Ch. 4 Be My Escape

It had been a few days since the ride home with Edward. Alice didn't ask what happened but I knew she wanted to know. She was getting anxious. She would look at me expectantly every time she saw me. But when I never said anything new or about the ride, she would get frustrated with me and go over to Jasper's. I had spent a lot of alone time in my room the last couple days.

My last class on Thursday finally ended and I headed back to my dorm. Alice was there working on what seemed to be another design for one of her classes. She wanted to go into fashion design and was always doodling new clothing ideas. She gave me the same look she had been giving me all week. I would just stare back and shrug. She reacted differently this time though. Instead of leaving she kept looking at me.

"What?" I asked.

"What do you mean "what" You know what I have been waiting for, and it is taking too long." She was angry. Alice hated not getting her way. I pitied Jasper for always having to deal with it.

"You really want to know that badly? Even though you know that if anything big happened I would have told you already." I put my book bag on my bed and started unpacking it.

Alice got out of her chair and sat on my bed. "If you don't tell me tonight I will call and ask him myself." She stated. "You have left me waiting three days. That is long enough."

"Calm down. I told you there is nothing to tell." I said quickly. She is not a person who gives empty threats.

She grabbed the bag I was unpacking. "Hey what are you doing?" I yelled as she ran across the room and searched through it. "Give me my bag back."

"I am only doing this to help you Bella. Well, mostly…but still" She finally found what she was look for, my cell phone.

"You wouldn't?" She began dialing. "Alice, give me my phone back." I lunged for it and missed. She then ran to the other side of the room

"It's ringing"

"Alice, give me the phone!"

She gave me a creepy smirk and said, "Okay" She then threw me the phone and I caught it. Why would she give in to my demand now? Then I heard "Hello? Bella?" and I understood. His voice was as velvety smooth as it always was. I had to ignore it. Crap what was I going to say. Alice mouthed, "Say hello!"

"Hey. Its Bella." I closed my eyes, scrunched my face and then bit my lip in embarrassment.

"I am so pleased you called." His velvety voice replied.

I thought quickly about something to say. "I told you we needed a Back to The Future Night, right?" Alice glared at me when I said that. I guess she found that to be something important that I didn't tell her. My voice sounded weird though. It was nerve-racking to talk to him. Why?

"I was going to call tomorrow. I didn't want to wait any longer." He chuckled. His voice was so confident. It bugged me.

"Yeah, well I have been busy. You know homework and such. But anyway about the Back to the Future Day…" I tried to keep it light.

"Is this call to tell me you can never do it or are we making plans?" He interrupted with the same confidence as before.

A strange feeling came over me during this conversation. I bet my voice was reflecting it. Part of me was excited to do this, but another part of me wanted to run screaming in the other direction. I don't know if I could do this. This same phone call was familiar. It's strange how something can be so similar yet the feelings about it can be so different.

FLASHBACK

"Call him back Bella!" Alice said and she couldn't sit still anymore.

"Okay, okay." I was as excited as she was. I dialed the number slowly. It rang for what seemed like forever yet it was so little time.

"Hello? Bella?" said a husky voice. I loved that voice.

I blushed. "Hey Jacob. I wanted to return your call from yesterday." I said casually, like I did not like him at all. But my voice was shaking a little from being nervous. Alice was beaming at me. I winked at her.

"Oh great! So are we going out or what?" He said confidently. I loved his confidence. It made me feel like I could be as sure of myself as he was. My voice began to steady.

"Of course. I just wanted to know when." I couldn't stop smiling. I could talk to him forever. I knew I was falling and I loved it.

"Tomorrow work for you?"

"Yeah of course. What were you thinking?"

"Does lunch and maybe a movie sound good?" He asked.

"Definitely." There was a silence. "So what did you do today?" We talked for an hour after that.

END FLASHBACK

Alice looked at me quizzically with concern. I met her eyes before I answered his previous question. I must have a strange expression from my short flashback. I quickly looked away from her. She couldn't know that he still came into my mind like that.

"No this is to set up a date no not a date. I mean a movie day." My breathing was uneven and my mind was foggy. My voice had a tinge of sadness throughout the rest of our conversation. I couldn't shake the feeling my memory gave me.

"What are you doing tomorrow?" He asked.

"I just have one class from 12 to 12:50. Then I am free"

"Lunch then movies at around 1:30. Would you like to meet at Donahue Café?"

"Yeah sounds great. I will see you then." I said.

"See you then."

There was a moment of silence. Should we keep talking or end our conversation? "Well I have work to do. So I will talk to you later. Bye." I said and ended the conversation.

"Goodnight" was all he said and then I hung up the phone.

I turned around for the first time to look at Alice. I avoided her during the whole rest of our conversation to make it easier on myself. Her face was the same, full of concern.

"Are you okay?" She asked. All her previous agitation was gone

"Yeah, I am fine." I lied. "Just tired. I think I am going to get ready for bed or just read for awhile."

"You don't have to do this if you really don't want to. I was just pushing because I thought it was best but…"

I cut her off. "No, I want to do it. You're right I need to." Now that the Pandora box is open it can't be shut.

I decided on reading because I couldn't sleep. My mind would not turn off. I had too many thoughts to process. I could barely focus on the book I was reading. I read this book before but I still had to re-read pages multiple times. After about an hour of that I gave up. I only read 30 pages and that was nothing. Alice was already sleeping so I turned off my light and tried to do the same.

I spent the entire night staring at the ceiling and drifting in and out of consciousness. All the memories that I had pushed so far out of my mind were now flooding back and they were too hard to handle, but even harder to push them back. I most likely only got three hours of sleep that night.

I woke up two hours early and decided to just stay awake. I wasn't going to sleep anyway. I took a shower, got dressed, and put all my stuff together. Instead of waiting around until I usually left, I just left. I know Alice would be disappointed that she did not get to doll me up but I think she will understand after what I looked like last night. I know she said she believed my lie but I knew she didn't. She has been my friend too long to fall for "I'm tired." But she also knew that I would tell her the truth eventually, when I was ready.

It was fairly nice outside as I left the dorm. I took a seat by the building my class was in. It was too beautiful of a day to waste it sitting inside. I took my sketchbook out and started to draw to pass my time. I began to draw whatever I saw in front of me. Before I knew it an hour had passed and three full pages in my sketchbook were full. They were places. Not the places in front of me but places I had been a long time ago. I thought I would have forgotten most of the detail but by the look of my drawings, I remembered more then I thought.

My class was starting in a few minutes. I gathered my belongings and headed to my Math class. It was dull and boring because I knew everything. But I could use the time to relax. The class went by incredibly fast. Each minute flew by, which meant I was that much closer to meeting Edward Cullen for lunch. Each minute my stomach contained more butterflies. Each minute went by quicker than the last. Each minute I regretted my decision. I wanted to face my past and it seemed only he could help, but I was afraid at the same time. My mind rolled over all the possibilities of today. Then class ended and my fate awaited.

I made my way slowly to Donahue. Yet I got there five minutes faster than I normally do. I was a block away when I saw him waiting outside the building for me. I could just run and not see him. He wouldn't try again if I stood him up. I don't think he would at least. This was my life, running when I should be standing my ground. I knew what I had to do. I just had to work up the nerve to do it. I stood at that corner for 20 minutes, which now made me 10 minutes late. I had debated for 20 minutes. That was it. I was going to act like Alice and be impulsive. Just not think about it. I stopped thinking and I just walked.

"Hey, Edward." I yelled a few feet away.

He looked up and he gave me the most beautiful crooked smile. I tripped but I caught myself. Looks like he still can make me trip over my own feet.

"Hello. I almost thought you were standing me up." He replied. There was a bit of sadness in his eyes.

"Yeah, sorry my class ran late." He wouldn't stop looking at me, well into my eyes. Most guys never had the nerve to stare girls in the eye.

"Hungry?" He asked motioning toward the Café.

"Uh, actually no but if you're hungry we can." There was no way I could eat. My stomach was doing flips from my nerves.

"No, no. I am just fine. This date is all about movies anyway." He said.

"This is not a date." I replied.

"Whatever you want, Bella."

"Alright, then. Shall we go?" He nodded and we walked back to my dorm. Alice would be annoyed she was at class while he was there. This was her long day of classes when she started at nine and didn't end until nine. But who knows how long he would stay.

We walked back and talked. I began to get comfortable with him. It was easy to talk to him, surprisingly. We arrived at my dorm and he felt like a person I had known forever.

"So which do you want to watch first?" I asked.

"Um I don't know. We might as well start with your favorite and do this chronologically. And save the best for last."

"I agree but we should start with the best so we can make sure we see how bad the second is compared to the first." I replied with a smirk. I placed the disk in the DVD player. "Be prepared to change your mind." I said

"I don't think that will happen but we'll see." He replied.

Edward sat in our large chair in our dorm while I sat on my bed. I made popcorn in our microwave because what was a movie without popcorn. As the movie played, I found myself becoming tired. I know I didn't get that much sleep last night, but I had gone on much less sleep before. Each minute my eyelids got heavier and soon I couldn't fight it. I barely made it to the part in the movie where Marty get hits by the car and everything in his life changes. Then what felt like minutes later I awoke to a velvety sounding "Bella?"

I slowly opened my eyes and lifted myself up. It was Edward. I forgot he was here. "Oh, did I fall asleep. I'm sorry. I didn't get much sleep last night." I confessed.

"Oh don't be sorry. I was wondering whether you wanted me to leave so you could get some rest. I waited to see if you would wake up at the end of the movie but you didn't." He sounded so caring like he really was concerned for my wellbeing but now I was awake and wanted to watch movies.

"No, no I am awake now and I still want to prove to you that the first one is better by pointing out flaws in the second one."

"Are you sure? You still look quite tired."

"I am completely sure. Now put in the second movie." I urged

"Okay, if you are sure." He took my movie case and flipped to the page with Back to the Future 2 and put it in. This time I didn't fall asleep. In fact I was completely engaged in the movie. I argued with him over everything that happened.

"See the hover board chase is so much better than the skateboard one in the first one." He said.

"One, no its not. The first chase is more original and two without the first one there would be no hover board chase at all." I stated with complete confidence.

"It doesn't matter whether it happened in the original first. The hover board one is more entertaining to watch. The board hovers and they can travel over water."

"Okay they might be able to do cooler things like go over water but the first one is harder for Marty. He had to be more creative. It is way more fun to watch."

This argument continued every time the hover board was on the screen, which was often. But we did agree that the 3rd was our least favorite of the trilogy.

Nights like that one continued for the next couple weeks. Sometimes we play a new game instead of watching a movie. We would play the game to see who was better. I was better until we finished the Mario games, then he was beating me most of the time. I couldn't really play much else. When we had movie night, we would each pick one movie we thought the other should see and then decide which one was better. Normally we liked what the other person brought, but we liked our pick the most. Then we argued forever trying to convince the other, but we never convinced each other. We were becoming good friends and I liked spending time with him. Tonight however was different. Alice, Jasper, Emmett and Rosalie were joining in a movie night and instead of us picking a movie we let them pick two. Also, we were not in my dorm. Tonight we were going to Edward's apartment off campus. This would be the first time I went to his place. He actually said he preferred going to my dorm instead. But my dorm wasn't big enough for all of us.

Alice, Jasper and I decided to go there together. Jasper picked Alice and me up at the restaurant when our shift ended at 7. I grabbed some leftovers to bring with me as a treat for everyone. We walked to Edward's because he lived extremely close. He lived in one of my favorite parts of the city, right in the riverfront. The views were to die for no matter which apartment you lived in.

"So Bella, how much do you like Edward?" Alice inquired trying to be casual.

"He is just a friend Alice. He is fun to hang with but that is all."

"Right" She said ignoring my statement. Jasper sighed.

"You know Alice people can have friends of the opposite sex without liking each other romantically." Jasper said.

"No, they can't Jasper. As said in when Harry Met Sally, 'Men and women cannot be friends.'" Then she nodded her head like that was all she needed to say.

"So with that logic, Bella, I am in love with you and Alice, interesting." Jasper replied to contradict Alice.

She was now frustrated. "Well that is different you are not single and he is not her best friend's boyfriend. Besides if I found out you liked Bella more than me, you would not like what would happen to you."

Jasper and I ended the conversation there. Alice could be very vindictive and evil when she wanted to be. We walked the next two blocks silently and Jasper put his arm around Alice to prove that he loved her the most. I think he said a few things to her as we walked because I heard her giggle.

As we reached Edward's address our jaws dropped. His apartment building was as nice or nicer than Rosalie and Emmett's. It was an all glass building that reflected the river and it shined. It looked very modern and probably new. He lived on the 14th floor. The Elevators were clear as well. It looked more like a fancy hotel than an apartment building. We reached his floor and his room was to the right at the very end of the hall. He would have a corner apartment. He told me his parents were really rich and that was how Emmett and Edward had such nice places. Their dad was a famous doctor. But they had to pay for day-to-day things so they didn't feel spoiled even though they were. I knocked on the door and I heard a huge thud from the other side. We all looked at each other quizzically. Then Emmett answered the door.

"Hey!" was all he said with a big grin on his face. Then he swooped me up into a huge hug that pulled me off the ground. I couldn't breathe and I was afraid that when he put me down I would not be able to balance myself. He did finally put me back down and I luckily didn't topple over. He then hugged Alice the same way. Jasper had slipped in before Emmett could do the same to him.

I waited until he put Alice down to speak. "Nice to see you again. Oh and I brought leftovers from the restaurant." I said holding up the large brown bag.

Emmett's face grew into an even bigger goofy grin and he swooped me up again. "You are my favorite!" But this time when he put me down I didn't keep my balance and almost fell into Edward's apartment but Edward had just arrived at the door and caught me again before I fell.

"Emmett, why do you insist on picking people up when you hug them? Bella has enough issues staying on her feet." Edward said angrily to his brother. Then he turned his attention to me. "But then again catching you is always fun." He flashed me his brilliant smile and cocked his eyebrow. I melted and I didn't want to move but then I quickly pulled away from him and settled myself.

"Thanks, again for saving me from myself." I said quietly. Then I looked up and noticed Emmett already had the bag of food in his hands. "How did he get that?" I asked.

"He grabbed it before you fell. He thought it was more important, I guess." Edward replied glaring at Emmett.

"Bella would be fine if she fell but who knows what would have been ruined in the bag." He said defensively.

"You would have eaten it anyway" Rosalie interjected. Emmett thought pensively for a moment and then nodded. We all laughed. He was like a child.

"So what are we watching tonight?" I inquired.

Jasper answered first. "Alice and I picked, well Alice picked Casablanca."

"Good choice" Rosalie added. Alice smiled. " I love that movie." All the girls giggled excitedly while the guys groaned.

"What about you Rose? What did you and Emmett pick?" Alice asked.

"Well we thought we should show a movie that Emmett, Edward, and I grew up on. We chose The Sandlot."

"Nice." Jasper said. "Good pick."

"Shall we get started?" I asked.

We watched Casablanca first. The guys were not so into that one but us girls loved it. Alice and I knew it so well we quoted our favorite lines. Even Rosalie joined in. Emmett actually fell asleep but that was probably from the large amount of food he had just ingested. We took a short break between movies to make more popcorn and stretch. Then we started The Sandlot. Everyone but Alice had seen this movie. It was a baseball movie, so Alice would have no interest in it, but I had seen it with my Dad. Emmett sat there and commented on how he wanted a dog like Hercules.

"C'mon you have to agree that dog would be the coolest pet. It can take anyone down. It's more like a bear than a dog. It is kick ass!" Emmett continued.

"We know Emmett. It the greatest thing since cheesecake." Edward said to Emmett sarcastically and rolled his eyes.

Emmett then looked at Edward with a horrified face and said, "Ok dude nothing is greater than cheesecake. We do not joke about the cheesecake. Okay?"

"Right sorry Emmett I forgot."

He still continued on talking about the dog but after awhile, we all ignored him. It was around eleven when our movies ended. Rose was asleep on Emmett on a big chair and Jasper and Alice were cuddled on Edward's love seat, which left me and Edward on one end of his couch.

"Hey do you want to go for a walk. Give them some couple time?" I leaned over and whispered to Edward. He nodded.

I waved goodbye to Alice, Jasper and Emmett. Emmett almost got up to hug me but I stopped him. "No stay I will be back. Besides you'll wake Rose." He stayed put and winked at me thankfully. He then rubbed rose hair to keep her asleep and comfortable. He was a big goof but he cared for her. It was cute.

Edward and I walked to the elevator. "So where are we walking to?" He asked raising one eyebrow.

"Well, I have a spot near here I like to go. It's one of my favorite places in the city. Would you like to go there?" I asked.

"I would very much like to go there." He replied with his crooked smile. I really like that smile.

The place I liked was only a few blocks. A lot of local artists like to go there and paint. It was a little park on the Chicago River. It had pretty views of the river and Chicago skylines. I went there when I needed to think or when I wanted to escape. I would look at what the artists were drawing and just sit on the grassy hill and relax. It was peaceful.

We walked there slowly just enjoying each other's company. It was nice. The night was a bit cold. Winter was finally setting in.

"So where are we going?" He asked.

"It's the little park near the river. I love it there. They sometimes call it artist's park. People go there to draw the skyline and the other people in the park."

"Oh I have never been there."

"Well you have to. You live in this city, you should know these places."

"Ok then. I am glad that you are showing this to me." He sounded sincere. It was nice to hear that tone of voice.

We got there a few minutes later. We continued talking on our way. I walked down the stairs to get closer to the water. I grew silent looking at the moon and the buildings reflected in the water. It looked amazing. I almost forgot Edward was there.

"So this is the greatest place in the city?" He inquired.

"Mm hmm." I didn't look at him. I continued to gaze at the water.

I could feel him staring at me again. He had not done that in awhile. But it's hard to stare when someone is gloating that you lost at a game or arguing which movie is best.

"Why is it you're favorite.?" He asked. He seemed curious.

"I don't know exactly. There are better views than this, your brother's apartment for example but this place is like a second home to me. I always come here. I come here to escape and to just be free for a little while. There are no worries here. People just sit and draw and they can feel that life is okay and all they need is to do what they love. I don't know. That sounds ridiculous probably but I still love it here."

"You're absurd." He said. "You are not being ridiculous at all. Everyone needs there place to escape and this happens to be yours. It works for you."

His answer made me feel like this truly was a wonderful place and not just some dumb park I go to. He just had a way of making me feel good about myself, and the things I did. It was refreshing. "Thank you…So where do you escape to?" I asked.

He thought for a moment. "Well it is my piano. When I play it is like I am the only one alive and that music is all that matters. "

"You know I still have never heard you play."

"Well next time we are at my place or Emmett's I will play. We both have pianos. Actually, I am working on something new. Hopefully it will be done when you want me to play for you."

I smiled. I couldn't help it. The past few weeks had been amazing. I was glad Alice had made me call him. He was a good friend. Now, I could hang around with him while Alice and Jasper had date nights, instead of doing more homework that wasn't due for weeks.

We stayed on the riverfront for a couple of hours. We actually would have stayed longer and continued talking if it wasn't for Alice calling me.

"That was Alice. She has an early shift so we should get back." I said sadly. Again I didn't want to leave.

"Oh alright. I am truly happy you took me here. This was nice."

We began walking away from the water. "I am happy I brought you too. I normally don't bring people here but I thought why not. I never come here at night anyway." I was beginning to trust him, not much but a little, a little more each day.

I was about to head up the steps but he grabbed my arm. "Wait." He said. "Before we go and become surrounded by our friends I want to tell you something."

"Okay." I said confused and I turned to look at him.

"I was wondering whether, maybe, you might…are you busy tomorrow?" He said and smiled his crooked smile.