Twelve years ago

BPOV

"Where is it?" I was looking for the specific book Alice had mentioned.

"It's in Edward's room," she replied.

"Oh!" I said. Edward was her elder brother and a high school senior. I had realized it four years back that I had a serious crush on him. He was three years older than us, and maybe it's normal to have a crush on senior guys!

We hadn't talked at all since awhile, not that he'd have even noticed it. I would act super awkward around him even if he just said 'Hi' to me, so I avoided going near him to save myself from any kind of embarrassment.

"Can you get it for me?" I asked.

"You can get it yourself," she said without taking her eyes off her laptop. "Edward is not home."

"Oh!" I said. I guess it should be safe to go to his room then!

I looked around in his room. It seemed quite messy. There were books and papers all around the room. I saw some printouts for various university related information. Alice had mentioned he was very anxious about his admission nowadays. I thought he could get in wherever he wanted. He was certainly one of the smartest guys I had seen.

Then I noticed his walk-in closet. It was quite big, I thought as I went in there. He had so many books even there, and his clothes were lying on the floor. God, boys could really, really be messy!

Suddenly I heard some footsteps coming toward the room and I heard Edward's voice, "Why the hell did you come here? I told you it was over."

Wait, was he here? God, how would I explain what I was doing in his closet! I should have left immediately after grabbing the book!

"But we can make this work, right?" I heard his girlfriend Tanya's voice.

"It's over, for God's sake. Please don't come to my house again," he said, "Stop bothering me!"

Oh they broke up? Nice! I didn't like her anyway. Then the book slipped from my hand by mistake and dropped on the box lying on the floor.

"What was that noise?" Tanya asked.

No! No! No!

"Must be some box or something, but that's none of your business." he said, "Please leave."

"Edward, please..."

"It's over. Please leave." Edward said.

Then I didn't hear anything, so I assumed she had left. But I could still hear some footsteps in the room, so it meant Edward was still in the room. What was I supposed to do now? Should I stay here? It'd be very awkward if I went out now, so I stayed there for some more time. I mean, I could wait till he left the room, right?

"Bella... What's taking you so long?" I heard Alice's voice. "Oh, you're back?"

No! No! No!

"Why are you looking for her here? Why would she be here?" Edward asked.

"She came here to grab the book." she said, "Maybe she's downstairs. Let me check."

God, why did I even come here!

And then, after a minute or so, I heard footsteps approaching toward the closet.

No! No! No! I closed my eyes.

"What are you doing here?" Edward asked.

No! No! No!

"Ummm..." I said as I opened my eyes.

Wait, why was he not wearing a t-shirt? Maybe because he was in his own room and wasn't expecting me here? Yeah, that seemed like a plausible explanation!

"Hmmm?" he said.

"Ummm..." I said again. God, I was so awkward! "I came here to... get this book." I showed him the book like an idiot.

"And the book was on the table I guess? What are you doing in the closet?" he asked.

Please, let me go. I wanted to say. I'm begging you. Please, please, let me go.

"I just... I just came here and then I heard you arguing with your girlfriend." I said.

He just stared at me. I didn't know what he was thinking.

Just let me go, please... I wanted to say again.

"Ummm... Sorry!" I said awkwardly. "I'm sorry for your break up."

Like, why did I say that? "Sorry for your breakup?" What did that even mean?

He didn't say anything for a moment. Maybe he was thinking I was an idiot or something.

"I'm not sorry," he said, "She's just... stupid!"