Featured Music: Sufjan Stevens - The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades is Out to Get Us!
Disclaimer: I own nothing Twilight. I merely play with the characters for entertainment. Songs and lyrics belong to their respective artists. No copyright infringement intended.
Chapter 12
Untrue
I woke up a little before 9 the next morning. I washed up and called Angela from my home line.
"Hey, Angela. It's Bella. Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner, but is it too late to join you for breakfast?"
"Not at all. Good timing, actually. I'm about to leave my house in a few. Do you need me to pick you up?"
"No, I can meet you guys there," I said. I hadn't ridden my bike in days and I was looking forward to it.
"Are you sure?" Angela asked in a concerned voice.
"Yeah. I'll see you soon."
When I hung up the phone, I changed quickly and bundled up. I got my keys, wallet, and my iPod and headed out.
I unlocked my lately neglected bicycle and hopped on. I still had my wrist brace. My hand hardly bothered me at all now, and I was planning to stop using it before school on Monday, but I decided to keep it on till then just to be safe. Riding two-handed with it wasn't so bad, but I rode one-handed a good part of the way.
I had missed the freedom I felt riding on the damp, empty roads besides all these tall trees. I enjoyed the ride immensely more listening to my music. I had my player on shuffle and it played "The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades is Out to Get Us!" by Sufjan Stevens. I loved when the shuffle mode played a song that fit my mood at the time.
I reached town and rode to Tiffany's diner and locked my bike on a lamppost. I had never been inside before but I had seen it a few times on my trips to town.
I walked in and I spotted Angela waving to me from a booth in the middle of the diner. It was pretty full with customers. I walked over and sat next to Angela. Eric was sitting across from us and he greeted me with his usual friendly smile.
"Glad you could make it, Bella," he said.
"Yeah, me, too," I replied taking off my jacket. "Where's everyone else?"
"They all wanted to sleep in," answered Angela.
"Although Mike probably would've made it if he knew you were coming," Eric said smiling. "Maybe I should call him."
"Don't bother him if he's sleeping," I told him.
We looked at our menus. Everything sounded so good we couldn't decide, so we ordered a bunch of things to share. We got some quiche, a side of bacon and home fries, blueberry pancakes, a western omelette, and waffles with fresh blueberries, strawberries, and extra whipped cream, and orange juice to drink. We had gone overboard.
We were laughing about how we were going to eat it all when the diner got a tiny bit quieter. I looked up and saw Edward had just entered. He grabbed the attention of a flustered waitress and spoke to her briefly. Then he walked toward our table.
"Good morning, Bella. Angela, Eric." He was charming as ever. The other diners went back to their own conversations and the noise level picked up again.
The three of us were stunned quiet.
Angela finally spoke and greeted him back.
Then Eric gained his composure and gave him a, "Hey." He then, to my surprise, extended his hand to Edward.
To my bigger surprise, he took Eric's hand and shook it. Edward then extended his hand to Angela and she shook his. Their hands met in full view of me.
I swallowed my jealousy. I watched as his long, lean fingers wrapped around Angela's small hand and I wished it was mine he was touching now. I could imagine how cold and smooth, and firm and reassuring it would feel. I thought about how I would never know his touch again. My eyes followed up the contours of his arm across his chest to his face.
"You didn't tell us Edward would be joining us, Bella. We would've waited to order," offered Eric, sliding in the booth seat to make room for one more.
"I can't stay, I'm afraid," said Edward. "I have a previous engagement."
"The food should be out soon. We ordered more than enough if you want a quick bite," added Angela. I smiled at her inadvertent joke. Edward smiled politely.
"Yes, Edward, stay and eat some food with us," I egged him on. I gave him a knowing look.
"I must apologize. I have plans to eat with my brothers. In fact, they're displeased I have delayed them already this morning."
The waitress he spoke to when he entered walked over to us with a carry-out tray of cups with lids. He thanked her graciously while taking the cardboard tray from her while she battered her eyelids and giggled. She was a curvy middle-aged woman. I was sure he had made her day.
She told him he was most welcome and put her hand on his arm flirtatiously before she walked away reluctantly to a calling customer. Was everyone going to touch him today but me?
"I'm sorry, I must leave you now," he said. "Enjoy your breakfast. Bella, Angela, Eric," he nodded to each of us. He walked away to the cash register, paid, and exited.
I had a good view of the outside from my seat and I saw a police car roll up and park. I saw Chief Avery step out and Edward met him beside the car. I could see them talking and Edward offered the tray full of cups to the chief who accepted with both hands. I could see they were talking a bit more before they both got in their respective cars.
Our dishes covered our table and we dug into our delicious mini buffet. The portions were generous but the three of us managed to clear most of the plates. We enjoyed our conversations along with our food. I had to admit, it wasn't as exciting without Jessica's enthusiasm and gossip, but Eric provided some updates that never lulled the atmosphere. It was actually pleasant and lighthearted without all the scandalous gossip.
When we finished, we asked for the bill and were told that it and the tip were already taken care of.
Edward. He could be very sneaky when he wanted to be.
"That was very nice of him," said Angela.
"Yeah, he must really like you, Bella," Eric added.
"No, he's just a generous person," I said, brushing him off. I was careful not to mention that he always bought me food. Maybe he was trying to fatten up the pig before slaughter, so to speak. Although, I don't think fatty blood would taste good, but who knows? Maybe he would start buying me vitamins next.
We decided to hang around town for a bit. We went to the bookstore and browsed for a bit. Then Eric had to leave, and Angela and I went to the little thrift store. We checked out a couple of other stores and then I treated us to some hot chocolate.
We talked a bit about school and our plans for colleges. She told me about her home life, especially her little brother. I could tell she was very fond of him and they were close. I told her how it was just me and my father; I usually told the bare minimum in concerns to family. I also told her how I liked moving around.
"Do you miss the places you've left?" she asked me.
"A little. But I get to see new places, meet new people. I could always visit again if I want." Not that I ever did.
"Do you keep in touch with all the friends you've made?"
I did not. But I thought it best not to tell her. I didn't make too many friends wherever I went. It wasn't that I couldn't, but I didn't really make the effort. And the friends I did make usually would forget about me after a few emails. I didn't keep a cell phone or join social networking sites. I liked being anonymous. I always have. I did my best to blend in and not be noticed. My plain features and average looks helped me do that. I would never be gawked at like the Cullens, and that was fine by me.
Then an idea hit me. I wondered if my knack for anonymity was responsible for my immunity to the Cullens. They couldn't smell my blood. Edward couldn't hear my thoughts. And Alice and Jasper, possibly others, couldn't detect me with their powers either.
But wasn't that what made me stand out to Edward in the first place? If he could read my mind, he might never have noticed me. And having this burning blood hardly made me invisible to him. I would have to bring this up with Edward. Maybe he can make better sense of this.
But that would come later. I answered Angela's question. "I hope to keep in touch with you." It was an evasive response.
"Me, too," she said earnestly. She really was sweet. I really did hope to remain friends with her. "Do you think you'll move again soon?"
"I don't think so. My father's working on a pretty big project that should last a while. And I'm turning 18 in the summer, so even if it doesn't I'll work something out to stay and finish high school here. It'll just be easier with all the college stuff, too."
"Wow, you sound so mature and responsible," she said.
"Really? I've been feeling pretty immature lately," I told her. I thought of Edward and all the joking and stumbling I did around him.
"Do you think you'll keep in touch with Edward? After high school, I mean," she sheepishly asked.
My eyes got bigger and I smiled. If anyone else had asked me, I would have been quick to brush it off but I was pleasantly surprised that Angela would ask me about a boy.
I took a deep breath. "I don't know. I hope so." I would always have to be careful what I said to anyone. I usually was, but knowing a mind reader made me paranoid.
"Because I think he does like you," she said. I almost spit out the hot cocoa I was drinking. Eric had essentially said the same thing, but when he said it I could take it as a tease. When Angela said it, it carried more weight. I knew she meant it.
I really had to be extra cautious. "I like him, too. He's a good friend." I tried to sound as nonchalant as possible. Like he meant nothing to me. Like I was describing a golden retriever.
I changed the subject after that. I knew Angela was too smart not to notice what I was doing, but she didn't let on and I was thankful to her.
We parted ways a little after and I took the opportunity to pick up some groceries to take home. Phil and I were getting spoiled by all the take-out food Edward was lavishing on us.
That night, I lay on the sofa listening to music and thinking.
I knew Edward would find out about our conversation. Luckily, Angela and I did not talk much about him. But I worried how Angela interpreted it, because that's what Edward would be hearing.
I didn't want him thinking I wanted him. And I didn't want him thinking I thought he wanted me. This was getting confusing. But I couldn't let these things happen because if he thought either of these, his opinion of me would change. Then his actions and feelings toward me would change, too.
He had called me independent and unemotional, and now I was at risk of becoming just another infatuated girl following him around like a lovesick puppy. He's probably had thousands of those, and I stood out to him because I wasn't. If I changed that, maybe he wouldn't want to be around me anymore.
I had to make sure I acted like I didn't want him.
No matter how untrue it was.
