I do not own The Twilight Saga and its characters!
In this story, the odds are stacked against Edward and Bella. They must prove to each other and to themselves that their love is real and true by fighting for it.
This story is based on the lyrics of the famous song "Love Story."
Remember: This chapter is still in the past.
Enjoy!
LOVE STORY: CHAPTER 5
I am startled awake from my fitful sleep with a sound which suspiciously came from outside the house. It sounded like something hit the glass of my closed window. I got up and went to check the front yard which could clearly be seen from my room. What I saw made me smile and my heart to skip a beat.
Edward was there, leaning against an unfamiliar silver car. He is looking straight to my window – possibly straight to me. In his hand, there are a couple of small stones. It appears that he has been throwing them at my window, which explains the strange noise that woke me up.
I decided to open my window to him. I waved to him and smiled my widest and most charming smile. When he saw me, he waved his hand – he wanted me to come down to him. I signaled ten with my hands and he nodded.
I took the fastest shower I have ever taken; brushed my hair into submission; threw some decent clothes on; sprayed my favorite perfume – freesia – and ran down the stairs. I grabbed a few pop tarts for my breakfast and was out the door with two minutes to spare.
Edward is waiting for me at the same spot – it appeared that he didn't move. I bounded straight to him.
"Good morning," he said as his arms captured me into a snuggled embrace.
"Good morning," I answered.
Everything is good about this morning.
"Would you like to spend the whole day with me?" he asked nervously – as if I would say no to his plans. I would never.
"Doing what?"
"I wanted to take you someplace special today."
"Where are you going to take me?"
"It's a surprise, Bella," he said mischievously.
"I don't like surprises."
"You'll love this one, I'm sure," he said confidently. "Let's go."
He opened the car for me and I stepped in. He went to the other side, got in and started the car. We pulled out of Charlie's driveway.
"Whose car is this?" I asked curiously.
"It's mine. It's a birthday gift from my parents."
"Really – they gave you a car?"
"Yeah, they did."
"I forget that you're rich," I said and that effectively ended the conversation. We continued to drive – I can see that we are driving away from the town.
"You're not abducting me, are you?" I asked playfully.
"No, but that wouldn't be so bad," he answered, looking at me from the side of his eye. I playfully slapped his arm which made him laugh heartily.
"Hey, I almost forgot. Alice and Rosalie said something about both of them being related to you."
His eyebrows scrunched up together. "Are you talking about Alice Brandon and Rosalie Hale?"
Yep, he knows them.
"Yeah, they're my best friends."
"They're my cousins."
"Yeah, they said so. I was just confirming it."
"I didn't know you know them. And they haven't said anything to me about a certain best friend."
"Well, I guess it wasn't relevant information until we met. They haven't said anything to me about you, either. But I have heard of your parents from them."
"I'm not usually here the whole year."
"So they said – you go to a school which is out of state."
"Yeah, I do," he said quietly. The silence ensued after that.
After a few more minutes of silence and driving, Edward parked the car by the side of the road. I looked out the window but all I could see is the forest and nothing else; nothing to tell what this special place he's taking me to is.
"Why are we stopping here?" I asked, truly perplexed.
"We're here, actually."
"We're here? But there's nothing here at all!"
"Well, we still have to hike a few miles into the forest from this point," he explained.
Hike? Is he serious?
"What do you mean hike? I didn't sign up for hiking! I didn't know I was signing up for hiking when you draggedme out here!" I said, starting to get nervous and a little pissed.
"It's not that far of a hike, Bella. And I'm here to assist you," he said soothingly. "I really want you to see my favorite place in this town."
He didn't wait for me to answer or to continue arguing. He got out of the car swiftly one second and was opening my door the next. He took my hand and pulled me out of the car before I could protest. He then locked it and pointed through the opening in the trees. I could see a faint trail weaving around and disappearing into the woods.
"That's the trail some hikers use when they want to get to the famous
Ho River deep into the forest," he said.
"How far is it?"
"How far from here to the place I want to take you?" he confirmed. I nodded my assent silently. "It's about five miles."
My eyes bugged out when I heard that. "It's fivemiles from here?"
"Yeah, I know it's probably a lot for you but you will never notice it."
"This might take a long time. I'm not used to hiking."
"It's okay. You have me as your guide. I'll proudly say that I am a good guide for first time hikers like you," he said, winking at me. I felt my insides being squeezed.
"Well, good thing I wore my rubber shoes," I said, trying to keep positive.
He laughed. "Yeah, I guess so."
"If you want me to hack five miles into this forest and get me back home before Charlie reappears, then you'd better start leading the way," I commanded and took the initiative to start this exploration. Before I could reach five feet into the forest trail, I am pulled back from behind. Edward's strong hands are gripping my arms and restraining me.
"I love that you're so excited to start and all but you're going the wrong way," he said while trying so hard to keep himself from laughing.
"I'm going the wrong way? But I'm just following the trail."
"I said that there is a trail but I didn't say that we are goingto take it."
Oh no.
"We're not taking the trail?"
"We're not taking the trail."
"We're not taking the damn trail?"
He laughed at me. "Sorry, but trails are for the suggested sights in guide books. Where we're going, you can't find it in any guide book. And you can't reach by any trail."
"But we might get lost."
"I know the way by heart. Trust me; we're not going to get lost in the forest. I'm not going to let that happen."
He sounds so reassuring that I really want to believe him and trust him to keep me safe and on track. But the fear won.
"I can't. I'm scared. I'm scared, Edward."
He sighed and took me aside so that I am leaning against his Volvo. He took a step in my direction and put both of his hands palm-down on either side of me – perfectly trapping me into his arms. He leaned down – as if to kiss me – and breathed into my ear.
"Hmm ... it seems that I still have to convince you," he breathed.
"Convince me?" I asked, my legs feeling like butter at this moment. I feel like a hot mess right now, actually.
"What are you afraid of, Bella?" he asked, whispering. I couldn't think straight; I couldn't breathe.
"Um, I don't like getting lost in there."
He kissed his way from the side of my ear to my cheek. "Will I get you lost, Bella?"
"You might forget the way."
His lips then traveled from my cheek to the tip of my nose. "You know me, Bella. I don't forget anything."
It's true – I know he is one of the few lucky people who are graced with photographic memory.
"But… but…" I trailed off. I couldn't find an argument. Plus, I couldn't really make my brain function well when he's like this.
Damn him.
His lips transferred from the tip of my nose to the edge of my lips. I felt his lips rise as he smiled. "Is there anything to be afraid of, Bella?
"N… n… none,"
"None," he whispered. Finally, his lips claimed my own in a tender kiss. I didn't care that we are at the side of the road or that the cars passing by could see us. I only cared about the tender feel of his lips against mine. He pulled away after we both needed to breathe in air again.
"Let's go," he said to me. He grabbed my hand and led the way into the dark and scary forest. He would guide me through the bushes and keep plants away from me, while still holding my hand.
After a few torturous hours of tripping, gashing and pounding into the forest, Edward called my attention.
"Look over there. Bella," he said, pointing into the distance just ahead of us. "Can you see the light?"
"Yeah," I answered. I could see a slight lightening and thinning of trees and bushes up ahead.
"That means we're almost there."
At last, we're almost here.
"Yes!" I said with as much energy and enthusiasm I could muster and coupled it with a few cheerleading hand gestures.
Edward just sniggered at me. "Glad you know how to show appropriateexcitement."
"Glad to see you find me so funnyand soentertaining."
He laughed for real now. "You can really make me laugh, you know."
"Glad to be of service," I grumbled.
I was surprised when Edward pulled us to a stop. He slipped his arms around me and pressed his forehead against mine.
"You know that's part of your charm, right?" he said to me. "It's one of the things that I like about you. You make me laugh. You make me smile with all the foolishness you do. I love you for it, okay?"
He loves me?
I nodded silently. I can't believe I heard him right. He lovesme. He really loves me?
"Good. Let's go, we're almost there," he continued.
I pulled him back to me. "Edward, you have to know … I love you, too."
His eyes widened considerably and he stared at me longer than necessary. He had on a smile that took my breath away. Then, he nodded once.
"Let's go."