A/N: I'm not Stephenie Meyer. That's okay, though. I need to apologize for the delayed updates. I am NOT giving up on the story. I'm in the middle of moving right now, so I am a little pressed for time. That's all. No worries. My updates should be back to normal in a week or so.
I woke up on Friday morning, as anticipation crept up on me. I thought the week was going by slow, but all of a sudden it was Friday. Edward and I were going to hang out. Sure Alice, Jasper, Emmett, and Rose would be there as well, but everyone knew that Edward and I were kind of…each other's dates.
Throughout the week he had been talking to me more, trying to get to know me better. Asking questions about my childhood without bringing my late mother too far into the conversation. And he never, ever asked about Phil. He made sure that I sat with the group everyday at lunch, and he was always there to defend me when that "vile Mike Newton" as Edward would say would make fun of me.
It was easy for me to say at that point that Edward Cullen was at the very least, my best friend. The problem was that I really liked him, but I wasn't sure about his feelings toward me.
Before I could stress myself to the point of a panic attack I got out of bed and picked out two outfits. One for school, and one for tonight. Alice was driving me home again, so she insisted that she help me do my make up, and hair. I wasn't excited, but it had been too long since I felt pretty.
I didn't do much to myself for school. I just threw on some jeans, a shirt, and a sweater. Same as usual. I headed downstairs and decided that cereal was the best breakfast that my nerves would allow. I poured mine in a normal bowl, and Emmett's in a mixing bowl.
He thudded his heavy feet down the stairs. "Do I smell cereal?" He joked. He sat down at the table, and began his attack on the defenseless meal. I smiled at him and dug into my own bowl. Emmett and I were really starting to get along. I liked Charlie, too. But I rarely talked to him.
Emmett walked over to the fridge and pulled out the leftover pasta from the night before. I stared at him quizzically. "Carb loading." He answered my expression as he shrugged and made his way back to the table. I took a brief moment to wonder what Edward was eating to prepare for the game.
"Are you excited for the game tonight?" Emmett asked as he plowed through a plate of fettuccini. "Yeah. It should be fun to get out of the house." I answered him. Though honestly, I couldn't care less about the game, all I was waiting for was that fifteen minute trip that Edward and I would take alone to the rental store, and that we would most likely be sitting next to each other in his house for at least a couple of hours.
"They're a lot of fun. Especially homecoming. Except for all of the snobby kids who win the homecoming court every year." He snorted. I could definitely live without seeing Jessica, or Lauren waving like Miss Universe at the entire crowd with a plastic crown on their head.
Rosalie was also nominated, but she pretty much told the committee to stick it where the sun doesn't shine, and walked away in a fashion that only she would get away with. I definitely liked her.
"Don't remind me." I rolled my eyes as I began clearing the table.
"Well. Are you ready to head out?" Emmett asked as he headed for the keys hanging by the door. I just nodded and made my way to the Jeep. I was getting used to the jump that it took to actually get inside of the monstrous vehicle.
When we got to school we did the usual routine. Rose met us at the car, and us three walked to the cafeteria where Edward, Alice, and Jasper would already be patiently waiting. Alice and Jasper would be holding their own conversation, while Emmett and Rose would do their own thing. That always left Edward and me, to stammer and stutter to each other until the bell rang.
"Good Morning." Edward greeted me as soon as everyone else was off to the side.
"Morning." I smiled at him. I had to try so hard not to let him see what he did to me every time we spoke. I practically melted.
"Are you still coming to the game tonight?" He asked a little rushed, with a little panic in his voice.
"Of course." I told him honestly. I didn't want to admit that despite the fact that I hated football, and despite the fact that I wasn't looking forward to the half time popularity contest I wouldn't miss it for the world, just because Edward would be there.
"Are you excited for after the game?" He said quietly. Almost embarrassed. I wondered if it meant that he wanted me there, or that he didn't.
"Yeah. It should be a lot of fun. I've never seen your house before." I gave him a weak smile hoping that he didn't see how nervous I was.
He nodded, and the bell rang. Edward gathered my books for me. I didn't bother arguing anymore. We began walking to my first period where he would drop me off, just as he would every day.
"I'll see you in fifty-three minutes." He told me with his crooked grin while he handed me my books.
"See you." I giggled and walked inside the door. The inside of the room was warm and comfortable.
"Hey Bella! You'll be at the game tonight right. Oooo. Maybe you'll be Homecoming queen." Mike yelled causing his posse to laugh on queue. I just ignored them and took my seat. I had enough to worry about without Mike.
The class went by slow. In fact, all of them did. The only class that ever seemed to pass by too quickly was Biology which, consequently, was the only one I would wish to last forever.
By lunch time I was starving. Edward met me, and walked me to the cafeteria. This time when we went to the lunch line he picked up every possible food with carbohydrates: Potatoes, a sandwich, spaghetti, and a Gatorade.
I had a sandwich, and some chips. We sat down at the table. I could see that Emmett's and Jasper's plates were just as piled. The three of them stared at the food like a predator would stare at his prey. It was actually pretty comical.
The conversation was strictly about the game, and how they three of them were going to "pound" Seattle High School's team with no problem at all.
"So are you going to willingly let me make you over?" Alice asked out of the blue. I didn't even realize that she was also out of the football conversation.
"I don't have much of a choice, do I?" I challenged. I had a much easier time joking around with Alice than almost anyone else.
"Not really." She beamed. I could tell the subject of my personal style was no longer a joke, to anyone.
"That's what I thought." I sighed as the bell rang.
A whole hour with Edward was sure to put my mind at ease.
He walked me to class, taking my books yet again. Today we were going to be watching a video. I heard some of the kids from earlier periods talking about it.
Once the class was settled, and the lights were off I was looking forward to the preview of what the night would hold. Edward, and me…watching a movie together, surely it wouldn't be about biology, though.
I was hoping that he and I could talk, or at least stare at each other shamelessly during the video, but we had to take notes.
I did as the teacher instructed and did my best to concentrate enough to make legible notes. After what seemed like no time at all the video was over.
"I was going to kill myself if that lasted another second." Edward sneered.
"Please don't kill yourself." I half joked. I really didn't like him talking about it at all. Even though I had just met him he was one of the only things keeping me together. After all, I had just met everyone who held me together.
"I won't. I promise. I would miss you too much." He said with that smile as the bell buzzed throughout the room. I loved and hated the way he flirted with me. I could never tell if he was joking as a friend, or hinting as something more.
I just giggled at his comment as we both stood up and headed for the door. He walked me to gym and turned to face me.
"I'll see you tonight. Wish me luck?" He asked using the full force of his eyes on me.
"Good luck." I was able to manage out in a whisper before he handed me off to Alice like a baton in a relay race. I almost felt like they thought there had to be someone with me all the time.
"Are you ready for gym?" She asked, though she knew the answer. I was never, and would never be ready for gym. It was a miracle I was still alive.
We played basketball same as we did every day that week. Though, no one passed the ball to me anymore. I was a danger to everyone around me.
After gym was over, Alice practically skipped to the locker room. It was easy to tell that she was more excited about my make over than I was. I trudged my way behind her, and changed back into the clothes I was wearing before.
I followed Alice to the Audi that would drive me to the torture chamber. She excitedly hopped into the drivers seat and headed out behind the long line of traffic. I looked in her backseat and noticed an extra backpack. It wasn't big enough for school, though.
"What is that for?" I asked in horror as I pointed to the pink bag.
She looked over showing off all of her perfect teeth in a huge grin. "That's my make up. I didn't know if you had any. Or…enough, anyway." She finished.
I gulped at the way she mentioned having "enough" I didn't know exactly how much she was planning on using, but it couldn't be good.
"Don't worry Bella, I'm not going to put a lot on you. We're going to a football game, not Prom." She noticed my discomfort.
"And we'll never even have to worry about Prom. Ever ever ever." I told her adamantly. Prom is one idea I was not open to.
"That's another argument for another time." She said coolly. And I had a feeling she wasn't lying.
We pulled up to the house, and before I knew it Alice grabbed my arm and had me sprinting behind her up to my room. She quickly appraised the outfit I had picked out for the game before shaking her head.
"It'll be too cold, you would have to put a coat over it, and that sweater would look lumpy. Other than that, not half bad." She said quickly before helping herself to my poor excuse for a wardrobe in my closet.
She pulled out a grey and white striped t-shirt.
"This would be better, because it will be warm in my house after the game, and you can take off your coat." She stated more to herself than me before tossing me the shirt. I began getting dressed.
"Wait wait wait!" She shouted. "I don't want to put make up on you in the shirt you're going to wear." She reasoned. It was good enough for me, so I got back into my clothes I was wearing before.
Alice had me sit on the bed.
"I think just some light grey make up would look good on you." She told me. "Now go put up your hair and wash your face."
"Whatever you say Alice, you're the expert. Just, go easy on me." I giggled before I left the room to do as she told me. I was actually relaxed once I realized that Alice wouldn't make me look like I was headed for the Brothel.
Once I made my way back into the room, Alice had laid out a pallet of make up that she thought would suit me best. It all looked very expensive. I briefly wondered how much she would spend on something as simple as eye shadow, or eyeliner. I knew that Mr. Cullen was a doctor, so I assumed they had money.
"Close your eyes." She instructed me before she began lightly brushing some powdery eye shadow on me.
She was actually finished pretty quick, she just added a little eye liner and Mascara.
"You look lovely, darling." She said in a voice that only belonged in a 1930's film. I giggled at her before looking at myself in the mirror.
I did look different, subtly, but different. My eyes looked a bit brighter, and my lips were shining from the sheer gloss she'd put on me.
"Thanks Alice! That's amazing." I gushed. She really was a good friend.
She just nodded at me before beginning on her own make up. I sat staring idly at her, I didn't think I would ever be able to do that myself.
"Here. Go plug that in." She said handing me a high end flat iron.
I walked into the bathroom, and plugged it in making sure that the red light was lit.
"Are you ready?" Alice asked appearing out of no where.
"Yep." I nodded once and sat down on the stool so Alice could reach my hair.
She didn't do much to it, only straightened it so that it wasn't as frizzy. She put some stuff in it that made it incredibly soft, and it smelled amazing.
She didn't do anything to her hair at all, it was cropped short and didn't get messed up during the day like my tresses.
"Thanks Alice." I told her for the second time as I smiled.
"You're welcome. Now let's get dressed and hit the road so we can find a place to park." She told me as she led me back into my room.
Alice brought a change of clothes with her. She was wearing a t-shirt, and Jasper's Letterman's Jacket. It was huge on her.
After we were both dressed we got back into the Audi, and headed to Rose's house to pick her up. Rose only lived about two miles further down the road than I did.
When we got there she looked stunning in a tight fitting black shirt with Emmett's jacket over it. I couldn't help but feel just a little left out that they were both wearing their boyfriend's jackets, and I didn't even have a boyfriend.
"Hey girls. Are you excited?" She gleamed as she got into the back seat.
"Yes." Alice and I answered in unison before taking off toward the school.
We got there just in time to watch the opposing team getting out of their bus. They were huge, and they all wore bright orange jerseys and helmets with vicious looking wolves.
I didn't like the thought that in about an hour Emmett, Edward, and Jasper would be colliding with these monsters for recreation. Thank God they ate a lot of carbs.
"Let's go get our tickets and sit down." I sighed.
They both silently agreed as we all stepped out of the car and headed toward the ticket booth.
"Here you go! Enjoy the game!" A woman who I recognized as the main culprit for all of the pep rallies shouted in our faces as she handed us our little red ticket.
We walked up to the stadium, there were banners everywhere that read "Go Spartans!" Once we took our seat about half way up, I relaxed a little bit.
"I'm going to go get some soda. Do you two want anything?" Rose asked while getting up.
Alice asked for a Dr. Pepper, and I shook my head. It was too cold to be drinking soda.
Rose came back and the three of us carried on a light conversation about school, and hating Mike, Jessica, and Lauren. After about an hour of that the players came on to the field. I immediately recognized Emmett, Edward, and Jasper. Emmett was the biggest, I could spot Edward from a million miles away, and Jasper was, of course, in the middle of the two.
"Ladies and Gentlemen. Are you ready for homecoming?" The announcer shook the stadium with his voice before playing a small clip from 'Another One Bites the Dust.'
The crowd, including Rose, Alice, and I cheered loudly. I was sure the sound would be carried all throughout Forks.
"Well then! Let's have everyone stand for Miss Angela Weber, singing the National Anthem!" He said before another round of cheers came through. I looked down to the field where I saw a tall brunette. I recognized her, she was in a couple of my classes. She was really quiet, but nice.
She held the microphone a few inches from her mouth as she began to sing. At first it was quiet, but as the song went on she got louder and louder. She had a beautiful voice. I never would have guessed that someone so quiet would be so bold.
When the song was finished the silent stadium filled again with cheers, and hollers. Everyone took their seat and about ten minutes later, the kick off began.
The other team started out with the ball. Emmett and Edward hadn't gone in yet. After about two minutes ticked off the clock Jasper managed to intercept the ball and run a good twelve yards before he was dog piled by the other team. He never let go, so the ball was ours.
It was hard for me to follow the game, since I didn't know much about football. All I knew is that Emmett caught the ball, would throw it to Edward, and Edward would zip right on through every other person on the field.
By halftime, we were up 13 to 3.
"Well that was exciting! Now everyone please welcome our royal homecoming court Nominees Miss Lauren Mallory, and Miss Jessica Stanley!" He announced with enthusiasm. I looked over at Alice and Rose, who were just rolling their eyes.
Lauren and Jessica came out on a huge float looking as skanky as ever in their sequined short dresses. Half of me didn't understand how they didn't freeze to death; the other half just wished that they would.
"Now for the gentlemen. Mike Newton, and Tyler Crowley!" The announcer said as another float came rolling across the field.
After a drum roll, and some other stupid pretenses the Announcer finally told us that Mike, and Lauren would be homecoming King and Queen. I wasn't surprised or interested. I just wanted to get back to the game.
The floats soon rolled off the field, and the game resumed. The second half went much like the first. The other team would have the ball, we would take it. And then Edward and Emmett would do most of the work from there.
After the game was finished with a score of 42 to 17 Jasper sent Alice a text telling us three to wait until they were all done showering, then they would meet up in the parking lot.
We sat in Alice's car with the heater on until we finally saw the guys coming out of the stadium.
Alice and Rose immediately jumped to Jasper and Emmett to give them congratulatory hugs and kisses. I shyly walked up to Edward.
"You did really good." I told him through my teeth chatters.
"Thanks. Did you have fun?" He asked with a smile. His face was still a little flushed from all of the hard work.
"I did. I'm glad I came." I told him. We looked around us and saw that the rest of our gang was already gone.
He lightly put his hand on the small of my back and moved closer. "Let's get you out of the cold and go get some movies." He grinned before leading me to his Volvo.
He opened the door for me, and let me inside. Once he climbed in he turned on the heater, and the Radio when a familiar song filled the car.
"Claire de Lune?" I asked, dumbstruck. Once the words left my mouth he looked as confused as I did.
"You know Debussy?" He asked me bewildered as if he were the only person who could enjoy classical music.
"I don't know him, but I like his music." I teased, which caused him to laugh. By the close of the song we were pulling up to the rental store.
He got out and opened my door for me before I even had my seatbelt off.
"Thank you." I said as I got out of the car. We walked into the store and began scanning the racks of movies.
"Well, what kind of movies do you like?" Edward asked me.
"Anything but scary movies, they give me nightmares." I told him honestly, just to get that out of the way.
"I will watch anything but a chick flick, so how about an action and a comedy?" He compromised, and it sounded good to me.
We ended up with Little Nicky, and Fight Club.
We checked out where Edward insisted on paying. After we were back in the car, he turned the heat back on and headed off toward his house.
"If you're cold you can turn it up some more." He told me, pointing to the heat control.
"I'm fine, thank you." I smiled at him. He was always such a gentleman.
We silently listened to music all the way to his house. When we finally pulled up I was astonished. It was the biggest house I'd ever seen. It had a small creek running right beside it, it was almost encased in the forest. It was secluded, and beautiful.
He led me inside, no one was here yet.
"Where is everybody else?" I asked.
Edward whipped out his cell phone to read his text messages.
"I guess they're picking up some pizza and hot chocolate." He shrugged. "Would you like the grand tour?" He asked while boldly taking my hand.
I relished in the feeling of his touch, instead of shying away from it. "I would like the grand tour, actually." I smiled and he led me through the downstairs. He showed me the living room, family room, kitchen, dining room, and the game room where there were pool tables and random arcade machines.
He led me up the stairs and pointed to the rooms. "That's my parent's room, the office, Alice's room, the guest room, and my room. Would you like to see it?" He asked with hope in his eyes as if I could ever turn him down.
"Of course." I smiled. We walked to his room together, still hand in hand. When he opened the door I gasped a little. He had an entire wall made out of glass, and across from it, was a whole wall of nothing but Cds. He had a massive bed, and a keyboard set up.
"You play the piano?" I asked him. Shock in my voice yet again. He would always amaze me.
"Yeah." He said bashfully as we heard the front door open, which made me jump. "But the piano is for another time. Come on." He smiled, slightly disappointed that he couldn't play for me.
We walked down the stairs and into the kitchen where everyone else had set up the pizza and hot chocolate.
"You two look cozy." Rose said nodding toward our entwined fingers. I didn't even notice that we were even holding hands anymore.
Instead of letting go, Edward just shrugged.
Eventually he did have to let go so that he could get a plate of pizza.
After everyone dished out their own food, we all gathered in the living room. There was a couch, where Emmett and Rose sat, a recliner, where Alice sat on Jasper's lap, and that left a small love seat, for Edward and me.
We started the movie Little Nicky, and Edward went and turned off the lights. I immediately stiffened. Edward came and sat down next to me.
"What's the matter?" He asked. He sounded worried. I didn't want to admit that I was terrified of the dark after what happened but I didn't think I had a choice.
"Nothing." I told him, trying to sound cool but my voice was shaking and my body was tense. I crossed my arms over myself to hold myself together, hoping that I wouldn't hyperventilate.
Edward scooted closer to me. No one else seemed to notice our conversation. "Bella, please tell me what's wrong." He begged. Even in the dark I could see the pleading in his eyes to help me.
"I don't like the dark." I finally admitted.
"I can turn the lights back on." He started to get up and I pulled him back down onto the couch.
"No. Please don't. I don't want to ruin this for everyone else. I'll be fine." I assured him, and myself.
He gently and slowly put an arm around me and drew me closer to his body. "Is this better?" He asked, trying to gauge how I would respond to being so close to him. If only he had known how much I longed to be in his arms, he wouldn't have hesitated.
"Yes. Thank you." I told him before moving just a fraction of an inch closer to him.
"I won't let anything happen to you, Bella, I promise." He told me, and I knew he was telling the truth.
I just nodded and rested my head on his chest. He smelled so good, and he was so warm. I could have stayed there forever.
He started running his fingers through my hair. "Did I forget to mention that you look really beautiful tonight?" He whispered in my ear. His hot breath leaving a trail of shivers. For the first time I was grateful to the dark for hiding the burning in my cheeks.
"Thanks." I squeaked out.
He continued to run his fingers through my hair and I realized just how tired I was. I started nodding off on his chest, the rhythmic beat of his heart and steady breathing acted as a lullaby that would surely cause the sweetest of dreams.
Edward must have noticed me getting tired. He grabbed a blanket off the back of the couch and draped it over me, pulling me even closer to him.
"Goodnight." He whispered before placing a soft kiss on the top of my head.
A/N: Phew. I think that's fairly long. The updates should be coming a little quicker from now on. Also my friend and most loyal reviewer Eliza I.e. I.heart.twilightxx has just started writing her fic. It's really good. There's a link at the bottom of my profile, you should all check it out. The hyperlinks were down, so you have to copy and paste it. I'll fix it later so that you can just click on it. Anyway! This chapter was hard to write, but a lot of fun. Review?