20
EPOV
I woke up the next morning feeling sore but energized. Winning my four matches yesterday left me with a feeling of euphoria that I had never felt before. Well, except for when I was with Bella. Every time she was near me, I felt the same thing, only it was better. I won't even get started on how amazing it feels to kiss her.
I slid off the bed, ignoring Carlisle's snores, and headed into the bathroom. I took a hot shower to try to relax my muscles. I was so sure that yesterday I was going to be knocked out early in this double elimination tournament so making it to the final day was great. Even better, was knowing that I had her brothers' approval to keep seeing Bella, not that I needed it. I wasn't going to let Bella go regardless if they approved or not but it certainly did help.
I climbed out of the shower, wincing slightly as I dried my face. The bruising around my eye was tender. I would have to be careful today. I quickly finished drying off and pulled on my clothes for the day, a pair of black and red boxing shorts and a black t-shirt. I ran my fingers through my hair before I went back out into the room. Carlisle nodded at me before he headed into the bathroom. I slipped my shoes on and went out into the hall.
Just like yesterday morning, Bella was sitting on the floor with her iPod on. She was dressed for the day in a matching pair of black and red shorts and t-shirt, only hers was long sleeve. I knew this was an effort to hide the scratches on her arms. I slid down onto the floor next to her and pulled out one of her ear buds, placing it in my ear. Bella smiled as she slid her hand in with mine, interlocking our fingers. She laid her head on my shoulder as we listened to her music. This mornings choice was a collection of Journey's biggest hits. I closed my eyes and let my mind wander.
"Edward, come on," laughed Esme, dragging me off the couch. "Dance with me."
"No," I whined, pulling away from her.
"You need to practice before the big dance," sighed Esme. This is your first junior high dance, Edward. Don't you want to impress the girls?"
"What's the point, Esme?" I asked, looking down at my feet. "It's not like any of the girls would dance with me even if I did know how to. We've only lived here for a week."
"So you'll knock there socks off with your stellar moves," she laughed. She lifted my chin up so I had to look at her. "Besides, this would be a good way to make a friend."
"What's the point of friends when I'm just going to have to leave them in a few months?" I asked, sadly. Esme sighed and knelt down in front of me.
"I know it's hard, little brother, but it will be ok," she said, placing her hands on my shoulders. "Now, why don't I teach you to dance so I have someone to dance with?"
"Esme, are you ever going to leave me?" I asked.
"Edward, you are stuck with me, dude," smiled Esme. "Besides, you're my best friend."
"I am?" I asked.
"Of course you are," she laughed, holding her out to me. "Dance with me?"
"Ok," I sighed, rolling my eyes. "Just so you will stop asking."
I was shaken out of my thoughts when I heard the door to mine and Carlisle's room open. I looked up to see him coming out with his luggage.
"Grab your stuff, we need to head back to Forks tonight," he said, walking past me and Bella. "And hurry. We don't want to be late."
"Hmm, guess he's back to being a hard ass," I muttered.
"No, he's in trainer mode," laughed Bella, standing up. "He's expecting you to kick some major ass today."
"As long as there is no pressure," I snorted, letting Bella pull me to my feet. She leaned up and kissed me softly.
"Just relax, keep your feet moving, and have fun," she smiled, a big beautiful smile.
"You too," I whispered, leaning down and pressing my lips to hers.
Bella moaned and wrapped her arms around my neck, pulling me down to her. She grazed my bottom lip with her tongue asking for entrance into my mouth. I eagerly accepted her tongue, using my own to explore her mouth thoroughly. Bella slid her fingers up and buried them in my hair as she deepened the kiss.
"Oh, man, stop it," growled Emmett. Bella pulled her lips away from mine as we looked over and saw Emmett, Jasper, Rose, Alice, Esme, Charlie, and Renee watching us. The men had scowls on their faces while the women were fighting their smiles, even Renee. "We don't need to watch you two suck face all the time. We get that you are together but have some class."
"Em, are you lecturing me on class?" asked Bella, stepping toward her older, much bigger brother.
"Yes," he smirked.
"Do I need to remind you about that summer at the lake?" asked Bella, narrowing her beautiful eyes at him. His eyes flew open as his mouth dropped.
"You little bitch," he gasp.
"That's what I thought," smirked Bella. "Now, leave us alone or I will make sure Rose knows all about it, Em."
"Fine," gritted Emmett, shaking his head. "You're kind of evil, Bell."
"Thanks, Em," smiled Bella. "Mom taught me well."
"Suppose she did," he muttered. Rose was glaring at him. "What?"
"Need to tell me something?" she asked, heatedly.
"No," he muttered, blushing a bright shade of red. "We should go."
Emmett picked up his and Rose's bags and headed down to the elevator. She followed him but was throwing questions at him left and right. Esme, Charlie, and Renee followed them laughing at the two of them. It was the first time I had seen either of them smile much less laugh in the few weeks that I had known them. Jasper laughed as he came over to me and Bella.
"You really are kind of evil, Bell," smiled Jasper. He looked over at me. "I hope you never get on her bad side."
"Me too," I said, honestly.
"Hurry, we need to go," chuckled Jasper, shaking his head. He grabbed his and Alice's luggage and headed down to the elevator, with Alice following.
"Are you going to tell me about the lake?" I asked, looking back at Bella.
"It's not really that big of a deal. See, the year before my parents died, we all went on a vacation down to this lake. My parents owned a cabin on the lake and with the boys and Renee being away at school, we hadn't really been together much. We had been there for three days when I went into the house to use the bathroom. Well, the door was cracked open so I assumed that nobody was in there. I pushed the door open and found Emmett inside, jerking off to a picture of Rose," I laughed. "He swore that it was the first time and he was curious but I wasn't convinced. He made me swear never to tell a sole and I haven't, but I like to hold it over his head."
"Hmm," I laughed. "I really don't want to get on your bad side, Baby."
"No, you really don't," she smirked, kissing me again. "Let's go before they start throwing another fit."
Bella and I quickly grabbed our luggage and headed down to the lobby. Emmett was glaring at Bella as we headed over and handed Carlisle the keys to our rooms. We loaded everything into the cars and headed back down to the Arena for day two of our tournament.
We headed inside and I felt Bella tense up, slightly. I looked over at her and saw her eyes flittering around everywhere. I knew she was looking for any signs of Aro Volturi. I wrapped my arm around her waist and pulled her close to my body as I leaned down to her ear.
"He's not here," I whispered. "Just calm down, relax, keep your feet moving, and have fun. You're parents would be so proud of you right now."
"I know," she whispered, looking up at me. "Thank you for reminding me, though."
"Ok, so lets get you guys to your first matches," said Carlisle, turning to the two of us. He stepped up to the two of us and placed one hand on each of our shoulders. "Look, no matter what happens today, we are all proud of you. You both came out yesterday fighting. Regardless if you win today or not, we will be proud of you. Just have fun, ok?"
"Ok," muttered me and Bella. He nodded his head as he moved his hands.
"Now, let's go."
I kissed Bella once more before I followed him and Esme into the large arena for the second day. Today there were only five rings set up in the room. I tried to focus on just moving my feet as I walked through the thirty or so fighters that were waiting for their matches to start. Most of them were from other weight classes. My weight class had been narrowed down to ten fighters. I would have to beat three of them to get to the championship match.
"Ok, let's get your hands taped," said Carlisle, dropping my bag next to my first ring of the day. I held my hands out in front of me. "I want you to work on moving your feet a little more today. Keep your arms up, protect yourself."
"Ok," I murmured. Carlisle finished wrapping my hands and looked up at me.
"Hey, you'll be fine," he said, patting my shoulder. "Just relax."
"I'm trying," I whispered, closing my eyes.
Carlisle pushed my gloves on and taped them up, making sure they were tight but not too tight. He placed my headgear on and popped my mouthpiece into my mouth. I turned and looked at Esme, winking at her, before I climbed into the ring and turned to my first opponent of the day.
Max Carson was a tall, gangly boy with freckles, dark brown hair and eyes. He had a good foot over me. We bumped our gloves together before we went back into our own corners. The judges rang the bell and I watched for him to make the first move. Max stepped to the right so I mirrored his actions. He came at me with uppercut from the left followed by a right jab. I was able to block both before I threw a right handed roundhouse to the side of his head. He staggered back a couple steps but came right back at me.
I kept my feet moving, making him chase me around the ring. He kept trying to throw combinations at me but I managed to block most of them. By the start of the third round, he was sagging and his punches weren't even half as hard. I took a deep breath and went on the offensive. I threw my left hook followed by my right tab. He stumbled back into the ropes but didn't go down so I stepped up to him and threw a right roundhouse. He grunted before he fell to the mat.
"Winner," announced the referee. "Nice match, young man."
"Thanks," I muttered. I climbed out of the ring and spit out my mouth piece into the bowl Carlisle was holding.
"That was much better on blocking, Edward," he said, thrusting a water bottle in my face. "Drink."
"Bella?" I asked, after he pulled the bottle away from my mouth.
"Won her first, fixing to start her second," replied Carlisle, gathering our stuff. "Let's go, your next match starts in ten."
I followed Carlisle around to another ring. I tried to see Bella but he pulled my face towards him. Popping my mouth piece back into my mouth, he pushed me toward my ring. I rolled my eyes as I climbed in and settled in my corner. My opponent for this match was a solid looking boy with blond hair and dark blue eyes. His name was Randall Murphy.
Randall met me in the middle and growled as he bumped my gloves with his. I suppose it was a move to intimidate me but it just annoyed me. We went back to our corners and the judge rang the bell. I swear I saw Randall smirk as he came at me, throwing the meat sticks he called arms at me. I ducked as I got in a gut shot. He groaned and turned around just in time to see my right hook come at him. I followed with a left hook, a right jab, and a left roundhouse, just for good measure. Randall slammed back into the ring and slid to the ground with a groan.
"Winner!" yelled the Referee, holding my arm up. "Good job, kid."
"Thanks," I said. I climbed out of the ring and spit out my mouth piece.
"Hmm, so much for conserving energy," snorted Carlisle.
"He growled at me," I said, shrugging my shoulders. "Then he smirked."
"It's fine. With the way he was throwing his arms, he would have been out of it by the end of the round anyway," chuckled Carlisle. "Ok, win the next match and you automatically go into the championship round."
"If I don't?" I asked, wiping my face with a towel.
"Then you have to fight more to get there so just win it now," he said.
"Ok, let's do this," I muttered.
I headed back into the ring and looked at my next opponent. Cody Rice was a dark haired boy with bright eyes. He was tapping his foot on the mat as he listened to whatever his trainer was telling him. He nodded his head and looked up at me. His eyes were hard, focused. This was going to be quite the match up.
We bumped gloves and headed back into our corners. Carlisle popped my mouthpiece back into my mouth just before the judge rang the bell. Cody stepped to his left so I followed his actions. He took a couple more steps before he came in and threw a couple jabs. I blocked them and threw a roundhouse, which he blocked. He countered with a right hook/left jab combinations that slammed into my nose, causing my nose to burn and my eyes to water a little. I shook it off and threw my left glove into his face, followed by a gut shot. He stumbled back a couple steps but I didn't give him the chance to react. I threw my right hook followed but my left. Pushing him against the ropes, I pummeled him with my fists, hitting him over and over.
"Back to your corner," ordered the referee, pulling me back. I stepped back to my corner while he knelt down next to Cody, who was slouched down on the mats. The referee accessed his condition before he came over and grabbed my arm. "Winner, good match, young man."
"Thanks," I muttered. I climbed out of the ring and pit out my mouth piece.
"That nose looks like shit," grimaced Carlisle, pulling off my headgear. "He got you good."
"He's strong," I said, wincing as Carlisle pressed on my nose. "I had to get him down early."
"You did good," mumbled Carlisle. "Following your instincts. That's good."
"Here's some water," whispered Esme, thrusting a bottle of water in my hands after Carlisle pulled off my gloves. I looked over at Esme as I took a sip. She was shaking slightly.
"Esme, what's wrong?" I asked.
"Nothing," she said, smiling softly. "It's just really hard to watch you fight like that."
"Oh," I muttered.
"You're doing great, Edward," smiled Esme. "Just you're my baby brother. I don't like watching people hit you. That's my job."
"Oh, Esme, you can hit me later," I snorted, hugging my older sister.
"Eww, you're all sweaty," she laughed, pushing me away.
"Ok, Edward," laughed Carlisle, shaking his head at me and my older sister. "You have an hour until the championship round. I want you to sit down and rest."
"Can I watch Bella?" I asked, following him.
"As long as your ass is sitting," he said, leading me over to her ring. Bella was just getting in as Carlisle looked back at me. "Don't distract her."
"I won't," I said, putting my hands up.
I found a bench about ten feet from her ring and took a seat with Esme. Bella looked over at me and smiled around her mouthpiece before she turned back to her opponent. The judge rang the bell and Bella slowly started moving around the ring. I could see the focus all over her face. She wasn't going to let me or anything distract her from what was in front of her. The girl she was fighting tried to throw a jab at Bella but she blocked it and countered with her own jab. The girl stumbled backwards and Bella's eyes narrowed as she pounced on the poor girl.
Bella threw a right hook followed by an left uppercut. Over and over she pounded into the girl at the other end of her gloves. The girl was able to push Bella away long enough to regroup but Bella was ready for the kill, so to speak. I sat there on the bench, watching Bella taking it to the girl in the ring with her. The pose, the grace, the sheer intensity around her was pulling other fighters over to watch her. Bella slammed her gloved right hand into the side of the girls head, spinning her around as she collapsed onto the mat with a loud thud.
Bella looked up at me, panting as she tried to catch her breath. In this moment, I knew I was in love with Bella.
