Edward POV
All through our Biology class, Bella was concentrating irrationally hard on the assignment, which happened to be finding proteins in slides under a microscope. She already knew most of the answers, so it was confusing and amusing watching her work. She was obviously avoiding a conversation with me, and I couldn't figure out why. I kept retracing the day in my mind, trying to see if I did something to hurt or wrong her in some way, but I couldn't figure it out. We kept taking turns looking through the microscope, but she wouldn't let me talk to her. When I tried, she would abruptly shove the contraption into my hands while telling me how cool this assignment was, which she never does. Usually, she forgets about the assignment, so I do it while we talk, which I certainly didn't mind. I would include her in the assignment when I could, so that the teacher didn't get suspicious, and she would blush when I reminded her we were in science class. It was so easy to get into our own little world together. Since she wouldn't let me talk to her during the class, I would have to wait until it was over to confront her. The teacher came toward our table, and I looked down at our lab paper, filled with answers. We had finished our assignment early, as usual.
"Great job, Bella and Edward! You guys have really been studying." He walked away and went on to the next table, but I was paying attention to Bella. She seemed panicky and avoided my eyes. I was going to go insane if she didn't talk to me. It looked like she was having a hard time not talking to me, but I couldn't be entirely sure. I decided to hold her hand on the table, but she got her notebook out and began to doodle on the paper. I put my hand back in my lap, wondering what was bothering her.
"Bella." She looked up, smiled, and went back to her doodling. Maybe she just liked drawing today. I didn't want to push her away, but I didn't want her to think I was okay with this either. She did smile though, so hopefully that meant that she wasn't upset with me. Of course, after tonight, she might be. I guess I'd have to wait until then. The bell finally rang for the next class period, and I picked up her books to walk with her.
"Bella, what's wrong? Please tell me. Did I do something?" She was making me really concerned.
"No! I mean, nothing's wrong, I'm just…" But she stopped talking and looked around. She got that look when she's worrying about something. I caught a glimpse of a sad expression, but it only lasted a second. What could she possibly be so upset about?
"Bella, please. What can I do?"
"I don't think there's anything you can do, Edward. Don't worry, it's nothing. Really." I didn't buy that. She was a bad liar, but she obviously didn't want to talk about it, so I wasn't going to push her.
"I'm just worried about what you're worried about."
"Look, I'm sorry, but all you can do is be here, which you've got down perfectly, so thanks." She smiled and walked into her next classroom as I gave her books back. I went to my class and barely paid attention. I had decided to find Alice right after this class and talk to her. It was a very boring day in this class, and the teacher practically gave us a free day to catch up on homework. It went by slowly, and when the bell rang, I half-ran out of the classroom and was surprised to find Alice standing outside the door.
"She's hiding something, Alice. Something serious." I looked at her with pleading eyes, and she just stared back, confused.
"I don't know what you're talking about. I came to ask you if the surprise was ready for-"
"Forget the surprise for a moment, okay? She's been a little off all day, especially after you talked to her at lunch. She's been avoiding conversation with me, and I don't know what to do."
"Oh. Yeah I think she just has a lot on her mind. I honestly don't know much more than you do. I'll just make sure she comes over tonight. I'll talk to her, though. I can't imagine that I would have upset her at lunch, but maybe I did."
"You'd better talk to her. It's driving me crazy, Alice." She nodded.
"Yeah I know, Edward. I hope you two have a good time at the dance…but you know she hates surprises."
"Yeah, but I really want to do this for her. Maybe I should warn her…you think?"
"Maybe. She might take it better that way. Well time for class. I'll talk to her."
"See you."
I stared after her, hoping she could Bella to relax, and also wishing that Bella wouldn't hate me for the surprise that would be waiting for her at the dance. I went to my last class, ready for the day to be over with.
Bella POV
After school was out, Alice grabbed me as soon as I walked out the door to go to Emmett's jeep. It was his turn to drive today.
"Hey Bella!"
"Hey, Alice." I just stared at the ground. I didn't want to make her feel bad about lunch, and I was still debating the pros and cons to leaving. I didn't want them to feel the need to protect me. If I went away, James would leave them all alone. Plus, I knew that Edward was planning something for me at the dance. I shuddered at the thought.
"What's going on, Bella? Edward and I have been wondering what's up all day!" I looked at her, and tried to act normal. Well, normal for me, anyway.
"It's nothing. Really." She didn't believe me. I could see it in her face. She looked sad.
"I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings earlier, Bella. I didn't mean to do that."
"Oh, I know. The conversation bothered me a little, but it's okay. You didn't mean any harm." I smiled, and I could tell it didn't look the way I wanted it to.
"There's something else going on. Look, if you won't talk to Edward at least to talk to me. If you won't talk to me, talk to him. Bella, you don't need to keep all this in." She had no idea how much I had to keep most of it in, but I decided to tell her about this morning. That wouldn't alarm her too much, and surprises horrify me, so it would explain my odd behavior.
"Uhm…well…see…earlier this morning, I heard Lauren and Jessica talking and apparently Edward has a surprise for me at the dance. I don't want to ruin it for him or anything, and keeping stuff from him is difficult…" I made a face, and she laughed.
"Oh. Don't feel too bad about that, Bella! Gosh, you shouldn't stress yourself out over something so trivial. Those bimbos. Lauren is okay, but I'm sure Jessica was the one talking a little too loud about it."
"I like how you knew it was Jessica. And yeah, I just don't want to ruin anything for him. Here he comes. I'm going to go now. Em and Jazz are waiting, anyways." I waved at Edward and walked off toward Emmett's jeep, where he and Jasper were waiting for me.
"Gosh, Bells, we've been waiting her forever."
"Sorry, Em. I had to sort something out with Alice."
"It's cool Bella. Emmett was joking. We were prepared to wait at least five more minutes so you could say goodbye to Edward. But you can't help but avoid people when you don't want to talk to them about something. What are you hiding from him?" Jasper was concerned, but Emmett was amused.
"Well, it's hard to keep a secret when everyone can read your face."
"I wouldn't know that feeling."
"Gee, thanks for the sympathy, Em." He laughed as I glared at him. I climbed up into the jeep with Jasper's help, and stayed silent as I strapped myself in. Emmett cranked up his rock music, which I would normally dance to, but today wasn't the day for that. When we finally returned home, the phone was ringing. I was the first to reach it, as Charlie and Renee were still at work. I was nervous as ever when I picked up the receiver.
"He-hello?"
"Bella?"
"Oh, hi Edward." Great. Now I knew I'd cave.
"What is going on with you? Alice told me to talk to you, but you left without giving me a chance to."
"I'm sorry, Edward. I've just got a lot on my mind today, and I don't want to worry you."
"Bella, you keeping things to yourself worries me." I sighed.
"What's really going on, Bella?" Well I guess I had to tell him about the dance thing.
"I'm so sorry. I accidentally overheard a conversation between Jessica and Lauren this morning, and it's hard to keep stuff from you. It was about some surprise you have for me at the dance. But I don't know what is or anything… I didn't want to spoil this for you, no matter how much I hate surprises."
"Bella, you could never spoil anything, love. And it's okay. I was going to tell you I planned something for you, anyways, so don't fret over this. I wish you would have told me this earlier. You've been really worrying me all day." His voice was so soothing I could have melted in it.
"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to do that. And at least I know something unpleasant is waiting for me…"
"You don't sound too assured there." He chuckled, and I was glad he wasn't worrying about me anymore.
"Well…surprises are still evil, even if I know about them." He laughed.
"I still have some homework to do before I come over later, Edward, so I'm going to get started on it. I love you."
"Bye, my love." I hung up the phone and got started on my homework with Em and Jazz. We completed all of it just in time to head over to the Cullens' residence. We piled into Emmett's jeep because he wanted to drive. He likes to go fast, unlike me. Oh well. His gas. When we finally got to the house, I saw Edward waiting in the driveway. Jasper and Emmett smiled at me, and I knew we were all thinking that Edward was best guy who could have come to town. They went inside to meet up with Alice and Rose as Edward helped me out of the jeep. When I was finally on the ground, I threw my arms around him. Everything just felt right when I was with him, and I never wanted to let him go. He pressed his head into my hair as he pulled me tighter, and I couldn't help but smile. The most amazing, loving, and caring man in the whole universe wanted me. Me! Of all people. How could I not be happy in this moment?
"Hello, love," he whispered in my ear. All I could do was hold on as tight as was possible, worried that if I let go, this dream would somehow fade away.
"It's time to go inside, Bella." I didn't want to move.
"No." I buried my head into his chest, but he laughed and pulled away. He took my hand and led me in to the front room of his house, and I was bombarded with decorations and bubbles everywhere.
"What in the world is this all about?" I looked all around the room and realized that the bubbles swarming around me were partly because of Emmett and Jasper. They were blowing bubbles all around the house, leaving them to dematerialize in this room. The red heart shaped chains and confetti stopped me cold. This had to be about the dance. I felt the blood drain from my face as I stared straight ahead at small black box on a table. I looked at Edward with fear in my eyes as he led me toward this object of my impending doom in silence. He knelt down on his knee as if he were proposing to me while he placed the black box in my hand. I was shocked and completely stunned into silence.
"Will you, Isabella Marie Swan, please accompany me to the valentine's ball?" He flipped open the box which revealed my dance ticket. Of course he would. There was no way I could refuse. Of course, I couldn't let that face down any day. I looked deep into his longing and questioning eyes and smiled.
"If it makes you happy." He smiled and hugged me as everyone shouted "Congratulations!" The room burst with laughter.
"Please tell me that this is the only surprise!" Alice glared at me.
"Bella, you know me better than that."
"Alice? YOU'RE in on this?" I couldn't help my voice from breaking.
"Bella, calm down. I already know that you are going to love it!"
"Whatever you say, Alice." I was defeated. Besides, there was really no point in arguing with Alice.
"Yep pretty much!" We went to find Rose and turned on some music, forgetting about Alice's parents. Carlisle yelled from the top of the stairs.
"Hey Alice! Kids! Can you keep it down? Esme and I are trying to sleep!"
"Oh, yeah, sorry dad!"
"It's okay, dear. You ought to go to bed soon too." Carlisle yawned loudly and went back to bed.
"Well, so much for that." Rosalie was disgruntled that we took her away from Emmett to dance with us.
"What time is it Em?" I was exhausted.
"Bella. It's ten. We'd better get home." Jasper and I nodded as we followed Em out to the jeep. We said goodbye to our friends and I was asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.