….Do you know where it is?" I shook my head. As if I was going to help him now. I didn't even believe he was really looking for 1984, probably some book he remembered he read once at university. Good cover there boy.

So I shrugged.

Then the conversation hit a curve ball. "You really like to dominate in our relationship don't you?" What? How had this conversation evolved? I mean, I remembered coming up to talk to him about pretty much having sex in the store, then I asked him to leave. So why was he talking about our non-existent 'relationship?" what was his problem?

"Rrelationship?" my voice stuttered slightly. Embassement pulsed through me.

"Friendship…whatever. I just meant, when I first saw you, you were a total bitch to me, I mean you tricked me for Christs sake."

"I wasn't a total bitch to you; I was teaching you a lesson."

"In what, making a fool of myself?"

"No. it's not my fau-"

"Shhh Bella let me finish." My jaw dropped. Twice in the span of ten minutes and he had quietened two women. I went to protest but he took a step towards me, his hand covering my mouth so I couldn't interrupt. I jerked away.

"Don't touch me."

"Fine. Let me explain though okay?"

"Sure thing. I am just waiting for the security team to get here. So I have till then." He smirked.

"The second time I met you, again you were a smartarse."

"What? When?" I swung my hands to my hips.

"The Hello pretty boy, in your apartment…what was that?" I went to answer and again his hand flew over my mouth.

"Please stop interrupting Me." Well fucking stop asking me questions then. My jaw clenched in anger and I swear I chipped a molar.

"Then you proceeded to ignore me the whole night, when I was at your apartment. Despite the fact I knew like two other people there." I couldn't hold it in now.

"Rose had her claim on you, and anyway communication is a two way stree-"

He interrupted me again. A frown appearing on his face. "And then you went to bed before the party had even started. I...you didn't give me a chance to speak to you…why did you do that?" I paused. Making sure I could answer this time.

"Oh, did you want me to answer now? I get so confused with your rules you know." He sighed in frustration, now with a smile I continued. "I was tired."

"I hate that excuse. What you were so tired that you were up at 9-30 the next morning doing assignments? I bet you were jealous." Whoa, step back. Had kissing that other girl made him crazy?

"Ummm what? No." he looked slightly embarrassed for a second. But then he recovered quickly.

"Well that's beside the point. And then when I saw you this morn-"

"How is that beside the point? I was tried, unlike some, I work an average of 30 hours a week just to get by. On my days off I crash but at this time of year I have a thousand and five assignments so I can't afford the luxury. When you are on an educator's scholarship it's twenty times harder I have to keep a credit average. So yes I was tired. I was not jealous. You can't just expect me to let such a lie like that slide. I mean seriously Edward I was not jeal-"he silenced me then. His head had dipped closely to my face. He hadn't silenced me the same way as before. My eyes opened in shock. My body was reacting to Edward, before my mind could process. Adrenaline kicked in. shit Bella. He is silencing you with his lips. I pulled back.

"Edward what the hell was th-"he did it again. But this time I ignored the reason throbbing in my mind. I focused on what he was doing. His lips continued to roam along mine for a moment, unconsciously my hands slipped up to his hair pulling him closer. My mind wasn't functioning. Two parts were co existing. My breathing slowed, my lips parted, my heart was spluttering. I had never felt such passion in a kiss. I didn't want it to end and I pulled myself closer to him. I was forcefully returning the kiss now. A shudder went through my back as his hands danced along it, his fingers under my work shirt. He pushed me back slightly against the shelving and I moaned in his mouth. He grinned under my mouth and then it hit me. Shit. This is Edward Masen. He had just pinned a different girl to the same bookshelf less than ten minutes ago. I felt disgusted at myself and at him. I pushed him back as forcibly as I could. As soon as my lips detached from his, my body betrayed itself and lingered for them to be back there. He took another step towards me, his grin tempting me. His lips inviting me. I couldn't take my eyes of them. I bit my own lip and was surprised at how swollen it felt. I put my arms up as a barrier between us. Shock registered across his face. His breathing was laboured. I knew mine was wheezing. I struggled to catch it and when I did. I unleashed the anger I had.

"Get out." My voice was low. Each word carved into the tense air. Demanding. Infuriated. I expected a wise arse comment in retaliation, but no Edward looked at me once and then marched out of the store.

"Wait a second." He turned around, expecting me to what kiss him again? I slammed 1984 into his chest. He looked shocked; as I watched him walk away my lips tingled. No who was I kidding, they ached.

Mr. Alexander had a smug expression on his face when I returned to the front desk.

"Have fun there Bella?" so preoccupied with what had just happened it took me a moment to realise what he had said.

"I'm sorry what?" my heart started hyperventilating, please tell me Mr. Alexander didn't watch the CCTV.

"Did you have fun, kicking those kids out? The girl marched out about ten minutes ago, fury on her face. But that boy… what did you say to him Bella? He looked confused. At first absolutely miserable but then when he paid for his book, he startled laughing like a crazy man. And then he apologised to me and seemed to be acting on his best behaviour." Shit. Was Edward miserable because he kissed me? Or was it because I had kicked him out. Why did I even care? I hated that kid. How dare he, I felt almost violated by him. And why was he polite to Mr. Alexander and not me? I realised then, Mr. Alexander was indeed waiting for a response and I was standing there my mouth open like I was about to catch flies.

"Oh, I just told him it was wrong to do that in the shop." He nodded and chuckled. He emptied the till, leaving me alone on the front counter to ponder on revenge.

**************************

My apartment was quiet, far too quiet for 9pm on a Friday. I knew Rose had, had a big night last night and presumed our brief conversation this morning had meant she would be here. Glancing out my bedroom window I noticed her car wasn't here, she must have forgotten and gone out. I chucked my stuff on my bed before returning to the kitchen. I lent over to examine what was in there. Nothing really just a few plates of left over's. I was reaching for the orange juice when I heard it. Footsteps. They were coming from the lounge room, behind me. They weren't the delicate steps that Rose took; no these were men's boots. Jimmy didn't have the key anymore. My body froze in shock. I tried to calm my breathing. The steps were getting closer. I tried to remember any self defence moves I had. My hand gripped the orange juice bottle. Perhaps I was planning on using it as a weapon? I smiled at how lame that sounded. The switch went on in the kitchen and I was momentarily blinded.

"Jesus Bella! Ah, you nearly gave me a heart attack." I flinched and my head smashed against the fridge roof.

"Bloody hell, Emmett, you nearly gave me a concussion." I stood up, my hand rubbing the back of my head. His booming laugh echoed around the apartment.

"Oh hey, don't turn around. I'll be back in a second."

"Ok….umm why?"

"Cos, I forgot you live here and Rose and I didn't really get out of bed today so I am not really dres-"I got it. And thanks to my over active imagination I also visually got it. I heard him scurry back to Rose's room. A moment later he reappeared. I was pouring a glass of juice and he lent towards the counter.

"So, how are you Bella?" I muttered some response…too preoccupied with something he had said.

"How can you just 'forget' I live in this apartment?" He walked towards the lounge room. I followed keen on hearing his response. He didn't reply until we were both sitting on the couch. I took a sip as he chose his words carefully.

"Well... I suppose I just meant I only saw you at the start of the night last night and you weren't here at all today so…." Dread filled my stomach.

"I didn't go to bed that early did I?" my thoughts lingered on what Edward had said this morning. Maybe he was right. Ha. Edward right?

"You went to bed? Oh, I thought you had disappeared with Edward somewhere…maybe even James…. But it's cool. I mean most people left after you… I know Edward did… speaking of which he told me he saw you today." My finger unconsciously played with my lips. Oh my god, had he told Emmett.

"Saw me?" I didn't recognise my voice. I sounded like a small child. I took another sip.

"Yeah. He said something about you stealing all the computers in the library." I almost snorted out my orange juice. Rage pulsed through me.

"Excuse me? What? He was the one who marched in there and stole al-"

"Bells. I was kidding."

"Oh, ok. " I decided to change the subject. "So Emmett, what's news? Get up to anything exciting today?" he smirked at me. I groaned and face palmed my forehead. Yeah he had been with Rose all day. Of course it was exiting.

"Well, I'm sure you don't want details. What about you?"

"Ummm. Nothing. I went to uni this morning, printed my assignment then I worked. Fairly boring really." LIAR. My conscious screamed at me. There was nothing boring about kissing Edward Masen. Despite the natural friendship I had formed with Emmett, I didn't feel comfortable talking about kissing his best friend. Excusing himself when his phone rang. I tried not to listen. Instead I focused on averting my eyes from Emmett's half naked body. God, Rose sure knows how to pick them. I chuckled to myself but was suddenly drawn into Emmett's phone conversation. He kept repeating over and over, 'calm down, I don't understand." I shot him a worried look and he rolled his eyes in gest. He stood up then and walked towards the kitchen, leaving me sitting in the lounge. I thought about how easy it was to be Emmett's friend. With his boystrios laugh, caring attitude and lack of arrogance, he was personified comfort. Unlike someone else I knew. Frustration flickered across my face. It was precisely at that moment that Rose walked in the door.

"Oh, hey Bella."

"Rose." I tilted my head in the direction of the kitchen and Emmett's voice. A cheesy grin flickered across her face. I had never seen that expression before.

"I know, fairly soon ey?"

"Understatement of the century…. I thought you liked the other one." I tried to talk around Edward carefully.

She shrugged "he said he had a girlfriend." My stomach dropped. I wanted to ask her did he still have this girlfriend at say around 8-40pm tonight? But I didn't. She wouldn't know. Oh my god. I bet it was that girl I called a slut. Carly I think her name was…The one he kissed before me. Without drawing attention to my self I swirled some juice in my mouth, hoping it would act as a germ killer. Anger pulsed through me even more. "And then I spoke to Em and it all clicked you know? I was hyper aware of how close he was and all I wanted to do was touch him." She chuckled and I felt some of my anger ebb away. She actually seemed excited about Emmett. Comfortable even.

Em suddenly appeared. Food in his hand. I had to laugh, he had been here what 24hours and he was already eating all the food. He mouthed 'hey Hun' before kissing Rose sweetly. I felt like the third wheel and I turned to go to my room. But I had barely taken three steps when I felt an arm tug me back.

"Edward, you did WHAT? Please repeat what you just said….Hang on a sec……" he pulled the phone away from his ear. His grip tightening. "Excuse me Bella. Why did you not tell me Edward just kissed you?" I heard Rose gasp in shock. And I saw Emmett's face break out into a wider grin as mine blushed. I pulled my arm out of his grip. Memories of Rose's comments flooded back and I was pissed.

"He didn't kiss me Em. He attacked me!" I made sure I shouted as much at Em, as at the phone. Em put the phone to his ear, obviously waiting for Edwards's response. I heard a mumbled reply and Emmett launched into his booming laugh.

"Edward wants to know if he can attack you again anytime soon."

I stormed off to my bedroom. Slamming the door shut. I was so pissed off my hands were almost shaking. I muffled screams in my pillow. Who did this kid think he was? Something about him was so off putting. Something about him made my skin crawl. Bloody hell. He wasn't single. He cheated his way through girls. He wasn't the most polite boy. The incident in the clothing store taught me that. He didn't care about boundaries. He was frustrating. But bloody attractive. I wanted to slap that stupid grin off his face. I wanted to hit him until he took control and pushed me against another wall and had his way with me. My god, I needed to get my libido checked, I wanted the not so single slutty boy to sexify me against some wall after I had hit him? Then I realised something; If and this was a very big If, especially in the case of Rose, but say she and Em dated chances are, I would have to see Edward again. Great. Despite all this, despite how pissed I was. I couldn't help but trace my fingers over lips trying to remember how it had felt, before I fell into a deep sleep.