AN: This chapter was originally a lot shorter, but Edward had more to share at the end. I'm posting this chapter early this week because I think you all deserve it with all the great reviews!
Grown Up.
"Mike Newton is having a party tonight." Alice chirped as we walked through the school halls on our way to the cafeteria. "Hmmm." I murmured distractedly. When she saw that she wasn't going to get more of an answer out of me than what I had already given her she continued on.
"We should go." She said confidently. I paused slightly in my walk and cast Alice a quick look before carrying on down the hall. It wasn't that I didn't want to go to Mike's party- however much I disliked crowded places- it was the fact that Mike might take it up as invitation. He had been hounding me for a date every since I got size B boobs.
I pulled a face, "Do we have to?"
"Come on, we never go out anymore and as much as I love sitting around pining because you refuse to help me. I do have a life that needs my attention." She whined. I rolled my eyes knowing that she was seconds away from a tantrum.
"Fine, whatever." I muttered not wanting to argue with her. She gave me a strange look, "That's it. No, 'but Alice', no wheedling, not even an 'I hate Mike'?" I shrugged, "I can't be bothered to argue about this, I have more important things to think about."
She face turned concerned, "More nightmares?" She asked. I shook my head, "Nah, we had a pop-quiz in Calculus and I think I failed it." She grimaced, "That sucks...which is why going to Mike' party will cheer you up." She gave me a sly grin and wiggled her eyebrows at me.
I felt a smile tug slightly at the edge of my mouth. Alice always knew how to brighten up my bad moods, "Fine, I will be your willing Barbie." She squealed and jumped up and down clapping. She grabbed onto my neck pulling me down enough to plant a big, wet kiss on my cheek.
"I love you, I love you, I love you. We have so much to do. We might need to skip last period." I gave her a look.
"Alice, I'm most likely flunking Calculus, I can't afford to skip classes." She pouted before looking mischievous. "Its Gym though. You can come up with a good excuse." I groaned not knowing what I hated more. Skipping class or going to Gym.
"Fine, I'll see what I can do." She seemed pleased and we entered the cafeteria to get food.
The rest of the day passed pretty quickly and after saying that it was my 'time of the month' I had been excused from gym. We went over to Alice's house to grab her stuff before going back to mine. After being tugged, poked and stabbed within an inch of my life for over an hour I was deemed acceptable by Alice's standards.
She ransacked my closet until she found me a pair of tight jeans that I swear I had never seen before and an ice blue camisole. I put it on wordlessly and looked at myself in the bathroom mirror.
"Its a bit revealing isn't it?" I called out to her as I tried to stuff my boobs further into the top. All my arms and shoulders were on display and I wrinkled my nose at my pale skin. Alice poked her head into the bathroom and rolled her eyes.
"Don't look so worried, you'll be wearing a jacket." I sighed and decided it was best just to humor her. I had managed to veto ballet flats instead of heels and by the time we went downstairs I could admit we both looked pretty good.
Edward was sitting on one of the barstools in the kitchen looking over some papers when we came in. He looked us over and smiled," You guys look nice, you really didn't need to do it for my account." Alice giggled and skipped over to him.
"You don't mind if we got out to a party do you?" She gave him the dreaded pout and he raised his eyebrows before peering over her head at me. "If she is dragging you against your will roll your eyes" He said to me and I couldn't help the grin that spread across my face. Edward knew me to well.
Alice pouted more heavily and moved back in his line of sight. "Pwease...Pretty pwease."
"Depends on where it is and if you have finished your homework." He said looking back down at the pile of papers in front of him. Alice beamed knowing that she had won, "It's at the Newton's and we'll be back by eleven. We did our homework earlier."
Edward shrugged and leaned back on the stool, "Sounds reasonable. Just make sure you have your cell phones on you at all times and never take a drink that you didn't pour yourself." He warned sternly. We both nodded and Alice's phone rang.
"Give me a sec." She dashed out of the room and I turned my attention back to Edward. He grinned at me, "I was serious when I said you looked nice." I blushed at the compliment. "You look so grown up like this. It's still strange to me to think that you're going off to college next year and leaving little old me behind." A look of sadness crossed his face before he pushed it away.
"I guess you'll be glad to be rid of an old man like me." I rolled my eyes. "Your not even thirty yet Edward." He shrugged, "Give it a few years." He muttered and looked out of the window with a wistful look on his face before he sighed and turned back to the papers lying on the counter. I sidled up to him and sat beside him. I nudged his shoulder slightly.
"Hey, it's not like I'm just going to forget about you. I'll visit all the time." He smiled slightly.
"And here I was thinking that I was rid of you." He joked. Alice came bouncing back in, "Come on Bella we're going to be late." She chirped and I slid off the stool. "Bye Edward." I said. He nodded and waved.
We made our way out to Alice's Porsche and got in. My mind immediately went back to what Edward had said. I had less than a year to get him to fall for me and I was nowhere closer to that goal than when I started. If I kept stalling any longer it would be too late.
I would go to college and he would move on with his life and find some girl to settle down with. My heart clenched and I frowned. I would have to amp it up if I wanted results. I thought back to the weeks since I had started my little endeavour to see if there were any signs of him actively liking me in a more sexual way.
I couldn't really find anything, most likely because with my clumsiness we were always touching in strange, different ways. I would need to take another look at Alice's rules. I sighed as Alice skidded into park outside Mike's house, which was alive with booming music.
Alice clapped her hands in glee and hopped out of the car. "This is going to be so much fun." I rolled my eyes and followed her out putting all my thoughts out of my mind. I was adamant that I was going to have fun.
An hour later I was sitting on the back porch bored stiff with a drink in my hand. I don't know where Mike got alcohol, but everyone seemed to be tripping over and all around just being gross. It was times like this that I hated the fact that was so responsible drinking coke wasn't that daring.
Alice had disappeared off to talk to some boy in our biology class and I had tried to mingle, but my general awkwardness didn't help. I stood up suddenly needing the toilet and went back inside. It was so hot inside and everyone was dancing and rubbing up against each other or sitting on the couches making out.
I was jealous of their ability to be able to let go and just have fun, something that was an impossibility for me. I kept to the walls and skirted around people as I headed towards the hall. I slipped out of the crowded room and walked down towards the bathroom.
"Bella!" I held back a groan. I had managed to be invisible enough for Mike not to notice me so far and had hoped that he would be drunk and passed out by now or at least hooking up with some random bimbo in a top she deemed long enough to say it was dress.
I kept walking pretending that I hadn't heard him, but I felt his hand on my shoulder and I turned around. "Hey Mike." I said weakly. He smiled widely at me. "How are you?" I shrugged, "Fine."
He nodded energetically like one of those bobble heads. He put his hands on either side of me trapping me against the wall. My eyes widened as I realized what I bad position I was in.
"So...I was thinking. Would you like maybe want to go out this Friday?" He asked in what I guess he thought was a suave voice. I sighed and tried to think of a way to say this in a nice way.
"Mike, it was nice of you to ask, but I'm just not interested in dating you. Can't we just be friends?" I had expected his face to fall and for him to leave, but he just looked determined. He pushed me flat against the wall hard making me hit my head on it and tried to press his lips against mine.
I placed my hands on his shoulders and tried to push him backwards. There was no way in hell that I was going to let his mouth anywhere near mine. "Mike! Get the fuck off me." I growled. He completely ignored me, "Come on Bella, stop being such a tease." he muttered fanning his stale, hot breath all over me. I raised my knee and shoved it into his groin. He released me and doubled over cursing loudly.
I used this moment to escape into the bathroom and lock the door. I backed away from the door as I heard him thumping on it loudly and shouting through the door. I curled up on the toilet seat and pulled my phone out of my pocket.
I dialled Edward's number with slightly shaking hands. The room was completely silent now and I hoped that Mike had left. It rang three times before he picked up.
"What's wrong?" Was his immediate question. I took a deep breath. "Can you pick me up?" I asked quietly. It was silent for a second on the other side before he spoke. "What happened?" I could hear his keys jingling in the background and I sighed in relief.
"I...I...probably just over-reacting, but I just want to go home." I heard the front door close through the phone and the beep of his car opening. "Bella." He warned in his authoritive tone. "Tell me what happened."
I raked a hand through my hair. "It was my fault...I knew he would get the wrong idea. I just thought going out would be better than sitting at home. It was stupid."
"Bella!" He shouted down the phone effectively ending my rambling. "Just tell me. I promise not to get mad." I nodded and bit my lip. "I was on my way to the bathroom and Mike cornered me. He kind of has thing for me and we were just talking and he asked me to go out with him and I said no and he just got a bit aggressive and called me a tease."
"What exactly did he do?" Edward asked in a calm voice, a too calm voice. "Um...he pushed me against the wall and tried to kiss me. I took care of it." The only thing I could hear after that was his breathing and it didn't take a genius to figure out that he was trying to reign in his anger.
"Are you still at his house?" He asked quietly. I nodded before realizing that he couldn't see. "Yeah, I locked myself in the bathroom." He didn't answer after that and I wondered if he had put the phone down, but the call time was still running. A minute later I heard a commotion outside the door and I leapt up and unlocked the door.
I peered out to find Edward with Mike shoved up against the wall, his arm under Mike's neck. My eyes widened at the sparkling fury in Edward's eyes.
"You touch her again you slime ball and I will cut your balls off and make you eat them, do you understand?" Mike scrambled at Edward's arm, which I now realized was suffocating him.
"Edward!" I shrieked. "Stop it!" He whipped his head round to see me and his eyes stared intently into mine for a second before he took a step away from Mike. Mike slumped onto the floor grasping at his throat and making retching noises.
"Are you okay?" Edward asked me and I dragged my eyes away from Mike to Edward. "Um..." My head was a complete mess of jumbled thoughts and I didn't think I could answer that question honestly because I had no idea how I was.
"I'm fine...I think."
Mike shot me an evil look and stumbled to his feet.
"Who do fuck you think you are?" He spat at Edward. "Her jealous boyfriend?" Edward raised his eyebrows and I noticed his hands flexing in a way that said he was really restraining himself from hitting Mike.
"No, I'm just a guy that actually gives two fucks about women to know that if someone forces themselves on one-especially one that I care about- that I have every fucking right to smash their face in until it resembles tomato pulp." The threatening tone in his voice was enough to make Mike cringe back.
"You should be happy that Bella is too good of a person to let me do that, but if I ever see you or hear of you being within ten feet of her I will not hesitate to follow through with my threat. Got it?" Mike nodded before running off.
I looked up at Edward in awe because frankly there was nothing hotter than Edward when he was angry. His chest was heaving and one of his hands was embedded in his hair. His eyes still had that dark, intense look in them. Suddenly it dawned on me that he said that he cared about me.
Obviously he cares about you. The annoying pessimistic voice sounded in my head. You are his to care about until you turn eighteen.
I ignored the voice and wrapped my arms around Edward's waist. "Thanks." I murmured hugging him gratefully. He seemed slightly surprised by my show of affection but he responded before taking my hand and leading me outside.
Until now I had completely forgotten about Alice until she called after me, "Bella! Wait." I turned to see her coming towards me looking concerned.
"What happened? I saw Mike running off looking like someone kicked him in the nads." Edward turned to Alice grimly. "Mike harassed Bella and I'm taking her home now. Are you okay to get home by yourself?" Alice nodded with wide eyes.
"I'm so sorry Bella." She muttered and I knew she was blaming herself. I gave her a quick hug. "It wasn't your fault. I'll see you tomorrow okay?" She nodded and I slipped into the open car door. Edward closed the door behind me and went round to the other side and got in.
"Are you sure you are okay?" He asked as he started up the car. I nodded and leaned my head back against the seat and closed my eyes.
"I am now." I muttered. He sighed before pulling away from the curb and driving down the street to our house. My head was still so jumbled up and they were criss-crossing with my emotions making it hard to discern what was really bothering me. I clenched my eyes shut tighter and wished for someone, Edward, just to love me.
I knew he cared for me, but I wanted that intense connection. I wanted him to hold me and kiss me and make all my worries go away. I sighed heavily reluctantly pulling myself out of my own pity party as he pulled the car to a stop outside the house.
I undid my seatbelt and reached for the doorhandle when Edward placed his hand on my arm. I looked over my shoulder at him wondering what he wanted. He looked at me worry etched on his face.
"Are you sure you're okay?" I paused slightly and worked up a smile. "Yeah, I'm fine." I was suddenly intensely aware of how quiet and secluded we were. The only light came from weak bulb flickering above our heads. He leaned over and my breath hitched as the callused pads of his fingers brushed up against my cheek as he pushed a few stray hairs behind my ear.
His hand lingered there for a second before he withdrew it and looked down. He raked a hand through his hair and peered up at me from under his eyelashes. "Why don't you sleep in my bed tonight? I've pretty much finished all the work I needed to do anyway." I blushed and looked up at him from under my eyelashes.
"I'd like that." I murmured and he seemed satisfied with my answer. I couldn't help, but think how high school cliché this sounded in an unconventional way. It brought a small, secret smile to my face as I stepped out of the car. I closed my door and looked over at Edward as he exited the car on the other side.
I leaned my arms on the roof of the car. "Thanks." I said and he looked up at me and raised an eyebrow silently asking why i was thanking him. I shrugged and gave him a wryly smile. "You just always seem to be there for me." I said in explanation. He rubbed the back of his neck and chuckled awkwardly.
"It's my job to be there for you Bella. You're important to me and so if you aren't happy it affects me too. You are such a bright girl and have the whole world ahead of you. Its jerks like Newton who try and push their wants and desires onto us, which hold us back. You're practically a grown up now Bells and you deserve better than what any of those guys you go to school with could ever give you." He paused slightly an unreadable emotion in his eyes before continuing.
"Maybe one day you'll find a guy you will love you for every bit of you, not just want what's on the outside. He'll treasure you and take care of you just like you deserve and you'll be really happy." He chuckled awkwardly, "Just be careful who you give your heart to, okay."
He smiled at me and I saw that unrecognizable expression flash in his eyes before it faded away. I shivered as a gust of wind blew past, but I was too lost in my own thoughts to really care that I had left my jacket at Mike's place. I would just get Alice to fetch it for me.
He locked the car and started walking towards the door. It was only once he had reached it that he looked over his shoulder at me.
"You coming?" he asked and I nodded and followed him.
Little did he know that I had already given my heart away at the tender age of fourteen. I smiled and shook my head as i stepped in through the doors. I just needed him to realize that he wanted and loved me just as much I did with him.
AN: Good grief, they are a pair! Can't they just do it already? Truth be told I could just do that, but that would completely mess up my outline So with (Little) patience we wait. Review!
I have participated in Breath-of-Twilight's Halloween countdown, which will start on the first of October. Here is the link: http:/www(.)fanfiction(.)net/s/6326403/1/Countdown_to_Halloween_II_One_Haunted_Hallows_Eve