Welcome to the Big Easy
Chapter 28
Far Away from Love
Dear Journal,
Edward. What can I say. Nothing. Because that's what he told me on the phone. NOTHING. He started with Bella, and that's probably the most interesting thing he said. All I could get out of him was that he was sorry he left on such short notice and that he would be returning in another day or two, before the weekend came. He also said that I shouldn't plan on going to the dance with him. My heart dropped, but I knew I wasn't about to give him the satisfaction of knowing he hurt my feelings, again. So I blew him off, not even asking why he said he couldn't go. I said "goodbye Edward, see you soon, I guess."
Then I hung up, throwing my phone back into the depths of my purse. I walked back into the coffee shop, and saw that Angela and Jessica were looking back at me with curious eyes. They saw I was obviously disappointed me, so they got up and drove me back to my apartment. They saw I was obviously not happy with the conversation, so they offered to bring me to school until Edward returned. They figured the limo would be cold and empty, especially since he wasn't home yet.
I pulled them into a strong hug, and promised I would call and tell them everything later. I got out my homework, and listened to "Let her Cry" by Hootie and the Blowfish. And obviously, I let the tears flow. I hadn't gotten any answers from Edward, but at least he sounded like everything was okay. Maybe this trip was good for him, reconnecting with his family.
The party. Tanya's freaking sweet sixteen! What's with Edward uninviting me? I mean, he leaves me the sweetest note ever, and asks me to his supposed ex-girlfriends party, and even suggested his sister come and help me shop for a dress! And how dare he do it over the phone! What could be sooo important that he couldn't follow through with our plans?
But Alice, why the hell had she talked to me the way she had? I definitely didn't deserve that from her. She had always been the nicest person to me. Emmett, I thought, maybe he would give me so answers. So I wiped the tears from my face and stood up and walked over to my purse where I had put my phone.
Then my stomach clenched when I suddenly realized there may have been another girl he met back home….I was thinking at first that how could he find someone so quickly, but then again, I had only known Edward for about a week. But I threw that idea out when I thought that he would have probably stayed with his family the whole time. All this sudden excitement I guess was making my imagination run wild. I guess I could just not go….I didn't want to dance anyway. Emmett could clear my mind of all my worries, so I should just stop thinking of the worst possibilities.
I dug in my bag and pulled out my phone to see I had three missed calls, two from Angela and Jessica, and shockingly, the other from Edward. I looked at my cell phone inbox, and saw I had one new voicemail. I dialed the number one, and typed in my password. My cell phone said in a sugary sweet female voice "you have one new message. Press two to listen now."
I pressed two, holding my breath to hear who it was from. "New message, 7:16 pm. Hi Bella, this is Edward. I'm sorry I was such an ass to you earlier. I know I owe you more of an explanation than what I told you earlier, but I don't think I can give it to you until I see you in person. Forgive me? And please, don't be mad. I will try to tell you everything tomorrow. I'll be at school tomorrow afternoon to pick you up. Until then, I miss you. I'm sorry."
The tears welled in my eyes like earlier, and Edward pulled me under his spell once again. Something in his words calmed me down and reassured me. Maybe he did have a good reason for leaving unexpectedly, and then uninviting me to the party. He would be home tomorrow, I thought, that's not too much time…I wanted to welcome him back to his apartment, even though he left for only a few days. I had to show him that even if he didn't want to date, I would be there for him as a friend.
I decided to call Emmett, not only to ask if things really were okay with Edward, but also about some of his favorite things, to get for his arrival. I was sure he wouldn't have too much time to think about making dinner, or anything. And even though I was limited in my cooking skills, I'm sure I could make a decent enough meal for the two of us. High school boys would eat pretty much anything, right?
So I called Emmett, speed dial number two, which he took the liberty of setting. The first one after my voicemail…of course.
The phone rang twice, and then I heard Emmett's booming voice through the receiver. "hey Bell's! What's up girl?"
"Shhhh, Emmett! I don't want anyone else to know I called you!"
"No problem girl, I hear ya. I'm home alone, Rose went out shopping with Alice and mom, for god knows what. I try to stay out of it. So what's up?"
"I was wondering why Edward went down there with ya'll. I knew he didn't come home all summer, but why did he decide to leave once classes started? I was so worried that something happened to him!"
"Well Bella, I think you may have more than friendship on the mind with Eddie boy? But yeah, he's fine. You have nothing to worry about. I think you may have actually brought this visit on, actually."
I blushed from Emmett's comment about me liking Edward, but it faded when he said I brought the trip on. I couldn't imagine causing Edward frustration or pain, so much that he would return home.
"Emmett, I need you to be totally honest with me," I said seriously, "Why did Edward go home all of a sudden? And why do you think it is because of me? Edward left me a message saying he would explain everything, but I want to know your side first."
"Kay, Bells, but I will beat your butt if this ever gets back to Eddie! You promise this stays between us, right?"
"Of course Emmett. And about the 'beat your butt' comment, I would like to see you try!"
"I'll hold you to that young lady! But really, we were all shocked by Edward's visit. We knew that he was excited for school and the prospect of meeting you. Everyone had been speaking so highly of you. He even suggested you move into the apartment next to him, although he made it seem like it was everyone else's idea first. The boy was on cloud nine, because even Esme said she loved you, and Esme's opinion always meant the world to Edward."
I thought about Edward and his mom, and couldn't imagine someone not loving Esme. She was truly an amazing woman. But I stopped my thoughts, and refocused on Emmett's words.
"Once you arrived, all he could talk about was you and how amazing he thought you were. He thanked us over and over for sending you to us. We were all excited that Edward had finally found someone who was good enough for him, and would hopefully see the real him. We were nervous about you two first meeting, because he made us swear to tell you nothing, not about his past or even about him being blind. Carlisle said that they should at least tell you about his seeing problem, but Edward argued against it. We all relented when he said he wanted to feel normal for once in his life. We couldn't argue with that."
I started crying again, thinking of the pain Edward has suffered, through losing his parents and losing his eyesight. I couldn't imagine. Emmett must have hear me sniffling, because he kept talking, about happier things again.
"Don't cry Bella! I can't stand to hear a girl cry! It breaks my heart!"
I laughed, wiping my eyes, and realizing how great of a guy Emmett really was. Rosalie was so lucky to have him.
"The calls came in less frequently once school started, and all we got from his was a text or two saying that you were as wonderful as we promised and that school was school. Then everything stopped, and we got nothing. Then Edward suddenly stopped in. We hadn't seen him since spring break, and although we were thrilled for his visit, we were concerned about why he would have left school."
"yeah, he didn't tell anyone he was leaving. We all had no idea!"
"well, he must have told his teachers, because he has been getting his work sent to him over the computer, and he knew what some of his assignments were ahead of time. The little he told Carlisle and Esme was about how he wasn't good enough for you and your friendship, and how it wasn't fair he liked you the way he does. He mentioned something about Tanya and her party, and how he wanted Alice to go shopping for a beautiful dress for you, but changed his mind, saying he couldn't be the one to stop you from having a good time…"
I cut him off. "How could he think that! I like him just the way he is! I wouldn't change one thing about him! He is so sweet and respectful, and I could care less that he can't see! That means nothing to me! He has the most amazing, loving heart. How can he not see that?"
"Well, Bells, we all feel the same way you do, but ever since he joined our family, he has felt like he is different and weird. He never even dated because he felt like since he couldn't see well, that he couldn't be a good boyfriend. I think though, that you could be the one to show him differently, I mean, if you realy do like him back."
"Of course I do Emmett! No boy has ever treated me the way Edward has!"
"Well, I'm sure everyone would love to hear that. And one last thing before I have to go, Edward needs to tell you the rest, but he doesn't have all of his eyesight, but he can tell general shapes and light. Things are very unclear and full of shadows and blurred lines, but he can vaguely tell what is around him. The doctors don't know what his condition is exactly, but they say with minor surgery he may be able to see again with glasses and eye therapy. He's scared to have it, but I think you can be the one to tell him that it may be a good idea."
"I'll b sure to keep that in mind, that would be amazing. Thank you Emmett, for telling me so much. I am so lucky to be apart of your family. And I hope Edward realizes that you really all are there for him too."
"I know, me too…me too…"
"Hey monkey man!" I heard Rosalie call from somewhere in the background. "Who ya talking to?"
"No one Rose! I'm coming!"
"Sorry Bella," he whispered, "I got to go, hope what I said helped. Good luck with Edward, and don't be too hard on him. I'm pretty sure he's fallen pretty hard for you!"
"Thanks, Em. Bye!"
And I closed my phone. I laid down on my bed, and closed my eyes. "if It's Love" by Maroon Five came on. And if it's love is right. From Emmett told me, Edward's feelings for me ran as deep as mine seemed to be for him.
Now for tomorrow…I guess I should raid my practically bare cabinets to search for something to make. In all the craziness, I never asked Emmett what Edward liked…maybe going out would be a better idea…..
Until tomorrow, I'm sure I will have plenty to report. Wish me luck….
