I got a message/review suggesting for an Edward's POV. I'm sorry for the late respond. I couldn't decide properly on which chapter to give to him. But this came to be and now is just perfect.
So, readers, this is Edward Cullen himself, ready to enlighten you.
How To Become A Girl
Chapter Twenty
I watched Bella as she slept beside me in this airplane. Her head leaned on my chest as she snuggled closer to me and I wrapped an arm around her fragile little form.
From the first time I've touched Bella, I knew right then and there that I have fallen in love. She was beautiful. And not just ordinary, typical hollywood kind of beauty. She was different. That was how she was beautiful. The first time I saw her, though, I couldn't exactly say if she was a guy or a girl. She was hiding underneath all those clothes and baseball cap that disguised her very well. Her voice was kind of low and husky but yet sexy at the same time. I thought she was gay. And then, I finally had some time alone with here and I was fascinated with her cherry tricks. Wasn't it said that if you can tie a knot with a cherry stem, you're a good kisser? Well she lived up to that. She was awesome. She kissed me suddenly and I felt that electricity pass between us. It was so fast that it was too late to ditch the sex. It was hot and sexy...and drunkenly fantastic and I felt bad about that fact. More was that I had the guts to ditch her simply because I couldn't fall in love with her.
First and foremost was because I was still with Tanya. And I know better than to cheat but I had, hadn't I? Yes. We had a one night stand and I tried my best to apologize to her. To try to make it up to her and I think luck was really just with me and she landed the job my mother had been offering. Even I was surprised that she was in the office for an interview wearing a tight skirt, a lightweight blouse and a pair of killer heels. I had to hold back so hard. And then she was mad at me. And I couldn't take it. I couldn't. So I did everything to regain her back and start all over again. And thank god she forgave me.
Second, I couldn't fall in love with her simply because...I'm not good for her. I had a history with drugs and I couldn't...I'm a bad person. She's a good person. I mean the fact that I sort of took advantage of her drunken state almost a couple of months back proves that I am not good for her and yet here she is. Receiving me wholly for who I am. Someone like me doesn't deserve something like this. If only my mom wasn't so interested in her and I was in my right mind, I would've discontinued our friendship. But I couldn't because I love her. I can't let her go.
And I'm a coward...I can't tell her I love her and I can't also run away from her. I'm a coward. I can only cherish this for now until she realizes what I am. How bad I am especially for her. And she'd take action and run away...
She moved and moaned. Her eyes fluttered open and I gave her a smile. She smiled back in time with the stewardess announcing landing. She sat up straight and I buckled both our seatbelts. Mom and dad turned their heads to check up on us one last time. I gave them a nod and a smile. They smiled back before looking back ahead. I turned my head to check on Jasper and Emmett. They were buckling their seatbelts.
We landed and Bella's small smile turned to a smile of excitement. It made me smile, too. I'm excited to know more about her. She only revealed so much about her past. She seals her lips when we're on her side of the boat. But I'll wait until she's ready, I told myself.
She only had a backpack with her while Mom, Dad and I had, each, a suitcase. Jazz and Em also had backpacks with them.
"I'll take your bag." I pulled on it and she slid it off her shoulders. I stood beside her and my parents were behind us talking about Forks already. They haven't even seen the outside!
She gave me her bag and she continued to look around. Some of the people looked at her weirdly. Like they know her but not. She turned around to face me with a pout. She was frustrated.
"Hey buddy." A good looking man with a distinct mustache greeted from behind her. He was wearing a flannel shirt over a gray one and a pair of jeans. He also wore what looked like a pair of hiking boots.
"Dad!" She almost shouted and her small arm wrapped around her dad's waist and he hugged her back and kissed her hair. "I missed you so much." Bella said to him.
"Me too." He rubbed her back. They stayed like that for a few seconds until Charlie pulled away and nodded towards us, "Are they with you? Where are Jasper and Emmett?"
"Oh yeah. Dad, this is Edward, Esme and Carlisle." She pointed at us in introduction. Us, three, shook his hand and Em and Jazz gave him a hug each.
"Chief Swan!" They both greeted with grins on their faces.
Bella's father's eyes narrowed into slits and he formally uttered, "Whitlock, McCarty. How many times have I told you not to call me Chief?"
Bella laughed along with Jazz and Em. My family smiled at the exchange.
"Just teasin' Charlie." Emmett said.
"I know." He chuckled. "Anyway, we better get going. Jazz your keys." He threw a set to Jasper and Emmett went with him. I volunteered to go with them while my parents went with Bella and Charlie.
When we got in Jasper's car, I took pointers from Jazz and Em on what to expect. It was simple. This town is a fairly good town with a simple culture. Charlie was very friendly and warm like Bella as we reached their house. Jazz and Em went ahead to their homes and Charlie lead us to the back towards the cabin. Bella has explained this to me when she told us about it and it was even more beautiful than I imagined. It blended well with the forest and Esme loved it. I took one room and they took the other. Bella and Charlie waited in the living room while we settled.
"Let's have dinner?" Charlie invited and we headed into their house. It was bigger than the cabin but it was definitely smaller than our houses in New Hampshire. The walls were yellow and white. And it felt like I'm in a different place compared to the outside. It was cloudy and it was already dusk.
My parents helped him out in the kitchen as they cooked and I stayed in the living room. They didn't want me to help. Bella was up in her room settling stuff down. I looked at some of the pictures. One was of Charlie with a pretty red-headed girl. One was of a little boy with girlish features. But the kid's hair was cut really short and he seemed familiar. Bella never told me he had a brother. One was of two kids. Both of them were boys and the other one was fairly bigger than the other. And one was of Bella, Emmett, Jazz and Charlie. Charlie and Bella looked so alike but she also looked like the red-headed girl. I realized that the red-head might be her mother.
I heard her footsteps down the stairs and I stood straight up and smiled at her. She came at my side and took the picture of the couple. "That's my mom. She's pretty, isn't she?" Her voice had a hint of sadness in it.
"Very. But not as pretty as you." I told her and she blushed. I loved it when she blushed. I smirked and I pointed at the unknown little boy. "You never told me you had a brother."
She laughed. Very hard and loud. "That's not my brother. That's...That's..." She managed to choke out in between her musical laughs. "me."
"Oh. You looked cute back then. I'm sorry." I told her as I laughed with her. I gave her a hug and quickly pulled away but her arm was still wrapped around my waist so I kept mine wrapped around her, too.
"Yeah. Dad wanted to cut my hair all the time. That's Emmett." She pointed at the bigger kid in the other picture. "We've known each other since kindergarten."
Charlie checked up on us and said, "What are you laughing at?"
"Dad. Edward thought I was a boy."
Charlie laughed and announced dinner. We went to their little dining room. Dinner was served and it was delicious. Charlie seemed to get along very well with my mother and father. Bella and I talked about stuff to see around here which attracted the parent's attention and we all talked. When we finished dinner, Bella asked me to tuck her in bed just as usual so I let mom and dad go ahead and hit the sack.
I looked around Bella's room as she cleaned up in the bathroom. I had to strip off my clothes, except my boxers of course, and join her in bed. I waited for her to fall asleep before I left. I was certain that Charlie would see me leave the house in the wee hours of the morning and I was nervous. How do I explain to him this? But good thing he wasn't anywhere downstairs...or maybe I just didn't see him. But I didn't have to confront him so that's cool, I guess.
The next day, I went out with Jazz, Em and Bella to the hottest spots for people our age. Charlie took charge of my parents and I was grateful for that. We ate at their local diner and we bumped into one of their friends.
"Bella?" A girl with dark hair and rimmed glasses stood shocked as we entered the diner.
"Ange!" Bella ran from my side and hugged her.
"Bella! I can't believe that's you! Since when did you start wearing skinnies and almost see through shirts? And where's your usual baseball cap?" She said in one breath.
Ah. Bella was a tomboy. Yeah. I saw that during the party. Jasper and Emmett laughed at her and they motioned that they were going to look for an empty booth. I walked to Bella, standing next to her.
"Well, I met a designer in college and she forced me into these. They're not so bad. So, how are you, Angela?" Bella asked her.
She was looking up at me with a shocked look. I smiled at her trying to soothe her but it only made it worse. Finally, Bella realized and she introduced us to each other. Angela only smiled and took notice of my nearness to Bella. Her eyes narrowed into slits for a millisecond at me then returned to conversing with Bella. Bella pointed to Jazz and Em at one corner and they waved at each other. Bella smiled one last time before saying goodbye to Angela. She pulled me to the booth and ordered. I ordered what she ordered.
"So, Angela was saying something about sort of a reunion at the La Push beach and she said we were definitely invited."
"Cool. I'm going since Rose won't be here until after Thanksgiving which is on Sunday." Emmett shrugged.
"Yeah. Me too." Jasper looked at Emmett.
"Okay. I don't know..." Bella trailed off glancing between me and her friends.
"Bella. If you're deciding not to go because of me. Don't. Just go. I'll stay at the house." I told her.
"He can come, I guess." Jasper said and our orders arrived in.
"Okay. We have to be there tonight. God, time's so fast." Bella said and we all laughed.
We went around some more after lunch and just before dusk we went back to Bella's house. It was cold, especially at night so we all changed. Jasper and Emmett went ahead of us to the party. I forgot to pack thick clothes and the only thick piece of shit I have here is my leather jacket. I had to settle for it. I went for some dark jeans and a gray shirt and the leather jacket, not knowing what to expect at the beach party. Bella went with a tight knitted long-sleeve red sweater and a pair of dark skinny jeans. She was also wearing a new pair of denim Chucks. I offered to drive but she wouldn't let me and I realized that her truck was like my Volvo. The truck fit Bella perfectly and it was amusing.
She drove to the destination quietly, speaking only when I asked her about her truck.
"My dad gave it to me two years ago. He bought it from Billy." That was her only line. I didn't know if she was feeling bad or anything but I'd rather not ask. She'll tell me if she wants to. We parked near the shore and we could see a bonfire blazing right smack in the center of a group of people. Mostly of Bella's age. She got out of the car and she crossed her arms in front of her and I gave her a hug to warm her up a little. She smiled a little before she pulled away and looked for Jazz and Em. I saw her stiffen and a blonde guy who was just a little taller than her were coming towards us.
She turned around to face me with a worried look on her face. "Just follow my lead." She said. I nodded and she faced the blonde guy.
"Bella! Wow." He greeted her, purposely ignoring me. He eyed one of Bella's arm that was wrapped around my waist and my arm wrapped around hers.
"Mike." She said flatly.
"You...look great." He looked like he saw a celebrity.
"Thanks." Bella nodded.
"Um. Um...Do you want to...um...hang out while you're here?" He asked nervously.
"No thank you, Mike. This is Edward by the way." Bella told him and I extended out my hand for a handshake. He took it with his clammy hands just as Bella said more, "My boyfriend."
I felt like screaming happily when she said that but I had to remind myself that we were just pretending. But I'll get what I can get. "Nice to meet you." I told him and he stiffened. We told him that we'll see him around and we walked closer to Jazz and Em still holding tightly to each other.
"He's kind of my stalker back in highschool but he never asked me out. Like I told you, Riley was the first." She explained. I laughed quietly and she nudged me in the ribs. Then a blonde hair girl who awfully reminded me of Tanya was nearing us, we had to stop walking.
"Lauren." Bella said, her voice full of annoyance.
"Well, well, well. If it isn't you..." Lauren looked at her from head to toe. I suddenly had the urge to hold her closer and protect her from this Tanya-like creature. All Tanya-like creatures are not worth anything.
"I don't feel like punching you right now but if you persist, I might just." Her grip around my waist was slowly tightening. But I didn't mind.
Lauren shifted her eyes towards me and she licked her chapped lips sloppily. I gulped and my hold around Bella was tightening, too. "Ooh. Hottie. How much did she pay you? I can pay you more."
"Excuse me?" I asked her, shocked. Bella's gaze whipped to me and I looked back at her. "Bella and I are together. Very much together."
"I doubt it. Bella's not interested in guys. She's not even interested in girls. I don't know what she is. I can give you a much better time." She said, trying to be seductive as she took a step closer to me.
Bella gasped and I scoffed, "I am in love with Bella and, trust me, she's given me the best time in the world." Bella's eyes widened at me and I gave her my smile.
"Whatever." She muttered and rolled her eyes. Finally, getting frustrated with this Lauren, I leaned towards Bella and I caught her lips between mine. Her hands found their way to my hair and my hands landed on her hips. We deepened the kiss and we went for tongue. We forgot we had an audience. And as her nails scraped on my scalp, I knew I had to stop or else, I wouldn't be able to. It was like every nerve in my body blazed. It was like one of the first moments I touched her. A very distinct energy surged through us. And I enjoyed it very much.
She smiled against my lips and muttered, "Thank you."
"It was my pleasure." I smiled at her, too.
She turned to Lauren who had her jaw on the ground. And she closed Lauren's mouth, "Keep it closed, Lauren. That's a major turn off for guys." Lauren stared at us and we walked past her finally getting to Jazz and Em.
"Bella! You are not going to believe who's here." Emmett pulled her from my side and I noticed another guy. He was tall. Taller than Emmett. He had long black hair that was tied up into a pony tail. His eyes were dark, they were almost black. Bella blushed when she saw him.
"Jake!" She greeted, somewhat shocked.
"Bella! How are you?" He eyed her lustly from head to toe.
They gave each other a quick hug and I tried to maintain my cool. I'm not a jealous guy, I'm not a jealous guy, I'm not a jealous guy. Okay, okay! I am. Damn. If only he didn't look at her like that.
"I'm good. You?" Bella answered.
"I'm attending college at UCLA. Pretty cool." He said.
"Nice." She said and they talked more.
I turned around, my back to them and watched all the other people. Jazz gave me a pat on the back and I looked at him.
"They used to have a crush on each other back in middle school. But they never had the guts to go out." He took a peak and they were still talking.
"Ah." I crossed my arms and kicked the sand lightly.
"You okay, man?" He asked.
"Yeah. Just tired, I guess." I shrugged.
"You can take my car." He offered. I contemplated on it but I cannot run away from Bella. I won't do it again. Especially just because I'm a little jealous. I'm a better man than that.
"Naw. I'm good. I can wait for her." I knew that my last statement had more meaning to it. I turned to check up on them and they were laughing, their heads closer than usual. I let them talk and laugh, wishing they'd finish soon.
Angela came up to me and said hi. She looked for Bella and I pointed to them behind me. Before she could ask about anything else, she was pulled away by a guy named Ben. They finished talking and Bella came to me looking tired. I suggested we go home now and she agreed. She let me drive the truck. I parked it where it was before and I kept my arms wrapped around Bella as we walked into her house. We greeted Charlie along the way but other than that, I haven't really spoken to her. I let her clean up and I sat on the rocking chair at the corner.
"Edward? Are you okay?" She asked as she settled in bed.
"Yeah." I removed my leather jacket and my jeans before I joined her in bed.
"No you're not." She knew me too well. "You haven't spoken to me since the kiss. I'm sorry about that. You didn't have to..." She whispered.
"But I wanted to." The words escaped my lips too soon.
She sighed next to me and I pulled her closer to me. "Are you...jealous of Jake?"
"No." I said flatly.
She chuckled beside me and say, "Don't worry about it. I had a crush on him back in middle school...I'm way past that now."
"Good to know." I murmured lowly hoping that she didn't hear it. She sunk into my arms more and after a while I knew she was asleep already. I slid out and placed a pillow on my spot. I put my clothes back on before I gave her a kiss on the forehead. I sneaked out just like yesterday. Good thing, I didn't see Charlie again.