A/N: I would like to say thank you to Honeybun911 who reviewed this story and to all those who added this story in their favorites and alerts. Here is chapter 12 of love at first sight. I hope you like it and continue to read and review please.. Enjoy! :D
Bella's POV:
"Ho-how did you get my number?" I stuttered.
"I asked it from Angela."
"Oh. What do you want, Edward?" I asked more hostile than I intended it to be.
"Ummm… I was wondering…if I could take you out to dinner tonight? "
" Why?"
"I have something important to tell you."
"What? Why can't you say it on the phone?"
"Because I…" he trailed off.
I laughed. "Okay. I would love to."
"Great. I'll pick you up at your house by 7?"
"Actually… I think I'll just meet you there. I need to go somewhere right now so…"
"Okay. I'll meet you in the campus." he said.
"The campus?"
"Yeah. I'll pick you up there."
"FYI Edward, I'm big enough to handle myself. I can drive wherever that place is."
"I know. I just want to drive you myself." he said. I didn't respond. "Please Bella." he pleaded.
"Okay. If you insist. Campus it is."
"Great. See you later?"
"Later." I hung up. I collected myself for a few minutes. I went to Starbucks to order latte and washed my face in the restroom. I re-applied my makeup and tied my hair into a bun. Good thing I picked a dress in going to the bookstore. One last look at the mirror in the restroom and I knew I'm ready. My dress was like a summer outfit. It was floral and it matches my bag which has almost exactly the same color which is kind of pink. I wore my favorite comfy sandals even though they aren't stilettos. (A/N: A PICTURE OF HER OUTFIT IS IN MY PROFILE) I think they'll do for this evening's event. I've learned a really good lesson and that is to always look your best even though your just going to some bookstore or into a grocery. It's because you never know what may happen to you. Just like now, I didn't expect him to invite me to dinner but at least I'm ready for it. I don't want to go home and I don't want to face those people in there yet. I just want to be free. Feel alive. Feel important. And tonight, I plan to have the greatest night of my life.
Edward's POV:
"Congratulations man! I know you could beat those guys!" Emmett yelled.
"Thanks Em."
"No worries. I haven't seen Bella today. Have you?"
"No. I heard Alice telling the teachers she's sick."
"Oh. Well, when she comes back she'll be in complete shock."
"Why?"
"Because you made it in the team!"
"Am I that hopeless?" I asked jokingly.
"You know I didn't mean it like that."
"I know. Well, I gotta go. I still need to call her."
"Why?"
"We have a biology project to do."
"Oh. Bio. I hate it. Well, see yah later."
"Later." I said.
"Hello?" she said like she was annoyed.
"Bella? Is that you?" I asked. Her voice seemed different.
"Ho-how did you get my number?" she stuttered.
"I asked it from Angela." I simply said.
"Oh. What do you want, Edward?"
"Ummm… I was wondering…if I could take you out to dinner tonight? "
" Why?"
"I have something important to tell you." Well, academics is important to me and to her too. Right?
"What? Why can't you say it on the phone?"
"Because I…" I didn't want to upset her because she's sick. And I would really like to go out with her. Even though it's related to school stuff.
She laughed. "Okay. I would love to."
"Great. I'll pick you up at your house by 7?"
"Actually… I think I'll just meet you there. I need to go somewhere right now so…" she trailed off.
"Okay. I'll meet you in the campus."
"The campus?" she asked disbelievingly.
"Yeah. I'll pick you up there."
"FYI Edward, I'm big enough to handle myself. I can drive wherever that place is." she snapped.
"I know. I just want to drive you myself." I said. There was silence on the other end. "Please Bella." I pleaded.
"Okay. If you insist. Campus it is."
"Great. See you later?"
"Later." then she hung up.
I was glad she said yes. I changed into new clothes. It was formal but not too formal. I got everything I needed and headed toward the campus where I was supposed to meet her. I saw her inside her car listening to her iPod. I knocked on her window and I could decipher the shock in her eyes. She went out of her car.
"Hey. I didn't know you'll be here so early." she said.
"It's already past 7. I am late actually."
"Really?" she looked at her watch. "Ehmagawash. I didn't notice the time."
"I see. So, you ready to go?"
"Sure. Just wait a sec . I'll just park my car under that tree."
"Okay." I said. I waited for her and after a few minutes she came near me.
"Come on." she said. I opened the passenger door for her and we drove to a restaurant called Cesario's.
"Why did you have to park your car under the tree? It's safe outside you know. Cuz it's the school grounds." I said when the silence in the car was unbearable for me.
"I know. It's just I'm getting it tomorrow morning. Not tonight."
"Oh. Okay." I parked the car. "We're here." I declared. I went out of the car and opened the passenger door for her. I escorted her inside the restaurant and we ordered food.
"So…are…you okay?" I asked.
Bella's POV:
"So…are…you okay?" he asked.
"What kind of question is that?"
"Sorry. I couldn't help overhearing Alice tell the teachers you're sick."
"Oh. It's nothing..really."
"Okay. If you say so." he stared at me disbelievingly, noticing my every move.
"Look. I'm fine okay?" I snapped.
"I know. You told me already." there was a hint of humor in his eyes. I couldn't help but laugh.
"Why are you laughing?" he grinned.
"Nothing. So…about our project.."
"Yeah. I compiled my plans. If you have other..plans or suggestions just tell me." he handed me a blue folder. I read through it. As usual, Edward is the most brilliant lab partner I ever had. I couldn't argue anymore. He defined it so well. This project is a success.
"It's brilliant. We should do this."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah. It is a very good idea. I'm also curious about this stuff..you know…how people know if a person is their true love or not. So, how shall we do it?"
"I was thinking….maybe …surveys?" It came out more like a question not a statement.
"They can lie." I said.
"Yeah you're right. So far that's all I have in mind. What about you?"
"I think we should redo some of these."
"Sure. What will we do?"
"I don't know. Maybe we could pretend to …ummm…not have this as a project."
"What do you mean exactly?"
"I mean we should come to these people as friends. Not as researchers or media people. Make them comfortable. Then we ask them if they experienced such thing and let them tell us how it felt. They won't even have to know we are studying if true love does exist."
"That's a great idea. But how is it an evidence to Mr. Banner? Maybe he'll say we're just making it up."
"We have video cameras."
"Wha-video cameras? I thought we should be friends with them."
"Yeah. The video cameras are hidden."
"Oh. That makes sense. So, when shall we start?"
"We could start now." I turned to look at him straight in the eye. "So Edward, have you found your true love already?"
Edward's POV:
"So Edward, have you found your true love already?" she asked. I was frozen in place. I couldn't formulate a response. I tried to think of a good lie but it just wouldn't register in my mind.
"Why are you doing this to me?" I said finally hoping the conversation will turn into another topic.
"What?" she asked innocently. "It's for our project. An experiment. If true love really exists. So?" she asked again. I had no choice but to answer her. She really seems persistent about it.
"Yes."
"Who is she?"
"That is not part of the plan. No names."
"Okay." she held her hand in defeat. "But still…" she trailed off ."Come on. I won't tell anybody. " she added.
"No. Next." I said sternly.
"Fine. I really think it's Jane." she said. No, it's you. I thought.
"Can we stick to the point?" I said finally.
"Okay okay. Just..chill…So, how did it feel?"
"It felt amazing."
"Can you be more specific than that?"
"Okay. At first, I had this weird feeling--" she cut me off.
"Wait. I need my phone."
"For what?"
"Evidence!"
"Oh." I managed to say. "Don't forget you're next."
"Fine."she said sulkily. "Ready..Action!"
"At first, I had this weird feeling---" she cut me off again.
"OMG! My battery is low already." she turned to me. "Can I borrow your phone?"
"No."
"We need this."
"We don't. We ask other people not ourselves." she crossed her arms in front of her chest. "Look, can we just enjoy the night. You should still be feeling weak."
".!" she emphasized every word.
"I don't believe you."
"Then don't!" she yelled.
"Okay." I raised my hands in defeat then we ate in silence.
Bella's POV:
"I don't believe you."
"Then don't!" I yelled.
"Okay." he raised his hands in defeat.
We ate in silence. I felt guilty about yelling him. I shouldn't have done it. I know he's just concerned about me. I shouldn't have taken out all my anger on him.
"I'm sorry." I said.
"Excuse me?"
"I'm sorry I yelled at you."
"It's okay. Besides, I know you're not feeling well."
"I am. But not in a physical way. It's just..never mind."
"Go on. You can trust me you know." he touched my hand. I smiled politely then withdrew my hand.
I looked at him and I was surprised to see sincerity in his eyes. "Wait! I-I know we had this big argument last week--" I blabbered but he cut me off.
"We did?"
"Didn't we? " I asked confused by what he's saying. Maybe he isn't on the same track as I am.
"No."
"Really? You won't even talk to me. I thought you hate me for a reason I don't even know."
"No. It was you who first didn't talk to me." he said. Me!?!? It was him. And I am so sure about that.
"No. It was you!" I pointed an accusing finger at him.
"No. It's you."
"No. It's---whatever. There's no point in arguing. I just want to say sorry and I say we forget the whole thing. The past is past. So…friends?" I extended one hand in his direction. He shook my hand.
"Friends." he confirmed.
"Great. And I just want to tell you you're one of the people who I feel comfortable talking with."
"I feel the same way about you." he said. I smiled in response.
Edward's POV".
"No. It was you!" she pointed an accusing finger at me.
"No. It's you." I said in response. She was the one not minding my presence after that night.
"No. It's---whatever. There's no point in arguing. I just want to say sorry and I say we forget the whole thing. The past is past. So…friends?" she extended one hand in my direction. I shook her hand.
"Friends." I said. Although I want to be more than friends with her. But I won't tell her. Not yet anyways. I don't want to freak her out.
"Great. And I just want to tell you you're one of the people who I feel comfortable talking with."
"I feel the same way about you." I said. She smiled in response. She is so beautiful especially when she smiles. I couldn't tear my eyes off her. I couldn't even formulate a response. I was dazzled by her beauty. There was an uncomfortable silence on the table. I decided to break it.
I cleared my throat. "So… why are you sick exactly?" Wow. That was the most stupid question I ever heard of. Great. Now she'll think I'm so dumb.
"I am not sick. Well I am but not in a literal way. I am sick of my life."
"Is that why you're absent today?" Again Stupid! Another stupid question. Who can be more stupid than me in this room or in that case in this world right?
She laughed. "No. It's because I was late."
"You were absent because you were…late?" I couldn't believe what I was hearing. It just doesn't make sense.
"Yeah. I couldn't be late. Never. So, I made up excuses and on that morning then me and my mom had a little argument."
"What do you mean exactly?"
"I talked back at her."
"Oh. I really think that's normal for teenagers like us."
"Well, is it also normal that I slapped her?"
"Oh. I guess not. Why did you do that?"
"She was the first one to do it. I guess you can say it's…self-defense."
I laughed. "Oookkkaaayyy." She playfully smacked my arm. "Ow! That's going to bruise."
"I hope so." she laughed. "Enough about my..super bad day. What happened in school today?"
"Oh ..you know…same stuff."
"Really? So, Alice and Angela did the hot couples-thing?"
"No. I guess they forgot about that one."
"Oh. So, how are you and Jane."
"Fine. How about you and Josh?"
"Josh? " she laughed. "We're just friends you know. He really is funny."
"Oh. So, you're telling me the famous Bella Swan is single?" I teased her.
"Kind of. I'm single but I like this guy who likes another girl. Gawsh! I'm blabbing right now am I?"
I laughed. "Don't laugh" she scolded me.
"Can I ask who is he?" I asked. Even though it will break my heart hearing the guy's name.
"His name is Dash and he's my best friend."
"Wow. You fell in love with your bestfriend?"
"Hard to believe isn't it?"
"Kind of. What happened?"
"He has this …thing…..for Alice."
"I'm so sorry to hear that. That must be hard for you."
"Super. Since I was a child, I am always with him helping him how to get Alice and him together."
"I feel sorry for you."
"Me too. I feel sorry for myself. My life just sucks you know."
"Why?"
"It's just…it's a long story. Anyways, he went to London to study and now he's back."
"You really like him do you?" I said sadly. I hope she didn't notice it.
"I moved on when he went to that place but now he's back and my feelings for him kind of returned." she said. Oh well, I guess she didn't notice at all.
"I see."
"And that is also why I hate this day. Today, I saw him again and I learned he only came back because of Alice."
"He said it in front of you?" I asked. My fists were curled into a ball. How dare he do that to her. If he really did, then I'm starting to hate the guy already. Even though I haven't met him.
"No. He said he had this surprise for Alice. It's understandable he came back to win her heart. As usual."
"Oh." I said. Good thing he didn't because I'm going to kill him for being a jerk to Bella if he did it.
We talked about a lot of things that night. We shared experiences and I saw the real Bella. She isn't what I thought she was. Emmett was right. She was really having a hard time. Having to learn you're an adopted child is really tough. But she went through it and she faced it bravely. Now that I saw the real her I don't know if I can still continue my plan to revenge. Clearly, I misjudged her and I feel guilty about what I have done. Using Jane. Using soccer as an excuse to be famous and be with other girls and make her jealous. Come to think of it, I'm also jealous about the guy she's in love with. He's such a jerk to let Bella out of her sight. If I were him, I would have dated her long time ago. But resentfully I am not him. For now, I'll be a friend to Bella. A shoulder to lean on. And who knows maybe we'll be really close friends. In that way, I will be able to be at her side protecting her from harm.
"It's getting late Bella. You should go home now. Maybe they're looking for you already."
"Yeah. You're right."
I paid for our dinner and I escorted her into the Volvo.
"Wait." she said.
"What is it?"
"I'm not going home."
"WHAT?"
"I don't want to face them. Maybe I'll go home when they're all asleep."
"Bella, no matter what time you go home you still can't escape them. You see if you go home when they're asleep you still have to face them in the morning. Right?"
"You're right." she said. She opened her phone and called someone.
"Hey Alice!" she said.
Bella's POV:
I had a nice night with Edward. Tonight, I learned a lot about him. I understood him more than ever. He gave me advice on my problems and I too gave him advices to improve his weaknesses. I didn't want the night to end but we had no choice. We went out of the restaurant and we rode on his Volvo. We continued our chat in the car and I had this feeling growing inside me that I don't want to go home. Not yet. I'm not ready.
"Wait." I said.
"What is it?" he had a worried look on his face.
"I'm not going home."
"WHAT?" he said shockingly.
"I don't want to face them. Maybe I'll go home when they're all asleep."
"Bella, no matter what time you go home you still can't escape them. You see if you go home when they're asleep you still have to face them in the morning. Right?" he said. He has a point though.
"You're right." I called Alice and she answered on the 2nd ring.
"Hey Alice!"
"Bella! Where the hell are you? I've been worried sick. I'm still in your house . I thought you got kidnapped or something."
"Relax Alice. I'll tell you about it later. Now, can we have sleepover at your house?"
"That'll be great! "
"Good. Kindly tell the people in there I will be staying at your house and please do me a favor."
"Anything."
"Please get all the things I need. You can pick my clothes. I don't mind. That's it."
"No problem."
"Thanks Al. You're the best. I'll meet you at your house."
"Okay!" she squealed. I snapped my phone shut.
"You're running away from your problems Bella." Edward said.
"Just tonight. I need to collect myself before I face them."
"Okay. So, where exactly is Alice's house?"
"Turn right on that corner then just drive straight."
"I think it's a dead end."
"It is."
"What!?!?"
"The road ends because at the end of the road the Brandon's mansion is there." I explained.
"Oh."
"Hey. I have a great idea!"
"What?"
"You could sleepover with us."
"What?" he said shocked by my offer.
"Yeah. It would be great. Emmett and Rosalie should come too. I'll call them."
"Bella. I don't think--" I cut him off.
"Please Edward. Just this once." I pouted.
"Fine." he said sulkily.
"Yey! I'm going to call them now. I said excitedly. I dialed Emmett's number.
"Hey Em! It's me Bella."
"Oh hey Bella. What's up?"
"Could you sleepover with us?
"WHAT!?!?"
"Please. Rose would be there. And Alice . And Edward too."
"Rose would be there?"
"Yeah."
"Ok. I'm in."
"Great. Alice's house. You know where it is right?"
"Yeah. I went there one time when we--" I cut him off.
"I need to go. Bye Em. See you later. " I hung up and dialed Rose's number.
"Hey Rose. It's Bella."
"Oh hey Bella!"
"Rose, can you sleepover with us?"
"Oh sorry I can't. Our parents are out and I can't leave my brother alone."
"You have a brother?"
"Yeah."
"Really? What's his name?"
"Jasper."
"Jasper? As in Jasper Whitlock Hale?"
"Yeah. You know him."
"By name. Your brother should come to. He really should. I want him to meet someone."
"Oookkkaaayyy."
"So, you and your brother in for the sleepover."
"Wait. I'll ask him." she said. I heard Rose asking his brother but I couldn't hear his response.. "Hey Bells."
"Yeah?"
"He said he isn't sure."
"Please Rose. Emmett would be there."
"Really?"
"Yes. He just agreed a while ago."
"Well then, I'll have to drag my brother there."
"Great. Alice's house. You know where it is right?"
"Yeah. Bye Bella."
"Bye Rose. See you and your brother at Alice's house."
"Okay." she said. The phone went dead. Ehmagawsh! Good thing I called them first before my battery went dead.
"Hey Edward?"
"Yeah?"
"Do you have Angela's phone number?"
"Yeah. Why?"
"Can I call her using your cellphone?"
"Sure. Here." he handed me his phone. " What happened to yours?"
"The battery went dead."
"Oh. I guess you've been using it a lot lately." he grinned. I giggled. I looked for Angela's number then phoned her.
"Hey Ang!"
"Hey Bells. What are you doing with Edward's phone?" she asked. I blushed.
"My phone's dead so I borrowed."
"You're together right now?"
"I'll tell you later. So, can you and Ben come and sleepover at Alice's house?"
"Absolutely. You know I love sleepovers."
"Cool. See you there."
"Okay. Bye Bells. We need to prepare."
"Okay. Bye Ang!" I snapped the phone shut the handed it to Edward. "Thanks."
"No problem." we were silent after that.
"Here we are." he announced. We went out of the car.
"Hey." I said to him."
"What?"
"You have to promise me you won't tell anyone about all the things I said to you."
"I promise."
"What will I do to you if you break your promise?"
"You can…spill my secrets in return." he grinned.
"Okay then. Fair enough." I said. I pulled him toward the entrance. "Come on." I rang the doorbell.
"Is it okay for Alice's parents that we'll be staying over?" Edward asked.
"Relax. They're not even here. They're on vacation."
"I see." he said. The door opened and I was greeted by a person I didn't want to see. Not yet anyways. I stopped dead in my tracks and I couldn't move.
A/N: So, how was it? I hope you liked the story. Continue to read and review. Thanks for reading! :D