Disclaimer: Twilight is obviously not mine.
A/N: All the song choices were pretty awesome and there were no repeats; I listen to Sober by Pink.
THIS IS REPUBLISHED, CatchingStar questioned about the talks between Bella and Rosalie and I realized it was a little confusing. So made the talks smaller and simpler and explained it a little better.
ShalimarMars: I reread the chapters, I just don't usually catch anything until after it's published.
They're doing it again; Rosalie and Bella are sitting in Alice's room having another discussion. Rosalie on the four-poster bed in the center of the room and Bella across from her on the couch resting against the wall, they haven't moved in ten minutes staring intently into one another eyes having a silent debate. They couldn't actually hear each other, and Bella knew nothing of how the girls voice really sounded but she could read her eyes, just as well as Rosalie could read hers. It was a connection that proved to Bella that Rosalie was something special.
"Why don't you speak?"
"Why don't you leave?"
The firmness in her eyes makes Bella blink breaking the connection; she sits back into the couch giving up. Maybe Alice was wrong.
Being alone with Rosalie in Alice's room wasn't what Bella had in mind when she agreed to be her partner in Art. Their assignment was simple; instead of doing a portrait of themselves like most art classes Ms. Point gave the group two weeks to draw another student of their choice, it was all they would work on in class. Immediately Alice was next to Bella, claiming Jasper wanted to work with Rosalie and Angela was working with a girl named Lauren. Bella looked to Angela who only shrugged in response gathering her books to move; once she was gone Alice took her spot.
"I don't think we're going to be able to finish the assignment in class even with the two weeks, but you could come by my house to work on it, my aunt and uncle won't mind!" Bella can only nod getting used to Alice's enthusiasm about everything.
"Why aren't you working with Jasper?" Bella inquires, she was sure the two wouldn't separate for an assignment.
"Someone had to work with Rose" the enthusiasm is gone and the statement is simply spoken.
"Oh"
"So you're a senior right?" and it's back again.
"Yeah, isn't everyone in this class..." Bella trails off looking around the room at the faces of everyone, most of which are in another one of her classes.
"No Jasper's a junior; they put him in this class because weight training was full"
"He's a junior? Is she- I mean is Rosalie a junior too?" she whispers the blondes' name as if she isn't supposed to say it.
"Nope, Rosalie's a senior. Jasper was expelled from school his 8th grade year." Her tone suggests that nothing more would be said about the topic. They draw for the rest of the class period.
"Did you want to stop by today to work on it?" Alice questions. They're standing in the hall, Jasper in his designated space and Rosalie behind them along the lockers. Bella shakes her head.
"I can't, I have a video chat date today" Alice looks confused, Jasper raises his eyebrow, Rosalie turns sharply walking down the hall and Bella continues her sentence "with my mom, she wants to know how everything is" The relief flits across Alice's face and she releases a breath; Bella stares at Rosalie's retreating form.
"Oh okay cool, you can stop by tomorrow though right?" Bella nods knowing that somehow Alice will eventually get her to go with her and she's also hoping to see Rosalie outside of school.
"Sure, I'll see you guys later" with a wave of her hand Bella is on her way to "her spot" in the library for her free period.
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Bella didn't see Rosalie for the remainder of the day and it was driving her crazy. She wanted to apologize to the blonde, though she didn't understand the need to placate the woman; she wanted Rosalie to know that there was no one else and now that she met the blonde there probably will never be anyone else. She's in her room trying to do her homework but Rosalie is consuming her thought making it hard to concentrate, with a sigh she closes her book and opens up her notebook preparing to chat with her mom.
"Bells?" Charlie's voice startles her, Bella glances at her phone it's only 4:00 p.m.
"Yeah Dad?" she calls back down to him slightly opening her door.
"I got off early, I'm having my old pal Billy Black and his son Jacob over tonight; you might not remember him. But since there's a game on you don't have to cook I'm ordering pizza" Bella nods before realizing he can't see her.
"Okay, I'll be down when I'm finished speaking with Mom" Charlie shouts an understanding and Bella closes her door, going to accept the video call coming through on her notebook.
"Bella! Bella is that you?" she rolls her eyes at her scatter-brained mother; who else would it be.
"Yeah Mom I'm here" she responds coming into view of the camera.
"Oh, it's so good to see you! How is everything going? Do you like living with Charlie, have you met anyone new or special, have you finally taken interest in someone." The questions fire rapidly from Renee's mouth and Bella sighs knowing what she is in for..
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"Bella, pizzas here!"
"Okay!" Bella pauses the music coming from her computer putting her pencil down. The talk with Renée had been a tiresome act and now she was catching up on her math homework; her stomach growled reminding her that she hadn't eaten at lunch today.
Arriving downstairs Bella scans the living room spotting the box of pizza on the table in the center of the room opened and surrounded by cans of beer and soda. There is a boy, who Bella assumed to be Jacob, maybe 15 or 16 sitting on the right side of the couch stuffing pizza in his mouth his eyes focusing on the television. Next to him was a man in a wheelchair, Billy, whose eyes were also glued to the television a beer in his hand; Bella vaguely remembered him as a child but no concrete memory she could recall. Charlie was resting in his chair holding a beer as well; he glanced up at Bella when she came into the room.
"I don't know if you remember them but Bella this is Billy Black and his son Jacob" Charlie states gesturing towards the men in the room. Bella radiates a light blush when the attention in the room transfers to her.
"Oh um-yeah hi" Bella slightly stutters waving awkwardly at her house guests. Bella looks at Jacob, the boy quickly looking way and Bella notices the red glow to his cheeks. She chuckles at his embarrassment I think he might have a crush Bella muses making a move to grab two slices of pizza and a soda can.
"I didn't know what kind you wanted so I just order pepperoni; you can stay down here and watch the game if you want Bells" Charlie rubs his head and Bella can see the uncertainty radiating from him.
"No it's okay Dad, I still have homework to finish" he nods and Bella returns to her room.
Jasper didn't come to school the next day, Bella knows this because she reached school early and stood in the parking lot until they pulled up, waiting for a chance so that could she "speak" with Rosalie. The blonde once again consumed all her thoughts last night and she wanted to make it clear to her who it was that Bella had the video-chat with.
A silver Volvo arrived first parking three spaces away from Bella's Camaro followed by a green Jeep filling in the spot next to it. Edward and Angela step out of the first car and Bella waves in their direction as they made their into the main building; maybe going to the library Bella smiles at them watching Edward take hold of Angela's hand giving her an affectionate gaze. Emmett steps out of the front seat of the Jeep grinning at Bella before opening the door to the backseat revealing Rosalie to Bella, who can't help the gasp that escapes her lips.
Rosalie, for once, wasn't wearing her usually green sweatshirt; she wore a nicely fitting black shirt only covered by a dainty blue jacket, blue jeans that showed off her curves and a pair of black boots that seemed to make her legs stretch. Seeing the blonde in an actually shirt and not the bulky green sweatshirt had made Bella completely lose her ability to concentrate; she looks even more beautiful Bella thought. And the moment Bella saw the familiar haunted blue eyes looking back at her she felt her heart begin to race; their eyes meet and they were lost to the world.
"I'm sorry"
"I don't care"
"I care about you"
"Nobody really cares" Rosalie quickly puts her head down and Bella sighs when Emmett blocks her view.
"Hey Bella! Were you here waiting for me?" Bella shakes her head but can't help but to smile at the giant man.
"Hi Bella!" Alice peeks from behind Emmett and the hand Jasper usually occupies is now replaced with Rosalie's.
"Hey Alice" she says keeping her eye trained on the connected hands in front of her; Bella can't stop the feeling of jealously that courses through her veins. She doesn't notice the smirk on Alice's face.
"You're coming over today right Bella?" Bella nods shaking off the unwanted feeling.
"Yeah after school right?"
"Yup!"
"Where is Jasper?" Alice shrugs as they begin to walk into the school, Rosalie making sure to stay on the opposite side of Bella.
"He gets in these moods where he doesn't want to come to school, he'll be back tomorrow"
"Awe man Bella, you miss Jasper but you didn't miss me? My heart is broken" Emmett gasps feigning hurt and places his hand over his heart. Bella releases a small laugh at his antics.
"Emmett leave her alone, I think she has a weakness for blondes" Alice giggles out looking over to wink at Bella, who is blushing profusely.
"It's okay Bells I understand completely. You see that" Emmett asks pointing to a blonde female walking across the campus. "I mean damn, I would definitely have a weakness for it" Emmett release a booming laugh as Bella's blush increases.
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Rosalie ignored Bella for the rest of the day, refusing to meet her eyes to start their connection; Bella felt hopeless, she decided to talk with Alice after school hoping to get some sort of insight to the untrusting blonde. When the finally bell rang she rushed to the parking lot hoping to stop Alice before they left, she wanted private time with the pixie so she would offer her a ride home.
Alice was by the front doors of the school building smiling brightly in Bella's direction with a knowing smile on her face. Is she physic or something? Bella questioned herself walking up to the shorter girl.
"You ready to go?" Alice elaborates at her curious gaze. "You don't know the way to my house and with the Emmett drives it would be easier to just show you" Bella nods in understanding leading her to her car. Once inside the car she cannot hold her frustrations in any longer.
"What is the deal with Rosalie" she blurts out then corrects herself as she realizes how harsh her words sounded.
"I just mean that I can't- she won't. Ugh!" she huffs out slowing down the car glancing over to Alice to see a tiny smile on her face.
"It's okay, I understand." She speaks softly into the quiet car. It's silent for a moment Alice pointing out directions. "She needs you Bella, I know it may not seem like it and she can be difficult at times but you two need each other" The whispered words reach Bella's ear but she doesn't respond them, letting the words sink in.
And that is what left Bella here inside of Alice's room trying to persuade the blonde to give her a chance. Rosalie and Jasper came over an hour after Bella had arrived to the Cullen home. The house was far off into the edges of the city and Bella briefly wondered if they were still considered to be living in Forks; it was a large beautiful home with an extended driveway, glass windows adorned most of the outside of the house and Bella had stared in shock at Alice when she explained that it was Esmé's design. Rosalie's house, as far as Bella had seen, was equally as big though there were not as many windows. When Bella asked if Esme was a house designer Alice shook her head leading her into the home.
"She's actually a physiologist, designing homes is what she does as a small hobby." That's one hell of a hobby she thought.
The minute Jasper and Rosalie had gotten there he immediately came in sweeping the giggling pixie away claiming that they needed some "alone time". Since it was Friday Edward was with Angela at some music museum in Port Angeles and Emmett was at a party, this left Bella alone with Rosalie, as she tried to get her to open up.
"I just want to help" she conveyed staring her down. "I know you can feel it"
"I don't want to get hurt again" Rosalie's eyes speak the words she won't.
"I promise I won't hurt you" Rosalie shakes her head turning away and Bella knows that this exchange is over. A light knock at the door interrupts her thoughts and the door is opened to reveal a kind face peeking through the door.
Esmé, Bella assumed, was a beautiful woman and Bella understood where Emmett and Edward came from; she had a heart-shaped face with caramel colored hair, her eyes were a deep hazel, similar to Emmett, with a polite smile on her face.
"Rosalie?" she calls into the room stepping inside, she looks to Bella with a surprised face. "Oh! I'm sorry dear, I didn't think anyone else was in here" she truly looks apologetic as Bella stammers out a response.
"No, no I um, we were just-" She clears her throat. "I thought Alice told you I would be here, I'm sorry for being in your house Mrs. Cullen." Esmé chuckles waving her hand.
"It's alright honey, Alice has a good judgment of character and I trust her but please call me Esmé" she walks closer to Bella extending her hand "It's nice to meet you..."
"Bella"
"Oh, oh!" Esmé looks even more surprised than before her eyes scan over to Rosalie quickly. "Bella, that's a wonderful name" Bella nods her gaze also moving to Rosalie who hasn't made any indication that she is paying attention to the conversation taking place.
"You too" the room is filled with an awkward silence and Esmé clears her throat.
"Rose? It's time for our session" Bella's eyes fly up to Esmé face before looking to the blonde who nods. It clicks in Bella head what type of session she means and Bella wonders if this kind woman can actually get the blonde to speak.
"It was a pleasure meeting you Bella" Esmé smiles stepping out of the room "I'll be in my office Rosalie" then she's gone. Rosalie goes to move past Bella and without a conscious decision Bella reaches out to grab her arm.
The tingles that shoot up her arm are alarming, it feels as if her heart is going to beat out of chest, her mind was reeling; she hastily releases her arm hearing the small gasp the blonde discharges.
"I'm sorry!" she squeaks out looking into Rosalie's eyes. Rosalie of course doesn't reply leaving down the hall at an incredible speed but the shock evident on her face is enough to let Bella know that she felt it too.
Chapter Question: What would be on your pizza?