A/N: It feels like it's been a long time since I updated... Anyways, here's chapter ten and please, don't get put off with the title. I think it's appropriate...you just have to read to find out why... lol. To everyone who reviewed, or Story Alerted, or Story Favorited, evven Author Alert and Favorited, I just want to say thanks. I'm only writing his because of all of you guys.
I always try to update ASAP guys so just keep your wis on, I know Yasmin will. ;) Okay, time for the story:
Disclaimer:I don't see a point in this, do you?
Bella Montana – Chapter Ten
I was standing on a big stage, cameras surrounding me, along with huge lights of all the color of the rainbow. There was no one in sight though, which bothered me very much so. If we were shooting something, why am I the only one here? Suddenly, I heard a door swing open. I turned around and saw Edward Cullen. I sighed at the sight of his pearly white teeth and messy bronze hair.
Wait a minute, Edward Cullen? What's he doing here?
I gathered my voice – or what's left of it, I seem to be very nervous – and asked, "Edward?"
"Bella," was all he said. It sounded so loud, echoing loudly in my ears and sending chills from my neck down to my spine. Then he began walking towards me, one graceful step at a time the clicking sound of his shoes echoing around the silent room. It made me shiver with excitement. Excited for what, I have no idea.
"Umm, why are you here?" I noticed that his eyes were changing colors, from charcoal black to honey yellow and then back. I was mesmerized.
"You should really stay away from me, Bella…" he whispered, the sweet smell of his breath tickling my face. He was right in front of me now; I could see his perfect nose, his perfect eyes, and his perfect lips. Oh, how I wish I could just reach out and touch it with mine…
I was leaning closer… closer… closer…
…my lips were now on his.
I froze at the cold temperature of his skin but disregarded it immediately – the warmth that he was contributing to inside of me was a wonderful feeling, enough for me to tolerate the coldness. He placed his hands on my face and I covered them with my own. This is how it's supposed to be. Edward and I for eternity…
The moment I started wanting for more, I felt myself being pushed back. I stumbled by the force. I saw a blur of someone moving around me, circling me like I'm some kind of prey. Where's Edward? How could he leave me here with this…being?
The blur stopped moving, and I noticed that the blur was Edward. He did not leave me at all. I sighed and gathered myself up. I straightened out my clothes and my hair, wanting to at least try to look as good at the Greek god right in front of me.
"Edward," I admonished breathlessly, "don't scare me like that. I thought you left me…but you didn't, so it's ok."
A confused expression adorned his face, and honestly, I found it terribly cute. "You're not afraid of me?" he asked. I looked at him oddly, what would I be afraid of?
"No…" I answered slowly. I could feel my eyebrows burrowing involuntarily, a light blush creeping up on my face. I looked away from his piercing gaze and accidentally made eye contact with one of the lights. It was very bright, bright enough for me to squeeze my eyes with the brightness.
And before I knew it, I was awake. The sun was peeking through my curtains. I stretched quickly, shutting my eyes from the bright sunshine. Through my think lashes, I swear I saw someone standing in the corner, but they were gone the next second. The person was very pale and kinda reminded me of Edward, which was weird since I was just dreaming of him.
I sighed, 'It was just a dream.' But that dream looked so realistic, as if I was really living it. It was the first time I ever dreamed of Edward Cullen, without his family mind you, and to be honest with myself, I rather enjoyed it. Checking the clock as I stood up, I noted that I had and hour and a half to get ready for school. Yippee.
I was putting my clothes on when my mind wandered over to my bike. How am I supposed to get to school without it? It's not like I have a spare car like the Cullens… I kicked hard to push my leg in through my jeans and nearly stumbled over my bed. I grabbed a white, thin, long sleeved garment to go underneath the forest green blouse that I picked. Putting on a pair of white pumps, I headed downstairs, picking my schoolbag along the way.
After eating a quick breakfast and checking for the things I would need for today, like my homework and my purse, I stepped out into the fresh air. I guess I'll just be walking to school then. I plugged my headphones to my iPod and listened to some hip-hop to start the day. There's nothing like upbeat tunes in the morning.
I had only reached a few feet from the driveway when I heard an extremely loud honk behind me. I turned around and saw a silver car – Edward's silver car. My heart pumped faster. The line "Be still my beating heart" passed in my mind. How appropriate. I raised my hand for a wave when Alice stuck her head out of the window.
"Hey Bella!" she shouted, which I think was totally unnecessary since the car was now right in front of me. I peeked inside the car and saw Alice sitting on Jasper's lap, Emmet sitting in the middle (and taking up most of the space) with Rosalie on his lap. Whoa, lovers' convention much.
"Morning Alice," I greeted, I looked behind her and muttered my greetings too.
"Yeah, morning, want to ride with us?" she asked, her eyes indicating the car.
"Err, why?" The school was only a few minutes away, and I'm sure I could survive walking towards it.
"Because we're going to school too," she rolled her eyes, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"I know that," I giggled. There was a slight pause before I asked, "you sure you've got room for me?" she nodded and skipped out of the car. I couldn't help but notice that she's wearing the scarf that I gave her. She led me to the front passenger's seat and opened the door for me. I hesitated before sliding in. "Thanks Alice…" I muttered as I got settled.
I glanced at Edward's direction. He looked awkward. Was I making him awkward? I think I better not get this ride, but it's too late now, we were already moving, at a normal speed I might add.
"So Bella, how's your morning so far?" asked Alice from behind me. I did not bother to look back, afraid to meet someone else's eyes other than Alice's. Edward and Alice I was used to, but the rest frightened me a little bit. I sighed before answering.
"Fine," I smiled a small smile, "how about you?"
"Oh, it's fine too. I'm wearing Yasmin's scarf! Did you notice?" she grabbed the scarf and began fiddling with it, bringing it up to her face and smelling it. How odd…again.
I nodded, "First thing I noticed," I fiddled with the hem of my blouse, not knowing what to say next. "I've, er, heard that Yasmin was having a concert on July eleventh…" I trailed off, running out of words to use.
"Oh! Yes, I've heard of it. I was actually planning to go," I stiffened. My palms were sweating with nervousness. What if she recognizes me? "But it's in Boston, right?" I nodded dumbly.
"What's wrong with Boston?"
"Nothing, I just don't like the place," she replied. I somehow found it hard to believe. From what I can recollect, there were lots of tourist spots in Boston, which means there are lots of malls. And if there are malls, shopping can be done, and when there's shopping… I'll just leave that sentence to fill on its own accord.
We stopped talking since we were already school. We were pretty early, seeing as we were the only ones in the empty parking lot. I let the others step out first, not wanting to look eager to get out. In fact, I was reluctant to go, for despite the awkwardness with him, I wanted to spend time with Edward.
I was storing my iPod back in my school bag when I heard him say my name. His voice made my knees weak but it was quickly covered up by me tripping over thin air a few seconds later. I shouted with surprise, only he can make me this clumsy. I might not be the most coordinated of people, but I, Isabella Marie Swan, am not this inept.
"Yes Edward?" I asked from within his arms. He had caught me, typically, making be remember some things from the past days – very much like déjà vu. His speed from yesterday, his eye color changing throughout the weeks, his very pale, cold arms, and if my guess is correct, his strength. He barely flinched when I hit him with Alice's car door and he didn't seem to be injured at all from the fall he took for me. If he really was that fast to come to me, his velocity should've injured him, like any other person in his position.
"Aargh, I hate physics," I said quietly. I thought I got rid of that subject when I was in my sophomore year, in my homeschooling, of course.
"Physics, Bella?" Edward asked, straightening me up. I looked up at him, shocked to find him there. I guess I was way too deep in my thoughts that time and forgot. I blushed slightly and looked away from his gaze and noticed that everyone, Rosalie, Emmet, Jasper and Alice, were gone. Where did they go?
"It's nothing… I was just recalling something…" I murmured.
"Okay, well, I actually want to talk to you." He lead us over to a somewhat secluded spot behind his 'pride and joy', the Volvo. I avoided his gaze but waited for him patiently; I am alone with him, aren't I? "Look Bella, I think it would be better if we weren't friends."
"Why would you say that?" I forced out in a calm voice. What kind of person just tells you that you can't be friends? At least he could do it with some tactic.
"Well -" he began but he stopped. I raised my eyebrow at him questioningly but was only answered by a smirk.
"Edward, I need an explanation as to why we can't be – "
"Bella!" someone shouted from behind me. I noted that cars were coming in now and Mike was running towards me. Great, now I had to deal with him this early in the morning. "Hey, you're alive!"
"Err, sure, yeah, 'coz last time I checked, my heart was still beating." I heard Edward make a noise in between a snort of amusement and a cough, was he listening in on my conversation? He had backed away to the front of the car, how could he hear me from that far? I guess super hearing will be on the list now.
"Sarcasm, I like that in a woman," he said and I thought, 'Since when?' I motioned for him to get to the point so he said very quickly, "seeing as you are well, on your own two feet, I was wondering if you could – I mean, it's only about a month or so away, but I was wondering if…"
"If…"
"…if you would like to go to the School Founding Celebratory Dance on August…with me, of course."
Huh, a dance. I might say that it sounded nice to go to this dance…but, just not with him. I mean, Mike's cute and all, but he's not for me. Personally, I think he would go well with either Lauren or Jessica, it's his choice.
"A dance…" I said my head spinning with many excuses. Another unavoidable day in Phoenix will surely be out, or he'll be wondering how often I go out of town with expensive plane tickets. "I'm sorry Mike, but I can't. I've got a thing on that weekend, it's pretty important."
"Oh well, maybe next time –"
"You should really ask Jessica or Lauren," I leaned in closer to him to continue my sentence conspiratorially, "but I personally think that Jessica is dying for you to ask her." Mike nodded and headed back to wherever he came from. I sighed in relief and was just about to go into my first class when Edward said my name…again. And my knees went weak…again. He walked beside me to class and when I was in front of the Art classroom, he bid me adieu.
Classes flew by fast without me noticing. Only Angela's presence next to me told me that time was passing by. She nudged me when the class is done and then leads me to my next class, if, that is, we were in the same class. When lunchtime finally came, I hurried to gather my stuff and headed for the cafeteria.
I grabbed the first things I saw and piled them on my tray. After paying for them, I walked over to Angela's table, where Jessica and Lauren were already seated, and sat down too.
"Hey guys, what's up?" I asked. Both of them had plastered smiles on their faces and returned my greeting.
"Hey Bella, we were just talking about Jessica and her date to the Dance on August. Did you know that Mike asked her to go this morning?" Lauren said pretty quickly.
"I've heard of it," I said, picking on my food. I had grabbed some brownish sludge and I did not have plans on eating it. Why did I pick it up in the first place?
'Because you were excited to go to lunch…' my brain oh-so-helpfully replied.
Right… and why would I be excited to go to lunch?
'Because you wanted to see Edward again…'
Yeah… maybe my brain is right. Maybe I did want to see Edward again.
"So what do you think Bella?" I looked at Jessica, confused as hell as to what I was thinking.
"Umm, what?" I asked timidly, embarrassed that I've been caught ignoring them.
"Shopping in Port Angeles of course, all four of us!" Jessica motioned for her, Angela, Lauren and me. Why was I going, I said I wasn't coming to the dance…didn't I tell them? Looking at each expectant face, I sighed. Okay, so maybe Mike hadn't spilled to any of them. But still, there's no way I could refuse all three of them.
"But I've got a thing on that day, and I'm not going with anyone, why do I need to come?" I asked, trying to squeeze out of the arrangement. There's only one person that I would like to ask me to go to the dance, but seeing as we're on rocky terms right now, I guess I shouldn't raise my hopes up.
"I need your opinion," stated Jessica. Pointing at Lauren, she whispered, "Lauren also needs your opinion, she's planning on asking Tyler. Women power, y'know?" I nodded my understanding, flashing an encouraging smile in Lauren's direction. She was blushing shyly, which shocked me a little bit. This was the first time I saw her blush. Sassy, coordinated, confident Lauren was blushing. That's not something you see everyday.
"What about you, Angela? Got your eyes on a guy?" I teased her and nudged her side. She flinched away from me, a timid smile gracing her pretty face.
"Umm, not really…" she said, not meeting my eyes. Wow, this dance sure does bring out the strange qualities in people. I never knew Angela to be this shy too, or maybe I haven't known her long enough to have noticed.
"You're hiding something," I stated, poking her lightly with my fork. She shrieked in surprise, making me laugh.
"No, I'm not," she said indignantly, but I saw through it. I set my piercing gaze at her, telling her silently to tell me what she's hiding. I know, I'm evil, but I'm a girl, aren't I? Girls do these things…I think, or is it just me?
"Okay fine," yes! She finally relented. "I keep on thinking that Eric wants me to go to the dance with him, but he just…doesn't," she whispered. She looked sad and nervous and conflicted all at the same time.
"Well, why don't you ask him? You, Angela Weber, are a strong, independent woman."
"I've heard that somewhere before…" she mused. I patted her shoulders comfortingly, "But still, I don't think I have enough guts… I think I'll wait for two weeks or so. The dance is still a long way away."
"And if he doesn't ask you in two weeks, a month tops, you should totally ask him. Woman Power," I said to her quietly. I glanced at the rest of the occupants of the table; they seemed to be engrossed in their own conversation as well, except this one was much lighter…and louder.
When I passed by Eric, he met my gaze and asked, "La Push, baby. You in?"
Huh, I'm now officially confused. Was that supposed to mean something to me?
"What?" I asked eloquently. Note the sarcasm.
"He means the First Beach in La Push, down by the Indian Reservation," Lauren explained. I smiled gratefully at her before answering, but Eric cut me off.
"And I just don't surf the internet." He stood up on his seat, doing a surfer dude pose. I cracked an even bigger smile at this.
"Eric, you stood up once and it was just a foam board," commented Jessica, peeling her banana. Speaking of banana, I think I'll have an orange or and apple instead of my…lunch, if you could call it that.
"And there's whale watching too, come with us," said Lauren, probably reading my hesitant expression from before.
"I'll think about it…" I said, not really wanting to go. I mean, I like the beach as much as the next person, but I'll be going to one where I haven't been in before, with people I barely knew. I guess my Yasmin Safety Patrol is kicking in.
I stood up from my seat, muttering an excuse about not being able to digest sludge. This made Emmet, from the table in the corner, laugh hard. At least I think so, would he be able to hear me this far? This was farther away than Edward was in the parking lot…
Emptying my tray at the trash can, I made my way to the salad bar and made myself one. I was just sprinkling some sauce on when someone stood behind me. I jumped to see who it was and was pleasantly surprised when I saw a familiar mop of hair. Edward.
"Hello Bella, how's your day so far?"
Is he bi-polar or what? Didn't he just tell me this morning that we can't be friends? I love him and all, but his behavior is really giving me a headache, and I don't really need one right now. I ignored his attempt at feeble small talk and grabbed an apple from the apple tray. Still not acknowledging him, I turned swiftly around and was about to make my way back to Angela's table (I still don't consider it as my table) when I felt ice cold arms hold my arm back – familiar ice cold arms.
"Bella, hey, it's me, Edward."
'Don't answer him, Bella. If you do, you'll only letting yourself be pushed over…even if he does it unintentionally. You're a strong, independent woman. Ignore him,' my brain was shouting at me, but who could resist the soft velvet that is Edward's voice? Not me.
If I can't resist talking to him, I might as well answer back testily…
"Y'know, your mood swings are kinda giving me whiplash," I stated, not looking at him at all, but talking to him. I assessed my emotions and realized that I was somewhat relieved. I think I'm in too deep and I don't think it's normal.
"I only said that it would be better if we weren't friends, not that I didn't want to be." He still had my arm so I snatched it away from him, with a mighty tug, mind you. If he really does have super strength, I'm guessing that he just let me go. And what is it with him and cryptic messages? It's like he's got his own little world where whatever he says is understandable.
"And what is that supposed to mean?" I asked bitingly, turning around to face him. I didn't anticipate the fact that he was very close to me, as in very close. I think there's only an inch or so separating our faces, if I could stand on my tip toes, I think I can…
"It means if you're smart, you'll stay away from me."
That totally sent shivers down my spine. I backed up a bit and made my way to a table, motioning for Edward to follow me. I sat down on another secluded area, completely opposite the Cullens' table and far away from Angela's. But I guess my attempts are futile against Edward's siblings, they've got super hearing too, right? Since Alice has got cold arms as well and Emmett laughing at he most opportune times...
"Okay, let's just say, for arguments' sake, that I'm not smart," I whispered, keeping my peripheral vision on everyone else. A small rise of Alice's and Emmet's lips indicated that they can hear us. Great, that's one thing solved.
"So what are you really doing on the Founding Celebratory Dance?" he asked, completely taking be aback. I quickly schooled my featured before replying.
"It's none of your business and don't try to change the subject," I snapped. This was really getting on my nerves. "Are you going to tell me how you saved me from Mr. Banner?"
"I'd like to say that I had an adrenaline rush," I glared at him fully and at least he had the decency to look guilty, "but I know you wouldn't believe me."
"So, are you going to tell me?"
"No, I'd rather hear your theories first." He was smiling that crooked smile that made my knees go weak. Why does he have this power over me? It's a good thing though that I'm already seated and the chance of collapsing is very, very slim. But knowing me and my lack of balance around him…
I blushed. I don't want to tell him my theories. I've thought about them at nearly every possible waking moment since yesterday, and personally, I think they're dumb. Well, I sighed, might as well humor him.
"You might think that they're ridiculous but," I took in a deep breath, counted up to five, and then let it out, "I've considered radioactive spiders and Kryptonite. I've even thought of some kind of fairy godparent or something, like Cinderella and Timmy Turner."
"Like superheroes?" I nodded. "Alright, but consider this," my eyebrows knitted in confusion, where is he going with this? "What if I'm the bad guy?" Hmm, I never actually considered this side of the comic books. "What if I'm the villain?"
I thought about this for a minute. I'm sticking to my opinion that Edward is not a bad guy. I can tell that he's a good guy at heart. I mean, why would he try to get me away from his company if he's a bad guy? If he's a bad guy, he would've just killed me the moment he set eyes on me in Biology.
But of course, not all bad guys have hearts of ice. Some have special spots for special people, or in some cases, special things. Some were not even bad guys at first, they were only mislead or chose to be evil because of their past. Not everyone can choose who they are, and what they were born to be, like Shrek. He was born an ogre but he did not let that dictate his life. Heck, he even married a princess! The fact that said princess was also an ogre is just a minute detail…cough, cough.
"Well," I better choose my words carefully or I might offend him, "I still think that you're a good guy, a superhero." 'My hero' I said in my head. "However, if you think that you are a bad guy, I can't change your mind about that. I'll tell you this though: you can't choose who you are born to be. Shrek was born an ogre, a dangerous, foul, evil ogre…supposedly. But if you got to know him, like what Donkey and Fiona did, you'd know that he had a heart of gold; ogres and their layers huh?
"Anyway, I think you're Shrek, Edward. I'm not saying that you're green and have some…uncontrollable…bodily functions. I'm saying that behind these walls that you've built, there's a kind, gentle, compassionate man that I can see in your eyes. And don't you dare deny it." I finished my monologue with a glare at him, wanting to get back to my strong, stubborn demeanor, not my sappy, empathetic one.
I studied Edward carefully; there was a line between his brows, indicating that he was deep in thought, his lips were in a thin line and I knew that I have stumped him, he was sitting still, so still that I thought he was a statue. No one can be that still. Finally, after some time, which seemed longer with the silence, he smiled at me with sad eyes and spoke.
"You never cease to amaze me."
A/N: So, do you guys like the Shrek thing? This idea just like, popped into my mind while I was writing this chapter. I personally think it's cool. Anyhow, please review?
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