AN: I don't own Twilight or its characters, the wonderful Stephenie Meyer does.
My eyes opened, and as they focused I nervously realized where I was. Somehow, when I was asleep, I had managed to lean my head on Edward's shoulder, wrapping my arms around his chest. My face heated as I sleepily moved over and away from him. He caught my eyes and smiled.
"Did you sleep well?" he asked, an eyebrow going up with wonder and amusement.
"Yeah, sorry about that," my heart started thumping, and I couldn't make eye contact. I was so embarrassed. "Do you know how much longer the flight is?"
"Not that long, actually. About 10 minutes."
I stretched my arms and yawned, when I saw the view from the window. We were no longer above the ocean, but slowly making our descent towards the airport. I looked up to see Angela talking casually to her neighbor, who obviously was in the program also.
"So…Bella, is there anyone special back in Forks?"
Oh no. I was hoping he wouldn't ask that. My relationship with Mike wasn't the most important thing in my life, but to him it was. It pained me to have these feelings for Edward, whom I had just met, when I have tried desperately to feel something for Mike for the last 6 months. Every time Mike looked at me, I felt nothing. Every time he kissed me, I lied to myself thinking that I enjoyed it. I just didn't want to be alone.
"Well, yeah. His name is Mike and we've been dating for almost 6 months." I looked down sheepishly at my feet while saying this.
"Ah, well, that's interesting," Edward smirked as he looked the other way.
"And what about you?"
He turned to face me, not saying a word. Then, he quickly unbuckled his seat belt and stood up. I hadn't even noticed the other passengers leaving. I gathered my things as I watched him walk away. I saw Angela waiting for me at her seat, and I rushed to join her.
"Bella, that flight was so long! But we're here! I sat next to this really cute guy who is in our program. His name is Ben and I'm going to see him at the group dinner tonight."
"Group dinner?" I had completely forgotten about that. Everyone who had enrolled would be eating dinner together with the directors. Which probably meant Edward would be there. My knees went weak with the thought.
"It's at seven. So it gives us plenty of time to unpack. Ben said he'd meet us outside of the airport, since all of us are staying in the same building." My mind was racing as Angela talked. I swiftly followed her through the airport, thinking about seeing Edward. I knew it was wrong, but I couldn't help knowing that there was something between us. Something that I had never felt before, especially not with Mike.
As we walked outside, lugging our bags, Ben motioned for us to join him at the cab he had hailed. We stuffed everything in the small trunk barely closing it, and got in the car. I saw some of the most beautiful places in Paris on the way. All of us could not speak; we were in shock that we were actually here.
I was daydreaming when Angela tapped me on my shoulder.
"We're here."
I looked outside to an amazing 4 story building. We're staying here? I could not believe it. I got out of the car, shut the door, and grabbed my bags from the trunk. As I walked inside, the director was there to greet us and give us our room assignments. I looked around as she found our papers. Luckily, I was with Angela. It was not so lucky that we were on the top floor. Angela and I lugged our suitcases up all the flights of stairs, breathing hard when we came to our room.
Since each floor was an apartment, we had to share living space with other people. I thought I saw a flash of bronze as I walked around the hallways, but I was diluting myself into thinking that Edward was on my floor.
I was in the kitchen, looking around, when I heard someone in the room. I gasped as arms went around my waist from behind. His breath tickled my neck, and I froze.
"Hello stranger. It looks like I got lucky. Now I won't have to search for you, to apologize for running off earlier. I really am sorry," he whispered in my ear, meaning every word he said.
I turned around and backed up, not sure if anything I could say would sound coherent. I had forgotten how hot he was. His eyes were hungry as he looked at me, but he stayed where he was, controlling himself.
"I'll see you at dinner." He smiled crookedly and walked off. I had to breathe for a moment before moving. I walked back to my room, where Angela was busy packing things in her side of the dresser. Walking to the window, I discovered the magnificent view we had. Paris was laid out for us to see, and soon enough free for us to explore.
Angela, Ben, and I walked to the restaurant, only a block from our place. As we walked in, it was hard not to recognize the group of loud Americans sitting in the back. Edward was sitting at the end of the table, his coat on the chair next to him, looking annoyed as some girl tried to talk to him. His emerald eyes lit up when he saw me. He motioned for me to sit next to me, and I cautiously looked back to Angela, but I saw that she had already sat down, quietly talking to Ben. I sat down, noticing that he watched my every move.
"Hey," I said, locking eyes with him.
"Hello," he sounded almost musical, "I took the pleasure of ordering for you already."
"Thanks. It's your turn to talk now."
He smiled at me and began, "Well, I live in Seattle, with my adoptive parents, because my parents died when I was 8." He paused to let it sink in. "I'm going to Dartmouth next year, and to be honest, I am scared to be that far away from everyone I know."
"I found out a couple months ago that I am getting a full scholarship there." I was in shock. Apparently, fate was at the dinner too.
He grinned. "Well, maybe I won't be scared after all."
I smiled back, the connection between us growing.
Dinner went by fast; it hardly seemed like anyone besides Edward and I were there. We talked about everything, and found out we had more in common than we thought.
When people started leaving, Edward mentioned that we might walk back as well, but we took our time. I never thought I would be walking down the streets of Paris with someone like him. My heart fluttered in my chest, and I looked over to Edward, smiling. He put his arm around me, and I felt safe.
When we arrived at our building, he opened the door for me, and was silent all the way up the stairs. At the top he reached and took my hand, stopping me. His eyes were wild, and he leaned closer to me, giving me the most passionate kiss I had ever had. His hands went to my sides, and I locked my arms around his neck. I couldn't breathe. Suddenly, I pictured Mike's face in my head, causing me to break away.
"I…can't. I'm sorry," I whispered.