Here is a hump day update! I'll post a new chapter this weekend.
Your reviews are amazing! We're getting close to 50, and that is huge for me! This story has surpassed all my others except Lights of Life with 79.
You guys are the best. Happy reading!
-S
Chapter 8:
Maze
Saturday morning came quickly and I was fighting a slight hang over. Alice had stayed over passing out on my couch with me in the chair. It felt like senior year all over again, stiff neck included. I was incredibly disappointed in myself for being an idiot. I knew I had to be up by five the next day. Renee had always said that water is the only true thing to cure a hangover, so I had a large bottle of it, and downed three advil's. As a teacher, we were designated to sit at the front of the bus, which was fine with me. I was already worried about how the yelling teenagers would affect my head. The seat next to me was open, and I was hoping that it would stay that way. Total, there wasn't quite one hundred seniors this year, but five other teachers, and two other buses would be coming on the trip today and I had forgotten to check which teachers they were. When Jacob Black emerged onto the bus, I groaned internally.
"Miss Swan!" His loud voice sent little bombs to go off in my head.
"Shh!" I screeched in pain.
"You don't look so good."
"Thanks," I stated dryly. He was right, but still. I knew I should've dressed better than an old pair of skinny jeans, knee high boots and a grey sweater, but I did not have the energy. Jacob plopped himself in the seat next to me excitedly.
"Orange juice," He suggested. "The only hangover cure," He whispered. A few students had collected on the bus already. I looked to him annoyed which caused him to laugh.
"I'll be right back." Jacob jumped out of the seat and ran back to the school. No one should be that perky and seven in the morning. I looked out the window and the chilly fall morning looked beautiful.
"Ms. Swan? I didn't know you were coming!" I turned to see Erin looking down at me excitedly.
"Erin, hi. Yes, it's going to be a fun day," I told her smiling. She pranced to the back of the bus and took a seat next to a tall boy.
"Here," Jacob said suddenly reappearing on the bus again. I looked to his hand that held a bottle of orange juice and smiled kindly.
"Thanks," I said. He sat down next to me and I could smell his cologne. It was much different from Edward's musky wood smell. Jacob smelt more like a Tommy Hilfiger model.
"So, why orange juice?" I asked after taking a few sips.
"You need the calories. Water is good, yeah, but do you feel like eating?" I immediately shook my head.
"Exactly," He replied laughing, "Hence the orange juice."
"You sure do know your stuff, Mr. Black," I teased.
"I'm a football coach, Miss Swan," He suddenly leaned in closer to me, "I get a lot of boys with hangovers!" We laughed together loudly. A few students looked up to us questioningly and my cheeks grew hot. I relished in the fact that it was easy to converse with Jacob, and I knew he wouldn't let canceling our date affect him negatively. Edward came on to the bus suddenly and I pretended not to notice him in his black sweater, jeans, and wild hair. Green eyes burning...
"Bella?" Jacob asked. I refocused my eyes to brown ones and smiled embarrassed. "Well?"
"Sorry, my ears went out," I joked, "What did you say?"
"I said, will you come to the state championship game?"
"When and where?" I asked happily.
"Really?" He faked shocked. I smacked his arm playfully the regretted it. To everyone else I'm sure it looked like we were flirting and I didn't want that. I was beginning to see Jacob as a brother.
"I've come to enjoy the sport."
"It is art in its own way, you know," He said in a teasing philosophical voice.
"Ha ha. Congratulations by the way, Coach."
"We're pretty excited. I have a great team. It's going to be held in the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis."
"I'll be there," I said. I glanced over Jacob's shoulder to spot Edward conversing with Mr. Williams, the science teacher and sighed lightly. The bus had filled with students during my conversation with Jacob, and before we knew it, we began the hour drive to Quiz's Corn Maze.
"If any of are to get too wild, you'll be sent back to the bus," Jacob confirmed in his loud voice. We had all gathered around the entrance of the maze to listen to Jacob. "I know none of you want that..." He added with a smile.
"How big is the maze?" One student asked.
"It goes on for a couple of miles. Stay together. No going off alone. In a few hours, we'll meet back up to eat. Us teachers will be doing rounds to make sure you're not off doing the no-no." A few teachers frowned on Jacob's joke but the students laughed.
"Go!" Jacob boomed, "Have fun, and don't get lost!" The students slowly dissipated around us. Just as I started to walk behind them with Jacob, Edward took hold of my arm possessively. I looked to him both angry and ecstatic for him to be touching me. Jacob noticed, too.
"Start at the end with me, Miss Swan?" Edward asked in his velvet voice. As hard as I tried to fight it, It melted my insides. I couldn't answer knowing my voice would crack, so I nodded instead. We walked away from the others to the entrance of the end, and I glanced back to Jacob. He didn't look hurt, he looked angry. I jerked my arm away from Edward and started my walk through the crowded maze. He kept up with me easily as we rounded corners sharply, corn slapping against us.
"Bella, slow down," Edward said out of breath. I rolled my eyes and slowed my stride as he worked his way next to me.
"Don't do that to me again," I said harshly.
"Do what?"
"Take me like I'm your property."
"Did it piss Jacob off?" He retorted sarcastically.
"Dammit Edward!" I yelled, "I don't want strife. Whatever happened to you not wanting to mix work with pleasure, huh? Do you want to make enemies with the football coach?"
"That happened long before you came back, Bella," Edward said laughing.
"You're infuriating!" I started to walk again desperately wanting to be away from him. It hurt to want it, but I did.
"Alright, I'm sorry!" He called after me, "Just slow the hell down. Do you want to kill me?"
"You need to get in shape," I called back. I stopped walking and waited for him as I grabbed all my hair and put it in a ponytail.
"I'm sorry," He said again from beside me now.
"Sorry for what exactly?" Edward narrowed his eyes.
"For everything."
"What is Everything, Edward?"
"Seriously?" He whined.
"Yes."
"For treating you like an adolescent, for calling you by your last name, and for acting possessive. I'm not sorry for making Jacob jealous, though. It's payback."
"Jesus," I sighed while pinching the bridge of my nose. "You're hopeless."
"What did I leave out?" I looked at him knowingly. I knew he could see the hurt behind my eyes.
"I won't apologize for something I didn't do, Bella, but I am sorry you had to see that all those years ago. Man you sure do hold onto things," He voiced angrily. He ran his long fingers through his thick hair in frustration. I started walking again but kept it slow.
"You're right. I'm sorry for holding it against you. I had no right," I said quietly.
"It's okay. You're cute when you're angry."
"Cute? Ha, that's exactly what I'm going for," I replied with venom.
"I don't understand why you hate me so much," He said quietly. I stopped walking and swung around to face him.
"It's like I'm in a maze with you all of the time, Edward! I'm constantly trying to figure you out and failing each attempt. It's infuriating, exhausting, and heart breaking. All I've ever wanted is you! So, pray tell Mr. Cullen: do you want me, or do you want me not? It's a simple question. Answer it."
Edward looked to his feet before looking back to me. He began to shake his head slowly making me think he wasn't going to answer the question. Before I could give up completely, Edward crushed himself to my small body. I would have fallen over had his hold on me not been so tight. His mouth was on mine with fury. Hastily, angrily, wet. I was too overwhelmed to move, so I didn't. I let him maneuver me freely. Maybe he just needed to hear the words of me wanting him. Maybe I just needed to shut up. I threw my arms up to hold his face roughly and began to kiss him back. My own lips meshing just as furiously with his as he continued to crush himself to me. I didn't want to, but I pushed him away from me as hard as I could needing air in my lungs. He took my shove and backed away instantly. The expression on his face was broken.
"I'm sorry," He whispered.
"Don't be. I just needed some air," I said smiling. Edward grinned and reached for my hand.
"Will you come over for dinner tonight?" I asked.
"What about your date with Jacob?" He asked sadly.
"I cancelled it yesterday..."
"Why?"
"I found out some things that I wasn't too happy about, but mostly it was because he isn't the one for me."
"I'm glad."
"So, tonight?" I asked again.
"Just tell me when and where, Bella." I squeezed his hand tightly which made his grin broaden. I felt happy for the first time this year and the corn maze was now my favorite place.
"I feel better," I said lightly.
"So do I," He agreed still grinning. We finished the corn maze with plans for him to come to my apartment tonight by seven and we would talk more about us. I couldn't wait to get to know him more.
Edward and I sat together on the bus back to KVHS, and enjoyed each others company fully. We laughed like we used to. Jacob was eyeing us suspiciously the entire time, but I just ignored it. It was now after our dinner, and we were huddled together on my couch with some wine and cigarettes.
"I had no idea that you smoked," Edward laughed.
"I only do when I drink," I replied before taking another drag off the Camel Light.
"When I was a teenager, my friends and I would steal them from my mother." Edward chuckled.
"I heard Phil is going to propose. How do you feel about that?"
"I just want her happy. He makes her happy and treats her well."
"He's a good man. I've known him all my life."
"Tell me about your life. As much as I do know you, I don't."
"What do you want to know?"
"The personal stuff," I said smiling. Edward tightened his grip around me.
"You might run for the hills," He teased.
"Tell," I begged. Edward sighed before speaking.
"Well, I lived in Chicago for years and taught at a college. I enjoyed teaching at college because the students I taught were in my class specifically for film, not as an elective."
"Is that why you went there?"
"The job was good, and my wife loved it," He said quietly.
"Wife?" I whispered in shock. That was news to me. I wasn't upset in the slightest, I just wanted to know more.
"Yes. We were married for ten years. I met her in college."
"What was she like?" Edward thought for a moment before speaking again.
"She was... Interesting. We had a good life until things just stopped working out for us. We were both unhappy, and she resorted to adultery."
"I am sorry," I uttered sadly. He shrugged his shoulders and smiled.
"Everything happens for a reason," He stated. As much as I wanted to kill his ex, I wanted to thank her, too. If she hadn't of been a slut, I wouldn't have ever met Edward. I shuddered at the thought.
"What was her name," I asked quietly.
"Irina. She was tall, hazel eyes, tan skin, and had long blonde hair," He replied reminiscing. He held an unknown gleam to his eye when he spoke of her.
"Sounds beautiful. Like Rosalie," I stated lamely. "Tell me about Rosalie."
"Bella," Edward warned.
"I won't be mad, and I trust you, I just want to know what really happened."
"Then light me a cigarette for this topic," He teased. Edward took the lit cigarette and eased himself back onto the couch comfortably. His dark sweater and jeans had me hot in a dark place.
"Simply, she said she needed help, and I went. First mistake," He said annoyed, "Then she proceeded to undo my pants as I told her no. She stopped, then kissed me grossly. It all happened so fast. Tongue everywhere. Then I shoved her away and yelled no at her. She backed away and said if I ever told anyone, she'd ruin my career. Its hard for a man's story to be believed in that sort of situation, so who could I tell?Then," He finished sadly, "I saw you."
"That fucking whore..." I said in fury. "She's a whore, Edward. She has slept with every man in this town!"
"Except for me," He added grinning. My chest eased at his words. He was right. He was untouched.
"Okay, I told you. How about you tell me a secret about yourself," He suggested.
"Uh," I thought and thought, "I'm a virgin." As soon as it came from my mouth I instantly regretted it. My cheeks ignited on fire.
"Don't be ashamed," Edward said touching one of my cheeks with his fingertips.
"It just means that I get you all to myself. Untouched..." His green eyes were blazing with want, much like my own. I leaned in and kissed him with all the passion I possessed. I could feel his own meeting mine with purpose before we pulled apart dreamily. I snuggled back into his chest and smiled to myself content.
"Your painted feather," He said suddenly. I propped my head up to look at my piece of art hanging by the door.
"Yes. It reminds me of you." Edward's grip tightened around me and he leaned his head down to my ear.
"Can I keep you?" He whispered.
"You've had me," I answered truthfully. He kissed my earlobe softly.
"Does this mean we're official?" I faked in shock.
"Miss Swan, I think it does."
