Chapter 12: Lunch
EPOV
After ending my call with Bella, I took off running into the woods. I reached the backyard of my house in less than a minute and I saw Emmett and Jasper concentrating on a game of arm-wrestling. As I waited for them to finish, I sat on the bench and started thinking about Bella. I was going over the conversation for the "nth" time on my head when I heard Alice coming up to me.
…I thought you will choose your first thought…go and watch Bella in her sleep. But this time, you are in for some disappointment. She does not talk in her sleep…I was just getting the feeling that I would not be seeing you for the rest of the night, when I got a vision of Emmett defeating you in the arm-wrestling game…Should I tell him that you are not going to put in your full effort into the match?...
I frowned. Of course, Alice would have seen me deliberate whether to go to Bella's home or come back here. I did not want to intrude on her privacy, considering we had met only today and though we had had a flirtatious conversation, I wanted to be positive about her feelings towards me before I spent my sleepless nights watching her sleep. I had also made up my mind to let Emmett win so that he would get off my back and not call for another re-match! I explained this quickly to Alice and she nodded her head.
…I was surprised to see Rosalie react that way. I guess she put her decision off till the last minute so that I will not SEE it! But its nice to have her back off…
"Yes it is, Alice. I was not expecting that! But people are not always what they appear to be… who would expect that you could lift a truck with your hands!" I diverted the conversation, trying to lighten the mood.
…I can SEE that you are trying to distract me but I will take it… So Mr.Cullen, when have you scheduled the math class?...
"Ha…like you did not see!"
…Are you asking her out for the spring dance? It's the guy's choice, you know... I keep seeing flashes of you dancing or you just watching her dance. You better make up your mind fast, so that I can take her shopping for the dress…
"Alice, I am…scared. That she won't accept me and see me for what I am…the monster that I am."
…Edward Anthony Cullen…Let us get this straight once and for all that YOU are NOT a monster…
"But I am not human, Alice. She might want a normal human life. A husband, and children. I can love her like no man would ever love her but the later one is just something which I cannot give her! And… I do want to give her the choice to decide if she wants to be with me. I do not understand when and how to explain things to her. Do you just expect me to say 'Hi Bella, I love you and I want to know if you feel the same. But just so you know I am a vampire, who also happens to be quite attracted to your blood!' ?"
…How about you talk to her about it on Saturday, after the math tutoring? Her parents are not there for the weekend, so she could stay here till she comes to 'reality' and starts accepting the facts. And I also think that you should…uh…tell her about your past relationship and that no harm will come to her…
"I don't know, Alice. I am not sure about this. I have not been sure about anything for nearly century and 8 months…Right and wrong have ceased to exist for me."
…Edward…I know that you know that you can't let her go this time. You have tried living alone and it is not your way of life anymore. None of us want to see you alone. Carlisle could change her for you, if you want her to be your other half…And Bella does not seem to be that kind of girl who will not return your love because of what you are. And if my instincts are right, she will start guessing things about us soon enough…
At this point, I did not know what to say and just nodded to let her know that I will consider what she told me.
Jasper and Emmett were now done and Emmett was gloating over his victory while Jasper flexed his muscles, checking for any damage that Emmett might have caused.
I got up to finish off the match I had promised Emmett, so that I can then spend sometime with Rosalie. I wanted to spend sometime in my room listening to some music before leaving for another day of school, but I realized that I might have to first arrange all my CDs, since I had not even touched those for a century!
--
Soon, it was time to go to school and for the first time in the past 100 years, I was looking forward to it and specifically the 'lunch' hour. We had decided to go hunting tomorrow so that we could come back by Thursday night. None of us wanted to risk feeling thirsty when Bella would be spending the night at our house. Also, Alice had predicted that the next two days would be sunny, which means staying out of the public eye! Though I cared for her safety and could not risk going out for the next two days, my heart ached at the thought of not being able to see her for the whole 2 days…
I spent my morning trying to eavesdrop on any conversation Bella might have with the others, my ears tickled every time I heard her sweet voice, her hearty laugh. I was ready to burst with all the excitement, as I walked down the corridor for lunch. After picking up some soda, I found a table at the very end of the cafeteria and sat there, waiting for Bella to come to me.
Soon, she entered the cafeteria and went to the food line to grab something to eat. Once she had her tray, her big beautiful eyes started to scan the cafeteria, trying to spot me. I thought of waving to get her attention but the sight of her looking for me sent so many emotions through my body, that I could not help but enjoy the sight. Having spotted me, she came down the aisle and took the seat directly across mine.
"How was you day, Bella?"
"Okay-ish. Yours?"
"Never been better!" I smirked.
I decided that I should get to know her better and decided to play a game with her, but I should set out the rules carefully, so as to allow me to skip any question that I did not want to answer.
"How about we play a small game to get to know each other? We can ask each other a question alternatively? If you feel that some question is inappropriate and you would not like to share the answer, its fine; you can skip it. You game for this?"
…Oh…I see this is going to work…Yay! (small squeal)… (Alice)
…Good luck Edward… But keep things secret for now. Till she is ready…(Rosalie)
"Hmmm…I can skip a question if I don't want to answer, right?"
"Yes. And the same goes for me."
"Sure then, you start."
"What is your middle name? And the name of your parents?"
"Mable. My father is Rolf and mother's name is Clara. What about yours?"
"Hmm…nice! You are beautiful and lovable. Your parents chose a perfect name for you…Bella and Mable." (She blushed at my compliment and attempt at flirting!)
…Good going brother. You got her to blush. I see that a century of not flirting has not affected your abilities… (Emmett)
…She likes you Edward…Trust me…I can feel it… (Jasper)
"My middle name is Anthony. My biological parents were Elizabeth and Edward Sr. But I have lived with Carlisle and Esme for a long time now and they are my parents in every way. I only have vague memories of the ones who gave birth to me." I was a little surprised that I could share such details from my past with Bella without any hesitation. It had never been this easy to talk to someone. "Where were you before you moved here? Do you like it in Forks?"
"We were in LA before my dad moved his main office to Forks. I do miss the sun and the warmth of LA but I am getting used to this weather. Alice told me that you guys moved her shortly before I did. So where are you from?"
"We lived in Alaska before Carlisle took up the offer from Forks hospital. He likes to work in small hospitals where his skills are put to better use than in some big establishment where there are many others to take care of what he can do."
We then talked about favorite colors, movies, music…
But the traitor bell went off and we had to head off in different directions. It felt lonely to be away from her.
"We should talk more Bella. I really like you and would like to get to know you better, if its okay with you…"
"It was fun talking to you Edward. It has been a long time since someone wanted to actually get to know me." She looked down and when she looked up again her eyes were watery. "People notice me only for the money and the looks, they never bother about what I really am. This means a lot more to me than you realize Edward. I would love to spend more time with you. You make me feel special and you pay attention to what I am saying…See you in math then?"
"Definitely, partner." I winked and walked away. I heard her heals moving in the opposite direction. The other personal questions will have to wait. She was just opening up to me…
I could not wait to get to my math class…