A/N- Hey everyone! So, here's the next chapter! I'm going to be gone all weekend for a school event, so I'd be more than ecstatic if I come home to a crap load of reviews! And remember reviews=sneak peaks (if you have an account)… So please, enjoy the story!
Considering Charlie and I did not have a very close relationship, I was able to avoid most questions about my weekend. I told him that it went well the time he did ask and he seemed satisfied enough. I retreated back to my room and sat on the bed, wondering what the next step in my relationship with Edward would be. I mean, I still have about six months until I graduated from high school so it would be hard for me to see him, but I was sure we would. Then when I went to school at Dartmouth hopefully, I'll be able to see Edward a bit more freely. Of course, this all depends on if I get in since the acceptance letters have yet to come out and if Edward remained out of the police's grasp. When I returned to school, the people had moved on from my wardrobe change to one of the freshman dating a senior. I began to become more and more comfortable in the clothes that Alice had bought me. I still thought they were too ornate and expensive, but considering she had thrown everything else out, I had no other choice. Lauren and Jessica were still acting like they were my best friends and Mike continued to ask me out since he thought I was just playing with him.
Alice and Jasper were able to come a few more weekends, while Emmett also came to visit. I have to say it was the best when Emmett came because he just wanted to have fun and didn't drag me shopping. Rosalie wouldn't come, which I guess I could understand, but it was probably for the best. I was still waiting anxiously for Edward's visits, although those were the fewest since this was the one place he had been caught. When he did come, he usually had Alice pick me up and he would be at his safe house waiting.
When none of the Cullens were in Forks, I'd watch the news to know where they were. They had robbed a few more banks and had once again escaped police capture. I held my breath every time and silently celebrated when the police were forced to admit that they had not captured any of the Cullens. Of course, Charlie had vocally cursed the Cullens. He was still sore about the fact Edward had gotten away and I'm sure that if he had known I was "with" Edward he would throw a bigger fit. Edward had been forced to get a few new phones, but I would always be sent his number or a new phone with his new number in it. There were also the occasional gifts from Edward (which I always insisted were too much) and the occasional packages of new clothes from Alice (which I also insisted were too much).
It was mid April and I had just returned home from school. I was surprised that Charlie's cruiser was already sitting in the driveway when I pulled up. I grabbed my backpack and hoped that he hadn't checked the mail and if he had there was nothing from Edward or Alice in there. I checked the mailbox just in case I was lucky, but of course it was empty. So I walked inside, not surprised to find Charlie already relaxed and sitting on the couch with a beer.
"Hey Dad." I said.
"Hey Bells. There's something for you in the mail." Charlie said. He said it so casually, as though whatever came in the mail was from Renee. I walked over to the mail pile in the kitchen and was surprised to see a brown envelope. The corner said it was from Dartmouth and I tore the top in it.
"I got in!" I yelled. Charlie had moved from his seat and was standing in the doorway to the kitchen.
"I knew you would." Charlie said, giving me a quick hug before backing up and rubbing his hands on his jeans. "Um, we'll need to look at student loans and you'll need to start looking for scholarships. We have enough saved up for your first year, but after that we'll need help."
"Of course, I'll go start applying. Of course, I have to go tell Mom first." I said.
"Go ahead, I'm sure she's waiting for your call." Charlie said.
I grabbed my backpack and rushed up to my room, my acceptance letter in my hand. I smiled as I bounced on the bed, still giddy with the news. The phone call with my mom was a lot of screaming and congratulations, which I expected from Renee. Of course she also wanted to take me shopping for everything I'd need in my dorm room and she wanted to buy my first semester's books. I promised I'd call her when I figured out my summer schedule and we could plan everything. After the phone call with mom I quickly sent Edward a text asking him to call me as soon as he could. Once that text was sent, I sent one to Alice telling her the news.
I knew you'd get in! ~A
Of course she would and of course she wouldn't tell me if I was going to or not. I don't know why she liked surprising me so much, but I guess there's nothing I could do about it. As soon as I received Alice's text, my phone started playing Midnight Rider by the Allman Brothers.
"Guess what." I said.
"Hello to you too and what?" Edward asked.
"I got in! I got into Dartmouth!" I squeeled. For the first time in a long time I actually sounded like the clichéd high school girl.
"I knew you would. See there's nothing to worry about." Edward said. I could practically hear him smiling on the other end. We both knew this was another step towards more freedom in our relationship.
"Ya, now I just need to start filing out scholarship applications and student loan forms." I sighed. "But at least I got in."
"Yes, and I'm sure something will work itself out for you." Edward said.
"Edward no… don't even think about it. You wanted me to have my own life outside of your family and this is going to be one of the ways I do so."
"Now you listen to me." Edward muttered.
"Ya, well, when it suits me." I said with a smile.
"Of course." Edward replied. My head snapped to my door as I heard Charlie's heavy steps coming up the stairs.
"I've got to go, Charlie's coming up." I said.
"Alright, I'll talk to you soon."
"Ok, I love you." I said.
"I love you too." Edward said. I pulled the phone away from my ear and disconnected the call before Charlie reached my door.
"I figured we'd go out to dinner to celebrate." Charlie said.
"Um ya, sounds good Dad." I said.
"Let me clean up and then we can head to Port Angeles." Charlie nodded.
"Ok." I said nodding.
oOoOoOo
The news of my acceptance to Dartmouth quickly spread through the school and the community. Most people would head to schools in Seattle or community colleges around Washington State. However, I was going to be one of the lucky few who wouldn't be trapped in Forks, I was leaving. Just like every other piece of news that had been conjured up about me was quickly replaced by the next person who was able to leave Forks, in this case it was Angela, who had been accepted to the University of Southern California. Angela and I had become close friends after I had moved to Forks and we weren't fake around each other like Lauren and Jessica. We both liked similar books and studied just as much as each other, and while Angela had a boyfriend, she didn't let it go to her head. On the days I did study with someone else, it was usually with Angela.
"Hey Bella." Mike said as he leaned against my neighbor's locker… again.
"Mike." I sighed. I really was getting tired of him always coming around and asking stupid questions. Why couldn't he just learn that I was never going to go out with him?
"So um, prom's coming up. I was wondering if you had a date or if you were planning on going with your mysterious boyfriend?" Mike asked.
"I'm not going to be here that weekend. I'm spending time with my boyfriend. For the millionth time Mike, go ask someone else." I said.
"Like who?"
"Like Jessica. She's liked you all year and probably before I moved here." I sighed. "She'll say yes without a doubt."
"You think so?" Mike asked. He looked over his shoulder where Jessica was talking with Lauren. Jessica noticed he was looking at her and smiled before turning back to Lauren and giggling.
"Yes, I'm sure." I replied. "Just please Mike, ask her and forget about asking me."
"I think I might take your advice, Swan." Mike said. "Thanks."
"No, thank you." I replied.
Mike staggered off towards Jess and slung and arm around her shoulder when he reached her. Jessica looked back at me questioning, but I shrugged and continued to grab my books out of my locker. As I made my way to class I felt my phone buzz once, indicating a text message. I pulled it out and smiled when I saw it was EC.
How's your day going? Sorry I haven't called, been busy.
Ah yes, the Cullen gang strikes once again, this time in Texas. It had been all over the news and the police were still searching for them. Apparently they had even put the Texas Marshalls on the case and had yet to come up with anything. With all the high tech surveillance cameras they had, the police had nothing on Edward and his family. They put covers on their license plates so the sun's glare would cover the numbers, they wore different masks, and never left their prints. They were practically ghosts.
I know, I've been watching the news. Nothing much today. At school, finally convinced Mike I'm not going to prom… I replied.
You should go to prom. Edward replied.
Not going to happen unless you come with me. I sent.
You know I can't do that. Too much paperwork and too many disguises. Edward replied.
Ask Alice, I'm sure she'd be more than happy to help. You can tell her I'd let her pick out my dress as well. I replied. I'm sure Alice has seen me typing that and me letting her take me shopping if she was looking in my future.
I'll talk to him! Ah yes, I knew Alice was looking.
Thanks a lot. We'll talk about this later. I'll try to call you tonight. Edward typed.
Alright, class is starting anyway, talk to you soon. I sent my reply back before turning the buzzing off on my phone and slipping it into my backpack.
"Bella! Guess what!" Jessica exclaimed.
"What?" I asked.
"Mike asked me to prom! I totally thought he was going to ask you, but he said he's only been asking you how to ask me."
"I hope you didn't think anything else." I said.
"Well, I thought he was going to ask you, which is strange since you claim to have a boyfriend and all." Jessica said. "Anyway, do you want to come dress shopping this weekend with us?"
"Um, ya I guess I could." I said.
"Great! Well, anyway, I'll be seeing you later then." Jessica said. She smiled again before flipping her hair and finding her seat in the back with Lauren. I'm sure they were going to immediately start talking about prom details since Tyler had asked Lauren a few days ago.
The rest of the day went smoothly enough, especially since Mike had stopped annoying me. The lunch table was back to talking about the latest gossip, well most of the people were, but I was just partially listening and reading Pride and Prejudice. I'd read it a few times before, but I had to annotate this time since I was reading it for class. When I got home I had the house to myself so I quickly got out everything I needed for dinner before pulling out some of my books and starting on homework. About an hour before Charlie would be getting home, I started on dinner; that way it would be ready right when he got home. After dinner, I retreated to my room and started reading Pride and Prejudice again. I was almost done when my phone started ringing.
"Hello." I hummed.
"You have caused me one major headache." Edward said.
"I'm sorry. Technically I didn't say anything though." I said with a smile.
"You should know by now that you don't have to." Edward replied.
"True. It doesn't matter. I already told Mike I would be with you for the weekend."
"With me?"
"Well my mysterious boyfriend who most people believe to be a figment of my imagination."
"I'll show you a figment of your imagination." Edward growled. "We'll try and work something out, but it depends on how the city is at that time and what we're planning."
"Of course. I'm not tying you down to anything. Charlie knows I hate dances so he's perfectly fine covering for me and letting me stay home." I said.
"Don't worry love, I'll be seeing you soon."
"I sure hope so." I said.
"What are your plans for this weekend anyway?"
"Uh, I'm going down to Port Angeles with Jessica and Lauren to help them look for dresses. I'll probably be going to the bookstore that's down there as well." I said.
"Well then, just stay safe, lots of alleys back there." Edward said.
"I will. I have picked up a few things from being a police chief's daughter." I said.
"I know, but I just feel so protective of you and being so far away doesn't help." Edward said.
"I know, but trust me, I'll try to be as safe as possible. The worst thing that could happen would be I fall and break something, not that I haven't done that before." I sighed.
"You know I'd want to be there to catch you though." Edward said.
"Yes I know, but you don't have to be my superhero all the time." I said.
"I still wish I could be." Edward said.
"I know. Anyway, are you guys lying low right now?" I asked.
"We are." Edward said. "We'll move around again probably in the next few days, but won't make another hit for another month or so. The whole country is just too hot right now to make another heist."
"Alright, well, keep me posted and let me know when you can get back here." I said.
"You know you'll be the first to know." Edward said. "I'll see you soon, love."
"I'll be looking forward to it." I replied. I remained on the line till the dial tone had came up. Then I closed my phone and placed it on my nightstand with the charger firmly connected.
I had three days until the weekend so three days till a shopping trip from hell with Lauren and Jessica. I wasn't lying to Edward when I said I'd probably go find a bookstore or something, so at least there was something positive that would come out of the trip to Port Angeles.
I probably had another two weeks till I would see Edward. Like he said, it wasn't safe for him to move around and usually said when he'd see me soon meant he wouldn't be calling for almost two weeks, but that I'd be seeing him at the end of that period. I could only hope that he'd stay with that pattern and I really would see him soon.