A.N.: Hello, everyone! I wrote this all yesterday and I'm posting it all today because I'm finally done with my 4 huge projects that I turned in yesterday. After that, I went home and just started writing. The result: this chapter! Hopefully it meets Twilight fanfic standards.Please tell me if it does or doesn't -I like to know : )
I love all of the reviews very much! Thank you so much! It's like just one of them gets me all "Oh my gosh! Someone reviewed my story!" It's a wonderful feeling and I thank you for it. Now, I'll leave you before this author's note turns into a chapter itself, because Lord knows I'm just blabbering on-lol: )
Disclaimer: All names, characters, times, places, and other Twilight memorabalia belong to Mrs. Stephenie Meyer, creator of the masterpiece, Twilight!
Hope you enjoy!
"Newton, hey Newton –enough dry ice, already," Mr. Smith instructed with a rather strange indifferent authority. "I swear your parents are all going to kill me." Mike laughed enthusiastically at his teacher's comment with certain mischievous tone in his voice. He smiled, winking at Bella and Jessica, who sat opposite him from the lab table.
"Mr. Smith, come on. It's Bella's birthday," he replied sardonically, throwing her a quick glance and winking. She clearly did not meet his enthusiasm. Making bombs out of dry ice was definitely not her favorite birthday surprise of the day, a mindset that set her apart from many of the other crazed students who were currently enjoying the chance to pommel each other with burning ice bombs that exploded on impact. Mike Newton, however, had taken this lapse of freedom to a new level, tripling the amount of dry ice in each bomb, thereby stretching the limits between good clean fun and intense pain. "The way I see it, today should be a day of nonstop celebration. And, if that means one must add an extra scoop of ice or so, then… so be it!" Jessica giggled at his impractical rationalization.
"Yes, happy birthday Bella," she sang, smiling wide at Mike and paying Bella little attention. "Isn't it so great we got to do this today, after all?"
Not really, Bella thought gloomily. With an audible sigh, she began to count the moments until the end of the period, when she could see Edward again, waiting at the door, a mere second after the ring of the bell itself.
Bella had had the most perfect morning up until first period, it wasn't even fair. Upon entering her bathroom to shower, she had realized there was a flower –a beautiful red rose –sitting right next to her brush on the dresser. It was such a marvelous, perfect thing; Bella had never seen a flower like it. It shimmered and glistened in the light, ensnaring Bella's thoughts and showering her with unconditional splendor. She was caught, hypnotized by the sheer magnificence of the single crimson blossom. It was not right to have to endure two simply wonderful creatures in such a short time. Simply unfair.
The next surprise had been the most wonderful birthday breakfast; a feat Edward said he had saved for her special day. If she approved, he wished to cook for her every morning. And with the delicious buttermilk pancakes tasting the way they did, it was an offer impossible for Bella to refuse.
Accompanying the elegantly prepared breakfast was yet another wonder. Another red rose laid across her sophisticatedly folded napkin, this one with the same serene tranquilizing ability as the last.
"Edward, what are they," she had asked, curious to know their mysterious secret. He had just smiled and said she would know soon enough.
All the more reason to get out of chemistry, Bella thought anxiously. She now had collected four roses; one more was found sitting on the passenger seat of Edward's Volvo, and the other she found sitting daintily on her regular lab seat in chemistry class. Bella planned to carry these roses around with her for the day because of the soothing tranquility they brought her. They soothed her constant ache for Edward, and looked beautiful besides. The emotion of sudden emptiness whenever they were parted was often too much to handle, resulting in Edward casually delivering several items of unimportance to Bella's classes, peering through windows to catch her smile, and sometimes even claiming that a "teacher" needed to see Bella right away, when really the only one who wanted to see Bella was Edward.
To avoid this, Edward had suggested he switch to her classes, saving them both a lot of "unnecessary stress". As appealing as this was to Bella, she realized it would not bode well with her still nervous mother, who called every night since she publicized her dating with Edward. Once word of the class switch got around to Charlie, which undoubting it would considering their desert location in the world's own private rumor mill, word would make its way to Renee and she would most-definitely freak. This would surely spur another, "Are your grades slipping?" talk, in which Bella would answer honestly, "no." Edward always made sure of that.
Bang! A thundering crash interrupted Bella's thoughts.
"Mike, I said that's enough," Mr. Smith yelled over the screaming girls and hysterical boys. A rather amused Jacob Black was standing right next to him, holding an old mangled clipboard and observing the gigantic mess Michael's bomb created with a large smirk on his face.
What is he doing here, Bella wondered to herself, mind for the time being lifted off Edward.
"Smith, I swear –that one was an accident," Mike said, lying through laughter. Mr. Smith's bald head shone bright as he shook it.
"Sure, sure it was," he said, chuckling to himself and turning back to Jacob. "How loud was that, huh," he questioned rhetorically. Bella glanced at the clock behind her. Fifteen more minutes before she could see Edward. Doable, she decided.
"He was trying to get your attention earlier, you know, but you didn't notice."
"Wha –who," Bella asked, confused at Jessica's random assessment.
"Jacob –Jacob Black," she replied, as if the answer was above obvious. "Don't you remember him?"
"Of course I do," Bella stated, slightly down at not seeing Jacob's hello. After all, he was the one who had introduced Bella to the idea of Edward being a vampire. Without him, things might have ended up different, Bella thought. She might not be with Edward right now, much less even near him. She might even be dead. Bella made a mental not to thank Jacob for his innocent story telling.
"Hi, Jacob," Bella called sweetly.
"Bella, hey," Jacob exclaimed as he turned towards her. They exchanged smiles before Jacob began conversing again with Mr. Smith. After a few seconds, he approached her table.
"Hey guys," Jacob said happily, "Mr. Smith said I can share the table with you since we're friends and everything."
"That's great," Jessica exclaimed, as Jacob took the empty seat opposite Bella.
"You're in chemistry," Bella asked, bewildered.
"Yeah, I'm a junior now, remember?" She did not remember, for she still thought him quite young, even though his appearance had drastically matured once again over summer.
Ring!
The bell rang, much sooner than Bella anticipated.
"I'll see you tomorrow then," Jacob said with a smile.
"Sure," she replied before turning towards the door. She had been right; Edward was waiting, looking, as always, like a handsome Greek idol.
"Oh, and Bella," Jacob called before she left. "Happy Birthday!"
"Thanks," she replied, before scampering towards Edward with a big smile planted on her face and her heart beating frantically in her chest.
"Gee, Bella! You really …um…. You're getting really good at this!" Bella snorted at Mike's far from true comment. She had been working at Newton's Outfitters for three months now, and it was obvious her outdoorsy store salesman skills had not improved, and lucky her, it seemed half her job relied on climbing up to the top shelf to get several hiking miscellaneous items for over-bothersome customers. Needless to say, her job involved a lot of falling down.
"Well, thanks," she said, unconvinced. Mike seemed to help her with everything these days, despite Bella's constant disapproval. "But you've really been keeping my job for me. I feel bad." She turned away to the window, not yet used to discussing feelings aloud with people like Mike. He shrugged.
"No, don't feel bad," he said with a laugh. "You really are a big help. It used to be just me here, you know?" Bella smiled. Mike really could be sweet sometimes.
"Oh, hey, did I mention our new recruit?"
"New recruit," Bella repeated, thoroughly confused. Mike smiled happily.
"Yep! Tomorrow we have a new addition to the store. I don't know who it is yet, but Dad seems really happy about it." Bella smiled and nodded. More help was always good. No matter what the form.
"You were late today," Charlie stated matter-o-factly. Bella stared in amazement. She had just gotten home from work, and already it had been confirmed: Forks, Washington really was the smallest working town in existence.
"Oh, well, yes," Bella answered, "But I didn't get in trouble or anything. Mr. Smith is nice like that." Charlie looked bothered, troubled by his daughter's response.
"Was Edward on time to pick you up," he asked, concerned. "Because, you know, I can always take you to school…"
"Oh, thanks anyway, Charlie, but it wasn't Edward that made me late," Bella said rather nervously. She truly didn't want to lie to Charlie, but it was as close to the truth that she could manage without giving up her and Edward's hidden rendezvous. And Lord knows she wouldn't give them up for the world. "I was late getting up," Bella said with a reassuring smile. "Edward waited for me though."
"Oh. Well, that's good," Charlie said, rather unconvinced. Bella hoped she had not hurt his feelings by not wanting to ride with him. It was not that she didn't like riding with her father. It was that she wanted Edward's company instead.
Bella felt a surge of hot guilt spread throughout her body. How she wished she did not have to lie to Charlie. She had hurt him so much once already; how would he respond if the truth were to come out?
"Charlie?"
"Yes, Bells?"
"Do you think you could give me a ride to school tomorrow?"
Charlie smiled wide like a young child on Christmas. "Of course!"
Bella smiled nostalgically, already wondering how she was going to explain this to Edward. Oh well, she mused. He would understand. He always understands.
"Ready to go," Edward asked pleasantly as Bella slipped into his Volvo.
"Yes," she replied enthusiastically. "Charlie has Renee and Phil and they are going to meet us at the restaurant." Renee and Phil had flown in from Phoenix, Arizona, just to be with Bella on her eighteenth birthday.
"Sounds great," Edward said, smiling beautifully. Bella wondered what it would be like –the five of them, Renee and Phil just in from Phoenix, all in one restaurant, in one table, gathering together just for her. "And how does it feel to be eighteen?"
"Hey," she called, "I'm not eighteen until all the candles are blown out." He laughed musically.
"Interesting perspective. And what happens if you can't blow them out," he asked. "What happens if they're trick candles that never go out?"
"Then I'm eighteen forever," she said, meeting his smile. "Which actually wouldn't be too bad……"
"I know what you're implying, but it won't work. Bella," she smiled at the sound of her name, "I will not do that to you. I couldn't even if I wanted to." She looked up at him inquisitorially.
"Do you want to?"
Yes, he groaned internally. More than you will ever know, I want to spend eternity with you.
"I can't answer that, Bella. I'm sorry." She turned her head to stare at the passing green scenery.
"Tell me when you can, ok?" Edward turned Bella's face toward him and kissed her gently on the lips, causing a scarlet blush to spread rapidly across her face.
"Of course, sweetheart. Of course."
A.N.: Ok, so how do you guys like it? Is it true to Twilight or am I way off? I love getting replies from everyone, so keep them coming: ) Oh yes, I almost forgot: Alert me if I got any facts wrong. I'm trying to use some of the new imformation on New Moon from the Twilight Lexicon( if you haven't been there then you're really missing out and must go there now!) in this story...but I'm not sure what to think about it. : p
P.S.: I almost forgot!PLEASE REVIEW! Thank you: )
Foxiego
