Playlist: Hung up - Madonna
NOW:
"1, 2, 3, - good! - 1, 2, 3..."
Bella watches anxiously as Jasper leads the team through the final minutes of their last practice. They had been working tirelessly to perfect the choreography for tomorrow's pep rally and game. Game days were huge at their school, and performing during them was good practice for the team before competitions.
Sufficiently pleased and tired, Bella and Jasper ran through details once more before ending the practice early. The girls shuffled quickly to collect their bags and jackets, excitedly chatting while Bella, Jasper, and Zafrina stayed behind to clean.
"Are you guys staying over tomorrow?" Asks Zafrina.
Almost as customary as the pep rally and game were the plethoras of after-parties hosted. Whether pumped from the adrenaline of a win or in need of a good time after a crushing loss, after-parties were always the answer. And it seemed that with each passing year, they became wilder.
Right in line with me, thought Bella wryly.
"I might," says Jasper.
Bella doesn't bother.
"Cool," Zafrina answers, looking up from her phone. "Rose wants us to meet her."
"Where?"
"Bleachers."
Bleachers- Bella knew what that meant. The word was basically synonymous with football practice, and watching said practice- keenly. Quickly, Bella ran through the pros and cons- on the one hand, she really didn't want to see Lauren and her bitch brigade so soon after being rid of them. She could take the icy glares and snide whispers when she was leading, but choosing to be around that in a social situation? She wouldn't choose that.
Plus, that creep Mike would surely be there, his pointed looks and nauseating smirks leaving much to be desired. She shuddered at the thought.
"I'm gonna head home." She decided out loud.
Jasper and Zafrina shared a look, both pursing their lips.
"Alright," Jasper spoke, shrugging lightly. He had relinquished way too easily. Bella narrowed her eyes in suspicion. "I'll tell Edward you said 'Hi'"
After insistent badgering, Bella had given her friends the gist of her deal with Edward. As a general consensus, they had agreed that for now, what Edward and Bella had could be labeled a "situation-ship". Not a relationship, but a situation potentially heading there. Either way, her friends had insisted that if she hadn't explained, it would have been quite obvious anyway. Edward, in particular, was not embarrassed to express his affection for Bella around her friends, never hesitating to throw an arm around her or flash her an adorably sweet smile. Despite her best efforts, Bella couldn't completely hide how much he sent her heart fluttering. And her friends knew it.
Her cheeks redden at how obviously she falters.
"I'll stay for a few minutes -but that's it." She relents, rolling her eyes.
Jasper and Zafrina try to hide their Cheshire cat smiles. It doesn't work.
Following her friends up the bleachers and past Lauren's scathing glare, Bella settles on the spot closest to the isle in their row. The decision wasn't purposeful, but Bella smugly realizes that in this way she can escape with much more ease.
"Fucking finally," Rose mutters, her skinny legs curled into her chest.
"Why are you in a bad mood? I thought that Emmet finally finger-fucking you last night would lighten you up." Jasper deadpans.
Rose almost chokes on air. "Jasper!"
Ignoring Rose and Jasper's bickering, Bella scans the field with what she hopes looks like a cursory glance and not the probing one that more accurately reflects her intent. She sees a couple of the guys she knows- Mike, Tyler, Emmet- but she can't find him.
Just when she's about to give up, Lauren's shrill voice floats over, "I want to have his babies!"
She's met with pitchy giggles. "I'm serious!"
Bella looks over to where the girls' point and watches as Edward's impressive figure walks from the locker rooms and onto the sidelines, Coach Banner gesticulating wildly at his side.
She watches, quietly mesmerized, as Edward joins the others as they complete their drills.
The sheer strength and agility he exudes on the field, his expression so focused and determined. The sweat dripping from his hairline and down his sharp jaw. His face was red from exertion and his wide chest moving up and down as he works to catch his breath.
My God.
And when he looks up and catches her eyes with a smile, she wants to die.
Her line of sight is disrupted by a crumpled piece of tissue. Scrunching up her nose, Bella turns to Jasper and levels him with a glare.
"You've got some drool there, Babe." He says semi-seriously, wiping the corner of her mouth.
That's when she notices her friend's highly amused and somewhat smug looks. She rolls her eyes.
"Fuck you guys."
They laugh loudly, mimicking Bella's face and joking but when Bella glances back out into the field and sees Edward in action, she can't bring herself to care.
Coach Banner rolls his eyes as he watches the players and spectators meet one another. Some of the players head straight to the locker rooms- to shower and avoid overzealous girls- while others walk toward the bleachers and spit game at whoever will listen.
Bella follows Rose and Zafrina as they talk to Emmet, but her eyes stay locked on Lauren as she giggles loudly at something Edward says. She can't hear a thing, but she knows it couldn't have been that funny.
She wants to rip her head off.
In her rational mind, she considers that they are in a group setting-not alone, so it can't be as sinister as she conjures up. But still, even though he isn't really hers to claim, she hates that he accepts Laurens subtle touches and even throws a few smiles her way. Despite her best efforts, she can feel the flames of jealousy stroke at her insecurities and tempt her anger.
Why is he being so nice to her?
But of course, he is. If Bella has learned one thing, it's that Edward is a genuinely kind person. The kind of person who will carry a stroller up the stairs for a mother or pay for some loner's lunch. He's the kind of person that will give most people a fair chance.
He also had no idea that if she could, Bella would slap the actual shit out of Lauren.
"So." Zafrina starts, her voice casual. Bella looks over wearily, arms crossed as she raises an eyebrow in question.
"Lauren's got some new prey." She continues, her eyes settling over to the large group.
Bella's eyes glide back to the group, noticing Edward's phone in Lauren's hand now.
All at once, she can feel a sinking in her chest. Her insecurity rears its ugly head, bringing with it a flash of anger and embarrassment. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she had doubted Edwards's insistence that he really did like her and he'd wait as long as she needed for a real relationship.
He had the attention of every girl, why would he settle for a recovering addict who had maybe five solid friends and barely spoke to her mother? Someone who was court-mandated to attend NA meetings and wasn't allowed to drive? Someone who could potentially never give him everything he deserved?
"Bella, stop it," Zafrina mutters. "That bitch has nothing on you. I was just telling you- just to...y'know tell him to keep an eye out for that one."
Bella appreciates where Zafrina is coming from and knows that she has her back. Still, she can't deny that the information hasn't killed her entire mood and increased her insecurity ten-fold.
She's too sensitive-especially when it comes to Edward. Hugging Zafrina and Rose, she decides she should head out.
Grabbing her bag and sweater, she quickly walks around the bleachers and towards the parking lot. On her way out she contemplates - walking or biking? The weather is supposed to be good all week but waking up extra early the next morning is also unappealing.
She's almost reached her bike when a large hand grasps at her fingers.
"Woah, hold on." says the smooth voice that could only belong to Edward.
She turns to face him, not sure what he's seeing on her face.
His eyes are confused but his smile is warm.
"What's up? No 'Hi'?" He wonders.
"Hi."
His eyebrows furrow slightly at her tone.
"You alright?"
How does she explain her sudden shift in attitude? After all, she was all flirty smiles and eyes just an hour ago.
No, Edward. I hate that Lauren is flirting with you and you're letting her. Why would you give her your phone? Why would you smile at her? That bitch is probably doing this to spite me!
Is what she wants to say. Instead, she flashes a genial smile. "Perfect. You?"
His eyes narrow, and his lips turn down in a small frown. She can tell he doesn't believe her.
"I'm good. Want me to drive you home?"
"Nah, I think I'm just gonna walk today."
"I'll walk you."
"I'm ok."
"Bella." He says, his voice serious now. "It's getting dark. Stop being weird."
"Why don't you walk Lauren home?"
It comes out of her mouth before she can stop it. Edward looks confused, but then his mouth curls up into a smirk.
"Is that why you're mad?" he asks incredulously, the last word coming out as a chuckle.
With a huff, Bella pulls her fingers out of his grasp and walks away.
Of course, he follows. This time, he stops in front of her, using his height and long strides to his advantage. He lowers his head so that he can catch her eyes, and she's held by his gaze.
"What's wrong?" He whispers.
"She hates me," Bella whispers back. "And she's flirting with you and taking your phone and I'm just being weird about it. I'm sorry." she sighs.
That's as much as she's willing to reveal. She can't get any deeper, already exhausted.
"She wasn't flirting with me. I'm pretty sure Tyler and her have something going on." He says simply, shrugging as he grasps her fingers again. "I wouldn't flirt with her anyway."
Taking a deep breath, Bella can feel some rationality slowly dripping back into her mind. She envies how simple Edward perceives situations. She works to adopt that style, even if just this once. She can't- and shouldn't- control who Edward speaks to. It's good that Edward continues to make friends so easily, and most importantly- she is to work supposed to trusting him.
They begin walking again, their hands swinging slightly between them. Bella never mentions it, not wanting these mindless touches to stop.
"Hmm. Good to know." Bella mutters, admittedly feeling much better.
"Jesus." Edward laughs, tugging lightly at her hair.
The walk to Aunt Carmen's house is about thirty minutes, and they speak non-stop the entire time. They talk about their days, the upcoming game, pep rally and silly things that make them both laugh so hard they snort. When they turn the corner, they can both see Aunt Carmen on the front porch, painting over the porch rails. She wears a small scarf on her head and loose clothing. Turning her head, she shoots a beatific smile when she spots her niece.
Bella drops Edward's hand automatically and works to tamper the obvious happiness from her face.
"Hey, Bunny." Says Carmen, affectionately greeting her niece with her childhood nickname. Though not overt, Bella immediately hears the suggestive tone in Carmen's voice. Bella levels her with a glare that says, STOP IT.
Carmen smirks.
"Bunny," She starts again, "Introduce your friend!"
Before Bella can speak, Edward reaches forward, beginning to offer a hug before remembering his sweaty uniform. He offers a hand instead, which Carmen ignores, pulling him into her arms.
"I'm Edward."
"Carmen."
Over Edward's shoulder, she raises her eyebrows teasingly at Bella.
"Nice to meet you."
A few more pleasantries are exchanged before Carmen offers an invitation to dinner. Edward reluctantly declines, starting to feel his uniform stick to his body. In his rush to catch up with Bella, he had entirely foregone a shower.
Bella is both relieved and saddened by his refusal, but ultimately decides it's a good thing. Like a precious jewel, Bella is particular about sharing Edward with many people. Similar to a prized jewel, she can't help thinking that flashing him around would eventually lead to someone taking him away from her.
And that's a scenario she simply could not bear.
Riley Biers could admit that he was an impatient person – most likely the symptom of being an only child. But even outside the sphere of his upbringing- he was always used to getting what he wanted, from everyone. His friends, lovers, acquaintances, enemies…
By any means necessary.
So, when he watches from his front seat as Bella, whose true love and affection had evaded him, stood staring affectionately at the back of another guy- his anger is white-hot.
She had naively given him certain things- her body, her time, her trust. Still, when she whispered those words, "I love you too.", it never felt true, no fire behind her words. The light brown pools of her eyes were usually marred with something akin to confusion, her constantly inebriated state making most of their conversations feel...artificial.
Despite the nagging voice in his head that knew this small truth, he chose to hang onto those words. Coming from her sweet mouth, coated in her beautiful voice. Real or not- he ate it all up, glowing under her attention. She was his, and as far as he understood- she still was.
He had done everything to keep it that way. He had built her up and tore her down. He had given her the love she thought she deserved. He gave her the medication she so desperately craved. He gave her the crazy experiences she sought, and in return, she was his.
No questions asked.
He had heard about her accident and reached out many times. He'd tried all the usual tricks, after all, it hadn't been the first time they'd had an argument and she'd given the silent treatment.
He'd tried loving words, temptation, and even thinly veiled threats. She had never responded.
She couldn't have been done that easy. Was this boy the reason why?
Slowly, so as not to bring any attention to the borrowed car, Riley pulled out of his parking spot across the street and followed the boy in the uniform.
A fucking jock. He sneered through his windshield.
He followed the boy conspicuously as he made it back to the high school's parking lot. Riley made note of his car, license plate and the name "CULLEN" on his jersey.
To Riley, this boy was nothing but a punk. A threat meant to hurt Bella and take her away from him. Flashes of the boy kissing Bella, touching her skin, whispering and laughing with her. An image of Bella wholeheartedly saying, "I love you."
He couldn't bear it, his hands curling into fists. He'd always felt fiercely protective of Bella, the way someone would of a possession. He would do anything to protect her. To keep her away from those who'd harm her.
Anything.
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