Dinner started at about 5 pm. For being away from home, the food wasn't bad at all. The spaghetti wasn't tasteless, as some people will make it, and the pizza was absolutely the best I've ever had. Just as I was about to take another big spoonful of my ice cream, an extremely handsome guy caught my attention from across the room.
He had dark auburn hair, was lean like most of the male dancers here, and was seated right next to Carlisle and Emmet. He had to be the Edward Cullen. Luckily, my new found confidence was beginning to set in, and there just so happened to be an empty seat right next to Edward.
I made my way over to his table, trying my best not to trip. I was almost there until Alice stopped me.
"What do you think you're doing? If you sit there, they will rip you to pieces, and I don't want to have to put those pieces together again," Alice demanded. I hope she doesn't think that I'm trying to cross some kind of line here.
"I'm just going over there to say hello to Edward. After all, you expressed an interest in talking to Jasper," I whispered while giving her a knowing look and slowly walking by her. I just needed to hear the sound of Edwards voice. I just wanted to get to know him a little bit. It's not like I wanted to fall in love with him; well at least not tonight.
As soon as I placed my tray down next to Edward, the whole table was quiet. I knew at that very moment that I was the piece of meat in the lions den, and I would be their next meal. I swallowed my fear and sat down. Rosalie gave me the ultimate stink eye, and started whispering to the other elite dancers.
"Hi, I'm Bella Swan, and you must be Edward Cullen. I hear that you're one of the best dancers here." I could tell that he was shocked that I was brave enough to sit with some of the ballet royalty, and even attempt conversation.
"Wow, well I'm Edward Cullen. I'm surprised that you've heard so much praise about my dancing skills," He laughed. I could tell he had a lot of modesty, which I immensely appreciated. I could tell some people here had none whatsoever.
"Thanks for the compliment though. You're new here right?" I was captivated by his smile; his eyes were the most gorgeous shade of blue, with hints of green, and a touch of brown.
"Bella…" He was probably trying to get my attention; I was starting to melt into his captivating gaze.
"Yes, I am. I'm not nearly as good as all of you guys are though." I started blinking numerous times; it was one of my nervous habits. I was trying my best to be as modest as he was, even though I knew that I had to be pretty good to have even been accepted.
"Carlisle was just telling me how great you were in the auditions today. Maybe you will be a new addition to the company after the final performance this year." Rosalie and her friends looked like they were going to skin me right then and there. I could tell they really disapproved of Edward speaking to me.
I couldn't believe that in a few short months I could possibly be dancing with Edward Cullen.
"I mean, I'm not trying to be good, I don't want to displace anyone here," It came out as a jumbled mess. I didn't know what the hell I was talking about; I was stepping outside of my boundaries by talking to Edward. I felt like I was trying to pry my way into the royalty of the ballet company.
"You don't have to be so modest Bella. If you're good, then you're good. You've got talent; don't be afraid to use it." He said as he smiled and shook his head at me for not trying to sound too cocky.
I decided that I was going to get up and leave. I knew that he probably wouldn't be interested in me. After all, I wasn't the beautiful and perfect ballerina type. I was really like the ugly duckling in a pond full of beautiful swans. I didn't have the nerve to talk to him anymore at that point, I felt like I was suffocating myself, He probably wouldn't want a friendship with a nervous wreck like me in the first place, so I began to stand and take my leave.
And then, he gently brushed his hand against mine. Maybe there was a small bit of hope for me; maybe he didn't mind me to sitting down and chatting with his family and peers.
"Hey, you don't have to get up and leave. We won't bite you Bella, you can sit here with us. It's fine with me. You've got to chill out," He said with the most charming half smile, the rest of the table laughed lightly. Rosalie's burning glare didn't even faze me at the\at moment. I was too busy being distracted by Edward's sense of humor.
I don't know what's gotten into me; I have never reacted this way after meeting a guy before. I honestly hadn't thought that I was going to be this enraptured by Edward. I really didn't think that I could have possibly fallen in love with Edward in one night, especially the first night that I had ever laid eyes on him, but maybe I was wrong.