Decided, after some positive reviews and getting some creative inspiration, to make this a little more than a one-shot. I already have some big plans for this story, so feel free to stay tuned! I'll be updating the story as often as I can -- or, in other words, as often as creativity sparks. xD
Thank you for reading! Hope everyone had a wonderful Halloween. What did you dress up as?
EPOV
Amazing
That's the only word that came to mind as I walked home that night. Well, there were a few others....
Fantastic, gorgeous, smart, silly, and...right back to amazing.
There just weren't enough words to describe her.
Bella
Just thinking her name made me grin. There was probably also a little bounce in my step. Not enough for the random passerby to notice, but certainly enough to catch the eye of those who know me well. I was glad Jasper wasn't around. It was getting late, and I wasn't in any kind of state to go into a long winded discussion over the amazing woman i'd met at the party, and surely if Jasper saw the gleam in my eyes, he'd start asking questions.
All in good time.
He'll get to know her soon, i'll make sure of it. I want him to see how wonderful...no, amazing she is.
But isn't this a little bit ridiculous? I barely know the girl...
You know her enough to know she's amazing.
Yes, but what if she didn't have as good a time with me as I had with her?
The thought made me stop dead in my tracks.
Was it really possible? Did she not feel the same things I had?
No...She kissed me. And what a wonderful kiss...Stop it! You don't even know how this girl feels, Edward! Maybe she didn't tell you her number as a way of kindly letting you down easy? No...she asked me to call her. Yes, that's right. She feels the same.
My grin was right back in place, and I continued my journey home.
So it's settled. I'll call her first thing tomorrow.
But wait....
Damn!! I don't have her number!
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The rest of the way home i'd gone through at least a hundred different ways to get her number. Some of which were difficult, while others were downright...wrong. It would make me feel too much like a stalker. Like...needle man.
Just the thought of him made me clench my fists in anger.
Focus, Edward. Her number.
Right.
The first thing I did upon getting home was pick up the phone and dial Jasper's number.
I don't care that it's the easy way out. I just need to know, and I don't want to wait.
One...
Two...
Three...
Where is he?!
That was when I noticed the time on the stove.
4:00 AM.
No wonder he wasn't answering, he was probably fast asleep. I just hadn't gotten used to my schedule at the hospital yet. They had me coming and going at all hours of the night, and the amount of time I spend there always differs. It's no wonder this wasn't my first time making the mistake of calling a friend so late -- or, early. At least this time went better...
((Flashback))
As I walked out of the hospital, I noticed it was quite a bit darker out than it had been when i'd entered. This wasn't the first time that had happened in my first week of working here -- but this time I hadn't planned on it. I had scheduled a backyard football game with Emmett, Jasper, and a few other buddies for 3 PM. I had only intended on coming here for an hour or so...Guess I got caught up.
"Damn...I'd better call Emmett now about the game, before it gets to be too late."
So I pulled out my cellphone, turning it on and dialing Emmett's number.
One...
Two...
Three...
Four...
click
"Mmm," a deep voice mumbled on the other line.
"Hey Em, it's Edward. Sorry about the game, I didn't think i'd be at the hospital so late."
"Oh. What?"
"Are you feeling okay?"
"Man, what time is it..." I heard shuffling on the other end, as if he was getting out of bed.
That's odd...
"Em? What are you doing?"
"What are YOU doing?! Damn it Edward, it's 3 o' clock in the morning!! You couldn't have waited to do this until daylight??"
"3 AM?? I....No, it can't be that late. I've only been in here a few hours."
"Better check your watch buddy," Emmett sneered, causing me to go into shock mode. I'd never heard Emmett speak to anyone like that.
"I'm sorry, Em. I had no idea it was so...hello? Em?"
Beep beep beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee -
"Great, he hung up," I growled, slamming my phone shut. "That's what I get for apologizing."
((End Flashback))
I chuckled to myself, remembering that as the first time i'd talked to a sleep deprived Emmett. Of course he called me later that day, apologizing for being so harsh. But to this day, i've been a little extra careful about not waking him too early.
"Guess i'll call Jasper later," I grumbled to myself, which was followed by a yawn.
I set my pillowcase of candy down on the kitchen table, and rubbed my eyes.
What's that?
I pulled my hands away for a moment and stared at them.
It...smells like Bella's house.
So I picked up the pillowcase again, out of curiosity, and sniffed it a little. A slight grin appeared on my face as I remembered that i'd simply borrowed it from her.
I suppose that means I get to bring it back to her then.
Wait...
Get a hold of yourself! You're sniffing her pillowcase like a loveskick little puppy!
I tossed the pillowcase back onto the table, and ruffled my hair up, frustrated.
"I need to get to bed..."
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I was awoken from a dreamless sleep at about noon, by the phone ringing. Grumbling, I got out of bed and shuffled over to the phone, answering it in a still half-asleep state.
"Huh," I mumbled, rubbing my eyes.
"Hey Edward. It's Jasper. Did you call me early this morning?"
"Hmm...Yeah, that's right."
"Oh. Well, what for? Everything alright? You called pretty early..."
"Yeah, everything's fine. Um..." I ran a hand through my hair, trying to remember my reason for calling. Glancing over at the table and noticing the pillowcase of candy, the little light bulb flicked on over my head. "Yeah, that's right. I wanted to ask you something."
"Yes?" Jasper replied, sounding a little amused. I guess he could tell I had just woken up.
"You know that girl you've been seeing? Um, Alice?"
"Yeah, of course." That caught his attention.
What's with him and this girl? They've only known each other a few days, and already they're all google-eyed over each other.
"Well, would you be able to give me her number?"
"Why would you want..." I heard whispers over the other end, and what sounded like a slap.
What the hell?
"Oh," Jasper chuckled, seeming to catch on to something. "Sorry, man. No can do."
"What? Why not?"
There were more whispers, and another chuckle.
"It's about her roommate, isn't it? What's her name..."
"Bella," I groaned.
So she's confided in Alice already, to make sure none of this is easy on me. She wants to play a game.
I smirked at the thought, imagining the playful gleam in Bella's eyes.
Fine. I'm up to the challenge.
"Sorry. You know I want to help you, but..."
"No you don't," I laughed, in better spirits upon gaining some understanding. "You enjoy watching me squirm."
"You got me there. Anyways, it sounds like i've got to go. Me and Alice are heading over to her place to see Bella."
I growled at that, warning Jasper not to mess with me on this one. He simply laughed it off.
"Sorry. I really do have to go though. Good luck!"
"Sure, thanks. Later."
I hung the phone back up on the hook and sat down at the kitchen table, snatching a piece of candy from the pillowcase.
"So, Bella wants me to work for it," I thought aloud, unwrapping the candy with a smirk. "I'm game."
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BPOV
I was awoken at a little before noon, by the front door opening and Alice's laughter echoing through the hall.
Grumbling, I got out of bed and rubbed the sleep out of my eyes. Alice pushed my bedroom door open without knocking and let herself in, as she always did.
"Good afternoon, Bella!" She sang, bouncing over to me with a bright smile on her face. I grunted in response.
How is she always so damn chipper so damn early? She couldn't have gone to bed much earlier than me.
"So, I saw you leave with someone last night..."
I smiled at that. Typical Alice, always needing to cut right to the chase.
"Yes, I did."
"And??"
"He took me trick or treating," I shrugged, trying desperately to not let my smile grow any wider at that. But of course Alice saw right through me anyways.
"You like him!!"
I blushed, giving my shoulders another shrug while refusing to meet her gaze.
"Bella this is so great! It's about time you met someone, ever since James..."
"Please, don't bring him up again," I groaned, covering my face with both hands. "Especially not while we're talking about Edward. They're so completely different, it's like blashphemy."
"That was Edward?"
I removed my hands, glancing curiously over at my friend.
"You know him?"
"He's one of Jasper's friends...Jasper brought him and his other friend Emmett to the party last night so they could meet me." By the time she'd finished her sentance she was posotively beaming.
What is it with her and Jasper? They know each other a few days and suddenly they're soul-mates?
"Oh."
Yes, that was my response. "Oh."
"I wonder why Jasper didn't tell me! I suppose he did mention that his friend Edward had left...But so did some guy in a needle costume. Guess I thought that was him?"
I let out an odd little growl at that.
Edward should in NO WAY be placed into the same catagory as that little prick -- pun intended.
"No. That...was not him."
"Are you alright, Bella?"
I nodded, trying to ease her worries.
After all, i'm alright. She doesn't need to take care of me anyways. I'm a tough girl.
"Of course, Alice. Everything's fine."
She nodded slowly, seeming to agree with me. Though by the look in her eye, I think she was a little suspicious.
"Okay..."
Jasper knocked on the already opened door then, looking a bit awkard standing in the doorway.
"May I come in?"
I laughed at that. He was always such a gentleman, from what i'd seen.
"Of course, Jasper."
He nodded, stepping through the door way straight over to Alice, who took his hand eagerly.
"So Jasper, did you hear?"
He glanced down at Alice curiously, his eyes filled with interest at whatever she would say. I smiled at that.
They do make a sweet couple. Bit of a height difference, though that certainly doesn't seem to bother them. They still look like they fit perfectly together.
"Hear what?"
"Bella left with Edward last night," she grinned, turning away from him to look at me with a bright smile.
You're lucky Jasper's here to protect you, Alice...
"Is that right?" Jasper asked, his eyes widening. "You and Edward."
"Uhm, yes," I mumbled, shifting my feet around.
I was hoping to avoid this at least until I was a little more awake. Or, you know...forever?
"That's great," he smiled. "Edward's a nice guy."
"They went trick or treating."
"They what?"
Alice and Jasper looked at each other and bursted out laughing.
I, of course, being me, began to blush furiously.
"Come on, it's not that funny..."
"Just wait until Emmett finds out!" Jasper said once his chuckles had died down.
"Well, then i'll just remind him of the time he dressed up as Barney," I grumbled.
"How did you know about that?" Jasper asked, seeming to forget all about the trick or treating.
"Edward told me. He has pictures too, he promised to show me sometime," I said proudly, a smug victory smile making an appearance on my face.
"He must really like you," he grumbled, low enough that I almost think he wasn't expecting me to hear.
"So when is he going to call you?" Alice asked, a bright smile still in place.
"Whenever he figures out my number," I replied with a blush, remembering the little stunt I pulled.
Sugar highs truly do give me extra confidence. I don't think i'd be able to do it again right now...
"What do you mean?"
"I mean I didn't give him my number," I said sheepishly.
Alice looked like i'd just kicked her in the gut.
"But...why? Didn't you have a good time?"
I sighed, shuffling my feet again, trying to will my never-ending blush away.
"Well...I guess it wasn't so much that I didn't give him my number...as I did tell him to figure it out on his own."
I watched Alice's face as that slowly sunk in. Within seconds, a full blown smile appeared on her face.
"Bella! Do you see what this means?"
"No?"
"You're playing a game with him," she said softly, a look of wonder in her eyes.
"I am?"
"Of course you are, silly!"
She slapped my arm playfully, and started to bounce a little. Jasper had a knowing grin on his face as he simply stepped out of things.
He must be a fast learner.
"This is going to be great! I wonder what he'll do to figure our number out? I hope nothing dull like looking in the phone book, or asking Jasper..."
And with that, she whipped her head around to stare at the blond haired man beside her.
"Don't worry, Alice. I'm now officially sworn to secrecy," he smiled. She smiled right back, and it looked like she gave his hand a squeeze.
"Perfect."
"Alice," I said softly, not fully understanding the situation. "Aren't we making a big deal out of this?"
"Trust me, Bella. It's what every man wants - the chase. Don't make it easy on him!"
I nodded, giving her my trust. After all, i'd learned from experience not to bet against Alice.
"Good. On that note, me and Jasper are off! Stay by the phone just in case," she giggled, tugging Jasper away. "Later, Bella!"
"Later Alice," I laughed, waving at the two as they left my room.
And so I headed off to the bathroom to brush my teeth and run a comb through my rat's nest of hair. But along the way, I passed by the phone, and stopped dead on my tracks.
"Stay by the phone just in case...."
I closed my eyes and leaned against the wall, letting out a long sigh.
How pathetic, I want him to call already. But i'm sure he's given up by now....I shouldn't even bother getting my hopes up.
Yet I still wasn't able to make myself walk away.
Crap