Chapter 9
Hazel's POV
It had been a couple of months since my visit to Forks and I was sitting in the living room watching an episode of Friends on the TV. Things were going pretty well in my life, it was half way through the school academic year and I was doing pretty well. I was all set to ace drama and dance with flying grades, but I was set to drop dance after this year. Things with Brandon were also going pretty well too, he had taken me dates every other week and he was being the perfect gentleman. We had a date tonight at this restaurant in Central Manhattan and he said he would pick me up at seven.
My trip to Forks had gone pretty well, Bella and I had a lot in common and the more I got to know her, the more I liked her. I knew she was perfect for Edward and I hoped their relationship lasted and they were really cute together too. I had finished the rest of Grandma Esme's cookies, yup, all nine jars. Uncle Jasper said he had never met anyone that could eat so much, especially after I ate dinner too, I had suggested that we had an eating competion, but Mom said no before Uncle Jasper could accept. Mom and Grandma Esme dropped me back at the airport, where I took the short flight back to Seattle and then back to New York. Mom and Dad had to stay in Forks for some work thing, which was why I had to travel alone. Mom severely warned me that I was to have no parties, but obviously I hadn't listened.
I glanced up at the clock, shit, it was nearly six. I needed to go get ready for my date. I taped my fingers along the glass of the banister as I made my way to my bedroom.
Later that day...
I climbed in to Brandon's SUV; a Guns N' Roses song was quietly playing from his stereo. He grinned at me as I climbed into the passenger seat.
"Hey," he said, leaning over to kiss my cheek, "you look amazing." I smiled, blushing slightly, he always said that I looked amazing and it had brought out a smile every time. I wore a black dress which was sleeveless and reached my knees, the back had lots of straps crisscrossing each other. My hair hung in silky waves around me and my shoes were borrowed from Mom's wardrobe, she would probably freak if she knew I had borrowed them, but she didn't have to find out. Brandon and I spoke a bit about college and this party that was coming up, he parked the car and quickly got out to open the door for me before I could get a grip on the handle. I grinned up at him, taking his hand in mine as we walked into the restaurant. Dinner was great, the food was amazing and Brandon even got a bottle of champagne for us, with the help of his fake ID of course. The more time I spent with him, the more I was attracted to him. I think I was falling for him. Sam Collins was the only other guy I had been out with, and that was a horrible memory. Brandon was the opposite, he was funny, kind and I knew we had something together. After sharing dessert, which was heavenly, Brandon drove me back home. The drive was quiet, we didn't speak much but it was a nice type of quiet, it wasn't awkward or anything it was just... nice. I laid my head against the leather seat as I stared at the lights of the city through the window.
"Hazel," said Brandon, I jolted upright, my eyes meeting his. I glanced down to his lips; they were pink and looked soft, I wondered how they would feel against my skin. "We're here," he said gesturing to the window, to see that my house loomed above us, the lights I left on glowing.
"Um, thanks," I said, looking back into his eyes. "I had a really good time," the corners of his mouth pulled up slightly, into a small smile.
"Yeah, so did I," he says, still smiling. I didn't realise that we'd been leaning towards each other, our faces were just inches apart, and we were close enough so I could smell him. God, he smelled amazing, like spring, fresh air and mint surrouded my senses.
"Um, do you want to come inside?" I asked, leaning back a couple of inches. He looked disappointed by the distance and loss of proximity, but once he realised the question, he looked surprised and kinda nervous.
"Yeah, sure," he said nodding. He appeared by my side once I had gotten out of the car, intertwining my fingers in his. We walked along the gravel path, still holding hands, the lights on the pathway twinkling, showing the way. I let go of his hand to take the keys out of my clutch, instantly regretting letting go off his hand missing the warmth. I quickly let us both in, dropping the keys on the table.
"Your place is nice, I never noticed at your parties," he says looking around.
"Thanks, do you want a drink?" I asked, he turned around to meet my gaze.
"Yeah sure," he says, following me into the kitchen. He let out a low wolf whistle when he saw it, "Nice..." he says, leaning against the breakfast table. I opened up the fridge, taking out two coca-cola cans and sliding one across the table to him.
"Thanks," he said, opening the can and taking a sip. His eyes were still wondering around the room, taking everything in. "So how come you live by yourself?" he asks curiously.
"My parents gave me this place once high school finished, then they both got a new job in Washington. They still visit and call me all the time though," I said, taking a sip of cola.
"Don't you get lonely? I mean this house is massive..." he said glancing upwards.
"Sometimes," I say shrugging. "It's kinda why I throw so many parties, I don't like being alone too much," I say, meeting his eyes.
"Why don't you tell your parents? Wouldn't they move back in?" he asks, looking at me from across the table.
I had finished my cola and I was fiddling with the empty can. I never opened up to anyone and it was nice to talk to someone just about stuff. Everybody assumed I was just a wild party girl with a big mansion, but people forgot that I had my own insecurities.
I thought about his question for a while, looking down before answering him. "I guess they would... I mean I know they care about me, but I don't want to be a wet blanket. They love me and stuff, but I just don't want to hold them back... I can't explain it," I told him, feeling empty all of a sudden.
"Hey, it's okay," he says, seeing the expression on my face, he came over to where I was standing, wrapping his arms around me, enveloping me into a hug. Brandon stroked my hair gently as I buried my face in the crook of his neck. I didn't know what was wrong with me, I wasn't normally like this, I never thought about how I felt, I just pushed any unpleasant feelings of thoughts aside, forgetting them completely. I just didn't like being alone, but I guess no one did.
I looked up at him. His eyes were kind and understanding, as if he knew how I felt. His eyes were like liquid chocolate, just staring into them made my knees buckle. His arms were still wrapped around me, his hands brushing the bare skin that showed through the straps of my dress. Our bodies were pressed against one another other, and his lips were just inches from mine. The moment his lips met mine, was the moment fireworks went off in my head. He pushed me gently against the edge of the table, moving his lips against mine, his hands wrapped around my waist holding me closer to him. A moan escaped my lips, as my hands knotted in his brown hair, bringing him closer to me. His hands slid down to my waist, and lifted me up onto the table, positioning himself between legs, his mouth not leaving mine for a second. Things got pretty heated quickly and his mouth travelled down to my neck, gently kissing the crook of my neck. He suddenly stopped abruptly, his mouth leaving my neck, and stared back at me. His hair was dishevelled from where my fingers had clung desperately to his hair. His leather jacket was on the floor, and only wore a plain grey t-shirt underneath, I could feel the warmth radiating off his skin. He stared up at me, looking nervous.
"What's wrong?" I asked worriedly, wondering whether it was something I had done. My hands were still wound around his neck and I stroked the back of his neck, the skin was soft and his hair was silky soft where it brushed my fingers.
"The thing is... I've only ever done this once," he admitted, looking away from me. The tips of his ears grew an adorable shade of pink. I slid down from my sitting position on the table, so we were standing in front of each other, our arms still wound around one another.
"I thought I would be the only one," I told him, watching as his eyes snapped up to look at me, surprise filled his face. He looked like he didn't believe me, after staring at me for a few seconds.
"Sam Collins. Junior year," I told him. "I only did it once, and I haven't been with anyone or slept with anyone since." He looked even more surprised after my explanation.
"You went out with him?" Brandon asked, he didn't bother to hide his surprised tone. "Dude, he's like a third degree asshole."
"Yeah I kinda realised," I said rolling my eyes, smiling. Despite talking about Sam, Brandon had still made me smile.
He looked down at me, biting his lip. Suddenly I forgot about everything, and my attention was just focused on Brandon. It felt as if time grew still, and it was just us left in the world.
"Upstairs," I whispered, taking his hand and leading him towards my room.
I just prayed that I wouldn't regret my decision.
Edward's POV
"Take care of yourself," I whispered in her ear, and with that, I disappeared out of her life. I didn't look behind, but her scent still lingered on my skin, a constant reminder that I had left the only girl I had ever loved. The leaves brushed against me as I emerged out of the woods and my house loomed above me. The rooms were bare, our furniture had been stored and my family were waiting inside their cars. Rosalie and Emmet were in her red convertible, Jasper and Alice were in Emmet's SUV and Carlisle and Esme were in the front of my Volvo. I got in the backseat of my car silently, staring miserably outside of the window. The trees blurred as we drove past, I could hear Carlisle and Esme's worried thoughts but they said nothing, obviously respecting my privacy. We drove past the 'Welcome to Forks' sign and it killed me knowing I wouldn't be able to see her beautiful face again. I tried to think of anything else, but all I could think about was her. Of Bella.
What do you think of Hazel and Brandon? Is he right for her, or is he just using her...? Edward has just left Bella *cries* and the Cullens are on the move... thing is, if they arrive in New York they'll see that Hazel isn't entirely been alone... Don't think Emmet will be happy, or Rosalie once she's found out Hazel borrowed her shoes...
Thanks for reading and I hoped you liked it! Please review to leave your thoughts, suggestions and comments. I'd love to know what people think :)
