Chapter 9:
Seattle
'She's not . . . she's not seriously coming here is she?'
'Yay! Bella's going to sit with us today. I knew you couldn't keep her away Edward' Alice thought.
Edward glared at her and she stuck out her tongue.
'Yes! We can talk about that engine from Government. Edward, she was sketching the engine I was planning on buying!'
'Yay! Bella's coming, entertainment!'
I couldn't keep from laughing at that one. At the sound of my laugh, their heads whipped towards me. I blushed and stopped.
Come on Bella!'
I took a deep breath and began walking again towards their table.
'Cullen better not be baiting her again, she's mine!' Mike thought and I unconsciously growled.
I was most definitely not his. I finally reached their table. Everyone was looking at me expectantly. Edward was not even looking though, he was stabbing his salad with a carrot stick.
"Hey guys" I said as I set down my dish and bravely sat next to him.
"Hey Bella!" Alice said happily along with everyone, with one exception.
I turned to him. He was going to talk.
"Hi" I said again.
His eyes flickered to me quickly but that was it. I sighed angrily but turned back to the rest of the Cullen's.
"So, did any of you catch the game last night?" I said as I began eating my sandwich.
"Yes!" Emmett said and I smiled, knowing he was baited.
"I did too, it was pretty good" Jasper said.
"I know, did you see #42's pass . . . it was incredible! Nobody on the defense could touch it!" I said and soon got Emmett talking animatedly.
I would switch off, talking with Rose, then Alice, then Emmett. Jasper sometime's butted in when I was with Emmett but Edward was still a mute. Even though he was the whole point I came here, I found myself enjoying the time as I sat with them. The bell rang suddenly, cutting off our conversation.
"Guess I have to head to Biology" I said pointedly looking at Edward.
He didn't even show a sign of recognition.
"Jerk" I muttered as I walked off.
"Dude! Go!" I heard Emmett say.
"No Emmett, now shut up, she can still hear" Edward responded.
So he was just ignoring me? Nice. I went to Biology and sat down angrily. He came in seconds before the last bell. I completely ignored him this time, seeing how he liked it. About half way through the class, I gave up. He was good.
"So, did you see the game too?" I asked.
He just continued to ignore me.
"Okay, this is getting really annoying Edward. Talk . . . it's not that hard. A 2 year old can do it" I said getting really frustrated.
"My throat hurts, as I said before" he said.
I was about to point out his golden eyes but realized I wasn't supposed to know about that so I just bit my tongue and turned back to my work. When the bell rang, I tried to strike up conversation against but once again . . . failure.
I walked to the gym angrily. He really was set on not talking to me. Gym passed in a blur. I talked with the rest of his family but he would just step aside. When I would walk away, I would hear him talking to them harshly. I changed back quickly and walked to my car. His deadline was past and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't make him meet it. I stuffed my bag angrily into my car.
"Bella!" called a voice.
My heart started doing somersaults as I recognized that voice. He was talking to me again? Now? I turned to see Edward walking toward me.
"Yeah" I said hesitantly.
Something in his eyes told me this wasn't going to be a pleasant conversation.
'Yo Eddie! Hurry up already! Rose and have . . . activities to do' Emmett said in his mind.
I shuddered as did Edward. He noticed and looked at me funny.
"Cold" I muttered.
He nodded swiftly. Finally, he spoke.
"Bella, we shouldn't be friends" he said.
I felt like I had just been punched in the gut. So he was saying he didn't even want to be my friend. That sort of went along with the no talking and I had sort of been expecting it but it still felt like a blow. Like when you see someone's going to slap you. You know it's coming but it still hurts when it happens.
"I'm not good for you" he added quietly.
At this, I started laughing. I knew it was rude but now I realized what he was trying to say. That's why he was ignoring me all this time? He thought I would be in danger with him. Seriously? I nearly fell to the floor laughing. I had to lean against my truck to keep from collapsing.
"Bella, I'm serious" he said.
"I'm . . . I'm sorry" I said as I tried to stop my laughing.
It was just . . . the idea that he could possible physically hurt me . . . it was just so ridiculous. It's nearly impossible. And here . . . he thought . . . it's just . . . plain ridiculous. I finally managed to control my laughter and look at him. He seemed confused and slightly angered.
"Bella, I'm dead" I chuckled at this part. "serious. We shouldn't be friends yet when I tell you, you burst out laughing?"
"Okay, look, give me the reason why you're not good for me?" I taunted.
He sighed heavily before turning around and walking off.
"Hey" I said as I grabbed his arm and pulled hard.
"Bella, we're not friends. We shouldn't be and won't" he said sternly.
"Tell me why at least" I taunted again.
"Fine, Bella, I'm dangerous. You shouldn't be around me. I'm not good" he said glaring at me probably trying to scare me off.
"You might be dangerous but not to me"
"Yes I am, especially to you"
"Nope"
"Yes Bella, I could hurt—"
"Look Edward, I'll be fine. You can't hurt me" I emphasized.
"Yes I can, my good Bella forget it. We're not friends anyway so it doesn't matter" he said as he walked off.
I was so frustrated and upset that I said something I knew I would later regret.
"For Pete's Sakes Edward, I know what you—" I bit my tongue as I realized what I was about to say.
I can't believe I almost . . . that would've been bad. Very bad. I hoped he would let it go but he had frozen. Slowly, he turned to face me . . . and his face was not exactly peachy.
"What we're you going to say?" he asked.
"Nothing. Since we're not friends, it doesn't matter" I said as I turned to get into my car.
Suddenly, he reached out and grabbed my wrist. Electricity flowed through me at his touch.
"Edward, let me go" I said softly.
"No, not until you tell me what we're you going to say." he said as his grip tightened.
I sighed angrily. Well, this is what I get for having a big mouth. I quickly thought of an excuse though if he asked me to explain, I was sunk.
"I was going to say, for Pete's Sakes Edward, I know what you mean" I answered.
"What you mean? About what?" he said getting more irritated.
"I know what you mean when you said—HOLY CRAP! HOW CAN EMMETT LIFT THAT WHOLE CAR?" I yelled suddenly.
"What?" Edward said as he spun, letting me go.
I took advantage of that second of distraction to get into my car and race away. I looked at his incredulous face in my rear view mirror. Something silver flew through the air and then he took to the woods. I cursed quietly as I pushed harder on the gas. I took a small short cut behind some old houses and headed in one big circle, getting back to the school through the back.
There was no way he could follow this way. I drove off slowly back towards my house. That was a close one. Hopefully, he would just let it go . . . just let it go. I kept telling myself that but when I got home, I still hadn't convinced myself. I made myself a hot chocolate and grabbed some bread. Then , I went up to the bathroom and took a couple of Aleve's. I was getting a headache, big-time. I laid on my bed and watched movies and TV until I ended up falling asleep.
I woke up around 9am, my headache still slightly throbbing but barely. I took a long shower and then took some more Aleve's. I grabbed my bag, taking my wallet out of my backpack and headed downstairs. I made my breakfast quickly, my stomach growling.
Once I had eaten, I cleaned up the house a bit before I had to leave. I grabbed a water, added it to my bag and headed towards Jessica's house, excited to finally be going to the city. As I stopped at a traffic light, I swear I saw a sliver Volvo turn into the lane right next to mine. More than once on my way to Jessica's I thought I saw the Volvo.
'I'm just being paranoid . . . or am I?'
I parked outside of Jessica's house and got out slowly, looking around me a couple of times before walking up to Jessica's door.
'Bella should be here any minute. I want to get the perfect dress' she thought just as I knocked softly three times before stepping back.
"Hey Bella, ready to go?" she asked as she opened it quickly.
She already had her bag and phone in hand.
"Yeah, sure, come on" I said as I walked back to my car.
"Wow, nice car" she said as she slid in the front.
"Yeah, I like it a lot" I said as I swung around to Angela's place.
I was going to get it out when Jessica leaned over and honked the car horn. Seconds later, Angela came running out.
"Nice" I commented as Angela slid in.
"And now, to Seattle!" I said as we turned on the music and I drove off.
We talked a bit about the dresses and shoes. It took us about an hour and a half to get to Seattle.
"Olive Garden?" I asked and they both nodded.
We parked and got out quickly. Luckily, it wasn't that full and we were seated quickly. I ordered fettuccini Alfredo. Angela ordered Ravioli and Jessica ordered Penne Pasta.
"Okay, so we'll meet up at around 6:30ish?" Jessica asked as we finished up.
"Sure, where should I drop you guys off?" I asked as I paid and we left.
"Umm . . . I say this really good dress store on our way here. It was about 4 blocks down to the left" Jessica said as we got in.
I drove around a bit until finally found the store. It seemed like a prom store, perfect.
"Okay guys, I'll meet up with you here. If you leave, call me 'Kay?" I asked.
They nodded and went inside. I left my car parked in a nearby parking garage. It was a nice day and I was in the mood for walking. I walked around just getting to know Seattle until I finally started doing what I was going to do in the first place.
I went into a store that looked promising and began looking through the racks. I needed to up my winter wardrobe a bit. It was scanty because I normally lived in warm places. I found some cute jeans and some nice long-sleeved shirts.
I tried them on but only a couple fit right. I put the rejects back and paid for the ones I liked. I left the store and walked only a block before I found another good store. I bought another pair of pants and a couple shirts. I also bought some brown ponytails, I was running low. I kept walking around, going into stores and just looking around, not actually buying anything.
I saw a big auto shop and decided to see if they had the engine I wanted yet. After a long talk with one of the employees who knew absolutely nothing about cars, not even dealers like Fiord or Nissan, I was finally told by the mechanic that it didn't come in for another couple of weeks and I would have to put it on priority shipping.
I declined and headed back out and was surprised to notice it was darker out. I checked my watch . . . 6:15! Wow, that was fast. I began walking back the way I remembered but I ended up in a park.
"What the—?" I said as I turned back around.
I took a couple more turns but found myself in front of a CD shop. Ugh! I must've taken the wrong exit out of the auto shop. I walked around trying to recognize the building when I got the feeling someone was following me. I turned around but I saw nothing.
'Man, that was close, that chick almost saw us'
Never mind, I knew someone was following. I checked my clock, nearly seven. Great. I kept walking straight but I seemed to be going deeper into the town. I turned around and began heading back when I saw 2 guys following me. They had beer bottles and were walking drunkenly.
'Hey, we found her again, I thought we'd lost her'
I rolled my eyes and took a left. That ended up leaving me in front of an old Warehouse
'Gotcha!' one thought and I knew I had walked into a little hang out.
"Hey guys! I see you brought your little friend" said a couple more guys coming out of the warehouse with beer cans.
I went to take a right when more melted out of the woods. I groaned and turned to the left but my followers were already there. Slowly, they began to close in on me.
'Oh! I want some of that'
'Oh, she would look so amazing in—'
'Look at that body . . . it's so . . . mmm'
I put all my bags in one and threw it across the lot. Then, I rolled up the sleeves of my shirt. If they tried to touch me, they would regret it. One of them tugged at the buttons of my shirt. Seconds later, he was flipped on his back. All the others were shocked for a second before they converged on me
"I like them feisty" one said.
I was getting pissed. Another one grabbed my shoulder and I twisted his wrist and then tripped him to the ground. More began trying to get to me. I was slamming two to the ground just as headlights flew across me. I already recognized that silver Volvo and the driver before he even got out.
"Get in" he commanded as he got out.
"Excuse me?" I asked.
He sighed and went towards one of the guys.
"Hey, whoa" I said as I ran over to him.
I had seen that expression many times before. That's the way many vampires looked at me when they were about to try and kill me. I put a hand on his chest to stop him. One of the guys took the chance to try and pull on my skirt. I had him under my shoes in a second.
Edward glared at the few remaining ones and the ran off quickly. Wise choice
"Bella" he said when they were gone, his voice slightly incredulous.
"Edward" I said as I went to grab my bags and began to walk off.
"Bella!" he said as he grabbed my wrist.
"Edward, I need to meet up with Jess and Angela so let go"
"You're lost, let me give you a lift"
"No I'm not" I lied
"Bella, first, you suck at lying and second, you're in downtown Seattle, very far from where they are" he said but I just stayed silent.
"Please Bella, will you let me drive you" he begged.
"Fine" I said knowing I would probably get even more lost.
"Here, I got them, get in" he said as he grabbed my bags and put them in my trunk.
"You coming?" he asked and I just faintly nodded as I got in.
I breathed in deeply, inhaling his intoxicating scent from the car.
"Crap" I said as I caught sight of the time.
It was 7:30! They were probably going to kill me.
"What were you doing here?" he asked as he drove out.
"What were you?" I asked deflecting my question.
When he didn't answer, I smiled.
"I left my car by the garage near the Prom Boutique. Man, Jessica and Angela are going to kill me" I muttered as we drove.
Seconds later, we were at the garage.
"Okay?" I said as I got out and grabbed my bags. I headed over to my car and put my bags in.
I turned back and nearly had a heart attack when I saw Edward standing there.
"Oh my gosh, I nearly—" that's when I spotted Angela and Jessica walking back "Sorry" I said as I suddenly ran off.
"Guys!" I said and they turned surprised.
"Bella, where were you?" they asked.
"I got lost" I admitted.
"Oh, well, we waited but we were really hungry so we sort of ate and—" Jessica began but suddenly stopped and stared behind me.
I turned to see Edward walking towards us.
"So you already ate, okay, I guess we'll just head back" I said.
"You should eat Bella" Edward said behind me.
"I'm not hungry" I said but my stomach growled and he chuckled.
"I'll eat when I get home, I have to drive Jess and Angela home first" I said as I tried to make my way around him.
"You shouldn't drive while hungry, your senses aren't as alert" he argued. "Come and eat. I'll drive you home myself if you'd like" he offered.
"Here Jess, row C. I'll pick it up tomorrow" I said as I handed her my car keys.
"Ummm . . . o-o-o-k-k-k-a-a-ay-y-y" she stuttered.
"See you tomorrow Bella" Angela said as she pulled Jessica away.
I watched them go and then turned to Edward.
"Come on, I know a good place" he said as he opened his car door for me.
I got in, suspiciously but happily. Maybe we could be friends. He was talking to me . . . freely, offering to take me to dinner and drive me home. Maybe it could work. We stopped in front of a small restaurant and walked up. The lady on the counter nearly began drooling when she saw Edward.
"Table for 2 please" I said as tad bit harshly, not liking how she was looking at him.
She nodded and walked off, motioning us to follow. She sat us at a small table next to the window.
"Can I get you anything?" she asked but thought. 'I'm sure Tom wouldn't mind if I slept with this gorgeousness. I mean, look at him . . . I could probably get him away from this ugly girl easy' as she fluttered her eyelashes.
I growled softly at her.
"Coke" I said harshly knowing he wouldn't order.
"Two" he added surprising me.
She nodded and ran off but not before giving a smile to Edward and a glare to me.
"Just ignore her, people think up a lot of things" he said to me.
