A/N: Thank you everyone for reviewing, favoriting me and putting me on Alert! I really appreciate every one of them that comes into my inbox. Now on with the next installment…
Disclaimer: Ms. Meyer owns…which sucks because I wish I owned Edward. Especially leather jacket wearing Edward.
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Ch. 10
On Tuesday morning my bedroom door was locked and Alice was still able to wake me up at the crack of dawn. After fighting her tooth and nail on a sleazy skirt she was trying to force me into, she relented and allowed me to wear a pair of beloved jeans and my Chucks. I still got stared at in school, but I was able to ignore it more. The few times I had a run-in with Edward showed that he was able to go back behind his stoic mask that he always showed me. The moment in Chemistry must have been a fluke accident.
Wednesday was my introduction to true Washington weather since I had moved back. The clouds were heavily grey, no room for the sun to shine through. As Alice and I pulled into the high school parking lot the slight drizzle turned into a torrential downpour.
The morning passed without incident until I got to lunch. Lauren had decided to be a bitch and try to start a rumor about me…but it didn't have much merit. Apparently she thought my boobs were fake…I'm not sure if I should take that as a compliment or not. As I sat down between Alice and Angela, I looked up to find Edward staring intently at me. As if he were trying to decide how true the rumor had been. Once again my cheeks blazed up under his attention. This seemed to break him out of his trance because in the next moment he spent the remainder of lunch time glaring in Lauren's direction. That was the extent of our contact since he seemed to like to pretend I didn't exist in our classes.
Friday finally arrived, with it came the first bout of sunshine since the beginning of the week. From deep in my bones I could feel that it was going to be a good day. I had taken to just setting my alarm shortly before Alice arrived…I really hated being jolted awake. I was still having nightmares on and off, but I tried not to let it show during the daytime.
--
We were just pulling into the parking lot when Alice jumped slightly in her seat.
"What is it Ali?" I asked worriedly.
"Oh nothing is wrong. I just forgot to tell you that I am spending the whole weekend over at your house. I cleared it with Charlie already." She flipped the visor down to make sure her make-up was in place before getting out of the car.
"I forgot we had a date to redo my room. I guess that's fine…we are going to have to either tarp all my furniture or remove some of the bigger pieces…that may take awhile if its just us," I spoke mostly to myself.
"Don't you worry about it. I have that part covered," she said with a wink.
I scanned the parking lot and noticed that Edward, Jake and the rest of the guys were leaning against several motorcycles while smoking. I eyed Edward appreciatively…obviously he was taking advantage of possibly one of the last sunny days of the year.
He looked my way as if he could read my thoughts. Before I could react though, I had Alice pulling at my elbow. I sighed and turned to follow her, wishing I could stare at him a little longer.
First period was interesting. The guys seemed to be more jovial then usual, especially Edward. His hair was still slightly damp from his morning shower and he was wearing his famous leather jacket, grey t-shirt and worn jeans. The man looked like he could have walked straight out of a magazine photoshoot. It was ridiculous.
Jake kept throwing random pieces of paper back at Edward, who returned them steadily with a firing arm. Halfway through the period I felt movement up against my ponytail. I turned slightly in my seat to see what it was only to find Edward withdrawing his hand slowly from my hair, a piece of crushed notebook paper in his hand. He was looking intermittently between the paper and my hair. I raised a curious eyebrow at him which seemed to break him out of whatever he was thinking about. He immediately sat straight in his seat, looking forward.
The rest of the morning wasn't as interesting. One thing I noticed during my first week of classes was that Eric Yorkie and Mike Newton had taken to partnering up and following me around like lost puppy dolls. I would walk down the halls with them trailing behind me, only to walk passed someone like Alec or Embry who would be falling all over themselves with laughter. The only one that didn't find it amusing was Edward…of course. He was turning more and more into an enigma. It was becoming very frustrating because I hated feeling like I wasn't in the loop about something.
I walked into the cafeteria, feeling an immediate charge because the weekend was only hours away. My new table was filled as usual, this time placing me between Alice and Edward again. And can I just say the man smelled good enough to eat. Like a mixture of spearmint, cinnamon and some unknown male smell.
I sunk into my daydream of doing naughty things to Edward…
"Does that sound okay Edward?" Alice's voice broke into my thoughts.
"Uh, I'm not sure. What about the Chief?" Edward was looking nervously between Alice and I. The fact that Edward seemed anxious at all immediately made me curious.
"What are you talking about?" I inquired.
"Remember how I told you I had the labor taken care of? Well I am enlisting the help of Edward and Alec. Doesn't that sound okay, Bella?" she emphasized my name, giving me a glare.
"Erm…I…think it would be fine. Charlie wont be home until after eleven tonight. I guess he has to help out on a case up in Port Angeles."
"Great! Then that's settled. Edward, be in front of Bella's house at exactly four. Not a moment sooner or later. Got that?" she said leaning across my lap to get into her brothers face.
I swore I heard a soft snort come from him as he began to chuckle. "Sure sprite, don't get your panties in a tizzy."
The fact that Edward was going to be in the very place where many of my fantasies took place was not lost on me. My small attraction for him had ignited into a full fledged obsession since the shopping trip we went on the weekend before. Perhaps obsession was a strong word…but it fit with how powerful of a draw he had on me.
We made our way towards the science building together. Instead of keep a full foot away from me, I noticed that he was now almost shoulder to shoulder, occasionally placing his hand in the center of my back to guide me through the crowd. A shudder ran down my spine every time; hopefully he didn't notice.
Even if I wanted to, we didn't get a chance to talk because Banner strolled in with one of the ancient televisions and we were subjected to a 70's version on atoms.
Finally after an hour of dozing, the bell rang. I gathered up my bag and notebook as Edward threw me a small smile and walking ahead of me out the door. I walked in silence until I met up in Alice in front of my car.
We pulled out and waited in the traffic exiting the parking lot. The guys zoomed passed us on their bikes, waving as they went. Edward stopped next to my open window.
"So I will see you at four?" he asked, staring only at me. I could only nod.
"Bring my overnight bag with you, it should be sitting by the stairs," Alice barked out.
"Will do," he sighed, giving us a mock salute before following the rest of his friends.
I turned to face forward again, only to find Alice giving me an appraising glance. After a minute she shrugged and leaned down to fiddle with the stereo.
--
Twenty minutes later, we were sprawled out on the couches, catching the last part of Ellen. I don't think I had laughed that hard in months.
At five to four we shut the TV off and went upstairs to strip my bed of its sheets.
"So I see that you and my brother are getting along a little better." Alice's voice filling the quiet atmosphere.
"I guess," I mumbled.
"Is there something going on?" she questioned.
My eyes snapped up to meet hers. "No Alice! We would actually have to have a full conversation filled with complete sentences in order for that to happen!"
"Okay, okay. But you would tell me if anything happened, right? I mean…he's my brother!"
"Yes. But I doubt that Edward sees me as anything but the neighbor," I said, noticing the slight sullen tone of my voice.
Before Alice could comment, there was a loud knock from the front door.
"Our man labor is here!" Alice sang as she ran down the hallway.
I followed a bit slower, suddenly nervous of having Edward near.
Alice was just opening the door when I came up to stand beside her.
Edward and Alec stood sans leather jackets on the small porch, the lowering sun creating a halo around them. Edward had his hands stuck in his pockets, teetering back and forth in his Chucks.
"Well hello dear brother of mine and his best friend! Welcome to Bella's humble abode," Alice said dramatically, swinging her arm in a welcoming motion. Both guys rolled their eyes as they stepped into the doorway.
The sight of Edward in the entryway did something funny to my heart; just a slight increase in beat, but enough for me to suck in a silent breath.
"Hey Bells…lookin' good!" Alec said brightly. I looked down at my comfortable attire of yoga shorts and a small tank top. "Don't you agree Edward?"
I looked to Edward, watching him rake his eyes over me. Some was very primal in the way his eyes were focused on the pieces of cloth on my body.
"I don't know what you're talking about Alec. This is just ratty clothes that don't ever see the outside walls of my house."
"No…he's right," Edward said suddenly.
We all turned to him, giving him curious glances. Mine probably resembled more of a confused one. Did he just say I looked good?
"I mean, those shorts are…great," he mumbled.
"Thanks Edward," I responded quietly, my eyes trained on the floor.
"Ooookay. Don't know what that was exactly. But enough chic-chat, time to get to the real work!" Alice clapped her hands and led the way upstairs.
Alec instantly followed behind her. Edward and I stood there awkwardly for a few seconds before I made my way up the stairs first. I could hear his heavy footfalls directly behind me as we entered my room.
I shifted to the side to allow him to enter. He paused in the doorway, looking around the room with great intent.
"Nice size," he mumbled, eyeing the bed.
I wasn't sure if he meant the room or my bed, but my face immediately flushed. It was quickly getting old; nobody had gotten that type of reaction out of me since I was a kid.
"Wait until you see it when it's all finished!" Alice declared, obviously missing the possible innuendo.
He made a slight choking sound before asking where they should start first.
Two hours later, five trips up and down the stairs, two pitchers of iced tea and two trays of pizza snacks later…my room was pretty empty.
Alice and I walked the guys to the front door, pushing the rest of the snacks with them.
"Thanks again for all the help guys. Really, you have no idea how much you helped," I said sincerely.
"No need to thank us Bella," Alec said.
"Will you need help moving everything back in after painting?" Edward inquired.
"I'm sure we can use the help again. Don't feel obligated to do it though, we can always find someone else if it's too much trouble."
"No…I don't mind helping again," he said a bit shyly.
"Really?" I asked.
"Yeah," he said, staring at me through his lashes.
"Enough with the flirting you two! C'mon Bell, we have a ton to do!" Alice said pulling me back into the house.
"Bye," I said quietly as the door was shutting.
"See ya," Edward answered back just as the door closed completely.
--
Saturday morning dawned bright and early. Alice had already been up for a full hour before I woke up. The smell of coffee had me almost floating down the stairs and into the kitchen.
"It smells pretty fucking divine in here Ali." I grabbed the mug that she thrusted in my direction and took my usual seat at the small breakfast table.
"I try."
"Did you sleep okay? Sorry about having to move the bed, the air mattresses weren't that great," I said taking a deep sip.
"I slept fine. Listen…I need to ask you something," she said seriously.
"What's up?" I said nervously.
"Have you been sleeping okay?" she asked.
My back immediately stiffened at her question. I was hoping really hard that I didn't say anything stupid in my sleep. "I sleep fine. Why?"
"Well. Throughout the night you would mumble and whimper. And at one point you started crying." Her voice was laced with concern.
"It's nothing…" I trailed off.
"Bullshit its nothing. What had you crying? Was it your mom?" She sat down on the chair adjacent to me, staring at me with complete concentration.
"Um, it's complicated." My voice cracked. "It changes each night."
"Why haven't you said anything?"
"Because it's just a dream!" I exclaimed, my voice going a bit higher then necessary.
"I think it's something deeper. Do you need someone to talk to about it?" she asked, reaching over and grasping my right hand lightly.
"Just let me handle it Ali. I have it under control," I mumbled.
"Alright, but just know that I am here." She sighed.
--
We were in my room four hours later, spreading the paint across the white walls. Random songs were playing from my iPod in the background. Occasionally we would say something, causing the other to laugh.
"So you and my brother?" she asked.
"Not this again!"
"Oh come on! You can't deny that something went on between you two yesterday afternoon."
"Alice," I whined.
"You like him don't you?" she asked suddenly, stopping her paint strokes.
I stared at her for a long moment, trying to formulate an appropriate answer. "Alice, I can't explain it. I just have this pull towards him. So to answer your question, I suppose I do. But it is probably one-sided. And please stay out of it. I would be mortified if you talked about it with him."
"Sweetie, that boy has it bad. Don't you think I know my brother a little bit?"
I raised my eyebrows in doubt.
"Well I do Bella. And I know he does. He just has dealt with a lot of shit in his past that keeps him from being outwardly affectionate most of the time."
"Everyone has had a rough time at some point in their life," I mumbled. "Changing the focus. What was that with you in Jasper?"
For the first time in our very long friendship, Alice blushed. "Um…I…he…oh Jesus! I'm in love with the man!"
My jaw went slightly slack at her outburst.
"I mean, I have been into him for quite awhile. He was the guy I was talking to you about last weekend," she said.
"Really?" My mind instantly went to the 'date' that we went on, immediately deciding not to bring it up to Alice.
"Yeah." She continued with her painting.
It was silent again for awhile before she decided to say something else. "I just want you to know that you have my blessing if anything were to happen between you and my brother. Just so you know…"
I sighed. "Thanks Alice."
--
Alice slept over again that night, this time we parked it in the living room because the paint fumes would have gotten us high in our sleep.
Charlie was gone before we woke up…probably to fish again.
Edward and Alec came over about ten to help us move the big pieces of the furniture back into my bedroom. They both complimented on our colorful paint jobs. They didn't stay too long, which made me slightly disappointed that I barely got to talk to Edward.
Alice and I spent the rest of the afternoon decorating the bed and my bare walls. I cooked her and Charlie dinner before I drove her back up to her place.
When I got back to my house and up the stairs I swirled around my new and improved bedroom with a shot of glee. There was nothing like the feeling of accomplishing something so beautiful.
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A/N: As I said before, updates will be coming when I find a free moment to write between classes, work and homework. I am going to finish this story, so no worries! Follow me on Twitter if you want updates. Link in profile. I hope you enjoyed. It would make my day if you pressed that green button below and reviewed!