Romeo On and Off the Court
Chapter 4: Airball
A shot that misses the backboard, rim, and net entirely.
Bella
I stood at the same time Edward did, gathered my belongings, and shrugged into my coat before slinging my backpack over one shoulder.
"It was nice working with you, Edward. I've got my own paper to work on," I said, walking away.
"Bella, wait."
I didn't stop, though I heard him walking a step or two behind me before matching me step for step.
"What do you say about going out to lunch with me later this week? My treat."
No, no, no. This was not happening. He couldn't be asking me out.
I ignored him and kept walking. He had to sign out on the computer. I had already signed in and out on the timesheet. Once I was outside the center, I sagged against the side wall. I've already thought it, he was definitely someone I would have considered dating had we not met the way we did.
Since the ninth grade, I avoided dating. My dad didn't even know I had a boyfriend back then. Anyway, the guy had used me to get an A on a project. He asked me out and I said yes. After the assignment was turned in, he dropped me like a hot potato. I later learned he strung me along and had done the same to a few other girls. He had been nothing but a playboy. The next girl he tried to use, found out about his ways and turned the tables on him. It was hilarious. Since then, no matter how many guys asked me out, I turned them down.
I pushed off the wall and started walking again. Yes, I was attracted to Edward. Yes, I was wondering what it would be like to say yes and go out with him. To kiss him. But I had to be realistic, he could have any girl. And I was not a ten. I was more like a five, a six at most. Guys like him would have no interest in me. I sighed. He was breathtakingly handsome\ and was probably popular with the girls.
Looking over my shoulder, I spotted Edward running down the hall. I quickened my pace in hopes of making it to the exit, to avoid him, and yet he still caught up with me.
"Did you hear what I asked you, Bella?"
Once again, my heart went pitter-pattered as he said my name. He wanted an answer, and I didn't want to see the disappointment on his face when I told him no. I kept walking.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw his hand come up, reaching out for my hand and catching it. I stopped and faced him.
"What?" I snapped, annoyed he couldn't deem from my lack of response my answer.
He didn't seem fazed by my sudden frosty attitude.
"Would you be open to joining me for lunch sometime this week?" he asked again.
My gaze moved to my right hand, to where his left held it gently. To where we connected. It caused a shiver of warmth to race up my arm. It was a warmth that would chase the winter away with its heat.
My eyes moved up slowly, taking note of everyone staring at me, at us. They didn't dare more, dare breathe. Some students were leaning over the upper floor railing, waiting to hear what I would say. When my eyes connected with Edward's again, I took a step closer to him, and in a voice so low that only he would hear, I uttered a single word… no.
He dropped my hand. The warmth vanished and the coldness of winter settled around me. Pivoting back around, I made my way out of the building.
~~ Romeo On and Off the Court ~~
I felt as if I had made a colossal mistake. Turning Edward down was hard, and it left me wondering where things would have gone had I let go of the past and accepted. I had to talk to Jessica, and hopefully she was in our room. If not, I would call Angela.
Luck was on my side. Jessica was in our room, typing away on her laptop.
"I need advice," I said, setting my bag on the floor next to my desk.
"About?" she asked, spinning in her chair to face me.
"Dating."
"You're going to have to give me more, Bella."
I explained about the idiot boy. About Edward and him asking me out. I told her about the other students watching us, waiting for my answer.
"I know you had a bad first boyfriend experience, but to judge all guys because of one is foolish. In the little time you spent helping him, it seems like you made a connection. Did you asked him why he wanted to take you out to lunch?"
"No. He's an Adonis, and I'm not in his league."
She sighed. "If he believed that, he wouldn't have asked you out."
I snorted, climbing the ladder and flopping down on my bed.
"What did you say his name was again?"
"Edward," I supplied, not knowing why she wanted to know. "I have no idea of his last name."
I heard typing, and a moment later, "Is this him?"
Rolling onto my side, I saw she was pointing at her laptop screen. Looking down at the enlarged image, I nodded. "Yes, that's him."
"He's a good guy. He was in my intro to psychology class last semester. We were in a study group together."
I trusted Jessica. With a sigh, I rolled back to my back.
"If he asks you again, you might consider saying yes."
I would think about it.
Edward
What the hell just happened? I thought I had a good read on Bella. Knew the answer to my question before I asked it. And she turned me down without a bat of her lashes, and a second later was walking out of the building.
I don't know how long I stood near the entrance, dumbfounded.
"Edward," someone said, placing a hand on my shoulder. I was known and recognized around campus.
"Are you okay? You've been standing there a while."
I turned and found my cousin standing next to me. "No, Angela, I'm not. Did you witness what just happened?"
"Yes, and whatever Bella whispered must be bad to have you looking crestfallen."
I nodded. "No was all she said." Angela knowing Bella's name hadn't occurred to me yet.
"And what did you ask her?"
"To have lunch with me." I rubbed the back of my neck, replaying the time I spent with Bella as she helped me with my paper. There was no indication she would turn me down. Her blush, after my compliment, was beautiful. An image I wouldn't forget any time soon. "Damn it! All I wanted to do was get to know her outside a tutoring session."
"Do you want me to call her and talk to her?"
"How? How would you be able to call her? All I know about her is that she knows how to write. She took the time to teach me something all my English teachers failed to get me to understand but she did. She has a beauty I've never seen before. And her blush…" I couldn't even articulate what it made me feel.
"Edward, I know Bella. She is my best friend and has been since the first grade. I can talk to her. Try to find out something for you."
I swiped my hand down my face, thinking a moment. "Please and thank you."