A/N: Sorry.. it's been a long time! Two months until my last update! Really! Anywhos, a continuation of Bella's plight! I want to add more chapters, so if you'll lend me some creative juice of what other things BellaxEdward might end up doing (please, keep in mind Bella is 9 years old!) like Go Karts or something, I dunno! R&R
and thanks for all the constructive criticism and praise! ;)
I was strapped in the gorgeous car, and Alice fumbled if I still needed a car seat. After receiving a demeaning glare, she decided I didn't need one, so she sat on the driver's seat. Edward muttered something that wasn't too nice, and I saw Alice punch his shoulder before she started the car.
At first, I was incredibly glad it wasn't Edward who was driving, but now I realize that their maniacal style of driving came from their genes – as Alice raced through the dark streets of Forks; as if being chased by the FBI on those television shows.
Edward stayed quiet, only sometimes sneaking a look at me. Maybe he thought I didn't see, but I wasn't that dumb. Then he'd become anxious and talk in a low voice with Alice again.
We arrived the restaurant called La Bella and I was dizzy, if not a bit nauseated. The driving was just too much.
"Nooo, Bella!" Alice screamed, grabbing hold of me, then dragging me to the bathroom, "I know you feel like puking – but please, don't ruin tonight, okay?" She offered me tissues, but I refused. I'll put on my strong face, just for this dinner. I heard Alice snicker behind me, but I ignored her and marched off.
The restaurant was beautiful, with beautiful lights illuminating the room, gorgeous, polished chairs and elegant looking tables. I spotted Edward from across the room, sitting rather impatiently alone.
I skipped merrily to the table, and sat down across Edward. From the looks of his eyes, he wanted me to sit beside him, but family sticks with family is what my mom used to tell me. Alice is obviously the heiress of the purple-cushioned chair besides Edward.
The waiter came about and we ordered – with me getting the kid's meal of some weird word I couldn't pronounce right (the waiter said something about Americans and French at the time, and Edward gave him a glare before saying something in French himself), Edward and Alice only ordered Cokes.
"Oh, I get it," I said, drinking the water put in front of me.
"You get what?" Edward asked, staring at me.
"You guys only ordered Cokes. It's obvious."
"What's obvious?" Alice nipped.
"You're on a diet, duh! My mom's on it all the time. Sometimes, she'd only eat carrots and veggies. But boy, do you see her staring at the fridge…"
Both of them exchanged awkward looks before Edward denied it.
"But then, if you're not, how come you're only drinking Coke? Are you trying to make me look like the fat one?" I asked, fuming a bit.
"We, er, already ate…" Alice started.
"Why would you eat if you're going to a fancy restaurant?" I pressed. Even my mom would hit them for stupidity.
"Just eat, Bella," Edward said soothingly. Somehow, I felt more relaxed, and hungry too.
Five minutes passed by, and all Edward and Alice would do is stare at me.
Ten minutes, and I think, I just assume this – but Edward blinked.
Fifteen minutes now, and I'm pretty sure Alice will be close to blinking!
Twenty minutes now, and Alice still didn't blink. Darn it.
"So, Bella," Edward said, fingering the salt packet on the table, "how do you like the restaurant?"
I looked around once again. I noticed they had an abundance of plants, on the ceiling – hanging flower pots, on the floor, sunflowers and daisies and even on the wall – pictures and paintings of flowers and various plants.
"Erm, they have a green thumb?" I mumbled nervously. For some reason, talking to Edward now makes me feel a bit embarrassed.
"A green thumb?" he asked, surprised, then he chuckled, "Ah yeah, the plants."
"How do you get a green thumb, though?" I continued, "my mom says you have to take care of lots of plants. Does that mean your thumb turns green cause you touch so much soil and dirt?"
Alice laughed and couldn't stop laughing, that she excused herself from the table, followed by Edward's menacing glare.
"You see, that's not how it works, really…"
"Edward?" a boy from behind him called. Edward's face scrunched up in frustration before he turned to the boy politely.
"Mike."
"Oh wow, I can't believe I bumped into you here, of all places. You're not one to be out on the restaurants much… hey, is that your cousin or something?" Mike asked, pointing at me.
I shook my head. "No, I'm Bella Sw-." Edward put his hand on my mouth and I protested.
"Uh, yeah, she's my, uh … cousin. Her name's Bella Swing.."
"Oh really? That's an interesting name, Bella! You know, I know this girl from school, and she has a similar name, only its Bella Swan…" Mike murmured, then he stared at me.
WHAT IS UP WITH PEOPLE STARING AT ME?!
"Y'know what, you kind of look like her too… what a coincidence, huh? Oh, I haven't introduced myself…how rude of me. I'm Mike Newton," he laughed, "well, I gotta go, my parents are waiting for me at the other booth. See you around Bella."
"Bye," I said, and waved.
I glared at Edward. "Why did you lie to him? I'm not your cousin! And what kind of lame name is Bella Swing? If you were gonna lie it would've been better if it was like Princess Pink or something…"
Edward sighed, "I'm sorry… but, you can't really tell him your real name."
"Why not?" I asked curiously.
"Er, well, because…"
"Because?"
"He's …a … rapist?"
"He's a what?!"
"You know what, never mind. Go eat your food."
I ate quietly, contemplating on the share of knowledge Edward had just shared. I looked at him, and he looked a bit tense – as if he really needs to poo, or he's holding back his laughter…of which, of course, I'm not entirely sure.
Alice came back from her really, long bathroom break. I asked her if she had blood, and she looked at me weirdly.
"What do you mean?"
"You know, the TIME," I whispered. My mom said this topic was strictly restricted between women, especially in public, "every month?"
It clicked on Alice, and she giggled some more. "Yes, it's my TIME."
Edward made a face, before leaning backwards casually. Obviously, he didn't like the conversation he was pretending not to listen to.
Alice drank her Coke before she said it was time to go. It was now pitch black outside, and I walked alongside Alice, asking her TIME questions.
We passed by Mike on the way to the car. He waved, but I whispered back instead.
"Rapist!"
Alice and Edward laughed uncontrollably as we piled into the car once again, to take a torturous ride back home.
