Every Second Counts

Bella Swan is an intelligent, sarcastic but beautiful girl trying to make it as a writer, but stuck in a dead end job. She lives with her best friend, Jasper Hale - a cocky, but lovable lawyer. What happens when Jasper runs into Edward Cullen, and old friend without a place to stay? How will Bella respond? Stuck in the same space, they'll experience the up's and down's of love along the way.

RATED M FOR LANGUAGE/CONTENT. AU/AH. CANON PAIRINGS. 
Oh and, I don't own Twilight. What a shame.

A/N: Ok, here's chapter 4. Yeah, I got off my ass and wrote a longer chapter. It just seemed to keep working, so I didn't stop it.

Chapter 4: Call it a Gift

BellaPOV

Edward like a gentleman walked me home. He kissed me on the cheek at my door, and I felt the blush creeping into my cheek.
I closed the door slowly behind me, leaning against it for support. The butterflies were back.

Jasper wasn't home yet. I suspected he was still at Eclipse with Alice. 
I walked into my room and slid out of my dress into my comfy singlet and shorts. I made myself a cup of hot chocolate and crashed on the sofa. I pulled out Mansfield Park and started again from the beginning. 
Problem was, when I got to the part about Edmund, I couldn't help but think of Edward and his situation. I wanted to help, but I didn't know what to do. I really hardly knew him.
I sighed in defeat and put the book down. I dumped my half full cup in the sink and headed for bed. 
I didn't get much sleep. My mind was turning over too quickly to give me a chance to pass out.

Jasper waltzed in at about 1am. He was singing. He only sings when he's light-hearted. His time with Alice must have been good. I made a mental note to myself to ask Alice about it at work tomorrow. We had an early shift, and were free by 2pm. Good.


At 8am, I stumbled out of bed. I needed caffeine. My shift started in an hour. Super.

I staggered down the stairs to see a cheerful Jasper standing with two Starbucks cups in his hands.


"Oh thank God." I yawned groggily. 


"I thought you might need this."


"Since when do you go out and get the coffee?"


"I don't know," He admitted. 
I took a sip. He got me my favourite.

"Still grinning like a madman, I see."

"Can't help it Bells, I'm just in a good mood."


"I know why." I smirked. "Alice, maybe?"


"I really like her, and we get along great."


"Pull out the southern charm on her, did you?" I was being sarcastic now. Maybe even a little rude.

Why was I in such a crabby mood?

"What's wrong with you?"


I didn't feel it right to tell Jasper about Edwards situation, so I brushed it off.


"Nothing, sorry." I smiled "I'm fine, really." 
I felt like I was trying to convince myself more than him.
I headed back upstairs to get ready for work. "I'll see you this afternoon."


***

I got to work, just in time. Emmett was walking around the store like a zombie, as apposed to Charlotte who was dancing through the aisles. 


What is it with everybody today?

"Hey Bells, go put some music in the stereo." I nodded, heading for the CD drawer. "And nothing too intense. My head is killing me."


Yeah me too.

I opened up drawer and dug through, I knew what would be perfect this morning. I slid the CD into the stereo and pressed play. Blue October filled the store. Perfect.

It was still before the store opened, and technically I got here earlier than I anticipated, but it didn't bother me. I wandered up and down the aisles of music.

I know I often complained about working in a music store, I had a plan in life and I knew what I wanted. Just, things get in the way, and plans change. I wasn't even sure how I ended up here, and what's worse, I didn't know how to get out of here. I didn't have the courage. I could feel the gaping hole that was all that was left of the courage in my heart. 
Stupid and weak. You cant, you wont make the same mistake again.

Although on the upside, working in this store had improved my taste in music. I could rival Emmett with obscure band names that no one had ever heard of.

I was collecting all the Coldplay CD's I could find, to take back to the Coldplay section – god I hate it when people don't put them back in the right place – when Alice ran into the store, her hair messy, still resembling last nights elaborate style to some extent, but her face as clear as a bell. She looked around the store a couple of times, confused.

"Morning Alice," I offered.


"The store isn't open yet?" 


Behind her, Emmett and Charlotte were raising the roller shutter, and people were slowly pouring in. 


"Now it is." I smiled.

"I could have sworn I was going to be late!" She scurried over to the time cards. I casually followed behind her. I'd already checked her in 10 minutes ago when she hadn't arrived. It was the least I could do after last night.

"Oh no. Where is it? I could have sworn... oh no. If I don't stamp it... I'll be officially late. Where is it?" She was freaking. I couldn't watch her continue to become hysterical.

"Alice, first relax."
She took a deep breath.
"Second, your card is there." I pointed to the other side of the clock where all the stamped cards were kept. Right next to Bella Swan was Alice Cullen.

"You didn't tell me you were a Cullen," I accused, jokingly. "I couldn't find your card at first."


"Oh thank you Bella!" She shrieked as she threw her arms around me. 


"Alice it's fine." I laughed while prying her off me.

She released her grip. Then, I hit her on the arm.
"What was that for?"

"For not telling me Edward was your brother!" 
Alice erupted in a laughing fit.

"I'm sorry, but I couldn't help it!"

I hit her again. "Alice!"


"No but seriously," she started while attempting to regain her composure. "I knew you'd figure it out eventually."

"How'd did you even know I'd met him?"


"I just know these things. Call it a gift." She mimicked a clairvoyant with a crystal ball. I couldn't help but laugh.
We walked back out of the Staffroom and headed for the floor. The place was pretty packed, and customers needing help pulled us in separate directions.

When I had a spare moment I headed over to Alice. She was arguing with some guy over which Paramore album was better, All We Know is Falling or Riot!.

I though about it to myself while listening to their argument. I couldn't choose between the two. I laughed to myself. I should really break this up.

"Its so obviously All We Know! Franklin is pure musical genius! Besides, the songs all sound the same on Riot!" he boasted.


"Clearly you haven't even listened to Riot! The lyrics are insane! Whenever I hear We Are Broken, I fall in love all over!" She objected.

Both valid arguments. Oh put a sock in it Bella, you're supposed to be putting an end to this!

"Hey guys," I interjected. Their critical glances shot to me. They didn't want to be interrupted, obviously. "How about the demos & EP's? Surely Decoy and Stop This Song deserve a mention."

He looked at me as if I were crazy. So I'd try again, it seems.

"Look, If you buy the mix track of the demo's and bonus tracks we have, I'll give you a sweet discount. Because you seem like a staunch Paramore fan."

This sold him. "Done." he grabbed the CD and followed me to the counter. I threw Alice a pointed stare, and she followed suit.
When the guy walked out of the store, I turned to Alice.

"Alice!" I yelled, "You can't argue with the customers!"

"But he was so clearly wrong!"

I laughed. There was no hope in winning.

***

I was retuning one of the guitars on the wall when Alice danced over to me. "So, did you have fun with Edward?" she sang as she took a seat beside me.
"Did you have fun with Jasper?" I retorted.

"Yes I did thank you." She smiled.

I went back to tuning the guitar. I was biting my lip again.
Alice picked up on it. "What are you thinking about?"


"About what I'm going to make you do to make up for me clocking you in this morning." I lied. That wasn't the entire truth.

"Oh, I've already made it up." She grinned.


"Ok, I'll bite..." I rolled my eyes.
She didn't say anything, but pointed to the other side of the store, Edward had just walked in, and was looking through CD Collection.


"Alice you didn't!" I was shocked, she called in a favour!

"I told him I'd left my phone at home, and I'm just too busy to go and get it."
I threw her cynical look. She took the guitar off me and pushed me in the direction of Edward.

"Go." she commanded with finality.


"Sheesh, I'm going, I'm going." I muttered under my breath.


"Uh, can I help you with anything?"

Edward turned, and his face, which had looked a little downhearted, lit up like the lights from last night.
"Well miss, I was promised a sing along to Skyway Avenue, I believe." He asked innocently, drawing on our conversation from last night.


"Oh sorry, that was yesterday." I joked.


"Oh well, then I suppose I'll have to go" he turned to leave. I caught his arm instinctively.

Damn.

"Well sir, I'm sure that something can be arranged. My boss will be upset if someone leaves without buying something." 
We laughed together. It was better music than what was playing.

"Oh before I forget, could you give this to Alice?" He handed me her phone.


"Yeah sure," I smiled.
The conversation went south then. It was more than a little awkward. 18th Floor Balcony came through the speakers in the store.


"Oh I love this song." I whispered nonchalantly.


Edward picked up on it. "Blue October, yes?"


"Yeah," I said as I wandered over to the experimental rock section.
The timing of this song was too perfect.

"Do you listen to them?" I asked as I handed him the CD

"No I'm afraid I don't really." He admitted sheepishly.


"They're good. trust me, have a listen."


"I never trust people when they say 'trust me'." He joked.


I would have said something clever back, but when the chorus came on and I had to sing. 


And I knew it from the start, so my arms are open wide. Your head is on my stomach and we're trying so hard not to fall asleep. Here we are, on this 18th floor balcony. We're both flying away.

"I like it," he whispered.

"It's perfect." I replied so quietly I could barely hear it myself.

Edward held out his hand. "Do you want to dance to it?"
I took his hand without a moment's hesitation. I didn't care that I was standing in the middle of a record store, in my work clothes and not some fancy dress. This moment felt more perfect than ever.

We swayed slowly, my head resting on his shoulder. It was so comfortable. His hand was on the small of my back, guiding me. 


"You know last night when we were watching the lights? This is the song I was thinking of while we stood there." I spoke softly. He didn't say anything but hold me tighter.

And I raised my hand as if to show you that I was yours, that I was so yours for the taking. I'm so yours for the taking. That's when I felt the wind pick up, I grabbed the rail while choking up. These words to say and then you kissed me...

I stopped abruptly. I can't even tell you why, why I ruined the most perfect moment of my life.


"I'm sorry" I choked out. 


"Are you okay?" He was still holding my hand.


"I'm fine," Bella you foolish lunatic. You should be hospitalised, they can write: 'ruining perfect moments' on your sheet.


I squeezed his hand and buried my head in his chest, I was crying for God's sake!

Don't let him see you cry.

Oh as if you can hide it, you're salting up his shirt!

Great, I was having an argument in my head with myself. They can add insane to the sheet.

We didn't keep dancing, he just held me as I sobbed into his chest. Eventually I pulled away, and apologised.

"It's okay Bella. I'm sorry if I did anything to offend you."

"No, no, no, it's not you. It's me, I'm insane." I babbled.

Before he could respond, if he could respond Emmett came over.

"Bells, phone call for you." he said as he handed me the phone and walked off.

"Bella?" Jasper's familiar voice crackled through the speaker.

"Hi, what's up? You don't usually call when I'm at work."


"Well yeah, about that..." he trailed off.


"What's wrong?" He was scaring me now.

"Oh it's just that I got a visit from Edward at work today."
I looked at Edward. He looked alarmed.

"Why?" I asked into the phone, without breaking eye contact with Edward.

"Have you spoken with him yet?"

"I'm standing next to him." I was still confused. Edward's face became even more alarmed.


"Well maybe now isn't a good time. Can you meet me at home at the end of your shift. It's important."


I gulped. "Um, sure?"
Jasper hung up.

"Uh, I'd better be going." and with that, Edward turned on his heel and stormed out of the store. I was standing in the middle of the store alone.

What the hell just happened?


A shout out to all my fantastic reviewers~ and

Reviews are good, like slow-dancing in the middle of a record store.