Hello again! Thanks for the reviews, they were amazing.
I was wondering if someone would notice my slip up in the last chapter. The 'hey there' wasn't really meant to sound player-ish, and when I posted it I thought about changing it but finally decided against it.
For the not-so-patient readers, Edward and Bella are not going to fall madly in love in the next few chapters. I have nothing against the stories where they do, I love reading them. Love at first sight happens, but I personally want that they get to know each other a bit better. But they will be together before their month is up.
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters.
Chapter 3 – Night out
BPOV
"Hey there."
It was the guy I had noticed staring at me earlier. I was a bit startled and could think of nothing to say. The shyness I had suffered as a child was more prominent now than it had been for a few years. The guy seemed to notice the blush creeping to my cheeks and string it together with the fact I hadn't replied yet so he continued.
"Are you staying here as well?"
His emerald green eyes seemed kind, it seemed like his gaze made my apprehension fade.
"Yes we are, but just for two nights. This is just a small stop before the real thing."
He smiled a crooked smile at my answer. "A small stop, huh? So where are you headed?"
Somehow his curiosity didn't bother me as I would have thought. Strange people usually had my guard up instantly. I would dodge their questions as best I could and then turn the conversation onto something less personal. I was actually good at it, due to the practise Alice had given me with her candidates. But now it wasn't necessary.
"We are going interrailing for a month in the beginning of July. We came a bit earlier so we wouldn't waste our travelling time in London, because we all wanted to see it."
"Really? Me and my brother Emmett had planned the same thing. We arrived took a night flight from Seattle and arrived early in the morning."
"You're from Washington as well? We—"
"Bella! Our room is ready let's go!" Alice turned away from the receptionist, who seemed a bit exhausted after Alice's constant stream of questions concerning the room, the breakfast and a dozen other things that made me feel sorry for the poor girl working here. Alice glanced at the guy who had been talking to me and her eyes widened slightly.
"Oh sorry, I didn't notice you were busy." Her supposedly knowing grin irritated me a bit. This was not going to be one of Alice's oh-so-perfect-boyfriend-material-for-Bella cases.
"Alice, this is um…"
"Edward", the guy finished my hesitant introducing.
"Yeah, this is Edward. He and his brother are going on an Interrail like we are."
Alice's smile widened, if possible. "Wow that's great! Maybe we can travel together for some parts."
Jasper interrupted her further planning by dangling the keys to our room in front of her face. "I think we should get settled before we head out for tonight."
I silently thanked him with my eyes for distracting Alice. He was probably the only one who really had the ability. I stepped to my backpack and took a deep breath in before hoisting it on my back. The force it swung up nearly knocked me off my already poor balance and smashed me against the reception board. Thankfully Jasper had anticipated this and grabbed my arms to keep me steady.
"Caution, Bella. We wouldn't want to stay the entire month in London with you in a full-body cast", he said chuckling and began helping Alice with her backpack straps, which had gotten tangled due to the speed she had dropped it on the floor to get rid of it.
"Yeah, sure", I muttered a bit embarrassed of my eternal clumsiness deciding right then and there to be extra careful during the next four weeks, just to keep things as smooth as possible. I started towards the stairway, seeing that Alice and Jasper were still busy with their luggage. From the corner of my eye I saw Edward following me to the staircase. I turned my head to continue our earlier conversation, but I should have known it wasn't too wise with my two left feet.
As soon as I whipped my head to the side, I felt my balance change. The backpack I was carrying was indeed heavy and when I wasn't leaning forward, the backpack started to pull me down. I yelped and tried to regain my stepping by waving my arms frantically. With my luck, I didn't even expect it to work. I heard Alice scream my name as I toppled down from halfway up the stairs, where I had managed to climb.
I crashed sideways on the floor, but to my surprise my landing wasn't as painful as it should have been. I opened my eyes and noticed why. I was lying on top of Edward who had unsuspectingly been walking up the stairs behind me. I blushed red. What a great way to get to know people Bella, just keep that going and you'll have handicapped half of Europe before your ticket expires, I though bitterly to myself as Jasper ran to us starting to help us up.
"Edward, are you okay man?" Jasper had been in the same situation as Edward a few times also, because of me, so he knew how he was feeling.
"Yeah, I'm fine. A bit surprised though. I guess I'm not used to girls pouncing on me just yet." He was rubbing his gut, which I had probably punched with my elbow.
Alice giggled at his response. "You might want to get used to it Edward, if you plan on seeing us again."
"Yeah I probably learned not to walk behind Bella in stairs after the fourth time", Jasper chipped in the conversation. I had the feeling my clumsiness might be a popular topic if we ever met Edward again.
I huffed at my friends and walked to the stairs again. Before I reached them, I felt a hand on my shoulder stopping me. It was Edward.
"Perhaps I should carry your luggage, just to be safe." I saw he was trying to help, but the amused grin didn't really help with my mood.
I slumped in defeat and shrugged the backpack off. "Fine", I grumbled. "Go ahead."
When we reached the room me, Alice and Jasper were staying at, Jasper had already told Edward the most embarrassing stair incidents I'd had. Alice had giggled the entire time and even I smiled when he told, in detail, how I had been the maid of honour in Alice's fake wedding and walked down the staircase in Alice's house, only to trip over my too-long dress and fall on Jasper, who had been the groom, and pushed us both down, making Alice's Mom drop the 'wedding' cake on top of us. We even had a picture of it; Jasper and I covered in whip cream and Alice sobbing over her spoiled wedding.
Edward was still wiping tears of laughter out of his eyes when he gave me my backpack. I took it scowling slightly for laughing at me.
"Oh come on! Like you wouldn't laugh at something like that if it would have been Alice."
"For your information, I would never be found with wedding cake on my face, unless it was a new facial", a high voice drifted from the room, where Alice was already getting settled.
"Well, I guess I'll see you later", Edward said to me and Jasper. "Bye for now. Bye Alice", he yelled so that Alice would hear her and with that, he marched off to his room.
"And can I just tell you, Jasper", I said in an irritated voice as I dragged my backpack next to my bed. "That I simply loved the charming stories you told about me and stairs. Not!"
Jasper, who was lounging on the queen-size bed he and Alice were sleeping in, laughed at my anger. "Come on Bella, it was for keeping up conversation. You would have been too embarrassed to talk about anything after your trip episode. Besides, I basically saved you."
I snorted. "How so?"
"Well, think about it. Alice could have started the conversation and told about the time when you fell down in the stairs after Biology and crashed into Mr. Pardy, who had a box of dissected frogs in his hands."
"Yeah, that was nasty. Thank God I had the extra shirt for you, those entrails smelled disgusting", Alice's comment came as a mumble from the bathroom, where she was soaking her feet in hot water.
I groaned at them and opened my backpack, searching for my battered copy of Pride and Prejudice with the idea of possibly being able to relax a while before heading out. What surprised me, though, was the contents of my backpack. Lying there, right on top was not the book, as I had thought, but a bunch of things that didn't belong to me. A Hair-straightener, a pair of high heeled sandals, a few tops and a forest green, silky night gown. My suspicions pointed straight away towards a small pixie-ish friend of mine, going with the name of—
"Alice!" I called out, trying my best to keep my voice normal. I grabbed the stuff in my arms and walked to the bathroom. Alice was leaning on the tile wall, her eyes closed and her feet in the tub.
"Mm?" Was the only reply that indicated she'd heard me.
"Look what I found from my backpack, instead of the book I had packed."
Alice opened her left eye slightly twitched a bit, but held her composure with a little effort. "What? I have never seen those in my life. All though, they're really stylish."
"So you have never seen these?" I made sure, hoping Alice wouldn't see where this would lead.
"No." Her voice was way too innocent.
"Well, I'm really not going to wear these, and if you don't recognise them, I might just throw these out. I don't really want to carry these around in Europe." I let my voice trail as I walked out of the room.
That certainly put some life into my best friend. She was running behind me before I reached my bed. "No Bella!" She looked a little ashamed.
"Okay, I put them into your backpack when I came over last night. I just couldn't fit them all into my backpack. I thought you wouldn't mind."
"You just thought I'd love to carry your things around? What are you even going to do with a hair-straightener?"
"Well duh, the things aren't all for me. The straightener is for you. I have to make sure you're presentable. And of course I'll share all the clothes with you. You can even wear the sandals even though their really good ones."
"And what about the book?"
"Well, it didn't fit when I added the stuff. Besides, you've read the tattered old thing about a thousand times. I think you'll survive for a month without it."
A knock on the door interrupted what would have been a vehement answer to defend Pride and Prejudice. Jasper, who had stayed quiet for our quarrel, went and opened the door.
"Hey Edward, what's up?" Jasper was evidently glad to see someone non-bickering.
"Not much – yet. But Emmett has big plans to go see a pub tonight. Apparently a friend of his – Rosalie – knows a good one. She's a Londoner. And after I told about you guys, we both wanted you to come and join us."
We looked at us but didn't even have to discuss it.
"Sure Edward, we'd love to go!" Alice squealed.
"Perfect. Lets meet in the lobby in fifteen, okay?" He looked at us, his eyebrows raised.
"That's perfect." I answered for us all.
Edward nodded and left us so we could get ready.
"Bella, you aren't mad at me are you?" Alice asked in a tiny voice.
I couldn't really stay mad at her, never could. And when she added her infamous pout I couldn't help but laugh. "Yes Alice, you're forgiven. But just for the stunt you pulled, I get to wear what I want tonight."
Alice grudgingly agreed and after fifteen minutes we exited our room; me wearing a pair of black Acne jeans and a simple white tank with a blue hoodie in case it got cold. Jasper was about as casual as me, but Alice had of course dressed to charm – a jean mini skirt and a black tube top. We made our way down to the lobby to meet our friends.
They were already waiting for us. Edward was the only one I recognised with his messy, bronze hair and tall, lean figure. There were two others standing with Edward that had to be Emmett and Emmett's new acquaintance Rosalie. Emmett was tall like Edward but with more muscles and a curly hazelnut coloured hair. He was currently laughing at something Rosalie had said which made his brown eyes light up and his smile widen.
Rosalie completely blew my confidence – if there ever had been any – away. She was tall, about 5'9" and she was gorgeous! Her long blonde hair reached her lower back and when she heard us coming, she looked up and I could see the bluest eyes one could imagine. I was suddenly very self conscious and afraid to go anywhere in such company.
"There you are! Jasper, Alice, Bella; this is Emmett, my brother, and Rosalie." Edward introduced us.
After polite nods and how-are-you's we headed out.
"Rosalie knows this great pub just round the corner", Emmett informed us, but still kept looking at the model-like girl next to her.
Rosalie smiled at us all. "Yeah, it's really traditional as far as pubs go. You'll see."
And she was right. The pub was everything a pub was supposed to be. The bar made of dark wood dominated the small space. It had high bar stools with red upholstering around it for sitting but some booths circled the walls as well. There was even a placket that confirmed the place had been up and running since 1634! The only thing that broke the traditional theme was a huge plasma screen that showed a soccer game. About twenty men were all watching the game with beer pints in their hand. They were also the only other customers.
"You chose a pretty bad day to arrive. Tottenham is playing Arsenal today." Rosalie looked at us and saw we hadn't gotten her nonchalant explanation.
"Oh, I keep forgetting you aren't from here. See football, or your soccer, is huge in Britain. And Tottenham and Arsenal have a really…competitive fan base. I know some Tottenham fans who never wear red nail polish, because it's Arsenal's colour."
"Oh my God! What do they take when they have a manicure?" Alice's horrified scream made a few men wearing red tees and scarves turn around frowning. I guess Rosalie wasn't joking. I had seen Charlie's addiction for years, but somehow it didn't have the same intensity as these guys had.
We quieted down after that and settled in one of the booths. We all ordered Guinness, per Rosalie's recommendation. It wasn't too bad, but after that one Alice and I settled for Dr. Pepper. The middle-aged woman, who was working the bar tonight, was extremely fidgety. She brought our drinks in a rush and kept glancing at the football fans every now and then.
"You'll see", Rosalie said simply, when Jasper commented this.
We all took turn to explain our back rounds and travel plans, while the others asked questions. I learned that Edward was about to attend Seattle University as well and that Emmett already went there. Rosalie in turn told that she actually lived well outside London but that she lived in her relatives' bed and breakfast every summer just to shake things up. Even though Emmett and Rosalie had only met today, I could tell there was something going on. I looked at Edward meaningfully and nodded towards the pair of them. He rolled his eyes and smiled back. When Rosalie and Emmett talked together, we others joked around, telling stories about our lives. I managed to guilt Alice into not telling the 'hilarious' frog entrail story by reminding her of my poor old Pride and Prejudice.
Our chattering was interrupted by a loud 'Bloody Hell!' and a sound of glass breaking. Our heads snapped in the direction only to see the crowd glued to the plasma screen all swearing loudly. One of them had smashed his pint to the flood in disappointment. The desibel level had risen during our talk without me even noticing it. I looked at the barmaid feeling sorry for her when she started to clean up the mess, trying to steer clear from the furious Arsenal fans.
"And this is why you rarely go to a pub on a game night if you can help it." Rosalie said calmly, sipping her root beer.
It seemed really stupid to me how grown men could be so hostile over a game that happened every year, and as I watched the others' expressions they seemed to think so too. None of us dared to say anything though. It seemed too hazardous to point it out at the moment.
We stayed at the pub until the game ended in Arsenal loosing 2-1, talking about everything imaginable and starting to plan tomorrow. When the disappointed Arsenal fans left, cursing loudly at 'Tottenham's rotten last minute luck' and 'no-good offence' we decided it was our cue to leave. The owner seemed desperate to get everyone out so she could rest her poor nerves. Right after we had crossed the threshold she locked the door and put a closed sign on it – two hours before the actual closing time. I guess soccer really took its toll, whether you played or not.
When we got to the bed and breakfast, only Rosalie was feeling energetic – probably because she hadn't woken up in the crack of dawn and flown several hours. We all decided to meet again tomorrow to spend a day in London. We all headed upstairs, except for Rosalie and Emmett, who had decided to keep her company for a while.
"I hope I'm not loosing my company before we even start", Edward smirked at his brother's actions.
"Well you can always head out with us if Emmett prefers a blond, hot girl to you." Jasper said teasingly earning a tired smack from Alice.
Edward just chuckled. "I guess we'll see how it goes. Well, good night everyone."
I looked at his friendly expression and was truly glad that I had decided to talk to him in that reception. "Good night Edward", I said and walked to my room, closing the door behind me.
Okay, that was that. It turned out to be longer that I thought so it took a bit longer to write. Next chapter is their day in London. I have a general idea on what they'll do, but if you have a great idea, please share!
Oh, and review, so I know if I'm heading somewhere. It takes about a minute. You know it'll cheer me up!