Author's Note: So glad everyone's liking--shout out to my dad for helping me with all the football terms and whatnot.
JANUARY
(PART SEVEN)
The ball floated through the sky like a weightless entity and seeming off for Mars. We, the crowd and all the players on the field watched with the greatest of expectations as the ball decided on it's destiny. The snowfall had reached its zenith of power and the chills were almost too much to bare, watching and cringing all at once wanting tonight's fate to be revealed was completely maddening. Just...fall.
The ball just missed the goal post and the buzzer sounded signaling the end of the game.
"Oh you gotta be fucking kidding me!" Charlie said in pure amazment, the entire crowd was in shock--that kick was pretty much a given. The ref took to the field to announce the next play
"After that missed goal tonight's game will enter into sudden death. Jacob you have the pick." The ref said holding up a coin and looking at Jacob
"Heads." He said confidently while on the bench his foot lounged up
"Heads?" The ref repeated and flipped the coin up in the air, he caught it and flipped it into his palm
"Heads it is. Wesley High has the ball." The ref said and the crowd booed as the players lined up into posistion again. The replacement quarterback had the ball and counted to hike and tossed it to the guy beside him and they breaked in everywhich direction. Edward took to running after the guy running with the ball like he was on a mission. It was purely magical to watch Edward move like the wind tracking down his target as if he had no other goals in life--I felt so jealous of the player he was running so ferverantly after in a way, I blushed as a result. Charlie and the rest of the crowd were in a 'winner take all' tunnel vision fest they lived for this moment. Edward sped up and gained momentum at the 50 yard line and the other player with the ball half turned around himself stunned at how fast Edward was up to him and in an almost surrender he dropped the ball and in that milisecond he was tackled head first by Edward. We all winced at the brutality of the sport but there was about 2 inches of snowy ground to cushion the blow. If you can't take the heat *shrug* I opened my eyes and there was Edward being ever the gentleman and helping the guy up after the play the guy took off his helmet and I could see a huge stain of blood running down his cheek and him arguing with the ref to foul Edward for being too rough.
"These kids nowadays are too soft." Charlie said sucking his teeth
"Yikes, Edward's going all out tonight." Angela said gasping at the boy's injury. Yes, it was a graphic bruise but this is football. I saw Edward casually laugh at the boys complaints as he took a brief rest on the bench, he knew full well that if he were to get disqualified the whole town of Forks would be on that boy harder than Edward ever could. The ref shooed the boy away and then they lined up in posistion again, Edward jogged back onto the field putting his helmet back on and getting into hiking mode. He held the ball and called hike after making one of the guys on the team run long and then he threw it the far distance to the other player who began running to the goal through the blanket of wintry weather. The La Push boys weren't just gonna go down without a fight though they came out ready to tackle the boy and the he was almost brought down at the 76th yard line till Edward opened himself up to catch the ball. The boy was surrounded on all sides and had no other choice but to hurl the ball up and hope it fell into Edward's hands. He threw it hard and Edward did a shooting up into the sky and caught it in midair and descended down on his tiptoes and then in that same sweeping motion in the nanosecond of disbielef he ran for the goal. It took the Wesley players seconds to realize that he was indeed human before actually moving to run after him but it was too late. Edward slid his way onto the goal on the slushy snow and rolled over in a snow angel like pose kissing the ball. Everyone in the crowd stood up and cheered it was all one single sound of approval as the entire team ran up to pick up Edward and hoist him up . I could not explain the feelings going through my body, my hands shook as we stood to applaud. I saw Charlie with a tear streaming down his eyes and Angela was screaming at the top of her lungs. Jacob limped angrily off the field with the Wesley coach trying to get him to stay and not be a sore loser. I took amusement in Jacob's immaturity and used it to fuel the ever growing, undescribable sense of happiness I felt in my bones.
There was so much commotion going on in those moments and the snow still fell but I had to go down and share this moment with Edward. I eased passed my dad who was candidly talking with some other people there and ran down the stairs as if they weren't slippery as hell and right onto the field were Edward was getting his picture taken by some local journalist. I stood by the opened gate that lead to the field and waited anxiouslly. He turned and saw me
"Bella!" He squealed and opened his arms, I ran directly into them and he picked me up and spun me around in front of everyone there I felt so complete. Finally.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
It was 2 am and me and Edward were finally alone. We sat in my car with the heat turned all the way up and he held my hand in his and we gazed longingly into each other's eyes.
"I love when I can see you smiling while playing on the field." Edward cooed
"I love watching you watch me...while you're playing of the field...watching me...watch you..." I said nervously and Edward smiled softly and moved his face towards mine
"I have something planned for tonight...something special, it's ok if you say know it may shock you." Edward said digging into his pocket and pulling out his wallet
"Woah, what's in there?" I asked my eyes doubled in size
Edward tug inside and
"Close your eyes first." He said naughtily
"Oh goodness Edward I swear I can't believe you brought a con--
"Now open."
Edward dangled a fake ID card infront of my face with his picture on it and his age magically changed from 18 to 21.
"A...umm, fake ID?" I asked completely gobsmacked
"Yeah, isn't it sweet I got a friend of mine to make it." He said smiling
"You do realize my dad's a cop right?" I said sarcastically
"Of course, but tonight we have to celebrate right. Right? So, there's this party tonight at the Stanley house--
"The Stanleys?! You mean Jessica, Laura's fricken lab dog Stanley? Why on Earth would you wanna bring me there? We haven't even been anything close to friends since my first day in Forks." I said utterly disgusted
"Because her parents are the only ones out of town for the weekend." Edward explained
"Ok, so what they're making you 'the savior of Forks' go out and buy beer as if you won't get caught tonight?" I said rolling my eyes
"Relax, I bought the beer days ago," Edward said patting his suitcase
"Wow, how did I not notice." I said not knowing how to feel about this
"Please, promise me you'll have a good time with me. I can't enjoy tonight properly if I don't have your support." Edward begged
"Fine, but please don't get smashed." I said trying not to laugh
"Really Bella, me drunk? Just be mellow." Edward said as we drove down the road
"I was actually really hoping we'd have some alone time tonight." I said staring at Edward from the corner of my eyes
"Hmm, really? You mean you're not sick of me already after this week?" Edward said smiling
"Of course not. I mean, you've been mostly busy preparing for the game...I was missing you a lot." I admitted
"Aww," Edward said and I felt his hand reach over mine "I promise tonight I'll make sure you never leave my side."
"Thank you." I said blushing.
We pulled up onto the curb of the Stanley household which was pretty much in the middle of nowhere but was perfect for throwing parties because there were no neighbors in sight. There were already a sea of other cars parked and music was coming out of the house. I felt a dreaded sense of deja vu before entering and I thought back to that Halloween night...the embarrassment the heartbreak. I felt sick.
"What's wrong?" Edward demanded as I grabbed my stomach after coming out of the car
"Nothing...I just feel a little nauseous." I said
"Whooo, are we gonna get this party on or what?" Lauren said sounded drunk wearing nothing but a zipped up Forks varsity jacket and stiletto heels and holding a beer can. She was standing ontop of some other football player's car dancing and they were watching her cheering on
"I just fear that'll be my fate by the end of tonight." I said laughing
"Don't worry I won't ever let such a disaster happen to you." Edward said and kissed my cheek I felt suddenly all cured again.
We entered the house and it was a relief to see all the familiar school faces around and everyone cheered as me and Edward entered the room. People were tugging at him and lunging out to embrace himm but all the way he kept me close to his side. I felt like precious cargo--guarded and forever treasured. Edward made way to the middle of the living room with me right behind.
"Ah, thank you guys so much for the outrageous support and I promise the following Sunday we'll take on Peonka County." Edward said and everyone roared in support
"Let's get wasted!!!!" Someone yelled in the back and suddenly everyone was running for the coolers for beers the music grew louder and the party officially started. I knew I couldn't stay tattooed to Edward's back for the whole night so I walked over and found Angela while Edward was with talking to some of his teammates.
"How come I didn't know about this?" I asked amazed
"Dude, I thought you knew you are dating the qb afterall." Angela teased
"Yeah but still..." I said
"Wait, so is this you confirming?! AHH!" Angela said
"Hush! Shhh, well...he kissed me--
"OH MY GOSH!" Angela squealed
"Keep it down!" I begged
"Sorry! But oh, he-he kissed you?! How did it feel?" Angela asked in a hushed whisper
"Amazing!Oh, Angela...tonight's the night. I know it." I said not even believing the words that came out my own mouth
"I think I need a drink." Angela said
"It's the truth! We're gonna do it. I know it. The feelings just right, he's all over me and I'm all over him--he's the prince I'm the princess there's no more curse--
"Curse? What are you talking about?" Angela asked perplexed
"Nothing just...trust me." I said
"Are you two gonna do it here at Jessica's house?"
"I don't know just wherever is perfect...although I would love to see the look on her face when she sees us getting it on on her parents duvet." I said smiling sardonically
"Better yet--Lauren's face."
"Yeah, Lauren the drunk...speaking of which."
Lauren came walking by
"Hey...who invited Bella?" Lauren said swallow down a mouthful of vomit
"Bella's with Edward...the guy who single handedly won the game for Forks..." Angela said
"Oh yeah him well, don't gluck up my parent Becka." Laurent said and limped drunkedly away
"Huh?" I asked not knowing how to translate 'drunk bitch' fluently
"I think she said 'don't geek up my party Bella'" Angela said
"I'll try my hardest."
"Looks like they're taking your guy up to the magical room." Angela said
"Huh?" I asked seeing Edward going into a room with the other players
"Oh don't worry all they do is pretty much play xbox and eat stale cheetos." Angela said laughing
"Oh well that's good." i said
"Hey you guys we're gonna play some truth or dare in the den." Mike Newton said eagerly
"Sure," Angela said and I followed behind.
We walked into the den where there was about every else in the party who wasn't a jock or cheerleader huddled into a geeky circle.
"Ladies on the left, gents on the right." Mike instructed and me and Angela took a seat on the floor
"This better be quick." i sighed
"Ok, so who should start?" Ben asked
"Ummm how should we decide?" Taylor chimed
"Spin the bottle?" Mike said
Angela looked around brought down the small vase from the end table above and placed it on the smooth floor.
"So whoever it lands on will have to choose, truth or dare." Mike said and then took a spin
We all looked around eagerly wondering who it would land on, first up was Ben.
"Ok, so I guess a girl can ask this one." Mike said
"Ok, I'll ask...Ben darling." Angela said fluttering her eyes
"Yes, Angie?" Ben said blushing
"Truth or dare?"
"Ummm, I think i'd better go with dare." Ben said
"Ok, I dare you to...give me a kiss on the cheek." Angela said batting her eyelashes
Ben smiled and did so sweetly both Mike and Taylor were wholly uninpressed
"Ok, new rule couples can't ask each other questions." Mike said and then Angela spun the bottle it landed on me
and I ducked giggling
"Ok, now this kiss on the cheek I'd like to see," Taylor said laughing
"Hush you. Bella, truth or dare?"
"Ummm...truth." I said nervously
"Ok, are you and Cullen doing it or what?" Mike blurted
"Mike! Shut it!" Angela said throwing the vase at him
"Sorry, Bella ok...truth, do you think Mike is an asshole?"
"Kinda sorta." I said softly
They all started laughing
"Fine fine, I guess I'll go. Hit me with something." Mike said fearlessly
"Ok, Mr. Smartguy...truth or dare?" I said
"Ummmm dare." Mike said boldly
"Oh really?" Angela said "Bella, I'm gonna need your help with this
"Why?" I asked
"You'll see. Mike, you have to swear on Forks' reputation that you will fully complete this dare." Angela said and I began to get a little worried
"Fine fine I swear just spit it out." Mike said
"I dare you to call up Jacob Black and call him a sore loser pansy. Just that." Angela said giggling
"No way am I giving you Jacob's number." I said vehemently
"Bella, come on I just made Mike swear to do it." Angela said
"Listen if Bella's too chicken it's not my fault." Mike said
"Guys, you don't know Jake--
"He'll never know who it is. Come on just give us the number." Angela asked
"Fine." I said sighing
Mike pulled out his cell phone
"Wow, I can't believe you're doing this that Indian kid is like 12 feet tall," Taylor said
I gave Mike the number and it began ringing we all sat around nervously awaiting
"Dammit it's just ringing." Mike said
"He's probably out crying like a baby." Angela said in a mocking tone and we all laugh
"Actually I'm at a party." Jacob said
We turned around and saw Jacob standing there covered in dirt and ice soaking wet.