Ch. 3

I wasn't exaggerating the truth when I said that the first day back at school after summer break was always the hardest. It was most certainly the longest, but the following days didn't seem any shorter. However, despite passing through the days as if the hands of the clock were caught in molasses, we were nearly two weeks into our junior year, and it was nearing my Bella's seventeenth birthday. Her father reserved the right to celebrate with her on her actual birthday which was tomorrow, Saturday, but surely he would not object to me escorting her to an early dinner and a picture show this evening. This thought entertained my mind through much of the morning.

Each school day was divided into quarters and the first two of the day passed by like all the others thus far, without even granting me a glimpse at Bella. Her schedule was unfortunately opposite from my own this year. The males and females were always kept separate from one another at Lake Crest, but oftentimes in previous years I would, at the very least, catch sight of her in passing in the corridor or see her in the courtyard for lunch. This year, I wasn't so lucky it would seem, but now that we were courting, I could offer to drive her back home this afternoon. Perhaps she would like to stop for a treat in celebration on the way home too. I would think of any way to extend the time with her at my side where I could admire the way her eyes sparkled when she smiled or how those same Irises would spark to life in debate. If she accepted my offer to escort her this evening as well, we will have practically spent the entire day together. At that, I was feeling rather giddy, and I don't use that word to describe myself often.

The third and most of the forth quarter passed quickly as I daydreamed of Bella riding in my car with the top down, her long, dark hair loose in the wind, devastating me all over again in her allure...

"Mr. Masen, it would do you well to sit up straight and pay attention!" A female voice chided, and my awareness returned to the front of the class where my history teacher stood with her gold, thin-rimmed frames lying low on the bridge of her nose as she paused her instruction to glare at me. I immediately corrected my poor posture in the too small desk. No, this school year was not off to a good start at all.

"Yes, Ms. Fletcher. I apologize sincerely for my inattention." Apparently, ever since Bella was introduced into the simplicity of my life, I would no longer be able to focus on much else. This could be a dilemma in the context of my studies, but I would willingly pay any price and work twice as hard on schoolwork to have the immense privilege of carrying her image in my mind for the rest of my days.

"Very good. Now class, Let's review the high points of our last lecture on the American Judicial system..."

The bell signaling the end of the school day finally rang, and I leapt from the desk, quickly snatching up my notebook and schoolbooks which I had previously gathered in anticipation of an agile escape. I rushed through the halls, my mind as always focused on only one other...my Bella.

"Bella! It's so good to see you! How was your summer break?" I slowed my pace as I saw one of our male classmates, Tim, approach her. How rude of him to call after her like that as if she were some common dog!

I resisted the urge to throw myself in front of her, blocking her from the nuisance, and, instead, I resumed my previously calm route straight to Bella. I would impress my Bella by asserting my claim to her love in a much more affable manner, but, make no mistake, no matter the means by which the deed was done, no man would be confused about her status with me if I could help it.

"Hi, Tim. It was lovely, thank you. How was yours? Did your family go anywhere interesting?" Her voice was politely indifferent as she smiled at the smooth-talker.

I couldn't help the flare of jealousy which arose when I heard Bella's cordiality directed to someone other than me. I recognized that I was behaving no better than a petty schoolboy, but, at the same time, I was finding it increasingly difficult to stop myself from initiating a physical altercation. When did I become so barbaric? Although, I suppose it's normal to have such protective inclination for those whom you love, and I certainly loved Bella. Tonight would be the night that I told her as such. Seeing Tim flirt so shamelessly with her solidified my determination on the matter.

"We went to the city of love itself, good old Paris!" He obnoxiously pronounced the name with an over-exaggerated French accent.

His father was a business man, very well travelled, so Tim believed himself much better and more knowledgeable than most in many topics as if he could experience his father's years of wisdom by proxy. The majority of our school mates with any kind of common sense learned to ignore him and his distasteful efforts to assert himself into every conversation, but Bella was far too kind to ignore anyone purposefully. This may have been the one time I wished she were a crueler person...

"Bella, my love," I began boldly. Her cheeks flushed, but she didn't appear embarrassed by my daring, public proclamation. Instead, she looked relieved and perhaps a bit proud. The positive response gave me the courage I needed to behave even more brazenly. I easily snaked my arm around her, placing one hand scandalously on the center of her back. "I was hoping to find you here. Oh, hello Tim. Excuse me, I hope I wasn't interrupting anything important in your little chat. There's something I need to discuss with Bella." I brushed him off like the dust he was to me.

Bella frowned ever so slightly at the strange manner of which I was conducting myself, but she didn't move away. "Tim was just telling me of his summer adventures in Paris. Isn't that nice?" She would truly always be my better half, so long as she allowed me to stay by her side.

"That sounds interesting. Did you travel by cruise then? I didn't enjoy the liner we went on last summer." I toned down my boorish attitude just enough to maintain civility, but I kept my hand touching Bella. Tim would not miss my not-so-subtle claim.

"Yes, we did, but I found it all quite entertaining. You must have ridden with the economy class. First class was a dream." He proclaimed arrogantly. I wanted to punch the conceit off of his face, but I resisted because I was a gentleman.

"No, we rode first class, I just find the pompous attitude which seems so abundant almost to the point of infection on the deck to be very difficult to bear in such close quarters for so long." Tim's lips formed a tight line at my jab, and I smirked slightly. Bella appeared to be biting back a smile of her own which did not please dear old Tim.

"Yes, well, I must be going. It was nice to see you, Bella." He didn't address me, but that was fine. I couldn't tell him in earnest that I had enjoyed any part of our exchange, so it was all for the better that he didn't. I watched him leave, feeling rather victorious.

"That wasn't very nice." Bella started, but she was still poorly concealing her smile. She would never make it as an actress. "Don't feel so smug at other's misfortune, Mr. Masen."

"Since when am I back to being Mr. Masen? I much preferred darling." I said, and she playfully rolled her eyes. "And what do you mean misfortune?" I asked genuinely. Tim was from one of the wealthiest families in Chicago. He was not lacking in any access to funds.

"I mean, darling, that not all people are born with the gift of tact. I'd say Tim is rather misfortunate in that department." She giggled, and I couldn't help but chuckle along. Her wit was one of the things I adored most about her. Her commentary wasn't predictable like most others; I never knew what she would say next.

"Ah...I suppose you're correct." I returned a smile to her, but turned the conversation back to my hopeful plans for the evening, my hand still firmly—and wonderfully—still on her back. "So, it's almost your birthday...I know you will want to celebrate with your father tomorrow, but do you think you could reserve this evening for me? I thought we could see the new Mary Pickford film at the Cinema, if that sound alright to you, of course." I lowered my volume just a tad to hide the nervousness and shake in my voice as I looked down at her through my lashes, hoping that I didn't sound ridiculous.

She blinked her full, dark lashes back up at me, her cheeks darkening yet again when she responded. "I don't usually enjoy making such a fuss about my birthday, but I would enjoy spending the evening with you. A film sounds wonderful." She was almost speaking in a whisper by the end of her response, and she bit her lower lip in that way that drove me mad with lust. 'Control yourself! Not now!' I thought to myself as I internally prayed for the mercy of relief before Bella noticed any...changes...in my appearance.

Now I was blinking furiously. I hoped but never fully expected the request to be answered so easily. Every positive affirmation I received from Bella in her affection for me was like the first time hearing it, a beautiful surprise. "Err...thank you, love. While you're accepting offers, would you also like a ride home now? We could stop for your favorite strawberry frozen yogurt perhaps?"

"Ok." She smiled, casually taking my hand in her own, and my heart sped. Could life be any better than it was in this moment? I thought not.

Aww sweet, jealous Edward. Do you love the story as much as Edward loves Bella? Like and Review!