Disclaimer: Meyer is the rightful owner of Edward's sexiness.
One or two death threats for leaving you on a cliffy last time. I'd apologise but I love writing cliff hangers so you'll have to get used to it. -smiles charmingly-
Eek. Sorry it's taking a while to churn this out everyone. Sixth Form started and jeez, the workload is so high! I've had to read a 400-page book (which I still haven't finished) for Philosophy & Ethics, as well as write a ten page essay, read Jane Eyre for English Literature and begin another book AND do a massive essay for Psychology regarding a guy I've never heard of. Don't even get me started on my Biology classes.
Thank you to my wonderful beta, Ruby-Wednesday.
The Effects of Alcohol
Cuppa
By InsatiableHanner
Never had I hated that short, black-haired pixie more than I did currently. Sure, she sometimes dragged me to a shopping centre at ungodly hours and sure, she sometimes threw away my clothes without asking me and sure, she tended to treat me like a life-size Barbie doll but none of them even compared to the hatred I felt towards her currently.
And it wasn't entirely because she'd stopped me from enjoying a heated make out session. OK, most of my hate was for that reason but also because she'd decided to only then show up and not when I'd been mentally begging her to save me from her brother's sexual oozing only minutes before.
I didn't bother jumping away from Edward at the sound of her voice, knowing her she'd been waiting for the exact right moment to interrupt. Instead, I squeezed my eyes tight and rested my forehead against Edward's, letting out an irritated sigh.
Edward chuckled lightly, his chest shaking with the small movements as hands, that were about to cup my face, fell to my arms. "What do you want, Alice?"
I heard the light dancing footsteps of my currently hated best friend as she came closer to us. I was too annoyed - and possibly scared - to open my eyes and read the emotion on her face. I couldn't be entirely sure she was OK with all this, despite her interrogation the other night.
"Why, nothing dear brother," Alice replied, her musical giggle tinkling through the air. "I just came to see if Bella still wanted to go clubbing."
"I actually get a choice?" I replied sarcastically.
Alice, unphased by my response, nodded enthusiastically. "Of course. I know how you're not too keen on clubbing, I only drag you along because I hate you spending Friday night on your own."
I arched a brow. Who was she trying to kid? She forced me along whether I had company or not. "Right. And what makes tonight any different? Am I finally old enough to stay at home on my own mummy?"
Alice rolled her eyes dramatically. "Edward doesn't have to work tonight, so he's kindly offered to spend the evening with you."
"I did?"
Alice whacked Edward round the back of his head as he laughed. "Yes, you did," she replied forcefully. "That way, me and Jasper can spend an evening together. I'll be sleeping at his place tonight, so you won't have to wait up."
Oh my God. Was she really that intent on humiliating me? Jesus, she was making me sound so damn desperate, as though I spent every Friday night on my own or with Alice. Admittedly, it was partially true but still! "And what if I want to go clubbing?"
I watched with mild amusement as panic washed over Alice's pale face. Her eyes darted between myself and Edward as she attempted to find a good excuse. She must have found one, for she finally replied, "But if you go clubbing, you'll miss that film you wanted to watch on TV tonight."
Damn. She had a point. "I could always record it."
"Your VCR is broken, it comes out all fuzzy."
Another good point. I was losing this battle. "Edward has Sky Plus!" I turned my head, tilted it so I looked up into those green eyes. "You wouldn't mind recording it for me, would you?"
He opened his mouth to reply but his annoying sister cut him off. "The box is broken!"
"It worked fine the other day," I replied.
"Yeah, well, I broke it this morning! It doesn't record anything!"
I narrowed my eyes. Usually, Alice Cullen was an excellent liar, but when put under the spotlight she was as bad as I was. However, I didn't particularly want to go clubbing either, so I gave in. "Fine."
"Really?" Her eyes lit up and she clapped her hands together. "Great. This is great! You can tell me all about the film tomorrow."
"Why? Who says I'll see you tomorrow?"
She shrugged lightly, a mischevious glint appearing in her eyes. "I just have a feeling, Bella. So, I'll see you tomorrow morning then."
"You're going now?"
She nodded, linking her arm through Jasper's. "All my stuff is at Jasper's, so we've gotta get a move on if I want anytime to get ready."
Before I had a chance to reply, she was already dragging her boyfriend out of the garden, into the house and away from my annoyed glares. Damn pixie. "She bloody set us up," I mumbled, more to myself.
"She sure did."
Startled by his voice, I jumped, only to hit the top of my head on his chin. Horrified I was still wrapped around him and that I'd just assaulted him with my head, I leapt away from him, my eyes wide.
"Oh my God, I'm so sorry," I apologised. "I kind of forgot you were standing there."
He rubbed his chin but instead of shouting or cursing like I expected him to do, he laughed. Jesus, it was the whole dancing thing all over again. How can one man withstand my clumsy antics for long periods of times? Hell, it was painful for me and I was used to it.
"I'm sorry," I repeated, feeling the heat rush to my cheeks.
He shook his head, a crooked smile appearing on his lips. "It's fine."
"No, I mean about Alice," I replied, "Although I'm not entirely sure as to why I'm appologising for your sister's actions. She's always had an unhealthy interest in my love life."
He arched a brow, that amused expression appearing on his face. "And I'm the next chapter in your book of love?"
I stared at him in shock. I'm sure I was probably blinking too much but I half-expected him to grin and say, "Just kidding." When he just kept looking at me, his brows drawn together in a frown, I burst out laughing. "That was the cheesiest thing I've ever heard."
"Just getting the facts straight."
I shrugged lightly, my laughing session over. "We kissed. In Alice's eyes, that's more than enough."
"Kissing? Honey, we weren't kissing. A kiss is what your mother gives you, not a love interest."
"Then what were we doing?"
"We were snogging."
I screwed up my nose in disgust. I'd never liked that particular word in the English dictionary. "I'll stick to kissing."
x.x.x.x
On the way back to his place, we swung by my own flat so I could change out of my swimming costume. I'd already left a bit of a wet patch on the passenger seat thanks to being thrown into the pool. Obviously, I was quick to point out his part in the wet seat.
He waited in his car, the sound of some rock group blaring out of the stereo whilst I darted into my place to change. I caught my reflection in the mirror as I tugged on an old hoodie and almost screamed. My hair was a curling mess, my so-called waterproof mascara was smudged under my eyes and my lips were brutally swollen. I looked like a freak.
I splashed some water on my face before wiping off every trace of any make up. I didn't want to seem like I was making an effort, so I had limited time. I didn't bother with any type of foundation, but quickly added a small layer of mascara to my lashes. My lips were still slightly puffy, so I added some balm to them in hopes that this would reduce the redness.
My first attempt at brushing my hair failed miserably and the comb was no better. In the end, deciding I was running out of time, I tugged it all back into a messy ponytail, allowing a few strands to fall over my face.
I dashed out of my flat, remembering to grab my keys and phone, and ran down the stairs. When I reached the door leading to the outside world, I stopped my speeding and took a deep breath through my nose. Calmly, I opened the door and headed towards his car.
"That was quick," he commented, turning down the volume of his stereo as I put on my seatbelt.
I smiled to myself. "I don't like to make a fuss."
"Why are you single?"
The question caught me off guard, causing me to frown at him. Why was I single? I wasn't entirely sure myself. "I just am."
His face was so serious, his eyes regarding me. I wondered what he was thinking and was about to ask when his features relaxed. He smiled. "Every man's dream is dating a girl who gets ready that quick."
I was pretty sure that wasn't his original thoughts, but I let it go and smiled at the compliment. At least, I hoped it was a compliment. I wasn't sure and it didn't take long for my analytical mind to begin processing what he'd said. Maybe it was criticism. Maybe he was hinting that I needed more time to work on my appearance. This was going to be a long evening.
x.x.x.x
It felt kind of strange walking into his flat with the knowledge that no one else would be joining us. And at the same time, it left me confused. What was this? A date? Getting to know one another? I knew the rules of dating but with Edward, any rule had been long thrown out the window.
After getting us both a drink, cola for me and beer for him, he took me into the living room, sitting down on the large leather sofa that took up most of the space. He looked at me expectantly so I sat down on the opposite end, curling my legs up underneath me.
He was silent causing me to lift my head in wonder. He was staring at me, a smile tugging on the corner of his lips.
"What?" I asked, frowning. I put a hand to my mouth, wiped the skin. "Is there something on my face?"
"Nope."
"Then what?"
"Why did you sit there?" He asked, nodding in my direction.
"Because it was empty," I offered, a blank look on my face. "Duh."
He cracked a crooked smile. "You make life so much harder," he said and before I could understand what he meant, he placed his drink on the coffee table and placed his hands on my hips. He was certainly strong, I could give him that as he pulled me over until my shoulder bumped into his side.
"Oh."
He chuckled softly, bringing his arm around me. "What, did you think I kissed you for the hell of it?"
I shrugged.
"Silly Bella," he murmured as I rested my head against his chest. It seemed to fit there perfectly, as though his body was designed to hold me this way. It was a comforting thought and a mad one. I decided to just enjoy the sensations whilst it lasted.
At some point, the movie I'd wanted to watch all week was put on. I should have recorded it anyway, despite being able to watch it right now because Edward was proving to be a huge distraction.
Somehow, we'd both ended up lying on his sofa, him stretching his long body whilst I lay between his legs, my head resting comfortably on his stomach. I was listening to his breathing, feeling his body rise with each breath he took. I'd long forgotten what the film was called and what it was about, the characters on the screen ignored.
It just felt so natural, lying there. One of his arms was propped under his head so he could watch the film, the other was wrapped around my shoulder and occasionally he'd twist a lock of my hair around his finger. Eventually he even pulled out the hair band that had kept it all in place.
"I love your hair," he'd murmured softly, continuing to play with the ringlets.
I felt happy. It was a shocking revelation to make. Other than around my parents, Alice or Rosalie, I'd never actually felt happy. Content I normally was, depressed even, maybe angry but happiness was scarce in my life. It made me wistfully hope that this moment would never end, but I knew it would and it briefly took away that joy I'd found.
It was hard to be optimistic about a relationship with Edward. Heck, it was hard to be optimistic about anything when you'd almost been raped. It reminded me of a song, where you don't see the world through clear eyes, but once that haze was gone you saw the world for what it really was, and the world was a cruel place.
"What are you thinking about?"
I frowned, not realising he'd been watching me. I didn't look at him as I replied, "Nothing."
Despite the obvious lie, he didn't question me further on the subject, opting rather to change it. "Are you doing anything tomorrow night?"
I let out a small yawn, let my eyes droop slightly. "Not that I know of," I replied softly.
"Good," he murmured. His fingers had left my hair, choosing to run up and down my arm instead. "You're all mine tomorrow evening."
I was pretty tired but his words - or was it his fingers? - sent shivers up and down my spine. I blushed softly when I felt the goosebumps on my arms, knowing all too well that Edward could feel them. "Oh?"
Whilst he chuckled, he sat upright, holding onto me before letting me settle against his chest. "You, my dear, have a dirty mind. I simply meant I was taking you out."
My cheeks reddened even further, but I pretended not to notice. "Where are you taking me?"
"Pub," he responded. "You and clubs don't always mix well."
I smiled. "Me and alcohol don't mix well."
"I'll make sure you stick to the coke."
I snuggled into his warmth, his arms encasing me. Again I was hit with a bubbly feeling in my stomach, as though this was perfection. Well, I knew Edward was perfection but the moment was perfection too. Nothing could ruin it.
"Want a cuppa?"
Well, almost nothing.
x.x.x.x
End Chapter
Apologies. You've all been waiting so long for a new chapter and I finally get it up and it's not only boring but it's short too. Yikes. Sorry but this was needed and there was nothing I could add into the chapter to extend it. I am really sorry. Anyway, I promise to have the next chapter up by...Tuesday? Yeah, we'll go with that. For those who have asked, the party will be coming up in a couple of chapters, so don't worry.
A few notes for those non-Brits. Goosebumps are also known as Goosepimples in other countries, but that's a given really. When someone asks, "Want a cuppa?" it normally means a cup of tea rather than coffee, but whatever.
I'll try and update with the next chapter ASAP as I want to try and get back on track with this story. For those who read The Chase, I'll be focusing on that story a lot next week as I want to try and get it finished within a few weeks so I can focus on this story.
Remember to review everyone!
