A/n: Here we go…again…Hope you all enjoy this chapter!!!
For those of you who have asked me: Jane Eyre is a classic novel written by Charlotte Bronte. It is basically the story of a girl who moves around a lot, and comes to work for Edward Rochester. In short, they fall in love, but he has…DUN DUN DUNNNN: a secret. He married another woman, who is now mad, and locked in his attic. This comes to the surface just before their marriage, and Jane Leaves. There's other blokes who like her, but lets not get into that. Basically, she has to decide between her pride, and her love etc. Obviously, in some fantastic twist of fate and words, she manages to get both. Because she's smart. So off she goes to 'establish' herself, then comes back and gets it on with Rochester again; and cue a happy ending. If you want to know more, I suggest you go look on www(dot)sparknotes(dot)com or Wikipedia.
Anyway…
Disclaimer: Twilight is not mine
Chapter 9
Bella POV
Unfortunately, the Friday I was dreading came far sooner than I'd wanted it too. But, as they say, 'time flies when you're having fun', and all that jazz. The time was, however filled with great things. Including an evening (or two, or three…okay, every evening) 'ooh'ing, and 'awh'ing over the photographs of me and Edward. Of course, I looked extremely plain, and rather stupid in most of them. And definitely paled in comparison to his god-like looks. So that was a bit depressing, but at lest I had pictures of us. Personally, I thought these photographs set our friendship-status in stone.
Oh yes, I was now friends with Edward Cullen. Edward Cullen was now friends with me. Real, serious, 'we can hang out together when we're not working' friends.
Not that we'd ever hung out when we weren't working…but what mattered was that we could, if we wanted to.
Unfortunately we didn't really have the time. Work started ridiculously early in the morning, and generally finished ridiculously late at night. But what was great was that when we were filming…we were generally working together…and when we weren't…we were generally together. So it was pretty much a 'win' all around.
Except for Jessica, who had started badgering me about introducing her 'properly'. I'd begun to avoid her now.
As it turned out, I was quite unaware of what exactly went on 'on set' when people were making movies. I personally had no idea how much time or work went into such things. And I definitely had no idea that the scenes weren't shot in order. I'd discovered this after watching them shoot the first scene with 'little Jane'. My childlike counterpart was being played by a little girl who, amazingly, did look a lot like me.
And her name was actually Jane.
The little girl had a vicious temper, and the nastiest pinch in the book. Plus, if looks could kill…that glare. I shivered when she was angry; she was that scary. Edward, however, got along with her quite well. He 'got' her, apparently. They'd worked together in the past…as father and daughter.
Apparently, I'd not seen that movie.
I loved the way that Jane acted, however. Her defiant nature made her perfect to play 'little Jane'. The beginning of the movie would be very touching. Especially the scene in which Jane's aunt tells her she cannot love her. I looked forward to the shooting of those scenes she'd act with Mr Brocklehurst. I'd met the actor, and his looks suited the character perfectly, in my view. A tall, spindly man, with big forehead, and a large, hooked nose.
Edward often made jokes about the man's appearance, since we had little else to do whilst those scenes were being filmed. Of course, as is sod's law our first scene was going to be shot on Friday.
Luckily enough, when Friday morning dawned, I found out that all I'd have to do that day was dress up in some old fashioned clothes (as chosen by Alice), and sit on a fallen tree, trying to look as though I was reading a letter. It wasn't difficult. Though afterwards, Edward made a big show appraising my acting. That was the first time I ever hit him upside the head. The feeling was glorious, and the look of surprise on his face magnificent.
Inside I was squealing once more; I was now friendly enough to hit Edward…in a friendly way, of course.
I managed to get through most of Friday, Scott-free. I checked the clock when we finished filming, and found that it was seven pm. Then I looked around for Edward. He was nowhere in sight, and I found myself inwardly rejoicing. If I slipped out now, he'd not catch me in time for me to spill my secret. Perfect.
Of course, that was never going to be the case. As soon as I stepped out of the room, somebody grabbed my arm and pulled my into a car. And you'll never guess who it was…
…okay, I know, it wasn't that difficult. I spent a fifteen minute car journey cursing Edward Cullen's name. Firstly for scaring me, and secondly because he'd managed to drag me away somewhere…where I'd have to spill my carefully guarded secret. Suddenly, I needed more time to prepare myself, though I'd been trying to prepare myself for a week.
Finally, we pulled up outside a block of apartments, and Edward pulled open my door before I'd even realised he'd gotten out of the car. I took a moment to giggle loudly at his sunglasses and hat, which managed to conceal most of his best-known features, before he pulled me under his arm, and rushed me into the building, at a speed I thought entirely unnecessary, since there was absolutely nobody around.
He had to catch me twice as I tripped, before we even made it into the elevator, where he stepped out of my personal space, and I started to laugh again. I couldn't see, but I was sure that he was rolling his eyes behind his sunglasses.
Of course, before we got out of the elevator, he had to check the hallway. I had no idea what he was expecting to find until he muttered the words 'damn' and 'press', under his breath. I'd not realised how much trouble they caused for famous actors and actresses. Especially since nobody seemed to know, as yet, that Edward was around here. Apparently, Jasper was trying to make sure that nobody found out for as long as possible.
Eventually, Edward lead me down the hall, and into a flat at the end.
I was not sure what I was expecting to find when I stepped in, but what I found…surely wasn't it. The doorway led straight into a sitting room. Two large couched sat to create a half square; and a coffee table sat between them. A television was in the direct sight of one. And a large, overflowing bookcase in sight of the other. The walls were lined with DVDs, and a small, upright piano sat along one of the walls. Behind the door there was a pile of shoes, and I quickly added mine to the pile, after Edward, who quickly disappeared. He returned moments later with a bottle of wine, two glasses, and the biggest bar of chocolate I'd ever seen.
"Forgive me, Bella", he said, grinning as he set the things down on the table. "I have somewhat of a ….special diet."
I watched as he uncorked the bottle of wine, and poured us each a glass, before opening the chocolate and pulling out a row of squares. He smiled the most beautiful smile I'd ever seen as he swallowed the first one. Then he sighed with contentment.
I couldn't help but laugh at him. He reached up and yanked off his sunglasses and hat. He placed them down on the table, and gestured to the sofa before him. I crossed the room and sat down on the one he wasn't occupying.
"Help yourself", he said, and smiled again. My mouth started to water, and for once, I didn't think that it was for the chocolate.
"How do you manage to stay in such good shape when you live off this rubbish?" I asked, suddenly reminded of the fact that I'd never actually seen him eat before now. He grinned back embarrassedly.
"Good genes?" he tried, and we laughed together.
When our laughter died down, the silence became awkward, and I found myself sipping on my wine and watching Edward, as emotions flickered across his face faster than I could catch them.
"So", he finally started. The moment I'd been dreading. "Why are you here, Bella?"
I decided to try any buy myself some time. Not that it'd make much difference. I'd had a lot of time to think about what his reactions would be to my confession, and I didn't like any of them.
"Well, this man I've recently gotten to know kidnapped me and brought me here. So really, it's not my fault." I smiled nervously, and saw sparks of laughter dancing in Edward's eyes, which soon narrowed slightly, and began to pierce through me. As though he were trying to read my mind; or see into my very soul.
The thought should have scared me, but for some reason, I felt safe with him.
"Come on, Bella", he said, leaning forwards a little bit in his seat, and putting the wine glass down. He hooked his fingers together, and lent his arms on his knees. I found myself unconsciously edging closer. "You promised to tell me."
I sighed, and bit off some more chocolate, sipping more wine after, to try and calm my nerves.
"Yes, but I'm not exactly happy about doing so", I told him, matter of factly.
"Why?"
"Because…" I hesitated, "I'm scared.
His eyes grew a little wider now, and he too sipped from his wine glass, before placing it back on the table with a small 'clack'. "Of?"
"Your reaction", I couldn't help but blush, and drop my head for a moment. He looked incredulous when I chanced a look back up at his face.
"Bella, why would you fear that?" He truly looked confused.
"I just think you might think I'm a fool…or that you might think badly of me…or see me for what I really…am?" I finished in a questioning tone. I didn't really know how to phrase what I wanted to. And felt slightly foolish for being scared, and for what I was doing in the first place. Surely Edward would not see me the same way again after this evening. He might find me spiteful, or jealous.
Which, in fairness, I probably was.
"Bella", he said gently, "there is little you could say that would make me think badly of you. Besides, I'm not the unforgiving Mr Darcy, remember."
He gave me a small smile and a wink. I felt like crying, all of a sudden. This man was perfect. My brain turned to mush for a few moments.
I sighed, and finally gave in. He didn't say anything as I gulped down some more wine and chocolate, before depositing my glass on the table with his, and making myself comfortable. I pulled my legs up underneath me, and leant on the arm of the chair, as I looked towards his beautiful face.
"I had a boyfriend back home", I started. "The guy from the pictures yesterday. Jacob Black. Anyway, it's kind of his fault I ended up out here."
I was beginning to ramble, so I decided to get on with it, and stick to the facts as much as possible. Edward was just watching me, and waiting. Not interrupting. I was grateful.
"So I dated him for years…we were high school sweethearts and stuff, and I thought I was going to get married to him eventually…
…obviously, that's not going to happen now." I smiled a little, glad that I'd never made it that far.
"So, the thing was, we both had these big dreams; I wanted to be an author…and, well, he wanted to be an actor. In films and all that. But things weren't exactly going well. I ended up dropping out of going to college so I could look after his father; who eventually died.
"Um, so yeah, he was going to all these auditions, and he never got much of a part or anything. We were pretty poor and stuff. I ended up working small jobs to fill up my time after his dad - Billy - passed away. So we got by. And I thought it was all okay…" I stopped for a moment to catch my breath. I'd been trying to get it all out as quickly as possible.
"Ah, then a few months or so ago he came home and told me that I wasn't…well, good enough, I suppose is how you'd put it. He said I was too…plain…and not exotic or attractive enough. If he wanted to be a famous actor…he needed a….a….trophy girl." I spat the last part, thinking of Leah Clearwater. "And he'd found one…they were getting together…
"…once he got rid of me, of course."
I wrinkled my nose, and glanced at Edward again, examining his face. His hands had tightened into fists, and he appeared to be a little more pail. He had a small frown on his face, and his eyes were narrowed. He could probably see where this was going, I supposed. I decided to get it all out quickly, so he could tell me to get lost.
"Anyway. I told him to get lost, but he kept coming over and calling me and trying to speak to me. So eventually I went to my friend, Angela's flat. And moved in with her and Ben - her husband. It was…a lot nicer there. Then one night they dragged me out to this club…I can't remember what it was called or anything, but I met Jasper there. He asked me to come audition for Jane Eyre.
"At first, I didn't want to. I wasn't ever interested in the movies or anything. But Angela and Ben said it would be a great way to get back at Jacob…you know, if I got the part. I was feeling pretty vengeful at the time; rubbing fame in his face sounded like a great idea.
"Plus, of course, the whole: loads of money thing, and the life experiences part. I'd always wanted to come to Europe." I finished meekly, looking downwards.
"And that's it", I squeaked out finally, when Edward didn't say anything. I waited for him to tell me I was a horrible person.
"Bella…" I heard him say softly, and looked up to meet his lovely eyes again.
"Yes?" I muttered softly.
"That has got to be…one of the…" he looked a little nervous. "Stupidest things I've ever heard."
My eyes widened, and I realised that it probably was quite silly. This was the worst revenge plan ever.
"Your ex…boyfriend," he sneered the word, "is the world's biggest idiot."
Well, that wasn't what I'd been expecting. I'd imagined that it was going to be the other way around. He wasn't calling me an idiot?
"I have to say though", he continued with a small chuckle that made my heart lift a little. "Your friends are quite the schemers. They sound like my brother. I'd love to meet them one day…"
He sounded wistful, but I barely noticed as he trailed off; this was sounded more and more complimentary.
"Yes," he said softly, seemingly to himself, "this was quite the plan…"
I just sat there and watched him, wondering what on earth he was thinking about. He picked up his glass and took a sip, before tracing the rim with his fingertip, as if in deep thought. I sat there silently, not knowing what to do or say. It didn't seem like he hated me, however, so I found myself quite happy.
As I watched his eyes grow dark with thought, I found myself wondering what Edward was going to say next.
A/n: Longest chapter yet? Methinks. Next chapter should be long too…maybe, I think so. We'll be hearing from Edward, I hope. Review please?!
