Let's get a little racier, shall we?
The Twilight Twenty-Five
thetwilight25 dot com
Prompt: Ancient
Main Character: Bella
Rating: M
Word Count: 893
Bella Swan always knew what she wanted out of life and went after it with a joie de vivre that many envied.
When she was seven years old, she asked Santa Claus for a calculator so she could do her mom and dad's taxes. It was the only year in their short-lived marriage that they were done on time and correctly.
When she turned thirteen, she wanted Jacob Black to give her her first kiss. He did and then told everyone about it, embellishing as he went. He, in turn, received his very first black eye.
The list of accomplishments was lengthy but there was one thing Bella Swan wanted that she had never had and that was why she was standing next to her ancient Chevy pickup truck on the side of an isolated stretch of road in a short flowery sundress waiting for a tow truck.
Edward Cullen, nephew of Alistair Cullen of Cullen's Auto Repair, drove up Switchback Highway in the company tow truck, grumbling to himself as he went. He had been on his way out the door to go to a bonfire to celebrate the beginning of summer vacation when the call had come in and good old Uncle Al had given him the job.
Edward slowed as he rounded one curve, knowing he had to be near his destination. What he was not expecting was the sight of Bella Swan's beat up truck.
He knew that truck well. He had watched her climb out of it every day of their junior and senior years in high school. They had been friends enough but neither had ever had the nerve to ask the other out even when both were paired as lab partners in Biology. And then she had gone off to U Dub for a degree in accounting and he had gone across country to Dartmouth.
He had always wondered what if.
But perhaps fate had been kind. Uncle Al called and said he needed help over the summer and Edward had come home rather than take another summer session. Bella was taking a break as well and had come to visit Charlie and get away from bottom lines, tax rates, and profit margins.
Edward parked the tow truck and slowly climbed out, removing his sunglasses as he did. Bella looked up at him expectantly.
"Well, Edward Cullen," she said with a smile. "Fancy meeting you up here."
"Well, Bella Swan," he replied in the same tone. "Fancy your ancient truck breaking down."
Bella punched him in the arm.
"Don't hate on my truck."
"Ow!" He rubbed the spot. She was stronger than she looked. "Ok, ok. What's going on?"
"It just died. I was heading to a bonfire and suddenly it knocked off and here I am."
"Not surprising."
Bella reared back as if to punch him again, enjoying the laugh she received in response.
"Ok," Edward continued. "Pop the hood, and I'll look while you crank her up."
Bella climbed into the truck while Edward watched her climb into the truck. And she knew he was watching and may have put a little extra bounce in her step.
The hood of the truck was lifted and Bella cranked her up.
Nothing.
"You got gas?" Edward's voice came.
"Half a tank!" she called.
"Hmmm…."
Bella climbed down and went around to the front of the truck where Edward was leaning over, looking at something.
"What?" she asked, peering in.
"Let me get a flashlight."
Edward walked over to the toolbox on the back of the tow truck and got what he needed. He turned to see Bella bent over the front of her truck. He also noticed a very nice pair of stiletto heels and a skirt that was just a little short for what she was doing.
Not that he minded. At. All. He groaned a little as the sight of cheeky black lace came into view. But right now, he needed to be all professional.
Damn it all.
"Ok. Got it here." Edward stood next to Bella and shined the light under the hood.
"See anything obvious?"
"Other than the fact the battery is missing?"
"Missing?" Bella tried to sound innocent but Edward did not buy it for one moment.
"Yes, and no matter how ancient this truck is, unless your name is Wilma Flintstone, I don't think it drove up here without a battery."
He looked down at her shoes, again admiring what they did for her legs.
"And I'm pretty sure you didn't use foot power while wearing those."
Bella shrugged nonchalantly, lifting one foot to show off her footwear.
"I like my shoes."
"Oh, I like them, too."
"Do you, now?"
Bella smiled and took a step toward Edward.
"But I think you know that."
She smiled again and nodded.
"I also think you didn't drive up here without a battery."
"Nope."
"Then why?"
"I wanted you to take me to the bonfire."
"You could have called me."
"Could have," she said with a mischievous grin. Bella took another step toward him so they were now toe to toe. "But I don't have your number, and I wouldn't be able to do this."
She grabbed his shirt and pulled him closer before licking her lips.
"Seems like Bella Swan always gets what she wants," Edward whispered just before she kissed him.
Thank you so much for reading! I'm a little behind on review replies, but I will do them! Right now, I have a little catching up to do on the prompts so thank you for your patience.
DeJean
