SimplyDazzling is great. Yay. We good? Cool.
Enojy(:
Winter break went by much too fast for my taste. I hung out around the house for the most part. Esme and I went to a couple movies, Carlisle and I finally got to the golf dome, and Rose and I met to exchange the presents we got each other. I even went to an ice rink with Elliot.
It was exactly what I would have wanted. I was kind of a homebody; I didn't like to be out with bunches of different friends every day of the week or go to all the parties hosted. I went to some and so did Rose but neither of us really loved to be really surrounded with people at all times.
School was going fine, and my grades were admittedly pretty good. There was nothing lower than my one B+ in health. Oh how I completely and unconditionally loathed that class. . .
It was January 10th when I got my response from Edward. It had been almost a month since I'd heard from him and I was just as anxious as I was the first time to read his letter. Carlisle really had to stop texting me in warning that I had mail during school; it just made my leg bounce the entire day.
Rosalie noticed while I was driving to her house but otherwise didn't make a comment. Just a raised eyebrow that told me everything I needed to know; I'm so not going to push this right now because you'll probably run me over but you are so going to spill and soon.
I rolled my eyes and waved as Rose got out of the truck. Then I was speeding home again. This time I was pushing 20 miles over the speed limit. I cringed as I glanced at the speedometer and slowed back down to 30 miles per hour.
I pulled into the driveway to see that Esme's Escalade was once again in its parking spot in the garage.
Why was Esme home again? I grimaced and sighed before grabbing my backpack and jumping down out of the truck.
The warm air of the house swirled around me and wrapped me in it as I entered the mud room. I smiled slightly to myself and pulled off my boots and dropped my backpack to the floor. Esme was sitting at the island with a bowl of M&M's next to her. She held the letter out without even glancing my way. I snatched it out of her hand and went to the counter to read it.
Dear Bella,
Merry (very belated) Christmas to you! I got all three of your letters and the package as well. You are one of the most generous people I have ever come into contact with. Your package arrived on the 25th, not Christmas morning but around noon so it was great. I didn't expect you to get every little thing I suggested. I wasn't expecting anything, actually. I'm not sure how to thank you enough. I haven't had a package addressed to me ever.
Everyone loves you over here. I divided the boxes of candy up for them but stashed the tootsie rolls under my bed. I haven't had them in months, and they're one of my favorites. Ah, you can imagine how great that tasted. My roommate Emmett also took it upon himself to take the Sour Patch Kids that you sent. He crammed those down his mouth in minutes.
The guys put Dodgeball in the player as soon as they saw it. Very nice choice, by the way. Alice lost that fight, her wanting to watch Troy and being sadly outnumbered. I gave the Midol to her and she was very grateful. The guys feel the same about the Tylenol, headaches and irritation have already decreased around here. That is the best gift you could possibly give.
I gave Alice the People magazine too. After I read the whole thing from cover to cover of course. . .I put in the letter Alice wanted to write you as thanks. It's pretty much from the rest of the guys too. They just aren't as good with writing things down.
My beard got shaved off thanks to the razor. I think I lost some edge now that I don't look as tough but I don't like my face feeling like a dog's ass, so I'm feeling pretty good. Emmett and a man from another unit are thankful as well. Emmett with a beard is seriously bad ass. He's a big guy. I mean like more the size of a bear that a normal human. Though his dimples give him away. . .
I started the one of the books you sent me. Perfect taste once again. I am actually familiar with the author of these books and have read some of her previous books. I'm glad that you picked them. The guys already have a House schedule planned out (anything other that Full House brings tears of joy to our eyes). We are watching two episodes a week as of now, I guess.
You managed to nail anything possibly requested amazingly. Hopefully you know I mean that, because I don't make up shit to make people happy. I'm generally a pretty honest person.
Though on a side note, I gave Alice the Orlando Bloom pillowcase. Where does one ever find one of those? I mean honestly, did you order that from the Internet or something? Don't get me wrong, Alice loves the guy, but I on the other hand am suffering through many wisecracks made at the expense of Orlando and me.
So Ice Queen, huh? Sounds like a pretty big deal to me (I wonder if my sarcasm conveys over letters). What a great title to put on college applications and future job interviews. Are you planning to go to college? You seem like a smart girl, but I don't want to be presumptuous. I might try it again. I mean three years to get a degree isn't that bad at all, I just didn't feel right when I went to school.
Rosalie sounds a lot like my best friend. It's great that the two of you share the same interests. I'm not going to say you don't suck at sports because that would be a lame ass response, but honestly varsity captain in both sports you play? I'm sure you're just awful.
Carlisle and Esme sound like great parents, you're lucky to have them. I don't make judgments about people I've never met before so don't worry. Though that's not to say I don't silently make judgments about people the second I do meet them, (one of my flaws I suppose). Carlisle sounds like a great dad, though I really have nothing to compare him to. It was mostly just me and my mom the whole time I was growing up. But she was my best friend regardless.
I have never heard of Boys like Girls songs, are they girly? We mostly hear the same music around here since some of the guys brought over CDs like Led Zeppelin, Queen, Simple Plan and Brad Paisley. I still don't know how I feel about country music. At times I think I'm warming up to it and then I just feel like a hillbilly. I wish we had some Joan Jett over here; I'm quite a fan of her.
Thank you for the prayers Bella. Sincerely. My shift is about to start and I wanted to get this letter sent to you as soon as possible. I'll tell you more about my life over seas next letter, promise. Enjoy the snow.
Sincerely,
Sergeant Masen
I automatically smiled. I looked over at Esme who was also grinning but she was grinning down at her flower catalog. I rolled my eyes and grabbed the envelope that still had Alice's note in it.
Again I laughed. It was written on pink cherry blossom stationary. It was lovely and cute, I'll admit, though I just can't imagine someone bringing specific paper over to war zone. It was very cheery though. And I had to say, I was getting more and more curious about this Alice.
The handwriting on this was much more feminine than the other letter. I'm talking extreme over exaggerated swirls and loops. It was pretty. Though this would normally annoy me because I got really irritated when girls tried to be cute and spent hours perfecting their handwriting to look like it. It's not logical but then again I'm 17 and don't really have to be.
Dear Bella,
Hey! I'm Alice! I'm not sure if Edward has said anything about me, and if it's good. . .well it's all true. If he was mean, then just ignore it! I swear sometimes he is too moody for his own good.
I wanted to personally thank you for the Midol! I mean I'm extremely grateful for the other stuff but the Midol was like getting a new car over here. It's really inconvenient when you are getting your period every three weeks in the heat of the desert. But I'll be all smiles from now on. I feel compelled to tell that the guys all want to marry you for sending that now.
I also love the People! I haven't read one of those in ages, and it's good to be caught up on the happenings of people that I don't care about. I mean that sorta literally, meaningless stuff is so welcome after all the sites you see during your shifts. I can't wait for my tour to be over.
But that's not too important to you and I'll stop rambling about it. I love the Orlando Bloom pillowcase way too much for my own good. And I can't wait to pop Troy in the player, you definitely know your shopping, I'll tell you that. Shirtless men are always good, especially when sword fighting. . .
Thanks again! It is totally appreciated here! Especially for me. Nice talking to you!
Alice (:
Alice was certainly very animated, at least from her note. I smiled to myself, excited from hearing from her. I set down the pink paper and was about to read over Edward's letter once more. Then I realized that I still had an audience, an audience who was trying her hardest to look interested at the magazine in front of her.
Rolling my eyes but not losing my smile I cleared my throat. Esme looked up innocently with wide eyes. I gave her a pointed look.
"So, how's Edward?" Esme asked as if she had no interest in the subject. I smirked at her.
"He's fine, his squad loved the gifts," I told her while absentmindedly folding the two papers back up. I placed them back into the slightly rumpled envelope. Esme was planning her next comment as I did this.
"That's great! I'm glad. Why the pink paper?" I realized as of now things weren't looking very good for Edward, well in Esme's eyes anyway. I mean she saw me send him an Orlando Bloom pillowcase, a movie with a bunch of shirtless guys wearing skirts, including Mr. Bloom, and I told her he loved Madonna.
"It's from a female soldier in his squad," I told her, trying to convey that I was pretty sure he was straight.
"Oh, okay," she responded lightly with a satisfied smile. I was about to leave up to my room when she stopped me. I let out a huge huff and turned to face her. "I hope you realize that I'm not pressing you about this guy because he's only written you two letters, but you'll be answering some questions eventually." Esme trying to be stern was like seeing a small puppy intimidate somebody.
"Gotcha," I spun back around. Grabbing my backpack, I darted upstairs with the letter in my hand. I always liked to write back as soon as I could so I didn't put it off. That and I wanted a faster reply.
I took out my notebook and propped my back against my bed headboard. It didn't take me long at all to write my response to him. It was a page front and back just like I normally did. I asked him some questions about Alice; I mainly wanted to know if she had any family that was writing to her.
As I was writing the last paragraph of the letter I wrote: I just got some pictures developed, thought you might want to see who I'm talking about. Then I realized that I wrote that and I mentally slapped myself. And worse, I realized that I should really invest on some pencils to write these letters because pen sure as hell doesn't erase.
As a result of that sentence I actually had to go and find the pictures I developed and find the best ones. I got the one of me and Elliot at the dance, mostly because I thought he would get a laugh out of the crown. I picked out the family picture we took at Christmas and then I was looking for a picture of Rose and me.
There were no recent pictures that I liked at all. And honestly, I wasn't sure if I was actually trying to impress him, but I really didn't want to send the picture from after our soccer games where we're drenched in sweat. So I started looking months back. Idly I was glad that I took time to actually organize a photo box.
Finally I found one that my golf coach took before a meet last year. I was wearing a wide pink headband in my hair that was down because I hadn't put it up yet. I was wearing a form fitting white collared shirt and then a golf skirt that was identical to the headband. And Rose was next to me decked out in orange and white plaid. I loved the picture because I wasn't even looking at the camera directly, we were both laughing at something he had said when he was taking the picture.
After labeling them on the backs I tucked them in the envelope with the letter. I looked at the time on my phone and let a profanity slip. I was supposed to meet Carlisle at the Sky Dome for a little bit and Rose was meeting us there as well. I hadn't realized that the designated time was five minutes away.
I did get there in time, though I had absolutely no freaking clue how I did. The roads were like driving on an ice rink. And I wasn't being too careful. I knew it was dangerous but I was relying on the still new tires that weren't worn much at all. I pulled into the parking spot right next to Carlisle's truck and hopped out.
"You forgot," Carlisle accused me as I walked through the front doors. He was to the left in pro shop and my bag was sitting right there with all my clubs accounted for.
"Of course not," I inhaled deeply, completely contradicting my reply. Carlisle shook his head with fond exasperation. That doesn't seem like the right word choice but I'll roll with it.
"The roads were really icy," I mumbled lamely. I hadn't even had time to put my hair up. So I started gathering my hair up to tie in a simple pony tail.
"I'm sure Esme, if I called and asked, would tell me you left about three minutes ago and sped through the dangerously slippery roads, wouldn't she?" What was with these two pretending to lecture me? It was getting old. . .
"There's a very likely chance that she may say that. . ." I told him with an apologetic, overly toothy smile.
"Thought so," he rolled his eyes. I grinned at him.
Hitting golf balls was one of the most therapeutic things you could do. It let you relieve stress and tension and every swing you took. Granted, I was going to have a ridiculously screwed up back when I was older, it still felt great.
Carlisle normally hit some balls in the lane next to me if it wasn't too busy. Otherwise he would just watch and help when I whined about how much I sucked. He was really a huge help and I was fortunate that he was so willing to help.
The reason I loved golf so much, well the sentimental reason mind you, was that it kept me connected. My dad Charlie loved golf. He used to take me to a small course that we lived by in Ohio and he taught me from when I was seven up until he passed away. He was thrilled when I went out for golf my 7th grade year and went to my meets and walked along. It was something he was passionate about.
Golf kept my past and my present nicely together. It connected my dad and my adoptive dad. Carlisle was just as passionate about the game as my dad was. It was how Carlisle and I really formed a bond over the years. It reminded me of my past while at the same time, reminding me to live in the future.
But that was just my deep answer.
My shallow answer would be: I love to golf because it's something that I can kick ass in.
"That driver's working great," Carlisle commented as I teed a yellow range ball up.
"I love it!" I replied enthusiastically. Carlisle grinned while I set myself up for a shot. Just as I was lined up and the club was in the air, as I was starting to come down on it, I was interrupted.
"Swan!"
I finished my swing, totally messing up as the ball flew to the other side of the dome. I didn't even need to turn to know who it was. Only one person pronounced my last name 'Sa-wannn.'
My coach had just walked through the revolving door with his bag over his shoulder and a Mountain Dew in hand. He was dressed in his normal attire. The man never wore anything except brightly colored polo's. Today it was purple with a white belt and jeans.
"Hey Brenner," I sighed, trying to playfully show him that I wasn't happy he messed up my shot.
Brenner let out a low whistle as he looked my driver over. "Nice club." I was just about to thank him when he decided to add, "Too bad you can't hit it." We had a very strange, not really encouraging relationship. Don't get me wrong, I loved it. I couldn't stand compliments.
"Bah, that last shot was your fault!"
"I don't see how you could blame me. I was just a bystander," he held out his free hand in defense. I rolled my eyes.
I scoffed. "Yeah, one who enjoys yelling."
"That was not yelling." Now he rolled his eyes. Brenner seemed to have a ridiculous notion that I was far too over dramatic. Carlisle smirked from behind him. I just stared at him in irritation.
"Calm down." I was convinced he should trade mark that phrase. You know when you're annoyed the last thing you want to hear is to relax or calm down? Brenner, however, said it in a voice that you just had to chuckle; just a little though. "Now let me see you hit the club."
I raised an eyebrow at the challenge but teed up the ball. He went to stand next to Carlisle. It was kind of amusing how contrasting the two looked. Carlisle got pale in the winter, and that with his blond hair was funny to look at next to Brenner's brown hair (which he always had a hat on) and tanned skin. It was only tan 'cause he went to Mexico. . .but still.
Lining up with the ball I took a breath. Then, the club came into contact with the ball and it went flying. I was aiming for a banner, and it happened to hit the right side a little bit. But it did hit the banner.
"Good," Brenner nodded with a satisfied grin, then he turned serious. Kinda. "Work on the right slice or Rosalie's captain and you get demoted to JV."
"Go away!" I laughed. He nodded to me with a smirk and went down to his lane. Carlisle was chuckling and I just shook my head.
Rosalie got dropped off just as Carlisle was heading back to work. She stretched after she set down her bag in the lane next to mine. We always talked while hitting through the balls. This time, Rosalie wasn't dropping the mystery man thing.
So I told her the basics, just enough to satisfy her inquisitive side. I was hitting my 9 iron amazingly as I told her about the website and the soldier who I was befriending.
"Is he attractive?" Rosalie asked curiously. I couldn't see her face because she was in the lane behind me. After I struck the ball again I turned to give her a look.
"How in the hell am I suppose to know? I literally have no clue what he looks like." I didn't see her reaction because I turned back to hit another ball.
"Stop chasing boys you two," Brenner warned with playfully narrowed eyes. I shook my head and then looked up and narrowed my eyes back at him.
"Bella's chasing one across the ocean," Rosalie said smugly. I had no clue why she was so smug considering she was about to get my 9 iron upside her blond pony-tailed head.
"Don't wanna know." He walked away holding both his hands up for us to stop and shaking his head. There was a lot of head shaking that went on during the season.
"You had to say that?" I sighed.
"You know it's just because I want oneā¦" Rosalie responded. I was trying to measure the tone of her voice.
"You're serious?" I asked, totally baffled her serious expression.
"Of course. Do you know if Edward has any friends I could write to?" She was actually serious. Hmm, who would have thought?
"I can check I guess." She smiled and thanked me brightly before concentrating on her shot. I was just extremely confused and the befuddled expression stayed on my face the rest of the time we were there.
I wrote Edward another, smaller letter a few days later.
Dear Edward,
Got any friends for Rose?
This is the war that's never won
This is a soldier and his gun
This is the mother waiting by the phone,
Praying for her son
Pictures of you, pictures of me
Hung upon your wall for the world to see
Pictures of you, pictures of me
Remind us all of what we used to be
-Picture of You by The Last Goodbye
Happy late Thanksgiving!
I'm sorry we haven't gotten much E & B, but thanks for being patient! On the bright side you met Brenner! I love that man...
I am curious what you guys think Emmett's going to be all about though...(:
Reviews make my day(:
