AN: S. Meyer owns The Twilight Saga.
Thanks Baskketcase for the beta.
Chapter 7
~Bella~
I didn't see much of my aunt during the last two weeks, due to the spring/summer lines about to hit the stores. There would have been many lonely evenings if it wasn't for Alice. The others would join us too, we were becoming good friends, though the relationship with Edward had not improved.
Well, that's not fair to say. He wasn't as rude anymore. He was actually pleasant...at times, but still kept his distance. I would talk to Rosalie and Emmett during our lunch hour. Emmett always make me laugh, Rosalie was warming up to me and once you got past her snobby layer, she was...nice. James was always the gentlemen. After the conversation with Alice I became a little cautious around him, but he has yet to make any kind of advances towards me. And then there was Tanya, absolutely no improvement there. Actually, it has gotten worst. She was rude, obnoxious and, of course, all over Edward every chance she got.
I pulled into the parking lot and noticed Alice and Jasper standing next to the spot I usually park. I pulled in and got out of my car.
"Good morning Alice, Jasper." I walked around the car to meet them.
"Morning Bella." Jasper looked rather dashing with his hair slicked back.
"And a good morning to you Baby B," Alice had came up with my 'Label' name. She gave every one a nick name according to what she thinks their clothing line name would be. For example: Jasper's is Fasthard.
I didn't dare ask why.
"So, I was thinking-," Alice walked next to me.
"Uh-oh," I teased, Jasper chuckled.
She narrowed her eyes briefly, "Like I was saying! I was thinking we should get ready for tomorrow's party together, it will be so much fun!" Now, when she means 'get ready together,' she really means 'let me get you ready.'
The charity ball was this weekend.
"Fine Alice, but if I end up looking like a clown, I'm coming after you," I warned.
"I have yet to make anyone look like a clown. Besides, you know the dress is going to be spectacular! I mean, Kathy did pick it out." So all I had worried about was the make-up and hair.
We were walking to class when I was suddenly lifted off the ground and tossed in the air, causing me to yelp. I heard Emmett's booming laughter next to my ear.
Such a goof-ball.
"Emmett! You scared the hell out of me, stop doing that!" He did that every day just to get a rise out of me.
You think I'd learn.
"Awww, you look so cute when you're pissed. Like a furious little kitty," he laughed, I narrowed my eyes.
Jerk.
"Cut it out Emmett," Rosalie scolded, he set me down on my feet.
"You're such a fucking child, Emmett," Edward said, walking behind Rosalie.
Now, is it just me, or does Edward get hotter every day? His eyes looked greener today, his hair a bit more shiny, his smile brighter...
Stop eyeballing him!
"Good morning, Bella." Edward said, a sexy crooked smile spread across his face.
Sigh.
"Good morning." I leaned my head to the side, "Why are you in such a good mood?"
He shrugged, "It's Friday."
Not because of you Bella.
"Rose, I was just telling Baby B we should get dressed at her house." Alice jumped in place, "You know, a little girl time."
"Sounds good, I really didn't want my mom 'helping' me. I always end up looking like her damn mini-me." Rose rolled her eyes.
"Yay! Okay, we'll meet at Baby B's tomorrow at noon-," I cut Alice off.
"Noon? The dinner isn't till six. Why so early?" I gaped at Alice.
I wanted to sleep in a little.
It's the weekend for goodness sakes.
"Bella, she said, exasperated, Perfection takes time, and I will not settle for less. No complaining. We are doing this my way," she raised one eyebrow daring me to challenge her.
Too bad I'm too chicken to defy her.
"Noon sounds...good," I smiled sweetly.
The bell rang and we headed off to class. All through English hour, Alice was taking non-stop about different hair and make-up styles she planned for me. I was now scared. Calculus was uneventful, just Mike staring at me. Finally, I made it to music class. I walked into the room, Edward was already seated.
"Hey," I said while taking my seat.
"Hey," he retorted and picked up his headphones and started warming up.
Ugh.
I guess his good mood Friday left as fast as it came. I reached for the headphones but I knocked them to the floor. I reached down to pick them up when I accidentally brushed against Edward's hand. I didn't notice we were both reaching out to pick up the headphones. What I did notice was an electrical shock that ran between us when our hand's touched.
I jumped in my seat and pulled my hand back from the shock. I rubbed my hand and looked at him. He was doing the same.
"You shocked me," I accused.
"Oh, um...sorry," he was still rubbing his had, "There must be a loose wire in the keyboard, I'll let Mr. Saldivar know." He got up and walked to the teacher's desk.
The electrical shock wasn't painful and it certainly wasn't from a loose wire. It was something else. I could still feel the heat pulsing in the spot where we touched.
Mr. Saldivar and Edward walked to the keyboard, Mr. Saldivar unhooked it and turned to me.
"Isabella, would you mind sharing your keyboard with Edward today?"
I was inwardly grinning like a fool, "Sure, that's fine."
I scoot over make room for Edward on the bench. A smile was playing on Edward's lips when he sat down next to me.
"Ladies first." He handed me the music sheet and the headphones.
"Thanks." I set the sheet on the stand and put the headphones on.
I started playing the notes but paying them no mind. All I was thinking about was how close Edward was. I could feel the heat radiating from his body. I could smell his clean crisp scent. And when he turned to look at me I could feel his warm, moist breath on my shoulder. My heart was beating so fast I could feel the pulse behind my ears.
God, how am I supposed to concentrate!
**********
~ Edward~
I still can feel the sting in my hand. It's like she branded me, but no mark or pain remained.
She is so fucking beautiful.
It's been getting harder and harder to keep my fucking feelings in check. I don't want to tip off James. But seeing her every goddamn day for the past two weeks have been fucking brutal and blissful at the same time. I went to her house after school to work on that damn project. I tried to stall, to prolong that shit, but she was growing suspicious by Wednesday. So we finished in class that Thursday.
Maybe she would like to go out this weekend? We both were attending that fucking charity event tomorrow. I wonder if I should ask her to be my date?
Fuck, I mean, everyone else had a date, it wouldn't raise suspicions, right?
Damn, but James' ass would be there. No, I better not, it's too fucking risky.
Jesus, she smells so fucking good.
She glanced up at me, but quickly averted her eyes back to the music sheet.
Oh, fuck!
I didn't realize that I was fucking staring at her like a goddamn lost puppy and shit, she probably thinks I'm some kind of fucking retarded pervert.
You're still fucking looking, Cullen!
I quickly looked away but there was some kind of fucking gravitational force willing me to look back at her.
Fuck, this is some kind of fucking Romeo and Juliet shit.
I wanted to get closer to her warm, soft, delicate body. I want to see those sparkling big brown eyes. To trace her full pink lips.
Fuck. I sound like a goddamn pussy.
I wonder how she tastes?
Hmmm... I bet she taste sweet, hmmm...
She cleared her throat breaking me from my cock throbbing thoughts.
"Ahem, I'm done." She removed her headphones and slid the sheet closer to me.
"Oh, okay. Um...so, are you excited about the ball?" Bella looked up at me from underneath her long thick lashes and blushed.
That fucking blush is killing me.
"I'm more nervous then excited. It's my first time attending an event like that, I'm not really sure what to expect." She gave me a small, timid smile.
"Don't worry, it's all rather boring. You know, dinner, dancing, and a lot of fucking ass kissing." And I do mean a shit load of ass kissing.
"I'm assuming you're not the one trying to butter up people, right?" She giggled a bit.
"Ah, I see Alice has talked about our family. How much did she tell you?" If Alice said anything fucking embarrassing about me, I'll wring her little goddamn neck.
"Enough," she giggled some more.
Grrr.
"Enough like what?" I nudged her with my elbow.
"Well, I know that your dad is in the board of directors at the hospital and he's also a surgeon there. Your mom is a architect and she loves to restore old historic buildings, her latest project is the old library downtown. Emmett is very competitive, he's a poor loser...and winner. He loves sports, Monopoly...even though he tries to enforce his own rules, and will watch anything Vince Vaughn. Oh! he also sleeps with a He-Man blanket he keeps hidden between his mattresses," she laughed.
Fucking Alice is airing out our dirty goddamn laundry!
"Alice is all about fashion. She sleeps, eats, breaths fashion. She admits being a little...overzealous and hyper. She also has a poster of N'Sync and the Backstreet Boys in her closet wall, hidden behind her clothes." Just then the teacher called for everyone's attention.
Perfect fucking timing, asshole.
Mr. Saldivar lectured about music from the 1800's. So I never has a chance to bring up the conversation again. The bell rang and Bella quickly gathered her things and walked out the door. I hurried to catch up to her.
"Bella! Wait." I called as I caught up to her.
"What's up?" She stopped and looked up at me.
"You didn't finish," I pointed out.
"Finish what?" She raised her eyebrows.
"You didn't finish telling me about what you know. What Alice told you about us," I reminded her. She blushed and looked down.
"Um...that was all she told me." She's a fucking terrible liar.
"Alice didn't mention me?" Her blush grew deeper.
So fucking beautiful.
"Um, yeah...she did," she hesitated, "but I'm going to be late meeting Alice and you know how she hates waiting. So, how about I tell you later?" She is not getting out of this one, no fucking way.
I pulled out my cell phone and dialed Alice's number. I signaled her to wait.
"Vous avez atteint Alice," she chirped on the other end. (You've reached Alice)
"So, French class went well?"
"Naturellement," she chuckled. (Naturally)
"Well, I called to tell you that Bella is going to be a bit tardy meeting you."
"Pourquoi?" (Why)
"Ce est aucun de votre affaires," I responded in perfect french. (It's none of your business)
Bella looked confused.
"Tres bien," she grumbled. (Very well)
"We'll meet you in the lunch room."
"Au revoir," she said ending the call. (Goodbye)
"What was that all about? You speak French?" Bella asked, a bit surprised.
"I was excusing you tardiness. Alice and Jazz will meet us in the lunch room. So, I can safely assume that Alice didn't mention my ability to speak French?" I raised an eyebrow at her.
"No, but she did mention other things," she smirked.
I looked around the quad, reminding myself that other people were around and James could see us talking. So I took her hand and pulled her to the back of the building. She didn't say anything while I pulled her along. I quickly look around, no one could see us here.
"Okay Baby B, spill. What did Alice say about me?" I leaned into her, forcing her back to the wall.
She wasn't getting away.
"Um...well, she said you liked reading...classics mostly." Her eyes were wide and she was starting to breath heavily.
"And..." I put one palm against the wall next to her head. Her eyes glanced at my hand and back to my eyes.
"And you still have your old set of Lego's," her eyes were fluttering, I was making her nervous.
Her lips look so fucking soft.
I suppressed a groan.
"And..." I placed my free palm against the wall by the other side of her face.
"And your parents passed away when you were five," she whispered. "Esme and Carlisle adopted you," she looked down at her feet.
"And what else did she tell you?" I wasn't mad at Alice, everyone around here knows the story.
"And you're also a sore loser," she looked into my eyes.
Beautiful brown sparkling eyes.
"Alice was wrong about that," I lowered my head till I was at eye level with her.
"You're not a sore loser?" I could feel her sweet breath caressing by face.
"I wouldn't know." I inched closer to her.
"H-how so?" She bit her lower lip.
Fucking sexy.
"I never lose, Isabella." I leaned in closer till my nose was brushing against hers.
Fuck, she was driving me insane. It was getting too hard, I was losing control. I wanted her.
"N-never?" Her eyes were glazing over.
I grazed her cheek and made a trail down to the soft flesh under her ear with my nose, and back up to where I started.
Jesus, she smells so fucking good.
I suppressed another groan.
"Never," I whispered, she licked her lips while glancing at my own.
That's it! That's fucking it!
I closed the space between our lips. A soft gasp escaped her lips. I softly brushed her lips with my own once, twice, three times. I pulled back to look into her eyes, they were still closed. I smiled and pressed my lips to hers once again. They were juicy, supple, and warm.
Perfect.
My hands slid from the wall to cradle her face. Her skin was so soft, I caressed her cheeks gently with my thumbs. I ran my tongue over her lower lip, asking permission to explore her mouth. Bella parted them slightly granting me access. I slipped my tongue in between her lips and gently massaged her warm, wet, sweet tongue. We both moaned.
I'm in fucking heaven. So sweet.
Bella soon was following suit. I could feel her body pressing against my own. I slowly ran my hands down her neck to her shoulders and down her arms. I snaked my arms around her tiny waist and pressed her closer to my body. I felt her small hands run up my chest and to the back of my neck. Her fingers intertwined in my hair.
I could feel the electricity running between us. I tilted my head to the side to deepen the kiss. I have never, and I do mean never, experienced a kiss like this. It was soft, sweet, sexy, erotic, it was everything. Her fist tightened and pulled my hair a bit causing me to moan in her mouth. She pushed her body closer deepening the kiss.
This is so right, this feels so fucking right, Bella and me, I can't let her go. I need her, she's what I've been missing in my life. This funny, smart, beautiful, lovely, sassy, muse is what I've been missing. I swear, I wont fucking let her go.
James be damned.
I felt my phone vibrate in my back pocket interrupting my goddamn time in pure fucking bliss. I didn't pick it up, who ever it was, can fucking wait. I wasn't about to let anything ruin this moment with Bella.
"WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS!"
Bella and I both turned to the screeching. There at the end of the building was Tanya and James.
FUCK!
I felt Bella trying to pull away from my arms but I didn't let her.
Fuck them.
"You move fast Cullen," James sneered.
"You fucking BITCH!" Tanya screamed pointing at Bella.
Bella tensed up and shrunk into my chest. I saw Alice, Jazz, Emmett, and Rose running behind them.
"Don't you fucking dare call her that," I snapped at Tanya. Her eyes widened and she lunged herself at Bella but Alice and Jazz grabbed her before she got too close.
I pushed Bella behind me. And glared at James who had his fist balled up at his sides. Emmett put a hand over James' shoulder when he noticed his stance.
"Hey, calm the fuck down." Emmett warned.
"Fuck it Emmett, let him," I said ready for James' attack.
"No," Bella whispered behind me, her hands grabbing my shirt.
James relaxed his posture and smiled.
What the fuck is he up to?
"I'm not gonna to do anything. I'm a little upset that you would talk to my little sister like that. You can't really blame her for her reacting, can you? I mean, with your history with her," he smirked and I saw Tanya relax in Alice's arms.
Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, don't you fucking dare!
"What is James talking about Edward?" Bella asked.
What can I say? I fucked Tanya. Oh, and by the way, it's all over the fucking web?
Fuck that.
"Tell her Edward, tell her-," Tanya smiled.
"Shut you mouth Tanya," Rose cut her off.
"Break it up people, break it up!" Mr. Saldivar and Principal Artikian walked around the corner.
Thank God!
"Do we have a problem here Mr. Cullen? Mr. VonHarper?" Principal Artikian asked.
James gave me a menacing smile and responded, "Of course not, Mr. Cullen is one of my best buddies."
"Yeah, no problem," I glared at James.
"Well then, disperse. Come on, move it along Mr. Hale, you too Ms. Hale. That includes you too Ms. and Mr. Cullen. I said move it along Ms. VonHarper." The principal and Mr. Saldivar moved us along. James and Tanya looked back at us briefly and walked to the parking lot. The rest of us headed to the lunch room. I was still holding Bella.
"Are you okay?" I whispered in her ear.
"Yeah, just a little scared. I didn't know Tanya would react like that," her voice was shaky and her eyes were watery.
"It's okay, she wont do a goddamn thing to you, I promise," I kissed her temple.
We made it to the lunch room with out causing more attention. We took our seats and Alice started.
"I called your cell! Why didn't you pick up?" She whispered so no one outside our table could hear.
"I was...busy." I peaked at Bella, she was blushing.
So fucking cute.
"We could see that you were...busy. Playing a little tongue of war, Eddie?" Emmett wagged his brows.
"Idiot," Rose rolled her eyes at Em.
"What happened?" Alice asked.
"I was talking to Bella, I didn't want to bring attention to us, I didn't want James to see. So I pulled her to the back of the building and we started talking. And, well...one thing led to another and..." Alice cut me off.
"You kissed!" She jumped out of her chair and yelled it out.
The whole lunch room stopped their conversation and looked towards Bella and I.
Fucking Alice.
"Oops, sorry," she whispered.
Fuck, now she whispers!
She looked around the lunch room and yelled, "I wasn't talking to you! Mind you own business!" then sat down.
"Sorry about that Bella, Alice gets a little excited and forgets where she's at," Jazz apologized for Alice.
Bella's face was bright red. I pulled her closer to my side and rubbed her shoulder.
"Now James knows, what are we going to do?" asked Emmett.
"You should be more concern about Tanya," Rose responded.
"Rose is right, said Jasper, Edward, you need to talk to Bella." I knew what he was talking about.
"Talk about what?" Bella asked softly.
This is gonna fucking kill me.
"About Edward's...past, before he knew you Bella." Alice responded when I took too long to answer.
"Okay?" Bella looked a little scared.
The bell rang and we all decided to meet at my house at six. I should be done explaining every thing to Bella by then and hopefully she wont run from me. I walked Bella to her class, I was too paranoid to let her walk alone. James knew, and he wasn't happy. I don't know what he would do. We made it to her class and she turned to look at me.
"How bad is it, your past, I mean," her eyes held no anger only concern.
"I...I'll tell you everything once we get home." I didn't know how I was going to tell her. Sure it's in my past, but still. I'd be fucking pissed off if she had a past like mine. Fuck all that double standard bullshit, I'd be fucking livid.
But still, my past wasn't something I wanted to flaunt to her.
"Whatever it is, I wont judge you, your past is in the past," she placed her small hand on my chest.
I leaned in and kissed her softly on the lips.
"Bella, do me a favor?" She nodded.
"Wait for me inside your class after the bell rings," I caressed her cheek with the back of my hand.
"Why?" She looked puzzled.
"I'll explain later, just please wait for me, okay?" She agreed.
I kissed her lips again and whispered 'thank you' against them.
After class was done, I ran back to her. She was waiting inside the by the door. I walked her to her next class and asked her to do the same. After school was over, we walked to the parking lot together. All the while the entire student body was fucking staring at us.
Nosy ass bastards.
I noticed James' and Tanya's cars were missing, they must have left early. I asked Alice to drive my car home, I was gonna ride with Bella.
When Bella parked outside her house she unbuckled her seat belt and turned to me.
"Okay, your turn to spill."
Shit.
**********
~James~
Fucking Cullen, he's going to regret this shit.
Tanya and I decided to take off early from school. We had to regroup and come up with a plan. We walked in our house and, of course, mother was there...shit face drunk.
"Hey loves, home so early?" This woman is a pro, she never slurred her words when she was drunk.
"We have a fucking problem, her name is Bella," Tanya sneered.
"That girl again?" Mom rolled her eyes, "Tanya, look at you! I'm sure that girl couldn't hold a candle to you."
"Well, we caught the bitch and my Edward making out!" she yelled.
Mothers eyes widened, "No, he can't do that. He's...he's yours."
"Tell him that!" Tanya screeched.
"Stop yelling Tanya, we need a plan. All that jealousy bullshit isn't gonna work. We need to be smart about this." I hate taking to these two at the same time, they're like chickens with their fucking heads cut off.
"What's your plan?" Mother asked.
"Simple, you fucked Edward," I said to Tanya.
"Yes, so? I fuck a lot of people, that's not a plan asshole."
"First off, don't let Cullen find out you fuck others on a daily basis. The plan is to make him think he's the only one for you," I chuckled and shook my head, "Secondly, how would you feel if the guy that just made out with fucked a girl not two weeks ago?" I asked.
"Oh...make him look like he's playing games with her." Tanya voicing part of my plan.
"I'll, of course, act as Bella's friend and 'be there for her,' and feed her more bullshit about Edward."
"What if that doesn't work?" Mother asked.
"Oh sweet, caring, lovely mother. There are always other options. One way or another, I will get what I want." I kissed my mom on the head and kissed Tanya on the cheek.
Challenge fucking accepted Cullen.
So Bella and Edward got caught.
And by the people Edward wanted to keep in the dark.
I hope you enjoyed James' POV, thinks will start to pick up here.
Let me know whats on your mind, please review; )
