Yeah I know what you're thinking. WHOA! Another new chapter so quickly?! Trust me, with this quick update, you'll appreciate it. Why? Because the ending of this chapter is going to make you guys kill me for ending it there. :) Because I might not be updating anytime soon.
Besides (shrug) I was free to finish it :) hehe. Read this chapter carefully or you might miss some points off. Enjoy!
Disclaimer - Don't own Twilight. END:D I will tell you later in the chapter where you should start playing the song. Look out for the A/N!
Playlist - OK Go - You're so Damn Hot
Another Kind of Date
Bella's POV
"Bella!"
I looked up sleepily, "Huh, what?"
Angela shook her head, "What are you doing? You're sleeping in class!"
I quickly looked up. I was relieved when I saw the class was empty and the hallways were packed with people. I thought I had really fallen asleep in class. I hardly slept again last night after the phone call with Edward. I had tossed and turned around till probably after midnight.
I yawned and rubbed my eyes, "No I wasn't. I just rested my eyes after the class ended and Mr. Ellis walked out…"
I began to put away my stuff into my bag while yawning again, "What are you doing here? You don't take English Literature with me."
Angela sat down on an empty desk just next to me and rested her chin on her two hands on the desk, "Why are you so sleepy?"
I could hear the taunt in her voice, "What's your point, Angela?"
"I dunno. You were nodding off in Geography this morning. You seem to have a lot happening in your life lately," and she lifted her eyebrows up and down several times teasingly.
I rolled my eyes, but fondly at Angela, "Oh yes, I go out and drink day and night. I don't come back till the wee hours of the morning."
Angela grimaced, "Even if that is true, I feel insulted that I'm not invited."
I looked at her in disbelief, "You know how Ben would feel if he ever caught you drinking and dancing."
Angela sighed, "Maybe it's time I went out and showed my true colours. I feel like there is a part of me deep down that is still waiting to be released. I have no idea what's holding it back though…"
I shook my head, "I hope you're not considering that it is Ben that is holding you back."
Angela was silent for awhile. Then, she stood up and said, "Anyway, the reason I came here was because someone is looking for you. And I said I would find you for him since he was so worried that you stood him up. He's waiting for you at the table."
My heart leapt, "Who?"
"You remember Tyler? He asked you to come and sit with him and Mike today, remember?"
I frowned, "Oh yeah. I don't see we all can't sit together though. I mean, it is still in the same table just a little further down away from Lauren and Jessica."
Angela grinned, "Well you know the guys. They just can't wait to get you all for themselves."
Then she leaned over towards me, "Not to mention that they are worried they might lose you to Prince Charming."
"Angela!"
"It's true! I've never seen him look that way at anyone before! Nearly every girl in school is starting to notice this. He gives you a phone when you told him you didn't have one. He willingly offers to send you home. He waits for you outside your class."
"The phone was just, maybe…he felt sorry for me."
"Doubt that. Seriously I do."
"I live next door to him. I don't think it would hurt if he just sent me home. No excess petrol used up."
"Point made but he does realize you already have someone sending you home. Edward never even gives Tanya rides home anymore since…since I dunno. The point is, it's all very strange, don't you think?" Angela pointed out.
"You think too much, Angela. Let's go for lunch."
Before I could stand up from my seat, Angela quickly said, "You know, I was just kidding about Tyler. I mean yes, he was looking for you just now but I knew you didn't want to sit with him so I told him I didn't know where you were."
I nodded, "Okay, thanks. If what you told me before is true, then I don't think Jessica and Lauren would be too willing to welcome me back with open arms."
"Wait! And another thing. There is someone else looking for you now too. He was actually waiting outside the class right. I offered to go in first because you were mumbling his name in your sleep. But I suppose it's all pointless now since he probably heard every single detail of our conversation."
I gasped, "I hate you."
Angela chuckled before walking out into the hallway, "You know that isn't true. He's probably waiting for you at the cafeteria now. See you later!"
I stood at the side of my desk for a moment before moving to walk out to the hallways. I walk down the staircases with the crowds of people, waving to the few I knew. Finally at the cafeteria level, I slowly stopped at the side walls and peeked around.
Suddenly, a voice whispered in my ear, "I suppose standing Tyler Crowley up was acceptable. Funny even, maybe. But I hope you weren't thinking of doing that to me too?"
I quickly shook my head, "No, I was actually I was looking for the bathroom. The ones upstairs were under maintenance."
Edward leaned forward with his arms folded, "Looking for a bathroom? In the cafeteria?"
I bit my lip nervously, "Err, I guess I got lost."
Edward shook his head, "It's already your fourth day here, Isabella Swan. I think 'lost' isn't the relevant term."
"Did you manage to undo the clamps on your car this morning?" I asked.
Edward nodded lazily, "Yeah. It was not such a big deal. Do me a favour. If I ever pissed you off or did anything to hurt you, please slap me. Or punch me. Do something that has you, and you only in it and would not involve that Jacob Black ever again."
I nodded, "Sounds good."
Edward winked, "Ready to come to my table?"
Then, just from behind Edward, the pixie like girl, Alice who had excitement dancing in her eyes popped out, "Are you sitting with us today?"
I nodded, "Yup. Is that going to be intrud –?"
"What rubbish. We love the extra company! Come on!"
Alice and Edward led me through the crowd and busy walkways of the cafeteria. I sighed as I saw how gracefully Edward and Alice walked through the cafeteria. I should give up any hope that he could ever be mine. It's utterly impossible.
Finally we reached over to the table that had those familiar godly looking people gazing at me. I briefly studied each of those beautiful faces. I knew their names from the very first day I had sat in the cafeteria. As I sat down next to Edward, I could feel that the strawberry blonde beauty sitting opposite him was not very happy.
"Guys, meet Edward's Bella," Alice promptly said as she took a big bite out of her doughnut.
"Edward's Bella?" Rosalie laughed but I could see that she was throwing Tanya a funny look when she thought I wasn't looking.
Emmett ruffled his curls, "First question, Jessica Alba or Eva Longoria?"
Rosalie growled, "Emmett, what did I say about asking this question ever again?"
"Sorry babe. Forgot about that," Emmett quickly apologized.
"Come on, Rose. You know they are no match for you in Emmett's eyes," Tanya rolled her eyes.
"Well I'm beginning to have my doubts," Rosalie shook her head then she turned to me, "So, are you going to coming with us tomorrow night for the movie?"
I suppose Rosalie had good intentions of asking to bring up a conversation since her eyes were sincere enough. But it was wrong time and wrong place as suddenly Tanya cleared her throat.
"Edward, do you mind coming with me to help me get some more food? I'm starving."
Edward, who already suspected this to happen, nodded casually, "Sure."
When they both were out of earshot, Emmett said, "Aw, don't worry about Tanya. She tends to get a little overly possessive over Edward sometimes. You should have seen that death glare she gave that Stanley chick when she tried to ask Edward out before."
Rosalie smiled, "Edward and Tanya are very close. All of us are so please don't feel that we are being unfriendly or hostile. We just have a very close bond. And we like to keep things within us."
I realized I should have thought this over. In the heat of the moment when Edward invited me, my head was just so clouded up I wasn't quick enough to think it through. Right after we hung up, the questions began to swim in.
Why wasn't Tanya going? Was I just a replacement? Did they invite me because they felt sorry for me? Is Tanya alright with me going with Edward instead?
Jasper looked at me closely and said, "I can see that…"
Alice groaned, "No, Jazz. Not another one of your predictions on how someone is feeling right now. People are just telling you it's correct because they don't want to hurt your own feelings."
Jasper gave a quick kiss on Alice's forehead, "It's a good thing I love you," and then he turned back to me to continue, "I can see that…you have many doubts lately. You're not really sure about going through with something. Your trust in someone is a little too high for your liking and you are worried that this might end badly."
Emmett snorted with laughter, "You really crack me up at times, Jazz. Where did you get that from? Tarot Online?"
Jasper shrugged, "It was worth a shot."
My mind seemed to be millions of miles away. Even when Edward and Tanya came back and everyone was laughing and joking, I couldn't help realize that Jasper's 'prediction' made startling sense. He had just summed up every single thought in my head with a few sentences.
"Bella, are you okay?"
I sighed and look up to those green eyes, "I'm fine…just a little tired…"
Edward's eyes were inquisitive but his face fell a little again, "Do you want to go back to your own table? I wouldn't mind if -"
"No, no, it's not that. I love it here. I just need…some air. I'm going to go to the little girls' room awhile," I joked.
I love being anywhere with you, Edward – I thought silently. But it was just wrong place and wrong time. Tanya's presence was making me uneasy. It was like I was hanging around their necks like an old dead goose.
Just before lunch ended, I went to the bathroom. Somehow I just felt I needed to get away from the table. It was hard, very hard. They were all so perfect and everything about them was so smooth and unreal. The way they ate, laughed, joked and practically any other thing that could cross your mind.
Suddenly, a short black cropped hair girl appeared in the reflection. I screamed slightly.
"Hey! It's me!" Alice quickly assured and patted my back.
I nodded and washed my face. Sitting next to Edward is never a good idea. My face would get all hot and red. Not a very pretty sight if I do say so myself. Alice just stood behind me in silence for awhile.
"I was just wondering if we make you uncomfortable in any way at all. Did we insult you?" Alice's voice was full of concern and dread.
"No."
"Jazz has a really great talent at spotting when someone isn't very comfy at that moment. And he said you were like a fish out water," Alice implied.
I mumbled, "Pretty straight forward, aren't you?"
Alice shrugged, "We've never had others sitting with us before. Nobody ever wanted to try and sit with us. And let me tell you something…"
Nobody? It was shocking! Why wouldn't anyone want to sit with them? Maybe because you are a little too intimidating for people's taste – I thought. I waited for her to tell me that she hated me. I was annoying. I was disrupting the peace of their little colony. I needed to leave and get out of her face. I was to leave Edward alone and never ever bother them again. I was to –
"I don't hate it. I love having you around. You're pretty funny when you don't try to be. And there is something about you that tells me that we, as in you and me, we can get along if you gave me a chance," Alice smiled.
"Don't get frightened off by Tanya. Like Emmett said, she is a little over possessive over him, which is pretty pointless I must say. Edward doesn't like it either but we've all been friends for a long time and Edward is just well – Edward. He's brought up that way, I guess. He likes to avoid confrontations and unnecessary bad endings."
"But why is Tanya so possessive over Edward?" But of course, who wouldn't be?
"Isn't it already obvious? Tanya is in love with Edward and she has always been since they first met. Tanya was the latest to join our group. It was Edward and Jasper first. Then Jasper met me and brought me to hang around with both of them. In fifth grade, Edward hung around with Emmett in PE."
Alice sighed, "Then, Emmett got himself a girlfriend, Rosalie in sixth grade. Finally, Rosalie made friends with Tanya from Art and Design."
They take Art and Design? I could never be as creative as that – I thought sadly.
She turned to smile at me, "So that is our tragic little history. But it seems something has changed about Edward. He once told me that there is no one in his life that he could devote to. I felt it was so unfair to Edward because with a guy like him, there are so many girls that have no idea what they are missing. But I suppose it's for the best too. It makes it easier for Edward since he always said that he never wanted to date."
I swallowed. This was a little too much in detail.
Alice winked, "I'm not a mind reader, Bella. But it doesn't take a genius to notice the way Edward looks at you. The way he looks at you is the something only Tanya dreams of. If you notice, Edward has become really pleasant to other people lately. Edward is a pretty closed up guy and he doesn't really talk to anyone else unless he really needs to. You can say he was pretty arrogant about it before you came."
Alice grinned, "Which is why I have to ask. How did you feel when he gave you that phone? Edward never buys gifts for anyone except us, but only on our birthdays. Was it your birthday yesterday? I doubt so."
My face was getting hot again, "I err – felt really…"
Alice tapped her mouth, "Never mind that. So, I hope you don't think that we're replacing Tanya with you for the movie date. You know, Edward could have just not invited anyone but he wanted to invite you. That just says something, doesn't it?"
I was speechless.
The bell rang and before parted ways, Alice placed her number into my phone and said, "There is more to us than meets the eye. Plus, I can't wait for tomorrow night! I'll make sure you'll have tons fun."
I think I was going to like Alice.
Friday night arrived a little too quickly than I could handle. As I began to look for something to wear in my cupboard, History class today was still lingering in my mind. It was that time of the day where I could sit next to Edward because I had to, not because I wanted to.
On both accounts, they suited me. We had a test during the lesson so Edward and I didn't talk much but after class ended; my face was a tomato once more. Before Edward had left the classroom, he called to me that he would ring me up before he came to pick me up from the house tonight. The stares that were flowing in towards me were incredible.
Jacob and Billy weren't around now. They had a family function to attend to so Billy had told me to make my own dinner plans. Jacob wasn't too keen when he heard that I was going out with Edward and the rest tonight but I was still rather annoyed at him for what happened on Wednesday. After I had just pulled on my outfit, the doorbell rang. I grabbed my sling bag and rushed down the staircase.
A/N – I suppose to add a little more fun and effect here, you can insert the song by OK Go – You're so Damn Hot here. It works for me somehow!
I threw open to door to see Edward standing there in a long sleeved collared black shirt. He had folded his sleeves neatly up to his elbow. His dark jeans that complimented his long, lanky legs were killing me.His hair was still a little shiny and damp from a shower. But he still looked like that model I was imagining doing the hair gel commercial on Wednesday when he walked under the rain.
I looked at my outfit. I was wearing a plain baby blue spaghetti strapped top and my old black jeans. I had wrapped my cardigan around my waist since Renee had always told me that it would be cold in cinemas since I was young. I probably looked like a commoner compared to him.
He flashed me his perfect pearly whites, "Hi there. You look…"
"Like shit…" I sniffed.
He bit his lips slightly and smiled, "Sexy."
I laughed and sighed, "You don't have to be too nice. I know when I look like Beauty. But sadly it's clear that I'm the Beast."
Edward gazed at me with those smoldering green eyes, "You have no idea what you're talking about."
I looked at him. I couldn't believe that someone like him would be standing here right now with me. My eyes moved down to his lips. I pressed my lips together tightly. No! He just wants to be friends! Don't ruin it! I silently thought. But with that silence that was surrounding us, it wasn't really my best ally at the moment.
"So, ready to go then?" Edward's voice broke my ogling secession.
As we entered the lounge area of the cinema floor, Alice caught a sight of me and ran over, "So glad you could make it!"
Jasper came over and gave a pat on Edward's back, "We've decided. Today is caramel. If Emmett throws the butter and salt around, I don't think we'll get to see through half an hour of this three hour movie."
Edward nodded, "Good point. Where is he?"
Alice pointed over to the concession stand, "Buying the stuff."
Jasper handed over two tickets, "Here are yours. Sorry, we couldn't get any other seats except the couple seats. The ones at the sides and are not separated with an armrest."
Alice eyes gleamed, "It's convenient for cuddling."
I nodded nervously. The worst thing that could happen now was Edward rejecting me and saying that he didn't want to be that close to me at all. To my relief, Edward just threw me a reassuring smile. Soon, Emmett and Rosalie made their way over. Rosalie was striking in her heels that made her lovely legs even more noticeable. Her long golden hair was done in such a way that would make any girl wished that hair transplants were easier done than said.
"Hi Bella. Cute shoes," Rosalie smiled.
I stared at my old Clarks sandals and frowned, "Thanks."
Emmett held out the popcorn and drinks, "Here you go. Twin sets of Caramel Combos. I only buy Coke and no other drink so if you're looking for others, you're out of luck. Nothing here but nice big and large cup of fizzy caffeine."
I shuffled nervously as I saw that Emmett had bought only one large sized drink and popcorn set. It was obviously meant for couples as Alice took it gladly and began to throw some of the popcorn into Jasper's mouth teasingly.
Emmett suddenly slapped his head, "Damn. I forgot that it wasn't all three couple dates. Sorry Bella. Looks like you're going to be tasting Edward's fluids. I'm glad that he seems pretty okay with it though. He used to be such a dick about -"
Edward threw an elbow at Emmett's side before looking at me, "Would it bother you? I could go get you another one and -"
"No, it's fine. I don't mind…" I shrugged.
Rosalie linked her arm with Emmett and nodded, "Let's go in. I love to see the commercials and advertisements."
Jasper linked his arms with Alice and quickly said to me, "Make sure you don't sit in front of Emmett and Rosalie. If Emmett does throw the popcorn, you will regret taking that spot. Normally they will be sitting at the most front, followed by Alice and me. Then Edward and err, you."
"You'll be seeing tons of making out scenes happening from Em and Rose's area but it's better than getting popcorn in your hair," Alice made a face that made me laugh.
As the four of them walked into the dark hall, Edward handed me the drink, "I really could buy another one. Or we could get another straw since Emmett failed to get an extra…"
I shook my head, "Nah. So, you share food and drinks with Tanya every time you guys go out?"
Edward frowned, "Only the popcorn bit. I never take any sips from the drink. Not even if there were two separate straws."
I couldn't help myself, "So, how come you don't mind it with me?"
You're going to regret asking that, Bella. Don't push your luck! You totally blew now. He's going to think you're some kind of desperate idiot – I thought bitterly.
Edward smiled my favourite crooked smile and he lifted his hand to brush back my hair to tuck it behind my ear, "Because you're my Bella. Is that a good enough reason?"
It's good enough for me – I mumbled.
So the movie went on. Alice was right about the making out secessions. It was like watching another movie altogether. Occasionally, Emmett would fling popcorn around when the movie began to drag. Jasper and Alice were the sweetest couple I had ever seen. At times, Jasper would adjust Alice's jacket properly to make sure she was warm enough. He would put his arm around her and both of them would lay their heads together on their sides.
I tried my best to concentrate on the movie. But I could feel these invisible electric current going up and down beside me. When Edward's arm would accidentally brush against mine, I would always tighten up my muscles to stay still as possible so I wouldn't flinch too obviously. Sometimes I would peek from behind my curtain of hair to look at Edward. His face was so serious and absorbed by the movie. There were times where he would fold him arms together and sit forward, like he was trying to figure out the significance of something.
Once, I put my hand into the popcorn packet to take some out and suddenly I brushed against Edward's hand who was also reaching for some at the same time. I began to silently pray and thank the heavens that the cinema was dark. I didn't dare to look up to see his expression. The entire time I tried to ignore my thirst and not take a single sip from the drink.
Then, there was a part in the movie where the gory scenes came like people were getting eaten by giant insects or getting drained by huge leeches. I felt sick when I saw those parts. The giant gorilla was cuddly enough but if there was one thing that scared me even more than blood, it had to be enhanced insects. I started to breath heavily. My eyes were practically bugling out of my sockets and might even pop out if I wasn't trying to crease my forehead so hard.
I made a grab for the popcorn packet. Maybe I could keep my mind of things if I tried to drown myself in the caramel. But when my hand gripped onto something, it definitely wasn't popcorn packet. It was smooth and icy. Crap, I thought. He's going to freak out now. But my breath became short gaps as I felt that icy hand prying my fingers from his wrist to transfer it to his palm. He linked our fingers together and placed it just between our seats. I could feel his thumb stroking gently my own. I couldn't remember much of the movie after that. All that was occupying my mind was that long, slender hand that was intertwining with mine.
Finally, the movie was over. The lights came on and I was expecting Edward to wrench his hand away quickly so that the others wouldn't see or get the wrong idea. But he didn't.
First, Jasper saw it as he stood up to stretch. He stop midway and stared. Next was Alice but she took longer than Jasper to see what was going on. When she finally saw both of us still sat down with our hands together, she starting bouncing up and down with a gleeful face. Rosalie and Emmett soon came up to find out why we weren't beginning to walk down. Emmett roared with laughter about something like "I knew it!" but I wasn't sure. When Rosalie saw it, her expression was different than the rest.
It was a little unfathomable.
But I suppose I don't blame her. I mean here I was getting it on with her best friend's object of affection. But Edward didn't return the infatuation, according to Alice. Outside, everyone began to talk about the movie. I didn't say much but Edward was still holding my hand. I felt that those electric currents were going up and down my arm now. Rosalie was now distracted by the conversation so I didn't feel so uneasy anymore.
"Okay, I gotta go. I'd be murdered if I get back any later than eleven. I need to send you back home too, Jazz," Alice finally said.
"Right. See you around guys. We'll meet up during the rest of the weekend or something," Jasper nodded.
Alice came over and gave me a hug, "Thanks for coming. You were really great. Come out with us more often, okay?"
I quickly glanced at Rosalie, "Err, do you think that's such a good idea?"
Rosalie suddenly broke into a smile, "Of course it is. The more the merrier."
Emmett nodded, "We'll see you later too."
When they walked away, I turned to Edward, "I need another drink. Do you mind if I get one?"
Edward grinned, "Of course not."
In the car, as Edward drove me home, I remained silent as I took slow long sips from my drink. I wasn't sure what to say. Rosalie's expression back in the cinema was bothering me greatly.
"You alright? Was it something I did?" Edward' asked carefully.
"No, it's not that. I'm just worried I might have offended Rosalie in some way today. I hope I'm not going to cause any havoc to this -"
Edward shook his head, "No, don't think that way. Rosalie is much nicer than you think. Accepting someone new isn't very easy for just about anyone."
"Is just that, I feel she's torn between Tanya and me. That she has to choose for her loyalty to Tanya and making a new friend."
"Why do you say that it's loyalty to Tanya? You aren't doing anything wrong."
I threw an annoyed look at Edward, "I won't say I'm exactly smart, but like Alice said, it doesn't take a genius to know when someone is in love. If I was Tanya, I wouldn't like it if I knew that the guy I loved was holding hands with another girl who replaced her today."
Edward blinked before sighing, "Listen, you aren't a replacement. I wanted you to come whether Tanya was going to be here or not. How am I going to get you to see that? I knew it would be probably hard like perhaps sharing drinks or popcorn. But for you to think that you're just a replacement? That's…"
I bit on my straw.
"That's just not you, Bella. The Bella I know is a girl who wouldn't give a care in the world about what others thought. Neither would she bring herself down so low to think that she's just some girl to be placed beside an idiot like me…I'm sure you know that you are so much better than that."
He finally slowed down right outside Jacob's house. He pressed on the break and switched off the engine. He leaned back on his chair and sighed again.
"Tanya expressed her interest in me but I clearly said in a courteous gentlemanly fashion that I did not return the feeling. End of story. Now it is not your fault that I like you. If you want to blame anyone, heck, blame it on me. I'm the one who won't leave you alone."
My heart fluttered. Did I just hear that right?
"If Tanya is the reason why you won't return your feelings to me, or that you really just don't have any interest in me at all, then -"
I leaned forward and placed a finger on his lips. It was daring, I knew but I couldn't stop now. Then, I placed my hand back down on my lap.
"Now it's your turn to have no idea what you are saying…" I softly said.
His smoldering green eyes were burning into mine this time but he quickly cut it off by looking down at the drink I was still holding in my other hand, "If you were so dying of thirst, why didn't you just take a sip back in the cinema?"
"I didn't want you to feel awkward…"
"Awkward?" he arched an eyebrow. He gently took the drink from my hand and I gasped as he placed the straw between his lips and took a huge gulp from it. When he finished my drink, he trailed his tongue over his upper lip mischievously.
I knew I was going to have problems again sleeping tonight when he smiled coyly, "I think you taste delicious."
Um - yeah. My point exactly. So how is that for a first date? I tried to make Bella a little more 'Take Control' - ish if not this story would be moving extremely slow. Time for the romance to BLOSSOM! Before it's too late and Edward gets married :( the irony of it though.
Rosalie has to be a little hostile because she's just meant to be that way. I try not to make people too OOC. I try :( but sometimes it may not work. Tanya - well, we'll know more about her soon enough!
For those who are wondering when they are going to find out they are supposed to get married, etc. It's coming soon don't worry. I got two words. Birthday Celebration :) Spunky 18!
Hopefully I can update soon :(
