Please enjoy :) My setting is a bit more in the future than the canon.

Chapter 9

Texting

Rosalie's POV

"Okay babe, it's all set up," Emmett inform me. I flipped closed the latest issue of Popular Mechanics. Tonight was our usual once a week movie night, where we would cozy up next to each other on the couch and wrap ourselves in a blanket. It was a silly ritual, but it made me feel human to do it.

I descended the stairs to find Edward seated on an armchair in the corner of the room. A place where someone might usually read a book. However, instead of a book, his eyes were fixated on the cellphone in his hands. With a blissful smile, he stared at it as if he was staring into heaven itself.

I was happy for him and all, but the situation was rather annoying. As if Bella skirting around our deadly secret, which, with unspoken assurance, we all believed she would be a part of one day, wasn't bad enough, now we had her scent intruding in on our house and their gooey hand holding to watch at school.

"I think you should drive your M3 to school from now on Rosalie," Edward's monotone voice had echoed through the car as we had arrived in the school parking lot. His attention had been on the sound of a chugging red truck one mile out. A crease formed between my brow.

"Why exactly should I do that?" Are you planning to sabotage her ugly machine, so she is forced to ride with you?

"I'm not forcing anything," he said coolly, stepping out of the driver's seat.

"I don't think it's a good idea to keep drawing attention to us," Jasper interposed. "With Bella it's one thing, but there is no need to be reckless at school."

"Yeah, don't be selfish," I spat. "You might've lost your sanity, but the rest of us understand the risks." I jabbed my finger at him and then the rest of us, overdramatically.

The Cullen name has been whispered enough in the halls this month as it is. I was cautious with my thoughts, it wasn't really the family that everyone had been talking about, only Edward. Our classmates only looked at me, thinking I might know more about that mousy girl and the situation. I met their curious glances with a deadly one. The same glare I was giving Edward now, but he ignored me.

"I think it will be fine," He said softly. His head followed the red truck in question as it drove onto the school grounds, rudely giving little attention to his siblings who were still engaging with him.

"Let's not loose our heads now," Jasper warned, "Bella can drive herself."

"But that truck is so old, it could break down at any moment," Edward pushed, returning his attention to us anxiously as if we were oblivious to that fact.

Yes, that truck was more than an eyesore. From the transmission to the paint, that beast needed work. But, I'd be damned to be the one to fix it. Who was she to me?

"Maybe you should buy her a new one." The sarcasm seeped out of my sour tone. However, he did not respond.

The girl had not approached us, possibly sensing the tension around our bubble, but rather headed towards the school. Edward, abandoning the argument, had jotted up to her and laced his fingers through hers. She jerked slightly, not realizing his approach, but then warmed, smiling up at him and curling her fingers. It had been sickening to watch.

Now, he had been bringing his mushy affection back home. His obsession with her was worse than a toddler with a set of keys. It was always Bella this, Bella that, worrying about every little thing. He'd even taken up asking Alice for advice on what to wear. This was not the brother I had known.

But now, it was that damn phone.

Every minute or so a high pitched de-da sound would chime from it, alerting him that he had received a message. As if he would have missed it.

I snuggled into my spot on the couch. "What are we watching?" I asked my lover.

"Red Dawn," he responded with a grin. "Remember when we watched the original back in—" de-da, the little chime intruded my focus. I ignored it.

"—are invading the country. The special effects should be much better." Emmett concluded, hitting the play button and throwing his arm around my shoulder.

The studio logos played. The de-da from behind the couch accompanying them. Ugh, this had better not go on throughout the movie, I mentally grumbled. de-da

My internal tone growing sharper, the least you could do is put it on vibrate, I directed the thought towards him.

The title sequence began. The name of the director. De-da. The name of the studio. De-da.

Edward! I barked, grinding my teeth, you're being an asshole!

De-da. The name of the lead actor. De-da.

Like a drippy water faucet, each plunk resonating through my eardrums louder and louder. Consuming my attention until I snapped.

"Edward!" I screamed. His face jerked up in surprise. Had he really not read my thoughts?

"Would you turn off that goddamn phone!" The imagine of me snapping the thing in two appeared in my mind.

His brow knitted. "Sorry." He set the phone to silent and resumed.

Emmett squeezed my shoulder, and I leaned back into him, but was no better. The click-click-click of his fingers typing now intruded my mind. Why did he have to act like this? Like an idiot, moron, stupid weirdo, I threw the words at him, beyond irritation.

"Esme," I called and stood, leaving a confused Emmett on the couch.

"Yes?" Esme descended the stairs, smiling warmly at my disgruntled expression. I motioned towards the lovesick boy in the armchair.

"It's past midnight and he's been texting her for hours." I informed.

Esme pursed her lips, she was elated with Bella's presence in Edward's life, but even she could see he was acting berserk. More his human age than his real age.

"Edward dear," Esme addressed him sweetly, "Shouldn't Bella be getting some sleep? Maybe it's time to end the conversation."

His wide eyes focused on Esme. "She said she isn't tired yet," he answered and then returned to the device with its next de-da.

Esme stood emotionless, watching Edward's fingers glide over the keyboard. Observed how his body curled around it and cult-following look of devotion glowed from the illuminated light. Various colors from emojis and gifs flashing across his pale face.

Esme's brow knitted. She realized this was ridiculous, didn't she?

"Edward are you listening?" She asked softly, having not received a response to her unspoken words.

Again, his head shot up in surprise, like he hadn't realized anyone was there. A look of annoyance crossed his face as he returned back to the phone, muttering, "I told you, it's fine."

I threw Esme a look, flipping my hand towards the unbelieving rudeness in front of us. She pursed her lips in thought. Then quickly, stepping forward, she snatched the phone out of his hand.

"Hey!" He lurched after it, grabbing at the air as she raised the phone over her head. Like an alcoholic reaching desperately for his glass of whiskey. Esme's body bended backwards trying to keep it out of reach.

"Give it back," He barked. He wasn't violent but was aggressive enough for Emmett to step in and form a space between the two.

"You need a break, and she needs to sleep," Esme commanded, "I'll tell her you say goodnight."

Edward's wild panic deflated. His wide, black eyes wandered around the room, lost.

"Please dear," Esme's sweet disposition returned, "Go hunt. You'll see Bella in the morning." She proceeded out of the room, taking the offensive device with her.

I grinned, cherishing my win. He sulked out of the room. Fool.

I snuggled back into Emmett's side, content that we could finally watch the movie in peace. It was well past the first scene. The main character's rough voice mixed with the booming soundtrack, as he ran through warfare. However, as the hero raised his gun, I heard it again.

De-da, the high-pitched noise sounded from the other room. My eyes widened in pure outrage. Had she given him back the phone? I'll break the damn thing! I stormed into the other room.

Edward sat at his piano, pouting like a sad puppy. His head laying on one arm and his other resting on those two keys.

I huffed and trudged upstairs. Emmett calling behind, "Come on Rose, let's just finish the movie."