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storyline - "Slippery"
prompt - fruit
It seemed like every week I planned on surprising Edward with a visit of my own, something came up. Once, an unexpected paper popped up on a Thursday, due on Monday. I spent the entire weekend in my room, typing furiously. Another weekend there was some huge rally thing and the office I worked for asked me to put in overtime to help alleviate the extra workload.
I'd had my period that weekend anyway, so maybe it had been for the best. Not that sex was all we did but still.
So there was always something. There were nights I was too sleepy to hold up much of a conversation and nights when Edward had a bunch of homework. We always managed to catch up, though. We still talked all the time. My favorites were his good night texts. Sometimes they were a little dirty. He'd tell me all he wanted were wet dreams of me, or that he still remembered how I tasted. Stuff like that made me feel both aroused and flustered. I'd have to roll so that I was facing the wall, not wanting Alice to peep over from her book or laptop and ask what U was blushing about.
But other nights the messages were sweet. He'd say things like he missed me, and that he hated the distance between us.
One night I was curled up in bed, eating Skittles and reading for my poly sci class the next day. The teacher had this tendency of springing pop quizzes on us. This felt a little high school to me, but it's not like I could do anything about it besides be ready.
My phone rang. My heart leapt.
"Hello? Edward?"
"Hey…" He sounded distant. And not in the physical sense.
"Hey. What's up? You okay?"
He paused, and then exhaled loudly, laughing a little. "The weirdest thing just happened."
"What?"
"Well, I called you and… some dude answered. And… it pissed me off, you know?"
I frowned in confusion, my heart starting to race. "What?"
"Yeah… wrong number obviously. I realized as soon as I hung up. I dialed 4-4 instead of 4-3."
"Oh. Oh, gosh. Yeah… that would've freaked me out too," I admitted.
"No kidding. It made me realize how easily that could be happening though, you know? On either side. It sucks."
"No, it wouldn't be happening on either side. I trust you," I argued, closing my book as I sat up.
"I trust you too. I'm just saying."
We talked for awhile, the way we always did, but I couldn't shake the feeling of discomfort.
I really needed to go see him. I didn't know how people managed this for months or years at a time.
Alice watched me from her perch on the bathroom counter. Because we didn't have a kitchen inside the suite, we had to make do with the bathroom sinks when it came to washing dishes.
I finished cutting up the fruit I'd bought from the deli earlier and tucked it into a baggie. Along with a sandwich and packet of crackers, this would serve as my lunch on the train. I didn't have much money and I needed to be frugal with what I did have.
"You all set?"
I nodded. "I think so. The train leaves around one, so I have plenty of time."
"Just be safe. I'm glad you're going during the day."
"Oh, me too." I put my lunch into a plastic bag and put that into my backpack. "All right. I'm going to head out."
"Don't forget your book." She handed me the novel I'd been reading.
"Ah, thanks."
We hugged and I left, feeling equally nervous and excited.
I rode the LIRR into the city and then caught a train to Boston. I'd bought a student discount package earlier in the year through Amtrak, anticipating trips like these, but this was only my second time using it. Still, it helped me save money. The buses would have been a lot cheaper, but a lot longer too.
I read most of the way into Boston.
Edward had given me clear instructions on how to get to Boston University from the train station. I made sure to scan my piece of paper before getting off the train, not really wanting "clueless tourist" to be written all over me.
Once on campus, I breathed a sigh of relief. I wasn't sure where Edward's dorm was from here, but he'd always said to just call when I showed up. I smiled, imagining his expression when he saw me. I wondered if he had class; if so I'd simply get a cup of coffee and read.
I quickly dialed his number. He picked up almost immediately.
"Hey, Bella." He sounded a little surprised, as I figured he would. I usually didn't call this early in the day. If anything I texted instead.
"Hi Edward. What are you up to?"
"Getting a bite to eat. What's up?"
"Where are you getting a bite to eat?" I asked, turning in a slow circle, scanning the crowd.
"The Fresh Food Co… Bella, where are you?"
"I'm here!" I said, unable to tamp down my enthusiasm any longer. "I took the train!"
He laughed. "Finally! Where are you exactly? I'll come and get you."
"Um…"
"What do you see?"
It looked like I was in a pretty busy area, so I tried my best to describe it.
"You're on West Campus; I'm minutes away. Stay right there," he said.
"Okay."
I ended the call. All around me, people were bustling to and fro – much like Hofstra. I imagined that Alice was settling in for the evening, probably having movie night with our suitemates.
There was a tug on my arm and then Edward was pulling me close, squeezing me so tight I could hardly breathe. I'd missed his smell.
"Oh my God I missed you," he said into my hair.
"I miss you too," I sighed, closing my eyes. This felt really good.
"You hungry? I was just about to eat."
"That's okay, I – "
"Bella." He made a face and took my bag, slinging it over his shoulders. He looked really good, wearing cargo shorts and a t-shirt. Usually he was in jeans when I saw him. "Let's go eat."
Like I could ever say no, to anything he proposed. "All right."
