Disclaimer: The Great Stephenie Meyer owns these characters. I just had an idea.
Thank you to those who have read this story, and to those who have given me reviews. I hope to not disappoint!
Sorry for taking so long to update...real life and kids steal my time.
BPOV
That was the strangest thing I have ever felt. When I touched Edward, it was like a lightning erupted through my veins, and I had to pull my hand away quickly. I wiped my palm on my jeans, passing it off as a fluke. He was looking at me weirdly, but Alice called my name, drawing my attention away from what would be an awkward situation. He had made minute progress with me, and I didn't want to spoil that. Alice was sitting on the couch with her laptop propped open.
"Bella, look what I just downloaded!" She seemed so excited. She pulled me down next to her and turned to face me, putting her palm up to the side of her mouth so no one could read her lips but me. "I think this song would be perfect for you and Edward! Just the thing to get a new relationship off the ground." I scowled at her. I didn't want to make something out of nothing. I couldn't really see us together like that. He was so stubborn and almost closed minded. I know he had it rough, but we all did. There is nothing worse than being treated like a freak, just because you were different. I knew that all too well.
"Alice, I don't think..." She covered my mouth with her hand and handed me the earphones. I removed my hearing aids and place the ear buds into my ears. An unfamiliar tune flooded my senses and I closed my eyes, listening to the words of the song. I looked at the computer screen and it was 'One Step at a Time' by Jordin Sparks.
Hurry up and wait
So close, but so far away
Everything that you've always dreamed of
Close enough for you to taste
But you just can't touch
You wanna show the world, but no one knows your name yet
Wonder when and where and how you're gonna make it
You know you can if you get the chance
In your face as the door keeps slamming
Now you're feeling more and more frustrated
And you're getting all kind of impatient waiting
We live and we learn to take
One step at a time
There's no need to rush
It's like learning to fly
Or falling in love
It's gonna happen and it's
Supposed to happen and we
Find the reasons why
One step at a time
I smiled at the lyrics. I could see in my mind the way this song fit Edward. He had to take everything here one step at a time. He couldn't rush it, or speed it along in any way. It had to come naturally.
You believe and you doubt
You're confused, you got it all figured out
Everything that you always wished for
Could be yours, should be yours, would be yours
If they only knew
You wanna show the world, but no one knows your name yet
Wonder when and where and how you're gonna make it
You know you can if you get the chance
In your face as the door keeps slamming
Now you're feeling more and more frustrated
And you're getting all kind of impatient waiting
When you can't wait any longer
But there's no end in sight
when you need to find the strength
It's your faith that makes you stronger
The only way you get there
Is one step at a time
Once again, Alice was right. I'd have to remember never to bet against Alice in anything. This song was perfect, but I figured that Edward wasn't really a Jordin Sparks fan. He seemed like someone who liked hard rock, not pop. So I decided to keep it to myself, and tomorrow I would put it on my ipod, and everytime Edward would frustrate me, I would listen to this song. I replayed the song again, just for the hell of it, and couldn't help the huge smile that spread across my face. I'm sure I looked really weird, but I couldn't help it. This song almost gave me hope...hope for the future.
APOV
I knew I was right about the song. I usually am in these situations. When would Bella learn not to bet against me? I laughed to myself when I saw her head bob slightly with the song. And when a huge smile crossed her face, I knew that she understood what I was trying to convey with that song. Bella and Edward were perfect for each other, but I knew it would take time, take one step at a time to bring them together. I smirked to myself. I loved plans!
EPOV
I watched Bella the whole time she was listening to music. When she smiled, my heartbeat increased a little bit. Whoa...what was that. She had a beautiful smile, for sure. But I couldn't explain that reaction. I would have to play it cool around her. I couldn't let her in. Once you let someone in, let them see your soul, that's when they stomped all over it. I knew that from experience. Years of broken dreams will keep you from making new ones, no matter how attainable they may seem to be. I didn't even expect to be in the Cullen house for very long. They said they were happy I was here, and that they wanted me to be happy as well. If I had a dollar for every time a foster parent told me that, I would be pretty rich. I wasn't a trouble maker, but most people just didn't know how to deal with me. It was a simple as that. Most didn't even want to try, and that made me stop trying as well.
I got up from the couch and wandered into the kitchen, which was enormous, and rummaged through the fridge for something to eat. They had anything and everything someone could want, so I grabbed a pepsi and some meat and cheese from the fridge and made myself a sandwich. I didn't know when dinner was, so I made myself two and sat on one of the stools at the island to eat. Even my bologna and cheese tasted fantastic. I certainly could grow to like it here, but would they grow to like me back?
I'm sure that everyone was really nice. Alice was cute in her own little way, but she was way too hyper for me. I don't think I could put up with that energy all day, but luckily for me, it seemed like she was taken by the tall blonde guy, what was his name? It started with a J...Jack, James? Jasper...that's it. He seemed to be a quiet one, but with a strength all his own. He would need it to handle Alice. The tall blonde girl, Rosalie I think, was a bombshell. I think I remember that she was Jasper's twin. I think I stared at her a little when I first saw her, but she was a little preoccupied with the huge dark haired guy, Emmett. He seemed nice enough from what I could tell. I didn't really interact with any of them besides Alice and Bella. Ah Bella. Her name was perfection, just like her. Damn...my thoughts are running rampant again, but I couldn't help it. She was a spitfire, quick and sharp. She could give me a run for my money, and leave me begging for more. And I would. I would beg that woman for a minute, if it meant a minute with her. Stop it Edward. Don't think like that. Don't let anyone in, it's not safe. I reached up and ran my fingers through my hair, disheveling it even more, letting several locks fall over my eyes. I can't let her get to me, not matter how her mouth...STOP! I growled at myself, dropped my plate in the sink, and stalked back upstairs. This Bella would turn my world upside down if I let her.
BPOV
I watched as Edward nearly flew back upstairs. That man has mood swings faster than a rocket. I would never understand him. I would love to try, to get into his brain and find what makes him tick. He was the epitome of a god in my eyes. Those green eyes, and that perfect mouth, just begging for a kiss. No no Bella. Don't start with that. Edward would be just like him. He would spout pretty words, fill your head with hopes and dreams, then shatter them to pieces. That's what boys do to girls like me. I've had one love in my life. Jacob Black. We grew up together, he being the only friend I had as a child. He never seemed to care that I was different from him. As the years went by, our affection grew and grew. He would tell me he loved me, and bring me flowesr. I would act the silly girl, giggling and kissing him, and loving him. But Jacob wanted more than what I was willing to give. Months of love and devotion, and just because I wouldn't have sex with him, he dumped me, telling me that he never really cared for me, that he only dated me cause he thought I would be easy. I've never let another boy get close to me after that. I was saving myself for the one. The one man who would take my life, and my love, and transform it, make it new, special. As much as I wish that would be Edward, I seriously doubt it would be. Gorgeous boys never went after the plain girls. And next to Rosalie and Alice, I might as well not exist.
Sighing, I walked into the kitchen and grabbed a soda. I don't think I'll ever understand Edward. He seemed so complicated, complex, and a general pain in the butt. I wanted to try, but I was scared. I was really scared. I didn't want to get hurt again.
"Bella?" Alice snapped me out of my stupor with a touch to my arm. She signed to me. Are you okay? You seem really out of it. I thought for a minute. Alice knew about Jacob, she even swore if she ever saw him, she'd kick his ass. But I wasn't ready to reveal anything about how I was feeling right now. I'm fine Alice. I was just thinking. Which wasn't a complete lie. I just wouldn't tell her who I was thinking about. I would never hear the end of it. And the truth is, I'm not even ready to really admit to myself that I had feelings for Edward. I knew nothing about him, and he knew nothing about me.
Finishing my soda, I walked upstairs to get ready for bed. I always loved the guest bedroom that the Cullen's had for me. The walls were dark blue with brown borders, with dark blue silk sheets and a brown comforter. It never ceased to amaze me how Esme had gotten my preferences perfectly. The coolest part about the room was that it was on the third floor, and up until today, I was the only one up there. That made it better, cause Rosalie and Emmett could get a little loud. They were loud enough that even without my hearing aids, I could hear them. So I was glad that I was a floor above them. But now, Edward's room was right across the hall from me. That could make for some awkward moments, especially since we shared a bathroom. I hoped he knew how to lock the door. I heard music coming loudly from the room across the hall, so I figured it would be safe to shower and get ready for bed. At least I knew he was a Hinder fan. I smiled at that thought. At least he had good taste in music.
I grabbed my pajamas and my toiletries bag and made my way to the bathroom. I opened the door, placed my things on the counter, then turned to lock the door. I was suddenly frozen in place. Through the foggy glass door stood Edward. Naked. Dripping wet. And naked. I couldn't breathe, all coherent thought left my brain, and my heart was going a mile a minute. I knew I should look away, close my eyes, something. But I just couldn't. With clothes, he was god-like. Naked...he was pure perfection. Every muscle well defined, even more so with the water glistening and running in streams down his body. My mouth grew dry as I imagined my tongue taking the same path as the water. I could see him in profile, his muscles bunching as he lifted his arms to rinse out his hair. My eyes travelled down his body, studying him in detail, making a mental copy of his perfection so I can carry it with me at all time.
I was so lost in my thoughts about him that I didn't even register that he had turned the water off and opened the glass door. We locked eyes for a few seconds, neither speaking, both frozen in place. Then Edward screamed.
"What the fuck?" he yelled as he covered himself as best he could. I knew I should move, leave, something. The only thing I could do was clap my hands over my eyes and fumble for the door, mumbling an apology as best as I could, though I'm sure he couldn't hear me. I struggled for a second to get it open before remembering it was locked. I clicked the lock open and threw the door against the wall, fairly running out. I heard Edward call for me, but I couldn't go back. My face was on fire as I ran down the stairs to the second floor and pounded on Alice's door. She opened the door a crack and peeked out. Seeing it was me, she opened it further, a look of concern crossing her face.
"What's wrong Bella?" She could tell I was upset. My breath was coming in gasps and my face was tomato red. I had to sit for a minute and catch my breath before I could even croak out my problem.
"I...I just saw...naked...shower...Oh my god." I couldn't breathe. Alice looked at me in confusion, so I signed to her. I just saw Edward in the shower. She gasped then a huge grin broke out on her face. If it was possible, my face grew even redder. I knew she was gonna ask me tons of questions.
"Oh my god! You saw him in the shower? What was he like? Is he as gorgeous naked as he is with clothes on? I bet he is." She didn't even break in her questioning so I could give her the answers she was seeking. And she was yelling so loudly, I'm sure someone heard her. Sure enough, Rosalie barged in through the door, and excited expression on her face.
"Is it true? Did you really see him?"
All I could do was nod my head. I didn't really want to talk about it. And I knew that everytime I saw him, it would be awkward. I don't know if I could ever face him again after what happened. I stood and made my way to the door. I didn't want to talk about this anymore. If I tried really hard, maybe it would just go away and be forgotten. I took a look at Rose and Alice and I knew I was wrong. A girl can only hope right?
"Goodnight ladies. I'll see you in the morning." When they began to protest, I signed back to them. No more. Goodnight. And I exited the room. Now here is the part where me being careful and not fall would come in handy as I tried to sneak back up the stairs. I managed to make it up the first half of the staircase without incident and I peeked around the corner of the second half of the stairs. The hall was empty and the bathroom door was hanging open. He must have finished and went to his room. I went as fast as I could up the stairs, and just as I was almost clear, I tripped and banged into the wall really loudly outside of Edward's bedroom. I didn't think, I just bolted into the bathroom, locking the door behind me. I wasn't sure if he had heard me. I could still hear music pumping out of his room, but I didn't know how severe his hearing loss was. Turning the water on in the shower, I made it as hot as my skin could stand, then relaxed as the hot water soothe my tense muscles. I didn't even realize that I was that tense. This Edward would turn my world upside down.