So I suck. I think we're all in agreement, eh? It's been forever. I hate that I said I'd update soon-ish, too. Sob story (reasons pertaining to not updating): it's been a hellish couple'a weeks. I've been sick. I've had to miss school (not so hellish, I guess, when you think about it, but I was hacking up lungs and other substances during the time). I had to make up all the work I missed. I may or may not have sprained my toe—resorting in me hobbling around. And since I'm in the ensemble for orchestra I've had to spend my time practicing—something that is pretty foreign to me, haha, I'm so lazy, but I managed to get into ensemble which means I get paid; yesssss.
So here is the 'awaited' chapter. It was hard to write, not going to lie. My territory (if I have one) is NOT the sappy, reveal-your-emotions scenes, which sucks.
Edward was the main attraction in my dreams that night after our date so when my obnoxious alarm clock woke me up the next morning I was making no effort to get up. I wanted to go back to sleep, hopefully back to Dream Edward.
The only thing motivating me to eventually get up was the thought of seeing Real Edward in school that day.
With that thought I jumped out of bed, a little bit more gracefully than normal, which was odd, and got ready for the day. I took a little more care in my usual simple daily tasks.
Cautiously, I headed downstairs. After I came home last night, Charlie wanted a thorough explanation of the date and of Edward, a task that is very grueling and awkward, especially if your father's name is Charlie Swan. I knew today was his day off, as well.
A quick sweep of the kitchen with my eyes had me rejoicing. A note!
Bells—
Left for fishing trip with Harry early. Be back Sunday night.
I grinned at Charlie's brief and simple note as I mindlessly toasted a piece of bread. I guess I was so lost in my thoughts that when a knock came to my front door I gasped and was thrown into a coughing fit from the bite of freshly made toast.
After I made sure I was all right I hurried to the door and opened it to see… Edward.
"Edward!" I squeaked, horrified. I knew for a fact that my face was beet red—not only from the lack of oxygen after choking but from my now furious blush—and my eyes were surely watering from when… I am never eating toast again. "What—what are you doing here?"
"Are you all right?" he asked, concerned. I wasn't sure if he was being completely serious or not because I could have sworn there was a hint of amusement in his eyes.
Clearing my throat nervously, I replied, "Um, yes… what are you doing here?" I asked again, this time a bit more anxiously.
Edward turned his torso towards his car and back to me, his hands shoved deeply into his jacket. "I wanted to drive you to school… is that okay?" he asked, unsure.
"Oh," I said in surprise. "Yes." I'm sure my smile could have blocked out the sun it was so huge. He seemed to be a mind reader, too, since my truck was still not repaired I would have had to walk—I was hoping Rosalie would, out of the goodness of her heart, take a look at it soon since Emmett told me she had a strong interest in cars. Yeah, that'll happen soon.
I quickly grabbed my book bag, slipped on my shoes and followed Edward to his car where he once again opened the door for me; it was something to get used to. An upbeat Kooks song was playing loud and clear over the stereo as we drove and I smiled at the lyrics and the singer's British accent. I had no idea why but hearing them usually always made me smile; maybe I had a thing for British accents.
Arriving all to quickly to school, I found us having to part ways. This had me frowning.
We were standing outside of my first period class and neither of us was speaking. Edward's eyes seemed to smolder as he stared at me and, seemingly after some debate, he brought his hand up to my cheek and stroked it with the back of his hand once. My face flushed and it seemed like my entire left cheek was tingling after his touch.
"Bye, Bella," he murmured.
"Bye," I breathed. And then he was gone, walking off to his class. I had no idea how I was going to make it through the morning since he was in none of my classes.
It was seemed to take forever, but lunch finally did arrive.
Walking into the cafeteria I quickly bought lemonade and an apple—obviously I wasn't really hungry—and turned to face the sea of students. I could see Edward sitting at his usual table… by himself. And there was Alice, Jasper, Emmett and Rosalie sitting at their usual table. I'm sad—or maybe not—to say it wasn't that much of a decision… I headed towards Edward's table.
The nerves in me surfaced as I reached his table. Would he want me sitting at his table?
"Can I join you?" I asked tentatively, Edward's eyes snapping up to meet mine in, I guessed, surprise. He nodded his consent.
"Are you sure?" Ah, so I am not the only one who sometimes has the tendency to blurt. I looked at him confusedly. "I mean, you don't want to sit with your friends?" He nodded towards their table and I turned to see Alice looking over with a knowing grin.
"No," I said simply. I was where I wanted to be. We continued to eat quietly for a moment until I felt the need to ask him a question. "Why do you sit by yourself?" I inquired.
I seemed to surprise Edward again. "I'm just not one for socializing," he shrugged.
"And you don't think this," I gestured between us, "is socializing?" I took a bite of my apple.
"Hmmm… you're right. I guess you can be an exception," he said, feigning exasperation.
"I suppose I should feel honoured," I said sarcastically as he smirked.
Edward's eyes shifted over towards the other table again and I gave him a curious look. "You're friends are wondering why you're over here… not Alice, though. She seems to be excited about something." Had Alice not blabbed to the rest that I had gone on a date with Edward?
"Perceptive, are we?" I asked, impressed, without looking over to them.
"Just good at reading people," Edward shrugged again. "Except you."
"Really?" I raised my eyebrows in question. "My mother always said I was her open book, that I am so easy to read." My brow furrowed in annoyance at that and took a swig of my lemonade.
"Quite the contrary," Edward disagreed. "I never know what you're going to do or say next."
Blushing, I got trapped in his stare once again where I couldn't look away and seemed like Edward couldn't either. Even after spending hours with him the previous night and then sitting across from him today I still couldn't get over how ridiculously good looking he is. I felt almost unworthy of sitting at his table.
Just then the warning bell for class rang and I stood up to leave. Edward didn't stand up with me. I gave him a confused look.
"I'm not going to class," he said.
"What?" I asked. Was he skipping?
He hesitated. "I'll tell you later."
I bit my lip as my eyes narrowed. "Later," I insisted firmly. And I left Edward sitting there. I wasn't sure of what else to do. Should I've at least… hugged him? No, we weren't exactly boyfriend and girlfriend; we'd only gone on one date. I stopped my walking. Would we eventually be girlfriend and boyfriend? Gosh, I wanted that, but I would take being friends with him if it meant spending time with Edward.
Biology was boring and dull without Edward and Mike's longing stares weren't helping matters. I think he had tried, at the beginning of class, to sit in Edward's empty seat beside me but one hostile look from me and he was gone.
I just barely made it through gym and I hurried out of the gym to the parking lot… to… not find… Edward. Hey…
I remembered all of the sudden that Edward had driven me to school but he left… how was I supposed to get home? Alice and co. were nowhere in sight. Before I could think further on the subject a familiar car pulled up in front of me.
Grinning, and slightly confused, I opened the passenger door and hopped in. "What are you doing here?" I asked immediately and winced; it had been my third time saying that today.
Edward raised his eyebrows. "You didn't think I would let you walk home, did you?" he asked, like he was insulted, as he pulled out of the school parking lot.
I narrowed my eyes again at the side of his face. "Is it later yet?" Edward looked genuinely confused. "Where were you this afternoon?" I supplied.
It dawned on Edward and then he grimaced. "Right… you have a good memory." I rolled my eyes, telling him silently to get on with it, as he seemed to stall lamely. It had only been two and a half hours, of course I'd remember. "I was at Newtons Outfitters."
What.
"Newtons… Outfitters? … Isn't that Mike's—?"
"Yeah," Edward sighed heavily.
"… You skipped school to hang out at Mike's parents' store?" Obviously, I was beyond confused at this point.
"No…" Edward seemed to psyche himself up and then, "I was working."
"Working?" I asked, astonished. "Why?"
Edward gave me a look. "Bella, you've seen where I live; you can't honestly think I have a lot of money in my pocket."
"Well—I—" I spluttered. "Are you saying you live by yourself? Why do you need to miss school to work?" I was pushing it and I could tell. Edward was clearly shifting uncomfortably in his seat. "I'm sorry," I apologized. "I shouldn't be asking; you don't have to tell me."
"No, it's… I guess I'm just not used to people asking." He turned to look at me. "I've never let anyone get this… close before," he said quietly.
My thoughts were in frenzy. I couldn't reply. Why me? What was so special about me that he chose to let me in? When I didn't say anything Edward kept talking.
"I'm sorry, Bella, if this is too weird for you. This is new for me and I'm scared," he admitted. "I mean, I even came back to school for my lunch break in hopes that you'd eat with me," he said, embarrassed for some reason. I had no time to admire Edward's pink cheeks because my own were blushing insanely at his words.
But my face scrunched in confusion—something that happened a lot when I was around Edward, it seemed. "Wait, you went to work this morning? I thought—"
"My shift didn't start 'til nine," he stated matter-of-factly.
"Oh." I blushed for no reason. "But why…" I caught myself again. I knew he didn't want to say, so I wasn't going to keep asking. But one question was eating away at me: why did Edward need to work two jobs? Could things be that bad for him?
Just then we pulled up to my house.
"Look, Bella, I want to let you in, it's just…" he sighed again, running a hand through his hair.
"You can trust me, Edward," I murmured, looking at him.
His bright eyes stared intently at mine. "I'm starting to realize that." We were both quiet for a moment.
"Newtons Outfitters, huh?" I mused teasingly, lightening the atmosphere. Edward rolled his eyes playfully while shaking his head. "Does Mike work with you?" I giggled.
"Unfortunately," he growled, the corners of his lips twitching upwards. "Bella," he said, bringing me back. "Can I see you tomorrow?" I basked in hearing Edward basically saying he wanted to see me. So much so, that I couldn't properly talk so I resorted to nodding. Edward seemed to relax after that and smiled. "Great."
I bit my lip, contemplating again. I eventually kissed Edward's cheek like last night and said, "See you tomorrow, then, Edward. And thanks. For the drive home." Okay, it wasn't supposed to come out as awkwardly.
Edward simply nodded his head in reply, still smiling broadly, to my joy.
I refrained from skipping up to my house with Edward still watching but inside, I was doing much more than that in celebration.
Opening and shutting my front door quickly, I slumped against it with nothing but thoughts of Edward and what tomorrow could possibly bring swimming in my head.
I feel like I'm building you all up for something big… like, I think you're all going to end up being disappointed which is terrible to say… I just think this is going to be very anticlimactic, which sucks
To apologize for not updating in forever, I want to be able to update again this weekend but it's just not going to happen. Tomorrow I'm going to be at an all-day Hedley concert (haha, third time seeing them… I'm not sure if that's cool or not) and then on Sunday, get this, I have to write TWO essays. Wtf, eh? Goddamn school. But I'm going to get back in the swing of updating at least every weekend like I was able to do for my last story. I'm just not able to spew out updates every other day; I'm not able to. I really have to think them out and I always make sure that the chapters are at least 2,000 words. That's just how I roll.
Review, please!