Ok, so you all COMPLETELY made my day, and honestly, I needed it! Life hasn't been too grand to me this past week so writing has been hard, but I've managed to do it because of all of you! So I feel obliged to mention all of the people who smiled and shared some sunshine with me! So here goes: (as always, the lovely) babylopez2008, WeReWoLvEs4EvEr, Just-That-Cool, vampire13, Lee Shananogins, Sagth-V, Finchy94, Twilighterforlife, and ilovehagrid.
Also, I want to send a HUMONGOUS thanks out to Edward'sDarkAngel and musicallydazzled for all they do on a daily basis for my mental health :D thanks ya'll! I don't think I tell you that enough! And thanks for the movie titles and betaing! :D
Songs for this chapter: "Leaving On a Jet Plane" by Peter, Paul and Mary, "Wonderful Night" by Fatboy Slim, "Sleep Through the Static" by Jack Johnson, and "Hey There Delilah" by Plain White T's
Now! I won't keep you any longer! Here's A Summer To Remember, chapter twenty-five: Leaving
BPOV
As the week progressed, Edward and I got gradually better and recorded our EP. It turned out pretty good, but nothing compared to the song we recorded after our solo sessions.
After that week ended, I completely lost track of time! Between Alice's week long, marathon shopping trips, packing with Alice (so my entire closet fits into two suitcases, a carryon, and a messenger bag), cleaning up the house after everyone left, and countless other things, the week we leave came without my realizing it.
"So, it's cool with you that I tag along on tour till ya'll reach Washington, right?" Sarah asked for the thousandth time.
"Of course, it's really no biggie to me. OoOo! And we can be bus or plane buddies. Will we need to get another ticket?" I asked more to myself than to Sarah.
"Um…Bella, you've already gotten my ticket. We leave tomorrow, remember?"
"What? We leave tomorrow?"
"Yes…"
"Angst! Angst! Angst!" I said as I banged my head against the wall softly.
"Chica, stop. What are you so upset about? Everything is packed, the boy's cds get released tomorrow, so they'll do signings and jazz, and I'll help you set up the venue." Sarah said. "O, andAlicewantedmetotellyoushe'shavingonefinalpartytonight!" she spoke so quickly I almost didn't catch it.
"What!"
"Yea…no worries, it's at her house so yours will stay clean and jazz. And it's more for the three of us than anyone else. Just some quality girl time...and Charlie." Sarah said with a smile.
"Charlie? My dad's going to be there?" I asked raising one of my eyebrows.
"No, but you'll see."
"Um, ok…I'm confused."
A few hours later, Sarah and I drove over to Alice's in my truck. I'd missed driving it. Before I turned off the car, Alice came bounding out of the house with a giant smile on her face. I quickly turned it off and got out, nearly falling to the ground from Alice's Emmett sized hug.
"It's nice to see you too Ali!" I said while squeezing the tar out of her.
She laughed and pulled away and gave Sarah a hug.
"Okay! So tonight, I have a whole bunch of things planned! Chick flicks, which include: "Romeo and Juliet" featuring the gorgeous, younger Leonardo DiCaprio, "27 Dresses", "Pride and Prejudice", and of course "The Notebook", Makeovers…or at least manicures and pedicures, and of course food! Plasma punch, frozen grapes, chocolate, and sooo much more!"
"Alice! That sounds fantabulous!" I said.
"Duh, I planned it! Of course it's going to be fantabulous!" Alice exclaimed while beginning to bounce up and down.
"Come on O hyper one! Let's go inside before the neighbors start questioning your sanity again." Sarah said laughing.
"That happened once! And you promised you wouldn't say anything ever again about it!" Alice whined.
"I did? Oops!" Sarah said with fake innocence.
I laughed as we all went inside and began our strictly chick night. It was a blast! It turns out; Charlie isn't a person but a decorated brown paper bag that helps Sarah control her breathing when she sees Leo with his shirt off.
During the middle of one of the movies, Alice stood up and declared that it was time for make over's!
I groaned, "Alice do we really have to? I mean we're going to be going to sleep soon; hopefully, and-"
"Bella sit." Alice commanded once we arrived to her room.
I complied, but not happily. After thirty minutes of being poked, prodded, plucked, and so much more, I lost track of time and had Sarah bring me a book.
"Bella. Bella!" Alice screamed at me.
"Hmm, what?" I asked marking my page.
"Look!" she said pointing at the mirror.
When I looked, I didn't recognize myself. Alice and Sarah had done the impossible and I looked really good.
"Oh my gosh! Alice! Sarah! Thank you so much!" I gushed, still looking at myself in the mirror.
"No problem chica." Sarah said sitting on Alice's bed and flipping through a magazine.
"Hey Bella, can you get the door?" Alice asked.
"There's no one at the door." I said not moving.
"Front door Bella, just go and answer it." Alice said annoyed.
I just rolled my eyes and did what I was told. When I opened the front door, a car had just pulled up in the drive and someone was getting their bag out of the back. They thanked the driver then began walking toward the house. Alice had turned off the outside lights so I couldn't see who was coming.
When they looked up at me standing in the threshold, they picked up their pace, and without knowing what hit me, I was engulfed in a giant hug being pressed against a warm, rock hard chest. When I was realized, I looked up and saw Edward's face smiling down at me.
"What are you doing back? I thought you were going to be 'with friends' for another few days." I said, happy that he was just here again.
"Well, the other guys began missing their girls so we decided to cut our hiking trip short and surprise our girls." Edward explained as we walked back into the house.
"And your girl is…" I trailed off curious and a little jealous. Even though we weren't dating anymore, I still had strong feelings for him and wanted to get back together when he was ready.
"Don't have a definite one, but for the boys sake, I said you. Sorry I didn't clear it with you first or anything…but they kinda needed a name, and they all know you, and it kinda just popped out. Are you okay with that?" he asked rubbing the back of his neck nervously.
I laughed. "Of course its okay Edward dearest." I whispered seductively in his ear trying not to laugh.
He shivered. "Isabella, I don't think I told you that you look absolutely gorgeous tonight." he said huskily in my ear.
I couldn't move. Edward has cast his spell over me and I was spellbound.
He quietly chuckled. Then without warning, he grabbed me and threw me over his shoulder. He carried me upstairs to Alice's room. He politely knocked on her door and waited for a reply.
"Edward Cullen, you let me down right now!" I hissed.
"Nope, not going to happen." he said then tightened his grip on me.
Alice opened her door and immediately began laughing. Sarah came to the door and also began laughing insanely hard.
"Where do you want me to put her?" Edward asked Alice, probably with a smirk on his face.
"You keep her for the night, she's boring!" Sarah said still laughing at my awkward position.
"Seriously, keep her Edward. We're done with her for the night." Alice insisted with a hint of mischief in her eye.
"As you wish ladies." Edward said smugly as he began to leave.
"Wait! Don't I have a say in this matter?!" I asked hopeful.
They all looked at each other, then with smiles on their faces they all exclaimed, "NO!"
"Fine, be that way." I said sourly under my breath.
"O, we will!" Sarah shot right back evidently hearing me.
"Edward, you can keep her for the night, just don't bug us, I know you would be if Bella were here!" Alice said.
"Thanks Ali, I appreciate it." Edward said and pecked her cheek.
Still with me over his shoulder, he carried me into his room and threw me on the bed.
"Finally! Thank you!" I ranted.
"What?" Edward asked.
"You smell like outside and your shoulder really isn't my place of choice." I giggled.
"Well, I have been hiking for most of the week…outside!"
"Go take a shower." I said giving his shoulder a shove.
"Fine, I will." he said taking off his shoes, socks and shirt then walking to his bathroom and closing the door behind him.
Gosh, he is so cute!
I lay down on his bed and took a deep breath. My gosh, even after a week of not being here, his bed smells like him. Mmm…I closed my eyes and pulled a blanket over myself. His bed was the best bed in the entire world. I guess I fell asleep because when Edward got in the bed, he whispered something inaudible for me to hear and kiss my forehead and I was startled by him picking me up and tucking me in. I snuggled into his chest and he wrapped his arms around me and we fell asleep.
The next morning, Edward woke me up while it was still dark outside.
"Still dark. Still tired. Sleeping time." I said rolling over and closing my eyes again.
"Come on Bells, you have to get up." he whispered.
"No."
I felt the bed sag from Edward getting back on. He wrapped his arms around my waist and rubbed his nose on my neck, right under my ear and along my jaw line. "Bella please, it's time to get up."
I shivered and complied, not being able to find my voice.
"That's my girl." Edward said while getting off the bed with me.
"Whatever! I've not been your girl for a few months. Don't be spreadin' rumors now!" I warned still tired and grumpy. I immediately realized what I said and felt horrible. "Sorry…I'm tired."
He chuckled humorlessly, "No worries, I'd never spread a rumor about you…and it's my fault we aren't together…no need to stress." he said in such a way that part of me couldn't believe him yet part of me wanted to believe every word he ever told me.
We starred at each other for a few minutes, just absorbing the other.
"Isabella Marie Swan! If you don't get in the shower right this instant, so help me!" Alice screamed while barging into the room completely unwelcome.
I knew I needed a shower before the long day ahead. I gave Edward an apologetic look then went into the bathroom and took a short shower.
When I got out and dried off, Alice had already set out an outfit on the counter for me. I rolled my eyes and put it on quickly. Surprisingly, Alice picked jeans and a comfortable v-neck t-shirt with flip flops.
"Bella, you've had ample time! Come out and let me do your hair and makeup!" Alice yelled while banging on the door.
"Oh, ok!" I said while coming out of the bathroom.
Once I emerged, Alice attacked me and within thirty minutes my hair was up in a pony tail and my make up was done naturally.
"Thanks Ali." I said giving her a guy.
"Come on Bella! No sad goodbyes!" Alice said cheerfully. "Now the boys are waiting outside by the cars, go down and meet them, and I'll grab Sarah."
"Ok." I said with a smile.
A few minutes later, Alice and Sarah met all of us outside. Once we put our stuff in the cars we got in, but as I was getting ready to be squeezed between Mike and Jake, Edward grabbed my arm and whispered, "My car?"
I nodded and slid into the familiar, smooth, soft, leather seat of his Volvo; Edward slid in on the driver's side and followed the long caravan of cars down the dusty road. We sat in silence for the most part, listening to the soothing sounds of Jon Foreman.
When we arrived at James' hotel, Edward opened my door and we all began loading our stuff in vans so we could head up to Chicago, IL.
Everyone was giving each other their final goodbye hugs.
"Bella, I'm going to miss you." Edward said wrapping me up in a tight hug.
"I'll miss you too, but just think, you'll be coming to see me soon." I said with a small smile.
"Yea, but not soon enough." he sighed as he pulled away.
We loaded the vans and I waved goodbye to Edward. After the first two hours of excited chatter, we all got pretty bored and I got into my bag to grab a book. As I was rummaging through it, I found a box. Intrigued, I quickly unwrapped it and saw it was an iPod. I slid open the box and a folded up note fell out. I quickly unfolded it and read:
Hey Bella,
Please don't get mad, I know how you hate receiving gifts, but please accept this one! There's a playlist for everyday you'll be gone, and please don't listen to the playlists out of order or ahead of time! No peaking either! I miss you, but I'll be seeing you soon! Less than three you! :P
Edward
I was excited! I quickly took out the iPod and went to the playlists and then found today's playlist. I clicked play on the first song and Edward's voice came through my ear buds.
"Hey Bella, so you probably just found the iPod. I hope you enjoy it! Miss you! Enjoy the playlists!"
The first song was "Hey There Delilah" by Plain White T's. I smiled, he knows me well.
I drifted asleep listening.
"Bella, wake up! We're finally here!" a masculine voice yelled in my ear as they shook my shoulder.
I grumbled and woke up. We were under the overhang of a hotel getting our room keys I guess. A few people came back out and the van began going around the building. We went into a back entrance then went up to our rooms.
Thankfully, Sarah and I got to room together and we both wanted to sleep. I took out my iPod and phone charger and plugged them into the wall, charging both of them.
I turned on my phone and saw I had a few text messages. I quickly responded then lay down on the bed. The next day was going to be hectic. I was going to meet the other technical crew and be setting up the venue. I was excited, but as soon as I closed my eyes, I was out in a dreamless sleep.
Sneak preview (if you review, I'll send you an extended version!)
"I believe I can help you out then." I said as I took the EP from the man and quickly signed my name on the cover.
The man looked at me like I had grown another head or something. "How dare you! I know for a fact that you didn't play on this album!" he said angrily.
"O, is that so?" I said trying to hold back a knowing smile.
"Yes. You mix for this concert, you're young, and you're a woman." he said with an intimidating look on his face.
"Excuse me!?" I retorted. "Yes, I do mix for this tour. Yes, I am young. And yes, I am a woman, but why does any of that matter? And how does that prevent me from being on an album?" I asked now furious.
The man rolled his eyes. "It all matters because generally men can only play as well as whoever played on this album and generally it would be an older man who has years of experience under his belt."
Hope ya'll enjoyed it! I'm less than three-ing you right now! Please review and make me happier than I already am! :D