I let out a yawn as my eyes slowly opened. I looked around my room and let out a groan.
''Damn it, Edward. You just have to run off into the night, don't you?'' I sighed as I got out of the bed, having hoped to see him this morning. I frowned when I spotted a note on my nightstand and picked it up. I easily recognized the elegant handwriting.
I apologize, love.
There is nothing I would love more than to be beside you when you awake, and see that beautiful smile on your lips when our eyes meet,
but I had to leave to return home. I will see you at school.
I love you, my precious angel.
''Charmer.'' I mumbled, blushing.
EPOV:
I felt...at peace.
Yes, that seemed like a good word to use.
I felt at peace now that I had returned to my love. Those two months away from her had been pure torture. I had been close to desperation…scratch that. I had crossed desperation. I had begged my brothers to end my life. I knew Alice, Esme and Carlisle would never take anyone's life, and I definitely wasn't going to ask Rosalie. I had hoped that either Jasper or Emmett would take pity and say yes after some considering, but they didn't. I considered trying to take my own life, but Alice put a stop to it, making sure someone was always around me whenever I considered such options- which had been all the time. I didn't even have it in me to get annoyed and just chose to close off from everything around me.
But then there was that one day. The day I returned to the beach, exactly two months after Bella's departure. All I did was close my eyes for a moment, thinking of my Bella, and then suddenly I was in Chicago. Even though my eyes had been closed, the lack of rain and sudden memories returning to me did, that I was quick to realize my new surroundings. But it took me quite some time to figure out what had happened.
A phone call from Alice, a couple of hours later, explained things. There had been some problems, seeing as Jasper and I had not been carrying around our phones, so the phone call had been to Emmett. She had been able to get a hold on him and let him know where I was, going off to find Jasper herself. She got a hold of Rosalie and Esme as well, and instructed both of them to head to Chicago, where Emmett and I were.
We discussed what we all remembered, the possibilities of what could have happened and decided to join our friends in Alaska- we were thankful they still, or rather once again, lived in the same house and town. We had been able to get a hold on every single vampire we knew and let them know what had happened. Some had been relived, others furious and offering their help for revenge, but most of them had been confused. We had stayed to the important facts, letting them know everything was fine and we weren't planning on starting a battle.
But I hadn't participated in any of it.
Our friends in Alaska, our closest friends,- possibly because we shared the same diet or perhaps because we preferred calling what we had families, instead of covens- were a great help when it came to relocating. It was the one thing I had been participating in, but only because I was impatient with how long the others were taking. We had been pretty much done, when I ran off. I had contacted them after Bella had fallen asleep, the day I had returned. Alice let me know everything had been taken care of, and we were setting the plan into work. She had also been furious at me for not answering the phone. Apparently she had called to warn me of Bella's stalkers, rather than try and get me to come back.
My reunion with Bella hadn't exactly gone as I had expected. Even though vampires had excellent memory, the night somehow seemed fussy. Perhaps from my rage when I read those...humans, if you could even call them that, thoughts. Things seemed unclear from then and until I had parked to the side, my Bella next to me. And even that was just a couple of days ago, yet, it seemed to have been much more. I was just grateful for getting Bella back- and I was very much excited to return to her once more.
''Damn it, Edward, could you control your emotions?'' Jasper hissed.
''You try being in my place.'' I replied, glaring at him.
''Jazz, they're both going to be like this for a while. You should start getting used to it.'' Alice said.
''At least he isn't suicidal anymore.'' Jasper thought.
''You try being in my place.'' I repeated. ''Sorry.'' I sighed, when he didn't respond. ''I'm just anxious for Bella to get here.'' I said.
''It's okay, Edward. We understand. Right, Jazz?'' Alice gave him a stern expression. He nodded.
''I didn't mean to snap. I'm sorry.'' He said.
''It's alright. I-'' I began.
''Bella's here.'' Alice interrupted. My head snapped in the direction, she was looking.
BPOV:
''What took you so long? You usually arrive before me.'' Angela said, as I got out of my truck.
''Sorry. I couldn't decide what to wear.'' I told, taking my bag and closing the car door after me.
''Okay, well...wait. You what?'' She frowned.
''I couldn't decide what to wear.'' I repeated.
''You, Bella Swan, couldn't decide what to wear?'' She questioned.
''I know I sound like Jessica, but I sort of...you know, wanted to look good today.'' I murmured, looking over the parking lot. I spotted Edward standing by his silver Volvo with the others. He grinned at me and I bit my lower lip as I waved my hand, blushing. He waved back.
''Oh. I see.'' Angela said. I looked over to her and saw her smirking.
''What are you talking about?'' I asked.
''Well, you're wearing one of the outfits Joshua bought you, which you never do. So, either he's blackmailed you somehow, or you want to impress someone. And I'm guessing this certain someone is the new guy.'' She said, continuing to smirk.
''Maybe.'' I blushed.
''You like him, don't you?'' She smiled, sweetly.
''Yeah. A lot.'' I admitted. There was no reason to keep this secret from Angela, as she would find out anyway.
''I think he likes you too.'' Angela said, glancing behind her shoulder. I held back a laugh.
''What makes you say so?'' I asked, faking curiosity.
''Well, for one, he's staring at you right now. Not to mention yesterday he couldn't keep his eyes off of you, either. And there was the whole hand kissing thing. And he also held out both your chair and the door for you in the cafeteria.'' She said.
''He's a real gentleman.'' I smiled, looking over towards him again. He was smiling softly, causing my heart to soar. He waved again and I waved back in a somewhat flirtatiously manner. ''And pretty much perfect.'' I said, looking back at Angela.
''Well, he's had quite an influence on you. I haven't seen you blush in like...a month or something.'' She said. ''You said you would tell me more about them today, remember?''
''Right.'' I frowned, looking back towards Edward- I had hoped to spend some time with him before class. I tilted my head towards Angela and he nodded once, letting me know it was okay. ''So, what do you wanna know?''
…
''But you didn't keep contact with each other?'' Angela asked.
''No.'' I murmured, frowning- how was I going to explain this one?
''Why not?'' She asked.
I knew she would ask.
''Well...we just didn't.'' I shrugged.
''But you were obviously good friends. There has to be a reason.'' She said as we continued walking down the hall, towards first period.
''Ang, I don't know.'' I said, honestly.
''Did something happen?'' She asked.
''Why do you always think something happened?'' I sighed.
''Okay, okay. Sorry. I didn't mean to push you.'' She said.
My only reply was a nod and a smile. We walked into the class and sat together in the back. Angela asked me a few more questions about the Cullens, since the teacher seemed to be running late. If Angela was like this, I feared how Jessica would react. She would surely interrogate me like a maniac. At least Angela knew my limits- Jessica didn't care. I was very tempted to avoid her- for the rest of my life, if necessary. The word life brought so many thoughts to my mind. I couldn't help but wonder when Edward was going to change me. I wasn't oblivious or stupid. Now that I was back in the real world, I was aging again. Meaning, I would grow old. So, naturally, Edward would have to change me at one point.
But when?
All rational thought left my mind when I saw Edward walk into the classroom, causing my eyes to widen. He sent me his dazzling crooked grin, and I smiled back, blushing. And though I didn't mind his presence, I was a bit surprised. I knew he said he would take care of our lack of classes together, but I hadn't expected him to do it so quickly. I should have known better. Edward could do anything,- and at times everything- and he always did it well.
''Bella? Bella? What are you-'' Angela cut herself off. ''Oh. I see.'' She murmured in a knowing voice.
''I'm sorry what?'' I turned my attention back to her.
''You spaced out on me.'' She smiled.
''Sorry.'' I blushed.
I looked back towards Edward and was disappointed to see he wasn't alone- sadly, he had brought the teacher along. I sighed. I had hoped to talk to him, if only for a short while. He stood by the teacher's desk, saying something I couldn't hear. The teacher frowned for a moment, but then nodded. I briefly wondered what they were talking about. It wasn't a long talk, though. Edward looked over the classroom and I did as well, seeing there was only one empty seat- the seat next to Austin Marks. He was one of Ben's friends, but besides that, I didn't really know much about him.
Edward greeted him with a nod as he sat down, and Austin nodded back. I was curious as to how this would go. I hadn't seen Edward really interact with humans much- besides me, of course, but that was different. I knew he wouldn't actually act like other boys, and become Austin's 'buddy' or anything, but I knew he wouldn't exactly give him the cold shoulder. And I also knew that Austin was quite the social type. He had a ton of friends and was anything but shy. Then again, vampires naturally gave off that 'stay-away' vibe. Obviously, I spent class watching the two.
EPOV:
''He looks creepy. But I heard he knows Bella. Is he like her? 'Cause that chick is always like such a freaky loner.'' The boy next to me, Austin Marks, thought- he had introduced himself when I sat down. I fought back a glare. His thoughts about my Bella were anything but alright with me. ''But then again, she seems cool enough when she isn't acting all emo. Ben doesn't really hang around gothic loners, so I guess she's probably just shy. But urgh, how shy can one person be? I haven't ever seen her talk to anyone but Ben, Jessica and Ang. And Newton, of course, but they don't talk much, ever since he started dating Jessica. Looks like he's given up on chasing Bella.''
I tried to ignore his thoughts that seemed to be just about everything, except learning. He didn't even seem to be aware of the fact that he was in a classroom and that the teacher was speaking. Perhaps he wasn't.
I looked over my shoulder and saw Bella. She was looking at me, and we both smiled as we caught each others eyes. I winked and she blushed, her head bending down slightly, which caused strands of her hair to fall down in front of her eyes. I wanted to brush them away and hold her face in my hands. The distance between us was torture. I couldn't stand not having her in my arms. I longed to be close to her.
''Why is Bella making goo-goo eyes at the new guy? Yesterday she was all zombie-like. Oh, reminds me of that new zombie movie in Port Angeles. Ben said it was good and it scared the crap out of Newton. Ha! I would have loved to see that. He always thinks he's all that 'cause all the girls are after him, but he isn't really.'' Austin thought.
''She seems so different. And so suddenly. It has to do with the Cullens. But why was she so depressed to begin with? I wish she would tell me. Even if she doesn't like talking about it. Maybe something happened to her mom. But, no. I'm sure the whole town would have heard, if that was the case.'' Angela, Bella's friend, thought. She was more interesting to listen to than Austin. But that didn't mean I would take my eyes off of Bella.
…
''Hello, hello.'' I smiled as Bella closed her locker. She gasped and jumped slightly, her eyes widening.
''You scared me!'' She said, her hand on her chest where her heart was beating wildly. I simply chuckled in reply. ''What are you doing here? Not that I mind or anything.'' She smiled.
''Just wondering if you might join our table for lunch.'' I said.
''Tempting.'' She hummed, thoughtfully.
''What? You want me to beg?'' I joked.
''Well, it would be nice not to be the one begging for once.'' She replied.
''Well...'' I stepped closer to her, placing my hands on each side of her head, leaning my face close to hers. The halls were empty, since everyone had pretty much already gone to the cafeteria. ''I could just dazzle you.'' I breathed in her ear. She shivered and her eyes closed for a moment.
''To be honest, I'd prefer the begging.'' She whispered, blushing.
''Alright.'' I chuckled. I went down to my knees, taking both of her hands in mine and looking up at her with pleading eyes. ''Bella, will you please join me for lunch? Please, please, please?'' I pouted.
''Starting to change my mind.'' She giggled.
''Please? Please, please, please, please, please? I'll do anything.'' I continued to pout.
''On one condition.'' She smirked.
''Anything.'' I smiled, kissing each of her hands.
''Kiss me.'' She whispered.
I jumped to my feet, happy to comply, and didn't wait a second to press my lips to hers. She didn't waste a moment, throwing her arms around my neck, her hands grabbing a hold of my shirt. I held her hips and pressed her into the lockers. I licked her lips and she parted them, letting me slip my tongue into her mouth. She let out a moan and I groaned at the sound and the taste of her. She always tasted so sweet. She curled her tongue around mine and I tightened my hold on her hips, pressing my own to them, wanting her closer.
''Wow. I didn't know someone could jump from crush to lust on one day.'' A voice said.
R&R
