How To Become A Girl
Chapter Nineteen
We had some dinner at a fancy restaurant and I instantly regretted not dressing up. I mean, who wouldn't? Everybody was in a cocktail dress or a suit. But Edward seemed fine with us. We didn't stay in the restaurant any longer and we went out to get some frozen yogurt. We had them just the same as last time. In general the...hmm...was this even a date? It was fun but I wouldn't want to call it a date yet unless Edward says so. Besides, he was the one who asked. We stopped by the apple store just before we headed back home.
"Go, look around. I'll just go get something." He smiled at me before disappearing.
I will be going back to Forks in a few weeks, I should get something for Charlie. I looked around...Macbooks, iPods, iPhones...God, I wouldn't be able to afford any of these. But I really want to get Charlie something.
"See anything you like?" A familiar voice asked from behind. I jumped at his stealth. He was good.
"Hmm...No...Not really. I was just thinking if I should get Charlie or something...But he's not really into technology, so..." I shrugged.
"Okay, then. We better head out. It's getting late." He wrapped an arm around my shoulder while we walked to his car. It really felt nice...just like this afternoon...had it really been just this afternoon? It feels like it's been days...
When we got to the car and I was finally buckled up and ready to go, he dropped a box on my lap before he started the car. I looked at it and tried to guess what it is...probably for Esme. Or Carlisle. Could be for anybody. It was a medium sized box and it was wrapped up in some white paper. Like bond paper. I giggled as I inspected it with my hands. It was bond paper. Then I stared at it more and I was creeped out by myself...how could I be staring strangely at a box? A simple white box? Maybe because I have a gut feeling it was for me. And it was strong.
He drove me back home and just before I handed back the box to him, he confirmed something, "That's for you."
I let out a sigh...I wasn't sure if it was of relief. I swallowed, "When did you get this? We were together the whole day..."
"Maybe if you open it, you'll figure it out." He smiled.
"Now?" I asked, looking up right smack into his gaze.
"If you want, sure." He shrugged.
I inhaled a whole lot of air, "Okay. Here goes..." I ripped open the paper wrapping and it was revealed. iPhone 3G S. I literally wanted to die in that moment. "Edward...this must cost a lot. I can't."
"Please." Was he pouting? And as cliche as it sounds, I couldn't resist that look and tone of voice. "I saw you with your music and you love music and I thought I should just buy you an iPod but where's the fun in that? So, tada, an iPhone."
I looked back at him. I wanted to squeal and jump and kiss and hug him. Okay...maybe the kiss and hug was too much but...that's how I really felt.
"You can just transfer your sim and your done." He smiled again. "Oh and you can sync it in your computer and get all those tracks you have in that thing."
"I can't believe you! But thanks. Really. Thank you so much." I was grinning now. Wow. I own an iPhone 3G S. I never ever thought about owning one.
"Welcome." He bowed his head and looked up at me again. He smiled one last time before he got out of the car. I was able to get out of the car before he got to my side. He looked defeated. I smirked. We got into the house and it was empty.
"Huh. They're all out." I looked around the living room and kitchen hoping to see them before I head for bed. I yawned, "I'm really tired." We trudged up the stairs and when I opened the door to my room, they were all there with a chocolate cake in Alice's hands.
"Happy birthday!" They shouted and whistled.
"Oh my god!" I laughed. I'm just so happy, I didn't know what to do first. Do I shout as well? Jump? Hug? Kiss? Squeal? I placed the box on my bedside table and my hands found their way into my hair. I gripped tighter while I grinned.
"You have to wish and blow the candles!" Rosalie took one of my hands and pulled me nearer to the cake.
I stared at the candles for a few seconds before I actually thought about what to wish for. Edward placed both his hands on either of my shoulders and squeezed it a little. I turned my head and I met his eyes. I gave him a smile before I turned back to face the candles. Tightly, I shut my eyes and I wished.
I wished for a better relationship with Edward. Right now, it was the only thing I could wish for.
I blew out the candles and they cheered. Then something clicked. I turned a full 180 and faced Edward. "Is this why you took me out?"
"Hmm. Partially." He chuckled. And I thought that was our first date!
I gasped and everybody else laughed. Emmett gave me a bear hug while Jasper kissed me on the forehead. He was just that touchy feely. Alice and Rose gave me, each, a kiss on the cheek.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you so much!" I bounced on the bed.
"I wished it was a Saturday so we could've done more." Alice pouted.
"I think it was nice that my birthday's on a Sunday. Only God knows what you could've done!" I laughed. She stuck her tongue out at me then laughed, too.
"True." She said. "Anyway, we better get going. It's a school day tomorrow. I'll have Dorota keep this." She lifted the cake a little and hurried out of the room with Jasper rushing out a goodnight to me. Rose and Em said goodnights as well and soon, it was just me and Edward.
"I guess, you're just waiting for me to tuck you in bed?" He asked casually.
"Yeah. Let me change first." I smiled. I exchanged my jeans and shirt for a tank top and a pair of plaid pajamas for bed. I washed my face and and brushed my teeth before I went back on the bed. Edward was already there, under the sheets just waiting for me. I smiled. I joined him and he pulled the covers up.
"Goodnight." He whispered as he locked his arms around me, my back to him.
"Goodnight and...thanks." I whispered back before I fell asleep.
The next morning, I was surprised to find Edward's arms still locked around me. I wasn't expecting him to stay until Monday morning and yet, here he is. It was still early but I couldn't go back to sleep, so I decided to get ready for the day. I shook him a little and he released me from his tight grip. I took a bath and I put on some comfy clothes. I'm starting to love skinny jeans so I put on my black pair and a gray t-shirt. After I was done cleaning myself up, I woke Edward up and I let him use my bathroom. I handed him the clothes he lent me when I stayed over his house. I've brought them here and I've let Dorota send it to the cleaners. It was just now that I remembered to give it back to him. He showered and he used his clean clothes while he bagged his dirty clothes and we headed out for school.
School was slow, just the same. I counted the seconds left until work. I wasn't surprised with myself doing that anymore. Now that I know why I counted. I liked work better than school.
Edward picked me up just like every afternoon and work was like every work day. Nothing special. I was a little excited with dinner, though. I missed Esme so much! Edward brought us dinner, veggie salad. We decided to try out Esme's constant dinner.
"So, Bella...how have you been?" Esme put in a forkful of greens in her mouth.
"Better. A lot better. Edward's a good doctor slash caretaker." I let out a short laugh. He has the potential to be a good boyfriend, too.
"Well, that's good. He got that from his father." She ruffled his hair and he grinned. Edward liked being close to his mom, that I noticed. Whenever his mom would say something good about him he would grin like a kid and it makes me wonder how his parents could've hated him for a time when they're obviously proud of him. So proud.
I smiled at Esme and she shot another question, "Do you already have plans for Thanksgiving?"
They both leaned forward, waiting for my answer.
"I'm going to go back to Forks. Visit my dad." I shrugged taking another bite. "I've kind of missed Forks a lot. I need to see more green." I was half-lying without even knowing it. I think the green of both their eyes were enough but that kind of green wasn't really what I was missing right now.
"Oh. Wow." Esme smiled.
"So, you're going away for a week?" Edward asked this time.
"Yeah." I nodded and took another forkful and a sip of my drink.
"You're going to leave me?" Edward asked seriously, as if I was really going to leave him and never coming back.
I wanted to tell him that it won't be that long but his question definitely surprised me. It was as if we had an official romantic relationship which was...not so clear right now.
"Aw. Missing me already?" I teased and Esme giggled.
Edward pouted and I laughed with Esme. She dropped her fork and clapped her hands, catching both mine and Edward's attention. "Ah!" She exclaimed. "Remember how we spent our Thanksgiving in Texas last year?" She turned to Edward.
Edward's whole face lit up in realization. "Can we go to Forks? Please, please, please?" He was pleading and he looked cute. Cute? What the-? Where did that come from?
Esme laughed again. I'm happy that she's happy. She really seemed elated. "Of course, your father and I have been considering of getting a house there. I hear it's very nice and serene there. This would be the perfect opportunity to really see Forks."
I hadn't noticed that I've been grinning like Garfield. "Th-that's great!" Honestly, I was a bit nervous of having them around Forks. They just feel different than the people there.
"I'll need your help in finding a place to stay at. I couldn't exactly convince Aunt Lena to have us stay over at their place." Esme shook her head.
Edward face looked confused. So I explained to him that Aunt Lena was Jasper's grandparents. His lips turned into that perfect o-shape and I wanted to kiss him right then and there but I had better self-control. Oh god! This can't be good.
"I can ask my dad if he knows any good place to stay at." I offered and Esme gave me a thank you.
"Can you be my tour guide then?" Edward asked me. His eyebrows shot up and he was smiling...hopefully?
Surely, I can ask for a few hours from Charlie, right? "Sure. There's nothing to see really besides the forests." I told him.
"Forests are interesting. I wanted to get married in the middle of the forest." Esme said as-a-matter-of-factly. "Anyway, Bella, I need you to call one of our clients and tell her that her request for design is up and ready for evaluation." She said as she stood up to throw away her empty salad plate.
I nodded at her and finished the last forkfuls of my salad. Dinner finished too soon and I was back to work. Edward helped around and he studied, on his own will, about stuff that doctors study.
"Why don't you spend time in the hospital? Even it's just during your free time. They don't need to pay you, just for experience and fun. Offer help. Your dad works there, I'm sure he'll let you." I suggested when we were back on our desk.
"Huh." He looked at me. "Great idea. Thanks." He smiled.
The 3 hours remaining had been the same. The rest of the night felt ordinary. Edward tucked me in bed but had to leave immediately because he took my suggestion and now he's eager to talk to his dad. I let him, I mean, I suggested, right? I should allow him? Hell! He doesn't even need my permission! Why am I doing this to myself? We are not romantically involved with each other. We're just...friends. Best friends at most. And the moment I convinced myself that, which was right after he gave me a goodnight kiss on the forehead and left, I felt my whole body slump sadly on the bed.
My new phone, thanks to Edward, rang and I saw 'Dad' flashing on the screen. I quickly picked it up. I missed my dad. I got so used to him being always there when I felt bad about myself.
"Hey dad." I greeted quietly.
"Hey buddy. You sound bad. Is something wrong? Did they ruin your birthday?" He asked worriedly.
"No. Actually, I had a great time yesterday. Edward gave me an iPhone. So, I'm definitely good." I lied to him. My conscience messed with me right after. I couldn't lie to my dad. That was one thing I just couldn't do. I love him too much to do that. But...I can't just tell him how I'm feeling, right? I mean, how do I explain something to someone when I can't even smooth it out to myself, on my own. But I had to lie. I'd just have to explain it to him when I'm done telling myself the truth which is...
"An iPhone? Wow! You've got great friends there. I'm glad they're taking care of you." He sounded fatherly and I felt like I was six again. "So did you play the traditional cop and robbers?"
"Dad." I laughed. "That has been out since two years ago!" Yes. At fifteen, I was still playing that game. What? It was fun chasing each other around the lawn with water guns.
"I know, I know. I was just kidding. I missed your laugh. The house seems dull without it." He told me.
"Don't worry. I'll be back in no time to refill the house with my wonderful laugh. Two weeks, dad, two weeks." I said weakly. I couldn't wait for two more weeks. I wanted to just get away from here from all the drama here. But then I realized, the Cullens will be joining me. Oh. Such joy.
"I can't wait." Dad murmured.
"Me too. Oh, hey dad. Edward's family kind of wanted to visit Forks for Thanksgiving. Would you know any good place to lodge at?" I asked him.
"I don't know, Bells. But since that vampire movie came out, a lot of people have been visiting this place. Remember, two years ago this place seemed like a ghost town? Well, now, it's filled with tourists! And since it's Thanksgiving, I doubt there'll be any vacant decent rooms." He informed.
"Oh." I tried to think up of another place for them to stay at, probably an old house that has been vacated.
"I have an idea, though, if it's alright with you." He said. I wasn't sure what he meant by 'if it's alright with you' but it wouldn't hurt to hear it.
"Okay..." I trailed.
"We can let them stay in the cabin." He suggested.
Ah. Yes. The cabin. We weren't that rich and my dad couldn't exactly afford to leave town so he made a cabin with the help of Billy just at the end of our backyard which was a couple of houses away from our house. He designed it differently every year, depending on which "country" we were going to "visit". I loved him for that. I loved him so much for that. He was the greatest dad ever. I never thought he'd put through all that crap for me. As I understood more and more each year, I started learning the different cuisine cultures so that I'd cook. We stopped just a couple years back, though, because he was busier, with being promoted as Chief of Police of Forks, Washington. And he let Em, Jazz and I use the cabin for our own fun with him occasionally joining.
"I'm totally okay with that. What do you think?" I asked him back.
"Fine with me. I just have to clean it up a bit."
"It's settled then. Thanks dad." I smiled.
"Alright, buddy. You know I have to say goodnight now. Goodnight, Bella."
"Yes. Goodnight, dad." I whispered before I hang up.
The cabin was a bungalow with two rooms, a small living room with a fireplace, a small kitchen and a small dining table with four chairs. It was a log cabin so it felt real and very Forks. Charlie was never successful in changing the Fork-like feeling to something very foreign but I never told him that. It was perfect for me and Charlie, for a small group of friends, for a small family, preferably having only one child. It was perfect for a couple.
Then it struck me. I could use that for my project! And just as I realized that, I was left with all my old memories with that cabin...letting me fall into a deep slumber.