Chapter 4: Hot 'n Cold actions with a side of Bipolar reactions
Disclaimer: The characters and basic story belongs to Stephanie Meyer, it just have my own originality mixed in it. Enjoy!
BPOV
In my dream it was very dark, and what dim light there was seemed to be radiating from Edward's skin. I couldn't see his face, just his back as he walked away from me, leaving me the blackness. No matter how fast I ran, I couldn't catch up to him; no matter how loud I called, he never turned. In my dreams the mere thought of Edward leaving me, never seeing him again; made my heart twinge in imaginable pain. It scared the daylights of out of me. Never in all my life had been so fixed, even to the point of obsession, on a boy. Troubled I woke in the middle of the night and couldn't sleep again for what seemed like a very long time. After that, he was in my dreams nearly every night, but always on the periphery, never within reach.
The month that followed the accident was uneasy, tense, and at first, embarrassing.
To my dismay, I found myself the centre of attention for the rest of the week. I had gained more attention than Misty who was the one, besides Tyler Crowley, that sustained a quite serious level of injury, needing to stay overnight for precautions. Speaking of Tyler Crowley, he was impossible. Always following me around obsessed with making amends to me somehow. Which I found ironic as I turned out completely fine whilst Misty had a concussion, yet not once did I see nor hear Tyler beg, attempt or even apologise to her. What a bias prick.
I tried to convince him what I wanted more than anything else was him to forget all about it-especially since nothing had actually happened to me-and hopefully forget about me, but he remained insistent. He followed me between classes and visited the art room at lunch, gathering all his mates to watch him make a fool of himself and embarrassing me. Though Mike and Eric often accompanied him in his never ending quest for my 'forgiveness', they were even less friendly towards him than they were to each other; which made me worry that I'd gained another unwelcome fan.
No one seemed concerned about Edward, though I explained over and over that he was the hero-how he had pulled me out of the way and had nearly been crushed, too. I tried to be convincing. Jessica, Mike, Eric, and everyone else always commented that they hadn't even seen him there til the van was pulled away.
I wondered to myself why no one else had seen him standing so far away, before he was suddenly, impossibly saving my life. With chagrin, I realised the probable cause-no one else was as aware of Edward as I always was. No one else watched him the way I did, with incredible stalker precision that I had stooped to for my increasing interest in the Mystery of Edward Cullen. How pitiful.
Edward was never surrounded by crowds of curious bystanders eager for his firsthand account. People avoided him as usual. The Cullens and the Hales sat at the same table as always, not eating, talking among themselves. None of them, especially Edward, glanced my way when I went to get Misty and I our usual drinks for lunch, to her insistence.
When he sat next to me in class, as far from me as the table would allow, he seemed totally unaware of my presence. Only now and then, I would feel his burning eyes upon me, and when I looked to see if he indeed was blatantly staring at me; I would find no indication of the action of sort. During class I would sometimes see his fists would suddenly ball up-skin stretched even whiter over the bones-did I wonder if he wasn't quite as oblivious as he appeared.
My theory for his hard coldness was that he wished he hadn't pulled me from the path of Tyler's van-there was no other conclusion I could come to that made sense. Well the thought of Edward being Bipolar did float through my mind for a fleeting moment. Whilst it was a possibility; the fact that he appeared by my side in the span of at least five seconds from where he was standing, which was four cars away; it was that impossibility that disregarded that notion.
I wanted very much to talk to him, and the day after the accident I tried. The last time I'd seen him, outside of ER, we'd both been so furious. I still was angry that he wouldn't trust me with the truth, even though I was keeping my part of the bargain flawlessly, well as best as I can. But he had in fact saved my life, no matter how he'd done it. And overnight, the heat of my anger faded into awed gratitude. If it wasn't for him I'll be dead and my sister would be left with a clueless Charlie. I know Charlie means well but he didn't know how to deal with girls especially his own daughters.
He was already seated when I got to Biology, looking straight ahead. I sat down, expecting him to turn toward me. He showed no sign that he realised I was there.
"Hello, Edward," I said pleasantly, to show him I was going to behave myself. He turned his head a fraction toward me without meeting my gaze, nodded once, and then looked the other way.
And that was the last contact I'd had with him, though he was there, a foot away from me, every day. I watched him sometimes, unable to stop myself-from a distance, though, in the cafeteria or the parking lot. I observed carefully, as his golden eyes grew perceptibly darker day by day. But in class I gave no more notice that he existed than he showed me. I was miserable. And the dreams continued, unfortunately.
Despite my outright lies, the tenor of my emails alerted Renee to my depression, and she called a few times, worried. I tried to convince her it was just the weather that had me down. It worked, but I lucked out when I tried the same excuse on Misty, catching me on my bullshit easily and quickly.
Annoying fan number one, aka Mike-baby face-Newton, was pleased by the obvious coolness between me and my lab partner. I could see he'd been worried that Edward's daring rescue might have impressed me, and he was relieved that it seemed to have the opposite effect. He grew confident, sitting on the edge of my table to talk before Biology class started, ignoring Edward as completely as he ignored us. Basically he irritated the hell out of me ten more times than usual, making me really hate my tendency to be nice to people no matter what.
The snow had washed away for good after that one dangerous icy day. Mike was disappointed he'd never gotten to stage his snowball fight, but pleased that the beach trip would soon be possible. The rain continued heavily, though, and the weeks passed.
Jessica made me aware of another event looming on the horizon-she called it the first Tuesday of March to ask my permission to invite mike to the choice spring dance in two weeks. I called it, never going to go willingly and movie marathon time with my sister. In Phoenix, I hated those social events and threw a tantrum worthy of a five year old to not go to any of them; much to Renee's displeasure. Even more so when Misty implied that she only goes if I go.
"Are you sure you don't mind…you weren't planning to ask him?" Jessica persisted when I told her I didn't mind in the least. I wish I could tell her that she can date him for all I care, so he can get off my back with his not so smooth flirting but she cut me off by asking if I was really sure.
"No Jess, I'm not going," I assured her. Dancing was glaringly outside my range of abilities.
"It will really fun." Her attempt to convince me was half hearted. I suspected that Jessica enjoyed my inexplicable popularity more than my actual company, putting on the façade of what a friend is suppose to be. Well she wouldn't make it through being an actress. "You have fun with Mike," I encouraged.
The next day, I was surprised that Jessica wasn't her usual gushing self in Trig and Spanish. She was silent as she walked by my side between classes, and I was afraid to ask her why. If Mike turned her down, I was the last person she would want to tell. My fears were strengthened during the rest of the day. Jessica avoided Mike like the plague. According to Angela, she said that at lunch Jessica sat as far from mike as possible, chatting animatedly with Eric instead.
Mike was also unusually, but awesomely quiet.
He was quiet when he walked me to class; the uncomfortable look on his face a bad sign. But he didn't broach the subject until I was in my seat and he was perched on my desk, ready to leap at me with all his problems I guess. As always, I was electrically aware of Edward sitting close enough, to touch, as distant as if he were merely an invention of my imagination.
"So," Mike started, looking at the floor, "Jessica asked me to the spring dance."
"That's great." I made my voice bright and enthusiastic. "You'll have a lot of fun with Jessica."
"Well…" He floundered, as he examined my smile, clearly not happy with my response. "I told her I had to think about it."
"Why would you do that?" I let disapproval colour my tone, though I was relieved he hadn't given her an absolute no. His face was a bright red as he looked down again. Pity and Horror shook my resolve.
"I was wondering if…well, if you might be planning to ask me."
I paused for a moment, hating the wave of guilt that swept through me. But I saw, from the corner of my eye, Edward's head tilted reflexively in my direction. Was he eavesdropping?
"Mike, I think you should tell her yes," I said.
"Did you already ask someone?" he whined, making my eye twitch with annoyance. Can he not get a clue? And did Edward notice Mike's eyes flickered in his direction. Subtle.
"It's really none of your business if I did or did not ask someone Mike and it doesn't matter anyway because I'll be out on that night, " I snapped, narrowing my eyes at him.
"Why not?" Mike demanded.
I didn't want to get into a safety hazards that dancing presented nor did I want the puppy trio to hound me at the dance, so I made new plans.
"I'm going to Seattle that Saturday with my sister to get some supplies for her," I explained. I felt guilty that I was dragging Misty into my spontaneous lie but it was for the good of getting away from those hormonal dogs.
"Can't you go some other weekend?"
"Sorry, no," I said. "So you shouldn't make Jess wait any longer-it's rude."
"Yea, you're right," he mumbled sadly, and turned, with his bruised ego, to walk back to his seat.
I closed my eyes and pressed my fingers to my temples, trying to push the giant migraine I had, from this fiasco, out of my mind. I really hope this doesn't happen to me again, with the other two. Mr Banner began talking. I sighed and opened my eyes. And Edward was staring at me curiously, that same, familiar edge of frustration even more distinct now in his black eyes. I stared back, surprised, expecting him to look quickly away, but instead he continued to gaze with probing intensity into my eyes. Like he was trying to figure out a puzzle. I gulped hard as my hand started to shake; due to either nervousness I feel when it involves Edward or anger at the audacity of ignoring me yet he unabashedly stares at me.
"Mr Cullen?" the teacher called, seeking the answer to a question that I hadn't heard.
"The Krebs Cycle," Edward answered smoothly, seeming reluctant as he turned to look at Mr Banner. I looked down at my book as soon as his eyes released me, trying to find my pace. Cowardly as ever, I shifted my hair over my right shoulder to hide my face, so I wouldn't be warped into the intense smoulder of Edward Cullen. I couldn't believe the rush of emotion pulsing through me-just because he'd happened to look at me for the first time in six weeks, not that I'd been counting or anything. Never in my life I have been so fixated on a guy, especially one as frustratingly beautiful yet moody Edward Cullen. I couldn't allow him to have this level of influence over me. I couldn't get my hopes up for every time he showed kindness or interest in me, only to get the cold whiplash of the personality from him. I didn't want to be like the other lovesick girls, hanging on to some false, sick fantasy; clouding their judgement through the haze of lovesickness. But I couldn't help it. Couldn't help but be ensnared, enchanted, enraptured by him, and his secrets. It was pathetic. More than pathetic, it was unhealthy.
I tried really hard not to be aware of him for the rest of the hour, and, since that was impossible, at least not to let him know that I was aware of him; I started to plan how to get Angela ask Ben Cheney to the spring dance. Unlike Jessica, Angela was quite genuine in being a friend to not only me but to my sister as well. I learned recently from Angela herself not the gossipmonger Jessica, which is not surprising because I wouldn't trust her either, that she was interested in Ben. He was what people defined as a cute, geeky dork. They would be so cute together, but Angela was as shy as me when I'm forced into the centre of attention. I'll have to ask my partner in crime to help, aka my sister.
When the bell rang at last, I turned my back to him to gather my things, expecting him to leave immediately and quickly as usual.
"Bella?" His voice shouldn't have been so familiar to me, as if I'd known the sound all my life rather than just a few short weeks. I turned slowly, unwillingly. I didn't want to feel what I knew I would feel when I looked at his too perfect, god-like face. My expression was wary when I finally turned to him; his expression was unreadable. He didn't say anything.
"What? Are you speaking to me again?" I finally asked, an unintentional note of petulance in my tone.
His lips twitched, fighting a smile. "No, not really," he admitted.
What the hell! That defeats the purpose of ignoring me or not talking to me if you freaking give me an answer. I closed my eyes and inhaled slowly through my nose, aware that I was gritting my teeth; pushing down the urge to slap him or at least hit him where it hurts. He waited.
"Then what do you want, Edward?" I asked, keeping my eyes closed; it was easier to talk civilly to him and coherently that way.
"I'm sorry." He sounded sincere. "I'm being very rude, I know. But it's better this way, really" My god is he 'The Riddler' from Batman? Because all he does is confuse me even more than I am already am, with every word he enunciate.
I opened my eyes. His face was very serious.
"I don't know what you mean," I said, my voice guarded.
"It's better if we're not friends," he explained. "Trust me." My eyes narrowed. I'd heard that before.
"It's too bad you didn't figure that out earlier," I hissed through my teeth. "You could have saved yourself all this regret."
"Regret?" The word, and my tone, obviously caught him off guard. "Regret for what?"
"For not just letting that stupid van do the job and squish me." He was astonished. He stared at me with disbelief.
When he finally spoke, he almost sounded mad. "You think I regret saving your life?"
"I know you do," I snapped.
"You don't know anything." He was definitely mad. I turned my head sharply away from him, clenching my jaw against all the wild accusations I wanted to hurl at him. I gathered my books together, then stood and walked to the door. I attempted to be like Edward and sweep out the room in a dramatic flourish but instead the toe of my boot caught on the doorjamb and dropped my books everywhere, splayed and fanned out in front of me. How ironic a graceless swan, I laughed darkly as I went to gather my books and what's left of my dignity.
As I was about to grab the book closest to me, Edward's white hand picked t up for me and proceeded to stack the rest of my books swiftly until it was in a neat pile in front of me.
"Thank you," I snipped icily. His eyes narrowed.
"Your welcome," he retorted.
I straightened up swiftly, turning away from him again, and stormed off to Gym without looking back.
Gym was brutally, despicably horrible. We'd moved on to basketball. My team never passed me the ball, so that was good, but I fell down about nearly a million times; obtaining new battle scars to this body of mine. Sometimes I took people down with me, fortunately for them they returned back into the game unscathed. Today I was worse than usual because my mind was so filled with Edward. Most specifically what had happened in Biology. I did try to concentrate on my feet co-ordination, but like an insanely annoying but catching song; he kept creeping back into my thoughts just when I really needed my balance.
It was a relief, as always, to leave. I almost ran to the truck, leaving Misty was behind; because there were just so many people I wanted to avoid. The truck, which I dubbed 'The Beast', had only suffered minimal damage in the accident. I'd had to replace the taillights, and if I'd had a real paint job, I would have touched that up. Tyler's parents had to sell their van for parts. I almost had a stroke when I rounded the corner and saw a tall, dark figure leaning against the side of my truck. Then I realised too late it was annoying fan number two, Eric freaking Yorkie. Shit.
"Um, hey Eric," I called.
"Hey, Bella."
"What's up?" I said as I was unlocking the door, praying it wasn't about the spring dance. I also wasn't paying attention to the uncomfortable edge in his voice, so his next words made me blanche even paler than my usual skin tone.
"Uh, I was just wondering…if you would go to the spring dance with me? His voice broke on the last word, just as Misty arrived by my side. Her eyes twinkled in mirth, attempting to hide her giggles behind her hand at the scene portrayed in front of her. Ignoring her, I stared at Eric mortifyingly "I thought it was girl's choice."
"Well, yeah," he admitted, shamefaced. I recovered my composure and tried to make my smile warm.
"Thank you for asking me, but I'm going to be in Seattle with my sister that day."
"Oh," he muttered sadly. "Well, maybe next time."
"Uh, I don't think so Eric. You're nice and all but I don't think you that way. Sorry." I bit my lip guiltily as he drooped his shoulders in defeat. He slouched off sadly and Misty burst into laughter along with a familiar low chuckle.
Edward was walking past the front of The Beast, looking straight forward, his lips pressed together trying to contain himself. I yanked the door open and jumped inside, slamming it loudly behind me, tapping the steering wheel as I waited for my sister to get in the truck. Just as she was about to enter in the truck, she was stopped by Alice and Jasper. "Hey! Misty don't forget that Jasper and you have a History project to do," she said.
"Honey, I could've said it myself. Any way we need to do research for it so would you like to come to our house or your house?" Jasper inquired calmly. Misty rested her hand upon her chin into a thinking pose, pondering her options; when she finally pointed toward Jasper. "Ok. My house it is. How about Sunday?" My sister nodded in agreement. "Do you need me to take you there and pick you up, Misty?" I questioned.
"Oh, no! I'll pick her up and drop her of Bella! Our house is not in town, so you wouldn't know how to get there," Alice informed.
Bidding farewells to both the Cullens, I started the engine as soon as Misty was seated and in her safety belt. I revved the engine deafeningly and reversed out into the aisle. I regrettably noticed Edward was in his car already, two spaces down, sliding out smoothly in front of me, cutting me off. He stopped there-to wait for the rest of his family; I could see Rosalie and Emmett walking this way, but still by the cafeteria. I considered taking out the rear of his stupid, shiny Volvo, but there were too many witnesses. No need to get in trouble and rope Charlie in my love-hate feelings about Edward Cullen. I looked in my rear view mirror. A line was beginning to form. Directly behind me, Tyler Crowley was in his recently acquired used Sentra, waving. I was too aggravated to acknowledge him.
While I was sitting there, looking everywhere but at the car in front of me, I heard a knock on my passenger side window. Both Misty and I looked over; it was Tyler. I really had the shittiest luck. I glanced back in my rear view mirror, confused. His car was still running, the door left open, how unethical. Groaning, I leaned across the cab, over my sister since the smug git wouldn't move an inch towards her window, to crank the window down. It was stiff. I got half way down, then gave up.
"I'm sorry, Tyler, I'm stuck behind Cullen." I was pissed and annoyed at Edward now, my feelings maybe unjust but something about him infuriates me.
"Oh, I know-I just waned ask you something while we're trapped here." He grinned, giving me a flirtatious wink. My day officially has been upgraded from disastrously annoying to catastrophically horrible. "Will you ask me to the spring dance?" he continued.
"I'm not going to be in town, Tyler." My voice sounded a little sharp. I had to remember it wasn't his fault that Mike and Eric had already used up my quota of patience for the day.
"Yeah, Mike said that," he admitted.
"Then why-"
He shrugged. "I was hoping you were letting him down easy." Okay, it was completely his fault. However, technically that's true that I did want to let Mike and Eric down but I really needed this trip.
"Sorry, Tyler," I said, working to hide my irritation especially when Misty is amused at my expense. "I really am going out of town."
"That's cool. We still have prom." Say what. Is he even more oblivious than Mike? Or he is still hyped on adrenaline from the accident.
And before I could respond, he was walking back to his car. I could feel the shock on my face, and Misty who was silently quivering in laughter before, was now clutching her sides in hysterical laughter. How modest of her. I look forward to see Rosalie and Emmett sliding into the Volvo. In his rear view mirror, Edward's eyes were on me. He was unquestionably shaking with laughter, as if he'd heard every word Tyler had said. My foot inched toward the gas pedal…one little bump wouldn't hurt any of them, just that glossy silver paint job. I revved my engine, my eyes surely glinting with malicious intent.
But they were all in, and Edward was speeding away. I pouted childishly, dejected that I was unable to get my retribution. I drove home slowly, well as slow as The Beast could go, carefully, muttering to myself the whole way. When I got home, I decided to make chicken enchiladas for dinner, whilst Misty went for a shower. It was a long process, and it would keep me busy. Busy enough to hopefully give my brain a rest from the haunting and lingering thoughts of Edward. While I was simmering the onions and chillies, the phone rang. I was almost afraid to answer it, I've watched The Ring before and heaps of other of horror movies, to my sister insistence, and nothing ever good happens when you answer the phone. But it might be Charlie or my mom.
Thankfully, it was Jessica, and she was jubilant; Mike had caught her after school to accept her invitation. I celebrated with her briefly while I stirred. Well celebrating the hope that mike Newton would forget all about me. God knows how long I can withstand his and the other two insistent flirting. She had to go, she wanted to call Angela and Lauren to tell them. I suggested-with casual innocence- that maybe Lauren, the bitch that made my sister cry could ask Tyler or Eric. I'd heard they were still available. I definitely didn't mention my plan of hooking Angela and Ben together, Jessica would ruin it, as she could not keep a secret; even if her life depended on it. Jess thought, what I secretly called the "Get the Fan Boys Away From Me' idea, was great. Now that she was sure of Mike, she actually sounded sincere when she said she wished I would go to the dance. I gave her my Seattle excuse.
After I hung up, I tried to concentrate on dinner-dicing the chicken especially' I didn't want to take another trip to the emergency room. But my head was spinning, trying to analyse every word Edward had spoken today. What did he mean, it was better if we weren't friends? The way he said it wasn't snobbish or rude, but out of concern. What is he hiding that makes him warn me about associating with him?
My stomach twisted as I realised what he must have meant. He must see how absorbed I was by him; he must not want to lead me on…so we couldn't be friends…because he wasn't interested in me at all. "Yeah, right," I scoffed to myself' tossing the insecure thought out of my mind. I then reasoned with myself that it wasn't that he found out my feelings about him that made his attitude hot 'n cold. It wasn't my fault that he had: dazzling topaz, sometimes charcoal, eyes; super speed that made me doubt my sanity and skin so white that it could rival Snow white's. It must be something about his life, a big secret embedded into the depths of Edward's soul and shared among his family.
Charlie seemed suspicious when he came home and smelled green peppers. Charlie loved his red meat, and in my scarce memories with him in my younger years, that man loved his grilled steak and chips from the diner and Harry Clearwater's fish fry. Basically he lived for anything that increases his cholesterol levels and avoided vegetables as if they were deadly like kryptonite was to Superman. I couldn't blame him thought for his caution since the closest edible Mexican food was probably in southern California. But he was a cop, even if just a small town cop, so he was brave enough to take the first bite. He seemed to like it. It was fun to watch as he slowly began trusting me in the kitchen. He even had seconds, and so did my sister. Though she may look small, misty had a appetite like a man.
"Dad?" I asked when he was almost done.
"Yeah, Bella?"
"Um, I just wanted to let you know that we are going to Seattle for the day a week from Saturday…if that's okay?" I didn't want to ask permission –it set a bad precedent-but I felt rude, so I tackled it on at the end.
"Why?" He sounded surprised, as if he were unable to imagine something that Forks couldn't offer.
"Well, I wanted to get a few books for myself and some art supplies for Misty- the library here is pretty limited there's no art supply in Forks. I may also look at some clothes." I had more money than I used to having, since, thanks to Charlie, I hadn't have to pay for a car. Not that the truck didn't cost me quite a bit in the gas department.
"That truck probably doesn't get very good gas mileage," he said, echoing my thoughts.
"I know, I'll stop in Montesano and Olympia-and Tacoma if I have to."
"Are you going all by yourselves?" he asked, and I couldn't tell if he was suspicious we had a secret boyfriend or just worried about car trouble.
"Yes."
"Seattle is a big city-you guys could get lost," he fretted.
"Dad, Phoenix is five times the size of Seattle-and I can read a map. Don't worry about it."
"Do you want me to go with you guys?" I tried to be crafty as I hid my horror.
"That's alright, Dad, I'll probably just be in the dressing rooms all day-very boring."
"Oh, okay." The thought of sitting in women's clothing stores for any period of time immediately put him off.
"Thanks." I smiled whilst Misty giggled hysterically, at Charlie's obvious embarrassment at the mention of 'womanly things' such as shopping, make up, lingerie etc. I myself not too keen on it either, spending my free time reading the greatest literary works the world had to offer, but Charlie doesn't know that.
"Will you be back in time for the dance?" Damn. Only in a town this small would a father know when the school dances were.
"No-I don't dance, Dad." He, of all people, should understand that-I didn't get my balance problems from my mother.
He did understand. "Oh, that's right," he realised, but then frowned when he found out why I had trailed off. Misty would be out casted and probably ridiculed by the popular people who had bubble for brains.
The next morning, when I pulled into the parking lot, I deliberately parked as far as possible from the silver Volvo. I didn't want to put myself in the path of too much temptation and end up owing him a new car. Grimacing at the reminder that I still had a class with him, meaning I could not completely avoid him, with a pout of protest I slowly moved out of The Beast whilst my sister zipped off for her Art class. Getting out of the cab I fumbled with my key and it fell into the puddle at my feet. I sighed, closed my eyes in frustration. As I bent to get it, a white hand flashed out and grabbed it before I could. I jerked upright and groaned once I realised the boy that had been haunting my dreams, that had my heart so besotted by him that every thought or even the mention of his name made it palpitate, that had my body aching for a simple touch and humming with electricity of desire when he does; all to the annoyance to my logical, concrete mind. Edward fucking Cullen was right next to me, leaning casually against my truck.
"How do you do that?" I asked in amazed irritation.
"Do what?" He held my key out as he spoke. As I reached for it, he dropped it into my palms.
"Appear out of thin air."
"Bella, it's not my fault if you are exceptionally unobservant." His voice was quiet as usual-velvet, muted. I scowled at his perfect face. His eyes were light again today, a deep, golden honey colour. Then I had to look down, to reassemble my now-tangled thoughts.
"Why the traffic jam last night?" I demanded, still looking away. "I thought you were suppose to be pretending I don't exist, not irritating me to death."
"That was for Tyler's sake, not mine. I had to give him his chance." He snickered.
"You…" I gasped angrily. I couldn't think of a bad enough. It felt like the heat of m anger should physically burn him, but he only seemed more amused.
"And I'm not pretending that you don't exist," he continued. I rolled my eyes and scoffed.
"So you are trying to irritate me to death? Since Tyler's van didn't do the job?"
Anger flashed in his tawny eyes. His lips pressed into a thin, hard line, all signs of humour gone.
"Bella, you are utterly absurd," he said, his low voice cold. My palms tingled-I wanted o so badly to hit something. I not surprised that something like
Edward Cullen, made me want to become a violent person. Taking in a deep breath, I turned my back and started to walk away.
"Wait," he called. I kept walking, sloshing angrily through the rain. But he was next to me, easily keeping pace. "I'm sorry, that was rude," he said as we walked. I ignored him. "I'm not saying it isn't true," he continued, "but it was rude to say it anyway."
"Why won't you leave me alone?" I grumbled.
"I wanted to ask you something, but you sidetracked me," he chuckled. He seemed to recover his good humour, to my displeasure.
"Do you have a multiple personality disorder or are just Bipolar to me only? I asked severely.
"You're doing it again."
I sighed. "fine then. What do you want to ask?"
"I was wondering if, a week from Saturday-you know, the day of the spring dance-"
"Are you trying to be funny?" I interrupted him, wheeling toward him. My face got drenched as I looked up at his expression.
His eyes were wickedly amused. "Will you please allow me to finish?' I bit my lip and clasped my hands together, interlocking my fingers, so I couldn't do anything rash. "I heard you say you were going to Seattle that day, and I was wondering if you and your sister wanted a ride."
That was unexpected.
"What?" I wasn't sure where he was getting at.
"Do you want a ride to Seattle?"
"With whom?" I asked, mystified.
"Myself, of course." He enunciated every syllable, as if he were talking to someone who was mentally handicapped or just plain slow like I was at the moment.
I was still stunned. "Why?"
"Well, I was planning to go to Seattle in the next few weeks, and, to be honest I don't think your truck can make it."
"My truck works just fine, thank you very much for your concern." I started to walk again, but I was too surprised to be pissed at him for indirectly insulting The Beast.
"But can your truck make it there on one tank of gas." He matched my pace again.
"I don't see how that is any of your business." Stupid, shiny Volvo owner.
"The wasting of finite resources is everyone's business."
"Honestly, Edward/" I felt a thrill go through me as I said his name, and I hated it. "I can't keep up with you. I thought you didn't want of be my friend."
"I said it would be better if we weren't friends, not that I didn't want to be."
"Oh thanks, and now that's all cleared up would you like a side of bullshit with that," my voice heavy with sarcasm. I realised I had stopped walking again. We were under the shelter of the cafeteria roof now, so I could more easily look at his face. Which certainly didn't help the clarity of thought.
"It would be more…prudent for you not to be my friend," he explained. "But I'm tired of trying to stay away from you, Bella." His eyes were gloriously intense as he uttered the last sentence, his voice smouldering. I couldn't remember how to breathe.
"Will you and you sister go with me to Seattle?" he asked, still intense. I couldn't speak yet, so I nodded. He smiled briefly, and then his face became serious.
"You really should stay away from me," he warned. "I'll see you in class."
He tuned abruptly and walked back the way we'd come.
WHAT THE HELL JUST HAPPEN!