Disclaimer: yeah yeah yeah you know the drill, I don't own Twilight. I mean really, if I did, would I really be wasting my time here?... okay so maybe I would… BUT THAT'S NOT THE POINT!
A/N: Okay, I know last chapter I said the things I was planning wouldn't come for like 3 more chapters, but I decided to take a new route with the story. It's still going to be the same but some things are going to happen a lot quicker than I thought… okay you probably didn't really need to read this but oh well.
Chapter 13
They were everywhere. Signs advertising the Winter Formal Dance. I really didn't mind going to the dance since I'd probably be going with Edward. It was the shopping and the getting ready that I was worried about.
"Bella!" Alice called from across the cafeteria. She ran over and pulled me up from my seat. "Come on we're going shopping for dresses!" and with that I was pushed into Rosalie's BMW and we were off to the mall. We were there for three hours before we found the perfect dresses. In the store we found them in, we even did a little fashion show before we found them. Rosalie went first.
She came out in an orange number and received "boos" and hisses from me and Alice, orange does not go so well with blonde hair. She tried on a blue one, a green one, a white one, and a pink one until she found the perfect dress. It was a black strapless and fitted until the bottom where the rest was chiffon and had a split down the middle, highlighting her legs. On the top were a bunch of gemstones that were clumped together at the top but spread out towards the bottom. She got black shoes to match.
Alice went next. She tried on a bunch of pink dresses until she decided she needed more of a wintery color. She tried on blues and purples and greens but nothing seemed to be right. Alice was getting very angry at the dresses until I forced her to try a silver dress on. Yes I know, me? Forcing Alice into a dress? You should have seen it; it had Alice written all over it. It was silver with a v-neck and white and multicolored gemstones at the bust with a intricate back and it flowed to the floor. She looked absolutely stunning in it.
I was the last to go. It felt like I tried on a million dresses but nothing seemed to work. Either I was too pale in the dress or it was too pale for me. Or the cut looked horrible with my shoulder structure. One blended with my hair too well and others washed me out. I sighed as I looked through the dresses, hoping I'd find my dress soon. It seemed unlikely. I picked up one that looked okay and told Alice it was the last one I was trying on in this store. She agreed and I changed. When I stepped out, Alice and Rosalie were speechless.
"Is it really that bad?" I asked them. Alice stood their with her mouth wide open. "Okay, next store…"
"NO!" Rosalie yelled as she pushed me in front of a mirror. I looked at my reflection and couldn't believe my eyes. I was wearing a dark rose colored dress that shimmered like silver. It flowed beautifully to the ground hugging my every curve perfectly. The cut had gemstones accentuating the bust and matched the straps. This was my dress.
(A/N: dresses on profile!)
Alice and Rosalie paid for everything, thanks to the deal I made with Alice at the karaoke night. We got some coffee and went home for the night.
The rest of the week passed by quickly and before I knew it, I was sitting in my first midterm of the year. History, not my strongest subject, but I felt I did pretty well. One of the things that was great about my school was that as a general rule, you didn't have more than one midterm in a day. And the rest of the day, after your midterm was done, you could do whatever you pleased. It was mainly studying for most kids. Alice and Rose helped me study for my midterms and I helped them study for theirs. We didn't get a chance to see the boys much because they either had a test when we were off, were studying or were sleeping. Some people took the time in the day to sleep because they would get so worked up at night that they couldn't sleep and would end up studying anyway.
Thankfully Friday came at last and after my Photography exam, Alice, Rosalie and I were going to our spa day. Alice and Rose didn't have an exam that day, lucky them, so once I got out at around 10:30, Rose rushed us to the spa and we got settled in.
The spa day was amazing. We got massages, manicures, pedicures, mud baths, facials, the works. I felt a million times better afterwards.
When we got back to our dorms we found the boys in there watching tv, awaiting our return. As soon as the door opened all the boys' heads snapped towards us. Edward's green eyes caught mine and I forgot what I was doing for a second. He got up from the couch and hugged me while kissing my neck.
"I missed you" he murmured in my ear sending chills down my spine.
"I missed you too" I whispered back. He pulled back and smiled at me.
"I'm going to steal Bella for a while okay?" he asked Rosalie and Alice. They smiled and nodded and turned back to their men. Edward led me outside and we started walking. I thought we were going back to his dorm but we passed it and started walking towards the school buildings.
"Where are we going?" I asked, scrunching my eyebrows together.
"It's a surprise" he said with my favorite crooked smile. He led me to the music building and we walked inside. I was still confused… why would he take me to the music building?
He brought me into the piano room and sat down on one of the grand pianos. He started playing and it was the most beautiful sound I've ever heard. It brought tears to my eyes. The look on his face made it all the better. He was so into it, he had his eyes closed and his face was so serene. I didn't want it to end. His hands glided over the keys like magic. When the song came to an end he turned to me and saw the tears.
"That was beautiful, Edward"
"It should be… it was inspired by the most beautiful creature in the universe." He smiled.
"Really? Who?"
"You, silly." He said as he cupped my face in his hands and leaned in to kiss me. As usual, an electric spark ran across my lips when his crashed down on mine. It started out slow and gradually got more passionate. When I realized something I broke it. Edward looked confused.
"You… you wrote that didn't you?" I asked as a smile crept on my face. He laughed a little and nodded, a huge smile plastered on his face.
We sat there for a little while just enjoying each other's company. I couldn't believe he had written a song for me, for me. It was so beautiful, I knew he was talented on the piano but I never would have guessed that he could compose too. Well I guess that shouldn't really surprise me, I mean he is good at like everything.
When my stomach growled we got up and went to the cafeteria to meet the others for dinner.
This would not be the first time we almost got kicked out of the cafeteria thanks to Emmett. For some reason he felt the need to stuff French fries up his nose. Then take 2 other French fries and put them in his mouth and go "Ur Ur! I'm a walrus!!!" I swear, I didn't know how Rosalie dealt with him. I mean I love him like a brother, but I could never date someone like that. When one of the lunch ladies came up and told him how unsanitary that was he just had to say, "but how is it unsanitary when it's my own boogies? Now if it were someone else's I would understand. But these babies were made by Emmett!" So, that was how we almost got kicked out of the cafeteria.
Edward and I wanted to hang out afterwards by ourselves so the others decided to hang out at the boy's dorm for a while.
I told Edward I needed to take a shower and he agreed that he needed one too. We went to our separate rooms and I told him I'd text him when I was out, since I would probably take longer. Then he was going to come over and hang out. It was a perfect plan.
I got into the shower and allowed the hot water relax my muscles. I know I was at the spa all day, relaxing, but for some reason I was tense. I knew it had nothing to do with Edward but I couldn't shake it. It felt like something was going to go wrong and I was preparing myself for it… but what could go wrong?
I rinsed my hair out while thinking of the song Edward played for me on the piano. It was absolutely beautiful. Just thinking about the effort and the time and all that he put into that for me made me cry. I couldn't tell for sure if I had tears running down my cheeks or if it was just the water, but I could feel the stinging in my eyes. It was just so amazing. I couldn't wrap my head around the fact… it was written for me. ME! No one had ever done that before, not even anything close. I had never gotten flowers from anyone before Edward, no one had ever treated me the way Edward does. I don't deserve anything he gives me, I don't deserve him. He's going to figure that out someday, I just know it. And when he did I didn't know what I would do. I wasn't sure if I could live properly without him.
I tried to shake off that thought as I stepped out of the shower. I dried off and put some Victoria's Secret sweatpants on and a pink tank top. I brushed my hair out and grabbed my cell phone and texted Edward.
To: Edward
From: Bella
hey im out of the shower so you can come over now walk fast ;)
I quickly put on a little make up and threw my hair into a messy bun on the top of my head so that it wouldn't get Edward wet… err I mean the back of my neck…
I walked out of the bathroom to find that someone was already in my room.
"Wow, Edward, that was fast" I said with a laugh. Then the person turned around.
"Edward may be fast, but I can do it so much faster"
Ew, that disgusting voice only came from one person. Mike Newton.
"Mike… what are you doing here?" I was very confused. Why in the world would Mike be in my room when Edward was supposed to be?
"Oh, just… giving you what you want…" he tried to purr sexily. I almost threw up in my mouth.
"And what exactly would I want Mike?"
"Me of course" EW! GROSS! I have never ever wanted him… EVER. And I never will… EVER!
"Mike… I don't know what made you think I want you… but I don't. I have a boyfriend remember?" One that will be here any minute so it would be absolutely perfect if we could move this along a little bit!
"Oh, you didn't, I just knew. And I know your 'boyfriend' is just a ploy to get me jealous. To make me want you more, but I don't exactly know if that's possible." I wanted to ring his ugly, sleeze ball, disgusting neck. I am not a violent person, but Mike seems to know how to get on my nerves. He took a couple steps towards me, causing me to back up.
"Uh, no. I'm sorry but you're completely and utterly wrong there"
He took another step towards me, backing me into my bed. He was a couple feet away now.
"Ooh. You're sexy when you're angry. It only goes better with the whole just got out of the shower look… you know I was actually thinking about hopping in their with you, but I decided against it. I mean what would your neighbors or roommates think if I came out of here with a wet head?" Okay, a little something came up that time. Thank god I lock the bathroom door when I take a shower.
"I think you should leave, Mike." I said while glaring at him. He had been a creeper for too long. Maybe I should talk to Charlie about a restraining order. This wasn't the first time he had thrown himself at me. He took another couple steps closer too me but I couldn't back up any more, he was practically on top of me.
"But, I don't really want to" he whispered. The next thing I knew I was on my bed and he was kissing me. After the shock wore off I realized that it was Mike who was kissing me and immediately became repulsed.
I started squirming under him, trying to get away, and he took that as encouragement. He tried to thrust his tongue into my mouth but he found I wouldn't grant him entrance. His hands were groping me as I tried to push him off. Again, he mistook disgust for passion and kissed me harder.
The next thing I heard was the door opening.
Mike jumped off of me and I sat up to find a very shocked Edward standing in the doorway.
"E-Edward… this… this isn't what it looks like" I said to him with pleading eyes. He had to believe me, he knew I hated Mike's guts.
"Oh, Bella, it's exactly what it looks like. Stop lying to the guy." Mike sneered from across the room. I shot a glare at him and then looked back at Edward. He still hadn't said anything but I could see the pain and the anger in his eyes.
"Edward… you've got to believe me" I begged, I could see it in his eyes that he didn't believe me. I felt tears forming in my eyes. "Why in the world… would I want Mike… when I have you?"
Edward looked at the floor and then looked back at me. All I could see was the anguish, the pain, the hurt, the confusion, the feeling of betrayal, in his eyes. Every emotion that flashed through them felt like a knife in my heart.
"That's just the thing Bella." He finally said, his voice thick with hurt. "You don't have me"
Those four words caused my heart to explode. Was he… breaking up with me? But I didn't do anything!
He turned around and walked out the door.
"Edward!" I called, for some reason unable to move my legs to chase after him, "EDWARD! COME BACK!" I cried for him to turn around and listen to me. But he never did, "Edward…" I said quietly now, tears falling down my cheeks. This wasn't fair, it was all Mike's fault. The hurt I felt was soon replaced by overwhelming anger towards one person. Mike Newton.
"Finally. Now we can be together sweetheart" Mike said as he walked over to me, placing his hand on my shoulder. I slapped him off.
"NO! Mike. I AM NOT YOUR SWEETHEART! I WILL NEVER BE YOUR SWEETHEART! LOOK AT WHAT YOU DID! YOU JUST MADE ME LOSE MY BOYFRIEND FOR NOTHING! YOU RUINED EVERYTHING!" I screamed at him, my voice horse. I still had tears streaming down my face. Mike looked taken aback for a second.
"I know. Now you don't have to worry about him… you can love me without holding back. I know you want me Bella. That's why that kiss took place earlier"
"GET AWAY! IF YOU DON'T REMEMBER MIKE YOU KISSED ME. AND I WAS TRYING TO PUSH YOU OFF BUT YOU'RE SO DAMN HEAVY THAT I COULDN'T. AND IN CASE YOU COULDN'T TELL I HAVE NEVER WANTED YOU! I DO NOT LOVE YOU NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU HAVE DELUDED YOURSELF TO THINKING THIS! I DO NOT LOVE YOU I NEVER WILL LOVE YOU!" How could he think that? I was screaming at him, with tears falling down my face like Niagara Falls, and he thinks that I love him?
"Come on baby, you're just playing hard to get"
"No… no I am not. I despise you Newton. I hate your guts. If you left school tomorrow and I never saw you ever again. I would feel nothing. Nothing. Because I don't have any feelings for you in the slightest." I said somewhat calmed down. It looked like I had finally gotten through to Mike.
"Why. Why do you want him? Why do you want him when you can easily have me? Huh? He obviously doesn't care about you. I do. He didn't even listen to what you had to say. HE—"
"BECAUSE I LOVE HIM, MIKE!"
I stopped dead after I said that. Did I really love Edward? It all made sense. The pain I felt whenever I wasn't with him, the fact that by just looking at me, he could brighten even my worst day, the fire I felt behind the smallest of kisses, the electricity I felt during his every touch, wanting to be absolutely nothing but his, only wanting to be with him, the fear of losing him, the pull I felt towards him. I loved him. I was absolutely and irrevocably in love with Edward Cullen.
"I love him… I love him" I said in a much quieter voice, to myself. I smiled at the fact that I had realized that, but that smile soon faded when I realized that he didn't love me. If he had he would have stayed and listened to me. I could hear Mike mumbling in the background but I couldn't make out the words.
"You… you LOVEhim?" He asked in disbelief.
"Get out Mike"
"But—"
"GET OUT!" I yelled and he scampered away like the little freaking puppy he is. I sat down on my bed and the sadness crashed over me. I had just realized that I love Edward, but it was a moment too late. If I had only realized this sooner… maybe I could have convinced him to stay. The water works started up again and I couldn't control the sobs that escaped my chest. I felt like there was a hole in my heart, a part of me was missing, and I knew exactly where that part was.
I pulled out my cell and called Alice. I really didn't want to take them away from Jasper and Emmett, but I really needed Alice and Rose now.
She picked up on the first ring.
"Hey Bells!"
"A-Alice…" I choked through the phone, I couldn't say anything else before sobs came again.
"Bella… Bella what's wrong?!" Alice asked frantically. I couldn't find the words to tell her.
"H-he… I-I… gone… done" I sobbed, unable to form a coherent sentence.
"Bella I can't understand what you're saying, Rose and I are coming home right now. Don't move" I sobbed a yes and hung up the phone. I went to the bathroom and brushed my teeth. I didn't want the taste of Mike in my mouth. I went back to my bed and sat back down. I brought my knees to my chest and started rocking back and forth, trying to keep myself from falling into pieces. Without that essential piece, who's to say I wouldn't crumble?
After what seemed like hours Alice and Rosalie came through the door and were at my sides. Comforting me. They finally got me to calm down enough to explain what happened.
I told them of that feeling in the shower, my doubts towards him, what happened with Mike when I got out of the shower. I told them about him kissing me and about Edward coming in. I told them about my exchange with Edward, and then with Mike. I told them about my realization.
"Oh, Bella. I am so sorry." Alice said as she hugged me.
"I'll kill him" Rosalie said.
"N-no, Rose, d-don't." I said, my voice wavering.
"And why the hell not Bella? He didn't give you a chance to explain, he deserves it." She said with fierce eyes.
"No, Rose." Was all I said. She sighed and came back to comforting me.
We broke out the Ben & Jerry's chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream and popped in Ice Age. That movie always made me laugh. And it had no romance in it. Thank God.
EPOV (starting from Bella's text)
I was lying on my bed when I got Bella's text message.
To: Edward
From: Bella
hey im out of the shower so you can come over now walk fast ;)
I smiled at that and got up. I quickly threw on my coat and shoes and walked out the door. I was going to tell her I loved her tonight.
In a matter of minutes I was on Bella's floor walking to her room. I opened the door using the key she gave me and stopped dead in my tracks at the sight before me.
Mike
Bella
Bed
Kissing
I stood there for what felt like years, but I'm sure was milliseconds, before they broke apart. Bella looked shocked and scared, Mike looked smug. Oh how I wanted to beat him to a pulp. My mind went back to what I saw and a knife sliced through my heart. How could Bella do this? How could she cheat on me? Easy. She's beautiful and deserves better than me. But Newton? I thought I was better than him but I guess I was wrong.
"E-Edward… this… this isn't what it looks like" the classic line flowed from Bella's mouth, words I wished I would never hear from her. I stood there, unable to find my speech. Bella's eyes were pleading and I thought I saw guilt flash through them. I couldn't understand what was happening. I thought Bella hated Mike, I guess I was wrong again.
"Oh, Bella, it's exactly what it looks like. Stop lying to the guy." Mike sneered from across the room. Bella shot a glare at him and then looked back at me. Pain and desperation filling her eyes and her face. I blinked a couple times, trying to find my voice, but I couldn't.
"Edward… you've got to believe me" she begged, oh how I wanted to believe her. But I couldn't. I saw the evidence when I came in. He was on top of her and she was moving—I couldn't even think about it. It hurt too much. "Why in the world… would I want Mike… when I have you?" Because you deserve better, and apparently it's Mike. I realized that I needed to let her go. As much as I would kill me to do it, as much as I knew how much it would hurt, I had to do it. For her. Because I love her.
"That's just the thing Bella." I said, my voice thick as I held back tears, "You don't have me". I turned and walked out the door. I barely got two steps before I had to lean against the wall for support. I needed her. She was the air I breathed. I couldn't even walk without her in my life. My breathing became ragged and I tried to steady it. I could hear Bella calling my name and it took every fiber in my body not to go running to her. I love her too much to force her to be with me when she so plainly loves someone else. Her voice started to die down.
That's when I heard it.
"Finally. Now we can be together sweetheart" mike's voice filled my ears followed by a slap.
"NO! Mike. I AM NOT YOUR SWEETHEART! I WILL NEVER BE YOUR SWEETHEART! LOOK AT WHAT YOU DID! YOU JUST MADE ME LOSE MY BOYFRIEND FOR NOTHING! YOU RUINED EVERYTHING!" Bella was screaming. That's weird. She wanted someone else, that's why she was kissing someone else, why would she care if she lost me?
"I know. Now you don't have to worry about him… you can love me without holding back. I know you want me Bella. That's why that kiss took place earlier" He sounded smug, I wanted to rip him apart. What I heard next made my heart soar.
"GET AWAY! IF YOU DON'T REMEMBER MIKE YOU KISSED ME. AND I WAS TRYING TO PUSH YOU OFF BUT YOU'RE SO DAMN HEAVY THAT I COULDN'T. AND IN CASE YOU COULDN'T TELL I HAVE NEVER WANTED YOU! I DO NOT LOVE YOU NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU HAVE DELUDED YOURSELF TO THINKING THIS! I DO NOT LOVE YOU I NEVER WILL LOVE YOU!" Bella's voice filled the hallway. She never kissed Mike. He came onto her. He pushed her on the bed. When she was moving underneath him… that was to get away. She didn't want him. She would never want him. She doesn't love him. She never will love him.
I am so stupid. I just walked out on the girl I love because I was too stupid to hear the whole story. I was too into my own misery to think about this rationally and give her a chance. I acted like a girl in a movie that thought she had been cheated on but wasn't, and walked away too soon to see the guy push the girl off. What have I done!? I just broke up with the girl I love because I couldn't see what was going on.
I could still hear them in the background fighting, Bella screaming, but I couldn't make out any of the words.
I could have gone back and begged for her forgiveness. But why would she forgive me? I didn't trust her when it counted the most. Deep down I knew that Bella would never do that, I know she wouldn't. But I was too caught up in my insecurities to think straight. I had lost her forever.
I felt the tears finally falling down my face as I walked down the hall and back to my dorm. She couldn't want to ever see me again, and I would comply to her wishes.
A/N: I know sad! Oh my gosh I hated writing this, well not completely because this is the part I've been wanting to write, but it's so sad! Please, don't be mad for Edward breaking up with her, you know he would have done it! I had to do Edward thinking she cheated on her cause I've read too many with Bella thinking it so I switched it up a bit. And Edward knows that she didn't, but she doesn't know that he knows. Yes confusing. But it will all play out I promise you. Please review!