Disclaimer:
Twilight is not mine I own nothing.
So Edward takes us back to the first date…I know a lot hate it, but he has a mind of his own…Many asked about the bet and if Edward really likes Bella or if he is just going out with her because of it. I hope this gives you some answers.
Chapter 10 EPOV
Good to Bad in 1.2 Seconds
I was ecstatic - beyond ecstatic really. The date was perfect, except for the kissing part. I really wanted to kiss her. I wanted to from the moment I saw her standing in the reading room at the library. I had to tell myself to take it slow and that maybe by the end of the night she would let me.
I wasn't sure how comfortable she was so I tested a few things. When she reached over at the restaurant and patted my hand I felt the relief and electric energy in the air. I wanted to grab her hand and not let go.
I held her hand when we walked to the park, it felt so nice and she didn't pull away so that was a good sign.
I had to go and embarrass myself with those stupid cupcakes. Once I saw them I couldn't resist though. She laughed at me and ordered two after I told her I wouldn't share - nice Cullen, act like a pig why don't you. Then she tried to pay and I was not going to have any of that.
We made our way to the theater and I knew she was cold. She had that little jacket on and she was shivering. I gave her my jacket even though she refused it at first, and I knew she felt warm after. She let me put my arms around her. I thought I just might get the kiss at the end of the night after all.
I drove to her home and she introduced me to her parents. She seemed embarrassed by them but I didn't mind. Her Dad kind of scared me, but that was because he was allowed to carry a concealed weapon.
Her Mom looked me up and down, checking me out. I felt a little uncomfortable but soon Bella was calling it a night and pushing me out the door.
I leaned against the car and I knew she was thinking about something. Whenever she thought really hard her eyebrows pushed together, squinted her eyes and bit her lip.
I pulled her close to me. Inches apart, her lips were right in front of mine and I could feel her breath on my face. I leaned in and she stopped me by telling me not to do it. I opened my eyes and looked at her - she seemed conflicted. I wasn't really sure what to do so I gave her hand a small squeeze then got in my car and drove away.
I got home and went to my room. I had a huge smile on my face. I had never dated and I wondered if this is what I had been missing or if this was just a result of who I went out on a date with. I fell asleep easy that night.
The next morning I woke up to pounding on the front door. Seriously, who is up early on a Sunday and where were my parents? Both their cars were gone.
I looked around and found a note from my Mom telling me that my Dad had an emergency at the hospital and my Mom had gone to look at a house in Port Angeles.
"Alice what are you doing here at…" I looked at the clock. "…ten in the morning on a Sunday?"
"How was the date with Bella?" she asked with a smile.
"You know, it was a date, it was…good," I teased. I knew she wanted more information than what I was offering.
"Cullen, don't be like that. I am your best friend, tell me all the details." She hit me in the ribs. It was too early for this.
"Let's go eat and I will tell you," I told her. I got dressed and we went to IHOP.
I told Alice all about the date while we ate. I even told her about the cupcake and she practically rolled on the floor with laughter.
"Stop it! It's not funny!" I yelled. I'm never living that one down.
"Why do you think she didn't want to kiss you?" Alice asked me, but I couldn't come up with anything.
"I'm going to ask her," Alice said. I shook my head and asked her not to, but I knew Alice - she did what she wanted and no one could tell her not to.
After breakfast Alice and I took my car to get washed. It was filthy as the drive to Port Angeles had left bug splatter all over the windshield.
When we finally made it back to my place, it was well into the afternoon. Alice and I were lying on my bed talking, mainly about Bella.
Alice pulled out her phone and started to text.
"Who are you texting, Alice?" I asked, looking over her shoulder.
"Bella. I want to see how the date went?" she said. I rolled my eyes because I already told her all about it.
Bella replied a few minutes later wanting to know what I thought about the date.
Alice sent her a reply that I didn't kiss and tell. Bella replied that we didn't kiss at all. Alice asked why she didn't let me kiss her.
"Don't ask her that Alice, she is going to know I told you," I slapped her arm.
Alice ignored me and questioned Bella if she would go out with me again if I asked her. I had to stop Alice before she ruined everything so I sent a text to Bella. I told her to ignore Alice, which I think got me into more trouble because Bella then asked if we were together. The tone of the message made me think she was upset about it.
Bella meant to send me a message that Alice was crazy but sent it to Alice instead - that was classic. Alice got all huffy about it. I couldn't stop laughing.
"Edward, that is not funny, I'm not crazy - a little exuberant maybe - but not crazy!" Alice yelled. Yeah keep telling yourself that.
"Aww… Al, don't be mad, she just wants you to butt out and as a matter of fact so do I, don't ruin this for me."
Bella sent another message to the both of us that she had to go.
Alice left and I messed around with the piano a bit while the parents were out. I wanted to start composing that song that I had in my head.
I didn't know how long I was playing but I stopped when I heard the front door open and in walked my parents. I also noticed it was dark out. I must have been sitting there a few hours.
I had dinner and went back to my room. I wondered what Bella was doing and I really wanted to call her or text her. I wondered if I could find her email address. I decided to text her to see what she was up to.
Her reply sounded like she was mad or hurt. She said she had made a surprise for me but her Dad had ruined it. I wondered what it was but she said that I had to wait for school to find out. She was so cute.
I saw her standing by her car in the morning, looking as beautiful as ever. I could stare at her all day. I had to snap out of it and remind myself to walk up to her, not just ogle.
She handed me the box. When I opened it and saw the cupcakes, I wanted to kiss her or hug her or jump up and down and yell on the top of my lungs that I loved this girl.
What? Wait - I loved her?
She was rambling, for the most part I was not paying attention, I just knew it was something she did when she got nervous. I told her to stop because it didn't matter. I wouldn't care if her Dad ate all of them and saved me half of one.
It was the sweetest and most thoughtful thing anyone had ever done for me. She told me to share but I knew I wouldn't - these were mine.
Bella joined us for lunch and as soon as Emmett and she walked in, Emmett made a comment about me being a 'Pee Boy'. He has called me that while growing up ever since the time during t-ball that I had to pee in the middle of a game.
Then Bella and he just busted up, I couldn't believe he had told her that! Pay-back's a bitch! Bella messed with my hair calling me 'Cupcake' - she was so cute.
We all made plans to go miniature golfing on Saturday. I asked Bella if she wanted to go for a walk and I took her to the place I used to go to when I needed to think. I don't think anyone else knew there were picnic tables just behind the trees.
You know the saying 'too good to be true'? That is how my day was. Things were going great. Bella and I were making progress and she was finally coming around. She was flirting with me and being playful. I was going to ask her out again and maybe if I got my nerve, I would ask her to be my girlfriend. Yes, I had it bad for this girl.
The teacher asked if I could take a note to the office. I was on my way there, wondering what Bella was doing, when I looked towards the gym. She hated gym most of all. She said in gym she was a disaster waiting to happen.
I noticed someone came running out of the gym and when I looked closer I noticed it was Bella. I hurried up so I could reach her to find out what she was doing.
I called out to her and she stiffened a bit before turning around. When she did she yelled, "What?" I noticed she had been crying. I started to panic, thinking someone hurt her.
"Baby, why are you crying?" I asked.
But then all hell broke loose and my world came to a stop. She said she couldn't be with me. She told me that I should just leave her alone. I didn't know what had happened in gym but something made her upset and it was somehow my fault.
I watched her get into her car and drive away. I tried to text her and call her but she never returned my call or text.
I sat in my car trying to figure out what the hell had just happened. Alice made her way to the car - I didn't even notice that she sat in the seat.
"What is it Edward?" she asked.
"She hates me," I told her, "I screwed up somehow. She came out of the gym crying and said she couldn't do this with me - to leave her alone," I mumbled the end of the sentence. It still didn't make sense.
I started the car and drove home. Alice was talking but I really couldn't make out what she was saying. When I pulled up my Mom was leaving. I asked her where she was going, as she was usually home to make dinner.
"I have to cover for Bella, her Mom called in sick for her. I'll be back in a few hours. Order pizza if you want." My Mom waved to me as she left.
Alice and I just looked at each other. Alice came in with me and ordered the pizza but I really didn't feel like eating. After an hour or so Alice said she was going home, patting me on the back.
I couldn't take it anymore. If she was mad at me I needed to find out what I could do to make it right. I got in my car and went over to her house.
All the lights were on in her living room. I knocked on the door and her Mom answered. I asked for Bella but she said she wasn't feeling well.
Renee kept looking toward the stairs, so I assumed that Bella was hiding behind them. I told her to tell Bella I was sorry and I hoped that she would feel better and I knew she had called in to work. I said it loud enough so I knew Bella heard me. I started walking away and her Mom came out with me; closed the door; told me to give Bella some time and not to give up on her.
"I'm not giving up," I told her. She nodded and closed the front door. I went to my car and left.
The next day at school started the torture. Alice texted me saying Bella had changed seats and wasn't talking to her. When I got to Biology the teacher said that Jane was my new lab partner and Bella had changed seats.
I practically screamed, "what?" Everyone stared at me, except Bella. She bolted out of class as soon as the bell rang and when I went out to look for her she was gone. I figured that I wouldn't see her at lunch and that she needed her space so I didn't even try to find her.
"Well, guess what?" Emmett started when he came to the lunch table. "Bella told the teacher she couldn't tutor me anymore because she wasn't making any difference any way. What the hell did you do to her, Edward, that made her hate all of us?" He stared at me.
"What are you talking about Emmett?" Rose asked him, "this doesn't have anything to do with what was said in gym does it?"
"What happened in gym?" I asked.
"Well I never saw Bella, but Lauren and Jessica were talking about your date. I guess some kids were there and saw you two together - they also saw you two at the concert. They called her a whore and said that she was only with you to be popular. Then they started in about Alice and I lost it. I told them they shouldn't talk about things that they knew nothing about but you know how they are." Rose rolled her eyes.
It made sense now - how could they hurt her like that? Just because they would use sex to get popular doesn't mean others are the same. I felt terrible and there was nothing I could do about it.
"What did they say about me?" Alice asked. Rose looked at me and then at Emmett.
"Nothing important, they're bitches, let's just leave it," Rose answered.
Over the next two weeks I texted and called Bella daily. She never answered or returned the calls but at least she knew I wasn't giving up and that I still cared about her.
On the downside everything else was falling apart. My mind was consumed with thoughts of Bella. I couldn't concentrate on tests - got two C's in two of my classes. I tried to get her out of my mind and think about something else but it never worked.
I couldn't play ball either. I messed up and lost 3 games, the fourth game the coach made me sit out. Everyone was mad at me; I was letting my team down.
As much as I was not looking forward to Spring Break, I thought maybe if I went without seeing her for a week that things would improve. It was going to be a long week.
I used to love going to California every year. Alice and I always had fun, but this year, not seeing Bella was going to be torture.
My Mom asked me to go to the store with her. I wasn't going out much - not even leaving my room if I didn't have to. I guess it was a way for my Mom to get me out of the house.
"Mom I don't feel like going," I told her.
"Come on, I need help…now!" she said with a stern voice. I knew there was no arguing with her.
Once we arrived at the store, my Mom said for me to go get whatever snacks I wanted - yeah I was spoiled.
I didn't even feel like eating, but I spotted some cupcakes and my eyes lit up a bit. They in no way compared to Bella's but they would do. Just when I was coming around the corner, asking my Mom if I could get the cupcakes, I stopped dead in my tracks.
Bella and her Mom were talking to my Mom. She was wearing a baseball cap and if I had not recognized her Mom I wouldn't have even known it was her.
Bella's Mom pulled my Mom away to go to the veggie aisle, and I wondered if it was to give us time to talk.
"Hey," I told her. I almost had tears in my eyes - when did I become such a girl?
She said 'hi' and went back to looking at the bread like I wasn't there, so I started talking again.
"Uh - I miss being you partner in Biology. Jane is no Bella," I laughed, trying to lighten the situation, "if you don't want to…umm… go out with me, will you at least..." I started but she cut me off.
"I can't be friends with you either Edward," Bella stated.
I was angry she wouldn't even let me talk.
"God, Bella, stop being a bitch!" I spat at her, and grabbed the bridge of my nose between my fingers trying to calm down. "Sorry I didn't mean it, I just miss you, that's all," I added quickly.
"I'm sorry too, Edward. I never meant to hurt you - it is the last thing I meant to do," she said, her voice cracking.
I didn't know what else to do so I grabbed her and hugged her with everything I had. I told her I missed her, would wait for her, and loved her with that hug. I just hoped she felt it. She squeezed me back and patted my back. Then she let me go, giving me a small smile. I felt like there was still hope.
The rest of the week went by in a flash and it was almost time to leave for California. I was packing, but at a snail's pace, even my Mom had to come in to help a few times.
Bella changed her number, because of me no doubt. Stalker much? I finally was at my wit's end and sent her a final email the night before we left. I asked if she would be willing to talk to me when I got back. If she said no or never replied, I would leave it as that and not bother her again.
I fell asleep well after 1 a.m.. I woke with a start from a dream where Bella was drowning in the ocean and no matter how hard I tried to swim to her, I couldn't reach her.
I had not looked at my email since I sent the last one to Bella. I was afraid of what I would see.
I opened up my email to see a reply from Bella. One word changed my outlook…YES. She said 'yes'; she was going to actually talk to me. I sent a quick reply. I didn't want her to change her mind. I told her 'thank you' and that I would see her next Sunday.
Alice was over early and we all piled into the car to go to the airport. I was a lot happier than I had been for the last 2 weeks. Everyone noticed it too.
"Well you are in a better mood this morning son. Did something happen?" my Dad asked. Everyone was waiting on my response. I didn't want to get my hopes up so I decided not to say anything.
"Just looking forward to vacation," I said with a smile. Looking forward to returning from the vacation, but they didn't need to know that.
We got to the beach house and put everything away. My Mom made dinner while Alice and I went for a walk on the beach. We were going to Disneyland the next day.
The time in California went by fast and I was so glad I received that email from Bella because I actually had fun after all, knowing I was going to get the chance to talk to her.
The plane trip back home was leaving at 7 a.m., so we had to be at LAX at 5 a.m.. I slept most of the way home, exhausted from the sightseeing week I had.
I secretly bought Bella a key chain from Disneyland with 'my' name on it just in case she decided she wanted to be with me.
My Dad woke me up when the plane landed. We loaded up the car and made the 1 hour trip back home. I couldn't keep still. I was antsy and biting my nails - I needed to see Bella.
"God, Edward, why are you so rambunctious?" Alice asked, "you're acting like me," she giggled.
"Ha-ha!" I rolled my eyes, "Bella agreed to talk to me when I got back," I informed her.
"Oh, that's great Edward, good luck," she said.
The scenery going through La Push on the way home was awesome. The beach and cliffs passed by right outside my window. Then something caught my eye… it was Bella's car. I looked over at Alice and she looked at me at the same time.
"That was Bella's car," I stated.
"That was Bella and she was there with someone," Alice said at the same time.
What was she doing there? Why was she there with some guy? Was that why she wanted to talk to me? Did she find someone else and want me to leave her alone? Damn it!
As soon as we pulled up to my house I got out of the car and into my car. I was going back to LaPush to see just what the hell Bella was doing.
I think I got there in about five minutes, even though the drive was usually twenty. I parked my car right next to Bella's and walked down to the beach.
They were sitting on a tree stump that had fallen over. The guy with her was tall, had russet skin, dark brown hair and was muscular. I tried to see if I recognized him from school, but nothing came to me.
Neither of them paid any attention to me and I startled them when I walked up to them. I was fuming. This is what she was going to tell me? That she had moved on? I thought all this time it was to tell me she wanted to be back with me.
"What the hell, Bella?" I spat; she jumped and stood up.
A/N: So there you have it. Edward is just as heartbroken. I hope these two can work it out…soon.
Thanks to Lady Tazz for pre-reading and crazierthanu for beta'ing and making my words flow.
Thanks to all my readers, I appreciate all of you. Thanks for all the reviews.