Sorry people for the lateness. I've been busy and went through a stage of writers block…sort of… I think it would be called writers block. I got inspiration for this other fan fic story and then I was writing bits and pieces (already up to chapter 4, but not posting till this story is finished.) and then I got inspiration for a story that is my own… for a real book… though it probably wouldn't get published…but still…worth a shot right? And I've written the first chapter of that and am half way through the second. And basically, my mind couldn't concentrate on this till now.
Chapter 8:
Edwards Point of View
--
"So my Mum was wondering if you wanted to stay for dinner," I mentioned to Bella as she re-packed her bag to come over in the afternoon.
We only had one lesson left which was this after noon and I wanted to make the most of it. Bella would be off to Jacksonville for the weekend to visit her mother, and unleash the talent she's built.
"Really?" Bella asked, seeming incredulous but flattered at the same time.
"Of course" I shrugged. "She's not working tonight and since it's your last lesson she thought we should do something special."
We started walking to my car. I'd decided to pick her up this morning so I could drive her straight after school instead of her having to go home again and back. We were both going the same place anyway- well, that was my excuse. Either way she seemed flattered at the gesture.
"That's so nice of her," Bella met my eyes then, a teasing accusation in her eyes. "I don't suppose you had anything to do with her decision."
I put my hands in my pocket and looked at the sky, playing along. "Ah, I might have hinted at something." I peeked at her from the corner of my eye to see her watching me with a 'you're an idiot' smile. I grinned impishly and opened the passenger side door for her.
Bella moved past me but before getting in the car paused and looked at me. "Are you sure it's okay?"
"Perfectly fine," Eyes soft, I kept Bella's gaze. Absentmindedly, the hand that wasn't holding the door rested on the car frame, enclosing Bella in the space. It suddenly struck me at how close she was, how easy it would be to just lean in and… On their own accord my eyes drifted to her lips…how soft they looked. So easy…
I shook it off, and forced myself to look down at the pavement. My hands dropped away from the door and I stepped back a little. Awkwardly smiling at Bella and not really looking at her I politely gestured her into the car.
Assessing me critically at my sudden flushed change in attitude she dropped into the car and I gently closed the door shut.
It should be that easy.
--
Alice arrived home shortly after Bella and I pulled in, dropped off by her 'almost' boy friend Jasper. I had only really officially met him once when he'd been at our house doing some project with Alice. He seemed to be a pretty alright guy from what I could tell. I'd gone all 'older brother protectiveness' on him- not aware at the time that I was doing it. Jasper was a calm and friendly kind of person, one you didn't pick up any bad vibes from. He was the ice to Alice's fire, so to speak.
'Almost' boy friend I once questioned Alice, after failing to tease her about it. "Almost," she clarified. "I mean, I know he likes me, and I am pretty sure he knows I like him… but he's so conservative and respectful of me that it's hard to get anywhere. But its okay, I'm going to crack that cookie."
From then on, I'd been even more confused about girls. 'Crack that cookie'? 'He's so conservative and respectful of me'?
What the hell?!
Are all males just cookies to be cracked? Do women have elaborate plans to break us?
Females are always talking about how they want to find a nice guy who doesn't just want one thing blah, blah, blah… Now she doesn't want him to be 'respectful' of her- you know…in terms of…
That's where I stopped thinking about my little sisters relationships. Basically, women are confusing and I will never try to understand again.
Alice greeted us at the porch, smiling politely at Bella. "I've been expecting you."
Lovely start. Great way to make someone feel awkward!
"Took Edward long enough to get you to meet the family," Alice continued, linking arms with Bella who glanced at me amused. "Come on inside, I can smell choc chip cookies." Ignoring me, Alice tugged Bella along with her to investigate mums cooking.
The house was warm inside and Alice's nose was correct. The aroma of baked goods smothered the house.
"Mum, where home!" Alice yelled, heading straight for the kitchen. Bella glanced behind to make sure I was still there following. I smiled a comforting smile.
Esme emerged from the kitchen then, apron on with smears of flour, all in all looking very motherly. Her eyes landed on Bella and she gave a big warm smile.
"Bella, nice to finally meet you."
What is with the 'finally'? It's not like I was keeping her away on purpose!
I could see Bella's face gaining colour slightly. "You too. Edward talks a lot about you."
Mum gave Bella the once over, glancing at me and back. She seemed to find something very interesting judging by the twinkle in her eyes. "Like wise. I would hug you but-" she gestured to her dirty apron- "I don't want to get your clothes all dirty."
Bella nodded, staring considerately at the messy clothing. Her small shoulders shrugged. "What the hell?" Bella stepped forward and they hugged lightly. I studied the scene carefully, thinking how perfect and comfortable it all looked.
Esme looked exuberant and it reflected on everybody.
"Well I'm about to start on dinner…Hope you like lasagne!"
"Lasagne?" Alice frowned. "Let me at those cookies first!"
I ginned, amused, shaking my head. So typical of Alice. Bella giggled softly and watched on with understanding eyes.
She got it.
--
"So Bella, Edward was saying that you're visiting your mother this weekend?" Carlisle asked curiously, going around the table and picking up everyone's plates. "Where about is Renee living now?"
Bella swallowed the last of her water. "She was living in Phoenix, Arizona but she moved to Jacksonville, Florida last month cause of her husband Phil's job."
"Florida!" Alice chirped, excited. "I've always wanted to go there!"
Bella nodded understandingly. "The beaches, I know. It's always so warm."
"We'll have to go there on a holiday some day." Esme patted Alice on the shoulder delicately.
"I highly recommend it."
I sat mostly quiet through out dinner, just watching everything, all the interactions. I was giving Bella up for the evening to just let her be part of the family. Everything was going perfectly fine and that made me happy. I wanted Bella to fit in with us, to get the golden seal of approval.
"Edward?" I looked up from the white table cloth at the sound of my mother. "Why don't you play the piano for Bella?"
I glanced at Bella and back to Esme, to Carlisle, Alice's smug face, torn. Usually I wouldn't mind playing, but this… this was different.
"That'd be showing off."
Alice scoffed. "You aren't that great."
I glared at her, miffed. "Thanks Alice, very encouraging."
"It's called reverse psychology." Alice nodded knowingly. "I put you down and you try to stand up, so go stand up!"
Carlisle rolled his eyes at his daughter, smirking. "Weren't you working on something special, Edward?"
"Yeah Edward," Alice said slyly. "That piece you keep hiding from everyone."
Bella looked at me curiously, her eyes accusing. "The one you wouldn't let me see in your locker?"
It was Esme's turn to join in on the gang up on Edward fest. "Who'd be a better candidate than Bella to listen to it?"
"It's not finished yet…" Warily I glanced at all the expectant faces, feeling defensive.
Bella smiled softly, "I'd still love to hear it." She nodded encouragingly. "Please?"
I considered it. The 'please'…How can I deny her…deny Bella what she wanted… That's what got me.
"Please Edward?"
"You rock at puppy dog eyes Bella." Alice giggled mischievously. "He's so given in."
Sighing, I stood up and held out my hand for Bella to take. She grabbed hold immediately, and I became acutely aware of how warm she was. I shot a look at mum who was practically choking with satisfaction at our conjoined hands.
Bella and I went out to the Music Room and I sat Bella down on the piano bench. I got on my hands and knees and ducked under the piano.
"What are you doing?"
"I had to hide my music folder…I don't like people seeing anything before it's done." Only now did it seem so stupid that I did this. I had stuck the folder to the bottom of the piano with blu tack…No one would ever think to look there…I thought it was an excellent plan…Now it was just embarrassing. "You are the only person that knows my hiding place now, I trust you."
"Good," she folded her hands in her lap and waiting patiently for me to start, her feet bouncing with anticipation. I stared at her exasperated, trying to get the message across that she wouldn't make me do this. But Bella just smirked at me and waited.
Sighing mentally, I sat down next to her and rested my fingers on the ivory keys, going through the reasons this shouldn't- wasn't- so bad.
I'd get an outsiders opinion- though it was actually for her
I'd see how Bella reacted to the unfinished product so I can improve to make it even better.
I would be giving Bella what she wanted
Ever so slowly, I pressed down on the first key of the piece, letting it hang in the air for a second before sucking it up and just letting myself get lost in it. My fingers flowed swiftly over the keys, letting the sweet sounding notes meld together like they were all made for each other, letting all my visions of Bella come out in sound.
When I glanced at Bella from the corner of my eye, she was staring awestruck at my hands, her face bright. Well, she liked it by the looks of it.
This gave me more confidence. I was coming up to the bit I was unfinished with and decided to just wing it. Let it see where it took me.
"And this is where I start making stuff up." I warned Bella.
I made the music go light and boppy, silly. I raised my eye brows at Bella, nudging her with my elbow. She laughed at the turn of tone.
I tried for melancholy, and soon found myself playing the Death March. It continued like that, me changing to different tones, trying and apparently succeeding in entertaining. The Pink Panther seemed to be a hit. I was happy that I could do this for Bella, that she could get so much joy from something as simple as mucking around with a piano.
I went back to my original piece to finish it off, letting the final note reverberate in the air.
I turned to Bella, waiting for her to say something. Not waiting for praise, but something…anything. But she was silent for a minute. I know, I counted anxiously in my head. Silence was killer sometimes.
I broke the silence first, figuring what the hell. "You inspired the piece you know…" Bella's head snapped up to stare at me when I said that. I shrugged and looked down, embarrassed and wondering how in the world I was going to explain. "You've…Brought a lot of happiness into my life."
She didn't say anything but I felt a soft pressure on my cheek. Her lips? Bella pulled away and I stared at her with wide eyes. "Thank you," she said with deep meaning. "I loved it, and I can't wait to hear the finished thing. It'll be amazing."
I grinned dazedly, too caught up in the fact that Bella's lips had been on my skin.
"Well, I better get going." Bella announced suddenly, standing up. I cleared my throat, shaking myself back into the present. I opened the door to her and together we went back inside for Bella to say goodbye to everybody.
"It was lovely having you dear," Esme hugged Bella lightly.
Carlisle shook her hand with a polite, but true smile. "You're welcome here anytime."
"Thank you both for having me." She nodded to Alice with a smile. "See you at school,"
I escorted Bella to the car door and opened it for her, shutting it softly behind her.
The drive went by too quickly, and I was disappointed it was the weekend and that I wouldn't be seeing her till Monday. I pulled into the driveway of her house and switched off the engine.
I smiled as best I could. "See you,"
"Bye," Bella made no move to get out, just kind of smiled at me, like she was going to say something but kept putting it off. I waited patiently; I was in no hurry to leave her. Finally she giggled and opened the car door, shaking her head. "I'll see you later. Wish me luck for tomorrow?"
"Good luck!" Bella waved and went round the front of the car and towards the porch. I wound down the window and added, "You won't need it!"
"Ha, I wish! You're sweet." I waited till Bella was inside until I began the drive back home.
Esme was in the living room when I came in. I had a feeling she was going to start on something.
"So, Bella get home alright?"
I put the car keys down on the coffee table. "Yeah,"
"She's very beautiful," Esme prompted.
I kept my eyes trained on the carpet as I nodded in agreement. "I know she is."
"…I think she likes you, you know?"
"Mum!" I groaned, although inside I was cheering.
"What?" she questioned innocently. "I'm only telling what I see. And it's obvious you like her too- don't deny it." Blood was boiling beneath my face and I desperately didn't want to be talking about this with my mother. "All I'm saying is that you two look perfect together. That's it." Esme stood up and went down the hallway leaving me to my own thoughts.
'Perfect together'; Mum didn't know it, but that comment meant a lot to me.
This chapter wasn't very good… But at least I FINALLY got it out! XD And now there is room for the big stuff!
Boys embarrassing story:
Cross Dresser
My parents were out one night, so I decided to invite my girlfriend over. We were mucking around in the lounge room when we heard a key turn in the door. We quickly scrambled to get dressed and I pulled on what I thought were my shorts. I then casually strolled out to greet my dad who had come back to get something he had forgotten. He was standing there in shock. As I looked down I realised that in the rush, I had grabbed my girlfriends skirt by mistake!
Ahh… I cracked up at that one. I was looking through my old Girlfriend magazines (when I say old…I mean old, I haven't bought any in about 2 years) and found those. So funny. Although I feel sorry for some of them, I would have died!
Anyway, I have most of the last chapter of this story already written and we are almost there. One more chapter and we are at the last chapter. Sniff