Micro Shot 1 Study Group
Micro-shot= Just a little in the future
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Alistair walked towards the Perkins Restaurant, juggling his book bag over his shoulder, while holding his jacket together. His zipper got stuck closed this morning and he had forced it open to get his jacket off and now it wouldn't close. He was freezing. Who knew New Jersey could be so cold? Sure, it was January, but he felt this chill down to his bones. Weather wasn't on his mind when he transferred from Florida State; he just wanted to get away from his ex and her new boy toy. His mother had told him, "Don't choose a school based on a girl", but he didn't listen. It would have been easier if the three of them weren't in the nursing program together, and he didn't have to witness their cutesy kissy crap all the time.
He was lucky to find a study group in his new school. Alistair knew from experience that study groups that worked well did not like to take new members; this new group was made of another transfer student, Lisa, a thirty-eight year old woman who was returning to school after raising three kids, Sherry, and the prize that made it all worth-while, Bella Swan. He'd heard stories; that she had to drop out of the program, that she had had a nervous breakdown, that she had had a baby that she was married, that she was on the run from some crazy ex. He didn't know enough to know who was bull shitting him and who knew the truth. People in the nursing program didn't usually wear rings; too much hand washing and gloves, so that wasn't a sure fire clue. Bella didn't tend to share much about her personal life; she liked to get right down to studying.
What he did know, was that she was sweet, smart, beautiful, sexy and that he had finally worked up the nerve to ask her out. Today was the day. After study group, he'd walk with her to her car and casually mention grabbing dinner together. Even though they spent a good few hours in a restaurant, they usually ordered a series of appetizers and coffee, no real dinner. It was really tough to find a study space. The study rooms in the library were booked well in advance by standing study groups- none of them lived on campus, and even people who lived on campus rarely had groups in their dorm, it was just too distracting. The restaurant manager was pretty understanding as long as they ordered a few things while they kept the large table occupied.
He crossed the street and there she was, in a dark, close fitting coat, a red scarf and gloves. Her cheeks were flushed a pretty rose and her dark hair gently fluttered around her. He scarcely noticed Sherry standing next to Bella.
Sherry waved, calling to him. "Hey Al, we were just about to call you." She pointed to a white paper taped to the door. He could see it was handwritten but he couldn't read the words."They're closed, some electrical thing. This whole strip of stores."
She didn't have to tell him that that eliminated their usual backup spot, the Starbucks at the corner. He liked the coffee better there, but the manager tended to give them the hairy eyeball if they stayed over an hour.
Bella looked up from her phone. "Lisa just checked the library. Nothing open. Any suggestions?"
Shaking her head, Sherry answered, "My three kids are just getting home from school. They do their homework on the only table that would work for us, and I'm not giving them any excuse not to do their homework, if you know what I mean."
Alistair shook his head, wishing his apartment was big enough to host. As it was, between him and his three roommates, they needed at least a two day cleaning warning before you could bring any sober female home.
"Let me make a call." Bella turned away, so he could see her profile as she spoke on the phone. He knew it was wrong to listen in to someone's conversation, but it was about their study group, so he felt like he had the right.
Her lips smiled gently when she greeted whoever answered. "Hi, it's me," she said softly.
Alistair imagined getting that call, her sweet voice saying those words to him. He'd answer in some silly way that was just their inside joke, like, 'Oh, you again', or 'Me me me' sung in an operatic voice. They'd both laugh and talk about missing each other, even though it had only been hours. They'd arrange to meet in a favorite spot, and, and…
"Alistair, is that all right with you?" Bella was looking at him with her head tilted. "Is it okay if we meet at my place? It's about fifteen minutes from here. You can follow me."
Quickly brain, start working, come up with some dashing remark both warm and witty. What came out of his mouth was, "Ah-okay."
Perfect, he berated himself. Way to impress the girl.
He'd never seen Bella's car, so he was a little surprised when she got into a newer looking white SUV. They agreed to line up at the exit of the parking lot. Sherry, in her silver Acura, got behind Bella. A few seconds later, Lisa pulled up in the opposite direction and put down her window.
"Would you mind if we rode together? I hate going on the parkway."
Of course he nodded yes, he didn't want to be rude. Lisa parked in the spot he just vacated and opened his passenger door while he tossed the stuff that was on the front seat into the back.
"Thanks." Lisa gave him a big smile before buckling her seatbelt.
Why couldn't it be Bella who was afraid of the parkway? They could have a whole car ride together. He'd let her pick the radio station, and say he loved whatever she picked. Maybe her hand would rest on the console and his could casually rest on top of hers, gathering her finger tips gently. Then—
"Um, it looks like you have to get in the other lane."
Alistair quickly corrected the car so the three vehicles were in the turning land, red signal lights flashing in snyc.
"Isn't Professor Sinclair annoying? Like, she could make eye contact with her students instead of staring at her notes all the time."
Brilliant conversation. Complaining about a prof was the student equivalent of talking about the weather. He was sure Bella would have something more important to say, more profound.
"How's your apartment working out? Did you get the stove fixed?"
That's right, last study group he mentioned that the stove was broken, and he tried to cook pasta in a measuring cup in the microwave.
"Uh, it's fixed."
"Good."
Lisa took to looking out the window and Alistair watched as the two cars in front of him turned right and left. He hoped he'd be able to find his way back. They turned into the driveway of a big house, wide glass doors lit from within. If Bella lived her she was holding out on them. If she could afford this kind of house, why was she even going to school? The cars weren't stopping. They continued past the big house, around to a tiny house at the back of the property. That made sense. She must rent out this little cottage. Some light came through the front window.
There was room for the three cars to park in a row next to the cottage, and Bella led the way. She pushed the door open, and put her book bag on top of a round table with four chairs. There were a couple of upholstered armchairs and a small sofa, a kitchen with just a refrigerator, little stove and microwave oven. Altogether it gave him the impression of a doll's house, perfectly clean and decorated with a delicate hand. It suited Bella to a tee. He could see across the living room down a short hall where two other doors stood ajar. Surely one led to her bedroom. He hoped to be invited in some time, and after making love they could say to each other, 'Remember that first day, with the study group?' and laugh at how wonderful it was to be together.
"Sorry," Bella said from the corner where she was checking the thermostat. "When no one's here the temperature is kept at 60, but it should warm up soon."
She took off her coat and scarf but not her gloves. She hung her coat on a hook behind the door, but put everyone else's coats on the sofa.
Everyone sat, pulling out their books, notes and laptops. He sat with his back to the bedroom, across from Bella, with a view straight out the window to the main house.
Sherry was talking about a lecture, but Alistair couldn't focus with Bella sitting across from him. She was laughing at something Sherry said, her whole body shaking, her eyes closed, her little hand still covered in the red glove over her red lips. He wanted to make her laugh and smile like that. He wanted to touch those lips. Over her head, out on the lawn between the houses he caught a movement. Looking closer he could see a man carrying a bag in one hand and something white in the other. Must be the landlord. Hope he doesn't mind that Bella has company, because if things go according to Alistair's plan, she'd be getting a lot more company.
Alistair felt the need to alert Bella; he didn't want her to get into trouble. "There's some man walking this way." He pointed his chin towards the window.
Bella spun around in her seat, her hair flying around her head. "Why so there is." She pushed back from the table and rushed to the door.
Not sure if she was frightened by his announcement, Alistair stood in case Bella needed anything.
Almost as soon as the door opened, the man came in, without being invited or anything. Alistair thought he was rather pushy, but he could see Bella didn't feel the same way. She was grinning, latched onto the man's arm.
"Olga sent me right over with coffee and she made those sugar cookies with guava today." He put the white insulated coffee carafe he'd been carrying down on the counter with the paper bag. He took out a plastic container of cookies. Bella was getting something out of the drawers but he shooed her away. "No, you're supposed to be studying. Just pretend I'm your waiter from Perkins."
Bella sat, still grinning, pushing her hair behind her ears.
Taking his seat, Alistair watched Bella watching the newcomer.
Meanwhile the man seemed quite at home in Bella's kitchen, going directly to the cabinet for the mugs and plates. He pulled out a container of cream from the paper bag and set it next to a sugar bowl. He poured the coffee, quickly adding cream and sugar then walked it over to where Bella sat. As he set the mug on the table, Bella kissed his cheek.
"I hope that's not how you thank the waiters at Perkins."
She smiled, wiggling her eyebrows. "Wouldn't you like to know."
The two of them looked at each other as if the rest of us weren't in the room.
Sherry cleared her throat. "I'm hoping this is Edward."
"Oh!" Bella covered her face with her hand, "I'm so rude. Yes, this is Edward. Edward, this is Sherry, Lisa and Alistair."
Edward shook hands all around. Alistair was expecting some alpha male hand squeezing show of ownership over Bella, but Edward's handshake was firm, respectable. Confident.
Edward stood, his hands resting on Bella's shoulders,"Nice to meet you all but I can't stay. I told Mack I'd be right back. If I'd brought her with me—"
"She wouldn't want to go, and no studying for mommy." Bella laughed. "Studying here was a great idea honey."
Edward kissed the top of Bella's head. "I turned the heat up as soon as you called. Are you still cold?"
"I'm fine now." Bella pulled off her gloves, finger by finger, revealing a sapphire and diamond ring and a gold wedding band, which matched the band on Edward's left hand.
Alistair felt like an idiot. Of course someone as perfect as Bella would be taken.
As the door clicked behind Edward, Alistair noticed Lisa glance after him. Did he detect a look of envy on her face, or was it just loneliness?
Maybe on the drive back, he'd see if Lisa was free for dinner.
A/N: Alistair just started talking to me. He will not wind up stalking Bella, and I don't think he will appear again, he just had to have his say. More Mini-Micro Future shots to come, with more Edward and Mackayla, I promise.
No Betas were harmed in the writing of this chapter, they're both busy with RL
