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HARD PLASTIC
Chapter Four
The next morning I woke up exactly at seven, filled with an odd energy that wasn't the result of restful sleep, as I had fallen asleep around four in the morning. I was ready to do something about all of my fear-filled predispositions about romance and such, but as I showered I realized I hadn't a clue of what it really meant for me to not be afraid of taking chances. I guess I would have to figure that out first.
I walked into the kitchen and saw Alice sitting at the table with a full French Press. She sipped from her mug while flipping excitedly through what I assumed was a bridal magazine. I brought down a mug from the cabinet and sat in the chair across from her. "Hey, Alice."
Her eyes looked at me briefly before returning to her magazine, "Hi Bella."
I quirked an eyebrow as she turned the magazine, page after page. "Are you really looking at each page that fast?"
She nodded in reply. We sat in silence for a few minutes and she made it through roughly one and a half magazines before slamming her current one shut. "Bella, can I ask you a question?"
I looked up, sensing something was wrong. "You know you can, Alice."
Alice's eyes looked down, "Are you mad at me for bringing Jasper here?"
My eyes widened, "No, Alice! You have to know how happy I am for you two."
She stared at me intently for a few moments, "You mean that? You're really happy for me? For us?"
I smiled, trying to relay my sincerity. "I promise I mean that. I want to get to know Jasper more and hear all the details. I feel like I haven't heard anything and I thought at this point you would be shoving wedding details down my throat," I teased her.
Alice laughed, "That's probably why I'm so stressed; I haven't had a chance to bombard you with details. You've just been distant and I didn't want to upset you if you were going through something…" Her voice was full of worry and it tugged at my heart.
"I think maybe I am going through something, Al, but I know I need you. And I know I need to hear all of the itty bitty details, as well," I responded, smiling widely. "How about we spend the day browsing everything wedding and then the three of us have a dinner tonight so I can really talk with you and Jasper?"
"Perfect idea!" Alice perked up, and a small part of me felt that she had played me with her sad eyes and worried voice, but I knew she had been genuine for the most part.
An hour later, Alice and I were at a very exclusive wedding boutique that we had somehow managed to snag an appointment at. AKA Alice had made the appointment long before asking me if I wanted to go. I sat there sipping a mimosa while Alice impatiently flipped through a magazine, waiting for them to bring out the first batch of dresses.
Finally, two women rolled in a rack with at least five dresses, the majority was puffed out with layers of tulle. I knew immediately that none were to Alice's taste. She slyly made a face to me but still stood and examined them all before sending the girls away.
She plopped back into her seat and I tried to distract her from her disappointment. "I think Royal needs to go to the groomers soon," I said, knowing any mention of our dog brought a smile to her face.
Alice sighed, "Okay, I'll make an appointment."
I guess that didn't work. "Why don't you tell me how Jasper proposed again?" I said, smiling when I saw her perk up and turn to face me.
Alice, with a gigantic smile, started, "Well, we had only met just a few weeks before because he worked at the office that hired me, right? So I could tell that he was nervous about something when we went to dinner that night, but I had no idea he was going to propose!" Alice paused, smiling, and I thought about how she was the only person who could be brought on as an interior decorator only to fall in love and eventually marry a lawyer from the practice that hired her. "Anyway, he took me to the rooftop of this restaurant and there were candles and a man playing a piano! It was so simple but I loved it." I smiled widely back at my friend, happy that a proposal that she considered "simple" made her swoon.
We kept discussing what her image for the wedding was as Alice perused through more dresses, but none seemed to be exactly what she had in mind. We made an appointment to come back another time before heading out to our favorite tea place.
After we had ordered our tea, we sat down in overstuffed chairs, waiting for the pot of tea to be brought out. Alice's mood had completely turned around and she seemed to be buzzing with wedding excitement. When our tea came, we had been bantering back and forth over bridesmaids dresses but settled into a comfortable silence as we sipped from the porcelain cups. I was growing accustomed to the strange, earthy green tea blend when I noticed Alice's wide eyes over her cup. I rolled my eyes playfully, "Yes, Alice?"
She put down her cup, "Oh, nothing…just wondering when you're going to tell me more about that guy."
I rolled my eyes even harder, "How long exactly have you been waiting to ask me about him?"
Alice smiled impishly, "Since this morning."
I gasped, "I knew you had an ulterior motive!"
Giggling now, Alice said, "I know you knew but you loved me enough to go along with my plan! And I really meant all the other things I said!"
I sat quietly, tapping my fingers against the table, drawing out the silence.
Alice pouted at me, "Oh, come on! Didn't we have fun today?"
"I suppose, but you should have been straightforward with me!"
Alice clasped her hands in front of hers, "I promise straightforwardness from here forth. Now talk! Please."
I sat back in my chair, crossing my arms and wondering how I was going to relay to Alice what had occurred between Edward and I without sounding like I had lost my ability to make a logical decision. I found that I couldn't, so I just started talking. I told her about how I had first seen him across the street and how he had just been there when I was leaving work. I told her how I essentially knew nothing about him but his name, which he himself seemed uncertain of, yet I nearly allowed him to walk home with me.
After I spoke, I found that I couldn't meet Alice's eyes because I was worried about the judgment that was more likely than not prevalent in her eyes.
Alice was slow to respond. "So you don't know where he works or what he does or if his name really even is Edward?"
I nodded slowly, "Yep, you've got it right".
Alice pursed her lips, "And I'm not supposed to think you've lost it whatsoever, correct?"
I groaned, "Alice, please just trust me. I think he could be okay. I don't think he seemed that crazy even though you're making him sound very, very unstable. Just let me enjoy seeing him, if I ever even see him again…" I trailed off, mildly annoyed with Alice for interrupting the other day.
Alice had a smug look on her face, "Ah, so that's why we were so upset at the coffee shop."
I ignored her, continuing, "I know that this all seems very un-Bella like, but I think that's what I need. I'm in a slump."
Alice gasped, "You are not in a slump!"
"I am in a slump but I think it's okay because at least I'm doing something about it, right?"
Alice crossed her arms and sat back in her seat. "I suppose you're right… just promise you'll be careful with this guy?"
I smiled, pleased that I had come clean to Alice and received her blessing. We spent the rest of the afternoon drinking tea and chatting about the wedding, each of us becoming more and more excited. I didn't bring up my anxiety over finding a new roommate just yet.
Alice and I decided, upon arriving at the apartment, to relax and watch a movie before the three of us went out for the night. However, Jasper rushed into the room, happy to tell Alice that an apartment they (read: Alice) were eager to view. I was mildly disappointed but I urged them to go, not wanting to break the happy mood we had been in all day.
Once Jasper and Alice left, I tried to distract myself by planning out what I would wear for the night, but I couldn't focus. Instead, I felt all of the sanity I had gained back earlier in the day dissipate as I called all of the shops around the store, asking if an Edward worked there. Not a one had an employee that went by Edward or any variation of the name.
After that plan had failed, I decided to check online; maybe if we had a friend in common I would be able to find him. Nothing.
I felt crazed but I couldn't stop. I twisted Alice's hesitant blessing into words of encouragement and felt like I had no choice but to put my shoes back on and head back to the store. With enough luck, and I really meant all the luck in the world, there was a chance of bumping into him.
I locked the door behind me and quickly walked to the bus, hoping it would be there soon. A fifteen-minute ride later, I was once again fast-walking to the shop, at once becoming excited and trying to calm myself. What if he wasn't there? What if he was and he didn't remember me? What would I even say? I wasn't sure exactly what I was getting myself into but I knew that I had to keep walking.
Finally, I reached the front of the store and felt my stomach tighten when I realized that there was no way he would be there because there was no reason for him to be. I didn't know how I convinced myself that I could be interesting to him. He had probably just been bored and wasted time with me.
I walked to the side of the store and sat down on the steps, trying to catch my breath and stop sweating so much. I felt gross and discouraged.
Suddenly, I heard a trash can lid hit the ground and I jumped, startled. I figured some stray cat had knocked the lid over but when I looked up, my eyes locked with a pair that was bright and surprised and very green.
Edward laughed, "Woops."
I could feel how wide my eyes were yet I was unable to do anything but stare at him. "Edward? You're right there…"
He laughed again, "I am right here. You're the one that hasn't been here."
I smiled shyly, trying to hide the excitement it caused me knowing that he noticed I wasn't there, "I've had the past couple of days off and I wasn't sure how to reach you. I looked online and called the stores but I couldn't find you," I rambled, feeling my cheeks burn when I realized how creepy I sounded.
Edward only smiled at me, "You're blushing again. I've missed that."
His sincerity relaxed me and I felt my blush slowly fade from my cheeks. I was satisfied when I learned that he had been looking for me and there was a part of me that wanted to go home and call it a day. However, I was emboldened when I realized he looked genuinely pleased that I was right there in front of him. I had won all of the luck I had so wished for earlier and decided right then I couldn't waste it.
"Edward, do you want to go to a movie or something with me? I promise none of my friends will interrupt this time." I looked up at him from under my lashes, feeling shy suddenly.
"There's nothing more I'd like to do right now, Bella. What's a, uh, movie exactly?" Edward asked, suddenly the shy one.
I anxiously and loosely gripped his forearm, leading him to the movie theater. "I'll explain while we walk." We smiled at each other and walked on and I suddenly felt so light, all of my worries from earlier falling away from me one by one.
