This could be the start
Of something new.
It feels so right
To be here with you.
("Start of Something New" from High School Musical)
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2 Years 7 Months 23 Days
Freshman Year, Early Mornings
(Bella's POV)
I remember it clear as day, the day Edward and I started going to school together. It's been too long…
One morning, as I was dreaming the usual dream of me-almost-being-kissed-by-Edward-only-to-wake-up-just-before-the-kiss, I felt myself being pulled up to the surface of consciousness by the most interesting, yet good, feeling ever. Someone was stroking my left cheek lightly, removing my hair from my face at the same time. I'm a sleeping-on-my-belly person, that's why - imagine the mess I am in the morning yet?
"Wake up, sweet miss butterfingers…" said the smooth velvety voice. It was the same one that started haunting my dreams 6 months ago, and so upon hearing it again, I thought I was still dreaming.
"Mmm… Ed… ward… I'm not a ca-candy… bar…" I replied, while burying my face into my pillow. Still, a small giggle escaped my mouth. Edward always caused that. We've been "best friends" for 6 months and a week now, not that I'm counting or anything.
The voice chuckled softly releasing its ever so calming sound then said, "I know, but you're still sweet… but it's time to wake up…" The voice was eargasmic, to say the least.
"… Edward… you're… so… mmm…" I continued, talking into the pillow, while trying to go back to deep slumber.
"Bella, I'm so… what…?" he replied, sounding amused and pleased. Again, the sound seemed as if it originated from somewhere… or someone, too close.
Wait. A small part of me realized that the conversation in my dream sounded too real to be a dream. However, sleepiness got to the better of me so I brushed off the thought quickly.
"Five m-more…" I tried to reply, but my tongue was betraying me, causing my words slur somewhat.
The voice then continued with a light laugh, "oh Bella, you're seriously not going to say minutes, are you?" It was so soothing, but before I could relish in the sound of it longer, my eyes snapped open by reflex, only to find a pair of emerald green eyes staring right back at me. Uh-oh.
"It's seven thirty, butterfingers… we're almost late for school," cooed the thing that could very well paralyze an army of swooning women with one look, dangerously close to my lips. At age 15, he could do this to an innocent girl (me and the rest of the girls at school) - I have to wonder, what'll he be able to do at 21?! His face was still mere inches from mine, and the distance caused me to forget how to breathe.
Have I mentioned that he was smiling? Yeah, smiling! It was his infamous, heart stopping gorgeous grin. I'd like to have that every morning, first thing when I wake up.
On a more important note, if I hadn't lost my ability to speak due to the said thing that paralyzed my vocal chords, I would have screamed. Needless to say, the formula of Edward plus my room multiplied by the fact that it was early in the morning, raised to the power of my having just woke up was… epic. I'm known for sleep talking, you see. And I know for a fact that I was, coincidentally, just dreaming about the exact same person who just woke me up. Wouldn't that be cause for some worry, especially in my case?
Edward's face was still inches away from mine, flashing his devastatingly perfect smile. His eyes twinkled in amusement, and some other emotion I wasn't sure of…
The point is I was shocked frozen, still lying down on my side with my eyes open wide. I only snapped out of it when Edward was waving his hand in front of my face.
"Hellooo..? Anyone in there?" said the Adonis in front of me.
"E-ed…ward?! Wha…what are you doing h-here?!" I managed to croak out this much then sat up, suddenly remembering my hair must look like an after effect of too much head banging at a rock concert. I blushed, as if on cue. How miserably horrible I must look right now, ugh…
"You're still as pretty as yesterday, if not more," Edward said cooly. Did he just read my mind?!
"GAH! What? What?? Sheesh, your eyes have gone bad! Wait, don't sidetrack me!" I said, denying what his compliment and trying to hide the chagrin. Of course, I totally and completely loved it - that the Edward Cullen just complimented me. Oh be still, my heart.
The blush I must have had on my face was probably redder than beets. "Um, um, um…" I tried to smooth out my hair to some degree, but before I could finish, I was further shocked by what Edward did. He yanked off my blanket, and I thanked God in the heavens above that I wore good pajama bottoms - not the ones with the Blues Clues print from fourth grade - and a shirt that wasn't too embarrassing. Grinning at me, he then pulled me up by my arms, helping me stand up, much like a five year old would be assisted.
"Thanks, dad," I grumbled to Edward.
" Welcome, hun," He beamed, then continued, "Now hurry up and get ready. Charlie left you some breakfast downstairs. He left about fifteen minutes ago, telling me to wake you up, if that's what you're wondering. And yes, that's the reason I'm in your room."
"Oh. Charlie. Right." It hadn't crossed my mind that my father was there to not allow any male being enter my room without his permission. Still, why had he let Edward enter? Very odd, very odd indeed.
After I finished fixing myself up for school, I went down and found the breakfast Edward was talking about. It was, to say the least, delicious. It made me wonder, had Charlie really prepared this breakfast? It didn't seem likely, but I shrugged off the thought, not delving too deep in the idea. As I was taking my third bite, I just couldn't stand it anymore. I snapped my head up and looked at Edward then said, "Is there something on my face?"
Edward had been unabashedly staring at me from the moment I sat down, and much as I love that (of course, he wouldn't - will not - know about that), I was getting more embarrassed by the second.
"No, not really - I was just thinking," he said, as he continued smiled, then took a bite of his strawberry pop tart.
"Uh… okay. So tell me, why are you really here, aside from making me blush to death?" curious, so I asked him.
He chuckled, "well, since the first day of school, you've been late for first period more than 20 times, and since I'm so nice, I just thought I'd start picking you up early so you won't be late anymore."
I laughed at my own inability for punctuality at this, and said, "Oh, gee, thanks for the charity, Eddie," continuing to smile back at him.
"Silly Bella, it isn't charity. I'm your friend, and since you're my friend, you're the only one allowed to call me that, too." He then laughed lightly.
"Call you what?" I asked, trying to fight the urge not to swoon at his laughing voice.
"Eddie, of course," he replied, "Only you, no one else."
Edward started walking towards our front door, and I followed. He opened it for me, and as usual, the impeccable gentleman side of his was brought to life and he motioned for me to exit first. I did so, then after he closed the door, I turned back to lock it. I didn't mind that it was kind of useless, since I had to go back and lock it myself anyway when I could've just gone out last by myself then locked it. But no, Edward doesn't let me do that - ever. And I like that. Even if it's kind of useless, like I said.
"Shall we, princess?" he said, then I looked to where he was, and saw him sitting on his bike.
"I'm too heavy," I stated simply.
"So? I'm heavier, which means I can control both our weights. Besides, I'm a guy," I know, and you're the most perfect one ever. I could only tell him so much.
"Haha, all right," I told him, as I sat down behind him sideways, facing the left, so my right shoulder was kind of leaning on his back. He's… so… warm… back's…so… warm… was what I was thinking, and that's where all mental processes of mine kind of, uh, stopped. "Hold on tight, Bella," he said.
Before I could pass out right then and there from hyperventilating due to our close proximity, I recalled what he had said earlier.
Only you, no one else, echoed in my mind again and again. I couldn't help but feel like jumping around the room declaring my undying infatuation with him, but of course I didn't. I didn't want him to know I was overjoyed by the mere fact I was special to him. I am a favorite, I thought, I'm his… friend, duh.
Friend.
There goes my bubble bursting.
How I long to be that close to him again, I cannot put into words at all. I remember exactly how warm he was. I remember how simply leaning on his back caused the current of electricity I felt from his body pass through to my shoulder, up my neck, giving me goosebumps. Just the thought of it sends a shiver down my spine.
This was 8 years ago.
I'm a coward.
Now, it's been 2 years, 7 months and 23 days since I've last seen, spoken to, or even heard from…. Edward Cullen.
And again, like I said, not like I'm counting, or anything.
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Author's notes:
Why can't guys understand that opening doors for girls and holding it for them to exit/enter first is always a good gesture that is always appreciated? Like seriously, I know there are some girls who are too bitchy to not appreciate that, but I know I appreciate it every time! Point is, some guys don't even try. Weren't they raised right by their momma?!
Though I think to subject guys with that kind of obligation IS unfair. So I don't make it like, a necessity to call someone gentlemanly. I just mean that the effort is that counts, and I, for one, always appreciate it. Though I race my guy friends(who are all gentlemen, really) each time they try to do the gesture for me. In their case, I just… I don't know, I like being fair to them lol so I open the door for myself. Or for him, too, even. I'm shutting up now!
