Hello everyone! New readers welcome to my story! So glad you decided to stick around. Here is chapter seven as promised on Monday :). I am sorry to say we are walking right into a ocean of angst for a while but pleaseee stick it out with me, I swear you won't be disappointed. Please remember that the chapter songs are very important, so please take the time to listen to them, either before or after the story. This story wouldn't be here without Taylor Swift's music so I think it should be taken more seriously. As always, please check out my Facebook and Twitter, for pictures, updates and teasers.
Special thanks to my beta JulieToo and advice giver Dishie. Wouldn't be posting this at all without you too.
Hope you enjoy! xoxo, Dance.
Chapter 7
The Story of Us
April 6, 2005
"This is looking like a contest
Of who can act like they care less
But I liked it better
When you were on my side."
Two months until graduation and the pressure is on. The teachers are stressing about getting us into a good college and parents are as well. Luckily for me, Edward and I already got accepted to the University of Tampa and we don't have to worry anymore.
When Em, Rose and Jazz graduated last year, they talked about how annoying applications were. But I only applied to two and got into my number one choice. Emmett and Rosalie already go to Tampa so we'll all hang out together. Jasper is going to NYU to be a lawyer and Alice is trying to follow right after him to go into fashion design. Everything is perfect.
I'm looking through my closet trying to find something to wear to Alice's graduation party tonight. Yes, I said graduation. Alice feels no one will come to her party if she does it on graduation day like everyone else, so instead she is doing it two months before. I think it's ridiculous but Alice is Alice and you have to let her do what she wants.
I hear the door bell ring and I call out, "Who is it?!"
I hear a faint "Edward!" so I shout at him to come in and that I'm in my room. I put some dresses on my bed and look up to see him walk through the door. I grin at him and open my arms widely. He chuckles and walks into my arms, pulling me up into his chest. I lightly kiss his neck before pecking his lips. "I missed you," I tell him.
"You saw me last night, babe," he responds while playing with my hair. I shrug and snuggle closer to him, trying to engrave him into my skin.
"I know but I still missed you anyway," I answer. He rolls his eyes at me before taking my face in his hands and kissing me. I sigh happily into his mouth and close my eyes. I will never get tired of kissing Edward. My whole body tingles and lights on fire just from the touch of his lips. I can get lost in him forever.
Eventually he pulls away and I walk back into my closet. While flipping through dresses, I joke, "What's up? I hope this visit is more pleasure than business."
I hear his sigh, then, "Yeah, sorry babe. It's pure business."
"What's going on?" I ask him while throwing some dresses out the closet door.
"I got a scholarship to the University of Siena."
"Oh that's nice. Where's that?" I wonder distractedly while searching around my shoes.
"Italy."
"Oh."
Silence envelops the room like fog and I walk through it unfazed. I step through my door and begin surveying the dresses on the mirror. Edward watches me, though it's more like calculating my every move.
After a few minutes, he asks, "Aren't you going to say anything?"
I look over my shoulder at him before turning back to the mirror. "About what, hon?"
He looks at me exasperated, "Italy, Bella."
"Oh," I shrug. "That's nice of them I guess."
"What?"
"It's a nice offer," I elaborate. "But it sucks that you have to turn it down."
I take notice of his frown through the mirror, wondering what's bothering him. "Bella, what are you talking about? I am going to Italy."
I laugh at the absurdity of his statement and say, "No, you're not."
"Yes I am."
"No."
"I'm not asking for your permission, Bella!" He finally yells, standing up and towering over me. I feel his anger rolling in waves but all it does is fuel my own desperation.
"I don't care if you ask for it or not, Edward! You are not going!" I turn away from the mirror, training my blazing gaze on him. "You and I are going to U of Tampa, remember? Apartment junior year, then marriage, kids, a dog and happily ever after. You promised!"
I hold desperately to the hope that he will stay with me. We planned everything together and it was supposed to stay that way. I can literally see my future crumbling before my eyes and I blink back the tears I feel are coming.
He sighs and I think he's realized the problem. But then he says, "I know I said those things and I still want them. But this is my dream, Bella! You know I've wanted this since I wanted to be a doctor. It's the opportunity of a lifetime. Why can't you support me?"
"Because I can't support you leaving me!" I scream, the desperation finally reaching the surface. My cheeks are wet from crying but I ignore them. All I see is Edward's furious face.
"Why are you being such a selfish bitch?! I can't believe it!" He clenches his hands into fists over and over.
"I don't care about being selfish! I care about being with you and you are staying!" I say, declaring the conversation over.
Edward shakes his head at me, the fire in his eyes still burning but his face remains calm. "I'm sorry, Bella," he whispers and I can feel my heart breaking. "It's over between us. This is an amazing opportunity and I need someone who will support me."
He walks out with purpose, slamming the door on the way out. My anger only dissipates when I hear the screeching tires against my driveway. My sobs fill the room as I crumble to the floor, the weight of the situation crushing me.
3 years and 7 months. All vanished because of one argument. Why can't he understand where I'm coming from? He is the only one for me, I know it. There is no love like the one we share….shared.
All I was trying to do was keep our relationship alive. And on the same continent for God's sake! We are better and stronger together.
I lay on my bed for I don't know how long. There are creases on my face from the pillow and my foot is numb and tingling. The light, morning sky turned into shining darkness while in my comatose state. I glance at my phone just now noticing the flashing screen.
I reach over and take it. There is only one message, which both surprises and disappoints me. It's only Alice and the hollowness in my chest widens. She reminds me to be at her house at eight dressed and ready for the party. I realize with a start that Edward probably didn't say anything to anyone yet. I don't know how to feel about that.
I check the time and I have 30 minutes to get ready and be there on time. I consider not going but I know Alice will come looking for me and she'll find out the truth sooner and it'll ruin her party. I prefer not to spoil her night too.
I pick one of my dresses off the floor and put it on. I do my hair and make up half heartedly, enough that Alice will approve but not enough to do a lot of work.
I look into the mirror and all I see is a girl playing dress up without having fun. I practice my fake smiles a few times before getting in my car and driving to the Cullen house.
The party is in full swing when I arrive and I should've known that Alice would give me a later time so I can make an unnecessary grand entrance. My hands are shaking and I take a few deep breaths. The longer I stay outside, the faster someone will come looking for me.
I get out of the car and make my way up the driveway. I open the door quietly and poke my head in. The sitting room is packed with our graduating class, all mingling in groups of three or four. I sneak in quietly, trying to blend into the crowd.
My efforts are futile because once I step through the door a loud squeal exclaims, "Bella!" All the heads in the room turn toward me and I wave shyly, a deep blush covering my face. One pair of eyes burns deeper into my skin than the others and I look up to meet Edward's stare. Behind his green orbs lays the fury from this afternoon and I try to communicate with my eyes my deepest apologies. He turns his head away and I frown at his dismissal.
I feel a tug on my hand and as I look down at Alice, I put on the fake smile I practiced in the mirror.
"You're here! Never mind that you're late. Let's get you something to drink," She tells me while pulling on my hand.
The entire night is filled with fake smiles and meaningless small talk with people I'll probably never see again after high school.
Edward and I don't speak or interact. It's killing me inside but when I look at him, he seems to be enjoying himself. Without him, I find myself standing awkwardly to the side, while before I was an active participant.
I sit alone on the loveseat, the only seat left and away from Edward. I'm surprised no one has said anything; it isn't like we're not making it obvious.
I realize I've thought too soon when I see Alice stalking toward me with a determined look on her face. I gulp roughly before standing up slowly bracing myself for Hurricane Alice.
She yanks my arm and pulls me toward the hallway. Once were away from the masses, she whispers fiercely, "What is going on, Bella?!"
I shrug and stutter, "W-what do you mean?"
"I mean the fact that you and Edward haven't spoken or looked at each other since you arrived. Want to explain that to me?"
I take an unsteady breath and the tears spring to my eyes involuntarily when I realize I have to tell her. "Alice," I whimper. "We broke up."
Her eyes flash in fury and I can see her resolve before she takes a step. Alice starts to walk to Edward and I yank her back. She fights against me furiously until the only thing I can do to stop her is beg. "Alice, please don't." I plead.
She looks back at me and relents, "Okay. To my room now."
I spend the next hour explaining what happened, why I said things and how I feel. By the time I get home, I'm exhausted, both emotionally and physically. Before I go to sleep I think about how the story of Edward and I is now a tragedy.
