A/N: I don't own Twilight. However, I do own an adorable black cat named Haushinka.
Chapter 8
BPOV
It seemed to me that Wednesday would never arrive. In fact, I thought Superman was flying around the earth counter-clockwise reversing time just to fuck with me, that's how slowly the minutes were ticking by. I tried to pay attention to classes and my homework, but how could I? My thoughts kept drifting to the feel of his thumb on my cheek or his fingertip on my lips. I wanted to see his face again so badly, it was actually painful for me not to. I'm pretty sure Angela thought I was still in a funk because she kept trying to do nice things for me - make dinner, give me rides to class, or clean the bathroom, but in all honesty, I was just in too much of a daze to pay her any mind. I promised myself that I would make it up to her...eventually.
I was relieved that my shift at work on Wednesday was a short one - only three hours long. Any longer, and I was positive my head would implode. If Nancy decided to make me shelve books, the time would pass by very quickly, so I crossed my fingers and hoped for the best. I walked into Nancy's office to drop off my purse and find out my fate.
"Oh hiiiiiiiiii, Bella!!! How are you tonight?"
"I'm just fine, thanks. How are you?" I braced myself.
And she was off and running. "Ohhhhhhhh, Bella, my husband got tickets to hear the orchestra play tomorrow night. I'm absolutely dreading it! Those screeching violins always give me a headache! I don't know why they play such high notes in the first place. I don't think that human ears were meant to hear such high notes! You'd think they wrote those songs for dogs to listen to instead! And I've told him not to get tickets to orchestra concerts because I can't stand those screeching violins - it such a waste of money! I mean, we have to get a babysitter for Emmeline and plus the cost of those tickets! What was he thinking!? I should just try and sell them to someone else. But what am I saying? You don't want to be bothered about this kind of stuff!"
I smiled. "It's okay Nancy. I'm sure you'll have a good time regardless."
She snorted, "I doubt it."
"So what am I doing this afternoon?" I asked, eyeing the cart of books sitting next to her desk.
You can start by shelving those books there, and then I need you to pull and replace the pocket parts for a few periodicals."
"Great! I'll get back in a little bit to grab the pocket parts. Thanks Nancy!" I started to wheel the cart out of the room.
"Hold on a second Bella!"
I turned to her. "Yes?"
"I almost forgot! Some professor stopped by and asked me to give this to you about two hours ago." She said, holding a small white envelope toward me.
I gulped. "Oh. Um, thanks, I guess." I said, taking it from her.
After I was away from Nancy's office and hidden away in the depths of the shelves, I open the envelope. With trembling fingers, I pulled out a folded note card. It read:
Bella, I'm so sorry but something has come up and
I can't make it to the library tonight. Please call me
when you are done with work if possible. Please
accept my apologies for the late notice.
Regards,
Carlisle
Disappointment washed over me. I had been looking forward to this evening for two days! I felt like someone had drained all of the air out rooms as I contemplated what I could possible done to make him change his mind about meeting me tonight. I could feel the tears start to well up in my eyes, but I blinked them back. This was nothing to cry to about! I tried to convince myself that it was just an informational meeting to go over his research requests - it's not like it was a date or anything. I shouldn't feel any differently than if, say, a lab partner had cancelled on me at the last minute. But I still couldn't wipe away the sharp sting of rejection I felt while I re-shelved the books.
After I had replaced the last pocket part and said goodnight to Nancy, I went out into the library's courtyard. Thankfully, it was practically deserted. A few people sat on benches talking or studying, but the weather was getting cooler now and most patrons were inside utilizing the study lounges.
I pulled my cell phone out of my purse and dialed the number that Dr. Cullen had written below his name on the note. To my surprise, he answered after the very first ring.
"This is Carlisle."
"Hello? Dr. Cullen? It's me, um, Bella?" I hadn't been ready for him to answer so quickly - I must have sounded like an idiot.
"Bella! I'm so glad you called me! I am so, so sorry, but a strange situation has arose and I'm stuck at my house this evening."
"That's okay," I said, "we can meet some other time - it's no problem." I prayed that he couldn't hear the despondency in my voice.
"No, no!" He exclaimed. "I was hoping that if it wasn't too inconvenient for you, you could just come over here, to my place instead. Would that be alright with you?"
I was dangerously close to having either an aneurysm or a heart attack.
"Y-yes, that would be fine." I stammered.
"I can give you directions or I could come pick you up if you need a ride."
Dammit! I knew I should have accepted Angela's offer to give me a lift to work!
"No, I drove to work today, so just the directions are fine."
"I live on Sherwood Drive, not too far from the Methodist Church. Do you know where that is?"
"I think so."
"The house number is 707. If you have any trouble finding it, just call me. You can park behind my car in the driveway."
"Okay." I was afraid to say more for fear that my voice would give away my excitement.
"Thanks for being so understanding about this, Bella. I'm really sorry about all the trouble."
"It's no trouble. I don't mind."
"I guess I'll see you in a little bit then."
"I'll be there."
"Thanks Bella, bye!"
"Bye Dr. Cullen."
I snapped my phone shut. Everything had happened so fast. Was that even Dr. Cullen on the phone? He'd sounded so rushed, so distracted. I felt like I had barely registered that we were having a conversation when suddenly it was over. I found myself frozen in place. I knew that the moment I moved, I would either start turning cartwheels through the courtyard or vomit on the spot. I sure hoped it would be the former.
