Author's Note: Okay, a little reminder, this happens on Bella's birthday. And it was named Hide and Seek in Bella's POV. This was one of the fun chapters aside from the depressing ones I wrote before.
Disclaimer: Roses are red.
Violets are blue.
I don't own Twilight.
So please don't sue.
The sun was rising, slowly lighting the sky up in brilliant colors. Another day just passed and my existence was another day older but I felt like I was dead inside. Today was Bella's birthday. It was the day that she was brought into this world, and because of this day she was able to change my life and made mecherish every waking moment. And all I was able to give her was one rose and a stupid letter? I scolded myself for my own stupidity and selfishness and hopped off the tree branch I was sitting on and ran home.
When the house came into view, so did Alice. She stood by the open garage with a grin on her face. I walked up to her and she dropped the car's keys into my hand. She gestured to my car and I saw that inside was packed with red roses.
"I had a feeling that you would want to do more," she said knowingly.
"Thank you, Alice," I muttered getting in the car.
"You're welcome. There's a lot more in the trunk. Write something in the card and give it to her," she said handing me the card and waving goodbye. I nodded and pulled out of the garage heading to Bella's house.
The smell of the flowers was heavy and made me a bit uncomfortable in the small space that Alice still left for me. I pressed hard on the accelerator to get there a bit faster. I stopped before going into her driveway and sighed. I couldn't give them to her in person because I had promised to leave her alone so I will have to find a way to get these to her without her knowing.
I listened in and found that Henry was in his room with music blaring so he wouldn't really hear me if I made movements. I stepped out of the car and made my way quietly to the side of the house where her window was. I climbed the tree nearest to it and peered inside.
Bella was laying on her bed with her eyes closed again. Her face was fixed in a focused expression and I pushed the window open letting it creak a bit to test her. She didn't even stir or opened her eyes. I pushed it open more and she laid undisturbed. What was she thinking about? It was probably better this way so I can sneak the flowers up here. I stepped into her room soundlessly and grabbed a pen from a desk and pulled out the card from my pocket. I quickly scribbled down a quick thoughtful note and pinned it to the wall.
Bella,
Happy birthday, there are 1000 roses here, 100 for each of your birthdays that I missed. They do not compare to you, but they are as close as any object can get to be able to compare to your beauty.
Edward.
I guess she was probably tired of reading notes from me but it was the only way I could communicate without breaking my promise to her.
I climbed back out of the room and returned to my car to grab as many flowers that I could to bring into her room. I placed them in every available space on the floor and it took me several trips but it was worth it. I was surprised that she didn't even notice my presence and seemed utterly undisturbed. I finished my last trip and grabbed the letter that I left her last night and placed it on her night stand before leaving. I was tempted to peck her on the cheek but reminded myself that she was not to know I was here. I did what I came to do and it was time to go.
I got back in my car and drove away. I decided to return the car home and come back to watch her from a distance. My heart longed to see her even though she didn't know I was there. I drove the car into the garage and pushed the button to close it. I got out and ran out before it dropped to the ground. For the hundredth time, I went back to Bella's house.
Part of me wished that I was able to see her reaction when she saw the roses but part of me feared her reaction. I was acting like a complete love-stricken fool and it was ridiculous at my age. I went at semi-speed to get to satisfy both parties of my mind.
I got out of the trees in time to hear a low giggle and see a stream of rose petals fly from her window and scatter with the wind. I blinked at the sky wondering what just happened. Did she not like it? How did she get them to do that? Her window slapped closed and the curtains closed shut.
I didn't hear or see any other movements in her house for a while but then I saw her leave the house and ran into the trees. I propelled myself forward and kept far away enough distance between us so that she wouldn't hear me. She stopped at a small lake with water lilies floating in it. I've never seen this place and I've been here quite often. It's probably because I always had a target to get to. I stepped forward to have a better view of her and stepped on some dry leaves that emitted a crunching sound. Her face flicked over to the area I was standing on and began to scan it.
"Whoever you are, show yourself," she ordered. I didn't want to take a chance so I began to retreat a bit, but as soon as I did, she focused on the exact spot I was in and met my eyes with hers. I moved away but listened carefully for a sign of her following me. "Edward, I know it's you. Come out," she screamed to nowhere in particular. She didn't sound angry, she actually sounded a bit . . . amused. "Come out here now or I'll never talk to you ever again!" She added showing her impatience.
I would rather her never talk to me ever again then yell at me some more. It was hard to admit it but I was a bit afraid of her now. I suddenly heard a loud splash and then silence. Oh no, Bella! I ran back to the pond and didn't find a trace of her. Bella, please be okay. I can't lose her again. I dived into the water without a second thought and searched desperately for her. This lake wasn't big but I couldn't find her at all. I panicked and swam back to the top.
"Bella!" I screamed hoping against all hope to hear her voice answer me to let me know she was okay.
"Yes?" A musical voice asked. I turned and saw her on the edge of the lake smiling pleasantly with her hair and clothes soaked with water. I was completely consumed by relief and swam over to her at lightning speed. I threw myself at her and hugged her as tight as I could.
"Bella, I thought something happened to you," I gasped no longer controlling my emotions. She laughed and pushed me off gently. How could she laugh at that?
"Edward, vampires can't drown," she stated. I've completely forgotten about that. I was too busy worrying about her safety to let my brain process the situation. I straightened trying to gather what dignity I had left and get out of her sight.
"I didn't think of that," I muttered ashamedly. She stared at me intently but I couldn't read her expression.
"Well, you wouldn't come out so I thought I'd force you out." I stared at her blankly. When did she learn to manipulate me? And I thought she didn't want me around.
"I thought you wanted me to leave you alone," I pointed out.
"If your idea of leaving me alone is leaving me devastating letters then you so don't get the point." She is annoyed at my letters. But that still doesn't answer my question. "You don't get it, do you?" I shook my head splashing her with water from my hair. She shrieked as they hit her and I was afraid she may add another reason to her list of why she hated me.
"I'm sorry," I whispered not really knowing why I apologized this time. Maybe for splashing her. Maybe for letting her know I was here or maybe for leaving her.
"I have decided to give you another chance," her voice cut through my thoughts like a knife and I opened my mouth to express my gratitude but she interrupted me. "But we start from the very beginning," she bargained. I nodded prepared to agree to whatever it is she wanted from me. And we will start right now, on a clear plate. I held out my hand to introduce myself anew.
"Hello, I'm Edward Cullen," I announced cheerfully. She giggled but didn't take my hand. She placed her hand on my chest instead and pushed with her weight and I fell backwards into the water.
"And I'm Isabella Swan," she responded taking off in the direction to her house. I shook my head to get all the water out of my hair. I muttered a chain of complaints but felt like I was floating because she was able to joke with me now. That was truly worth getting wet. "See you in school, Edward Cullen!" she yelled over her shoulder. No. Much sooner than that Isabella Swan. I dragged myself out of the lake and went home to shower and change giving her time to do so too.
She allowed me another chance. I wasn't going to mess this up again. I will cherish her for the gem she is and use my life to make it up to her. I knew just what to do first. I had to ask Esme to get it and I'm sure she'd be delighted to. My life starts today.
Author's Note: What do you think? Review! Press the pretty lavender button! Do it. I command you!