Chapter 10 – best day ever
Bella's POV
I really do love him.
I watched his lips mould themselves around the pen he was chewing in concentration. We were doing history homework while the others did whatever homework they had. It turned out he was in my history class too, third on a Friday, I just hadn't known because the lesson had been cancelled.
Charlie had been called away again for work, it said in the card with the box of chocolates. I wondered how he would react to Edward, well, he had said he would like to thank him. It was perfect, Edward was perfect.
"Ugh! Why does the past have to be so complicated?" I suddenly burst out frustrated.
"Why indeed?" Edward asked suddenly morose... subdued...
He gazed at the page in front of him, seeing something else entirely. Seeing something sad, or painful, or... I don't know! I said his name a couple of times to get his attention, but with a distinct lack of success. After a couple of minutes he snapped out of it, I didn't really know what to say to him, so I stayed silent.
Edward's phone buzzed. He checked it quickly then sighed, "mum wants us back for dinner," he announced glumly.
Alice got up reluctantly and turned to everyone, "do you need a lift back?"
They all nodded, it was a Friday, they had visited me all through the week – bringing me homework ugh! I was starting to wonder if they actually were my friends with the amount for homework they brought back!
"At least I get to go home Saturday," I consoled them as much as me.
Edward grinned, "I'll come pick you up? I actually think your truck is still in Portangeles."
"Okay," I agreed excitedly, I hoped he would come alone...
I was no longer on as much pain meds so I didn't get knocked out all the time. But I wasn't sure if that was a good thing, sure I was awake and alert when my friends came, but I was also awake and alert when they were at school and having their dinner etc. it was extremely boring.
As soon as they were gone, I felt the boredom and loneliness creep back up on me. I had already finished the book that they had got me – it was very good, Romeo and Juliet gone vampire! – I was a little disappointed that she didn't become a vampire in the end, imagine your true love never being fully able to express their feelings for you, to grow old and die while he stayed young, to always be inferior, to always be the damsel in distress – I hated that stereotype.
My gym friends had come as well, they had met my school friends, which was weird since only two of them knew I actually did gym. I hadn't lied about doing gym, the subject just never came up. That's why I didn't lie to Edward, I don't like lying, especially to my friends, but he was only the third person to notice. And on the first day I met him as well! It had took Angela months notice. But they came even less often, they were training all the time. I felt really bad about not being able to go to the prelims, I wasn't just disappointing myself, I was letting down Lottie and Becky as well.
I hadn't really been lonely and bored until yesterday, I missed my friends, I didn't mind being left alone, but this was just too much. I couldn't wait until Saturday. I sighed as I got up and turned the TV on and found a decent channel. (do they call them stations in America?) then I turned and got back into my bed to eat the slop on the plate, honestly, that stuff didn't deserve to be called food.
Then a carrier bag that hadn't been there until the second I saw it – okay it had probably been there for a bit longer but shush! No one needs to know! – caught my attention. I crawled to the end of my bed and looked inside, this was definitely mine, the card inside had my name on it. So, naturally I opened it.
Bella
I can't imagine you really liking us still after all the homework we've given you, but I swear we were forced into it! But to make it up to you, something that will make your last night in hospital a little more comfortable.
Edward x
Wow. He really was perfect. I looked back in the bag, and found a small tub of lasagne. I was just thinking about how much I hated hospital food.
I was on my third mouth full of lasagne when Keira stormed in, "Oh my god I cant believe you just like left me to starve, for a week! I'm like your sister! Sisters just don't do that to each other!"
"Sisters don't beat each other up either," I replied frostily, if she was going to come in here and try and make me feel guilty for that then she had another thing coming.
"I was drunk, you cant blame me for anything I do while I'm drunk! You know that!" she whined.
"Well, I suggest you don't get drunk then, because I'm sick and tired of it Keira! I swear to god, if you do anything like this again I wont be so forgiving," why did I have to have a sister like mine?
"What?!" she screeched outraged by my threat.
"I mean it Keira, you've hid behind excuses for far too long," I tried to stay calm and it actually worked.
"Ugh! I hate you!" she screamed again and stood up to storm out of the hospital while knocking my food out of my hands.
I heard my lovely lasagne go splat on the floor, Edward's lasagne. I hated to do this, she was my sister, the only family I had left, but I just couldn't go on like this. I didn't know what I would do when she did this again – if, I had to be hopeful, just keep thinking if – I wondered whether it would be enough to get her arrested again, that would be simpler, not more ideal, but simpler. If it wasn't, then I hoped I could stay at Angela's house for a while.
My fists loosened and fell limply at my sides. I could feel the pathetic, anger induced tears gliding gently down my red cheeks. It was like they were trying to comfort me, soothing my skin with smooth wetness. But then the comfort turned false as the tears dried and I was left with salty stains down my face as I went to sleep.
When I woke up it was Saturday already, good. I turned my head to stare at the ceiling, I tried to be excited about going home today. It kind of worked, but I didn't really get as excited as I did with Edward and everyone yesterday. I shuffled my feet ready to sit up, then heard the rustling of a carrier bag.
"Morning, are you okay?" Edward asked concerned.
Bugger, he had seen the tear tracks down my cheeks, "Yeah, thanks," I half lied, I was okay now, but he was asking about what had made me cry.
He nodded to the carrier bag on my bed, "Alice had me bring you some clothes and stuff, sorry if they're a bit OTT but Alice will be Alice."
"Thanks," I said considerably cheered by this.
I got washed and changed, he was right, the clothes Alice had given me were definitely OTT. There were some white leggings with lace around the bottom, which finished just below my knee, leaving by calves bare, and a strappy, deep blue top which ended mid thigh. Oh god.
There were blue dolly shoes in there as well, but they were too small for my big feet. So I stood, bare foot, in front of the mirror staring apprehensively at my almost bare shoulders, my bare calves, my arms... you could see all the muscles under my skin contracting as I moved, making me look so masculine, I swear if someone saw me from behind – not wearing this, obviously, and without my hair – they would think I was a small boy.
I pulled out the thick jacket from the bag – at least Alice had remembered that it wasn't quite summer yet – and pulled it on over my shoulders. I picked up the shoes in my hand and walked through the door.
When Edward saw me his eyes widened and I swear his mouth hung open for a few moments before he saw that I was carrying the shoes instead of wearing them, "They're too small," I explained.
"Well, I guess we shall be making a little detour then."
"Why? I'll just put on some shoes and socks when I get home."
"Bella, you're not going to spend twenty minutes in my car with bare feet, hmm, you shouldn't really be walking along the ground with bare feet either," he mused almost to himself.
I started walking towards the exit then, "Edward, stop worrying I'll be fine," but I was secretly pleased he was worrying, even though it was unnecessary.
It was fun being worried about, I kind of liked it, but Edward didn't need to worry. Edward only let me go a few steps before he stopped me and, with extreme care, so much so, that it was near painful to watch. Not because of any of my injuries, his care was not in vain. I couldn't help but giggle as he started walking out of the hospital and towards his car. I looked down at the sharp stones and shards of glass on the ground and was glad that he had picked me up.
My whole body burned, his warm back pressed against my front almost set me on fire. I could feel my legs tingling where his strong hands were holding me and my breathing hitched and broke a little, no one noticed but me thank god.
Amazingly – and kind of awkwardly – he managed to set me gently into his front passenger seat without my feet touching the floor. He grinned satisfied and went to get into the passenger seat, and drove.
"Edward, you're going the wrong way," I pointed out as we turned left instead of right.
"I told you you weren't going to spend twenty minutes in my car with bare feet," he chuckled.
I was going to protest again but he held up a finger to silence me, well, I suppose my toes were getting cold.
I started to wonder how much money was left so I could pay him back, I wouldn't want to be able to only pay back half of the cost.
We parked in Portangeles and he ran over to my side to give me a piggy back, again, all the way to the shoe shop. I giggled again as soon as I was securely on his back again, I pressed my cheek into his neck, it was right there, I couldn't help it! The shoe shop was only a short distance away, and he insisted I wasn't crushing him, so I didn't feel to bad that he had carried me everywhere today.
"Angela knows... about... Friday, I mean," I mumbled blushing, I was supremely glad he couldn't see my face as I said that.
"Yeah, I'm sorry about that, I tried to stop Alice texting her, but it didn't work, I'm sure she wont tell the whole school if you don't want them to know."
"I don't mind, but what about you? You looked kinda uncomfortable when you came back from buying those tissues."
"So that's what you three were talking about," he wondered.
"That and you saving me on Thursday."
"I honestly didn't stalk you, I didn't even want to go particularly, but I'm glad Alice dragged me along, if I hadn't been there to see you..." he shuddered.
I placed a kiss on the side of his neck, "Thank you, again, for that night and the shoes, I'll pay you back as soon as we get back to my house," I promised.
"Oh no you wont, Bella, I wont let you pay for any of this."
"But... your buying me shoes?" wasn't he?
"Yes and I wont let you spend a penny... unless you really need the loo," I rolled my eyes at his bad joke.
"Are you sure you wont let me pay? I mean we've only known each other a week."
"I trust you Bella... I... want to get you the shoes," he said awkwardly and I could see him blush a little as we walked into the shop, "well, direct me where to go princess, then your wish shall be my command."
He continued with the prince and princess game all the time we were in the shop, he refused to let me do anything myself. Every time I tried to get up from the chair he would gently push me back down again, asking where I wanted to go. Every shoe – which totalled to only two pairs – he would put on my foot for me. It was very sweet. I was thoroughly enjoying myself and laughing all the time, the most I had laughed ever, I had been laughing a lot in the last week, I guess Edward brought it out of me.
After I had been put back on the seat of his car – he still insisted on carrying me even though my feet were firmly and protectively clad in blue converses – and we were driving back to Forks, I couldn't help but be curious...
"So do you mind then?" I repeated my earlier question, embellishing when he looked slightly confused, "About the whole school knowing that we kissed I mean, did you...? have you...? sorry I'm rambling I'll shut up now."
He chuckled, "No, I don't mind... so, does this mean we're officially going out then?" was that hope I heard in his voice? Nervousness about being rejected?
"I guess so," wow I was going out with Edward Cullen and I had only known him a week, it was the fastest time – and only time I suppose I better admit – I had ever liked someone, or loved, yes I was obsessed with him.
When we got to Forks I suddenly realised Edward didn't know where I lived, "Erm... my house is that way," I said pointing down the street we had just gone past.
He grinned at me slyly, "We're not going to your house Bella."
"Oh?" I asked raising my eyebrows, but he just chuckled and refused to answer my questions.
"Right," he said stopping the car at the edge of the road after a minute, he turned to me with a glint in his eye, "look out the window," he instructed.
I did and then a strip of material came over my eyes, I twitched. My hands made it half way to my face before I stopped them, usually I wouldn't.
"What's going on?" I demanded, I didn't mean to be so sharp with him, but I hated surprises, maybe he could tell from the nervous edge in my voice.
"Alice put me up to it, I swear I wouldn't do this to you if I had a choice," he was apologetic as he started the engine again and it made me smile, maybe I could forgive him.
"I guess I cant really hold it against you if you were forced, Alice on the other hand..." I trailed off musingly, I wondered what she had planned and bit my lip.
I felt a spark at my lip as Edward pulled my lip gently from between my teeth. I was so shocked that my I released my lip instantly. I gasped and blushed, even that innocent little touch had my heart racing.
I felt the car slow and come to a standstill and heard the engine turn off. Then I heard Edward get out of his car leaving me alone for a few moments, it was so disorientating. Then the door next to me opened and the cool air hit me, but I forgot about that as Edward helped me out of the car. He was very gentlemanly as he reached over and unbuckled the seatbelt – which in my confusion I had forgotten to do, go me! – I felt his warm body against mine and I sat completely still, enjoying the electricity running through my body, my pounding heart, his the sweet smell of him...
He grabbed my hands and helped me out of the car, then put his arm around my waist and led me a little way back the way we came, I desperately wanted to rip my blindfold off. I heard a few quiet giggles and started to become worried at what lay beyond the scrap of material over my eyes. Then it was removed and I saw all my friends and more stood outside a ridiculously over decorated house with a million and one balloons.
"Welcome home!" they screamed at me before I could fully register what was happening.
I cringed into Edward's side slightly in surprise as he chuckled. I was then hugged by more people than I had ever been hugged by ever in the space of several minutes. Alice made a small complaint about the shoes, even though I told her that hers were too small, but then Edward came to my rescue. I felt a little bad for Edward as he volunteered to take whatever Alice could throw at him... uncomplaining. Wow.
It was the best day I had had in a very long time, possibly even ever. But now it was ending and Edward stood less than a foot in front of me, right outside my door. I looked at my hands not sure I would be able to bear saying goodbye to him. His hand slowly came up to my face and gently coaxed my chin up. I looked up into his smouldering gold eyes for a moment then his honeyed lips touched mine. It was short but still lingering, like he really didn't want to pull away.
"Goodbye," I said glumly.
"I'll see you on Monday," he replied just as glumly, I looked at him startled, what about tomorrow? "Emmett's dragging me to watch some match with him, he's been planning this for ages, I didn't have the heart to turn him down, besides, the alternative at the time would have been an entire day with Alice, shopping."
His explanation should have been more than satisfactory, but I was less than enthusiastic about tomorrow, at least I had my rib as an excuse to get out of shopping with Alice, something I got the impression should be avoided at all costs, except Edward.
"Oh, I guess I'll see you Monday then," why did this perfect day have to end?
"Monday I promise," he said as he kissed my forehead then turned to walk away.
I watched his retreating figure