Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight.
Edward's POV
"Bella," I said. "You look beautiful." And it was so true. She looked magnificent. The dress fit her body perfectly, hugging her curves, and her face seemed to sparkle. She blushed at my comment.
"Thanks," she mumbled, her cheeks flaming up. I had a strong and sudden urge to rub her cheek but I held myself back.
"Um, we should go," I said quickly. She nodded, not meeting my eye and hurried downstairs. I quickly followed. Rosalie and Emmett were pulling out of the driveway in Rosalie's flashy red convertible. Bella was running across the street to her house to grab her bag probably and Alice was standing by the door, her hands on her hips, a smug smile on her face.
"You know, I can't take you seriously when you look like that Alice," I said with a laugh. She narrowed her eyes at me.
"Bella looks nice, doesn't she?" she said slowly.
"Yes," I said, trying to sound indifferent. And failing miserably.
"You like her," Alice sang.
"Alice she has a boyfriend," I reminded her.
"That can be taken care of," she said, waving one of her hands in a no-big-deal kind of way. "And you didn't even deny it!"
"Alice," I sighed. "I do like Bella. As a friend. We're just friends." I frowned at how much these words hurt me. But I can't like Bella, I reminded myself. She has a boyfriend, who she clearly loves. I was surprised by how much that hurt and angered me as well.
"Just friends for now," Alice corrected me. But then Bella was coming back, holding her schoolbag, stumbling over something in the sidewalk. I chuckled. I sauntered to the car, knowing Alice was behind me and Bella was hurrying. I was confused when Alice slid into the backseat.
"What're you doing?" I asked.
"I'd like to sit in the back with Jasper today," she said calmly. I rolled my eyes. Bella opened the back door and looked at Alice, confused.
"What're you doing Alice?" Bella asked, almost the exact way I did. I smiled to myself.
"I'm sitting in the back with Jasper. You can ride shotgun," she said, a small smirk on her face. She winked at Bella who blushed profusely. What was that all about? Just then Edward came running out of the Hale's house and slid himself into the backseat beside Alice. Bella reached the front door and climbed in next to me. I noticed, and then made a point not to notice, how her dress slid up a bit, showing some of her long, beautiful legs.
"So Bella Rosalie told me that you told Jacob what happened yesterday," Alice began. I stiffened. Had she told him everything? "How'd that go over?" I watched Bella's face carefully in the mirror. She snuck a glance at me and then sighed.
"Not so good," she admitted. "Jacob's kind of mad. I told him everything."
"Oh man. Did you tell him it was meaningless?" Alice wondered.
"Yeah. I felt bad lying to him but-" she stopped short, blushing again and taking a peek at me. Waves of happiness were rolling over me and I felt an involuntary smile spread across my face. She was lying? Did that mean…? No it couldn't she loved her boyfriend. But maybe…
"What Bella?" Alice asked, her voice smug. I knew she was thinking I told you so or something along those lines.
"N-nothing," she breathed quickly. "I haven't talked to him since last night. He was really mad. But he said he wants to try and work things out."
"Is that what you want Bella?" Alice asked, her usually chipper voice serious.
"Yes," she said, but it sounded more like a question. I couldn't ignore the thrill of joy that went coursing through my body at this point.
"Are you sure Bella?" Alice pressed.
"I don't know Alice, I just don't know!" she exclaimed. "I love Jacob! I love him so much!" Hot anger pulsed through my veins, wiping away the smile I hadn't even realized was there.
"But?" Alice continued
"But we're so far away. And he's always so jealous and suspicious! I don't know if I can deal with this anymore." She looked like she was about to cry and I wanted to reach over and hold her, comfort her. I settled for reaching over and squeezing her hand softly, giving her a warm smile. Her skin sent an electric zap through my body. I pulled my hand back, trying to focus on the road.
"Well Bella I can't help you there," Alice sighed. "You know what I want. But…this is all you. Listen to your heart."
"Thanks Alice," Bella said. And she truly did sound grateful. We pulled up in the school parking lot. I parked next to Rosalie's convertible, where Emmett and Rosalie were kissing in the front seat. I beeped and they both turned to look at us.
"Get a room!" Jasper called. I laughed and climbed out of the car. We were about fifteen minutes early and we usually just hung out. But Rosalie and Emmett didn't look like they were getting out of there car anytime soon and Alice and Jasper were already heading off to find someplace private. I was left standing, somewhat awkwardly, with Bella. Lauren walked by us then, sticking out her chest and licking her lips at me. I could've gagged. Bella took a small step closer to me and I saw she was glaring at Lauren. Could she be jealous? I wondered, a smile spreading across my lips. Lauren noticed and thought I was smiling at her. She took it as an invitation to strut over to us. I groaned, low enough so only Bella could hear.
"Hello Edward," she said in a pitiful attempt to be sexy.
"Hey Lauren," Bella chirped. She took another step closer to me. "Sorry we can't stay and chat but Edward and I have somewhere to be." She winked at Lauren. "Bye!" She took my hand and pulled me away. By the time we rounded the corner we were both bursting into giggles.
"That was awesome," I said. "Second time you've saved me from her."
"Well I couldn't help it. She's so annoying. And the way she looks at you." She shuddered.
"We should probably hide out here until the first bell rings," I suggested, silently thrilling at the idea. "To keep away from Lauren, I mean."
"And your other faithful admirers," Bella added. I frowned at her, confused. "Oh come on Edward, like you don't know the way girls look at you."
"What are you talking about?" I asked.
"Edward," she sighed. "Please. Girls here are constantly going crazy over you. I mean your gorgeous, friendly, sweet. What's not to like?" Her thoughts seemed to catch up with her and she blushed.
"I think you mixed me up with you," I told her. "All the guys here wanted you yesterday. You're beautiful, sweet, funny. What's not to like?" I repeated her words back to her. She smiled, blushing, but looking pleased.
"So what do you want to do?" she asked. I can think of a few things, I thought to myself.
"Um, I don't care," I said too quickly.
"Do you mind if I ask you a question?" she asked.
"Go ahead."
"Do you…I mean, have you ever…been in love?" she asked.
"I don't think so," I told her truthfully. Sure I had had a few girlfriends, but I was never really in love. "Why?"
"Just wondering. I mean I know I love Jacob but…what if there's something different? A different kind of love? Something that could be better or worse?" She seemed to be having a lot of difficulty getting her thoughts into words.
"I think…there could be other kinds of love. Both better and worse. Like love for your family or love for your friends," I said slowly but she shook her head.
"That's not what I mean," she sighed. "Never mind. Let's talk about something else." I wanted to understand what she meant, I really did. But I could tell from the look in her eyes that she would say no more on the subject.
"Like what?"
"Like…I don't know."
"I'd like to hear more about you," I said quietly. I wanted to hear everything about you was more like it.
"Well…I moved to Forks when I was twelve, when Renee married Phil. I lived there for five years. I knew Jacob the whole time but we were just close friends for a while. We started going out when we turned sixteen. I had a best friend, Angela. But mostly it was me and Jacob. We restored some old motorcycles and he took me cliff diving once." She paused and made a face. "I'm boring you aren't I?"
"No, not at all," I said and it was true. Everything about her was just fascinating to me, for some unknown reason. "What else?"
"Um…I hate fishing. And I can't stand the smell of blood, it makes me faint. I hate sports, mostly because I'm so clumsy. Sometimes I wonder what my life would've been like if Renee and Charlie never broke up. Or if I had stayed in Phoenix instead of going to Forks." She stopped then and looked like she was about to cry.
"You miss Forks, don't you?" I asked.
"Y-yeah," she said, choking back her tears. I put my arm around her and she leaned into me. Everywhere her skin touched mine burned like fire. "I'm sorry I just." She waved her hands in the air. I rubbed her arm softly, trying to soothe her. "Enough about me. Tell me about you," she finally said. I had no idea what to say.
"Well I moved to Phoenix when I was thirteen. Emmett and Jasper and Rosalie and Alice all became best friends instantly. I would hang out with Emmett and Jasper sometimes, but I never really fit in. And then Emmett and Rosalie and Alice and Jasper got together and I was always the odd man out."
"Not anymore though," Bella said. I looked at her questioning her with my eyes. "You have me. Now you won't be left out."
"Thanks Bella," I said. I was so grateful for this beautiful creature that happened upon my life. She was like a dream, an apparition. I still wasn't sure if she was real.
"We better get to class," she said, standing up suddenly. I realized the halls were empty, everyone was already inside.
"Wow you're right." I stood up too and headed to my first period class with Bella. We were about to head in opposite directions when her voice made me stop.
"Wait, Edward," she called. Her hand closed around my wrist and I felt like I had been struck by lightening. "Thanks. For everything I mean. You're a…you're really my best friend." She wrapped her arms around my neck and hugged me tightly. I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her closer to me, savoring the way her body seemed to fit perfectly into mine. All too soon, she stepped away.
"Bye Bella," I said, my voice sounding dazed.
"Bye Edward." She squeezed my hand and turned around.
It was later that night that I realized it. I was lying in bed staring at my ceiling, thinking of all the time I had spent with Bella. From the first night when we had gone to her house and she was so shy and sweet. The next day at school when she saved me from Lauren, the way I had thrilled at her touch. When we kissed in the game of truth or dare. The way her lips had felt like silk against mine, the passion, the tenderness of that one, magical kiss. This morning when she came to my house in those tiny pajamas, the way she looked at my body and the way I looked at hers. When we had left and she looked dazzling in that dress. The car ride when she said she lied about our kiss being meaningless. And to just that morning when she had hugged me and told me I was her best friend.
It was then that I realized I had lied to Bella earlier when I said I had never been in love. I hadn't realized it then but I was most certainly in love.
I was in love with Isabella Marie Swan.
A/N: Thanks for reading and reviewing everyone! I love hearing what you have to say about my writing. The next chapter will go back to Bella's POV but I wanted you to get a look into Edward's mind for a change. Review's welcome; opinions, comments, questions as long as you REVIEW!!