I do not own Twilight or its characters. Stephenie Meyer does.
CH 7 Memories
September 20, 2006 (EPOV)
I was already feeling guilty as we drove the couple of blocks to Tanya's. I was still mad about how I reacted about Jacob. Plus, how I was a dick when I tried to show Bella I could easily get another girl. I hurt Bella and now used Tanya, who was completely innocent.
It wasn't all vindictive. I thought if Bella was going to move on, I should too. I chose Tanya because, after Bella, she was the only decent one at school. But still she wasn't my Bella.
Bella has been my best friend since we were learning to walk. We naturally clicked with one another. We both, enjoyed to quietly play together as my siblings chased after the Hales. No, I'm not kidding. I still laugh thinking about how Alice used to chase Jasper around the yard demanding he play house with her. Though, I doubt anyone would be surprised that Emmett always chased after Rose and would do anything she said.
I remember realizing I had a crush on my best friend when I was seven and terrified to perform in my first recital. I remember her encouraging me, by telling me that I could do it, with her shy smiles.
I froze at the piano just as I was about to start and she came up on stage. She walked over and sat next to me on the bench. She was wearing a blue dress that I'm sure she hated. She blushed and had a determined look on her face.
She gave me a small smile as she gave my hand a squeeze.
"You can do this, teddy," she blushed. "I can be your good luck charm. If anyone asks just say I was your page turner and I was late." It was a very sweet gesture since the music didn't require any turning since it was an easy piece.
Bella hated to be the center of attention, but she sucked it up for me.
The summer we turned thirteen, I may have been guilty of telling Jasper to dare me to kiss her during a game we played by their pool. That is the summer Bella's breasts really blossomed. She went from tomboy to girl right before my eyes. Or maybe I just noticed more since Alice forced Bella into a bikini instead of a one piece that summer. My best friend/crush was beautiful. A lot of other guys started to notice her. I wanted to be her first kiss her more than anything, but I needed an excuse. I couldn't just kiss her.
"Did you see, Bella? When did she get boobies?" I punched Emmett in the arm.
"Stop staring at her," I hissed.
"Please, the same can be said about you," Emmett snickered before jumping into the pool. "Cannon Ball!" Water splashed up and the girls squealed.
"Emmett," Rose hollered. I caught Bella's eyes and she blushed. She looked beautiful in that color blue, Jasper elbowed me.
"Now who's staring," he snickered.
"Am not," I muttered looking away as I felt my ears turning red.
"Hey guys, come over here so we can play truth or dare." Alice beckoned. Jasper started head towards them and I grabbed his arm. He looked back at me curiously.
"Jazz, do me a favor, dare me to kiss Bella." I whispered.
"What?" He looked bewildered; his eyes darted to Bella then back to me.
"Shhh…dare me to kiss Bella," I asked again.
"If you want to kiss her just do it," he shrugged.
"No, it could ruin our friendship. Come on, man, please," I asked again.
"Jasper and Edward, get over here," Alice whined. Jasper looked over at her then back at me.
"Alright," Jasper sighed and went to take a seat next to Emmett. I sat down on the other side of Emmett, next to Bella, in the grass off to the side of the pool.
"Everything okay, teddy," she whispered, I nodded. I was too nervous to look at her.
"I'll go first," Alice smiled. "Jasper, truth or dare?"
"Truth," he chose.
"Is it true that you have Power Ranger underwear still?" Alice giggled. Jasper glared at Rose, who was giggling. Bella bit her lip trying not to laugh. I did the same. I was asking him a favor, I shouldn't laugh. Emmett was laughing hard.
"Yes," he said curtly. Everyone burst into giggles. "Not my fault. My mom bought them."
"Edward, truth or dare?" he looked at me; it was now or never.
"Dare," I said a little loudly; he smirked.
"I dare you to…"He paused for so long I thought he wasn't going to do it. "kiss Bella on the lips." He smiled. Bella's face turned cherry red. She looked at me out the corner of her eye and bit her lip.
I nodded and stood up and held my hand out to Bella. She glanced at the girls who giggling. She stood next to me looking nervous. I placed my hands on her hips and she put her hands on my shoulders. I leaned down and kissed her lips lightly.
Though the kiss was sweet and innocent, it started a spark that went straight to my cock. I got my first boner ever right in front of my best friend/crush, siblings and friends. Emmett for once was tactful and pushed me in the pool before anyone else noticed. Or at least, I hope Bella never noticed.
By the time I was sixteen, I realized it was more than a crush I had for my friend that I was in love with her. What was there not to love? She was sweet, caring, smart, funny and beautiful. Her love to take care of others is what I admired most. This was before the others started to walk on her, that had only started happening within the last year. Back then they appreciated her.
The day I realized I loved her was shortly before her sixteenth birthday. I arrived at her house to take her to the Hales for swimming. When there was no answer at the door, I heard a noise out back and went to investigate.
"Honey bee?" I called. I noticed a ladder leaning against a tree. Then, noticed Bella in the process of climbing out onto a limb. "Bella, what are you doing?" My heart leapt into my chest. The girl was clumsy as hell and I was afraid she would tumble out of the tree to her death.
"There's a kitten in the tree and he's stuck," She turned while still on the ladder. I ran over and grabbed it because it was starting to shake. She looked down at me. I immediately felt the urge I always do to protect her. I would do anything to see her smile.
"Honey bee, get down before you get hurt." I pleaded.
"I can't leave him up there. He's just a baby; he's going to get hurt." She was stubborn as always.
"Let me help you. I promise I will get the kitten down safely once you're on the ground." She nodded and climbed down the ladder. "Where is he?" I asked. She pointed about half-way up the tree, where a tiny orange tabby was curled into a ball. Dang! How did that little guy get up that high?
"Get me your backpack. If I get him in there, it will be easier to get him down," I told her. She nodded. She disappeared into the house and brought me back the bag. I made my ascent up the tree. The poor little guy was tiny and shaking when I reached him. He scratched me a little bit before I could get him in the bag.
When I was back on the ground, Bella grabbed the bag from me and scooped the poor thing out. She cuddled him to her chest and the kitten started purring. She looked at me with tears in her eyes.
"Thank you, teddy," she kissed my cheek, my ears burnt red. Bella didn't notice because she was looking at the kitten.
"Come on, let's go get the little guy checked out." I brought her to the car.
"Do you think Charlie will let me keep him," she asked as she bit her lip. Her father was a fairly strict man, I understood her worry. But she was obviously already in love with the tiny creature.
"I don't see why not." I opened the door for her; she got in carefully. I jogged to my side and got in. If Charlie wouldn't let her keep it, I'm sure Esme wouldn't mind the kitten coming to live with us. Bella spent most of her time at our house anyways.
"What are you going to name him?" I asked, I couldn't help smiling, watching her nuzzle the little guy.
"Um I don't know. It's defiantly a boy, right? She asked, looking up at me.
"Yes, I got a good look when he scratched me." I answered rubbing my arm; she leaned over kissed my cheek.
"I'm sorry you got hurt," she said blushing before turning her eyes back to the small bundle of fur, who looked quite content in her lap.
"I'll be fine." I would do it again to see that smile, I added silently.
"How about Tony" she asked, turning back to his name.
"For the cartoon cereal tiger?" I raised a brow, I didn't think she was that big a fan of the Frosted Flakes, but I guess it was better then Pop Tart.
"Actually, I was thinking like Anthony, after you, since you saved him." She blushed. She looked up at me with shinning eyes. I felt a tug on my heart as it hit me like a ton of bricks. I didn't just have a crush on my best friend. I was head over heals in love with her.
"Edward!" Emmett shouted and I jumped slightly.
"Geesh, Emmett, don't do that as I'm driving." I hissed, giving him a glare.
"You're not driving. You have been parked outside Bella's house." Emmett looked at me strangely. I looked up at the familiar two story white house, bewildered. "We were suppose to go to Tanya's." He reminded me.
"Right," I started up the car again.
"Stop, we are switching." Emmett's hand grabbed my arm.
"I'm fine," I tried to pull away from his grip but his hand tightened on me.
"No, you're not. You're not functioning the greatest right now. That was some of the craziest driving I have ever seen you do." His voice softened. "Look, we get it. You're worried about Bella. I'm sure anyone of us would feel like you do if it was the one we love. You can't do it all, Edward, let us help you." He held out his hand for the keys. I nodded and let him have it. Because truth is, he's right. I don't remember the journey at all from Mike's.
After we switched seats, Emmett started to drive to Tanya's house. It didn't take him long to pull up to the split level house complete with a white picket fence. A dog was running around the yard.
"Let's do this." Emmett parked in front of the house.
"At least we don't have to threaten Tanya for information." Alice sighed.
Tanya stepped out before we got to the door. She wasn't smiling. In fact she looked unhappy to see us.
"Then again, I might be wrong," Alice whispered sounding uncertain.
"Tanya, can we…" I was cut off when she smacked me hard across the face. Then smacked me again a second time.
"Damn," Emmett muttered.
"What was that for," Rose snapped. I was mildly surprise she was defending me.
"The first was for Bella. The second was for me." Tanya crossed her arms in front of her chest. I did deserve it, so I wasn't going to make an issue of it.
"It's fine," I said dejectedly. Tanya looked angrier, her blue eyes blazed at me.
"It's fine? It's fine that you treated your best friend like trash, or as a quick lay. Then to turn around and tell her you didn't want to be friends with her any more." She hissed and I took a step back. She apparently knew more than I thought.
"It's more complicated than that." I rubbed my cheek, she was pretty strong.
"How complicated can it be? You both got drunk so your inhabitations went out the frickin' window and you had sex. Then you freaked out that you stepped over the line and ran like a little boy. Then days after, not calling her, you proceed to overreact about Jacob Black, telling her you can't even be friends. Which she had every right to accept that date since you're an idiot and didn't declare yourself, even though the date was a fake and she tried to explain that to you. Have I missed anything," she asked with an arch brow. "Or should I proceed to go on to the fact that you asked me out in front of her to hurt her. I'll tell you what, Edward Cullen, I'll not be used to hurt her or as a second place replacement." She was clearly furious with every right to be. She wasted no time calling me out.
"I'm sorry, Tanya. I was an asshole. You're right. You deserve better than that. As does Bella, I plan on telling her that if I can find her. That is why we are here. We need help trying to figure out what happened and where she might have gone." I pleaded as she continued to frown at me. This was far from as easy as we thought.
"Why should I help any of you? You were horrible to her! Why should I help you find her just for you to do it again?" She was glaring at the others now.
"Look, we realize what we have done and we're trying to fix it," Emmett argued. Tanya didn't seem fazed by him.
"So you feel guilty and you're doing this to make yourselves feel better." She accused.
"Of course we feel guilty. We are guilty. We never meant to hurt her like this? We have to set it right, not for us, but for her. She's at least owed an apology from us, even if she doesn't want to accept it." Jasper spoke up. My heart crumbled a bit more; I hadn't though of that until now. Even if we found Bella she could be done with us for good.
"And if she doesn't, you will all just walk away?" Tanya asked looking a little less mad.
The others exchanged looks, probably realizing what I had.
"I won't walk away from her without a fight. I'm willing to do anything to prove that I love her, that I was an idiot and that I'm sorry. I'm not giving up without a fight this time. I did that last time and it ended up hurting us both." I answer the truth, Tanya eyed me skeptically.
"I hope she puts you through the wringer. I hope she makes you beg on your knees." Tanya finally said. She sighed looking at all of us.
"Look, I don't know where she is. Last I saw her, she entered her house when we brought her home. I doubt Mike is involved. The boys paid him another visit this morning so he's not a threat." She uncrossed her arms. I felt a small relief that she got home safely that night.
"I'm on the way to the school gym, my sisters and their boyfriends are already there. They're setting up search parties." Tanya moved towards her car.
"Tanya, thank you. Please thank the others for helping her too." I told her, she nodded.
"Did you tell the Chief about Mike?" Jasper asked. I inwardly cringed if he knew what was on that tape.
"Mostly, he knows that Mike was harassing her. He doesn't know about the DVD. We all thought Bella has been humiliated enough without her father knowing about a sex tape. We took care of that for her." Tanya answered.
"We saw," Emmett chuckled evilly. Tanya looked at him and shook her head.
"Are you guys coming to the gym?" She asked with an arch eyebrow.
"We are already out looking. We are going to continue the path we are already on." I answered. She nodded.
"Oh, Edward, incase I wasn't clear. I'm not going to Homecoming with you, whether Bella forgives you or not." Tanya opened up her car door. "Come on, Aro." The small black lab trotted to the car and hopped in.
She drove off.
"Where to next?" Emmett jingled my car keys in his hand.
"Where would she go nearby to be alone?" Rose asked.
"We could try the old tree house," Jasper mentioned thinking of the tree house that was behind their house where we played often as kids.
"You think so? It's right off our yard. Wouldn't we have seen her, or the truck?" Rose frowned.
"It's just a suggestion," Jasper shrugged.
"La Push?" Alice mentioned. "Maybe Jacob is hiding her or maybe he knows where she went?"
"But Billy would say something?" I pointed out.
"Not if he doesn't know. Jacob has been hiding that he's gay, maybe he would hide her too." It was worth a shot.
"So tree house, then La Push?" Emmet clarified.
"We should stop by the Swan's house. Maybe there is something there that Charlie missed." Plus I wanted to check on Tony for her.
"Sounds like a plan," As we piled back into the Volvo and headed to the Hales since ti was closer.
As Emmett drove, my mind drifted to one final memory, when we were still very young. It was a couple of months after my piano recital. The rest of us were out riding bikes and stopped by the Swan's to see if she wanted to go with us.
We came to a stop at the driveway and we could hear the yelling inside between Bella's parents. Our eyes were wide as we looked at each other.
"Perhaps we should go," Alice said nervously. I looked up to Bella's window where it was open slightly.
"You guys go ahead. I'm going to check on Bella," I dropped my bike and head for a tree. I climbed it easily. It was when I got to the window that I hit a problem.
I looked through the window and saw her sitting in her rocking chair curled into a ball. I knocked on the window and she glanced up. She came slowly over to the window and opened it wider.
"Teddy, what are you doing here? If my parent's hear you, you'll get into trouble." She whispered her eyes were red and wet.
"I wanted to see if you're okay." I whispered. "Move over."
"Teddy, no. You will get hurt," She pleaded. I waved her away with my hand and she moved over. I jumped carefully, landing in the room but with a thud.
"Isabella, what did you do now?" Her mother yelled sharply.
"I knocked over my chair," her voice trembled. Her parents went on arguing. Bella's eyes welled up. I pulled her into a hug and she held me tight to me.
"I hate it when they fight like this." She was sobbing. I tried to sooth her the best I could.
"What happens if they get divorced? My mom hates it here. What if she takes me away from you, the others and my dad?"
"Shh, Bella, that won't happen," I told her, but I knew I was too young to stop her mom if she decided to take Bella away from me.
"Edward," Alice shook my shoulder frowning. She was leaning forward between the seats.
"What?" I asked in mild irritation.
"I have been trying to get your attention. Have you tried to call Bella?" She asked.
"I tried while we were at the house, it went directly to voicemail." I answered.
"Should we try again?" Emmett asked turning on to the Hale's street.
"If she's ignoring Edward, she will probably ignore us too. " Rose sighed.
"Maybe Jasper? He probably pissed her off the least?" Alice looked up at him. He took his cell phone out and brought it to his ear. He shook his head after a moment.
"Hey, Bells, we are all concerned if you're okay. Give one of us a call, please." Jasper asked before hanging up.
A/N:
I'm sure a lot of you love what Tanya just did. What do you think of Edward's memories? Just be clear he didn't share any of that out loud. Jasper has his reasons for the tree house, just hold on.
Thank You For All Review.
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Preview:
"Do we really have time for this," Jasper started to move toward the door.
"Not good enough. You're hiding something that involves Bella and you need to come clean." I placed a hand on his chest.
'Fine you want to know how I know Bella keeps coming here. I'll tell you." Jasper looked unsure but resigned in telling us.
