*~I DO NOT OWN TWILIGHT....I OWN 'La Pomme D'Armor'~*
*Bella*
"Ma Cherie...What do I owe this pleasure?"
Sebastian greeted me with a wide smile as I stepped into the bakery...I had taken an easy escape route from a still-sleeping Edward and also a still-sleeping Edward's couple of euro notes before coming out and getting the two of us some of the best iced buns in the world, that and two coffees...If my money stretched that far, anyway.
I really had to learn about the prices in this place...At least then, maybe I could look like I have gotten used to the country ways and look maybe for a split second that I actually live here.
"Hi Sebastian...Is there any chance I can get two of your iced buns?"
"Of course anything for you!"
I smiled in his cheerful response as he dug two iced buns out of the clear screen of glass and popped them into a paper bag, he twisted the tops circling the bag around in a circle three times before popping it on the counter in front of me.
"Also, two coffees" I added.
"But of course!" Sebastian answered with another welcoming wide smile...I shifted on my feet scanning the rest of the cafe at the various people sitting together and enjoying their morning teas or whatever they had decided to drink in front of them.
Feeling uncomfortable, I turned my gaze to behind the counter as Sebastian set the things down...I handed him over the notes but he immediately put up his hand when his eyes met the notes in my hand.
"No charge...There is no charge for my roommates and friends"
"Really...I do not wish to have these free of charge – can I please at least give you this...It may not be much but in terms of cash flow...You will probably not affect the final tally" I delebirately chose to use terms which Sebastian would not understand in order to have him take the money..If I was going to live here then I would be like everyone else and pay my way – fair enough the money was Edward's but before long, it will be my own.
"Very well...Thank you" Sebastian said taking the notes out of my hand and putting them into the cash register...I held the bag in one hand and the cup holder with the coffees in the other and made my way out of the cafe and back into the town square.
The fountain caught my eye as I walked past it, hearing the French language being spoken so speedily and easily by passers by...Not all of them had the strength in the accent like Sebastian had – which made me think that maybe not every habitant in this country were born here – there may be some hope for me if I ever decided to fill out my inner plan of learning to speak French fluently.
I got back to the apartment in no time at all – Letting myself in with Edward's key and walking into the corridor.
"Bella...Where have you been?" Edward asked coming down the corridor from the kitchen as I took off my shoes.
"Edward...I am fine, I went to get us some coffee and iced buns" I replied holding the contents in my hands up to him.
"You must have let me gone to get them"
"Nonsense...I needed the air" I stepped past him and put the coffee and bag of buns down on the kitchen table..Throwing away the holder in the nearest recycle bin – taking two plates for the buns and sitting down taking a cup of coffee and putting one bun on the plate in front of me...Edward was still standing by the door.
"Won't you come and sit with me?" I asked him.
"I wish you'd have woken me...I would have gone with you"
"I know, Edward but you are tired...Your shifts at work are so unpredictable and you need every bit of rest given to you"
"How did you know how to get an iced bun?"
"Considering you had introduced me to them the night we met...They have become a weakness and a favourite as a result..If I gain weight, I will have you to blame"
"Who cares about weight, Bella...You are in France"
"Come and sit down, Edward...Please you are making me nervous?"
Edward sat down opposite me then in defeat before taking the second cup of coffee and the last iced bun...I took a bite of mine enjoying the feeling of the sticky icing swirling around my mouth.
As Edward and I sat in silence we were distracted from eating and drinking at the sound of a large bang on the front door...Edward turned to face the door and got up from the table...I watched him walk down the corridor and open the door...A squeal of some sort made me jump the cup of coffee falling from my mouth and onto my top...Sighing I put down the cup and stood up from my own chair grabbing two sheets of tissue and dabbing the wet spots on my top that were surely going to stain.
"Oh god, Bella...I am sorry" Edward said standing in the doorway with a huge beaming smile on his face.
"Oh that's okay" I replied continuing to dab the spill.
"There's someone I want you to meet" I looked up from my top again and saw a pretty young girl...Towering below Edward in height, bright eyes gleaming into mine..I instantly felt a little awkward but also a little low in confidence as she was so beautiful and I must look like nothing in the same room as her. "This is Alice" Edward added.
I nodded swallowing loudly and walking around the table to the new beautiful girl...I held out a shaky hand "I'm Bella"
"Hello Bella, I have heard much about you...It is such a strange thing to see a Brit here in France!"
"I should say the same about an American being here, too"
"Ah well I do not live here like some people...I have a life!"
"Oh I love you, Alice" Edward teased with a crooked smile.
"You know I love you, too" she sang wrapping her arm around him tighter...At the display of affection I turned back and sat down at the table again, eating my bun a little faster now that I was the third wheel in the house.
"So where are the rest of my boys?"
"Out working – You will see Seb later...Jake and Paul are only here for one more night before they have to away"
"Damn...Well, I will have to make the most of it now, then...How does a girl get a drink around here"
My gaze went to mine and Edward's coffee...I felt a little bad that I had not offered a drink to Edward's girlfriend but trying to find my way in this kitchen...Well this house had been a challenge thus far.
"Sit down...I will get you a pop" Edward said as he made his way to the fridge and taking out a can from inside...He put it in front of Alice and was about to take a seat himself when the phone rang.
"Damn that'll be my boss...Excuse me, ladies" he said rather gentlemanly and walked out of the kitchen leaving me alone to make small talk with his girlfriend...How can I make a good impression when I barely know someone...Was she feeling the awkwardness in this room or was I once again made to think things that weren't true?
"He's such a sap, sometimes!" Alice remarked opening the can.
"I wouldn't know"
"So...You are the girl he picked up?"
"Picked up?"
"Brought back home?"
Did this girl really think that I was some kind of prostitute or something?? That is what it sounds like!
"Um...No, I am staying here until I can find a place of my own"
"With your parents?"
"No"
"Oh...You have emigrated out here by yourself?"
"No...I was sent here by my family to live with a cousin but she died and I had nowhere to go"
"Oh...I am sorry to hear that...Trust Edward to come in on a high horse in rescue"
"No...It's not like that, I mean...I don't need to be rescued"
"I never said you did, honey...All I'm saying is Edward can be very protective...It's one of the things I so adore about him"
"I understand...So how long have you and Edward been together?"
Alice choked on her drink and covered her mouth with the back of her hand at my question...She started to giggle uncontrollably and I was left to sit there pondering about whether or not I had just made myself look like a prized idiot.
"God, what are you laughing about now?" Edward asked as he came back in giving Alice a few slaps on the back.
"Oh...Sorry...She thought you and I were a couple" Alice splattered.
I was officially an idiot!
"No Bella Alice and I are best friends...That is all, besides I would never go for her – she stinks!"
"You're not exactly a basket of roses, yourself"
I finished the iced bun and grabbed the coffee cup as I rose from the table.
"I shall be upstairs"
I needed to find an excuse to go and physically kick myself for being jealous about Alice both in looks and the fact that she may of been with Edward...Why did I care whether he had a girlfriend or not, he was a nice guy...Any girl would be lucky. I climbed the stairs and closed the door to Edward's bedroom instantly deciding to walk out on the balcony and let the wind of the air make me feel better.
Geez, Bella sometimes you can be such a twat!!
*Edward*
"Why did you have to go and laugh at her?"
"I am sorry, her question caught me a little off guard...Is she upset?"
"Probably"
"I didn't mean to upset her...She's interesting"
"What do you mean interesting?"
"Different"
"Why don't you start bitching about her, now...Get it all out in the open early?!"
"I am not going to bitch"
"That'll be a first"
"I'm serious...She is very pretty and from the looks of her, intelligent...Is that why you are so hooked up on her?"
"Hooked up?"
"Oh come on, Edward..All I hear from you is Bella-this and Bella-that...Can you honestly sit there and tell me that you only see her as a friend?"
"For once, Alice...Yes I can"
"We have been friends for years...If anyone knows you inside and out it's me"
"This time you're wrong...Keep thinking what you want to but Bella is a friend, who I am helping out"
"You are not just helping her out though, are you? This isn't like some old lady you help across a street, Edward...You have given up your room for this girl!"
"I would do that for anyone who needed help"
"Really?"
"Yes"
"Then, I guess I stand corrected – people can change"
"They can"
*Bella*
I gazed out onto the view – letting the air surround me and calm my erratic mind...There was no way I could be able to escape this house without the eagle eye of Edward and where else would I go, anyway?
Why did I not take out a book from back home to at least distract me in the dry spells of being alone in the house...I was missing Maureen so much more now in the present time especially when I wanted so much for the time to fly in the dragging hours.
I took a deep breath out and leant my arms on the balcony rail resting my head on my hands to get rid of the image of Alice out of my head for the moment where I was to be alone with my thoughts and deepest feelings....I was nothing compared to her, as friends Edward and Alice were affectionate and loving...Completely comfortable with each other – I had never had a friend like that, was that not a reflection on me?
Was I not liked enough to be affectionate with a friend...Tell them all that I want in the world and the life that I hope to lead?
"Bella?"
I lifted my head up and turned on my heel to Edward in front of me, I sniffed away the tears that had unexpectedly fallen down my cheeks in the confines of the darkness of my arms and fluttered my eyes to stop anymore escaping.
"What is it?" Edward asked stepping towards me...I could not step away from him and I could not step past him without being stopped and badgered to unburden by heart...I was stuck.
"Suddenly I miss Maureen" I choked out lowering my head to the floor...Edward placed his hands on my shoulder, his scent that had sent me into the deepest sleep filling my nose again – pulling me in further to his body...Hesitantly he wrapped his arms around me and rested his head against mine...I placed my hands on his chest letting him hold me and I relieved to release my own tears out of choice.
"Everything is going to be alright, Bella...Just cry it all out" Edward soothed his voice vibrating off of my own skin.
"I'm sorry" I choked
"There's no need to be sorry, Bella...Don't be sorry for crying...Be honest with me, did Alice upset you?"
"No...I felt like an idiot more than anything"
"You caught her off guard...I promise you she was not laughing at you but only at the idea of her and I as a couple"
"It's not that humorous"
"We have had it before...I guess we should be used to it by now"
"I shouldn't have assumed"
"Its okay, Bella"
I lifted my head and hands off of Edward not wanting to be surrounded by his really nice smell anymore..I wiped my eyes with my fingers and sniffed again, Edward took my face in his hands.
"I am off to work...Alice is downstairs if you need someone to talk to...I will be back later. Is there anything you need?"
"No..Thank you for asking"
Edward smiled and kissed me softly on the forehead before walking back into the bedroom and away from me. Why did I feel so safe when his hands were on my face? I really needed to stop changing; it was scary and so unlike me.
"Hi Bella"
Alice came out then, replacing Edward...I smiled at her. "I am so sorry, if I upset you"
"No...It's my stuff...I make myself look like an idiot most of the time, anyway"
"Well...I was wondering, the only places I really enjoy here are the clubs...Do you know of any quieter places around?"
"I know of one cafe and maybe two restaurants but that's as far as my knowledge goes"
"Oh god, I forgot that Sebastian works at that cafe...How about we start again over a cup of hot chocolate?"
"Um...Sure, of course...Do you have French money?"
"Yes...I take it you haven't got round to that, yet?"
"Right"
"That's okay...It's my treat – I did after all make you feel uncomfortable"
"Are you going to be like Edward and protest even if I say 'no'?"
"Yes!"
"Then, okay"
Alice let out a giggle and took me by the hand as we walked down the stairs and took our coats off of the hooks and walked out of the door...I searched for Edward's key but couldn't find it in my pocket.
"Um...Alice?"
"Yeah?" She had already started walking across the street when she stopped in her tracks to turn to me.
"Do you have a copy of the key?"
"I do!"
"Then why did you use the doorbell, earlier?"
"To make Edward get off his fat ass and get it"
"Oh, okay" I closed the distance between us, Alice linked her arm in mine and we both began the short walk to Sebastian's cafe – I hope he didn't think that two visits meant I had some kind of caffeine addiction!
"Oh wow...I love this fountain!"
The fountain was slowly becoming one of my favourite places to be...The more I looked at it the more I became entranced by the water both sprinkling outward but also the flowy surface at the bottom...I used to love being in the water as a child – on holidays the only place you could ever hope to find me was in a swimming pool or the sea...A water baby my mum had always called me.
"Do you mind if I make a wish?" Alice asked me as she fumbled through her pocket taking out a small coin "It's American but what the hell...If someone steals it, it won't be worth anything here anyway" I smiled and watched her close her eyes in silence for a few seconds before throwing the useless coin in the fountain. "Do you want to make one?"
"No I have made mine yesterday"
"Fair play...Let's go then, sweetie" Alice linked her arm in mine again and we both walked into the cafe...Sebastian's chuckling then ringing through our ears.
"ALICE!"
"Sebastian!" Edward's always so friendly roommate came out from behind the counter and grabbed Alice into a crushing hug as she giggled lightly hugging him back with as much force...So much love and strength for such a short woman...It was pretty incredible to look at.
"How have you been?!" Alice exclaimed getting her breath back and stepping away from him.
"We have been missing you, little one!" Sebastian answered her with gigantic enthusiasm..."I see you have met the newest addition to the family" he added shooting a small glance my way.
"Bella...Of course?!"
"What can I get you, beauty?"
"I would love two of your hot chocolates!"
"Sure...I will bring them over" Sebastian walked around the counter again and Alice beamed at me before taking a seat of two...Us two being the only people at the current time in the cafe sitting down.
"So..Bella, how has France life been treating you?"
"Um...So far, it could be better but I am well looked after"
"That you are!"
"Where are you staying?"
"Oh my family have a house out here which I take full advantage of!"
"Wow...Really?"
"Yeah...They wanted to rent it out and they still do...I just stay there when there are no occupiers"
"I see...Do you come from a big family?"
"No...Just me and my older brother, Emmett"
"Do you have a boyfriend?"
"I do...His name is Jasper, the last time I visited Edward he came with me but he had to work and this is the only vacation time I get for a while"
"How long have you been with him?"
"Two years now"
"Do you want a future with him?"
"Hell yeah...He is the love of my life!"
"You've found yours, then?"
"You don't have a boyfriend?"
I shook my head not wanting to answer her cheery question.
"How come, pretty girl like you?!"
"I guess I picked the wrong one"
"Oh...Was it bad?"
"Um..I can't really remember, all I remember is crying"
"Then we shall have to do something about that"
"Alice...I am a stranger, in a strange City...I just want to be myself right now"
"You are in the city of love, Bella...If anyone finds love it should be here!"
"I am not a loving kind of person"
"Now that I can't believe!"
"Ladies" Sebastian laid down the chocolates in front of us..I glanced down and couldn't help but let out a smile at the fact that he had made a heart out of tiny marshmallows on the top of my drink....Did he hear our conversation?
"See...You smile at the image of a heart...You have a heart"
"It's buried for the time being...What exactly has Edward told you about me?"
"Why do you ask?"
"It seems he has been telling people about me...People I do not know"
"There is no need to panic, Bella...He says all good things"
"Like?"
"I don't think it is my place to tell you that"
"Why not?"
"Maybe you should ask, Edward yourself"
"Okay"
I shut up, then...Making a mental note to ask Edward what exactly he had been telling people about me...If it was anything bad then I know I will probably cry, again.
Then again, why did I care so much about what people I didn't know thought of me?
Was it the fact that I wanted to make a good impression?
Or was it because they were Edward's words?
Please tell me that he hadn't said anything bad!!
Short and sweet but the story will pick up SOON!
Thanks for Reading!
*Samantha*