Chapter 10: On cylinders and love
Nearly two months passed and Edward and Bella kicked around almost every junkyard in Brooklyn. In her mind Bella made it a fantasy. It was a quest scouring the scrap metal kingdoms; the bored princess was with a handsome knight, to save his gallant horse.
She thought about what her mother once said about knights. She was wrong; Bella truly felt she had found hers. For both, it was a prime opportunity to build a solid friendship.
They had more in common than either had imagined. They shared similar tastes in food, movies, books and music. Both Edward and Bella had a maturity lacking in their peers.
She shared some of her dark secrets about caring for her mother and the guilt that she carried when she wished she would just die. No matter how much medication her mother was given, her condition never improved. Bella understood when she caught her mother feebly trying to flush her pills.
Edward caved in and saw the school Dance Recital. He told her he thoroughly enjoyed it, especially her dances.
Bella couldn't see him from the stage, but afterward she caught him standing outside with a small bouquet of yellow roses. He shyly admitted to them being his favorite.
She was so touched, and wanted to kiss him, but a large crowd came by and the dancers all wanted to celebrate at dinner. When she had finally turned back to him, he was gone.
She really hoped he would have come to the dinner.
-Oo-
It was a cold Saturday afternoon and spring was delaying. They huddled on the benches of 'Sal's Auto-Parts' sipping hot chocolate.
Bella was bundled in a wool lined denim jacket, purple scarf and matching hat, and she wore finger-less black gloves and her old overalls.
Edward still had his green jacket, along with a chocolate brown scarf and earmuffs that she had bought for him early in the winter. A rainstorm the previous night made the ground saturated and moist.
Bella noticed Edward was growing more disgruntled with their search every week. She often tried her best to keep him laughing or occupied on a certain topic that was important to him, like cars and mechanics.
"This is going to make our hunt a little more messy...I didn't think I could get this dirty."
Bella complained.
"Awwww, it's not that bad, God made dirt and dirt don't hurt. We made it through the snow didn't we? This is the last shop for the day anyway, I'm tired as hell."
He kicked a rusted taillight to the left. Bella just looked at him and laughed hard.
"Alright, whatever you say, I'm pooped too! Let's get started! Here, finish this."
Edward gulped the last of her hot chocolate down with his. Their friendship became so tight they were finishing each other's sentences and eating off each other's plates.
Everyday at school, Edward waited eagerly for her to come to lunch; she would bring him leftovers from the hotel. Biology lab became more fun. They completely ignored James and Billy as well as the rumors of some students once again.
Bella asked Jessica to keep her up to date on what they were saying. Nevertheless, many students now respected Edward Cullen, slowly but surely he was coming out of his shell.
In the new school semester, they shared history and English class. Bella was more and more attracted to him, but she never dared let on, she didn't want to spoil what they already had.
They both stood in awe at the mountain before them. Edward's eyes glowed.
"If it's not in this pile, then I don't think I'll ever fucking find it." He mused. "I'll go around and you take this side, give me a holler if you see something."
Bella nodded and went to work, she picked at the pieces nearest to the bottom; she didn't like the way the mountain swayed. A familiar shape caught her eye jutting out from the middle.
Bella ran to it and in her excitement skidded into a mud puddle. Edward looked up when he heard the splash, and noticed that the mountain shifted.
"Edward! I found something, I need your help!"
Edward ran around slipping, when he saw Bella's position, he stopped short. Bella was not more than five inches away from the pile. She was trying to loosen her boot and unwittingly kicked it. If she hit it again, pieces could fall on her head or worse, the entire mountain would collapse. Edward jutted his arms out in a stop motion.
"Bella! Don't fucking move a muscle!"
Bella froze with her foot in an upright position. The mud was like a suction cup and it had been hard for her to gain traction and stand up.
Overhead, the metal collided and scraped with an unnerving sound. She quickly realized her situation. She glanced up frightened.
"Ohhhh shit! Edward! Help me! It's going to fall! I'm stuck!" She pleaded.
Edward ran up behind her and grabbed her arms.
"Just relax love; I'm going to drag you out."
Edward gave a swift pull and hauled her through the mud. When they were far enough he tried to lift her, but they both slid and fell down again. A strong wind blew and some pieces fell, splattering them. A few bigger pieces followed and Edward shielded her, however, they were out of harm's way.
"Bella! Are you Ok? Did you get hurt?"
Bella wiped the mud from her face and gave him a long hug. Still holding each other, they helped one another off the ground.
"Yeah, I'm okay, thanks to you."
She looked up and shuddered, she could have been killed had she been stuck in the spot she was. She rubbed his shoulder reassuringly and looked around, spotting what she had found.
She pulled it out and shook the muck from it. Edward looked on curiously. Bella was beaming, and placed the object in his hand. Edward looked down at the cylinder he needed. His entire face lit up and he threw his body back in laughter.
With a victory shout, he jumped up in the air, waving it around. He put it aside and twirled Bella over his head. It thrilled her to see him that way. They were both flushed with excitement.
"Bella, you are gold! This is it! C'mon we have work to do!"
He pulled her hand and they took off filthy and ecstatic. The next morning, they stood proudly in front of the completed motorcycle.
Edward could not stop grinning from ear to ear the whole night; even his mother was forced to acknowledge him.
Bella had bubbled over to her father and grandmother. She told Ruth everything about Edward. Ruth was aglow and she begged Bella to invite him for dinner.
-Oo-
Today they were having their first ride. Satisfied with his handiwork, Edward looked at Bella with a gleam in his eye.
"Hop on love! It's time."
Bella lingered, she had never done this before and it seemed too dangerous. Edward put his hand out to her.
"C'mon, you just hold on tight and I promise I won't let you go. Trust me."
His words struck a chord in her. He had said them when he had rescued her in the pool. He had such a soft and soothing way of speaking when he wanted to. She got on behind him and clutched his waist, she trusted Edward Cullen with her life.
The next few hours were a whirlwind of fun. Edward maneuvered the bike like an expert. They rode everywhere, cutting across parks and bridges.
Edward constantly turned his head to talk and she constantly begged him to watch the road. They circled through building walkways getting followed by guards and chasing a flock of pigeons. Edward finally made a rest stop in a small park area.
"Alright Bella, your turn."
Bella was stretching her body, "Ooooh! My ass is numb!"
"Yeah, me too, and so are my bal… other parts." He mumbled.
Edward patted the front seat. Bella zipped up her jacket and walked over hesitantly.
"Get on…that a girl."
Bella adjusted herself on the seat. Edward sat down and held her waist lightly. He leaned in to readjust the settings and laid his chin on her shoulder
"Just keep your main focus on the road...you know, like I did?" He joked.
"Oh, no! Then we'll both be chop meat, or ride off the bridge or something tragic like that! And then everyone will think we did it on purpose."
"Naahhh, you already know I can swim. Seriously, the bike practically rides itself, like a car. Do you drive?"
"Not yet, but I get you."
She was aware of the closeness of his handsome face and his sweet breath coming from that glorious mouth of his. She struggled to keep from melting.
"Oh...yeah, don't keep twisting the brake bar, otherwise we'll both be tossed off."
Edward sat back fast. She smelled so clean and sweet. She had gotten a hair trim and the ends all softly flipped around her face. He wanted to rest his head on her shoulder forever.
"Fuck. focus you idiot"
"Umm, I'll kick start it for you."
He stood up and pushed his right leg down hard. The engine whirled.
"Whenever you're ready!"
Bella turned the handle and they took off. She felt free and weightless as the wind churned around them. Edward kept telling her she was doing great.
At times he would grab the handlebars to help her steer. They headed down the long stretch of Eastern Parkway.
Edward stood waving at all the curious and elderly onlookers resting along the benches. He lost his balance and sat down immediately, patting her shoulders. She was relieved.
"Listen Evil Kneivel! Stay put! You're scaring me!"
They finally stopped by a hot dog stand in Prospect Park. Bella insisted on buying lunch and Edward didn't argue.
They wolfed down two hot dogs with everything, potato chips and shared a giant pretzel with cheese.
The sunset was magnificent and they both wished the day wouldn't end.
After eating, Bella got up and did her dance stretches, her legs were stiff and her arms were achy. Edward tried to copy her and she laughed at him.
"What? I can't be a dancer?" He asked, pretending to be hurt.
"No, I picture you more as a runner, or maybe a swimmer...umm, mountain climber, ohhh, maybe a body builder." She giggled coyly and flushed bright red at the thought.
"Wow, I think I'm pretty buff, if I do say so myself."
Edward flexed his muscles in all directions and they laughed. They continued to talk on the bench; Bella harped on her grandmother the most.
"...She's so cool, so alive...I think I know what scares her the most."
"What, growing old, dying?"
"No, not being alive, she's such a restless spirit, she just wants to make everything right in the world in her own little way."
"Sounds like someone I know." Edward said, sipping his soda.
.
Bella shrugged shyly.
"A lot of people that know us say we're alike...well sometimes. I think she's way too flamboyant. Maybe it's just a roaring twenties thing. Old people are to be respected because they've lived their lives."
"Yeah, I guess it gives them the right to be kooky and grouchy and shit. " Edward mumbled through chews.
"Okay, enough about me, what about you, Edward? Tell me about your brother Seth."
She sat Indian style on the bench and close to him. Edward leaned back with his legs sprawled in front of him. His face drooped slightly, but he didn't avoid the question.
He talked about his parents and their home life. He and Seth were inseparable at times, and then they could almost hate each other. His parents loved each other, but weren't perfect.
They fought frequently; getting worse as the years wore on. His dad became more and more of an alcoholic and would lash out on them.
Once Edward reached his size he backed off of him, but Seth received the brunt of his anger. Edward would try to protect him, but it only made situations worse. Edward gave them some credit and he still loved them. They weren't the worst parents. They just started falling apart and no one knew how to fix them.
"Sometimes I felt that Seth was changing. He was getting more reckless and disobedient. I wasn't the angel, but he took things too far sometimes. He was afraid of our dad. He's in the construction business, 6'5 and pure muscle. Seth always hid behind me to protect him. Most of the time I did, but when he got me mad, I let dad give it to him. It was spiteful and I regret it now."
Edward sighed and got silent for a moment. The setting sun was hitting his eyes. He stretched and changed his position facing her with one leg up and leaning on it. Bella noted his every movement and latched onto every word he said.
Edward was just a normal teenager trapped in a sad situation. Her heart went out to him.
"You tell him to do his homework, he'd read a comic book, tell him to clean his room and he'd watch television. He couldn't eat food without spitting it at you, and he was a little shoplifter too. You go with him to a store he'd come out with half of it in his fucking pocket...I practically raised him since he was two...he was a good kid. I'm going to...I really miss him."
Edward rode her home; they cruised along quietly, Bella pondering all he had told her. When they pulled up in front of the hotel, she became happy again.
"Edward, I almost forgot to tell you, you've been invited to dinner at the hotel."
"Really, when?"
"Whenever is best for you, we'll be ready."
"That's cool, thanks. I'll let you know."
He snapped and pointed his finger at her with a wink.
"Hey don't forget we have that project to work on for English, construct your favorite scene from a story we've read...how about hopping coffins?"
Bella shuddered. "No thank you! That was terrible, it...I imagined my mother."
Edward put an arm around her.
"Yeah, I guess it wouldn't be in best taste for us. We'll think of something. Our teacher was right; we are a neat and efficient team. Hey, my mom's not around most evenings why don't you come by this Friday and we'll work on it. I bet we could knock it out easy."
Bella agreed. She took a quick opportunity and kissed his cheek. Not expecting it, Edward turned his face and brushed her lips. They lingered, and then both pulled back embarrassed. Bella stepped away and patted the bike.
"Um, I'm sorry, did you want to come in and freshen up or something?"
Edward noticed her distance. He also became aware of his own stirrings straining against his zipper.
She demurely tilted her head and put her hands on her hips. It was a habit she had and he found it extremely attractive in that sexy fiery kitten way every time.
"Naaah...I better not, I have to get home and I wouldn't want to come in like this and make a bad impression. That I'll do later I'm sure."
"Edward, you would not! Trust me, if you're a man with all your parts intact my grandmother will be really impressed...stop laughing I'm serious! And my dad wouldn't notice you even if you're skin were green!"
Edward kept laughing. He made a macho stance and looked down on her with smiling eyes and an exaggerated grin.
"Bella, I think your father would notice the me coming to dinner.
Bella had to hold her sides from laughter.
"You know, I've been meaning to ask how you got that little scar on your face."
"I fell off my tricycle when I was three. My cheek landed right on the tip of the metal fence. I didn't realize I was hurt until my mom saw me and panicked."
Bella stroked his scar with her fingertips. Starting from the tip making it all the way down the scar. She did not stop there but continued to outline his jaw line with her subtle touch.
"Awww! Poor baby, I bet you were an adorable three-year old."
Edward smiled sheepishly. "I don't know…but I know my mom always said I really did have the terrible two's."
They said a final goodnight and she ran to the elevator deliriously happy. On the way home, Edward's stomach did flip-flops. When she kissed his cheek he wanted to grab her and ravage her mouth with a real kiss. He couldn't contain the smile on his face.
He had fallen in love.