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storyline - "Race"

prompts - rain, illustrate, win, stain

By Thursday morning I was feeling considerably better thanks to the painkillers Dr. Phillip had prescribed. He'd also put me on birth control, but it would take time for those to work their way into my system and even things out. Whatever. As long as I was pain free and able to go back to my normal everyday life, I honestly didn't care.

I was actually looking forward to returning to school, even though a soft rain was already falling, making everything misty and damp. Being shut in for two days'll do that to you.

And, of course, there was Edward. He'd stayed until nine o'clock Tuesday night, when my dad had diplomatically suggested he "let Bella get some rest". As if. He hadn't come by on Wednesday, but he'd texted after every single class. I didn't realize that's what he was doing until the third or fourth message, and when I did connect the dots, not even my physical discomfort could totally steal my happiness.

In the beginning, it had been words. Words and kissing and touching. But that comes easily to the silver-tongued, and as much as I wanted to believe him, I was afraid to. But actions speak louder than words and as the weeks went by, he seemed determined to prove to me that not only was I "worth it" to him, but he was worth it to me. Coming by with all that stuff on Tuesday had done more than illustrate that.

My caution had a place before, but I wasn't so sure it was still necessary. I wasn't about to miss out on something amazing because I was afraid of being hurt. That sort of went against what I'd thought before, but, whatever. I never said I was consistent.

And it wasn't even that I wanted to go all the way. I mean, I did. I thought about it, a lot.

Basically I just wanted to be with him and I wanted him to want to be with me.

Alice was waiting for me at my locker when I got to school, a to-go cup of coffee in her hand.

"Hey Bella," she said softly, kissing me on the cheek. "How're you feeling?"

"Much better." I took the cup from her, smiling gratefully. "You guys really came through for me… I can't even tell you how much it helped."

"I would've come by but Edward wanted to go alone," Alice said. She was rolling her eyes but her fondness for her brother was obvious. "He's got it so bad now, it's funny."

"You think?" I took a sip. "Mm, I thought this was coffee. What is it?"

"Lemon ginger tea with lots of honey. And yeah, I think he's pretty into you now."

"I hope so. He's been so sweet to me… "I looked down the hall to where his locker was, and there he stood, talking to Emmett. His back was to me, so I couldn't see his expression, but as usual Emmett was making him laugh. Smiling to myself, I turned back to my own locker, not even wanting to know what sort of silliness they were up to.

"Go talk to him, silly." Alice nudged me forward. "Come on, I'll walk with you."

"It's okay, I'll talk to him after – "

"You're avoiding again," she whispered, arching an eyebrow.

She was right; I was. I didn't want to put myself in a position where he might act weird. The last two weeks had been progressively better and the last two days? Perfect. I wasn't sure I could handle it if he acted wishy washy after all of that.

But maybe Alice was right. I was avoiding. Really, what sort of relationship did I have with Edward if I couldn't approach him in the hall? A deluded one, probably, where I preferred the perfection of fantasy, not wanting to stain it with reality.

Edward turned around as I walked over, his eyes scanning me from head to toe and back again; he definitely looked at my boobs a few times.

"Hi," I said, trying not to sound shy. Alice half hugged me and hurried off, leaving me alone with Edward.

"Hey cutie," he said, reaching out and pulling me in for a hug.

My books were in the way so he took them from me and held me closer, kissing me on my temple. "How did it go at the doctor's? He give you the good stuff?"

My heart melted at his closeness. Not just his physical closeness, but emotional too.

"He so did," I said, grinning up at him. "Maybe I'll let you have one."

"Mm, okay," he said, grinning crookedly back. He ran the back of his hand down my face, looking serious all of a sudden. "I'm glad you're feeling better. You were freaking me out for awhile there."

"Yeah, it sucked, but… I'm on the pill now too so that's supposed to sort of like, level things off. So this shouldn't even happen next month, or ever again. Hopefully."

He smirked. "You're on the pill?"

"Ugh, I knew that's all you'd hear!" I smacked his arm.

"No, no, listen," he cooed, standing me against his locker and gazing down at me.

First bell rang, all shrill and obnoxious, but I was already in melt mode.

"It's not even like that," he said, kissing me quickly. He looked up and down and the hall and, apparently satisfied that no faculty were lurking, dipped down for another, longer kiss. He'd never kissed me quite like that in school before.

I heard a few whistles and catcalls as everyone else scurried to homeroom, but I couldn't find it in myself to care. We were in our own little bubble where Edward was kissing me and it was fricking heavenly.

"So how come it's not like that?" I asked when he broke away, looking into his eyes. So pretty.

"I don't even know, Bella, but you got me thinking about you all the time…"

"Mr. Cullen. Ms. Swan."

I jerked to attention but Edward moved slower, not quite releasing his hold on me until Mrs. Cope looked pointedly at him. She tapped her wristwatch.

"You have one minute before second bell. I suggest you get going."

"Yes ma'am," Edward drawled in a fake southern accent.

I giggled but covered it with a cough. "Yes, Ms. Cope."

"Now," she said, eyes narrowed.

Edward winked at me and then we separated to go to homeroom.

My heart? Was flying.

After school, I took Alice to get ice cream so she could ride in my new car, since we hadn't gotten to ride together that morning. When I dropped her home, I noticed with disappointment that Edward's car wasn't in the driveway.

"See you in the morning," I told Alice, waving as I backed out. "Be ready by seven!"

No sooner had I pulled in to my own driveway Edward pulled in behind me, prompting my heart to skip a beat.

"I was wondering where you were," I said, smiling shyly when I got out.

"I passed you, flashed my lights, everything," he laughed.

"Really? I didn't even notice…"

"Can you hang out?" he asked, looking toward my house.

"Um, yeah. I mean, my parents are home… do you … wanttostayfordinner?" I blurted, chewing on my lip. That was sort of significant, the whole dinner-with-the parents thing.

He shrugged. "I don't know… I guess I could. I'd have to let my mother know not to wait."

"It's up to you," I said casually, grabbing my backpack and locking the truck.

"Don't you have to ask your mom?"

"I'll ask her now," I said.

We walked inside, to where Mom was in the kitchen.

"Hey Mom."

She turned, visibly brightening when she saw Edward. "Hey, honey. Hi, Edward. How are you?"

"I'm fine, thanks," he said, smiling politely. "How are you?"

"I'm great, sweetie, thanks.."

"Mom, can Edward stay for dinner?"

"Sure. We're having roasted chicken and mashed potatoes."

"Sounds good," Edward said, patting his stomach.

"Oh, it is. It's better than good," I assured him. "We'll be in my room, okay Mom? I have homework."

"That's fine."

Edward called his mom to let her know he was having dinner with us and then we went to my room, where I set my homework up on my bed so he could sit with me while I worked. I doubted very much work would be done, at least, not until my father got home, but I could try.

"You're not doing homework," Edward said, pushing my notebook to the floor.

"Ew, yes I am."

"No." He sat beside me and kissed me silly, leaving me all dazed and confused.

"You win," I whispered.

His eyes drifted open. "Win what?"

"Just… everything. I'm tired of trying to …resist you."

He grabbed my hand and squeezed it. "I don't want you to resist me. But I don't want you to do anything you don't want to do. I'm not that much of a dick, Bella."

"I know." I nodded, looking down. "You're a little different than I thought you were. It's like… you actually care, but I don't know if that's so I feel comfortable with you or because you like me back."

He opened his mouth but I shook my head, not letting him talk just yet.

"I'm just letting you know, okay? I'm giving you a choice. You gave me a choice, right? Like, I could either do it or not, or we could wait, well I'm giving you a choice. If we do this, we're going to be connected. I don't take it casually. I want you – God, every part of me wants you – but I'm scared of what that means. It gives you so much power over me. You already have me feeling like that but if we have sex it'll be it for me. I'm going to be yours. And if you're not mine…"

He tilted my chin up so he could look into my eyes.

"I am yours."

"But why?"

"I don't know; I wasn't expecting it but… you make me crazy. Why does anybody like anybody? You and me… fit. I want you, yeah, I'm not gonna pretend I don't." He ran his hand over my hip and squeezed suggestively."But I like just chillin' with you too. I'd rather be with you than even the guys. If that's not messed up I don't know what is."

That made me smile and I blushed, wanting to kiss him again.

"Take off your necklace."

I reached back and undid the clasp, then held it out. He had a ring with his family's crest on it; Alice had a smaller, thin one too. He took his off and slipped it on to my necklace and then fastened it around my neck.

"I'm yours, Bella."