Cht. 2 He's Everything You Want
"So has he called yet?" Alice inquired excitedly, jumping on my bed.
"Who?" I asked groggily trying to sit up.
"The boy from the restaurant." Alice said.
I was suddenly awake. "Why would he call?" I said in an accusatory tone.
"I gave him your number last night." She said it like it was no big deal. Like she did it all the time and that I didn't mind.
"You did what? Why would you do that?" I yelled.
"He kept asking and he was so cute and you should have heard him talking about you. It was adorable. There was no way I could say no."
I groaned. "Alice, you know I hate when you do things like that."
"I know but you have to get out more. All you do is sketch, write and work."
"I do those things because I like them. I don't need to get out more. I am fine with the way things are right now. Besides, this guy will not help me get out more or make my life better. Men make things worse. He won't call anyway." It was true he would never call me.
"Why would you say that?" She said inching closer to me on the bed, showing more concern than necessary.
I rolled my eyes and hopped out of bed. "Look at me and then remember him. I am completely plain. He was gorgeous. The only reason he wanted my number was to prove that he could get it."
"That is not true." Alice said as she walked over to me.
"And how would you know? Anything he said was probably a lie, just some sweet-talking, charming lie to get you to like him. I have seen it too many times."
"I think I can tell the difference Bella. We both work at a bar. But it wasn't what he said that convinced me. It was that look you two shared when you almost fell. It was so…ugh…I don't know. I can't describe it. But there was something there. C'mon you have to admit there was." She stared at me but I said nothing and looked away from her. "See even you know it is true."
So what if there was something. It didn't matter. He wouldn't call and this would all be over in a few days and I wouldn't have to worry about it. My life would stay uncomplicated, the way I liked it.
"Even if I am wrong and he doesn't want to call. You can at least admit that you like him." Alice continued. She never gave up. Most of the time I loved that about her, envied it even, but right now, it was not her best quality.
"What? No, I don't. He is like every other over cocky boy I meet in that restaurant." Was I trying to convince her or myself when I said that?
She was getting frustrated with me. Her arm movements were getting more exaggerated and that happens when she gets angry. "Ugh, Bella you always do this. You see something you like and then you run away and pretend you did it because you hate it. When you know it is the complete opposite."
"That is not true." I yelled. Now I was getting mad too. I didn't like him. Yeah that is right I didn't like him…at all. He aggravated me all night!
"Bella we have been friends since freshman year of high school. I know you better than anyone else, and I know when you see something that you like, and I have only seen you look at someone like that…" She cut herself off. She knew if she went there that I would be furious.
It was too late though. I was furious. I was so furious that I couldn't even speak. No one brought up that subject. She knew better. I just shook my head and clenched my fists to keep myself from punching the wall. But I didn't want to take my anger out on her. It really wasn't her fault. She was just trying to help. Still…, "I am taking a shower," was all I could get out before stamping to the bathroom.
I turned the water up to the highest heat I could handle. Hot showers were the best way to calm myself down. I sat in the shower just letting the water pour all over me. I took a few deep breaths hoping it would calm me down and it did a little.
How could she think of bringing that up? This situation was nothing like that, nothing. And I was over that. I was. I just hated talking about it that's all. Why bring up bad memories? There is no point. They just make you feel horrible and that does no one any good. I learned from that mistake, and that is the only reason for remembering that whole thing at all. I knew better now, and it would never happen again.
I sat in the shower for another twenty minutes. I shampooed and conditioned my hair, which only took five minutes and just sat the rest of the time thinking. By the time I got out, I barely had time to dry my hair and make it to my drawing II class.
"Nice of you to join us Bella." My teacher said as I walked into class five minutes late. I loathed this teacher. She didn't know how to draw yet she was teaching a drawing class. Most of the time I just put in my ipod and tuned out anything she said. None of it helped.
"Sorry" I replied and I quickly ran to my seat. I frantically started taking out my paper and my charcoals to draw.
"Now class today instead of our usual conte and charcoal drawings, we will be using pencil." The teacher began. "Now before we were only using pencil for contour, but now I want you to cross hatch and shade with them as well. Hopefully all of you have your pencil sets. You need at least a 3b, 6b, and 8b and 2h, 4h, and 6h. If your numbers are a little off that will be okay. You may start."
I put my charcoals away and looked in my art case for my pencil set but it wasn't there. Then I remembered I was using it for my sketchbook drawing that I had to do yesterday, and I must have left them in my purse. I leaned to the other side of my chair where I usually kept my purse but it wasn't there. I must have forgot it at the dorm when I left in such a hurry. I groaned. Not only did I not have my pencils but my phone, ID, and money were not with me either. Now what?
Then I heard a voice and I looked up. "Do you need to borrow pencils?" It was Rosalie. The girl I met last night. I just stared so she continued. "I have a full set. You will be one number off on each but that is better than nothing."
"Yes. Thank you, that would be great. I forgot my purse at home since I was running late. I normally am not this forgetful." I said gratefully.
"Oh no problem. I know how that is. You're Bella right? You were our waitress."
"Yep that was me, " was all I said. It was a somewhat awkward moment. I didn't want to think about last night and the repercussions that occurred because of it. "Its…Rosalie?" I said slowly hoping not to say the wrong name.
"Yeah. So do you like this class?" She said quietly, eyeing the teacher suspiciously.
"Well the class is good but…" I pointed to the teacher. "…sucks."
"That's what I was thinking." We laughed.
We talked throughout the class when we weren't working on our still lives. I really liked Rosalie. She was really funny and extremely nice. We actually had a lot in common. She loved art and design but she was only minoring in it. I was only minoring too. She was majoring in theater though while I was majoring in English. This was her first big city. She was also from a small town originally. It was called Denali, which is in Alaska. She also was an only child like me. Class went much quicker than usual. It would be nice to have Rosalie in class.
After we finished our drawings I headed to meet Alice for lunch. I invited Rosalie with but she had another class. I made it to Donahue Café quickly. Donahue was my favorite café to go to. There were never that many people and it was close to where I lived. Alice was already there, eating her lunch. Her class got out a few minutes before mine. I grabbed a sandwich and a coke before I sat down.
"Hey" She said in a strange tone before I sat down.
"Hey" I relied suspiciously. She just sat there smiling.
"You forgot your purse this morning." She said in the same tone. What was going on?
"I know." I said slowly hoping she would get I was confused. She just kept smiling. "Okay, what's with you?" I asked.
"Nothing" She said and acted like I was the one acting crazy. "Your phone rang while you were at class and you have a new message"
Now she was excited. She couldn't hold it in anymore. And now I knew why she was acting strange. She must think Edward called me during my class and she wanted to hear the message. I decided to torture her a little. "Oh, I will listen to it later."
Her jaw dropped. "Oh okay." She said trying to stay calm. I sat there silently just eating my food slowly, completely unmoved. She began to bounce. She was getting anxious. She had to know. It was hilarious to watch her. She didn't want to admit she looked at my phone, but the only way she could make me listen to the message now was to tell me who called. It took only a few minutes but she broke. "Oh c'mon Bella! You know, I know who called and that I want to know what he said. Why are you tormenting me?"
I laughed. "Because its funny!"
"No its not! Now listen to that message!" She demanded. Now she was angry and things get bad when Alice is not happy. My fun was over.
I picked up my phone and typed in my voicemail code. Alice held out her hand expectantly. "I am listening to it first.!"
"Hey Bella its Edward, Edward Cullen, from last night at the bar. Alice gave me your number. I hope that's okay. Umm…. I was wondering whether you wanted to get together sometime. My number should be in your missed calls. Let me know. Oh and your friend also said you might be reluctant but that I should just keep trying. I would have kept trying anyway but it feels better knowing that she is ok with it. Anyway… hope I hear from you."
I giggled at the message. I wasn't sure why. It wasn't particularly funny. Then Alice gave me a death stare. I quickly handed her the phone so she could hear the message. She giggled at it too.
"So you are saying yes right?"
"I don't know I have to think about it," I was serious. I wasn't sure if it was a good idea.
She looked stunned. "What do mean, "I have to think about it?" He is everything you want, he is everything you need Bella. He is cute, funny, charming, HOT! What is there to think about?"
"There are things to think about okay!"
"Please give me one good reason." She demanded stomping her foot under the table.
"Fine…umm…its just bad timing. I have a lot of work plus my job. I don't have time for a relationship. " I shrugged.
"It doesn't have to be a relationship just have fun. It only has to be one date."
"I know that I just don't have time okay. Now can we drop this please," I begged. I just wanted to forget about him
"Fine," She grumbled. She shot me an angry look.
"Alice what do you want from me? You know I don't want to do this. Why is it so damn important to you?"
Her angered faded and now she looked worried for me. "I am just looking out for you Bella. It has been so long since you've seen anyone besides Jasper and me. It's not healthy.
I sighed All she wanted to do was seee me happy. I knew that but I couldn't, not now. "I am sorry I yelled at you this is still really hard for me and I just cant do it right now okay." I looked her straight in the eye when I said it to emphasize how much I really could not do this. She nodded to signify she understood. "Thank you. You really are my best friend.
She laughed. "I know. What would you do without me.
"Have better hearing and less expensive clothes." I replied sarcastically. She hit me and we laughed. "No I would be nothing without you.
We continued our lunch on much lighter subjects. I was glad she was willing to drop the entire Edward thing. Normally, she was much more stubborn and would not stop until she got her way but every once in awhile she would give in. However, she only did it when she knew she had no chance of winning.
After lunch I headed back to my dorm. I decide to do homework and then sleep. It had been a draining two days and I felt exhausted. I couldn't explain the joy I felt knowing tomorrow was Friday and I only had one class. I did my work, showered, and got into bed by nine. That had not happened in months.
I laid in bed and finally relaxed. It took only minutes for me to fall into a deep sleep.
I was in the restaurant I worked in but there was only one person there, a customer. There were no managers, no hostesses, and no boss. What was going on, where was everyone? I walked over to where the customer sat. They were looking at me but I couldn't see them. The light was too bright in my face. I slowly walked closer, scared to see who is was it was. As I got closer, I began to make out a shape. It was a man. He was fairy large and had short, cropped hair. I made it into the ring of light the person was in, I could finally see. It was Jacob smiling at me.
"Hello Bella. I've missed you." He said with a smile.
I woke with a sudden start. I was sitting upright in my bed with my hand over my chest and I tried to regulate my breathing. What did that mean? I thought for a moment and ran my fingers through my hair. It was probably nothing I resolved. I shook my head at my stupidity and got up.
Because I was startled by my dream, I was up an hour earlier than I had to be. I didn't want to go back to bed so I just got ready for my class. I did everything longer than normal to waste time. I double-checked my bag to make sure I had everything because I was really forgetful about bringing things to class. But I still had extra time. Instead of sticking around and being bored while watching the clock tick, I left for my English class.
My English class wasn't a long walk. It was in the main part of campus that was close to my dorm. I had an hour to spare since I got there only a few minutes after leaving. I didn't want to go inside to wait. It was too nice a morning for that. I found a bench in front my building and sat down. I took out my sketchbook to draw while I waited. I didn't really know what I began to draw but the hour flew by quickly. Before I knew it, I was five minutes late for class. I didn't look at my sketchbook. I quickly shut it and ran inside to my class.
As I walked in and took a seat in the back. The teacher looked at me but didn't say anything.
"Now as you'll see on the assignment sheet. This is a partner assignment and…' My teacher was saying.
But I didn't hear the rest of what she was saying. All of sudden a different velvety voice appeared. "You'll need this. There were a few extra left over"
I looked up and there was Edward. I couldn't breathe. He was so close. I stared at him. I couldn't think at all. Then I finally realized he was holding the paper I needed. I took it and touched his hand slightly and I shivered. "Thanks" I said quickly and looked back down. I began to doodle on my paper to hopefully distract myself from him. It barely worked. I could still smell him. He smelled sweet, unbelievably sweet. But I would ignore it. I had too.
Flashback
"Class we have a new student here today. Her name is Isabella Swan. Why don't you tell us about yourself dear." My math teacher said.
I knew I wouldn't like her. I already hated math and now I had to stand up and speak. I looked at the back wall of the classroom to help keep my mind clear. There was no way I could speak in front of people and look at their faces. "Hi, I go mostly by Bella. I lived in Phoenix before I moved here." I gave an embarrassed smile and I looked at the teacher hoping that was enough. She waved me to a seat in the back corner. I ran to my seat with my face beet red.
"Alright class. Today we are furthering our discussion on linear functions."
I began to ignore her. I never did well in math. I would look at the examples in the book later. I always did better when I did that anyway. I doodled on my paper to pass the time.
"Uh, Bella?" A husky voice said. He sounded unsure of my name.
"Huh?" I said and looked up. It was a darker skinned boy with beautiful eyes. I stared for a moment before I realized what he wanted. He had a paper in his hand.
"Its today's worksheet." He said as he handed it to me.
"Thanks." I replied with a smile. He smiled back and then turned around.
While I was talking to him, I hadn't realized that my heart was racing and my breathing was uneven. I must really like this boy I thought. A bigger smile came to my face when I realized that. Maybe Forks wouldn't be so bad.
END FLASHBACK
I snapped back from my thoughts when I heard al the chairs moving. Class was over? I had no idea what happened. If someone had called on me, I would not have been able to answer. I really hope no one noticed. I grabbed my bag and books and left.
