Hello!!
MERRY CHRISTMAS ALL!!!!
I'm so sorry for the momentary time without chapters. I seriously hope that you guys haven't lost faith in this story…I'll give you this long, well, in my opinion, chapter as my apology...
My deepest apologies to Ranaz, I hope you get this, I'm sorry I wasn't able to get this fast enough and thank you for the words of encouragement.
Lately, I've been reading a lot of stories and they've all inspired me to keep pushing on.
I actually really wanted to get this chapter out sooner…but I concentrated a bit on my newest story, Oh Papa! LOL.
Anyway, I dedicate this chapter to twilightsun01 and maryssamcfadden, you guys rule :)
Have you guys seen New Moon?? AWE-SOME. Surprise ending, but it was WAY better than Twilight, agree?? Well….I'd really like to know your personal opinions, so PM me or leave a comment. You guys are amazing.
Anyway, back to business. Bella has had her checkup and her diagnosis is…well….a secret *chuckles*, you'll figure out as the story progresses. Edward found the day unbearable and well…Alice…was being Alice : D. Let's see what happens when Bella gets back to school.
Bella's POV
It felt awkward to go back to school. Nobody seemed to notice I was gone, but yet, who ever noticed me? I tucked a loose strand to hair behind my ears to proceeded to walk towards the library and to my study carrel. I sat down and opened my text book, reading over the lectures that were included in the test today in Trig. I felt a hand tap my shoulder and saw that Alice had a study carrel right beside mine. She smiled and handed me a cup of coffee. I smiled back and she sat down next to me.
"Good Morning Bella" she said cheerily, getting out her notebook and pen. "So, how was yesterday's check-up?" she added, she was inconspicuously asking for details? She actually cares, a voice inside my head told me. I smiled kindly and took a sip of the coffee.
"It was okay" I said, a poker face on. She saw through my mask and held my free hand; I put down my coffee and looked down.
"Bella, what happened?" she asked, gently squeezing my hand. I looked up at her with teary eyes. The hot tears were sliding down my cheeks, they sting my eyes. Alice quickly wiped my tears with her handkerchief. "Bella, what happened?" she said, again.
"I…I…I…" I said, stuttering. "…" I tried speaking again, but the tears overwhelmed me. I cried again, Alice holding me. I unleashed all the tears I was holding back, all the misery that I felt, everything. I released it all. Not like last night, that was just because I was upset, but these tears were a mixture of everything: pain, sadness, self-pity and… release. (A/N:: Bella is a tad bit emotional today, but she has her reasons)
"Shh…Bella. It's okay…." Alice said, hugging me. "You don't have to tell me now, you just tell me when you're ready, okay?" she said, patting my arm and wiping my tears away. "Let's go to class" she said, after a moment of silence passed us.
"Alice?" I said, as we fixed our things.
"Yes?" she said, her eyes brimming with concern.
"Thank you" I said, smiling as we walked to class.
Our schedules were almost the same today; we both had Spanish IV with Señora Gomez. She was a kind teacher, barely in her 30s, but she was very astute and was loved by all her students. Alice sat beside me in this class. Francine Digby regarded us or more like me, with a scoff, Francine or Fran as her friends called her, had fiery red hair that was always arranged into small, wavy curls. She was part of the popular clique with Tanya and Lauren. Fran, being just as antagonistic as the two, was a famous model for Versace, she was a trendsetter and always at the peak of the fashion plate. She always thought of me as beneath her, she never bothered talking to me, only when she and the queen bees made fun of me.
Today, however, she approached me, well…Alice after class and she had plastered on a nice, white smile.
"Hey, Alice Cullen, right?" she asked, her eyes twinkling. She looked sideways, to peek at me, staring at me with a look that said 'Get out'.
"Yes, that's me." Alice said, sighing. Alice told me today that she was sick of everybody pretending to be her friend just because she was Edward's sister.
"Well…" Fran said, launching into a conversation with Alice, Alice remained passive, nodding along and answering at the right times. I stared off, feeling like an intruder. A familiar bronze head passed the classroom door. With my ulterior motive in check, I excused myself from the two and went outside, in hope of speaking to Edward alone. I walked in the hallway, looking for him. I was slinking in through the masses people. I looked in vain and finally I stopped at my locker, frowning, a finger tapped my shoulder and I spun around to face Edward. My heart pounded at our closeness, my breathing raced and my lungs struggled to keep up.
"Hhhhi" I said, stuttering and biting my lip. We were still close against each other, I moved to the side, in front of a Physics classroom.
"Hey" he said, flashing a dazzling smile. "So…umm…why did you leave unexpectedly yesterday?" he said, leaning against the locker.
"Doctor's appointment", I said flatly, expressing no emotion whatsoever, I tried to keep a poker face on. I couldn't show much emotion, 'cause I felt the tears were coming and it was stinging my eyes. I hoped he would change the topic already.
"Oh", he said, looking down and running long, white fingers in his hair.
Edward's POV
The doctor's?!? A small voice inside of me told me that something was wrong. I went against my better judgment and didn't ask, I didn't want to pry at all. I changed the topic at once. Although, I saw from the corner of my eye an uncomfortable note on Bella.
"Anyway, you sort of missed some things yesterday," I said, changing the topic quickly.
"Oh really??" she said, sighing and looking down. Think up something, FAST, my brain told me. I wracked my brain for some sort of a topic that would lighten the tense atmosphere. I got it!
"Uhm…. You left your notebook at school yesterday when you left" I said, rummaging in my bag for the purple notebook.
"Oh my gosh! Thank you so much!" Bella said, hugging me for a moment. It felt good to be in her sweet embrace, held by her soft hands and arms. I wished that time would, right then and there that time would stop for me. It wasn't meant to be though, as she quickly processed what had happened. She let go quickly, biting her lip hard and looking down again. I brushed away the long brown strands of hair from her face and tilted her face up.
"I'm so sorry", she said, stuttering. " I don't know what came over me and I…I…I…" she said. I cut her off by placing a finger to her lips.
"It's okay" I said, murmuring to her. "It felt comforting, don't you think?" I said, dropping my voice to just a whisper…
"It did feel good" she said, her voice equally soft. I held her hands and looked into her brown eyes.
"I missed you yesterday" I said finally, looking down.
"I missed you too" she said, blushing…I put a hand to her cheek.
"You're blush is beautiful" I said, stroking her cheek.
I hoped that I wasn't moving too fast, but I don't know, it just felt right.
The bell rang, telling us to get to class. I took my hand away from her cheek and settled for entwining it with mine. I love the way her soft hand fit into mine.
She had Gym this period and I had Physics, I walked with her in a comfortable silence towards the Gym and she sighed as we reached our destination.
"I…uhh…well" she said, stuttering and biting her lip. I smiled and winked at her.
"I'll see you at lunch?" I said shyly, looking down. Courageous Edward, where are you? She laughed and tilted my chin up.
"Of course" she said, giggling and running inside.
With that, I ran towards Building 2 and into the Physics Classroom, a class I had with Alice. She looked at me knowingly and had a playful little smirk on her face.
"Where have YOU been?" she asked playfully as I sat down. "You and Bella are so cute together" she gushed.
"Alice" I sighed, "You haven't been spying again, have you?" I said, smiling and looking down.
"I'm serious Eddie 'ol pal, I like her for you" she said again, in a more serious tone.
"Don't call me Eddie, lil' pixie" I said, laughing.
The class started and I drifted off to think about Bella again. She was so kind and considerate, I was very fortunate to have met her. I imagined the fun lunch that was to come, I imagined her laughing at a joke that I would tell, the smile in her eyes and joy I would feel after making her smile.
A basketball hit me then, right smack in the face.
"Oww" I said, silently cussing under my breath.
"Yo Cullen!! Where's your game, man?" A boy named Tyler asked.
"Dude, you okay?" A boy, Mike asked, jogging over to me.
"Yeah, man" I said, getting up and sitting on the bleachers in the Gym for a while.
WHOA!!! REWIND!!!
I was in Gym Class?!?!?!?!?!?
I realized that I had to snap out of my day-dreams, I threw myself into the game with more force than necessary, scoring 10 points. I gave all my concentration to the game, shocking all those who said 'where's your game?' I smiled in triumph as my team won, leading by 15 points.
After escaping the numerous hi-5s, I half-ran to the locker rooms. IT WAS ALMOST LUNCHTIME!!!
I was on my way when Tanya blocked my way.
"Eddie!!" she squealed. I hate that nickname, if I could, I would've been steaming by now.
"Tanya" I said through my teeth. She giggled unnecessarily and slapped my arm. She too hadn't changed into her normal clothes. She wasn't sweaty surprisingly; maybe she was too much of a pampered princess to even move. I laughed internally at that and put on a straight face to be at least half-way civil towards her.
"Oh Edward, you were so good up there playing basketball" she said, running a hand across my arm. Resist puking, I told myself. It's a good thing Mom taught me how to be a gentleman. I heard the lunch bell ring just then. LUNCHTIME!!!! YES!!! I get to be with Bella, I grinned evilly to myself. Now, all I had to do was to ditch Tanya.
"Umm, I really have somewhere to go" I said, trying to politely maneuver past her. She grinned a sickly sweet smile.
"Edward, why not stay just a little while" she purred. She leant in closer, I choked back the string of profanities I had lined up. ...LUNCH.
Just then, a nasally voice interrupted the two of us, and the clacking of the heels, which was unbearable, I might add.
"TANYA!!!!!!TANYA, GUESS WHAT?" she said, running across the Gym. She almost tripped too, I choked back laughter and hid my smile.
"WHAT IS IT LAUREN? I'm in the middle of something" Tanya shouted back, okay, I wasn't her biggest fan either, but hey, aren't they supposed to be friends?
Nevertheless, I took the chance and I ran into the locker rooms. Mike was still inside and I grinned evilly. Time to do some damage control and get Tanya preoccupied.
"Hey Newton!" I said, marching up to him after I changed clothes. I was putting on my shoes and I was combing my hair, just for Bella.
"Yeah?" he said, looking up from tying his shoe.
"I overheard Tanya Dashford say she likes you" I said, smiling "Nice, man" I added, to fuel his confidence.
"No freaking way!" he exclaimed, kind of like a girl actually. Perfect.
"Go after her, man" I said, patting his shoulder.
"Thanks Edward" he said, jogging over to the door and smiling like a doofus.
Oh yeah, this should keep her preoccupied.
LUNCH!?!?! You should be running now, said a voice in my head shouted, interrupting my evil reverie. I sprinted to the lunch building and I caught up with Bella as she entered.
"Hey there, stranger" I said, whispering into her ear. I was aware and I'm sure she was too of our very close proximity. I felt the air electrocute me, I was aware of her every breath, the rise and fall of her chest as she breathed. I stroked her hand across my cheek and she smiled at me, her brown eyes shining.
"Hi" she said shyly, a blush creeping on her cheeks. She dropped her hand and I frowned, her confidence faltered. She looked down. No way was I having that! I tilted her chin up and smiled at her. [A/N: UNFAIR EDWARD!! Isn't it cute though? I need fluff in this chapter :)]
"How was class Bella?" I said, dropping my hand to grab her bag from her, after much persuading though. I held her hand and we walked into the cafeteria together.
"It was okay, a little boring though" she admitted, smiling at me. We passed several people on our way inside of course, we encountered several people staring at our entwined hands, Bella seemed flustered, but I couldn't care less. I was with her. "How about your morning?" she said, as we neared the lunch lines.
"Utterly and completely boring" I said, winking at her. From here, we could see Alice from here, waving at us like a lunatic. "Go away", I mouthed to her. She narrowed her eyes for a fraction of a second and continued waving madly.
"Go ahead" I told Bella. "I'll get us some food and maybe Alice too" I said mischievously.
"My bag, here, I'll take it", she said, trying to get her bag from me.
"I'll manage Bella, go ahead" I said, smiling as I went off.
Bella's POV
This is just…WOW. I absolutely love this day.
We, me and Edward, connected on levels past our imaginations. Our closeness earlier brought shivers down my spine, it made me tingle every time he touched me. I was smiling all over the place now, maybe, just maybe, the Cullens were meant to come into my life. Speaking of the Cullens, I faced one right now, Alice Cullen. EDWARD!!!The sneak!! He left me to face Alice, alone!! That's why!! I grimaced before walking forward to where Alice was.
"Bellllllaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa…………" she cooed, Alice was practically jumping in her seat. She looked pretty in her black turtleneck which she paired with a semi-tight cream skirt, her black high heels looked extremely cute but highly lethal to klutz like me.
I huffed and smiled at her. WAIT!!! What would she feel about this?? How would she react?? I had taken a liking to her brother who I had known for 1 day?!?! I frowned slightly and slowed her down, stopping whatever statement she just had.
"Alice…is this okay with you?" I asked, suddenly embarrassed, "I mean, I don't want you to be uncomfortable with you, I…." Alice cut me off with a tinkling laugh.
"Bella, you're perfect for Edward. I couldn't be any happier for you two" she said, flashing a grin. "We can be great friends and sisters…don't worry, if Edward breaks your heart, I swear to God, I'll kill him myself" she added, winking.
I laughed out loud at this. Edward came just then, amused by my casualness with Alice.
"Having fun?" he asked, giving me that breathtaking smile of his. A raised an eyebrow at him and winked.
"Tons" I said, and he chuckled. He obviously saw that I figured his strategy to get our food was just a ruse to save him from Alice's interrogation.
He sat down, setting the tray down, I saw him put down the bags in a chair and sighed contently. I was wedged in the middle of him and Alice. I stage-whispered as he caught me eyeing the chocolate pudding appreciatively, he leaned in and whispered into my ear, his breath making the hairs behind my back tingle.
"Wait Bella, don't get any food yet. Who knows what'll happen if Alice doesn't get her chocolate pudding" he said, chuckling. Alice narrowed her eyes. He carefully was reaching out to grab the only packet of chocolate pudding from the tray discreetly. Unfortunately, Alice's fast eyes saw this and playfully slapped his hand, grabbing the packet and spoon quickly.
"Why thank you Edward!" she exclaimed sarcastically, smacking him on the head, laughing. I laughed too and he reached for her to ruffle her hair. Sighing, he took the plate with pizza on it from the tray and pushed it toward us and handed me a slice, as the pizza was mere inches from my open mouth, I heard Alice sigh in delight.
"Mmmmm…this chocolate pudding is so good. I'm lucky to be eating it" she said, spooning some into her mouth. I chuckled at this and saw Edward, a mischievous glint in his eye.
"Why I oughta!! That does it little sister!" he said, standing up and tickling her. She laughed out loud and I noticed their obvious closeness, they didn't care that they were in public, right now it was just them having sibling bonding time.
Nobody even looked; the cafeteria was bustling so everybody was wrapped in their own worlds to notice. I heard a booming laugh join mine and I looked to the back to see a burly looking teen, with two blondes with him. He had dark curly hair and dimples as he chuckled at Edward and Alice.
Edward and Alice stopped and Alice ran over to the brawny guy and ruffled his hair.
"Big bro!" she squealed.
"Hey Emmett" Edward said, walking over to smack fists with this 'Emmett'. Emmett looked at me questioningly.
"Emmett, we want you to meet Bella" Alice said, cutting in.
"Bella, this is Emmett, our big brother", Edward said.
"Hhhi" I said weakly. I stuck out my hand and smiled slightly "Nice to meet you" I said shyly.
He looked at me curiously, sizing me up, if you will. I could feel the beads of sweat forming on my forehead and I used one hand to push up my glasses. I stared blankly for a minute, gauging his reaction.
Would he approve of me as his sibling's new friend?
~~~CHAPTER ENDS~~~
Another cliffhanger for you guys. But this is probably a no-brainer anyway **chuckle**
I hope you guys have a wonderful vacation and I hope you're all well….
Are Edward and Bella going too fast??
Or is this fluff worth the speed??
Leave a review and I'll gladly answer.