A/N: I know, I know, you all hate my slowness, but to make up for it, I'm going to try to make this chapter really long. It's a little more than nine pages on Microsoft word!
Disclaimer: (gets elbowed in the ribs by the copy right people) (grumbles unwillingly) Twilight is NOT mine. (mutters under breath incoherently)
"Gym: The worst form of cruel and unusual punishment fathomable; intended to make Isabella Swan's life hell for the entire 45 minute class period in Forks, Washington," is how it should be defined in the dictionary. Edward, my incredibly chivalrous boyfriend (heavy sarcasm), decided he needed to do some hunting, and decided to skip gym and leave me to fend for myself during the first day of baseball. Never mind I may very well hurt myself and others around me. Never mind that they really were going to arm me with an aluminum bat. Never mind that Aubrey, Mike and Emmett were all in my gym class. Honestly, I worried about his mental health some days; it really all went down hill from "I hear voices in my head".
So here I was, minding my own business, receiving increasingly worried glances from class mates as I kept moving farther and farther up in the batting line. Naturally, I have the most luck in the world, and end up with Aubrey on my team. Considering the incoherent string of profanities Edward kept mumbling during lunch, he was clearly joining the "I love Isabella Swan" fan club. I winced as he sat next to me on the bench designated for our team.
"So Bella," he started, "How long have you lived in Forks? I heard that your father has lived here most of his life but nothing about you."
"Almost a year," I responded half-heartedly, attempting, and failing entirely, to pay attention to the game.
"Oh. And how long have you been with whatshisname?" He asked as if it was too hard to try and remember Edward's name.
"Edward," I reminded him nicely, "and I have been together almost as long as I've been here."
"Oh yeah," He looked back at the game, not really watching; annoyed. I couldn't fathom why he seemed so irritated. That is, until I heard Edward growl. It was clearly associated with a previous glare. He pulled me away and walked me toward the teacher.
"You're back?" I asked, shocked.
"I remembered the fan club was in this class," I winced at this; I wasn't the only one to call them that, "That, and the 99 chance you'd hurt yourself with that bat," he said trying to lighten the mood and smile, but it turned into a grimace. I looked up at him and saw the all too familiar livid expression on his face as he dragged me along. "Coach Clapp, can you excuse Bella from this class? She's feeling ill." I, of course, looked nothing of the sort. The coach looked skeptical, and then Edward added in a whisper, "I think it's 'that time of the month' again." I had to restrain every single urge to hit him at the moment as I turned tomato red; it didn't matter if he couldn't feel it. I nodded, playing along resentfully. The coach paled a little and nodded enthusiastically; there was no way he was about to deal with a pms-ing girl.
"Edward!" I hissed as soon as we were out of earshot, "Was that necessary?" I glared at him angrily.
"I told him the first thing I could think of," he said, containing his hysteria as one blush faded into the next; the notion of him even considering that was enough to turn me permanently scarlet. Faster than I could gather, he was stopped in front of me, hand on the small of my back, pushing me as close to him as possible. "Bella," he said, his voice like velvet, "You're not mad, are you darling?"
He was intentionally and purposefully dazzling me with his honey colored eyes. I raised an eyebrow at him, "Yes, and that is entirely unfair; you're trying to dazzle me!" Truthfully, I wasn't even close to angry, more or less embarrassed. Really, I was delighted he was rescuing me from gym, but he didn't have to know that. I stalked off to the parking lot, feigning anger.
I heard him swear, then growl in annoyance, "Bella…" as he caught up to me. I stopped, and pouted. He softened and said, "What can I do to make you happy?" He was sincere, but I couldn't resist teasing him just a bit. I scanned the parking lot for the Volvo, and found it, 5 rows down, and if I ran I could get there before he did. Or at least try. I turned back to Edward, prepared to do some dazzling of my own.
"Well," I said thoughtfully, "You could..." I trailed off, getting ever closer to his lips. I breathed out so I would send my scent careening toward him, and kissed the right side of his face, unbearably close to his mouth. I slipped my hand into one of his pockets to retrieve the Volvo keys. He tried to move his face so my lips would be on his, but I pulled back and ran as fast as I could to the car. I made it, surprisingly, without falling, all the while pressing the "unlock" button on his keys. I pulled open the door, shut it and locked all the doors right before he pulled on the handle. I giggled and waved at him. He was yelling something, but I couldn't hear him. It sounded like a whole lot of swearing and, "Bella unlock this door right now!"
I slid into the driver's seat and ignored him. I pulled out; trying not to hit him, then stomped on the gas pedal. I drove as fast as the car would allow (roughly 140) to the Cullen's. I was terrified of the speed, but he needed this; it was my payback to him for even considering abandoning me in gym. As soon as I saw the house, I saw Alice on the porch. She'd seen this coming and was going to help me. As soon as the car stopped I unlocked the door, she pulled me out, and ran me as fast as she could up the stairs and into her and Jasper's room. Jasper, catching on, ran after us but Alice was too quick. She slammed the door in his face and locked it. We collapsed on her bed in hysteric giggles. In unison, our names were shouted outside the door by Edward and Jasper. She motioned for me to be quiet, and quickly moved to the window. She opened it and jumped out. As I looked down, she was motioning for me to jump and that she would catch me.
"MARY ALICE BRANDON CULLEN!"
"ISABELLA MARIE SWAN!"
"Bella, if you do not open this door right now, I will bust it down!" There were some mild protests from Jasper, but they were silenced and he joined in with a,
"Yeah! And Alice, I won't take you to Paris like I promised!" I saw Alice roll her eyes, (we both knew Jasper would rather tear himself to shreds then deny Alice something) then motion with her hand to hurry up. I jumped and closed my eyes, just as I heard the door burst open. She flew me to Rosalie's BMW, Rose in the driver's seat. As soon as both our doors were shut, she floored it out of the driveway. I saw Emmett, Jasper, and Edward run out of the doorway, realize we were leaving, and then piled into the Volvo. I reached in my pocket, found the keys and giggled. Alice looked back to see what was so funny, and laughed when she saw them. I held it up so Rosalie could see it in the rear view mirror. She held up the keys to the Wrangler and we all laughed hysterically.
After a while we calmed down and Alice and I gave a play by play of what happened.
"He asked me what he could do to make me happy and I said 'well…-'"
"And she took his keys-"
"And I ran to the Volvo-"
"You ran without tripping?" Rosalie asked in shock, and Alice continued undisturbed.
"She got in, locked the doors-"
"I drove as fast as I could to the house-"
"She went 145 miles per hour!"
"And then I pulled up to the driveway-"
"And she came here and I brought her to my room-"
"AND WE JUMPED OUT THE WINDOW!" we finished together. Rosalie then told us that she'd been laying with Emmett when she heard Alice run out the door. Knowing she'd need transportation momentarily, she kissed Emmett and told him to close his eyes for a minute while she 'got a surprise for him'. She grabbed his keys and her own, and used a similar exit (a window in the 'kitchen'). It took him a moment to realize, but by then Edward and Jasper were breaking the door down and she was already in her car. We all exchanged high fives and congratulations for our crafty escapes.
"Really though, do you think they'll be mad?" I asked doubtfully.
"Well, even though we let the Callahan's sit with us, then ran off, they'll be begging on their knees for forgiveness." Rosalie said confidently.
"I see trips to Paris, honeymoons, and candle light dinners in our futures," Alice said knowingly.
I giggled, and then realized something. "Where are we going?" I asked suspiciously.
"Where else?" Alice asked with a giggle, "SHOPPING!"
"What?" I asked in shock, "No way, Alice! Not in your life! Rosalie, turn this car around right now!"
"Bella," Alice said in her buttery smooth voice, "If you don't come willingly, darling Rosy and I will make you our very own Barbie doll for a month; a new makeover every day." She sing-songed, then said in a more serious tone, "Every. Single. Day." That girl is diabolical. And I thought gym was bad; being Rosalie and Alice's doll: now that's just the epitome of hell. I grumbled, and glared out the window.
"There now, I knew you'd see it our way!" Rosalie said cheerfully as she and Alice giggled in triumph. It was quiet for the rest of the trip, but it wasn't an uncomfortable silence, it was one we all welcomed so we could retreat into our thoughts. When the car finally stopped, I barely had my seatbelt off when Alice and Rosalie pulled me out and into the mall with purpose. We walked over to a store called Saks Fifth Avenue, and they went nuts. Within five minutes, Alice and Rosalie had at least twenty different outfits for me to try on.
The first was a yellow embroidered camisole that felt like silk, paired up with a pair of boycut bootcut jeans (and no, that's not a typo). They fit me well, and I went out to show Alice. She clapped giddily, and pushed me back into the dressing room. Next was a black crepe tank dress. It hugged every curve attractively, and I couldn't help but smile. As I went out to show Alice, she said, "It looks good, but I think it needs a belt." She darted out of the dressing room and came back with a thin white belt. She fastened it around my waist and set it so the green DG could rest smack in the middle of my waist.
"DG?" I asked in confusion.
"Dolce and Gabbana silly!" she said. Still not ringin' a bell for me, but I nodded as if I knew exactly what she was talking about and went back into the dressing room. Next, I tried on a very fancy, very flowy, dress. It was teal and was very beautiful. I couldn't even begin to imagine what Alice thought I needed this for. Regardless, I came out to show her like the good little mannequin I was. She looked awed, and called for Rosalie. Rosalie's eyes widened when she saw me. I saw their lips buzz, as Alice bid me to go back into the dressing room. While I was trying on the next outfit (a denim skirt, leggings, and a pink racer back tee-shirt) I wondered what they were talking about. I came out and showed them my outfit, they approved, and it continued on like this. 15 stores and $50,000 later, we were sitting in the food court, me eating my cheese burger, and them watching with distaste.
"You actually like that stuff?" Rosalie asked, wrinkling her nose at my burger. I nodded enthusiastically, and took a big gulp of my soda.
"I really wanted to thank you guys for buying me all this. You didn't have to do that," I said gratefully when I was done.
"Anything for our little human!" Alice said fondly.
"I know, but you spent $50,000 dollars on me in clothing, shoes, and purses!"
"Bella, we spent $50,000 on ourselves too. Carlisle spent his entire life making this money and he doesn't care if we indulge a little. Alice and I usually spend $50,000 each anyway," Rosalie said nonchalantly while I choked on my French fry at the figures.
"Plus," Alice added, "It's mostly for you, so all dollars and cents will be excused," she dismissed with a wave of her hand. "You ready to go?"
"I think so," I said with a sigh, as I stood and picked up my 30 bags (two from each store with the exception of Tiffany & Co where they bought me a $450 bracelet, but made up for the amount with the 3 bags from Neiman Marcus). I struggled to follow after Rosalie and Alice, who easily carried all of their bags like they were tissue paper. "How's all this going to fit in your car?" I asked Rosalie, struggling not to fall flat on my face.
"It's not," she said. I was confused.
"Then how-" I started to ask when I saw Aurelia and Aubrey standing there.
"Aurelia offered her and Aubrey's cars in order to transfer each of us and our bags. Alice is going with Aurelia, I'm taking my car, and you're going with Aubrey."
'Crap,' I thought, 'As if Edward isn't mad enough already.' I looked over to Aubrey and saw an innocent grin on his face. Too innocent; like he was trying to hid the triumph on his face at winning me for the passenger. I sighed, and walked over to him glumly. He pulled up the truck bed cover of his 2006 cobalt blue Toyota Tacoma so I could put my bags in and wouldn't loose anything along the way. I looked over to see Alice putting hers in the bed of Aurelia's truck. It was the same as her brother's, but stunning silver instead of cobalt blue. I continued loading my bags in the back, and then got into the truck as Aubrey shut the bed cover. He got in and peeled out, stopping for Rosalie and Aurelia to get ahead and lead the way.
Rosalie shot out like a bullet, Aurelia and Aubrey following after at the same pace. I was shocked at how easily we kept up, I guess I was just so used to my old truck going so slow compared to the Volvo, that I automatically thought they were all that way. But of course, these trucks were at least fifty years younger than mine.
"So Bella," Aubrey started, making me nervous.
"Uh…yeah?" I asked timidly.
"Where'd you go during gym? I saw you walk off with old whatshisname, and then you didn't come back." This, I wasn't expecting.
"Umm…I was feeling a little sick, and Edward took me to his father," I replied, annoyed at his frequent "forgetfulness".
"Whatever. What sort of difference does Cullen's dad make?"
"Edward's father is a doctor," I said; whenever people called him 'Cullen' it drove me nuts. Aubrey was clearly trying to trigger such aggravation.
All he said was, "Whatever," as he stared blankly at the road. It was quiet for a while, and I was sure that was all he wanted when he asked, "What are you doing tonight?" I blinked slowly, then, flustered, I replied.
"I'll probably end up showing Edward all the outfits I got with Alice and Rosalie, and then do some homework with him."
"Well, how about tomorrow?"
"Going out with Edward," I lied. It wasn't that much of a lie, because if everything went how Alice said it would, then it was probably what I would be doing.
"What about the day after?" he asked hopefully.
"Edward is going to take me to-"
"God, doesn't he ever leave you alone?" he interrupted heatedly.
"No; I had to steal his car and jump out a window to get rid of him," I muttered darkly. He heard me and laughed; clearly thinking I was kidding.
"Are you serious?" he asked between laughs.
"Yes," I replied, making myself sound extra honest so the slow among me would understand. I watched the scenery out my window, desperately looking for familiar surroundings; I couldn't wait to see Edward again.
"Why?" he asked incredulously.
"Well, I got mad at him last year because of something he did, and I ran off. He had to come after me in Arizona, and convince me to come home. I guess he's just afraid that I might run off again," I said, giving him our "relationship issues" story we made up for my parents to cover up the encounter with James.
"What made you go to Arizona?" he asked in bewilderment.
"I lived there before I came here," I said, not really interested in twenty questions.
"Oh. Well, I think that if he did something to upset you so much that you don't even want to live in the same state, then he doesn't deserve you," he said sincerely, as if I asked for his opinion.
"That would be my decision now wouldn't it?" I snapped, "If anyone doesn't deserve anyone, it's me that doesn't deserve him. He deserves better than me," I added forlornly. For the rest of the trip, I glared out the window, giving all his questions one word answers.
"Do you really think that?" he asked.
"Yup." I replied honestly.
"Well, would you believe I didn't?"
"Nope."
"Why not?"
"Because."
"Well, I don't. And that's the honest truth of it." He said defiantly.
"Super," I replied.
"Can you stop with the one word answers?" he asked in frustration.
"No." I replied stubbornly. Mercifully, we were at the Cullen's and I practically dove out of the car. Alice was in front of me, restraining me. "Alice!" I whined.
"Wait for him to come to you," She said knowingly. Catching her drift, I went and started pulling out my bags from the truck. A blur of white skin and floppy reddish brown hair darted to me and hugged me to him.
"Isabella! God, Bella don't do that to me! You know how I feel about you being alone for too long," he said, part angry, part worried, entirely relieved. He kissed me deeply, stopping when he heard Aubrey's voice.
"She was with Rosalie and Alice," he said, "Even if she wasn't; she can take care of herself, Cullen." Someone clearly has been spending way too much time with Mike. Edward's eyes flashed lividly.
"Edward," I said pleadingly, "Let him be, he's not worth it." I tried to distract him by kissing him and trying to pull him toward my bags.
"Leave Aubrey," Edward said ferociously. When Aubrey wouldn't budge, he shouted, "NOW! And don't let me ever catch you anywhere near Bella again, do you hear me Callahan? EVER." Edward was overreacting, that much was obvious. But it scared the living hell out of Aubrey, so the message was at least clear. Aubrey scurried into his truck and floored it out of the driveway, and off the property. Thankfully, I'd retrieved all my bags and they were a safe distance away. I looked up to Edward, who was breathing heavily.
"Edward?" I asked timidly.
He growled.
"Edward," I started, a little surer of myself.
He continued to growl.
"Edward Anthony Masen Cullen," I said angrily.
"What?" he snapped severely, making me jump, and tears come to my eyes. His anger diminished immediately when he saw this. "Bella, I'm sorry sweetheart." He pulled me closer to him and I buried my face in his chest. He lifted my chin and kissed me sweetly. After, he smiled at me and asked, "What did my darling need to get my attention for?"
I sniffled and said, "I was just wondering if you were alright. And that you should calm down; no matter what he's thinking, you know I'll only love you; always. Isn't that enough?"
He sighed and said, "Let's get your bags inside. It'll start raining any second." He grabbed most of my bags with one hand, leaving the lightest for me to carry, and held my hand with his free one. We walked inside and up to Edward's room, when he said, "Go try all these on. I want you to show me that what Alice and Rosalie bought you was worth letting you be away from me for 4 and a half hours." I did as I was told and trooped into the bathroom.
A/N: tad a! It's done! Really uber long, like I promised. Waddya think? REVIEW!
XOXO
Boho Bella