Chapter 12

BPOV

October... The days have passed by so fast. It felt like summer was just starting and then now, its fall and the weather had started to get colder. Lots of things have happened too in the past couple of weeks. One, we had that badminton practice game at St. John's almost a week ago, which was quite embarrassing for me. Two, I seem to always mess up whenever I'm around Edward. Three, he's becoming one of my closest friends.

About a week ago in St. John's, we were preparing for the game and warming-up. Then Edward and his class got out the locker rooms in the gym and passed by us. I was stunned to see him in school environment other than the library and the store. And let's just say I wasn't paying attention with my surroundings that I got hit by a flying racquet on the side of my head accidentally. The impact was quite hard, which caused me to sway a bit before finally falling on the floor with my hands holding on to the side of my head.

Some people laughed at me, while my team came to my rescue to check on me if I was okay.

"Bella, I'm so, so sorry. The racquet slipped from my hands. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to whack you on the head with it. Please forgive me. I'll make it up to you, I promise. I'm really, really sorry," Aaron rambled, crouching beside me and looking panicked. Aaron, the newbie to the game, unintentionally let go of the racquet as he played.

There's always that one person.

"It's alright, accidents happen," I responded trying to get up a little, wincing a bit from the pain on my head.

I didn't know how, but suddenly Edward was beside me. "Bella?" He had asked. He seemed curious as to what I was doing in his school.

"Hey Edward," I smiled despite the slight pain on my head.

"Are you okay?" He asked concern etched on his face. "Here, let me help you up," he offered his hand to me. I grabbed it and pulled myself up as I told him a quick 'thank you'.

"Bella, how are you feeling?" Coach Madison asked, sounding worried.

"I feel dizzy. There's a sharp pain on the side of my head too," I said truthfully, rubbing my fingers on the spot where I was hit. I held a bit tighter to Edward's hands as I tried to keep myself from swaying so much and falling down again.

Aaron still apologized profusely for what happened and I forgave him right away. It was just an accident.

"Kristie, do you mind helping Bella to the clinic? We have to start the game soon and I have to supervise the team," Coach said. "Let me know if she needs anything." Kristie nodded and just held my hand to help me walk. She took my hand like a baby learning to walk for the first time.

Edward volunteered to take me to the school clinic, since he knew where it was. He said it was to make sure we didn't get lost and that I didn't get any head injury or anything along the way.

"Putting so much effort in walking might not be safe for you now Bella," He commented. "Here, at least let me help you to walk to the clinic, so it would be less stressful for you." Edward offered me his hand.

I hesitated a bit, but I didn't want to get anymore injuries if I end up falling. Kristie isn't helping me much to walk anyway. After a quick pondering, I caved in and took his hand as he placed his other arm around my waist to keep me from swaying and then falling. Well, most likely from tripping as well. He pulled me closer to him, which caused me to lean my weight more towards him. To other people, it might even look like he was almost carrying me.

"Sorry, I'm quite heavy," I whispered to Edward, gripping his hand more.

"Don't worry. You're not heavy as you think you are. I give my sister a piggy back ride sometimes, I'm used to it," He smiled and looked down at me.

I turned my head slightly towards him and got a whiff of his shirt, and inhaled deeply. Hmmm... he smells nice for someone who just got out of the gym. Most students smell a little after PE classes, but he doesn't.

I noticed Kristie walking closely on Edward's other side and so I focused more on walking. I didn't want her to think that I was just pretending to be hurt with my smiling facial expression from sniffing Edward's scent.

The nurse said that nothing was wrong except that I just have a little bump on the head. She recommended that I take some Tylenol for the pain and to put ice on it to reduce the swelling. She added that I should rest as much as possible till I don't feel dizzy anymore and avoid badminton for now. Not because I might get hit by a flying racquet again, but because of the chances that I might feel dizzy yet again and possibly get a headache for doing such strenuous activities.

"You should go home and rest, and don't move around too much. If the pain and dizziness persists, go ahead and see the doctor, alright?" The nurse ordered, looking at me expectantly. "She can go now."

"Thank you," I said, slowly climbing down the table.

"Bella," Edward asked," if you want you can come with me to the store so Marie can take you home. Emmett is in the parking lot, he's driving me to the store."

"Um..."

"Go ahead Bella. I'll let Coach Madison know that you have to leave early," Kristie offered. "What's your name again?" She asked Edward.

"Edward," he replied.

"Ok Edward," Kristie smiled. "How about I meet you by the parking lot so I can give you Bella's stuff?"

"You don't have to Kristie, I'll just grab it really quick myself," I said. I didn't want to inconvenience her further. And I didn't miss the part where she wanted to meet Edward alone.

Possessive much Bella? He's not even your boyfriend my conscious said.

No, I'm not, but he's still my friend, I mentally rolled my eyes. I didn't want to give Kristie a wrong message by rolling my eyes at her.

"But Bella, the nurse said for you not to move as much. Just meet me in the parking lot, okay?" she insisted.

I nodded, telling her thanks.

I didn't lean too much on Edward this time, feeling shy and better already. We met with Kristie and after an exchange of thank you and get well soon, we went our separate ways.

"Thank you, Edward. Sorry, you're probably going to be late to your shift now." I muttered apologetically.

"It's alright Bella. It was no problem. I'm glad I could help. If it was other people, I would have done the same thing," He smiled. "I'm just glad you're okay now."

"Yeah. Why do I always get clumsy whenever we see each other..." I whispered to myself the last part.

"What was that?"Edward asked.

"Oh, nothing. Um, just thank you, really," I stood on my toes and placed my hands on his shoulders to use them as leverage, and then kissed his cheek as we stopped by their car. I didn't know where I got the courage to kiss him. I've never kissed any boy before.

Blushing from what I did, I got inside the back seat where Edward had opened the car door. He just stood there until his brother yelled at him to hurry up, saying something about seeing his crush or something. Edward closed the door and took the passenger seat.

I was taken out of my trance with Emmett calling out Rose's attention. He could be pretty loud.

"Rose?" Emmett asked.

Emmett, Edward's brother, had just started his job as a barista here. He picked up Edward from his shift one evening and noticed Rose. Ever since then, he'd always picked up Edward from his shifts. There are some days when he'd drop Edward off and stay throughout his whole shift just so he could get to know Rose. It wasn't easy to get Rose's attention, but Emmett was persistent.

One day, Rose got annoyed with him because he was distracting her from work and there were a lot of customers. "Instead of wasting your time with all your talking, why don't you start bussing the tables," Rose commented.

From then on, Emmett started helping out with cleaning up since he was not allowed behind the counter. This landed himself a job in the coffee shop. Nana said it wasn't fair that he helps without pay. When Nana offered him a job, Emmett accepted it right away without hesitation.

"What now?" Rose huffed as she wiped down the counter and finally faced Emmett her hands on her hips.

Emmett smiled as he leaned on the other side of the counter, "are you an alarm clock?"

Rose ignored him and continued what she was doing. "Just answer it, please." Emmett said excitedly.

"Ok, why?" Rose sighed, not interested.

"Because you woke up my sleeping heart," Emmett said smoothly. Edward and I chuckled, Emmett was so cheesy.

"Whatever," Rose turned away from him, but I saw a little smile appeared from her lips. Then she suddenly turned back around to Emmett, looking at him sweetly. "Are you an alarm clock, Emmett?"

"Why?" Emmett asked, looking quite excited that Rose was finally warming up to him.

"Cause you're so annoying," she said with a straight face, then turned back around to the kitchen with a big smile.

Emmett stayed in his position, gaping like a fish. This time, Edward and I busted out laughing.

Then Emmett's faced started to look more determined and mumbled something about next time. Then he glanced at Edward, "your turn, bro."

Edward stopped laughing. "What?" Edward furrowed his brow, "What do you mean my turn?"

The brothers started having a staring contest. Emmett kept moving his head to our direction. He looks like he's having a seizure or something.

I ignored them and continued doing my homework on one of the tables. I've started hanging out here in the shop after school to do my homework lately. I haven't even noticed it actually till Nana mentioned it.

"Are you crazy?!" Edward said incredulously at Emmett as he stood up.

"What?" Emmett said innocently.

Edward shook his head at Emmett and started to walk over behind the counter to entertain the new customer. Emmett went to the kitchen to help Edward out with the order and Rose came back to refill the empty pastry dishes.

"Get ready boys. Another wave of customers are about to come in," Rose warned. With her experience, she already knows when was the time that most people started coming in. especially on a Friday.

For the next hour, they were busy with customers who just wanted to warm themselves up and eat cake after a long day at work. Edward and Rose were busy taking orders while Emmett made the drinks. Soon, Edward started helping Emmett with the drinks as they were backed up already and some people waited impatiently. Longer line started to form, and I got up and helped Rose with taking orders.

"So, how are you and Edward?" Rose asked after she had placed Sofia on my bed to sleep. Poor kid couldn't stay up any longer to finish Tangled, the second movie we watched tonight after How to Train Your Dragon. We decided to include Sofia in our slumber party, the more the merrier.

"Huh? What do you mean me and Edward? We're not... we're just friends," I said, a little loud.

"Why are you so defensive?" She smirked.

"I-I'm not , um, defensive," I stuttered.

"Spill, Bella!" She ordered, looking excited.

We sat on the floor and left the movie going so that Dad won't hear us. He might have a heart attack once he hears me talking about boys.

"There's nothing to actually spill, Rose. We're just getting to know each other better," I mumbled the latter part.

"Uh huh, right." She said, dragging the 'i'.

"I mean, really we're ju-" I was cut off when she suddenly took my phone from the night stand behind her. "Hey! Don't take my phone! Give it back!"

"What could possibly be in here to get such a reaction out of you, Bella? You've never minded me borrowing your phone before," she smiled while keeping my phone away from my reach. She caught my hands finally and put up her other arm in the air, away from me still, to look at my phone.

"So... you've been texting a lot," she said, looking through my inbox but not really opening the messages. "Oh look, he sent you a new message!"

"What?" I reacted, and tried to pry my phone more from her. "Where? What did he say? Give me my phone!"

Rose laughed, "I was just kidding, there wasn't any new message."

"Oh," I slumped a little on the floor.

"Why are you so disappointed?"

I sat up straighter, "I'm not."

"So, you like him!" Rose whispered a little loud.

"Shhhh!" I clamped my hand on her mouth. Hoping that no one heard.

"Okay, okay, so I like him," I admitted, dejectedly, "but you have to keep this a secret, okay?"

I promised dad to put my studies first over boys.

"What do you like about him?" She asked, putting my phone back on the night stand.

"He's nice and helpful. He's sweet and he's smart too," I blushed. Edward really was a nice guy. He helps those people in need, like me, and he's very patient when it comes to tutoring the kids in the library and especially to those customers who can't seem to decide what they want in the coffee shop.

"Bella?" Rose snapped her finger in front of me, "BELLA!"

"What?" I sighed.

"I've been calling your name and you won't get out of the dreamy look," she said. "Where did you get this?" She held the cupcake plush key ring on her hand.

"Oh, that."

"Yes, this." Rose twirled the ring on her index finger. "It's really cute."

"Um, Edward gave me that," I muttered.

Rose was shocked, "Edward gave you this?"

I nodded.

"For?" She smiled.

"It was his belated birthday present to me," I said, snatching the chain from her and dusting off invisible dusts.

Rose folded her arms and looked at me. She had the same look as Emmett earlier, determination. Speaking of Emmett, "What's up with you and Emmett?"

She rolled her eyes, "nothing, I still treat him the same way ever since I met him."

"Riiiight..." I said, grinning, "what about the big smile on your face after the alarm clock pick-up line, huh?"

Rose's breath hitched.

Gotcha! "Spill!" I chuckled and sat closer to her.

I don't own any of the Twilight characters. They all belong to Stephenie Meyer.

A/N: I hope you liked this chapter. Any comments and suggestions are very welcome.

If you have any pick-up line ideas for Emmett and counter pick-up lines for Rosalie that you want me to use, please let me know.

Special thanks to Kayleigh for proof-reading and suggestions! :)