I don't own Twilight or its characters. Stephenie Meyer does.
Cheryl and Gabby, thank you for pre-reading, and April, thank you for editing. Any mistakes left are my own.
Ch. 5
BPOV age 16(May)
I dropped my bag and track shoes on the floor next to my desk. Then I let out a sigh as I pulled the elastic out of my hair. I was about to jump into the shower when my phone rang.
"Hi!" I said happily, sitting on the edge of my chair since I was still in my workout clothes.
"Hey, boo, what are you up to?" Edward said.
"I'm about to take a shower. I'm all sweaty from practice," I told him.
There was a long period of silence.
"Edward? Are you still there?"
"So you're naked?"
"No, perv. What's up?" I asked as he laughed. "You're calling earlier than normal."
"Not much. I'm heading out to a study group in a bit and didn't want to miss you," he said.
"Sounds like fun. I have a history paper myself to work on tonight," I told him.
"I also wanted to tell you I won't be able to call you tomorrow night either…I will be going to prom." I could hear the hesitancy in his voice.
"Oh. What changed your mind?" I asked.
"Rosalie and Tanya talked me into it, saying us cousins don't spend enough time together anymore. So we're going as a big group," he explained.
"Wait, Tanya is in Chicago?" I questioned.
"Both her and Emmett. He got dragged into this too," Edward answered.
"Will you be able to get a tux on such short notice?"
"I actually have my own tux, since my parents make me attend so many events. It's easier this way."
"You're going to have to send me a picture of you in it. I want to see how handsome you look," I told him.
"Fine, but you need to send me one of you in your prom dress," he responded.
"I'm not going to prom. I'll send you a picture of me in my track uniform on Saturday. It's our last meet to qualify for states."
"You're not going to your prom? Why? I thought every girl wanted to attend their prom?"
I listed off my reasons. "Well, first I'm only a Junior so there's always next year. Two, you're out of state, and I really don't want to be the odd one out without a date. Third, is really that big of a surprise the girl who didn't like to play with dolls doesn't want to go to prom either?"
He laughed. "I guess no more than Tanya choosing a pink dress."
"Exactly. So, Emmett and Rosalie are a couple?" I asked.
"I think it depends on the day of the week," Edward joked.
I snickered, then glanced at the clock with a frown. "I hate to go, but I really need to shower and start dinner before my dad gets home."
"I need to go too. I'll call you on Saturday," Edward promised.
"Bye, Teddy. Have fun at the prom." I heard him grumble as I hung up.
Days
A few short hours later, I was finishing dinner when Dad came home.
"Smells good in here," he commented, taking a seat at the table.
"Thank you." I placed his steak, glazed carrots, and oven roasted potatoes in front of him.
"Big meet this weekend, are you ready for it?" He took a bite of his potatoes.
I nodded. "As I'll ever be. Coach thinks we have a good chance to go to state. Hopefully, I will get on the college recruiters' radar, so I can earn a scholarship for college. But I guess the chances are slim that someone from Chicago will be out here, huh?"
Dad's fork paused on the way to his mouth. "I would say so. Chicago? That's awfully far away, Bells."
"I know, but it is most likely where Edward will be," I told him.
He grimaced. "I don't know if I like the idea of you planning your life around a guy."
"I thought you liked Edward." I frowned.
"I never said I didn't. But realistically, Bells, you should be looking for an in-state college or university. Your mom and I can only help you out so much. Has Edward given any thought to going to school in Washington or Arizona?"
"Well, no, we haven't talked about it. His family has a history with Northwestern," I admitted.
"I also think—" He stopped mid-sentence.
"What?" I prompted.
He sighed and placed his fork and knife down. "You're not going to like what I have to say, but if you and Edward were to break up, you would've moved so far away from home for nothing."
"Dad!" I said incredulously.
"I'm not trying to be the bad guy, just realistic. High school sweethearts rarely make it and that's with seeing each other every day. You and Edward barely see each other. I'm impressed you've lasted this long," he said.
"Which only proves we have what it takes to make it," I stated.
He tilted his head from side to side. "I hope you're right. I don't want to see you hurt."
He started to eat again. "Do you have any plans two weekends from now?"
"I don't think so. Mrs. Newton might schedule me for at least one day," I answered him.
He concentrated on cutting his steak. "Can you find out? There's a self-defense seminar up in Port Angeles, run by the police department, and I would like you to attend."
"Another one? You have had me take so many that I can practically run a course myself." I sighed.
"I fail to see how that's bad thing. Especially if you want to go to a school in a major city." He pointed at me with his fork.
"Alright. I will call her after school tomorrow and ask." I gave in.
Days
Friday night, I settled on the couch with my fried chicken dinner I picked up from the diner. I started Guardians of the Galaxy for a nice relaxing evening before my meet in the morning.
My phone chimed with an incoming text, and I set my plate down so I could grab my it. I frowned when I didn't recognize the number, but I could see it was Edward in a thumbnail pic. I grinned and opened it to see a better view of him in his tux.
"Wow," I mumbled when I saw how handsome he looked.
I was gazing at him when a video appeared. I clicked to watch it. At first, I could hear Edward's aunt calling everyone together for a photo. I watched as Emmett and Rosalie appeared in the view. From the left side of the screen, a redhead came into the shot. She flung her arms around Edward and kissed him heatedly. My stomach turned as Emmett yelled out "get a room" then the video ended.
I stared at the screen in disbelief, trying to make sense of what I had watched. My phone beeped once more.
I thought you should know the truth.
"This can't be right." I shook my head.
I copied the video and opened the text screen to Edward and sent it to him then a short message.
What the hell is this?
I waited and waited for a response. I couldn't believe Edward would cheat on me. But I couldn't get the kiss out of my mind. My stomach was in knots and my heart hurt.
"Come on. Please tell me you have a reasonable explanation for this… like Rosalie put her up to it," I begged Edward through my silent phone.
I couldn't bring myself to watch again, to look for Rosalie's facial expression, or to see Edward's body language, any indication that this was all a ruse.
After ten minutes…nothing.
I took a deep breath and called him, and it…it went straight to voice mail.
"Screw it!"
I got up from the couch and threw out my dinner. My evening was officially ruined, so I went upstairs to take a shower and climb into bed. I kept glancing at my phone every few minutes only adding to my paranoia.
"Don't call him…he has to call." I stared at the ceiling after looking at my phone for the umpteenth time.
I had to get some sleep before the race tomorrow. I tossed my covers aside and went to the bathroom and took out the NyQuil. I took a small swig and then went back to bed. I peeked at my phone one last time before purposely placing it on my desk across the room.
Morning came all too quickly when Dad knocked on my door, waking me so I wouldn't run late. I dressed and braided my hair, then stared at my phone. With a deep breath, I touched the button and saw I had no new messages. With a sinking heart, I left it where it was and went downstairs.
I vowed to put Edward from my mind today. This race meant a lot to me and I needed to focus. I wouldn't be able to do that if I kept checking my phone.
Besides, at this point I didn't know if I wanted the answer.
Days
"Hello, Bella, are you even listening to me," Lauren harped in my ear.
"What do you want now, Lauren?" I sighed.
The meet was nearly over. We only had to wait through the boys getting their awards before we could leave.
"I said, you weren't performing your best today. You nearly knocked over a hurtle, and we came in second in the 400 relay. You need to step up your game for states," Lauren said condescendingly.
A flare of anger rushed though me. "Excuse you, but who do you think you are to criticize me?"
She tossed her braid over her shoulder. "Because I'm going to be team captain next year."
"You've got to be kidding me," I scoffed.
"Lauren, quit being a bitch," Carmen, our senior captain, told her.
Lauren glared at her. "I'm going to tell—"
"What? That I called you out? See if I care. I'm going to speak to coach anyways about you bullying teammates. Not only that, you have no place to criticize anyone on this team when you finished last in your event, and in the relay it was you who put us behind. Angela gave you a good lead, which you lost, and it was all Jessica and Bella could do to catch up. Bella did and was only a stride away from finishing in first. Coach should replace you with Bree," Carmen chewed her out.
"She's a Freshman! That can't happen. Right?" Lauren whipped her head toward Jessica. "Jessica!"
Jessica wasn't paying any attention and was looking behind me. "Oh. My. God. Have you guys seen him? He looks like he might be a Hollywood celebrity."
The girls all looked to see what she was talking about. I didn't turn because I wasn't interested. The idea a celebrity in Port Angeles was ridiculous.
"Dios Mío," Carmen gushed.
"Oh look, he has roses with him," Bree cooed.
I glanced over my shoulder and I immediately found who they were talking about since he stuck out. Edward was still wearing his tux, except his bow was undone and his shirt was unbuttoned, exposing his band t-shirt that was underneath. His eyes caught mine and they widened, looking relieved but still nervous.
"Bella, isn't that Edward?" Angela asked softly.
"Yeah, that's him," I told her, turning back around.
I didn't know how to feel about him being here. I was angry…hurt…and yet a part of me was glad he was here. I wanted to have a conversation with him but the same time I dreaded what might be the outcome.
"Wait, Edward? As in your imaginary boyfriend?" Jessica asked.
"There's nothing made up about that man," Carmen stated. "I thought he lived in Chicago?"
"He's headed this way. You don't look very excited to see him." Angela gave me worried look.
"Well, obviously, they had a fight. What did he do?" Lauren smirked, obviously enjoying the drama that was about to unfold.
"Like I'd share with you?" I rolled my eyes.
I tried to figure out how to handle this. The last thing I wanted was to get into an argument in present company. But I also wanted answers. Maybe it was a good sign he had come all this way…or maybe I was just fooling myself, hoping for a reasonable explanation.
"Am I sending him away, or do you want to talk to him?" Carmen asked, looking over my shoulder.
"I need to talk to him but not here." I eyed the gossip twins.
"Bella, can I talk with you"—Edward side-eyed the group— "alone."
"Go, I'll tell coach something came up." Carmen gestured.
I grabbed my bag and water, and we walked several feet away from everyone. I turned toward him, but I couldn't bring myself to look him in the eyes again—cause I knew my will would break.
"What are you doing here, Edward?" I asked.
"I needed to tell you the video you were sent was all a lie. That girl wasn't my date. She kissed—"
I held up my hand. "Edward—"
"Bella, you have to believe me. I would never cheat on you," he insisted
"That's what I thought at first. But I texted you immediately and also called. And when minutes turned to hours, I didn't know what to believe any more. Why didn't you respond to me?" I finally met his eyes.
They looked forlorn and had dark circles under them. "Because the same person that sent it to you, also hid my phone from me. As soon as I saw it, I chewed them out then I made the rash decision to come here in person."
"Who was the girl, and why didn't you stop her from kissing you?" I asked skeptically.
"She is a friend of Rosalie's. I think her name is Maggie or Margie or something like that. She caught me by surprise, and the video cuts of right before I do successfully get her off me. I was trying not to be too forceful because then I'd become the bad guy if I used my full strength," he explained reasonably enough.
"Why do they hate me so much? Seriously, what could I have done that they keep treating me this way? I've tried to be nice, but this can't possibly be still over not playing dolls with Tanya," I vented.
"I don't think you have anything to do with it this time— at least not directly. Apparently, they were still mad at me for not covering for them, when they ditched school for a long ski weekend," Edward said.
"So they punished you by having a girl kiss you?" I became confused.
"That's what I thought. I had hoped we were all even. They apologized, and I still went to prom to keep the peace. Apparently, I was wrong, and the payback was taping it and sending it to you, hoping you would break up with me." He sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "I'm so sorry, Bella."
"Don't be. It's on them. I wish you'd have gotten a hold of me sooner. I'm glad I wasn't wrong about not doubting you." I threw my arm around to hug him, then stepped back quickly. "I'm sorry I'm all sweaty."
"I don't exactly smell like roses myself." Edward held me to him.
"Well actually, you kind of do." I turned my head to look at the bouquet.
He handed them to me. "For you. I was always told if you're apologizing to not show up empty handed. I went to your father's house first and a neighbor told me where I could find you." He looked bewildered by the idea.
"Ah, the beauty of small towns." I kissed his cheek. "Thank you."
"You're welcome and congratulations. I got to see you run. You were great out there. You also seem to have quite the fan club." He looked back toward the crowds and frowned.
I glanced over to see a few members of the boy's team. "I have no fan club. Everybody cheers everyone on."
"Uh-huh. You know what? Maybe I can show up next weekend and take you to your prom," he said.
"Be serious."
"I am. Go shopping for a dress. My…or shall I say Tanya and Rosalie's treat," he insisted.
"Aren't you going to get in trouble for coming here?" I grew worried this might keep him from coming this summer.
"Doubt it. My parents really don't care what I do. Besides, I will be in Seattle in a month anyways, and Aunt Esme is a romantic—"
"Yet, unfortunately, for you, your uncle is more pragmatic." Dr. Cullen appeared out of nowhere, looking unhappy.
"Uncle. I have a good explanation," Edward told him.
"For borrowing my car? I hope so. Say good-bye to Bella. We have a long car ride ahead of us, and I'm not in the mood for arguing after taking a plane ride after an overnight shift," Dr. Cullen said.
He must have taken the puddle jumper from Seattle to Port Angles, after Edward took his car. I was thinking Edward was in more trouble than he realized.
"Yes, Uncle. Can we have a minute alone?" Edward asked.
"One." Dr. Cullen held up a finger. He walked away and stood with my father.
"I don't think I'll be seeing you next weekend." I smirked.
"Don't count me out yet," Edward insisted.
He leaned down and kissed me one more time—this one was chaste since the parental units were a few feet away.
"Buy the dress." He winked at me, walking backward a few steps before turning around.
A/N: A bumpy chapter. I don't need to ask what you think of Rosalie and Tanya. You all have been loud in clear. At least Bella suspected something was up and didn't assume the worst right away. Don't hate on Charlie too much, he was trying to be caring Dad who doesn't want to see his daughter hurt.
Thank you for sharing all your thoughts with me.
Last week I mentioned Cece's first book. My Beta released a new one this week. You can find His Dirty Girl and her other books under Faye Byrd on Amazon.
