NINETEEN
Friday afternoon
Edward's palms are slick for the majority of his seminar that day. He knows a bit more about this content than his Tuesday class, but he hates the idea of being asked a question. Luckily, he isn't picked on today.
As the lesson wraps up and he begins to pack his notes away, Edward almost doesn't register his name being called.
"Edward! Hey, it's Edward, isn't it?"
He doesn't quite remember the name of the guy standing by his side, but he recognises him from their classes together. He racks his brain. Is it Jared? Jerome?
"Yeah. It is."
"Nice one. I'm Jacob," The tanned boy holds his hand out towards him. Edward shakes it politely, noticing how contrasting their skin tones are. Fire and ice. "But everyone just calls me Jake."
"Sorry, I'm not the best with names."
"No stress, mate. Uni is fucking mental. Bet you've met so many people, everyone's just blending into one."
Edward smiles crookedly.
"I've seen you at a couple of football socials." Jake continues as they begin walking out of the classroom.
"Are you a member?"
"Nah, I'm part of rugby, but I know a few of the football lads. You seem like a nice guy. I'm heading to Guys for a pint with my mates. Did you want to join?"
Edward tries to calm his racing heart as he follows Jake into the bar. The space is already buzzing with students drinking and socialising; he tries to not to feel overwhelmed.
Jake walks over to a big group of people who take up two of the tables within Guys. Jugs of beer sit upon the tabletops and each student holds a pint glass in their hand, chatting away enthusiastically to those around them. Edward doesn't want to look like a lost puppy, but he doesn't know anyone else.
He trails behind Jake and pours himself a drink.
"This is Paul," Jake's friend is just as tanned as he is and has a large tribal tattoo on his shoulder. He shakes Edward's hand confidently. "You've got Sam, Emily, Seth, Quil...Jared is around somewhere."
Edward makes sure to greet every single one of Jacob's friends warmly. Although the blood pounds away in his ears, he feigns self-assurance.
"The other rugby boys are over here somewhere. They're probably hanging with the girls, hold on…there they are!"
Across the table, another group is chatting away. There are slightly more of them than Jacob's other friends and Edward prepares himself for more introductions.
"Guys, this is Edward. Edward, meet Aro, Caius, Marcus, Alec, Jane, and Angela."
As Edward's eyes travel around the table, his stomach turns and his heart dips.
No longer does that familiar brunette braid drape over her shoulder; instead, it barely brushes them, now fashioned in a short, platinum bob. She looks rounder, healthier, happier. Her skin still has its rosy blush, but it now looks like it's out of happiness rather than embarrassment. She is smiling.
"Edward, this is Bella Swan."
He holds his breath as he waits to see how she will greet him. After their last encounter, he deserves a slap or even complete ignorance. Knowing the emotional heartache it has caused him for months, he can only imagine how she has felt.
She surprises him again when she walks away from the blonde girl she was chatting to and wraps her arms around his neck.
"Edward Cullen. God, have I missed you."
BACK TOGETHER AT LAST!
Thank you for the all the love and support on this story! Love seeing all of your reviews :)
I was taking inspo from my own coping mechanism for breakups lol - I'm picturing Bella looking like Kristen Steward at Cannes Film Festival - if you haven't seen the pictures, Google them! She looks stunning - my forever girl crush xoxo
Will try to update again later xo