I'm sorry for the delay. It's been a tough couple of weeks for me and my beta dollybigmama. She worked her ass off on this chapter. Let's give her some love!
THE NEW GIRL
Chapter 20
Well, damn.
Here I was, talking to Edward Cullen, after I'd mentally sworn that Hell would freeze over before I'd talk to him again. What was it about this boy that had me constantly breaking promises I made to myself?
"I'm hungry," he announced walking through the door just as I heard the sonic boom that was his stomach growling.
"Wow," I pinched my ears closed, "Dude."
"You heard that?" he rubbed his stomach. "It was barely…"
"Super senses," I reminded him tapping my ear.
"Right," he drawled, nodding his head while opening the fridge.
"No food, we don't eat, remember? The kitchen is a prop."
"Damn," he chuckled, looking inside the gigantic empty fridge. "You weren't kidding."
"Nope."
"There's still factory tape in here," he pulled some out to show me.
"Honestly, I've never even opened that thing," I started giggling at how funny the whole situation was.
"I can tell," he shook his head, throwing the plastic in the garbage. Then I heard his loud stomach growl again.
"Okay, we need to get you fed," I plugged my ears.
In the quiet of the house, it sounded like an earthquake in there.
"Sorry, pizza it is," he blushed taking out his phone.
Edward made his order as I ran upstairs to grab the application packet from my room Ms. Clearwater had given me for the art program. I returned and started filling out the standard information. The application was five pages. I needed three submission pieces, two letters of recommendation, an essay, and a two-paragraph summary on each submission.
"I should've started this sooner," I face-palmed myself.
"What's wrong? Did you miss the deadline?" he asked, looking over my shoulder.
"No, it's due in two days. I just prefer not to do a lot of work in a small amount of time."
"Can't you just go all superhuman and type it really fast?"
"I still have to know what I want to say. I can't just freestyle it," I rolled my eyes. I wished it was that easy.
I probably could have done as Edward suggested. It just wouldn't have been any good. This was a great opportunity. I didn't want to fuck it up by being lazy. I really wanted to get it right.
"Boo, I don't want to watch you write an essay," he pouted, giving me a thumbs-down gesture. In that moment, he reminded me of Emmett.
"I didn't ask you to come," I reminded him.
"You couldn't wait to remind me of that, could you?" he raised an eyebrow.
He was right, I couldn't. I smiled and shrugged my shoulder.
"You need three art submissions. I can help you with that," he offered.
"Sounds good." I took out the project Ms. Clearwater had given back to me. I started thinking of other work I could submit. The mural on the wall in my bedroom immediately came to mind. I came up blank for the third piece. I couldn't think of anything else that moved me.
"That's so cool," he pointed to the picture. "I've never known anybody that can draw like you. You're like a real artist."
My smile widened across my face. I was very sensitive about my art. It was the only thing I had to actually work at. It meant a lot that people like Edward and Ms. Clearwater approved of my work. It was hard to find people who truly appreciated art. I'd moved around so much that dad had been the only person to really see my art until I started at Forks.
"Really?" I blushed. I didn't even know why.
"I think so. You put so much time into it. It's easy to tell you love it. You make the rest of us look bad," he ended with a chuckle.
"It's not that difficult," I joked with him.
"You've got me there," he smiled that gorgeous smile.
Damn him.
"What are your other two entries?"
"The mural on my wall. I have no clue about the third one," I sighed, writing some info on the application.
"What mural?" he scrunched his eyebrows.
"You haven't seen it?"
"No, can I?"
"Um…" I paused for a second.
Shit, Edward Cullen wanted to go into my room. I mean, I kind of hated him right now, but he was still a boy with gorgeous green eyes and a killer smile who wanted to go into my room.
It was pathetic that I was freaking out right now.
"You're not getting in my pants," I warned and got up from the couch to go upstairs.
It was kind of my go-to phrase when it came to him.
"Wouldn't dream of it," he smirked, coming after me.
"Here it is," I opened my door and motioned to the mural.
I heard a gasp of breath and turned to see Edward's mouth hanging open.
"What?" I asked, sitting on the bed.
"Wow," he looked at me and smiled. "I can't even…" he shook his head and started taking pictures with his phone. "You should definitely send this, Bella."
"Yeah, can you grab my camera from the nightstand by my bed?" I moved around to find a good angle to take a picture.
I spent the next ten minutes taking pictures of the mural from every conceivable angle.
"Twenty pictures may be overkill," Edward chuckled, gently angling the camera down.
"I guess, I'll pick the best five." I turned from Edward and flopped over on my stomach and began scrolling through the pictures I'd taken, looking for the best representation.
"I found your third submission." I looked up to see him smiling cheekily. That smile made me uneasy. I had a feeling something horrible was about to happen.
"What is it?" I asked anyway.
He didn't answer. He just held up the raw sketch, the one that was obviously Edward's face.
"Shit." I leaned against the wall, covering my face in embarrassment.
"What?" he asked innocently.
"Go on and gloat," I said flatly
"I didn't say anything. You should finish it," he suggested.
"Edward," I groaned, "I'm not in the mood for this."
"No, I'd like to help," he interrupted. "If my good looks end up…" And there it went, his massive ego.
"Ugh," I rolled my eyes.
"I'm joking. Hey, isn't drawing a real person the true test of skill?" he chuckled at my sudden frustration.
I nodded, he was right, it was.
"Then finish the damn drawing," he shoved the sketchbook into my hands.
His ego was taking this better than I thought. He was extraordinarily handsome. It would give the judges something nice to look at. I guessed it couldn't hurt.
"Fine, let's go downstairs, it has better lighting." I led him out of my room and back down to the living room.
"As you wish, now let's get this off." He removed his shirt and tossed it on the couch, just about causing me to go cross-eyed. His chest was magnificent. It was the perfect amount of lean and muscle mass. He had lines on the side of his stomach. They were not super defined yet, but you could tell he had been working on it. I'd seen his chest before at football practice. You'd think a sweaty six-pack would look better than a clean one. In this case, you'd be wrong, very wrong.
I was not prepared.
"Bella?"
"Yeah," I was embarrassed out of my ogling. "I'm looking for where to put you," I tried to lie.
"Okay." He clearly didn't believe me.
"I don't need to read minds to know you were staring at me," he teased.
"How could you know?" He flexed his muscles and caught me again. "Smart ass," I mumbled, causing him to laugh.
I directed him to sit on the couch by the window. I staged it to where he was slouching a little bit, and one of his arms was hanging off the side, the other tucked under his head. His face was tilted slightly, and the light shone over his body perfectly. I took a picture of the sight for when I wanted to continue.
The photo paled in comparison to what I saw in person. Maybe that was just how it was with Edward Cullen. He always found a way to impress with how attractive he was.
"I'm about to start," I warned him.
I was already ahead because of the work I'd done earlier. If I pulled an all-nighter, I was confident I could finish before it was due. I found his angular jaw harder to draw than expected. He was so symmetrical it was insane. I could only imagine what they were going to say when they saw the picture. I found myself in a groove when the pizza got here.
"Yes!" Edward jumped up from his chair and raced to the door to sign for the offensive-smelling food, then ran to the kitchen. "The model needs a break."
"Whatever, finish quickly, please," I gagged and went upstairs to escape the smell.
I changed into my pajamas and checked my Facebook.
Yep, dad still had more friends than I did.
"I'm finished, let's get this over with."
"I appreciate this. Even though I didn't really ask you," I confessed giggling.
"What movies do you have?" he asked, sifting through the stack of movies on the shelf.
I rolled my eyes at his lack of attentiveness. I didn't want to be here all night.
"I'd like to get this done," I sat back on the couch and patted the seat next to me.
"Your dad is off superhero-ing. He's not going to be back for a long time. We have enough time to watch a…T2!" he shouted, holding up the special edition Blu-ray of Terminator 2.
"Edward…"
"Come on, who doesn't love T2? It's the best one," he waved me off and put the movie on.
"Of course it is," I conceded. "I need…"
"Bella, I'm trying to get to know you, spend time with me," he voiced like it was a request.
He was pouting a little.
Damn it, how could I say no to the crooked pout? I couldn't.
"Fine," I sighed, pressing play.
"Yes!" he grinned, grabbing the blanket that was draped over the side.
"As soon as they drop Arnold into that hot metal, we're getting back to work," I demanded, as the background music started to play.
I curled my legs under my butt and tried to get comfortable on my side of the couch. I peeked out of the corner of my eye to see Edward stretched out on his side.
Was he…?
Nooo…
He couldn't have been.
But what if he was?
I didn't think Edward Cullen would do the "stretch and curl" maneuver. You know, the move where the guy acted like he was stretching then he curled his arm around you. He was so not…
I felt his arm on my shoulder.
Oh, God! He did the "stretch and curl" with me!
I peeked to the side again, and I saw Edward's eyes dart back to the screen. I heard the fingers on his other hand tap a rhythm on the arm of the couch. I took the chance to scan down his body, and his abs were flexing with each breath. He situated his lower body like he was trying to get comfortable.
Then, he looked at me…looking at him. Eye contact, crap, what did I do now?
"You can put your head on my shoulder," he answered my mental panic. Shit. He must have heard it. "You were pretty freaked out. I could hear you a little." He wiggled his shoulder in invitation, and his entire chest flexed. "Do you want me to put my shirt on?"
"Stop it!" I covered my face.
He could hear EVERYTHING. Where was that fucking mental block when I needed it?
"Hey," he put his hands up in surrender, "Your thoughts are loud when you panic. It's like your shouting at me now."
"It's just…"
"Stop overthinking it. Do you or do you not want to put your head on my shoulder?" he asked pointedly.
Did I?
He was all muscular…and shirtless…
"Here, I'll help you." He gently touched the side of my head, slowly guiding me to his shoulder.
He smelled wonderful. I expected the scent of cologne to disgust me, but it didn't. Would he notice if I sniffed him? I wondered what kind of…
"Burberry," he answered my question before I could finish thinking it. He was starting to annoy me. "You're being very vocal today. You smell nice, too, like strawberries," he added, sniffing my hair.
"Garnier for Kids," I sassed, a little embarrassed.
"Really, you use kids' shampoo?"
"The scent isn't too strong, so it doesn't fuck with my nose," I pouted. "Lame, I know."
"That's cute," he chortled a little.
We watched the movie in silence, and I found myself oddly comfy lying against Edward. Somehow, I had curled against him, and my arms were threaded around his waist. My head had started to move from his shoulder to his chest. Edward propped his legs on the couch and we were practically spooning.
How did this happen? Well, I was not complaining.
I put my ear over his heart to hear it beat. It was all bump-bump…bump-bump…bump-bump… I closed my eyes and I could feel it beating through his chest, listening to the rhythmic pounding until I heard the soft sound of snoring. I looked upward to find Edward asleep. His mouth was parted slightly, and his nose was twitching a little.
It was cute.
Damn him.
I couldn't resist the urge to immortalize the peaceful sight. In my eyes, a picture posed to perfection paled in comparison to the sight of someone so…defenseless. There was something raw and powerful about it. I put my work in progress on the table to grab a blank piece of paper. I took another picture with the flash off in case I wanted to finish it later. Then, it was just me, my pencil, and the paper.
I didn't like to think too much when I drew. I knew I sounded like a hippie, but I found myself more spiritually connected with my work when I didn't analyze every movement. I was soon left with the sound of pencil hitting paper, along with Edward's snoring.
It was going good, until I had to focus on his lips. I found them unusually difficult. They were not thin, but not exactly pump, either. I didn't want to make him look too feminine. Then, you had to count that adorable pout and his really white teeth…and their slight crookedness. I wanted to get it perfect.
I got up to move closer. I leaned over him to get a better look, perfect. I thought back to the short kiss we'd shared the night I told him my secret. My finger retraced my lips as I relived the memory of his soft lips. I fought myself to not touch his face. It would be creepy. As I looked closer, I took inventory of the freckles that were sprinkled over his skin. I shook my head at how I could have missed those.
"Whaaa…" he grumbled, as his eyes opened to stare at me. I was about two inches from his face.
Shit.
"Uh…" I paused, trying to think of something to say. I saw him chuckle and shake his head. Fuck. He didn't need another reason to be...
My thought was immediately interrupted as Edward leaned in toward me. His lips were so much softer than I remembered. I sensed his smile as his tongue parted my lips to tangle with mine. In spite of the pizza he'd eaten, he tasted wonderful. He tugged me to where I was lying next to him on the couch, which made it much easier to feel his chest. Yep, it felt even better than it looked.
I sensed the vibration from his mouth to his chest as he moaned. My hands shot into his hair. I ran my fingers through it, gently holding him to me. I needed him closer. An unexpected squeak escaped my mouth as his large hand bent my knee to hitch my leg over his waist and followed it with an ever so slight dry hump. It felt great.
Too great.
"You're…not…getting…" I started my usual protest.
"I know," he laughed, moving his lips to my neck.
Oh, God.
His hips started to work against mine, and I…
"WHAT IN THE NAME OF TEENAGE PREGNANCY IS GOING ON HERE!" dad shouted from the doorway.
"Fuck!" Edward threw his hands in the air.
"Uh…" I stuttered for what seemed like the eighth time today. My brain was still frizzled from Edward's awesome kissing skills.
How was I going to get out of this one?
"Sir…" Edward started.
"Shut up!" dad slammed the door hard. I was pretty sure he had broken the hinges this time. "Bella, what the Hell?"
"Uh…"
"Sir…"
"I thought I told you to shut up!" dad pointed at Edward.
This was not going well, at all.
"I understand this looks pretty bad…"
"Where the fuck is your shirt?" dad asked, his voice going up at least two octaves.
"Oh shit," Edward mumbled.
"Fuck," dad hissed, pointing to said shirt across the room.
Work, brain...work!
"Sir," Edward rolled me off of him gently, "I really like Bella and would…"
"Shut up!" dad repeated. "I should…"
"Stop!" I shouted, my brain finally starting to function.
Then, they both turned to look at me.
Fuck.
I straightened my clothes. "Dad, I know this looks bad…"
"Uh…yeah."
"I was driving Edward home, and he volunteered to help me with my NYU art program application."
"How did that lead to…?"
"He volunteered to pose for one of my submissions. I thought it'd be good to have a portrait in there." I picked up the paper from the floor and gave it to him.
"That doesn't explain…"
"We made out," I shrugged.
I tried to make it appear that I was blasé' about it. I was not. Dad looked like he wanted to crush Edward's skull. Edward was just standing in the corner, staring at both of us.
"But, I thought you hated him," he looked at Edward confused. "We had a lengthy conversation about how much you hated him just yesterday."
"That's being a teenage girl for you," I stated, hoping he didn't see the fear in my face.
He was right, I remembered making a vow to never let Edward anywhere near my good graces after he'd doused me with holy water. Now look at me.
I felt so cheap.
He was a good kisser, though.
"Eh…" he sighed, sitting in a chair.
"I should go," Edward started to look for his shoes.
"No, stay," dad pointed to the chair opposite of him.
"Uh…"
"Shut up, I'm not ready to hear you talk yet," dad spoke a little too calmly.
"Dad…"
"Wait, I'm thinking," he put his hand under his chin.
Edward and I sat and stared at dad while he thought. I counted the ticks of his watch and discovered that we did this for five solid minutes before the look on his face changed.
"I give up," dad threw his hands up in surrender. "I've tried to rein you in, but it appears like you're going to do whatever the hell you want."
"No!" I stomped my foot. He would want us to move again. "I don't want to…"
"When it comes to him, that's also part of being a teenager, I suppose. Being a fucking idiot," dad accentuated the last word.
"Sir…"
"Shut up," he turned to Edward. "You're going to take Bella on a date."
"Dad, you can't intimidate Edward into dating me!" I shouted humiliated.
"It's okay," Edward rushed out. "I…"
"Shut up, you'll take my Bella on a date, something classy," he tapped his chin. "There'll be no sluts selling corndogs, no dousing with holy water, or anything of the sort. You'll treat her like the princess…who's able to snap you in half like a toothpick…that she is. It'll be epic. It'll be like something out of a Disney movie," he grinned and walked slowly toward Edward. "If my daughter comes back in tears one more time…" he pointed his finger in Edward's face in warning. "Now, you may speak."
"You'll…kill…me?" Edward swallowed slowly, thinking he was going to be interrupted.
"Yep," dad smiled, "Dead."
"Okay," I muttered.
"Murdered," my father continued.
"Dad…"
"Stabbed."
"This is…"
"Shot."
"Stop, please…"
"Castrated."
"Dad, you've made your…"
"Dropped from the top of the Space Needle," he added as the door opened.
"You left the door open," Alice chirped and walked in to stand by Edward. "Actually, I think it's broken," she said awkwardly, just as the door fell to the ground.
She had impeccable timing.
"Are we clear?" dad was staring into Edward's soul, "Hmm?"
At this point, I was not sure what Edward was thinking. His lip was trembling a little bit, though.
"Y-yes, S-sir," Edward gulped and dad tossed him his jacket.
"Good, now get out of my house, and start working on that date."
"Okay," Alice grabbed a dazed Edward by his arm and practically pulled him out of the door. "Come on, you spaz!" I heard her scream.
As we heard the sound of tires screeching out of our driveway, he slowly turned to me and shook his head. I knew this wasn't over.
"Dad…"
"I was having such a good day," he sighed and went to his room.
"Hmm…" I thought that went relatively well.
"No car for a week," he ordered from his room.
"What?" I screamed.
I knew better than to argue. I spent the rest of the night sulking in my room while I finished the drawing of Edward. I drifted to sleep still holding my pencil.
"Up!" dad yelled in my ear and clapped loudly to emphasize his point.
"I look so b-b-bloated," Angela started whimpering when we picked her up. I saw a smudge of chocolate on her lip.
"It's not that…"
"Don't lie to me!" she cried in anger when dad and I tried to make her feel better.
"Alri…"
"I'm sorry," she sniffled. "You didn't deserve that."
Dad and I shared a look and thought the same thought. No one said anything for the rest of the ride to school.
"Do you have any candy?" she asked, getting out of the car. "I finished the last of my brother's…"
"You fucking bitch!" Tanya screamed storming out of the building. Considering that most everyone was staring directly at me, I was assuming I was the "fucking bitch" in question.
Great.
"What do you want now?" I sighed.
"Edward just dumped me and it's your fault!" she pointed a perfectly manicured finger in my face.
"Don't you have to be officially dating to be dumped?" I asked, knowing it would piss her off.
"I thought I…"
"Give it a rest, Tanya," Edward appeared, standing between us. "It's not like…ouch!" he yelled, grabbing his cheek.
Tanya had smacked the shit out of him. The entire parking lot heard it. It was that loud. I looked at the shock on his face, followed by acceptance.
"You're such an asshole! You've made a huge mistake!" she screeched stomping away.
Tanya got dumped…bad.
Edward and Bella are dating. I thought Cullen didn't date.
Life isn't fair.
Why was Tanya pissed? Everyone knew they were just fuck buddies.
It wouldn't be a scandal without the peanut gallery.
He deserved it…not for dumping her…but for being an unbelievable douche.
"Karma got me for that one," he stretched his face.
"Yeah," I laughed at the hand mark on his face.
"Well, since we're going to go out, I felt like I needed to set Tanya straight," he grabbed my backpack and threw it over his shoulder.
"You don't have to…"
"Old school," dad grinned pointing to Edward's act of chivalry. "I like it."
Why can't he be straight?
That one came from Angela.
"You dumped Tanya," Alice hugged Edward. "I never thought it would happen."
"We were never dating," Edward reminded her.
"Whatever you were doing, I'm glad it's over," Rose waved it off.
"The shackles are officially off," Emmett clapped his brother's back.
"Whatever. Come on," he rolled his eyes and grabbed my arm, tugging me down the hall.
This was so weird.
"You're acting weird," I eyed him, opening my locker
"No, I'm not," he handed me my books, putting the rest in my locker.
"Bullshit," I raised an eyebrow.
"I'm wooing you," he smiled, closing my locker. "Plus, your father scares me," he added kissing my forehead before he walked away.
Oh shit.
Did you see that?
He just kissed her forehead.
Well…what do ya know?
I tuned out the chatter of my schoolmates and focused on one question that I couldn't seem to answer.
"What the fuck?" I whispered, as the bell rang to signal that I was late.
I spent literally all day trying to figure out this question. Nothing.
"Don't act all weird about it," Edward pulled my chair out and laughed at me.
How was I supposed to not act weird about it? We were just at each other's throats a week ago. Now, Edward was going all 1918 chivalry on me. Something must have been off. I was confused.
"Look, I like you, Bella. I really do, and by the way we were making out yesterday, I'd say you like me, too," he ran a finger along my cheek. Cue blush. "See," he smiled. Damn him. "Anyway, I decided to stop stepping around you and go for it. Plus, your dad kind of told us to go out. So, it more like 1818, not 1918," he chuckled.
"Bella, Edward, I understand you two are in the middle of a budding romance, but could you stop long enough to pay attention?" Mr. Banner interrupted us, causing the class to snicker.
I can't believe how he's all over her.
He was such an asshole.
I hate her.
Like…what does she have that I don't have?
"A brain," Edward answered slightly.
I giggled.
"Ms. Swan!" Mr. Banner scolded.
"Sorry," I apologized and opened my book.
I pretended to listen, but drew notes in my binder. Then, Edward put his hand over mine. I felt his thumb rub across my knuckles, and I couldn't fight the spark that ran through my body. His forefinger then drew lazy circles across my arm.
"Hold my damn hand, Bella," he whispered playfully, opening his palm.
I obliged without thinking.
What the hell?
I didn't really think or do much but look at our hands. Every ten minutes or so, he'd raise my hand up to kiss it. It was weird…nice, but weird.
"Have a nice time at practice," he squeezed my hand and walked off to go change for football practice.
What the fuck?
"Did you and Edward have sex yesterday?" Angela asked casually. She said it loud, too.
"What? No!" I practically shouted.
"Don't get all pissy about it," she snapped. I'd forgot she was on the rag. She was kind of bitchy. "It's just…I figured you may have, because Edward was acting all…affectionate. I was thinking, 'Wow, Bella must be really good in…'"
"Angela!" I stopped her.
"Sorry, my verbal filter disappears when I'm on my period."
"I am not worthy," Tia, a fellow cheerleader, pretended to bow at my feet.
"Shut up," I shook my head and put on my gear for practice.
"I'm just saying, if you can domesticate Edward Cullen, you'll go down as a Forks High legend," she shrugged.
"Domesticate?"
"C'mon, the guy was kind of a dog," she giggled.
"Pssh," Tanya laughed at our conversation. "If he'll dump me, you don't stand a chance."
"Don't listen to her, Bella," Alice smiled at Tanya. "She's just mad that Edward never claimed her in public, and you got to hold his hand within twenty seconds of him giving her the boot."
"Green isn't your color," Rose jumped in.
"Does anyone have change for a dollar? I need a Snickers," Angela asked.
"Do you really?" Tanya tilted her head, poking Angela's stomach. Lauren and Jessica laughed.
"Fuck you all! I'm on my period and I'm bloated. I don't feel like taking shit from you!" she threw her gym bag in her locker.
I looked around and saw that everyone else shared my shock. I thought I might like PMS Angela.
"What did you…?"
"You heard me."
Yep. I definitely liked her.
"Ladies," Ms. Clearwater stuck her head in the door and clapped. She looked a little off today. "Let's go, practice."
She worked our asses harder than usual to make up for yesterday and for the game we had on Friday. At least, I think she worked us harder, because all of the girls were bitching when it was over. They practically ran to the showers when Clearwater blew the whistle.
"I'll drive you two home, your brother flaked again," Alice volunteered for me and Angela.
"Damn, is he going to be able to graduate?" Rose asked, putting on her shoes. "I feel like he's never…"
"Ah!" Angela shrieked, looking at my phone.
"What?" I shielded my ears from her outburst.
"I was on your phone checking my Facebook. Ben messaged me. He wants to go out on Saturday," she beamed, staring at the screen.
"Aren't you grounded?" Rose asked.
"Shit," Angela whimpered.
"Way to be a buzzkill, Rose," Alice admonished.
"Sorry, do you think your parents will let you go?"
"I don't…"
"Don't listen to her," Alice stepped in front of Angela. "We need to think of a strategy."
"My dad won't fall for the heartbroken teenager bit twice in two weeks," Angela replied.
"Go old school and sneak out," Rose offered.
"My dad would go ape-shit. You've see what he did to me after that Port Angeles party," she stared at Rose like she was amused at her suggestion.
"It's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission," Rose argued.
"Don't let them corrupt you," I stepped in like I was shielding Angela from the two bad seeds.
"I can think of something," Angela sighed, "Skype, maybe?"
"Yeah!"
"You can do a striptease…"
"She just met him two days ago," I interrupted Rose.
"I was going to say, later down the line."
No, she wasn't.
"Hey," I heard Edward's voice in my ear. He wrapped his arms around my midsection and hoisted me up in the air to spin me around. It was nice. I squealed a little. "How was practice?"
"Good," I smiled after he set me on the ground.
"Good, let's go," he kissed my cheek and waved us out of the gym.
"Do you want to hang out at my house?" Edward opened the door for me. "There'll be other people there," he smiled, probably anticipating my go-to line. I heard Angela giggle and blush at his request. "Please?" he begged.
"Fine," I laughed at Edward's puppy dog pout. It would be better than being at home alone.
Edward and I held hands in the back seat when we dropped Angela at her house.
"Still weird?" he asked, looking at our hands.
"A little," I answered honestly. I couldn't help but admit that I liked how our hands looked together, though.
"Mom texted me, she had to go to the bank in Port Angeles. She'll be back in a couple of hours," Alice informed us.
"Okay," Edward grinned.
"You're not getting in my pants," I smirked at him.
"I know, I know," he chuckled as we climbed out of the car at his house and made our way inside.
"Mom made some cookies, they're awesome. Want some?" Alice shoved a cookie plate in my face. It smelled horrible.
"Sure," Edward grabbed three.
"I have to go pee," Alice rushed out of the room. "Don't start making out on me. We're bonding," she called before I heard the sound of a door shutting.
"Would you draw a tattoo for me?" Edward asked me, lying on the couch.
"Huh?" I asked.
"I want to get a tattoo when I turn eighteen. You're an awesome artist. I want you to draw it for me."
A grin spread across my face. Tattoos were permanent. It took a great deal of trust in the artist to allow yourself to be marked with their work for all eternity. Edward must have really liked my work.
"I guess," I nodded, showing my eagerness.
I grabbed a piece of paper to started taking notes.
"Where do you want it?"
"On my…"
"Oh, my God!" Alice ran into the room and turned the TV on. "No-no-no-no-no," she mumbled to herself crying.
"Alice, what's wrong?" I asked.
"What?" Edward cried, taking the remote from his sister's hands and flipped through the channels.
"Seriously, what's wrong?" I started to worry.
"We've just received word about on a reported bank robbery in the small town of Port Angeles, Washington," a news anchor on CNN started. "The Port Angeles Trust Bank was taken under siege just thirty minutes ago. There are a suspected sixty hostages, including ten employees. There've been a total of five casualties. The culprits have made a threat to kill an additional hostage for every hour their demands are not met," the anchor paused, as video of the bank surrounded by police cars showed up on screen.
"Oh, God," Edward whispered.
"Mom's in that bank!" Alice cried.
"What?" I was in shock.
"I can't see. I can't see!" she started repeating.
She couldn't see what?
Alice ran to the door just as Carlisle rushed through the garage.
"Have you heard from your mother?" he asked. Alice shook her head profusely, as tears rained down her cheeks.
"Is she…?"
"Yes."
"Can you…?"
"No," Alice cried harder.
"Oh, God," Carlisle slid down the wall in tears.
"I'm sure she'll…"
"Bella…" Edward interrupted, looking at me with glassy eyes.
"I need to make a phone call." I grabbed my phone and went upstairs.
"I figured you'd call," dad answered, the sound of wind flowing in the background.
"Dad, there's a…"
"I know," he interrupted. "I was in Boston. It's going to take me a couple of hours…"
"They're killing hostages, Dad. Esme's in there!" I felt my voice rise. "Get here faster."
"I'm already going as fast as I can. The police are on their way there. The SWAT team might…"
"What if she doesn't make it?"
"You can't think like that, Esme is going to be fine."
What if she wasn't?
"Dad…"
"I'll keep you posted on inside information. It's the best I can do right now. Don't worry. I have it under control."
He forgot to mention how he was at least four hours away.
I walked out of the bathroom to find Edward and Alice waiting for me outside. There was an eerie silence that fell over the three of us. I looked into their eyes full of hurt, fear and desperation, and I instantly knew what they wanted me to do. It was like they were telling me there was no other option. In that moment, I couldn't deny them.
"I'll go."