Chapter 6
Saturday February 26, 2011
Another Saturday at Newton's. Good thing was I worked the morning shift so I got off work at 5. Edward wanted to hang out so I was driving over there right after work. My curfew was midnight so that gave us a long time to spend together. Ben was going to some Karate movie festival in Port Angeles with Austin, Angela was babysitting, and Alice, well she was out with Felix again. Emmett was coming home next week for Spring Break with his new girlfriend Rosalie. She sounded pretty but Emmett was different. I guess being 20 and in his 2nd year of college, he was finally growing up! Mom was ecstatic he had been seeing the same girl or 2 months and told him to bring her home to visit. He was spending 3 days of break with us then they were going down to Olympia to spend the second half with Rose's family. She had a little brother still in elementary school that she adored-Benji.
Edward and I had been "official" for a week now. He asked me last Saturday to "be his girlfriend" and we were together every day. Well together in school and on study days. He would randomly show up at work when I was there to buy shoe laces or a carabiner for rock climbing or something equally insignificant as an excuse. I kept wondering how many under $10 items he could buy before he ran out of stuff to buy! He didn't have to buy anything. When Mike worked a shift, his friends stopped by all the time to chat when we had down time. Mrs. Newton would extend me the same courtesy. I'd worked there since the summer before I was 16 and only called out once junior year when I was sick with the flu for 10 days.
He met me at my truck and opened my door before I even turned it off. "Edward, what in the world-" He stopped me with a toe curling kiss. After we came up for air, I said hello.
"Bella, I can't wait. I have to tell you. I got into U-dub. I also got in-state tuition as well as $10,000 a year scholarship! We can be together!" My mouth was open in shock. We never really discussed it, although he did know of my plans. I knew his parents missed him (although I still really didn't get why he was in Forks) and wanted him to go to Northwestern. His dad was a lawyer and from what I heard, they were not hurting for money. His dad went to Northwestern and wanted Edward to go there too.
"What do you think?"
"I-I-that's great Edward! I didn't think you would accept it. I thought your parents wanted you to go back home."
"I talked with my dad today. They are gonna fly me home at the end of March for the long weekend for conferences. He was thrilled for me. U-dub is also accepting all of my AP courses and I can start as a sophomore. Northwestern will too but hasn't offered me any money. We can stay together Bella!"
My heart was full. We could stay together! I mean u-dub hadn't offered me scholarship money yet but they did say by March 1. It was only February 26 so I had a few days to go. I just hugged and kissed Edward back.
"Bella, I know you are too good for me but I want to tell you. I love you Bella. Don't ever doubt that. I will always love you."
"Edward, you are perfect for me. Don't ever say different. I love you too."
Edward and I "watched movies" the rest of the night in the movie room. I couldn't tell you a single movie or plot, but I think Will Smith was in 2 of them. We made out on the couch until 11:35-I knew I absolutely had to leave to get home by midnight. This was a perfect night.
December 8, 2018
Oh my God. Did I sleep with Edward? I mean I remember I was buzzed—Angela drove us home. It was barely 11pm but teaching all week plus her being pregnant had her falling asleep early. Ben was spending the night at her place anyway. I think he was moving into her place since she had 2 bedrooms and his was only 1 plus she was already pregnant and couldn't get more pregnant. They were engaged. Anyway, I had to tell myself to focus. "Edward, what are you doing here?"
"Mmm Bella, I didn't want to leave so you told me to stay if I wanted. You passed our pretty quickly and I was going to leave. You started sleep talking so I stayed awake until the alcohol caught up with me. You aren't mad, are you?" I wasn't but I felt myself falling again. Was that a dream I just had? Edward told me he loved me and we were staying together? Oh right, that was just a memory. Less than 4 months after his declaration he was taking it all back. That woke me up.
I was fully clothed except for my shoes but I pulled the blanket up around me anyway. "What did I say?"
Edward, fully clothed too, sat straight up. "What are you doing? You don't think I would take advantage of you? "
He got up and found his shoes. Uh oh. The scowl was back. I really needed to pee but I wanted to talk.
"Wait. I literally just woke up. I need to pee and I haven't finished sleeping. Just wait."
I went and did my business, then changed into some pj pants. Jeans were uncomfortable. After washing my face and brushing my teeth, I returned to my bedroom. Edward was still sitting on the side of my bed. Frisco was trying to get some pets in. I returned to laying down.
"C'mon Edward. I am not done sleeping. We don't have to be up for a few more hours."
Edward gave me a very doubtful look but returned to his position snuggling me. Frisco gave up and came around to the front of my body and laid back down too. "Are you mad?"
"No Edward. I just didn't remember. Its ok. We have done nothing wrong. What did I say?"
"Mostly my name and please stay. You were so adorable I couldn't resist."
"Mostly? What else?"
"Nothing important. Don't worry." He leaned in a pecked me on the lips. That woke me up and I sat straight up.
"What was that for?"
"What was what?"
"That kiss. Why did you kiss me?"
"Uh, because you were so cute and warm and sleepy. Why, am I not allowed to kiss you?" I so did not want to have this conversation on Saturday morning when the sun wasn't even fully out. "No, I mean you can but I mean, what does it mean?"
Edward ran his hand through his hair. "Bella, why does it have to mean anything. Sometimes a kiss is just a kiss."
He laid back down with a sigh. "I don't mean it like that Edward but I don't think you should kiss me if you are seeing anyone. I mean I am not but I don't want to assume it means something."
"Aren't you seeing me?" Hold up, what?
".."
"I said, aren't you seeing me? I mean aren't we seeing each other again? I am not asking for a label Bella but aren't we dating?"
"When did we go on a date?"
"Bella, we went out Tuesday then last night. We've kissed 2 other times. I mean I assumed you wanted this but maybe I misunderstood."
My brain just couldn't process this all. Was it real or was I still in the dream but jumped ahead? "Can we talk about this later, when I am more awake? I need more sleep." I know, lame ass answer but it was all I could come up with.
"Sure Bella. I have my phone set for 9:30. Get some more rest." He snuggled against me and I immediately felt drowsy and sleepy again. I almost thought I heard him whisper "I'm not giving you up this time" as I faded into a deep sleep.
"Bella, I told you over and over again but you didn't listen. I told you I was no good for and for you not to fall in love. Take care of yourself." Edward leaned in to kiss me and I felt relief. He kissed my cheek then walked out the door. He got into his Volvo, dressed in his tux from the wedding, and walked away. Alice, what is she doing here? "Bella, he was never meant to be with you sweetie. You read too much into it just like in high school." Wait this is not a memory? It's happening all over again?
Nooooo—I woke myself up crying with Edward shaking me and his phone alarm blaring. "Bella Bella, I'm here. Its ok. You re safe with me. Wake up baby."
I looked down at Frisco looking up at me then to my back with Edward's hands still on my shoulders. It was all a dream. I fell back to my pillow and sighed. Edward finally released me and silenced his alarm. I felt him moving behind me, probably to get his shoes and go back to his place. Angela said she'd be over by 10:45 so we could meet up with everyone at 11.
I was still lying there staring into outer space when Edward walked to me and crouched down on my side of the bed. He took my head in his hand and kissed my forehead, eyelids, nose, and then my mouth. I honestly didn't mean to deepen it, I just couldn't help myself. I was tugging at his hair by his nape and he was making these moaning sounds. Next thing I know, I've pulled him on top of me and we are touching full on body to body. I needed air but this felt so good. I couldn't help when I moved my legs and his lower half fell between them.
A bucket of cold water would have been less of a shock. Edward was suddenly by the door and I was bewildered how our make out session came to a sudden end. "Bella, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to get carried away. I have less than an hour to go home and get ready plus I'm sure you need to walk Frisco. I'll be back at 10:45." Less than 30 seconds later I heard my front door close. I still had no idea what happened. I mean he was giving me sweet kisses but I totally took over with shoving my tongue in his mouth and then pulling him on me. Did he really think he was taking advantage of me?
Hey wait, did he tell me we were seeing each other? That we had been dating all week? What? I grabbed my phone and sent him a text.
I have no idea why you left in such a hurry but we really need to talk. Did I dream it or did you say we were seeing each other? Bella
I threw on my jacket and leashed Frisco. I knew he had to pee. I went over to the "dog park" area and he took his sweet time. That was ok. I sat on the bench inside the gate and went over everything the past week. I just couldn't separate my dreams from the past and what had really happened this morning. I felt completely in the dark. I was going to demand Edward talk to me about what all went down years ago. I looked around at the other apartments. I had no idea which one he lived in but knew he could see me when I was at the park. That means he lived in the back part of A, B, or C building while I lived on the ground floor of B. My patio faced the poolside of the complex, not the side where the dog park was. I pulled out my phone and noticed he had texted me back.
Are you going to break up with me? Edward
Break up? I was really confused. I sent him a reply.
Edward, I didn't even realize we were seeing each other or even exclusive. I ahven't seriously dated anyone for over a year. I just want to talk. I know we can't at brunch but how about you come over for supper at 6? I'll make lasagna and we can talk privately. Bella
Ok but I am bringing the wine and salad. Edward
I smiled. Maybe tonight I would finally get some answers.
