CPOV
"HE SAID WHAT?" I exclaimed. Bella was on her side of the attic sitting cross-legged on the couch. Her face was the brightest shade of red I had ever seen.
"'You did nothing, I on the other hand. It would be smart for you and me if I stayed away from you, but I can't do that Bella, I'm tired of trying to stay away from you.' Those were his exact words."
"And you waited till today to tell me this? Ouch Bella that hurts." I wiped and invisible tear from my eye and sniffled. Next thing I knew a pillow was hitting me in the face.
"I'm sorry alright, it was a Friday, and in my defense I was dazzled after yesterdays encounter."
"Dazzled?" I put down my guitar and walked over to where Bella was sitting.
"Yea, it's…" she paused trying to find the words. "It's the only way I can think to describe the effect he has on me."
"I guess that's understandable, that and the fact that you were asked out my nearly half the school."
"It was not half the school it was your friends thank you very much." I laughed and brought my knees to my chest leaning back against the couch. I let my eyes close for a moment while we sat in silence.
"Nervous?" Bella reached and grabbed my hand.
"Never." I squeezed her hand and walked back to my guitar to practice again.
"You know it's okay to show emotions every once in a while."
"Ha ha, not for me."
Bella let out a sigh and started to read a book. I could feel my insides trembling, I was nervous, but I will never admit it.
"GUY"S PIZZA'S HERE!" Charlie yelled up the stairs. When we got to the kitchen I could see the faint glow of twilight. The sun was just setting and in about half an hour it would be dark so we could leave.
"I got vegetarian, cheese and pepperoni" I reached for the one he pointed out as vegetarian, yea I would prefer leaves to meat any day.
"Do you know when dawn is?" Charlie asked as Bella and I finished our last slices.
"4:48 today. Don't worry we will be home." I grabbed my acoustic and Bella and I got into her truck.
"Nervous yet?" Bella asked as we neared the beach
"I told you already didn't I?"
"Yes, but you should know better by now that I can see through every one of your fake masks."
"We'll see about that." I said nudging her arm as we parked the truck.
The Bonfire was bigger then I imagined, it must have been seven feet tall, and eight feet around. A stage was set up in the distance and I could see some of the bands doing sound check. Further away, I was even more amazed, a mini carnival was set up, there was a Ferris wheel, a merry-go-round, and a bunch of games with stuffed animals.
"Amazing isn't it?" I turned to see Mike, Tyler, and Eric with Jessica, Lauren and Angela.
"I can't believe this," Bella stared up at the ride with awe. So was I; who knew that itty bitty little Forks could do something like this.
"Cory we got to go do sound check were the last group then it starts." I hugged Bella as she slipped the UV monitor into my hand. 'Just in case' she mouthed to me after we pulled apart.
"Ladies and Gentlemen if I could have your attention please. We would like you all to come to the stage the entertainment is about to begin." Mr. Rams announced.
We went back stage with the rest of the group's; ours was the last to go. For about twenty minutes the other groups went. They were pretty good too, no, really good."
"Nervous?" Tyler asked while I fiddled with my guitar strap.
"No." I said flatly. I looked at my group's faces and their eyes held nothing but fear. "You?" I asked, in unison they all said no, no way, that they were fine, but I couldn't help laughing because while they were saying they were fine, there voices were shaky and cracking.
"Next up is, Mike Newton, Eric Yorkie, Tyler (I cant remember his last name) and Courtney Swan!"
We made our way up to the stage. Tyler and the drums were in the center but behind, Eric was on the left side of the stage, I was slightly off center, and Mike was on the right.
"Hey everybody, I know that all the groups played faster songs, but were going to tune it down a bit so… yea." Mike said in to his mike. I took a deep breath and looked into the crowd. There in the back was Bella, staring right at me smiling widely, proudly, lovingly. I smiled back at her while Tyler counted us in. slowly I started to finger pick while Mike started with the vocals.
I wanted you to know I love the way you laugh
I wanna hold you high and steal your pain away
I keep your photograph, I know it serves me well
I wanna hold you high and steal your pain
I came in singing the harmony our voices blended together perfectly as I saw some of the audience slow dancing.
'Cause I'm broken when I'm open
And I don't feel like I am strong enough
'Cause I'm broken when I'm lonesome
And I don't feel right when you're gone away
I took a deep breath to steady my self and then I started my part, letting the music, and it's emotion flow through me.
The worst is over now and we can breathe again
I wanna hold you high, you steal my pain away
There's so much left to learn, and no one left to fight
I wanna hold you high and steal your pain
x2
'Cause I'm broken when I'm open
And I don't feel like I am strong enough
'Cause I'm broken when I'm lonesome
And I don't feel right when you're gone away
BPOV
"Cory we got to go do sound check were the last group then it starts." Cory gave me a hug before leaving as I slipped the UV monitor into her hand. I mouthed 'Just in case' after we pulled apart. I wasn't sure if the lights were UV free, but I hoped everything would go smoothly.
"Bella Swan?" I heard a male voice from behind me. I turned to see a Quilet boy with shoulder length brown hair pulled back into a ponytail. He was wearing jeans and a muscle shirt with a hoodie wrapped around his waist; he wasn't very muscular, just slightly toned. He smiled widely at me and his dark eyes sparkled and that's when I knew.
"Jacob Black! Wow, you gotten tall."
"Bella I was always taller then you. Where's Cory?"
"Oh she's one of the acts tonight." I said as Jacob pulled me into a slightly awkward hug. I pulled away when I thought I heard a dog growl. I looked but didn't see anything.
"Yea, Billy told me you and her moved back to Fork's cause of-"
"Jake want to take a walk?" I asked cutting him off. He looked at me strangly for a second but then glanced at the girls around us who were eyeing me suspiciously.
"Yea sure."
Jacob and I walked over to the beach. There was a fallen log that we decided to sit on not to far from where everyone else was. We sat in silence for a while and when I looked up, over by the fire I saw Edward with his family looking right at me. I lifted my hand to wave. Edward waved a little and then walked over to the games. The last to follow was the blonde named Rosalie. She shot a vicious glare at me and then stomped off behind the others.
"Ouch." I turned back to Jacob who I forgot was there for a minute.
"Huh?"
"That one Cullen doesn't seem to like you that much." This topic perked my interest.
"You know the Cullen's?" I asked turning to face him.
"Everyone down in La Push knows about the Cullen's, there kind of a ledged."
"A ledged? What about?"
"I don't think I should tell you." He said leaning back a bit.
"Come on Jake… Please?" I bit my bottom lip, and batted my eyelashes. I leaned my head over to nudge his shoulder. I saw him tense slightly and gulp. Wow… who knew Isabella Swan was a capable flirt.
"Fine, We call them the cold ones."
"Cold one's?"
"Yea. See, the story is, is that the Cullen's are an old family of uh," he paused for a while as if trying to talk himself into running away.
"Come on tell me." I tugged on his arm.
"Bella, I don't believe in this stuff, it's just a myth, but my dad, he thinks it's true, but just don't be weirded out okay?"
I nodded my head in agreement, my eyes fixated on him
"Apparently, they are a family, err coven of... Vampires…"
"VAMPIRES?" I exclaimed. Jake shot a hand out and wrapped it over my mouth to hush me.
"Shhh, I told you not to over react!"
"No, you said don't be weirded out I'm not weirded out, just a little, surprised I mean come on, vampires?"
"I know it's crazy, but that's the legend anyways…"
"Ladies and Gentlemen if I could have your attention please. We would like you all to come to the stage the entertainment is about to begin." A voice boomed from the stage.
"Yo Jacob! Come on!" yelled a boy, he was to far in the distance for me to distinguish his features but Jacob seemed to recognize him."
"See you around Bella." Jacob said, his voice holding a tinge of sadness.
"Yea nice seeing you." I waved to him as he took off after his friend, and I took off to the stage. It was crowded so I stayed in the back. I could see Jess, Angela, and Lauren at the front screaming like groupies.
About 20 minutes had passed, and a man introduced Cory's group next.
Cory walked on the stage. She was biting her bottom lip. Something she did when she had any feeling that she was keeping locked up.
I watched her set up and sit on the stool. She took in a deep breath and our eyes connected. I was so proud of her. She had never played in front of a crowd really, just some passerby's on the street.
She saw me and smiled back before Tyler counted her in, and then she started playing and Mike started singing. Most of the kids in front of me paired off and started dancing. I couldn't help but chuckle until Cory's harmonies sung through the air.
"Care to dance?" a smooth voice whispered in my ear, so close I could slightly feel the brush of lips with each word.
"No thanks I can't da-" I was cut off by beautiful topaz eye. He was so close that when I turned, our noses brushed slightly.
His light, velvet, musical laughter filled me ears. "It's all in the leading." Edward grabbed my hands and pulled them up and around his neck, then glided his hands down my arm's and around my waste.
I wanted to lay my head on his perfect chest, but I couldn't bring my self to look away from his beautiful face. Let's face it, he completely captivated me.
"Bella, can I ask you something?" I snapped out of my dazzlement to reply.
"Yea anything."
"Well, you know on the day of the dance-" I felt a wave of shock flow through me. Oh please, please, please, please, PLEASE don't have him ask me, I wouldn't be able to say yes! If I go to the dance with him the guys would think I lied. I winced slightly waiting for him to continue.
"We'll I heard you were going out of town and I was wondering if you wanted company."
"You, want to come with me?" again, amazing Godly him and plain unattractive mee didn't sound right being in the same sentance.
"Well I'm just not sure your truck could handle the drive."
"Hey my truck can make it there just fine!" I shot back. Not too harshly, but hey I loved my truck.
"Fine, but I bet it would cost lot's on gas." I let out a sigh. As much as I loved my truck, he was right.
"Sure." I said with a smile.
"BELLA!" next thing I knew I was in one very tight hug.
"Bella it's so great to meet you! I'm Alice Cullen, Edward's sister." Sure enough, the pixie-looking girl was randomly hugging me. She was quite beautiful. And her voice was even more musical then Edward's
"Hi." I replied shyly.
"Well umm Edward, I'm sorry to interrupt but C-Dad wants us." Edwards brow furrowed slightly and then it looked as if he suddenly understood, like he read her mind of something.
"Sorry Bella but I have to go. I will see you Monday I guess."
"Kay, bye." I waved as he walked away I watched him. He looked slightly angry as he said something to Alice, but she looked happy. as she repeated somthing a bout a change in her sing song voice.
"Bella?" I jumped slightly at the sound. I turned to see Angela, Lauren, Mike, Tyler, Eric, and And Cory.
"Hey guys! You were amazing!" I hugged Cory tightly I could feel her smile grow against my cheek. "Where's Jessica?"
"She got a call, some sort of family emergency."
"Oh…" was the best possible response I could come up with.
"Bella! Let's ride the Ferris wheel!" Mike went to grab my hand and again I heard a dog like growl. I looked around but still didn't see a thing. Cory quickly linked arms with me.
"Yea let's go!" she replied pretending to be cheerful. We all walked and stood in line. Lauren road with Tyler, Angela rode with Eric.
CPOV
"I'm sorry but only two at a time can go." Said the man running the machine.
"That's okay! Cory wouldn't mind!" Mike said as he yanked Bella through the gates before I could protest. The man made the ride go around a couple times before I got on
"IS THERE ANYONE GOING BY THEMSELVES?" the man shouted as I walked through the gates.
"I am!" a voice called back
"Come on up here then!"
I sat into the booth. It had walls and a roof. The side that we came into was a door with a caged opening. The one opposite it was just a wall with a big plastic window. On either sides was just seats.
I looked up to see who would be riding with me; I didn't expect to have my breath taken away.
"Hey." The boy smiled as he came through the door. His teeth were beautifully snow white. He was wearing dark blue jeans, a black band t-shirt, and a black Silverstein hoodie. He had dark brown hair and when the light inside the booth hit it, it glistened with red. It wasn't long, but it wasn't short either, it flipped slightly at the tips of the sides, and the bands fell messily over his forehead. He flicked his head to the side to get it out of his eyes. His eyes, they were strange, they were a really radiant blue with flecks of red and gold. And all of his features looked remarkable against his skin.
"Contacts?" I asked trying to fill the silence as the cab started to move.
"Huh?" he asked raising a perfect eyebrow. His breath filled the air, and the scent made me dizzy, but in a good way.
"The red and gold flecks, contacts?"
"Yea," he said smiling slightly. I looked out the window immediately; his smile was so radiant, I felt like my heart was going to pop out of my chest. He was truly breathtaking. We were rising again; when we reached the top I heard a strange sound. There was a large screech and then a ping. The ride jerked and then froze. I would here some screaming. I slid over towards the door to look down, I could see the lever that operated the machine was snapped off and some smoke was rising from the power box.
I looked down and I could see the horrified look on Bella's face. She was shouting at the operator who didn't look like this was a big deal.
"BELLA!" I called down
"CORY! Oh my God. He says that you guys are safe, it just won't move. Cory he says he can't get anyone to come and fix it until tomorrow morning!" I could see the reflection of light shimmering off of her cheeks. She was crying. No, she can't be upset.
"Bella don't worry. I'll be fine; have faith." Bella shook her head yes in reply and then dropped down to a squatting position her head on her knees, her body trembling with sobs. I hit my hand on the door and the cab shook slightly.
"Watch it!" I was pulled back onto the lap of the person in the cab with me as the ride rocked dangerously. His arms were wrapped around me almost protectively. Butterflies enveloped my stomach. Oh how in that moment, I hated that blushing was not an emotion that I could bottle up.
"Thanks." I said as I shifted off his lap and stepped carefully to the other side. I looked at my watch. 3:25 am. One hour and twenty-three minutes until the sun will come in through that window and kill me. Great, the one day I get trapped on a Ferris wheel in Forks, is the day Forks decides to go on a sunny spell. Let's face it. Something wants me dead.
I leaned over and let my forehead rest on my knees.
"Claustrophobic?"
"Nope, Heliophobic. (Fear of sun or sunlight)." I tilted my head to the side slightly to look at him. He gave me a strange look so I sighed and sat up.
"I'm Dustin, Dustin Ryder." He stuck out his hand across the cab space. I shook it lightly
"Courtney Swan, call me Cory though."
"Nice to meet you Cory."
"Same." I put my head down on my knees again, but I could feel his eyes watching me.
"CORY!" I jumped up and stepped over to the door again; but my sudden movements made my knees buckle and I fell forward face first towards the door. Once again Dustin caught me. This time he stood up; mind you he still had to bend over quite a lot. I figured he was about 6' tall, me I could stand up straight. I was shorter then Bella. She was 5'4 I was 5'2; but he stood keeping an arm around my waist while he held the railing with the other to keep us steady in the rocking compartment.
"Bella?" I choked.
"Charlie's on his way! How much longer to sun up?" I looked at my watch it said 3:45
"About an hour…"
"Oh God oh God oh God." Bella murmured from below.
"Don't Worry Bella I'll be fine. Believe me everything will be alright!" I could see Bella break down again. The crowed around her lessened to only a few people and then the group we were with. Mike was talking to her and she started yelling at him. No doubt by Monday everyone's going to know. No doubt Monday I'll be dead.
"So you were serious about being a Heliophobiac huh?" I shot him a look that clearly said shut up or you die.
I took a step back and sat down. Dustin sat beside me taking his arm from my waist.
"I heard your song, it was really awesome. Was that a Martin DX1 Dreadnought you were playing?"
"Close, D15 not DX1."
"Nice."
"You play?" I asked, suddenly his face lit up.
"A little."
"Well you can have my guitar. Once you get down look for Bella Swan. It's in her truck."
"Are you serious?" I looked over to him. I could feel tears coming but I was an expert at pushing them back.
"Deathly serious." He seemed to pick up on something in my voice that I didn't even realize I had let through because his face crumpled, like my tone hurt him.
I looked back at my watch.
"So how long have you been here?"
"My sister and I just moved here a little over a month ago. You?"
"Just moved here actually." I nodded before loud shouting from down below interrupted our conversation. Again I moved to the door; slower this time but the box still swung.
"Dad?"
"Courtney! Stay strong Courtney you'll be fine."
"Dad, try telling yourself that you don't have to convince me. I'm fine and I will be fine." I knew that I didn't believe that I was going to make it out of here, but they didn't need to know that. They couldn't be put through any more pain then that absolutely had to.
I sat back down as dad kept arguing with the operator. I looked back at my watch again.
"Waiting for something?" Dustin asked as he pointed to my watch
"Yup, my impending doom."
"What?" he sounded like he thought I was some Emotional psycho girl who was going to pull a knife on him any second. I laughed slightly before dad's yelling grew louder.
"THIS IS A LIFE OR DEATH SITUATION IF YOU DON'T GET THAT GUY DOWN HERE BY DAWN MY DAUTHER IS GOING TO DIE!"
"Dad! I told you I'll be fine so just cool it there's nothing that can be done!" I shouted back down. Before sitting back down. I let out an aggravated sigh and looked at my watch again. 4:22.
"Well you family is pretty negative…"
"Twenty-six…" I muttered under my breath ignoring his comment.
"Twenty-six what?" that gave me a shock, I said it really quietly I could barely hear what I said. I let out another breath. I figure I might as well tell him what's going to happen so he's not freaking when it does.
"In Twenty-six minutes the morning sun is going to come through that window and-" I felt a not so familiar clump in my throat and felt tears poking at the corners of my eyes. I suddenly felt frightened. I know I can't hold it back. "And once it hit's my skin, I will be in terrible pain; my skin is going to burn and blister. I will go into shock from the pain and trauma to my skin, and shortly after that I will- I- I'll die."
"Are you serious?" he asked me his eyes wide.
"Deathly serious." I said blankly looking into his beautiful face. I couldn't stop the tears now, they just fell, I wasn't yet sobbing, but the tears were just cascading down my face.
Dustin grabbed hold of me, wrapping his arms around mine. My hands were on his chest my hands gripping fistfuls of his shirt. His one hand was tangled in my hair stroking it as he rocked us back and fourth. I cried into his shoulder for the first time since I was six. For the first time since I was six, I showed some one a human side to me, this complete stranger.
Being in his arms though felt nice. Felt like if I died that second I would be at peace. My tears slowly stopped. Dustin leaned back on the wall with the window and pulled me with him so I was lying on his chest. His arms were still wrapped around me. Protectively but with a little tension; why I don't know, but it was noticeably there.
"It's okay Cory, nothings going to happen to you. I wont let it. Trust me." I nodded into his shirt. He used a finger to wipe away my tears. I shivered from his touch.
Suddenly my alarm went off. I looked at my watch 4:47. I sat up slightly to look out the window but by the time I did I was sitting on the floor under the window. Dustin was ripping off his hoodie "Everything will be fine. I promise." He gave me a kiss on the forehead before draping it over my head. He tucked it around me so no skin was showing. Still I could feel his arms around me as we sat like that. I could hear Bella's cries loud now.
Under the cover of Dustin's hoodie I wiped away my tears.
After about two hours the machine started to move.
"Stay put Cory okay. Some one will carry you out." I nodded under the hoodie knowing very well he couldn't hear.
"Cory?"
"Dad?" I asked. My voice muffled from the cover. I felt another blanket being draped over top and wrapped around me as I was hoisted up into a pair of arm's
I heard a motor roar to life while I was being placed in the back seat of a car.
"Cory? Everything is going to be okay, were taking you to the hospital to make sure your okay."
"Bella I'm fine." I said as I felt frail arms wrap around the outside of the blanket. I took in a deep breath when a smell hit me. The most heavenly scent that had ever graced my nose. Dustin's scent. I pulled the hoodie close when it suddenly hit me.
"Where's Dustin?" I asked suddenly
"Dustin?"
"Yea, the guy who was with me on the ride."
"Cory, no one was with you."
"What?"
"No one was there when you came down. You were alone huddled on the floor with the hoodie on you."
A/N: DUN DUN DUN spookie... as for growling that bella heard, just incase you didnt guess, it was Edward. common other people touching Bella of course he would. he saw jacob and heard his thoughts and he hear mikes thoughts of course hed be all grr.
as for Dustin and his dissapearing act, well you will just have to wait and see
AGAIN IF YOU ALL WANT THE SEQEL OF AFTERGLOW TO COME QUICKER YOU HAVE TO GIVE ME AN IDEA FOR A BIG PLOT LIKE PROBLEM cause thats the only thing i need to start wrighting, i cant think of action for it...