Gosh- this was not easy. I'm, as a rule, a fantasy writer or a 'serious' short story writer. Which I can do pretty well. But fluff? FLUFF IS HARD!! It just sounded so much better in my head. So, please let me know what you think as I'm really not sure of this. But on the plus side- Edward and Cass's relationship will progress in this chapter!
"That's it!" Jess cried in anguish, shaking me. I felt a smile spread across my face, warmed by her friendship. "Cassandra, I'm sure he likes you, and tonight we'll convince him he really wants you."
I looked at her suspiciously, wiping away the beginnings of tears that threatened to spill from my eyes. She was digging in my dresser draw now, pulling out styling products and my curling irons.
"Jess, how can you be so sure?" I asked, sitting down next to Angela.
"For one, he's always close to you," she explained as she examined the outfit choices, before throwing her final selection at me. I looked at, confused, waiting for her to elaborate. "You know, he leans into you when speaks and he always finds a way to make contact with you."
"She's right," Angela added as I stood up to go change. I looked between them, thinking about it, realising they were right. I couldn't believe I hadn't picked up on it before- Edward always rested his hand on my shoulder or back when we were walking, always closing the distance between us when we spoke.
I thought it over as I changed in the bathroom, not even bothering to check the mirror before I returned to my room, where Jess was waiting for me with an army of hair care and make up. I sat down without argument, too dazed and confused to object to her using me as a human fashion experiment.
"Jess, are you sure?" I whispered after a while. "What if it goes wrong? We have to live together?"
To my surprise, it was Angela that spoke up.
"If you never take the risk Cassie, then you'll never know" she pointed out as she helped Angela add the finishing touches to my hair. I looked up at her, shocked and opened my mouth to argue, but she shook her head. "For you more than anyone Cassandra, this is a risk worth taking."
She looked at me, her face compassionate. I shut my mouth, finding that I agreed with her. Edward made me feel so comfortable, as if with Edward, I could be Cassandra, Cassandra as she was meant to be and the idea thrilled me.
"Ok then," I said suddenly, causing Jess to jump a little. I tilted my head back to look at her, letting myself smile mischievously. A grin broke out across her face and she clapped her hands gleefully before she started on my make up. I hoped she wouldn't go too overboard. A voice in the back of my mind asked what I was doing, why I was being so reckless.
But I ignored it. For once, I would be reckless; I would risk my safety for the sake of my own happiness. I shivered a little at the newness of the idea- I had never in my life had the chance to actually do something for myself. It felt exhilarating, as if I'd been given a new lease of life. I watched as Jess grabbed a make up brush, brandishing it as if it were a sword, attacking my limited make up supply with full force. I waited as she went to work, chatting animatedly, mostly to herself, pausing here and there to let Angela and I have some input on the subject of Mike Newton and the possibility of a relationship with him. I let Angela do most of the talking- mostly because I was afraid to open my mouth in case I ended up with a mouthful of blusher, but also because I had a sneaking suspicion that Mike had a small crush on me and I didn't want to upset Jess.
After what seemed like forever, I was finally ready. Jess pushed me out into the hallway, triumphantly placing me before the only full length mirror in the house. I had to admit, the finished look was impressive- my hair hung soft and loose, in big barrel curls rather my usual mess of whatever curls my hair chose to fall into, and Jess had somehow managed to make my pale grey blue eye's stand out, dark eye shadow and liner making them stand out, smoky and alluring. Stood there, in a long ash grey sweater, belted to so that it clung to my curves just so and well fitted dark jeans, I looked like a different person, mature and grown up.
I turned to face Angela and Jess, all three of us opening our mouths to speak at the same time, only to be interrupted by the bathroom door opening to reveal a dripping wet Edward, naked save for a towel wrapped round his waist. My mouth stayed open, but I found myself unable to remember what I had wanted to say. Crimson flushed briefly over his face as he self consciously ran a hand through his hair, his mouth twisting in embarrassment before setting into his trademark crooked grin.
"Cassandra, honestly," he said, stepping towards me. "You could have warned me."
"I clearly remember doing just that earlier, Edward," I replied coolly, somehow managing to regain some composure, unlike Jess and Angela who were still gaping at him as he leaned down so his face was level with mine. I raised an eyebrow at him, folding my arms as I leaned against the banister, over the shock of seeing him.
"Really, I'm starting to think you plan this," he sighed, resting his free hand on the banister so that his body was blocking mine. "At least you're not half naked this time."
I growled, about to protest, when he shook his head, water flying from his gleaming bronze hair and soaking me through. I cried out in shock, pushing him back, my hands slipping on his wet. muscled chest, making me shiver involuntarily. He smiled mischievously as I glared at him, before walking quickly into his room.
Jess was onto me instantly, dragging me back into my room, her eyes wide.
"What last time?" she practically screamed as soon as the door was shut. I bit my lip, mimicking Edward unconsciously as I ran one hand through my hair, only to have Jess slap it away and re-fix my curls.
"I accidently ran into Edward in the bathroom, the first day he was here. He was just about to take a shower and I left my pants in there and I just, well, fell on him," I murmured, twisting a strand of hair absently, blushing furiously at the memory, and of the incident at dinner.
Jess repeated her earlier fish impression, wide eyed and opened mouth, as I digged out a pair of white pumps. Angela looked me over, glancing at me as if I'd suddenly morphed into a different person, and I caught her gaze, frowning at her. But she smiled, suddenly, as if she'd come to a conclusion that pleased her. Suddenly eager to be out of their way, I slipped out of the room and over the hall, tapping lightly on Edward's door.
"Are you ready?" I called, resting my head against the door, waiting for an answer. Instead, the door opened suddenly and I found myself leaning against Edwards, thankfully shirted, chest. He put his hands on my shoulders, pushing me back gently, a low chuckle rumbling in his throat.
"Yes, Cassie," he murmured, smiling down at me softly. I felt my heart flutter, a gasp of breath escaping my lips as our eyes locked and for a moment my mind went blank. His hands slipped, so they were resting on my back rather than my shoulders, his eye's burning as I stepped closer without thinking, tilting my face up to his. One hand left my back, tracing up my arm and my throat till it reached my face, gently pushing back my hair. He leaned closer, his breath cool against my cheek, sweet and tantalizing, drawing me in so that I could neither see nor think of anything but Edward.
His eye's left mine briefly, flickering over my shoulder, before returning to my face. Slowly, he brought his face level with mine, soft, cool lips brushing against mine tentatively. Without thinking, I pushed forwards, pressing myself against him, his hand entwining itself into my hair, his other hand burning against my back as his lips moved harder against mine.
Lost in the moment, I only just registered the tell tale creak of someone moving in room to open the door. Jess and Angela.
Gasping, I broke free of Edward, darting across the room, turning to the mirror to check myself, conscious of Edward's eyes burning holes into my back as the door to my room opened and Jess and Angela stepped out.
"Ready to go?" I asked brightly, playing the picture of innocence.
Soooo... review? Pretty please? With a cherry on top?