Eek!! I come to you with my tail between my legs. I apologize incredibly for the wait, but I really have been so busy preparing to go to London. There is so much to do, and I've spent a lot of time with my boyfriend since I won't be seeing him for so long…Anyways, I'm sorry again!! And here is an extra long chapter for you!
Disclaimer – Not Mine.
Edward's POV
"What the hell was that?" Jacob cried, following me over to my bed. I turned around with my back toward him, trying to hide the smug grin on my face.
"What was what?" I asked innocently, grabbing my clothes from the edge of my bed. I pulled a gray shirt over my head and turned around to meet his anxious gaze. His hands were on his hips and he was glaring angrily at me.
"You know damn well what," he sneered, motioning toward the bathroom. "What were you two doing in there?"
"We were having our breakfast date," I answered, pulling on a pair of shorts. "You didn't really think I would fall asleep and miss that did you?" I chuckled.
He growled and stomped over to his bed.
"I was hoping," he replied, flopping himself down. He propped himself up on his elbow and picked at a loose thread on the mattress. "So…how did it go?" He looked up directly into my eyes, as if he was trying to pull the details out of my mind.
How did it go? I mused to myself.
I thought of the feeling of her hands locked with mine, her deep eyes staring directly at me as both of our laughter filled the room. The way I could talk to her for hours, about frivolous things, while we both enjoyed each other's company. The way that my heart was still getting over the fact that I might have found someone that was actually meant for me, on a TV show no less.
"It was perfect," I finally answered, sitting on my bed and locking eyes with my opponent.
Bella's POV
I was practically floating by the time I made it back to my bedroom. I slowly opened the door and tiptoed to my bed, spinning in a small circle before falling back and gazing at the ceiling. Letting out a deep breath, I let my thoughts wander to the breakfast date that I just had with Edward.
I hadn't expected him to be so silly. Although he had always been nothing but sweet, he was usually more reserved and polite. But today, he trusted me enough to show me a different side of him, and I couldn't help but begin to like him even more. He was slowly pulling ahead of the other guys, but something deep in my mind told me that he was always my favorite from the beginning.
I thought back on the look on Jacob's face when I had emerged from the bathroom.
It was funny of course, but I couldn't fight down the small twinge of guilt I felt. I did like Jacob too…he was nice. I guess I would have to find some way to make it up to him.
"Bella!" sang Alice, from outside my door. She waltzed in and perched herself right next to me. I watched as Rosalie, Emmett and Jasper all followed suit until we were all congregated on my bed.
"What a great workout this morning," smiled Emmett, rubbing a strand of Rosalie's hair between his fingers. "I haven't felt this good in ages."
"Oh please," snapped Rosalie, as she moved to sit on his lap. "Don't think we didn't see you and Jasper racing around in that jeep making fun of the boys as they ran. You're not fooling anyone."
"You weren't supposed to make fun of them!" I shouted, shooting them both incredulous looks. "You were just supposed to talk to them and find out more about their intentions, not hammer them into the ground with calisthenics!"
"Relax Bella," said Jasper. "We did our job; we just made it more…fun." He smirked and placed a sloppy kiss on Alice's lips.
"Well did you learn anything useful," she responded, rubbing the back of her hand over her mouth childishly.
"Yes," they both said at the same time.
I stared at them silently, waiting for them to continue.
"There a bunch of pansies," said Emmett. Jasper nodded in agreeance.
I rolled my eyes and flipped onto my stomach.
"Can we be serious here?" I said, getting annoyed at their foolishness, especially when it had to do with my love life.
"Fine, fine," Jasper said. "Where do you want us to start? With the boy who had the lungs of a 79 year old woman? Or the boy who calls flopping around like a dead fish running?"
I watched as Alice smacked him upside the back of his head.
"This is pointless," I huffed.
"No really," said Emmett, stepping in on the defense. "He's telling the truth. The whole time, Tyler was just flailing his arms all around him like this!" We all watched as he madly convulsed in his attempt to imitate Tyler, causing Jasper to erupt into hysterics.
"AHAA!! That is exactly what he looked like!!" cried Jasper, holding his stomach as he laughed so hard it was almost breathless. "And then!" he stopped, trying to regain his voice. "And then… Emmett and I kept whizzing by him in the jeep, revving the engine really loud, and then speeding away. He totally thought we were gonna run him over man," he chuckled, looking at Emmett.
Emmett nodded his head, immersed in uncontrollable laughter, lifting his hand up for a high five, that Rosalie ended up smacking away.
"You're both idiots," she sneered. "You couldn't do this one thing for Bella without drowning in your immaturity could you?"
I put my hands over my eyes in frustration, trying to block them out.
"Okayyyy," said Jasper, finally ceasing his laughter and leaning back on the headboard. "We're sorry, and don't worry Bella, we did do our job."
"Are you sure about that?" I asked, trying my best to fight the smile that was betraying my lips.
Emmett smirked and leaned back on the headboard right next to Jasper.
"Alice…get the pen," said Jasper seriously, and she immediately got up to retrieve her pen and pad that she had been taking notes in throughout the entire show. She settled down beside me and rested the tip to the paper, poised and ready to go.
"We're starting with Tyler, since we've already talked about him," said Emmett, resting his hands behind his head. I watched his whole face darken and immediately went on alert. This wouldn't be the first time I would hear something bad about Tyler, that was for sure.
"I don't like him," he said in a light voice. "He is pathetic, not near man enough for you, and a pervert, all rolled up in one sad little body."
Jasper nodded. "Seriously Bella, I get a real bad vibe from him. He is just radiating nastiness."
"That's a little harsh," placated Alice in a soft tone. "I think it's obvious he likes Bella, and that's what is most important."
"For the wrong reasons," Emmett interrupted quickly, throwing me a meaningful look. "If you ask me Isabella, take him out next."
I gave them a curt nod. "Mike?"
And just when they looked as if they were about to bust into laughter again, I held up my hand and gave them a 'don't you dare" look.
Emmett put his tongue in his cheek and smiled at me.
"Mike isn't what you're looking for either," he said. "He talks a big game, but he hasn't got much to back it up. To be honest I was expecting a lot out of him this morning, being a big athlete and all, and he just turned out to be disappointing. Who knows what other aspects of his life that applies to as well?"
I let all the information sink in, refusing to comment until I heard everything they had to say. Before I could motion for them to continue, they both spoke up.
"And here is where we differ slightly," said Emmett, shooting a quick look in Jasper's direction. "Jazz here likes Jacob, but honestly, I like Edward, he seems like a real decent guy in my opinion, weirdly perfect for you in a way."
"I didn't say I didn't like Edward," cut in Jasper, defending himself. "I just think Jacob is a more reliable choice. See Bella, the two of them held their own out there today, and we like them both. I just think you'd be better off with Jacob, he's wanted to be here from the beginning."
"So what?" cried Emmett, sitting up straighter. "You can't tell me that it isn't obvious Edward wants to be here?"
Jasper shrugged and held his hands up, admitting defeat, but still holding his position.
"All right, all right," said Rosalie, putting a soft hand on Emmett's chest. He sat back and let out a deep breath before giving Jasper a quick smile.
"We agree to disagree on this one," said Jasper, putting out his hand for Emmett to take it. They both grabbed each others hand and gave it a hard shake, but Emmett, being the clown that he is, jerked Jasper roughly off the bed. Emmett threw his head back and laughed mercilessly.
I sighed and laughed quietly to myself. You couldn't help but love the two of them. Although they had given me their honest opinions, I still felt confused. I was hoping that one of them would just point out the answer, and just tell me who I was supposed to pick. But I realized that I should listen to myself, and what I had been saying all along. No one was going to make that decision for me, because I was the one who had to do it. I had to pick, and of course the people I loved and trusted could help me, but in the end, it was up to me.
"What did I get myself into," I sighed, laying my head on Alice's lap.
Edward's POV
"I can't move," Tyler whimpered in a high voice.
I looked over and saw him lounging on one of the poolside chairs, rubbing his thighs with an agonized expression.
"Stop being such a pussy," Jacob snapped, obviously still in a sour mood from discovering me and Bella in the bathroom this morning. We were all gathered around the pool, trying to relax our muscles and get a moment to ourselves before the next challenge.
The sun was shining brightly down on us, reflecting off the surface off the water, giving the whole thing a magnificent silver shine. I rested my head on the towel I had bunched up, and let the dry warmth fully engulf me.
I only opened my eyes when I heard the patio door slide open, hoping that it would be Bella, and boy was I right. She stepped out slowly, only wearing a sexy green bikini, and my breath caught in my throat. I sat up quickly, my eyes not able to leave her form as she made her way to us around the edge of the pool.
"Damn, it must be Christmas time," muttered Tyler. That was when I finally noticed that Bella's friend Rosalie was right behind her, wearing a red bikini. They both had towels draped over their arm and were heading right for us.
Jacob let out a low whistle, and as soon as Bella was close enough, he ran over and scooped her up, causing her to giggle madly and wrap her arms around his neck. I felt the familiar pangs of jealously surge through my system as they both accidentally toppled into the water. I scowled, resisting the urge to pout like a little boy.
Two can play that game, I told myself, and I got up, ready to jump into the pool and reclaim some of Bella's attention. But as I swung my legs over the edge of the chair, Rosalie sat herself down right next to me and gave me a wide smile.
"Let me guess," she said softly, "You're Handsome." I watched as her eyes not so discreetly traveled the length of my body. I felt extremely uncomfortable under her gaze so I tried to stand up, but she grabbed my wrist and yanked me back onto the chair.
I gave her a confused expression, and pulled my wrist out of her grip.
"Yeah, that's me," I finally responded, hoping that she would accept that as an answer and let me leave.
"What's your real name," she asked, scooting in closer to me, and running a light finger up my arm.
What was she doing? Is she trying to seduce me in broad daylight, ten feet away from Bella?
"Edward," I said, in a not so polite voice, and automatically brushed her off to stand up again.
"Wait," she called, trying to bring me back down again. "Can you put some sun tan lotion on my back; you know I can never reach those hard to see places." Her face fell into a sultry smirk, and I frowned in response.
"No thanks Rosalie." I shook my head. "I'm going to find Bella."
And with that, I turned on my heel trying to get as far away from her as possible. That was so strange? But all thoughts of what just happened quickly left my mind when I saw Jacob and Bella whispering to each other in the pool.
I balled my fists and took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves, and trying to tell myself that this was a competition, and I hadn't won yet. And since I hadn't won yet, I couldn't jump in there, knock his lights out, and carry Bella away so I could have her to myself.
But I could try.
I dove gracefully into the pool, and resurfaced very close to where they were standing. Bella saw me over Jacob's back and smiled, a brilliant smile that was brighter than the sun beating down on us. Jacob was still blissfully unaware that I was standing there. Bella suddenly whipped her eyes back to him and said something in his ear, but before she pulled away, she secretly turned to me and stuck out her tongue and crossed her eyes, making the silliest face I had ever seen.
I threw my head back and laughed loudly, finally alerting Jacob to my presence. He spun around and glared blackly at me.
"What's so funny?" he asked, and I saw him snake his hand around Bella's waist possessively under the water. I frowned and met his eyes.
"Well nothing's funny anymore," I answered, my gaze glancing quickly at his arm. But I know he saw it because his face turned smug and he made no move to let go. Luckily, Bella decided that she had enough of our childish jealously, and pulled away herself.
"You two need to lighten up," she scolded playfully, as she splashed two medium size waves of water in our direction. She giggled loudly and tried to escape to the other side of the pool. We both sprang up, reaching her within seconds, laughing loudly ourselves. Jacob grabbed her ankles, while I grabbed her upper arms to lift her above water and swing her.
"You know Jacob," I said pleasantly. "I found something out this morning.'
"Oh yeah?" he said, matching my tone. "What's that?"
I watched as Bella screamed for us to put her down, but it was obvious she was completely enjoying herself. Jacob and I were swinging her almost around in a complete circle.
"Bella here, well she's very ticklish," I nodded, slowing down the swinging on purpose and throwing Jacob a small wink. He caught my meaning immediately and began to slow down as well.
"You don't say?"
"Yup."
"Don't you dare," was Bella's response, but before she could try to escape again, Jacob and I flew at her, tickling her without mercy. Her playful cries rang out around the pool, and she writhed in the water, sending small splashes out on every side.
"Hey!" said a voice from right behind me. "She obviously doesn't want to be tickled, why don't you two stop?"
Jacob and I whipped our heads around and came face to face with Mike who looked unnecessarily angry.
"Hey Mike," said Bella. "Thanks for saving me!"
His face softened right away, and he smiled happily at all three of us.
"Can I talk to you for a little? I promise I won't tickle you," he told her, holding out his hand. Bella glanced at both of us once, but to my frustration, waded over and grabbed his hand.
"Sure," she said, and Jacob and I watched as they headed to the other side of the pool, talking quietly.
"Bella definitely doesn't want him," said Jacob, standing right beside me. "So don't stress that." He motioned to the two of them.
"I'm not stressing," I laughed. "You're the one who's been stressing all day." I began to circle him in a threatening way. Jacob's and my friendship was extremely weird and complicated. If we met somewhere else, not this show, I was pretty sure that we would have gotten along real well. But due to the fact that we were both very passionate and very jealous, it was kind of hard to be best pals when we were fighting for the same girl.
Before I could open my mouth again, Jacob sent a tidal wave of water in my direction, which I immediately retaliated and we ended up getting into a full out water wrestling match.
"I'm winning this competition," he said breathlessly in my ear, his arm was draped across my throat in a headlock.
"In your dreams," I muttered, twisting away from his strong grip and bringing his arm swiftly up behind his own back. He scrambled to get away and I held tight, but after a couple seconds, he unleashed his arm and tried to turn and dive for me.
A few moments, Jacob was thirsty, and we both were tired out in the heat and decided to get out. I took a peek at Bella and Mike, who were still talking to each other at the other side. Once I got back to my towel and dried off, I tried to decide when it would be appropriate to interrupt them. Just as I was walking over, I saw Tyler emerge from the house with Rosalie in tow.
He was wearing a blank expression, and I saw him go right over to Bella and squeeze himself in between her and Mike. Jacob passed Rosalie on his way into the house, and she shut the door behind them.
Bella's POV
I somewhat reluctantly grabbed Mike's hand and allowed him to lead me to the other side of the pool. I was definitely having fun with Edward and Jacob, but I had to be fair and give everyone a chance, and I had been telling myself this whole time that Mike deserved more of my attention.
"I'm so glad I finally have this alone time with you," he told me.
"Me too," I said, somewhat honestly. I suddenly remembered Emmett and Jasper's comments about him this morning. "How was the early workout?" I half joked.
His face flushed and held tighter to my hand.
"Eh, it was okay, I wish I had time to stretch out a little before it. And besides, I haven't been training since I've been here, so I was kind of out of it."
I smiled at his sincerity. I assumed he would lie and go on about how athletically fit he had been, I was glad that he was being honest. I heard a shout and looked over to see Edward and Jacob, wrestling roughly in the water. I involuntarily smiled and watched the water cascade around their two toned bodies…
"Bella?" said Mike, looking anxiously at me.
I directed my attention back to him, and decided to ask him something that I had been wanting to ask him for a long time.
"Mike," I said. "Did you ditch your girlfriend to come onto this show?" I thought back on Jessica's confession just two days earlier.
"Um…well," he stuttered, looking at me and trying to find the right words. I sighed and looked down, he had just confirmed the truth of her statements. I definitely wasn't too crazy about the whole of idea of that because that meant he could do the same to me.
"The thing is, I liked Jessica, but I never loved her. When I saw you, I just felt something…and I knew I had to come. When I saw you…" he said again. "I realized that with Jessica, I had just been settling."
I looked deeply into his clear blue eyes and smiled, but my attention was once again taken away from him and directed at Edward, who was drying off on the other side of the pool. I felt someone slide in next to me, and turned to see Tyler smiling down at me.
I heard the patio door open, and saw Jacob disappear inside the house with Rosalie.
Edward's POV
11:59.
Another elimination ceremony.
Four guys left.
I was pretty sure that I wasn't going home after the wonderful breakfast date that Bella and I had, but you could never be too sure. Jacob kept assuring me that he and I would be the final two, so I kept that thought in my mind as the cameras surrounded me and Bella's theme song came pounding out of the speakers.
As I watched her walk down the stairs, her two friends in tow, I thought back on the day we had out back by the pool. We had all been out there for hours, only coming in when it was dinner time. I was sure that we were going to have another challenge today, but nothing came up. I wondered what she was going to be basing her decision on this time.
The three girls reached the bottom of the stairs and walked over to their respective spots in front of us. Bella, I noticed, looked very upset, which was confusing to me, because she usually was completely emotionless, so she wouldn't give anything away.
"Hello Boys," she said a loud voice. "And welcome to tonight's elimination ceremony."
She looked at each of us individually.
I shifted a little, feeling Jacob do the same right next to me.
She motioned to her friend Alice, who reached under her chair and gave Bella the signature wooden box of heart chains. There would only be three in there this time, and I prayed that one of them belonged to me, preferably the first one.
But when she opened the box, there were no heart chains, but a small electronic lap top that she quickly pulled out. She set it on a stool, facing us so we all could see.
Jacob and I looked at each other in question. What was she doing?
"I'm disappointed to say," she began. "That not all of you did well in the challenge today."
Challenge???? What challenge???
"What challenge?" Jacob whispered to me, voicing my thoughts. I shrugged in response, watching the dark look on Bella's face. My heart immediately started pumping faster. If I didn't even know there was a challenge today, how could I have possibly done well? Maybe I was going home. The thought absolutely sickened me, as I watched her put in a CD.
"I'm going to let this video speak for itself," she said, motioning to her lap top. "I think it will be pretty obvious who is going home tonight."
Us four guys all leaned in, and anxiously watched the screen as she started the CD. The cameras surrounded us, each one getting ready to gauge our reactions.
The second it started playing, I practically jumped out of my skin as I saw myself on the screen. Oh no, I was going home, I was going home. I watched in horror as a scene that had taken place earlier today played out before my eyes. Rosalie suddenly entered into view, and I was forced to relive that strange moment when she had tried to come onto me. All the guys watched as I brushed her off, and dove into the pool.
"Oh FUCK," someone said.
Once Mike came on the screen, I became even more confused. But as I watched him dismiss Rosalie as well, the cards suddenly fell into place and it made sense. One of these guys fell under her advances and allowed her to seduce them, and I was pretty sure who it was. Jacob came on the screen next, but he winked at me letting me know that he had passed too, and that he had figured out what was going on. We all watched as Rosalie came up behind Jacob in the kitchen, and tried to rub his back. He shot up immediately, looked at her with pure disgust, and exited the kitchen and back into the yard.
Next, Tyler came onto the screen.
"Hey Tyler, what brings you inside?" Rosalie said in a husky voice, walking over to him as he shut off the bathroom light.
"Um, just using the bathroom," he answered, trying to avert his eyes away from her bikini clad - chest.
"Oh," she replied, moving in closer to him. "And Tyler, I think you're the best looking guy on this show, I have been rooting for you all along, you know."
"You have?" he asked, a smile breaking across his face as he leaned against the door jamb.
Rosalie nodded as she bit her lip seductively.
Tyler crossed his arms and moved toward her. "And if I don't win, maybe I could have a go at winning your heart huh?"
"Maybe," Rosalie shrugged playfully, and watched as Tyler stared at her lips.
All she had to do was look at his lips once, before he moved in to try and kiss her.
"Be right back," said Rosalie, leaving Tyler standing there in a very confused state.
I was absolutely appalled, after that video. All I wanted to do was just go pound Tyler into the ground, just like I had been wanting to do since the very first day. Everyone in the room turned to him with furious expressions.
"What an asshole," Jacob murmured, glaring at him. I went to take a step toward him, and tell him exactly how I felt, but Jacob stopped me and shook his head.
"To say that I am disappointed in you would be an understatement Tyler," scolded Bella from atop her podium. "I had given you many chances, and it's obvious that nothing has changed."
"Why is it all my fault! She came on to me!" he defended himself, turning bright red.
"It was a challenge," sneered Rosalie. "I was doing it for Bella. Do you think I wanted to that to any of you? I have a boyfriend that I love very much, and that I believe you met this morning."
Tyler visibly paled.
"So with that Tyler, you need to get out of my house, right away. Your stuff has already been packed, so all you need to do is turn around and walk out that door. So Hot Rod, this time, I'm not sorry about this, and I'm not falling for you."
We all watched as Alice pulled out an identical wooden box from under her seat and opened it to reveal the three heart chains. She motioned us forward with a small smile. Mike, Jacob, and I all went up to get our chains, and smiled as Bella put them around our necks.
"Leave already!" shouted Alice, who was staring at Tyler. He hadn't moved from his position at all, shaking his head in disbelief.
"Oh Emmett!!!" called Rosalie loudly up toward the stairs.
Tyler's eyes widened, and he rapidly turned around and practically ran out the door, slamming it behind him.
Once he was gone, Bella let out a big breath and turned to us with a tired look.
"I'm sorry that happened Bella," said Jacob, and we all nodded in agreement. We surrounded her in a big hug, causing her to giggle and her sad expression to brighten.
"You're right," she said, emerging from our circle. "There is no need to be upset, because I've got good news for the three of you."
She paused for emphasis.
"We're going to Cancun!"
Review! – Sorry, I know I had some Tyler fans out there, but I've been hinting it from the beginning!! LOL