Note:

I'm sooo sorry it took so long to get the next chapter up! Life has just been absolutely CRAZY, and on top of that my computer was down for a week, stupid malware! So... I have three weeks of school left, so I try my absolute hardest to get chapter 15 and 16 up before then, but I can't promise you that. But I WILL try! I know that there will most likely be no chapter the week of finals, because that's just a stressful and crazy time to try and do ANYTHING!

Fourteen- Date Night

Edward

Lauren had a mouth that just wouldn't quit—which was exactly what I'd expected of a French girl, oddly though, images of Bella's kiss kept flittering through my mind. And what was worse, I kept seeing her smile, hearing her laugh, listening for the softness of her voice.

I recognized that initially Lauren wasn't taking my mind off everything that I wanted her to, but I figured in time…

We ended the kiss. She used the tip of her finger to rub her lipstick away from the corner of my mouth.

"Samedi?" she asked.

Saturday. "Oui," I responded. We'd already agreed to have a date before she planted that kiss on me. Saturday would be filled with kissing exactly like the ones we had just shared. She certainly wasn't shy. But she did have to catch a ride with friends tonight.

"Au revoir," she purred, wiggling he fingers at me.

"Goodbye," I responded. I watched her stroll away, her hips swaying in invitation. She glanced over her shoulder, and I think she was a little sorry that I hadn't followed her. I couldn't explain why I hadn't. I was catching the bus home, so I had no one waiting for me.

I heard the fireworks burst overhead and glanced toward the castle. And that's when I spotted Bella standing beside some tall, blond guy whose arm circled her waist. She'd obviously found Mr. Romantic.

I watched as the guy leaned down, and kissed her cheek, and then walked away.

I couldn't imagine that Bella found it romantic for a guy to abandon her in the middle of a fireworks display. I didn't even think it was romantic. I thought about heading home. After all, my mission had been accomplished.

But I enjoyed watching the way the fireworks reflected off her hair more than the way it brightened the night sky. Why did she intrigue me so much? She was beautiful, but not beautiful like Lauren. And Bella was totally, completely wrong for me. For one thing, she would definitely be there at the end of the year, back in Forks, dogging my heels, wanting declarations of love.

Heck, she wanted more than declarations of love. She wanted flowers, candy and poetry.

Romance. A seven-letter word that I tried to keep out of my vocabulary. But it sure had begun popping up a lot since Bella Swan had walked into sculpting class that first day.

I couldn't deny that I was drawn to her—against everything that was rational and made sense. As if I had no control over my legs, I found myself walking over to her.

I leaned close enough to inhale her honeysuckle scent. "I met with success," I announced.

She didn't take her gaze from the sky. "I noticed you practically ripping each other's clothes off."

She sounded seriously aggravated. Was she jealous? Why did that thought please me so much?

"Just for the record," I began, "Lauren kissed me." Then I wondered why I felt the need to explain. It irritated me even more to know that I wanted to know about the guy who had kissed her on the cheek. "So, how did your day go?"

She turned to me then and smiled brightly. "Great! I've got a date for next Saturday."

"Congratulations," I said, but my voice didn't sound enthusiastic as it should. And my chest felt hallow. "Was that your romantic guy who just walked off?"

"Yes. He had to head home."

A burst of fireworks filled the air. Someone bumped into me, and I bumped into Bella. My arms went around her, my hands grabbing the railing of the bridge. "Sorry, I'm kinda wedged in," I explained.

"That's okay," she said softly. "It's almost over."

She glanced back toward the sky. I figured since she didn't mind, I might as well enjoy her nearness.

I edged a little closer to get away from someone's elbow. The top of Bella's head came right below my chin. Her back was against my chest. And I liked having her close.

What I found really strange was that I enjoyed just standing here with her more than I enjoyed kissing Lauren. That made no sense. From a guy's perspective, kissing a girl should always rank higher than just standing beside one.

I heard Bella sigh in wonder as the final burst of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, and magenta fireworks touched the sky. I smiled simply because I knew she'd enjoyed the sight so much.

People started heading for the exits, but it was a while before I could move back enough to give her room to move away. When she turned, I was surprised to see a sheen of tear in her eyes. She released a self-conscious laugh.

"I'm a sap when it comes to fireworks," she explained.

Why wasn't I surprised? I just smiled. She had such an endearing way about her, wanted romance so badly. I wished the guy who had originally been standing with her on the bridge had stayed until the end. I was a pinch hitter who really didn't want to play the game of romance. No matter what I thought I was feeling.

~/ /YB\ \~

I'd never known seven days could be an eternity. But that week passed so slowly as I anticipated my date with Lauren.

Now, at long last, I was on my dream date with her. She was blond, tall, and extremely beautiful.

I'd even put aside my usual cartoon-and-movie attire. I was wearing khaki Dockers and a light blue button-up shirt. I'd forgone the use of a tie. If it were Bella sitting across from me, I probably would have pulled out my Disney villain tie, which I only wore for special occasions.

But, Lauren wasn't Bella.

And that was good. I kept telling myself that was good as the maître d' led us to a table by the window. I'd brought Lauren to La Tour d'Argent. The Silver Tower. It was one of the most luxurious and expensive restaurants in Paris. I figured if I wasn't going to offer the girl love, I could at least treat her to a decent meal and a good time.

And money wasn't a problem. I suspected because of the guilt they harbored at sending me away, my parents had been very generous with spending money. "So you can have a year you'll never forget," they'd told me. But I figured they really wanted it to help me forget what was happening on the other side of the ocean.

Besides, I figured there was a chance Bella's date might bring her here. Mr. Romance. Where better?

And I would be able to see for myself that she was having a good time.

I shoved that thought aside. Tonight wasn't about Bella. It was about me and Lauren, and willing lips.

Lauren wore a slinky blue dress that hugged her body like a second skin, I should have been drooling over her, but instead I kept thinking about a simple black dress that held my attention one night. I kept thinking about Bella.

My thoughts were insane.

Lauren smiled. Man, she had a beautiful smile.

"Goofy!" she squealed, and laughed.

Nodding, I smiled back. Her English was limited to three words: Mickey Mouse and Goofy repeated in an adorable accent,

We'd discussed Mickey pretty much all the way to the restaurant. While waiting for our table, we'd begun the discussion of Goofy. It appeared she was ready to continue the discussion.

My knowledge of French wasn't so lame that I couldn't carry on a conversation with Lauren. After all, I'd managed to communicate that I wanted to take her out and understood that she was interested in me.

But as the evening progressed, I realized that she laughed at everything I said in English. She didn't understand a word! She laughed when I spoke in French as well.

As the waiter brought our desserts, I realized that I hadn't thought about my parents' divorce or about Tanya in about… five minutes. And I had never expected to be so bored.

I had stupidly thought I would welcome the absence of conversation… Instead, I found myself looking forward to the end of the evening.

I knew that my feelings weren't fair to Lauren.

But I couldn't tell if she was smart or interesting. She was pretty and sweet. But she wasn't the girl I wanted.

Okay, I had to admit that I had learned a valuable lesson. I needed a French girl who could speak a little English.

End Chapter Notes:

Soo. . . You think Edward is FINALLY coming to his senses? You think they will finally realize that their exactly what their looking for? Haha! You'll find out soon enough! Chapter 15 and 16 are going to be quite juicy!

So if you're REALLY enjoying this story, then let me know! Hit that Review button and tell me what you think!

Peace out!