Some of you had exciting birthdays and others relaxed. I don't remember all the details of my own :P
A/N: Short but progressive chapter.
"I can't believe Alice planned this without me knowing" Bella says to Angela and Rosalie as they sit on lawn chairs in the Cullen backyard.
It's Saturday, the day for celebrating Bella's 18th birthday; today was a rare sunny day in Forks and they were having a bar-be-que outdoors. Alice kept the party simple, only inviting Angela, Emmett's new friend Heidi, Rosalie, Jasper, their mom, and to her surprise Charlie.
Mr. Cullen, or Carlisle as he insisted to be called, is working the grill engaged in a conversation with Charlie; Esmé and Anne are sitting under tree's their gazes shifting from their kids to the men. Heidi, Emmett, Alice, and Jasper are in the pool playing a game of water volleyball, Edward's inside changing clothes and Bella is resting in the blue chair, Rosalie to her right and Angela to her left.
Everyone is in warmer clothes, as if it were a trip to Florida instead of rainy Forks, smiles on their faces. Mrs. Cullen is wearing a red sun dress with matching red heels; donning the appearance of an elegant hostess, Ms. Hale is in a light blue skirt with a black blouse across her chest. Carlisle seems very relaxed in his khaki shorts and white t-shirt; Charlie, ever the awkward man, is wearing jeans though he does have a light t-shirt on as well. The boys, Emmett and Jasper, are in swimming trunks proudly showing off their chiseled well-built chest to everyone; Heidi is in a bright orange two-piece bathing suit that made even Bella do a double take when she first laid eyes on the woman. Alice ever the fashion expert is wearing a black with pink stripes bathing suit looking tiny and cute as she bounces around in the pool; Angela is also sporting a swim suit though it's covered by a long skirt. Bella and Rosalie are the only ones among the women who decided on shorts for this occasion.
"She's Alice" Angela chuckles. "She can do anything" Alice planned the event inviting everyone, all the while Bella believed that they would just have quiet group time by the pool; though Bella enjoyed it this way.
"Are you going in?" Bella asks Angela gesturing towards the pool, Angela shakes her head.
"No, I'm not that much of a swimmer. I'm just here to enjoy the rare sun today" Bella smiles at her turning around she faces the quiet Rosalie, who was silently observing the game taking place inside of the pool.
"Hey" she whispers softly to gain the blondes attention. "Are you going in?" Rosalie shakes her head giving Bella a small smile.
Later when the sun begins to hide behind the clouds and the food's been eaten, Bella sits with Emmett at the edge of the pool talking while the others enjoy the Jacuzzi.
"So how's it going with Heidi?" Bella questions kicking her feet lightly in the water.
"It's going good Bells; she makes my dick feel great!" Emmett booms out a laugh and Bella blushes.
"That's not what I meant!" she squeaks out, pushing against his arm. Emmett laughs again putting his arm around her shoulder pulling her closer.
"Yeah, I know but I just love to see you blush." He teases with a grin on his face. "It really has gone well though; she keeps up with my childish ways"
"That's cool"
"Yup, now are you sure you don't want to know what goes on behind closed doors because I-"
"Emmett stop harassing Bella" Alice pipes up from behind the duo, Rosalie standing next to her. "Bella can we borrow you for a moment?" her eyes find Bella's quickly averting them to her left at Rosalie. Bella nods standing up glancing to Emmett.
"Yeah, I'll see you later"
"Sure, sure" he replies waving his hand.
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"Is everything okay?" Bella inquires once they step inside of Alice's huge bedroom.
"Yeah, everything is good, Rosalie wanted to give you a birthday present" Bella blushes glancing towards the blonde.
"You didn't have to do that" Rosalie smiles, shaking her head.
"She wanted to besides it's not like she bought you anything, she made it!" She made it? Bella thinks viewing the blonde. "It's in the drawer Rose, I'm going to go find Jas" with that the pixie skips out of the room shutting the door behind her. Bella rotates back to face Rosalie, watching the blonde pull out what looks to be a cd case from the night stand. Rosalie stands walking to Bella handing her the case; Bella gazes into her eyes showing her gratitude.
"Thank you" she speaks quietly. Bella wants to hug the blonde but is afraid of her response instead she settles for a smile. "Can we listen to it now?" Rosalie nods pointing towards the stereo in the corner of Alice's room, taking a seat on the extra-large bed. Bella places the disk inside of the stereo, pressing play on the first track before hesitantly moving to take a seat next to Rosalie; when the blonde doesn't flinch Bella takes a seat. Glancing in the direction of the blonde she listens as the music fills the air; she gasps as the voice of her favorite band fills the air.
And I'd give up forever to touch you
'Cause I know that you feel me somehow
You're the closest to heaven that I'll ever be
And I don't want to go home right now
Bella looks to Rosalie's face, the blonde has her head down; eyes focused on her hands as they sit in her lap.
And I don't want the world to see me
'Cause I don't think that they'd understand
When everything's made to be broken
I just want you to know who I am
Bella slowly reaches her hand out placing her own on top of the blondes. Rosalie looks up to Bella uncertainty in her eyes.
"I love this band" she whispers giving her hand a gentle squeeze.
When everything feels like the movies
Yeah, you'd bleed just to know you're alive.
The girls sit in silence allowing the music to wash over them in a peaceful blanket; there are ten songs on the disk and Bella takes her time to listen to the words of each song, hoping to receive insight on the blonde. By the time the final song begins they have positioned themselves to the floor, heads leaning against the bed, their hands touching in the center of them.
I don't wanna be the girl who laughs the loudest
Or the girl who never wants to be alone
I don't wanna be that call at 4 o'clock in the morning
'Cos I'm the only one you know in the world that won't be home
Bella rests with her eyes closed only occasionally cracking them open to peer at the blonde sitting next to her.
I'm safe
Up high
Nothing can touch me
But why do I feel this party's over?
No pain
Inside
You're my protection
How do I feel this good sober?
When the song closes out, the girls sit in silence until they are interrupted by a knock on the door.
"Rosalie, are you in here?" Anne's voice floats throughout the room as the door opens slightly. "Hi Bella, Rose Esmé is waiting for you in the office" Anne addresses her daughter smiling at the two girls; her smile turns into a tiny frown however when her gaze lands on the connected hands on the floor. Anne clears her throat her green orbs finding Bella's. "Am I interrupting or..?" she trails off gazing at Bella.
"Oh, no we were um just listening to music" Bella stands up offering her hand to Rosalie, who takes it in silent agreement.
"OK Rose, don't be late" with that Anne strides down the hall, leaving the door open.
"I guess you have to go now huh?" Bella awkwardly chuckles running her fingers through her hair. "Thanks for the cd" she says holding the case in her hand, Rosalie stares. "I'll see you Monday?" Rosalie nods slowly looking at Bella. I feel like I should hug her or something Bella muses.
"Charlie's looking for you" Emmett speaks walking past the two girls, breaking their quiet session.
"I should go too" Bella speaks softly catching Rosalie's eye.
"Okay" the blonde silently agrees; lifting her hand Bella touches Rosalie's hand before the silent girl walks away.
Songs:
Iris – Goo Goo Dolls
Sober – Pink.