Hey, hey, hey! So YAY Chap 11. I was impressed that a lot of you guys guessed who was making an appearance in this chapter. SO as always I just want to thank everyone for reviewing, but unfortunately I am going to the institution that they call school and I am unable to go back and thank everyone, (I have tests coming up in the next couple of weeks) /
ANYWHO you are all amazing and I am MORE the happy that you guys are using me "grab and twist" or "eat fast and pee fast". Spread the word!
SO this chapter I needed to put a bunch of stuff together so that I can finally heat this up, so I am hopping that it all meshes. On my profile I have links to what their outfits look like.
I'm trying to think if there is anything else I need to address… if I forget I'm sorry.
I do not own Twilight, or the famous person that I use in here…. yep
Chapter 11- The Run In
Ever since my birthday, life seemed to be humming along. It's not that things have been going too fast or out of control, but everything felt more relaxed before. I'm not complaining, don't get me wrong. I loved having that week with Renee, but to have it followed up with those two dates … okay, so maybe I am complaining just a little bit.
But seriously, who wouldn't complain after two of the worst dates they ever had? They were complete disasters on their own, but to have the two back to back in the same weekend was too much. That Sunday I spent was at home recovering; although the whole time Emmett continued to harass me with imitations of Tyler. Apparently "eat fast and pee fast" was his new favorite slogan. The persecution was short lived, though; Rose was utterly depressed after seeing that one of her heroes was such a sleaze ball, and managed to make Emmett shut up.
Jasper continued to interrogate Alice on how many charity kisses she had given. Alice just told him that she didn't keep track of those kinds of things, which left Jasper frozen in place, mumbling something about hundreds.
Alice slapped Jasper behind his head, "I did not kiss hundreds of men just to make them feel better!" she hissed. "What kind of woman do you think I am? Just be thankful that I didn't put out for charity." She glanced over at Rose.
"Hey!" Rose yelled, "That was one time, and you know that the guy needed it!"
Emmett was busy talking to me in an accent similar to Tyler's when he heard what Rose said. He was at her side in an instant. "You slept with someone because you felt sorry for them?" Emmett looked a little sad, "I know we both have our history, but baby what kind of pathetic loser would ever be worthy of your lovin'?"
Alice started to giggle, as did I since I already knew the story, but the guys all seemed very confused.
"Hun," Rose started, trying to hide her laugher, "That pathetic loser was you."
Jasper and Edward erupted into laugher along with Alice and I, while Emmett stood there looking horror struck.
"But…" Emmett stuttered as he made his way to sit on the couch, Rose right at his side. "But, I used my skills, and… and I got you."
"I have never heard the story of how you two got together," Edward managed to say as his laughter died down.
"Apparently neither did I," Emmett mumbled.
Alice, Jasper, Edward and I all sat on the floor looking up to the couch to ready ourselves for the story. I had heard this a million times, but I was interested to see what Emmett's reaction would be.
Rose cleared her throat as she prepared to tell her story. "I was 23, and fresh out of college. I don't know how, but by some kind of miracle I landed a job at Cullen Agencies."
"I remember when you got the call!" Alice interrupted, "I don't think I have even been as drunk as I was when we went out partying that night."
"Oh yeah," Rose smiled as she reminisced what little she probably could. "Anyway, my first week was hell. Everyone was either hitting on me, or dismissing me for some kind of idiot. It was Friday night, and I called Alice up to see if she wanted to get some drinks, but she was busy with something else, I can't remember."
"I was at a job interview," Alice nodded.
"So I was sitting at the bar, completely depressed by my first week, when I heard some guy talking to the bartender," Rose grinned at Emmett. "I wasn't paying attention at first, but he just kept talking and talking, so I had to eavesdrop. 'I screwed up big time,'" Rose lowered her voice to mimic a more disheartened Emmett. "By the way he was talking I could tell he wasn't quite drunk, but he wasn't exactly sober either. 'My dad is going to fire me for sure. Crap, what is my mom going to say?'"
Jasper and Edward both laughed at Rose's impersonation, while Emmett glared at them quickly before going back to watch Rosalie. The look on Emmett's face was a mixture of love and awe.
"I didn't know who he was," Rose shrugged, "I thought his dad owned a Kinko's or something; I heard him mention something about messing up photocopies."
"I was supposed to make photocopies," Emmett grimaced, "but I accidentally shredded them. They were really important too."
Rose lifted her hand and cupped his face, looking into his eyes saying something that only they understood. I felt very uncomfortable sitting there. "Then I heard him go on about some girl that just dumped him," Rose continued.
"Oh yeah," exclaimed Jasper. "I remember her. Her name was Sophie right?"
"We started dating at the end of my senior year in college," Emmett nodded. "We weren't really serious - I always knew that it wasn't going any where, but she broke up with me a couple weeks before. That's when I really started to mess up. I tried to rebound and hook up with other girls, but I was just off. The pressure at work, and the fear of lousing my mo-jo… It was a bad night for me."
"I felt so bad for him," Rose smiled. "I figured that I was just going to do a little bit of charity flirting…"
"There is charity flirting too?" Jasper yelled.
"Oh hush, there is not harm in that," Alice patted his hand. "Sorry, keep going."
Rose laughed, "When I saw him, I was amazed." Rose looked over at Emmett. "He was obviously hot, but it was more then just his muscles, or his curly brown hair," Rose lifted her hand to run it through his hair. Emmett couldn't keep that silly grin off his face. "Or his bright blue eyes, or even his adorable dimples that I saw when he talked. No, it was more: he was beautiful."
Alice and I both awed while Emmett leaned down and gave Rose a gentle kiss. "So that is when I upgraded him to charity sex," Rose smirked.
Emmett shook his head, "But that's not how I remember it. I was sitting at the bar, talking to the bartender when you came up and sat down right beside me. You knocked me right out of my pity party," Emmett laughed. "Then I started flirting with you, and then you and I left for your place."
"Emmett," Rose snorted, "you were horrible at flirting. It was obvious that you had lost your touch. I kept going on with whatever you were saying. You have to remember, it was for charity, Em."
Emmett's face fell. "But after that night I thought I had my mo-jo back. Then I started doing really well at work… So I really had nothing back. Do I have anything now?"
"Awww, Em," Rose climbed onto Emmett's lap, stroking his head. "Look at it this way; if you weren't so great in bed, I would have never called you back. You have your mo-jo" Rose kissed him on the cheek.
A silly grin came back up to Emmett's face. "That was a pretty good night."
"I remember when Rose called me the next day," Alice chirped. "She kept saying that she was supposed to be doing him the favor but he was the one who really serviced her."
We all laughed while Emmett's silly grin became a smug one.
"Any who," Rose spoke over our laughter. "It was the best sex I ever had, so I figured that I'd give him my number in case he wanted to hook up again. I was surprised when he called me the next day asking if I wanted to go out on date. And he didn't sound like the nervous guy at the bar."
"That's because I got my game back," Emmett winked. "Plus you were the most beautiful woman I had ever seen and I would be an idiot if I let you get away."
"So we started dating," Rose shrugged.
"But how did you guys not run into each other at work? Or when did you find out he was the owner's son?" Edward asked, and seemed really into this story.
"Well, I quickly picked that up once I told someone that I worked at Cullen Agencies, they would try to get me to publish their book, or get them signed," Rose answered. "So I made a point of not telling him where I worked, or what I did."
"Same here," Emmett piped up. "I never asked her where she worked, and she never asked where I did either." Emmett turned to Rose. "But I'm surprised that you didn't connect my last name to Cullen Agencies."
"I was too busy trying to not have you talk about where I worked!" Rose smiled.
"So how long did you guys date before you realized?" Edward asked again.
"Three months," they both said in unison.
"It was our three month anniversary, and I already knew that he was the man I wanted to be with for the rest of my life," Rose once again looked up at Emmett. "I was trying to get out early so I would make our reservations on time. I had to drop a file over at Carlisle's office so I could quickly go over it with him, when some idiot ran into me!"
"No, no, no," Emmett interrupted. "I was just talking to my dad, telling him about the amazing girl that I was dating, and he was trying to convince me to introduce her. I had just looked at my watch and realized that I was already running a little late, and I stepped out side when I was attacked."
Rose rolled her eyes as she let Emmett continue the story.
"All I heard was a string of profanities; she must have been running because she knocked both of us down. I kept apologizing, even though it wasn't my fault, and when we reached for the same paper we finally looked at each other."
"I have never been speechless before," Rose shook her head. "But when I saw him there, outside of my boss's office, everything started to click in my head. I heard that Carlisle had a son who was working his way up in the company, but no one really took an interest in him since he was doing a good job; nothing to gossip on."
"I don't know how long we stared at each other," Emmett continued. "But finally my dad cleared his throat and said, 'I think it is safe to say that I am now meeting the woman you were speaking of before.' When I asked him later how he knew that it was the Rose I was talking about, he said that he could tell by the way I looked at her; it was the same way he looks at my mother."
Emmett stared at Rose with such devotion that I had to look away, and again I felt like I was interrupting something.
"We have two anniversaries now," Rose whispered as she continued to look at Emmett. "One on the night we first got together, and the other on the day when we could finally be open with our relationship."
We were all quiet as we took in the story.
Rose sighed, "Best thing I ever did for charity."
Luckily both Tyler and Eric were not like Mike. Tyler called Rosalie one time after our date. Rose told me that she was trying to let him down gently (although he was a complete disappointment, she still had a soft spot for him.) However, when he started hitting on her and said something about tying her up like a hog, she put him in his place. I hear he lost the last race he was in…
Eric … well I think poor Eric was too scared to call, or send any flowers. I did hear that he went out on another date with some other girl; the charity kiss did its job!
The tabloids were having field day with my two dates in the same weekend. When I was out with Tyler, the paparazzi kept asking how Mike was taking the break up. These people seriously need to at least attempt to get the story semi-correct.
On the date with Eric, they didn't ask if we were going out, they just automatically assumed that I was going out to dinner with a friend. I even heard one guy say that no one would ever think I was going out with a loser like Eric. I felt bad for the guy, so I kind of played it up. I wrapped myself onto his arm while resting my head on his shoulder. Once I did that the cameramen went crazy taking pictures, asking some very inappropriate questions.
Poor Eric, he looked so frightened when I playfully flirted with him in front of an audience. I think it was too much for him to take in because once we sat down in the restaurant he closed up and literally hid behind his menu.
Some magazines were questioning my taste in men. Others were calling me a serial dater. Either way, Rose was excited once again by how much people were talking about me; I was very thankful that I lived in Seattle - a place where I could easily hide from the limelight.
On Sunday morning I received a frantic phone call from Alice, saying that her, Rose, and I all needed to go out and get breakfast ASAP.
I was jumping around in my room trying to pull up my pants and brush my teeth at the same time. Why did I let Alice buy me these stupid skinny jeans? I could barely pull them up with both hands, and now here I was trying to not let toothpaste dribble out of my mouth while pulling up the dark blue jeans that were only making it to just bellow my butt.
"Bella, what is going on?" I heard a voice ask.
I wheeled around to see who it was, but got caught on the legs of the pants that were flapping around my feet and fell on the ground, landing face first leaving my butt up in the air showing the army green boy-shorts style underwear I was wearing. I groaned as I pulled the toothbrush out of my mouth.
"Edward, what are you doing?" I said, at least that is what I intended to say, however with the toothpaste still in my mouth I ended up sounding like Scooby Doo. I rolled to my side, got on my knees and attempted to stand. I safely managed myself onto my feet. I glared at Edward who seemed to be enjoying himself watching my misery.
I let my pants fall to my knees as I leaned over my sink to spit out the stupid paste. I felt eyes on me and looked to my side to see Edward looking at me with an odd expression. I glanced at my reflection in the mirror to see that I was only in my black spaghetti top and my boy-shorts underwear.
"What?" I blurted out after I spit one last time, my blush making its appearance.
Edward shrugged as he surveyed my body, "Nothing really, I'm just realizing how much you have… grown since high school."
My face was on fire as I reached down to pull up my pants, now that I had both hands. "You're just realizing that now?" I teased while trying to ignore how fast my heart just sped up.
Edward just smirked. "So why are you jumping around while feebly trying to multitask?"
I quickly glared at him before making my way back into my room to slip on my black ballerina flats. "I got this phone call from Alice this morning demanding that her, Rose, and I all go out for breakfast this morning. Alice is normally hyper, but she sounded… I'm not sure how to describe it." I laughed, "She was so excited that she couldn't talk. That's never happened to her before."
I was switching my wallet from my purse to my messenger back waiting for a response from Edward. When he didn't say anything I turned back around to see a knowing grin on his face.
"What do you know?" I demanded.
"Nothing I can tell you," he turned to leave my room.
"Wait, you have to tell me!" I whined.
"Look if it is what I think it is," Edward sat down on his piano bench. "Then you should get going so you can find out."
I walked over to the bench and sat down next to him. I forced my lower lip out in a pout, letting my eyebrows pull together while I slightly widening my eyes. I was never good at the whole fake pout thing, that was always Alice's forte, but when Edward looked down at me I saw the panic in his eyes. I felt kind of bad, but if it got me what I wanted who was I to judge?
"I…I…" Edward stuttered before he shook his head to clear his mind and looked away from me. "You should go let Alice tell you."
"You know, that little punk calls us up on a Sunday morning," Rose complained, "and then she is fifteen minuets late!"
Rose and I were at the restaurant that Alice told us to meet her at. We had already ordered our drinks and were waiting for the one who called this meeting together. Even I had to admit that I was a little irritated that she would leave us in such suspense. Luckily we didn't have to wait too long until we heard Alice's excited squeals.
"I am so sorry," she quickly gave both Rose and I a hug before she sat down in her seat. Alice was normally a happy, excited person, however at this moment she seemed to almost glow, and she couldn't contain herself.
"Oh my God," gasped Rose, "Are you pregnant?" she must have been thinking the same thing as me.
"No," Alice giggled as she took a sip from her water. After a moment went by it was obvious that she was done drinking, yet she still held the water to her face. I could see Alice smile behind her glass, and was wondering why she was wiggling her eyebrows.
What was she doing? And what is that stupid thing shining light into my eyes? I searched for the culprit and found the cause of the light to be a big diamond ring that rested on her left hand between her pinky and middle finger.
"AAAAAAA!!" I screamed, Rose screaming right with me.
"Oh my God, oh my God," I kept chanting as I grabbed Alice's hand. Rose reached over and tried to tug Alice's hand out of my own to see the ring; I wouldn't let her and we ended up having a small battle of tug-of-war.
The ring was beautiful to say the least. It was a square cut diamond that stood on its own. It rested on a silver band which rested neatly on her finger.
"When did this happen?" I asked, while reluctantly letting go of her hand.
"Friday," Alice beamed.
"So that is why I couldn't get a hold of you Friday night," Rose mumbled as she continued to hold on to Alice's hand.
"Yep," I was surprised that Alice couldn't get out more then a word right now; and she couldn't get that smile off her face.
"What about yesterday?" I asked. "I called a couple times yesterday to see if you wanted to hang out, but it went straight to voice mail."
"Well yesterday I wanted to spend it with only Jasper before we go telling everyone." Alice took back her hand and examined the ring herself. "Don't you love it? It's Tiffany's."
"So tell us what happened," I insisted.
"Oh it was just so romantic!" she squealed before rushing into her story. "He told me he wanted to go out on Friday, and I thought it was going to be like one of our other dates, so I didn't tell anyone. He told me to wear my favorite outfit, which just so happens to be this really pretty light blue dress that I bought the other day. It's pretty simple, but really classy. Anyway, he was really cryptic about where we were going. He just kept saying 'it's a surprise,' so I didn't push it."
Rose and I both looked at each other and exchanged and knowing look. Alice not trying to figure out the surprise would be like Alice not wanting to go to an exclusive fashion show.
"Ok, well maybe I did bug him a little bit," she confessed. "But I was really good after that."
Rose and I both laughed as we let Alice proceed with her story.
"We drove for a bit, the whole time he kept telling me how much he loved me; how he felt when he first saw me, when he knew he loved me." Alice's eyes glazed over a bit as she thought back to Jasper. Rose and I both knew not to interrupt. Alice took a deep breath before continuing. "Before I knew it we were at the beach, by the docks. He rented a yacht for Friday and Saturday and placed candles all over and rose petals and he had champagne and music playing in the background and… it was perfect."
I could just picture the two dancing on the deck watching the sky as one by one the stars would appear; I could almost see the two of them looking into each other's eyes, knowing that they would spend the rest of their lives with each other and Jasper knowing that he was about to make it official….
I was going to have to ask Jasper if I could borrow that for a story.
"Finally after we ate, danced, and drank," Alice continued. "We cuddled on this little makeshift bed that he made on the deck, and we watched the moon and the tide. Finally he looked over at me and said, 'Alice, you had my heart from the moment I saw you. You had my mind from the moment we first spoke. You had my complete and utter devotion from our first kiss.' Then he opened the box to show me the ring and then he said, 'And if you would marry me, become my wife and wear this ring, you will have my life.'"
I saw Alice's eyes become teary as she recounted her night. I looked over at Rose and saw that even her eyes were watery. Even I had to wipe away a tear that threatened to trail down my face.
"And we spent the rest of the night, and all of yesterday together," Alice finished her story.
"That is so sweet," sighed Rose.
"So Jasper is your fiancé?" it was not really a question, but I had to say the actual word.
"Fiancé," swooned Alice. "I really like the sound of that."
We went out to celebrate that night with drinks. I lost track with how many times I punched Edward. I was annoyed that he didn't tell me that Jasper was planning to propose. He just shrugged off my complaints, telling me that he didn't know the details, or even when it was going to happen, just that he knew the Jasper was planning to.
"That is not the point," I whined. We were just coming back from the cocktail bar after celebrating with everyone. I was a wee bit drunk and had just stumbled into the entryway; when Edward caught me before I fell. The only problem was that he was drunk as well causing us both to crash into the wall.
I started to giggle, while Edward tried to steady himself. "Stop trying to distract me," I said, managing to calm myself down. When Edward ignored my complaints I threw my fist in his general direction, missing horribly, and ended up toppling into him.
"Will you stop your antics?" he picked me up and threw me over his shoulder. At first I was completely confused by what he was doing, but once realization dawned on me, I started kicking and screaming until he threw me onto my couch.
"Now, no more complaining," Edward sat at the end of the couch, my legs resting on his lap.
"You lied to me," I threw my hand to my chest in a dramatic way. "I thought we were friends! You do not hide something this big from one of your friends."
"It's all out in the open, so what does it matter now?" he shrugged, his head resting against the couch with his eyes closed.
"It means she is gone," my eyes started to burn with tears. That is one of the bad things I hated when I drank; my mood swings.
"Who?" asked Edward in a tired voice.
"Alice," I broke out in a full sob. Edward's eyes popped open - worry written all over his face.
"She isn't going anywhere," He leaned over and pulled me into an upright position and tucked me under his arm.
"But she is going to get married," I felt the little eyeliner and mascara I wore start to fall down my face.
"You are not going to see her any less then you do now."
"Bu...bu…but she isn't going to be my single friend anymore," I stuttered.
Edward stroked my hair, "She wasn't single in the first place. She is going to be happy, isn't that what you want?"
I sniffled while I tried to regain some composure. "Of course I do, it's just that it's all starting. First her, then Rose, then Angela, and then I am going to be all by myself."
God, pity parties were so pathetic, but did I mention I was drunk?
"You're not planning on finding the love of your life and getting married and having a bunch of babies?" Edward spoke in a soft voice, helping calm me down.
"I don't know, I guess; I haven't really thought about it," I sighed. "It's not like any guy is really interested."
"Bella," he groaned. "Why are you so blind? Do you know how many guys check you out?"
I shook my head, "No, no, not what I mean," I hiccupped. "Guys will check out anything that walks, but do any of them fight for me? Nope."
"You want someone who fights for you?" I looked over and saw Edward resting his head on the couch again, his eyes struggling to stay open.
"I want someone to make an effort," that was the last thing I remember before falling back onto the couch, my legs once again on Edward lap, and falling asleep.
Ugh, I hate spider webs, even if they are fake ones. On the first Saturday of the month of October, Alice ingrained it in me that I had to decorate the apartment. Alice decorated for every holiday or event that she could. Throughout the years I tried to resist, but I eventually gave up and got into it, too, though only for Halloween and Christmas, which is exactly what I was putting up: Halloween decorations.
I never was as ostentatious as Alice, but I thought my decorations were nice. I changed the place mats on the dinning room table to black and orange checkered ones with black napkins. I had a black blanket with white skeletons embroidered on it draped over the couch, which complimented the skeleton coasters on the coffee table.
At the moment, I was trying to place fake spider webs along Edward's piano, to give it an old creepy feel. Instead, I managed to get most of the sticky crap in my hair.
I would have asked Edward come help me, but Emmett had called him into the office this morning. Edward said that Emmett sounded serious, which was never a good sign for Emmett. I felt bad for Edward, he was freaking out before he left, trying to think of any meeting or deadline he might have missed. I kept telling him that he had nothing to worry about. The guy was basically becoming an overnight sensation, and he was getting paid like one as well. We were financial equals, and I couldn't be more proud of him.
He told me that he was getting paid much better now than when he was an accountant. Every time I thought about the complete one-eighty that he did… it astounds me. How someone could have as much courage as he did is beyond me. Edward was truly an amazing man. He completely rebuilt a new and better world for himself and did it with such grace… Well, after the whole beer binge he went through, it was all grace after that.
I sighed knowing that I could never be as brave as him. I was really lucky to have him in my life.
"Bella!" I heard his velvety voice call out frantically. Oh God, he was fired. But why would I think that he was fired? Didn't I just list all of the great qualities that he has?
Edward ran into the sitting room with the largest smile that I had ever seen on his face, his eyes shining like gem stones, his hair completely ruffled by his hands, and his strong chest kept rising up and down as if he had just run here. He was an amazing and beautiful man.
"Bella!" Edward ran to me, picked me up by my waist, and spun me in the air while I held onto his shoulder, squealing. It was like a clip from a movie.
"Oh my God," Edward panted as he set me back down, but still held onto my waist. "Bella…" He kept his mouth open, as if he was searching for the words to say.
"What?" I heard the excitement in my voice; how could I not be happy when he was standing there jumping around?
"Emmett was just messing with me when he called earlier sounding serious, he just wanted to play with my head," Edward's smile faded a little and was replaced with annoyance for a slight moment before going back to the excitement it held before. "He sat me down and told me that someone heard one of my compositions and that they called the agency and said that they wanted to work with me!"
I was biting my lip at this point, completely thrilled by what Edward was telling me. "Well, who is it?" I asked when he didn't continue speaking.
"Andrew Lloyd Webber!"
I started to scream, jumping up and down with Edward. We were like teenyboppers who just saw their favorite boy-band.
I pulled Edward into a tight hug, receiving just as much force from him. "Edward this is great! What are you guys going to work on? When are you meeting him? Can I meet him too? Is it going to be for a movie, or a stage production or-"
Edward placed his hand over my mouth cutting me off. "Emmett told me that it's not going to be for a couple of months, and he wants me to work on a piece. He didn't say what kind; just whatever I feel is right. I don't know any details yet, and when the time comes I will smuggle you in to meet him."
Edward moved his hand away from my mouth leaving me to jump right in, "Edward this is fantastic! We have to go out! We need to do something for this."
Edward's smile grew even more so, "Actually, I was wondering if I get to claim a day where we all have to do what I want?"
I blinked, "Yeah, of course you do."
"Well then, I want to claim it."
Everyone was just as ecstatic about Edward's news as I was, and were just as excited about what he had planned. At first he didn't tell us anything just that on Saturday the 18th we needed to be free. Alice was the most upset with this news, saying she only had two weeks to get her outfit and my outfit picked out. After repeated phone calls, a few threatening text messages, and many loud visits, Edward finally caved and told us we were going to the symphony.
I was really excited about this, until I found out that he already bought everyone's tickets. By now we both knew that he was financially stable enough to move out, but we worked well together and enjoyed each others company; now we were actual roommates instead of me just helping him out. But I didn't care about the fact that he had money now, it still pissed me off that he would spend some of it on me when it was his night to celebrate!
Alice was more than excited that we were going somewhere nice and had to get full-length gowns. Rose came with us on our shopping trips. That's right, "trips," that's the plural! Alice insisted that one wasn't enough to find the perfect gown. Rose told me that she leaked the news that I was going to the symphony and that there might be a some paparazzi there. I highly doubted that would be the case. Sure they were interested in me when I was on a date with someone famous, but why would they want a picture of just plain old Bella?
Alice and Rose were taking this night very seriously; not just that fact that we were all out celebrating, but it just gave them an excuse to dress to the nines, and go to the spa. All of Friday, the day before we were going to the symphony, I was plucked, waxed, and polished. (I didn't even know I had that much hair on me, but apparently I did.) God, I hate being "pampered."
Everyone had agreed to get ready at the apartment so that we could all leave once we were ready. I was pretty sure that the guys were done by now; I could hear some kind of sports game being played. It was so easy being a guy, all they had to do was zip, and tie and they were ready, whereas I had just finished my epic battle with my nylons and was close to victory with my strapless bra.
"Jeez from the noise you were making it sounded like you were fighting in a war or something." Alice walked out of my bathroom placing her earrings in. She looked beautiful in her gold dress. For Alice it was pretty simple, but the sweetheart neckline and the tight bodice outlining her chest still made her stand out. It clung to her waist but flowed off from there to the ground. The back of her dress was amazing, it had two crisscrosses, one larger one at the top of her back, and one at the small of her back. She was a vision in gold.
"Well I feel like I'm at war," I mumbled as I started to strap on the death traps someone had the nerve to call shoes. I still hadn't put on my dress yet, but I knew I would never manage to reach over and tie those once I was wrapped tight in my dress.
"Hey, can I borrow this purse?" Rose asked as she walked out my closet. She was absolutely drop-dead gorgeous; which is probably what Emmett will do once he sees her. Her dress was a bright turquoise, making her long blond hair pop even more so. It was a strapless dress with a neckline reminding me of a heart. On her abdomen were a bunch of little crystals which formed a large diamond shape. The silky dress was completely tight, up until her knees where the hemline circled around her. From the there, loose material made its way to the floor, but not without leaving a very large slip revealing her long legs.
"Yeah, sure, use whatever you want, as long as you can help me into this thing," I lifted the dress from my bed. "You guys remember the last time I tried to put on a full length gown by myself?"
Rose laughed while Alice grimaced, "You fell, wrinkling the thing. You're right let me help you."
I really did love my dress, even if it could have been the death of me. It was a very soft and pretty brown which somehow made my eyes pop. I didn't know that brown eyes could pop. It was a simple strapless dress and the bodice clung to my waist and chest in a I-can-still-breathe kind of a way. There were very pretty beaded floral designs along my waist that still seemed to be subtle enough. The material gathered along my knees then slightly ruffled to the floor. I felt very pretty.
"Thanks," I told Alice as I reached over and grabbed my hand bag from my bed. "Well, you guys ready to go?"
We walked out to the living room, and I was impressed to say the least. The guys all looked amazing. I had to smile when I saw Emmett; he was dressed in a classic style of tux, with a black jacket which fitted his very muscular shoulders quite well, black pants, crisp white shirt, and a black bowtie. I had to smile, though, because of Emmett's reaction to Rosalie: just as I thought, he nearly dropped dead.
Alice must have helped pick out Jasper's outfit. He had on a black fitted jacket on as well, only he left his unbuttoned revealing a gold vest and tie which matched Alice's dress. If he was willing to put up with her dressing him, then they were made for each other.
I felt very awkward when I looked at Edward; a weed should never look at a rose for too long, but I couldn't help myself- he just looked so good. He had on a new fitted black jacket showing the silver vest and tie he had on underneath. It looked like he purposely did not shave, leaving a little scruff on his face, which contradicted the outfit perfectly, and he almost had a handle on his hair, but with that thought, a little piece fell into eyes. His piercing green eyes continued to stare at me from the moment I walked out of my room, and I couldn't help but blush.
Edward walked over to my side, "You look beautiful," he smiled.
"You look amazing," I admitted, increasing my blush. Why was I blushing? I had no problem telling Jasper or Emmett when they looked good. What made Edward different?
"A compliment?" Edward gasped in fake shock, "Well, I must look good for you to say so."
I rolled my eyes and looked at the rest of the group, "So how many cars should we drive?"
"No need," interrupted Edward. "I got us a limo for the night."
If Edward had not pulled out the it's-my-night-so-we-have-to-do-what-I-say card, I would have put up even more of a fight about him not letting me pay him back.
"It is my night Bella, and you are not allowed to ruin it."
He was right - I didn't want to ruin his night. But still, he spent enough money as it was already.
Benaroya Hall was where the symphonies in Seattle were held. Like all things tonight, the hall was beautiful. As well pulled up to the round side of the building, the lights shone through the windows that made up most of the structure. There were people dressed up walking in and out building; they all looked so happy and elegant in their long gowns and tuxedos.
We all climbed out of the limo, and since Edward had the tickets with him we just walked straight in. There was a large orchestra set up in the center of the stage with the seats spreading away from it and box seats rising up on the walls.
Edward got us some pretty good seats - at least I thought they were good. We were up in one of the boxes sitting off to the side. Edward said that the seats were not that great, but I hushed him the moment the lights went out.
The music was beyond words. It echoed off the walls and into my very bones. I looked over at Rose and Emmett who were sitting to my left. Rose seemed relaxed, something that has been hard for her to do lately with all the stress at work. Emmett on the other hand was on the edge of his seat. I have never seen Emmett this intense about something relating to the arts. Jasper and Alice, who sat on Edward's right, looked very comfortable. It looked like Edward was not sure on where to look. He would glance at the stage, then over at me, back to the stage, or then to either Jasper and Alice or Emmett and Rose. He looked so excited to see our expressions, or how we would react to certain parts of the music.
The music slowly started to die down, ending for intermission. I leaned over to Edward, "So when am I going to hear them play a Mason Original?"
Edward grinned leaning into me, "One day," he whispered.
"One day soon," I nudged him, "You are going to be working with Andrew Lloyd Weber!" I grabbed his hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. "Everyone is going to hear your music Edward, and they are going to love it."
"Thank you Bella," he squeezed my hand back.
"I need to use the bathroom," whined Emmett.
"I do too actually," nodded Alice.
"Well we have 45 minuets before we have to be back here," Edward stood up. "We should all get up and stretch our legs."
No wonder they gave us 45 minuets to go use the restroom, it looked like everyone in the building had to relieve him or herself. I had already used the facilities, Alice and Rose were checking their makeup, and Emmett and Jasper were still in restrooms; apparently the unique sink had Emmett mesmerized.
Edward and I were hanging out by a staircase that no one seemed to be using. I was laughing as he was telling me a joke that Jasper told him. I was waiting for the punch line when I noticed Edward getting stiff. He was looking over my shoulder with an expression that I could not quite understand.
He looked hurt, angry, shocked, and yet somehow relieved.
"Edward, are you alright?" I asked worried at what had him this way.
He looked surprised when he saw me and a wave of calm washed over him. "Sorry it's just," he looked back over my shoulder and that same multi-expression came back.
I turned around to see what he was looking at. I was flooded with high school insecurities when I saw who he was looking at. She was hard to miss in her fuchsia colored halter dress which had a plunging neck line leaving little to the imagination. Although I had not seen her in years, I knew exactly who she was. Lauren.
She had not changed much since high school in the physical sense, and I'm sure mentally as well. She looked pissed off with her arms folded and her nose wrinkled.
Before my anger for Edward was the only thing that was on my mind, but now that I had forgiven him and become friends with him once again, all the rage I had against Lauren took the front seat now; only to be fueled even more so with the knowledge of what she did to Edward.
"Do you want me to trip her?" I asked in a harsh whisper. "Because I can."
Edward shook his head, his jaw tightening as he looked at who she was there with. I felt my mouth drop. I recognized almost everyone there; they were all Edward's "friends" from back in high school. I felt sick and needed to rest against the wall. It had been years, and I had finally come to a resolution with Edward, so why did seeing them (the people who humiliated me during high school) bring back so many insecurities that I thought I had overcome?
Edward noticed my change in mood and looked down at me, concern surpassing the anger he previously felt. "Bella, are you alright?" he asked as he gripped my arms making sure I didn't fall.
"Bella!" I heard Alice and Rose frantic voices call. "Edward, what's wrong with her? What's wrong with you for that matter?"
Edward looked at Jasper, who had followed behind the girls with Emmett. They held onto each other's stares for a while until Edward finally looked back over to where Lauren stood.
"Lauren is here?" Jasper gasped.
Rose, Alice and Emmett whipped their head around to see where he as looking at.
"Edward, that is almost everyone you use to hang out with," he shook his head. "They all went to your high school too." Jasper looked at me with understanding eyes.
"Ugh, I want to go kick her ass right now," Rosalie growled, shocking Edward.
"Why? She never did anything you," Edward whispered.
Alice, who had been standing at my side, walked over to Edward and gave him a hug, a simple gesture that seemed to mean the world to him. "You are our friend Edward. Who ever hurts you, hurts us."
"Plus they messed with Bella," Emmett added. "Which means we hurt them."
"As much as I love being all touchy feely," Rose rumbled. "I hate to break it to you but it looks like they are coming this way; all of them."
I felt my heart sink. There were four guys, plus Lauren. I recognized Tom, and he seemed to have healed nicely. Next to Tom walked Bret; he was always the "strong" one in the group, at least that is what Edward told me. If I didn't know Emmett, I would have thought Bret was the biggest guy I have ever seen, but Em was still a little bigger. Next to Lauren, a shorter man with slightly longer black hair stood; that was Nick and he looked like just as much of a pig as when he was in high school. Strutting aside Nick was David- David was probably the only guy in high school who could have given Edward competition in the looks department. Although Edward could care less, David was always comparing himself to Edward.
When David got a clear view of who he was walking towards, he pushed Nick out of the way so that he could slip his arm around Lauren, keeping his eyes on Edward. Edward's whole demeanor changed. He took a few steps so that he was in the front of the group, his back straighter, his fist clenched; he was waiting for this.
David looked at the people who backed Edward up. He glanced over at Jasper with brief recognition, his eyes bulged slightly when he looked at Emmett, he had to do a double take when he saw Alice, and he looked at Rose up and down before his eyes fell on me, and stayed there.
I hated how he looked at me, it felt like I needed to cross my arms over my chest, or needed to throw some thick blankets over me. Edward must have noticed David's leer, as he stepped aside to stand in front of me.
"Edward," Lauren called once they reached us. "So this is where you have been hiding out." Her voice was just as shrill as it was back in high school.
"I wouldn't call it hiding out," Edward's voice managed to remain at an even tone. "I would call it making a new and better life for myself."
Lauren frowned, "Well you got your stupid box back."
"I did," Edward grinned looking over at Tom who had sunk away to the back of the group. "And how is your nose, Tom? It looks like it healed; a little crooked though…" he trailed off.
"So what are you doing now, man?" Bret asked. He sounded truly curious.
"I'm finally doing my dream job, which none of you would know about, and I made a life that's filled with people that I love and consider to be true friends." I saw Emmett, Jasper, Alice, and Rosalie all shine when Edward said that; even I felt better after hearing that.
"Yes you have some very interesting new friends," David spat, whose eyes were still glued to me.
Lauren glared at me for a moment before blinking back in shock, "Swan?" she spat. "You can't be fucking Bella Swan?"
I felt like that awkward 17-year-old girl again when Lauren started to laugh. "Oh, you have got to be kidding me!" Lauren took a step closer to get a better look at me. "Are you going to tell me you were invited to this concert too?"
The guys behind her started to laugh, making me feel smaller. Oh God, this is going to happen again. Edward is going to deny being my friend again, and then they are all going to laugh at me again. I thought I had gotten over these stupid feelings! Why don't they ever go away? Why did they have such a hold on me? I can't do this! I need to get out of here, away from them; just like last time.
I stumbled forward, but was stopped by a strong arm wrapping around my waist. "Bella is one of my new friends, or really I should say old friend. You see she was one of my real friends from back in high school, but as you all know, I behaved utterly barbaric."
He was standing up for me! My heart started to race and tears of joy demanded to make an appearance. I don't know how many nights I dreamed that this is how it would have gone all those years ago. "But she has grown into a bigger person then I could ever dream of being," Edward continued. "And we have made amends."
"She certainly has grown," David whispered just loud enough for us to hear. "I could barely recognize her. The years certainly have been good to you Bella."
Was he seriously talking to me while he was groping Lauren's ass? And without even an apology for high school!
"Whatever," Lauren huffed, "I've seen you in magazines, dating those losers, they can put you in a fancy dress, somehow manage to calm that frizz which is your hair, and they can even put make-up on a man and somehow make him look good; but I will always remember you as that pathetic little girl who was always lusting after my boyfriend!"
Ouch, bitch much?
"Wow, and I thought I held on to the past," I laughed, finding my confidence. "Yes I have dated some losers, but guess what? They were all a publicity stunt. Because unlike you, people actually care about what I do, where I go, and what I wear. So yes, I do wear nice clothes, with the nice money that I make, and I do get my hair and make-up done, but I still manage to look classy, unlike your whore-ish ass, trying to relive her glory days of high school. And if you really want to go back to high school and discuss the issue of me talking to your ex-boyfriend, well it is kind of pathetic that he had to come to me for some actual intellectual conversation."
I was panting since I practically said my whole speech in one breath. Everyone from both groups was staring at me with open mouths except Edward who was just grinning.
"And speaking of your stupidity," I spoke lightly. "Why are you all here?"
"I… we…" Lauren stuttered, not quite sure of what I just said.
"She won tickets on the radio," Nick answered, who, disgustingly enough, seemed to be a little turned on by my little rant. "Only she didn't know what kind of concert it was."
"Shut up Nick," Lauren hissed. "Why the hell are you all here?"
"Celebrating," Edward answered sounding extremely happy.
"Celebrating what?" Lauren sounded worried at Edward's tone.
Edward tightened his grip on me, his smile widening. "I'm sure you will hear about it in the paper soon enough, but until then I would prefer to spend this evening with the company of my friends."
I wasn't paying attention to when my friends cheered and high fived me, or concentrating on the music that filled the hall once again. No, I could only keep replaying what Edward said. I know that he had apologized to me, and I really did forgive him, but I still felt like history was about to repeat itself tonight. But it didn't. Instead I walked away from this with a smile on my face. I was distracted the entire time on the drive home.
"Bella, are you alright?" Edward sounded worried as he locked the door to the apartment.
I quickly turned around and threw my arms around his neck, shoving my face into his warm chest. He seemed shocked at first but quickly wrapped his arms around me once he realized what I was doing.
"Thank you," I whispered, no longer able to hold back the tears.
"For what?" asked Edward as he stroked my hair.
"For being my friend," I sniffed.
"Bella, you never have to thank me for that," he soothed. "You are the amazing one."
I clung to him even tighter. I didn't realize just how much his friendship meant to me; it was on a different level than what I had with Alice and Rose, or Jasper and Emmett. I don't know why I felt like I needed Edward. All I knew was that I don't think I could survive now without him in my life.
It was Lauren! Yay to everyone who got it right! It needed to be done, you know see the ex and when you see them what do you feel, you know. Isn't Lauren a bitch/slut?
Just incase you didn't read the top AN, I have the link on my page of what their outfits look like when they go to the symphony.
Hope you liked the story of Emmett and Rose, I had no idea I was going there until I started writing it. Haha. If some of you do not know who Andrew Lloyd Weber is, Google him. I think he is amazing, but he won me over with Phantom of the Opera. So I am a tad bit bias.
The place that they went to, Benaroya Hall it a real place. I did a bit of homework here. And if some of you are confused on what the dates are, well here is a little surprise for you (b/c I was surprised when I saw realized it haha) the days to the dates are what they are for this year.
Bella's B/day, yep the 13th is on a Saturday. So Alice was proposed to on Sept. 26th (Friday) Bella finds out the 28th (Sunday).
Edward finds out the ALW news on Oct. 4th (Saturday). They go to the Symphony on the 18th (Saturday) I was not planning this, it just happened, so now I have to keep this up haha.
So the next chapter I think I am going back to Edward's POV, so you all can understand what he is thinking. I am not going to redo the chap in his POV b/c I always hate rereading, so it will just be a summary.
Next chapter is call: "Halloween"
I do not think I have any clues to leave for the next chap, but come on, tension + sexy outfits interesting chapter.
Hope you enjoyed :)