Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight. If I did, I would be mega-rich!
Author's Note: Sorry it's taking so long guys, but I have a lot of real life stuff going on right now at work. I hope you enjoy this instalment!
Chapter 10
"Bella? Have you finished your math problems?" asked Edward, who was sitting on the floor beside her with the work books.
Bella blinked back into the present and looked at her page of sums, all neatly filled in with the fountain pen. She'd never been a whizz at algebra, but not too shabby either. Yet, after reading through the chapter with her eidetic memory it came so easily. As if before her brain had been dial-up and now she had broadband. The same had happened for her favourite books, now it was as if her brain was a kindle, and she could read them page-for-page mentally. Being a vampire had its perks, the speed, the agility, the stamina, the eidetic memory. But it also had downsides, the thirst, the restlessness and sometimes not being able to forget was a curse.
Despite all the wonderful things that had happened since her turning, eventually, something reminded her of that night. This time, it had been the yellow of her pencil, unconsciously, she'd identified it with the blonde locks of her maker, and she'd flashed back to the attack. She'd been remembering more lately, trees, being dragged, a black leather jacket. In the midst of all the fear and pain, Bella remembered thinking it was so odd he hadn't worn any shoes. His jeans had been caked in mud and dirt, as if he's worn them through a bog. But his face was still clouded, she couldn't see it, and part of her wished she never did, because then she'd never forget it. Bella put the pencil down carefully, so as not to snap it and looked at her study partner.
"Yes, here, grade me?"
Bella slid over her paper, and Edward glanced over it with his eyes before smiling.
"That's an A* Miss Swan. I think you're ready to take the online exam. It's impressive, you've gotten through an entire years Math curriculum in a week."
The Cullen Family had departed after the New Year to go back home, all ... except Edward. He'd opted to stay behind at Carmen's request, so Bella could catch up with her schooling. She'd been quite embarrassed that Edward would be her tutor, especially after what happened on Christmas day. He hadn't said anything about it, and neither had she, so they'd gone back to their previous behaviour, friends. Bella was getting a little frustrated with it.
"I wanted to get it over with, it was never my favourite."
Edward leaned back on the plush carpet, propped up on his elbows, and looking completely relaxed. Bella couldn't help thinking he looked delightfully crumpled.
"Well, we can do Science next if you want? Eleazar's ordered the Microscope and supplies and Tanya has offered to pick them up the next time she's in town."
Tanya's visits to town were becoming more and more frequent lately. There must be some very exhausted men there. Bella wondered if Edward tutoring her was hurting Tanya's feelings, she knew that her adopted sister had once had designs on him that didn't pan out.
But the more time she spent with Edward the less guilty she was able to feel about it.
"No, let's not bother her. How about literature? I've read all of the list so I can write the coursework."
"You know, we don't have to rush. The online exams aren't until the spring. At this rate you'll be ready by February! Let's do something."
Bella leaned back in a similar pose.
"Are you asking me to play hooky Mr Cullen?"
"I'm sure your teacher won't mind" he said, raising a bronze eyebrow at her with a crooked smile.
Bella became fixated on Edward's mouth, the smooth line, the pale pink tint, the white teeth beyond. She remembered the feel of those lips, however brief the touch had been. A quote popped into her head, and she now understood Romeo's words "Oh, let me have my sin again".
Bella moved a little closer, as did Edward, eyes locked on one another and then a door slammed below and they both startled. The moment was gone. Edward moved first.
"Let's go get a snack. There are no Mountain Lions here but a bear will do."
Bella nodded, feeling slightly put out.
Food it was then.
...
"Tanya, did you have to slam the door, they were just getting cosy!" hissed Kate as Tanya slumped onto her bed.
"It wasn't me, it was the wind" she said, lounging like a cat, her strawberry-blond locks sprawling about her like rays of light.
"I can smell that logger on you, you can't be that heartbroken" Kate said, rolling her eyes.
"No...not heartbroken. Perhaps a little...put out. I spend 60 years trying to wear our Puritan Prince down and Bella bats her eyes and he's her "tutor"."
"They like each other, they can't help it. Don't you dare try and blame Bella for finding someone."
Tanya shifted to her side, away from Kate, and Kate felt a twinge of sympathy. She lay behind her sister and put her arm round her, spooning.
"You knew it wouldn't work out between him and you. You're just too dominant. He was from a very...repressed decade. Bella, while she is no mouse, is more ...easy going. They complement each other."
Tanya sighed dramatically "I know. I just would have liked to touch that alabaster skin in passion just once. I think he would be magnificent."
"Well the rate things are going, Bella's not going to find out for another 100 years."
Tanya disengaged Kate's arm and turned to face her.
"Perhaps we should...help them along a little. I know Bella's frustration, Edward can be very stubborn with those morals of his. He probably thinks by approaching Bella he would be disrespecting Carmen and Eleazar. Such a strange mind for a male."
Tanya's phone began to ring and she looked at the screen to see the name "ALICE" and she hit "answer"
"Hello Alice, what a surprise, why have you called? ...Really?...No, we'd be delighted to help! What did you have in mind?..."
And thus two vampires conspired to ignite the romance of their siblings via phone.
...
"Did he kiss her yet?" asked Emmett, looking eagerly at his much smaller sister.
"No, they're hunting."
Emmett looked deflated.
"Is he at least checking her out?" he pleaded, with hope in his amber eyes.
"He's trying not to. Edward doesn't think it's polite" said Alice her eyes glazed over as if seeing something far away.
"Have I taught him nothing in 50 years?"
"Edward doesn't take change well. You have to help him along a little" Alice shook her head, her eyes clearing and picked up her phone, fingers typing a number in a second.
"Hey Tanya! I've been watching Edward and Bella and I think soon they'll need the final push. Do you mind facilitating? ...great! Well, you see, Carlisle has a friend who is interested in Vegetarianism, and seeing as we've got school we don't really have time to show him the ropes. How about we send him your way? I think Edward needs a wakeup call... Oh, and so you know, his name's Garrett."
Author's Note: Dun, dun, duuuuuun! Please read and review, so much interfering from siblings!