Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight
notes: Mike has not ask Bella at all, but I think he did earlier that day... I don't remember
Xox-Bella's POV-xox
It's been six weeks since I nearly got crushed by the van, and life has finally seemed to get into a normal schedule. The first week after the incident Kylie was sick all week, people kept asking me for my story, Tyler kept trying to apologize over and over again, and Edward ignored me. The second week people stopped asking me my side of the story, Kylie returned to school- but nobody asked her what happened! Tyler had only slightly given up on making it up to me, and Edward ignored me still. The next few weeks was just everything smoothing out. I'd gotten into this routine of going to school, talking to Mike, Jessica, Angela, Eric and Tyler- who occasionally apologizes. I'd eat lunch at the same table with the same people while Kylie alternated between me and the Cullens. I'd drive Kylie home, she'd get a ride from the stupid shiny Volvo owner known as Edward to their house and come back for dinner. We'd take turns cooking, finish homework and go to bed.
Xox-Edward's POV-xox
The sound of soft drizzling rain formed a melodic song outside of this dreary school. Right now Newton has his butt on our desk like he does every day, talking to Bella, wild fantasies of my getting expelled and him becoming her lab partner, wooing her into loving him and marrying her. I wonder if Bella has for one moment in time ever returned his feelings in any way. Mike Newton's mind was in a bit of a frenzy, but not to quick to hear- which is near impossible for him.
I wonder if she'll say yes, I hope she does. Maybe she'll jump for joy, say she was just too shy to ask me. But how do I bring it up?
"So" he said finally, looking down at him feet. "Jessica asked me to the spring dance" his voice was nervous, but Bella didn't seem to notice.
"That's great! You'll have a lot of fun with Jessica" Bella said enthusiastically.
"Well…" Why doesn't she look disappointed, she can't say no! "I told her I had to think about it"
"Why would you do that?" disapproval colored Bella's tone clearly.
"I was wondering if…" Well this sucks, she doesn't even know. Maybe she doubts herself, how could someone as hot as her doubt herself? "well, if you might be planning to ask me"
I hate dances, people feeling all guilty and nervous, it's so confusing! Jasper's thoughts echoed in my head. My head tilted ever so slightly to the two, now more curious than before.
"Mike, I think you should tell her yes" Bella told him
His eyes took a glance over to me. Please don't tell me she asked that freak! "Did you already ask someone?" he asked her.
"No, I'm not going to the dance at all" she told him. Well, a little pushing and she might change her mind and go with me. Vile human, she said no! Boys' minds now a days are so pushy and perverted; I fear one day I'll change into them.
"Why not?" Newton demanded.
"I'm going to Seattle that Saturday" she explained. A string of profanities coursed through Mike's mind
"Can't you go some other weekend?" Mike demanded, but Bella didn't seem to notice, again.
"Sorry, no, so you shouldn't keep Jessica waiting, it's rude" Bella scolded.
The Newton boy walked away in defeat, questions wandering through his dense mind all revolving around why anyone would reject him. He viewed himself so highly, it was entertaining watching his dejection. Now, I wanted to know what was going on in Bella's head more and more. I tired focusing on her mind itself, but it was physically impossible, her mind was mute still, my greatest puzzle, and it frustrated me greatly. Mr. Banner began his lecture and Bella began paying attention, taking a glance at me starring at her. She began starring back, and I expected her to cave soon.
"Mr. Cullen" Mr. Banner called. I broke my stare for a moment, searching for the question of answer, either or just as good.
"The Krebs Cycle" I answered.
I glanced back to see her looking down at her book. She repositioned her waving long hair so it was forming a curtain between me and her. My throat burned like a forest fire and the smell of mouth watering aroma. I noticed there was a second craving coursing through my icy dead veins; that I wanted desperately to push the hair back, to brush my icy fingers along her warm cheek. I spent all of class fighting the latter of the urges.
Edward, stop with the lust and love! I get enough of it from the humans; I don't need it from you! Jasper's thoughts entered my mind. I kept forgetting, he was the next building over, close enough to feel my emotions.
The bell rang eventually, but I didn't rush out at a barley human pace like always, I stayed while Bella collected her things. "Bella?" I asked.
She turned slowly, her pale skin flushing so lightly I doubt the humans could have seen it.
"What? Are you speaking to me again?" she asked.
I fought not to smile; she was lovely even when she was angry. "No, not really" I told her. She closed her eyes, hiding her warm brown eyes from my view, breathing in slowly, teeth grit.
"What do you want Edward?" she asked, her beautiful chocolate eyes that always warmed my heart gone from my sight still.
"I'm sorry. I'm being rude, I know. But it's better this way, really" I told her. Her eyes flickered open, my dead, cold heart warmed by the soft presence of the warmest chocolate brown ever known.
"I don't know what you mean" she said, her voice guarded. I wanted so desperately to take her away from her worries, to make her forget how horrible I was, let her know how much I wanted her. But that stupid conscious of mine- though it did keep her alive, I owned it that- told me it was best to keep her away. I may be friends with Kylie, but there was never an issue with her blood, I never put her in any danger, but Bella was another story, and I couldn't keep being in it.
"It's better if we're not friends" I wanted to hit myself after choking those awful words out. "Trust me"
"It's too bad you didn't figure that out earlier" now she had me confused. "You could have saved yourself all this regret"
"Regret?" I asked, confused by so much. "Regret for what?"
"For not just letting that stupid van squish me" she said. I wanted to tell her I was happy to, that I would do it every day for her, but I couldn't.
I sat there for a minute, searching her eyes for any sign of joking, for anything to tell me she wasn't serious, and it hurt me deeply when I realized she was serious. "You think I regret saving your life?" I asked, my voice slightly choked, but I don't think human ears could have known.
"I know you do" she snapped. It felt like dull knives had somehow stabbed their way through my skin, cutting me out, pulling away parts of me that I couldn't recover.
"You don't know anything" I told her far too sharply then I ever wanted to.
She turned abruptly and gathered her books, walking away with long strides. I watched her grace, mesmerized, until her tripped and sent her books flying. I ran to help her. I picked her books and piled them neatly, handing them to her, felling a spark as our hands got so close they almost touched… almost. The spark wasn't happy or good, but sad and depressed over what could have happened. I kept my face emotionless; if I ever tried for angry I would look sad and depressed like my almost-spark.
"Thank you" she said icily. A pang stabbed in my heart at her tone.
"You're welcome" the monster in me retorted. Why couldn't I sweep her off her feet and run away with her and love her to her heart's content and then my own.
I walked to history quickly, not talking to Jasper or Kylie, my thoughts centered on Bella. Afterwards I rushed to my Volvo and sat down, today my Volvo was facing Bella's truck. I noticed one of Bella's friends- more like hopeless admirer- was waiting for her.
"Hey Eric" she called, Kylie glancing over at him. Seriously, why is he here? Edward, are his thoughts at all nice? I glanced up at Kylie, who was looking over at me, I shook my head once. She glared at Eric.
"Hi Bella" he said.
"What's up?" Bella asked, unlocking the door. Kylie crawled in to the other side and sat down.
"Uh, I was just wondering… if you would go to the spring dance with me?" His voice sputtered at the last word.
"I thought it was girls choice" her voice was so startled it was rather funny. I agree, funny. Kylie's thoughts said. I looked over at her confused. She must have seen some expression on my face. I pulled my attention back to Bella and Eric.
"Well, yeah" Eric admitted.
Bella seemed to be recovering, smiling warmly, I actually think she's going to say yes. "Thank you for asking me, but I'm going to be in Seattle that day" she said. Seattle? This is the first I've heard of this, wonder if she'll take me… Kylie is rather helpful. But not you? I shook my head. Didn't Mike or someone ask her already? I nodded. She bit her lip, looking back on the others.
"Oh… well maybe next time" he said.
"Sure" Bella said, biting her lip.
Eric turned and walked back towards the school while Bella turned to get in her car. A chuckle escaped my lips, and Kylie was biting her lip to keep from bursting out laughing. Bella put on her seatbelt and started up her truck, muttering something I somehow didn't quite catch. The engine revved deafeningly and the truck pulled out slowly with groans of dreariness. I pulled out smoothly and stopped, cutting them off. Bella scowled at me but Kylie watched we with suspecting eyes. I could wait here for a few moments; give Tyler Crowley a fair chance like the others. I line formed behind the two. I watched as Tyler walked up to Bella's side of the truck. I tapped into Kylie's mind- which was shouting at me.
Are you trying to make me kill him! I can't believe you're doing this! What is the matter with you! I'm gonna kill Tyler, and Eric, ooh, and Mike! Edward, you better help me! I shook my head. She scowled in my direction.
"I'm sorry, Tyler, I'm stuck behind Cullen" she sounded annoyed.
"Oh I know, I just wanted to ask you something while we're trapped here" This could not be happening! Kylie thought.
"Will you ask me to the spring dance?" he asked.
"I'm not going to be in town, Tyler" her voice was sharp, was the perfect, lovely Bella Swan getting tired of her constant pursuers? Gonna kill you Edward!
"Yeah, Mike said that" he admitted.
"Then why?"
He shrugged. "I was hoping you were just letting him down easy"
"Sorry Tyler, I really am going out of town" Bella told him.
"Oh, where?" he asked, looking at Kylie.
"Seattle" Kylie said triumphantly. Gonna kill you Edward. She reminded me as I chuckled.
"Oh well, we still have prom" he said, leaving. You have got to be kidding me! What it with that guy? It he mentally challenged? I laughed uncontrollably. If wish your precious piano to stay in one piece, you will stop laughing and drive away before Jessica asks her out. I laughed again. Alice, Jasper, Emmett and Rosalie got in and I drove off.
Xox-Kylie's POV-xox
I walked in, the sweet aroma of Mexican food warming my arrival. I plopped on the couch and starred off into space, mostly obsessing on the vampire a few weeks ago. I spent so much time near Edward I couldn't afford to think that near him, I didn't want him worrying or freaking out. I was pulled away by the sound of Dad putting away his gun.
"Hey Dad" I chirped.
"Hey Kylie, what's cooking?"
"I don't know, but it's delicious" I said, throwing my head back to take in the mouthwatering scents.
I skipped into the kitchen, Dad following hesitantly behind me. I gasped when I laid eyes on them, hot, juicy enchiladas! I sat down just in time for Bella to had me a plate. We all stayed still for a minute, waiting for someone to eat the first bite. I couldn't wait to dig in, but this was too interesting to interrupt. Finally I caved and ate a big bite. I chewed, the hot flavor dancing wildly on the tip of my tong. I took my cup of water and chugged it down.
"Good! Why do you two have these first bite standoffs?" I asked. Dad shrugged and took a bite.
There next few minutes were silent, just us three chewing.
"Dad?" Bella asked.
"Yeah Bella?" he asked through a mouth full of food.
"Um, I just wanted to let you know that I'm going to Seattle for the day a week from Saturday… if that's okay?" Well well well, she did make it up for an excuse, better help her.
"Can I go?" I piped up like a five year old.
"Why?" my father asked, ignoring me for a moment.
"Well, I wanted to get a few books-The library here is pretty limited - and maybe look at some clothes" she told him. I watched the two intently, wondering what would be happening.
"The truck probably doesn't get good gas mileage" Dad stated.
"I know, I'll stop in Montesano and Olympia — and Tacoma if I have to" Bella told him.
"Are you going all by yourself?" he asked.
"I want to go" I chirped, wondering if he had truly heard me the first time.
"Yeah, unless Kylie comes" Bella said.
"Hello, I already said–twice–that I want to go!" I exclaimed.
"Seattle is a big city—you could get lost." He worried.
"Dad, Phoenix is five times the size of Seattle, and Kylie's going with me" she told him.
Well, maybe she had heard me, but had Charlie heard her?
"Okay, I guess, do either of you need money?" he asked, looking more towards me that Bella. I nodded. "Twenty should set me" I told him.
"I'll give you thirty just in case" he said. I smiled. "Will either of you be back by the dance?"
Are you kidding me! Only in a town this small would a father care about his daughters being back in time for the dance.
"We're going out of town to get away from it" I said, trying to keep my anger level. "We don't dance well and I don't trust the guys at school with Bella"
Charlie looked at me in surprise. Why is it so weird to be worried about your little sister? Especially if your vampire best friend has told you what most of them think? Okay... maybe it is weird, either way, I am protective, that is not a crime.
The next morning, I was in a better mood. I quickly dressed and ate. The weather today was nice. The rain was soft, but constant, its little flutters as it descended to the ground. Bella drove us to school, but I had noticed she had parked as far away from Edward as possible. I got out, hearing a splash, then seeing a quick blur, I saw Edward next. I quickly caught up. Bella had dropped her keys in a puddle and Edward had picked them up so he could talk to my sister even though he had decided he would even speak to her. I leaned on the truck's hood, my arms folded over and my chin resting on them.
"How did you do that?" she asked. I watched in amusement as she starred puzzlingly at him, her mind was going through possible explanations, and wondering why he was here, though Edward didn't know that. I felt a tinge of annoyance is Edward as I thought that.
"Do what?" he asked casually, acting dumb— like normal. Awe, I could almost hear him shouting at me to keep my thoughts to myself.
"Appear out of thin air" she said, a bit of annoyance evident in her voice, I wonder, had Edward noticed? Bella might not have even noticed, it was so light.
"Bella, it's not my fault if you are exceptionally unobservant" He said. We must be thinking the same thing now— that she is very much so the opposite.
"Why the traffic jam last night?" she demanded. I had forgotten about that, yes Edward, why are you intent on pissing her off? Or worse yet, me? "I thought you were supposed to be pretending I don't exist, not irritating me to death" Yes Edward, what happened to the stupid resolve?
Leave me alone— I heard his voice say, but I knew better. It was and wasn't him. He hadn't physically said anything, but that voice was so real… what if Edward could project his thoughts to other people! I waited for a response, nothing. He must be too young or too weak to do it.
"That was for Tyler's sake, not mine. I had to give him a chance" I loud growl erupted from my chest as he said that. Bella turned to look at me but shrugged it off. Odd behavior was a common thing for me, I was surprised she looked at me more than I was that I growled.
"You…" she gasped. Young, innocent, soft hearted Bella couldn't come up with a bad name for him, I might of, but I was to focused on staying put and not breaking my hand in attempts to punch him.
"And I'm not pretending you don't exist" he continued. Yeah, because you think about her constantly, Edward.
"So you are trying to irritate me to death? Since Tyler's van didn't do the job?" Anger flashed in his eyes, for a second, they may have turned a reddish color for a moment he was so mad. If he was human still he would certainly be red in the face.
"Bella, you are utterly absurd" he said, his voice low and cold.
Anger flashed for a second in Bella's eyes, she paused for a moment and walked away, I followed her, I was most definitely not in the mood to talk to him.
"Wait" Edward called out. We walked away still. Stay away, Edward! He ran up to us with a fast human pace, slowing to keep up with ours, matching it perfectly. "I'm sorry, that was rude." No, really? Not the heavy sarcasm! "I'm not saying it isn't true" keep digging your useless grave Edward. "but it was rude to say it, anyway"
"Why won't you leave me alone, even Kylie's isn't in the mood" Bella muttered.
"I wanted to ask you something, but you sidetracked me" he chuckled. I didn't care for his humor at the moment.
"Do you have a multiple personality order?" Bella asked in a harsh tone.
"No, but something close to it" I murmured to myself.
"What do you want to ask?" Bella asked.
"I was wondering if, a week from Saturday— you know, the day of the spring dance—"
Are you kidding me? "Are you trying to be funny?" she interrupted him.
He was too amused for his stupid own good. "Will you please allow me to finish?" he asked kindly. I bit my lip and dug my hands deep into my pockets. Bella bit her lip and clasped her hands together, thinking the same thing I was, I won't do anything rash— but Edward wouldn't know that.
"I heard you were going to Seattle that day, and I was wondering if you wanted a ride"
"What?" we both asked at the same time. Edward's face was kind, but it showed amusement at our identical reactions.
"Would you two like a ride to Seattle" finally, he wasn't just talking to her. My mood lightened.
"With who?" she asked. I now found this funny, Bella was so lost.
"With myself, obviously" He said, pronouncing each syllable as if he were talking to a handicapped three year old. Just brought yourself down again Edward!
"Why?" she asked, stunned.
"Well, I was planning on going anyways, Kylie is my friend, and honestly, I don't think your truck can make it" he told her.
"My truck works just fine, thank you for your concern" she said as she walked off. I stayed with Edward this time. It was like a child watching their parents fight and ask them to take sides—Edward was my brother, and Bella was my sister, so this would be difficult. I was rooting for whichever side kept me out of this position again.
He began to walk with her again, so I stayed to Bella's left while he stayed to her right. "But can your truck make it there on one tank of gas"
"Just say yes Bella, you two are tearing me here" I whined.
Bella's eyes narrowed at him and she nodded. "Fine" she said, defeated. "Stupid shiny Volvo owner" she mumbled. I fought chuckles, my sister could not think up a truly mean name to save her life. "I thought you didn't want to be my friend" she said suddenly. Oh believe me, that's not it, he wants the very opposite.
"I said it was better if we weren't friends, not that I didn't want to be" he told her flatly
"Oh, thanks, now that that's all cleared up" her voice was loaded with sarcasm. Who does she think she is, me?
We stepped up the cafeteria roof covering, I pulled off my hood, all that was wet was my nose, sprinkled with soft little droplets and the little droplets in my hair that looked like crystals, they were mesmerizing, like all forms of water. Edward's hair was rather damp, and Bella had been kept her hair in her hood, so she didn't have the same lovely effect in her hair.
"It would be more… prudent for you not to be my friend" he explained.
"What about Kylie?" Bella pointed out.
"I'm not smart" I told her. She looked at me like I was nuts, which I might as well be, these two were driving me there.
The bell rang with a shrill ring that I despised, and students scurried away to their classed. We parted there, me and Bella heading to English. We sat down next to each other, Mike Newton on her other side. I glanced over at him and scowled, but he didn't notice, he was to busy chatting with Bella for the last few minutes we had free. The teacher came in and silenced the students early—thank goodness. Bella passed me a note. I opened it and read.
What do you mean by "I'm not smart?" It asked.
I wrote back. I was telling you that Edward can be incredibly annoying and any smart person wouldn't hang around. That was my lame excuse. I wanted badly to explain to her, let her in at the same time I wanted to keep her as far away as possible from this world, but I was torn between what I needed to do and what I wanted. I needed to keep her away from Edward, but neither he, nor I, had the strength to keep her away completely.
Xox
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[Smiley says 'review please']
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