Chapter 11: Lost and Found

XOXOXOXO

"I remember some things, but not everything, no," Edward said slowly.

I plopped down into the other available seat on the couch, my weight bouncing me back up again before settling me back down firmly. I was afraid that if I sat too close to him, I wouldn't be able to help my hormone riddled body from committing a very, very dangerous activity that had been denied last night.

"Oh, no sudden movements, please. At least, not until the aspirins have kicked in," he moaned while clutching his head.

I cringed in sympathy for him and replied, "Sorry. I'll try to be still."

"What, er, what do you remember, exactly?" I continued hesitantly, trying in vain to ignore the subtle flow of electricity between us.

I held on to my flashlight in the darkness, using it for some sort of comfort for my frazzled nerves. The light illuminated the living room, making it glow slightly so that we could make out the shapes of things close to us.

Bella + little to no sleep = cranky and on edge Bella. It was simple math, really.

I dimly saw him turn to face me on the couch as he answered, "Not too much. I remember the party, Alice and yourself opening presents. I vaguely recall my toast to you, then that gu-I guess that's it."

I knew better. He'd almost given himself away, but was trying to hide it from me. Was he jealous? My heart did a little jig in my chest at the thought.

Clearing my throat, I decided to be straightforward. Screw creeping around the edges any longer.

"You were going to say 'that guy'. You remember him, don't you?"

The silence was palpable.

"Edward, its not-"

"Bella, it's none-" we both began at the same time, stopping when we'd heard the other speaking as well. He motioned for me to go first.

"Last night wasn't what it looked like, Edward. I didn't even know Jake was coming over, otherwise things would've been handled differently."

"So… he's a part of your life?" he asked.

I sighed dejectedly. I still wanted Jake to be my friend. I just didn't know how he'd respond to me after the way I'd treated him earlier.

"Yes, he's a part of my life. But he's only a friend; I've known the kid for forever," I snorted. Random images from the past invaded my mind unwillingly. Pictures of the two of us acting like kids assailed my senses and my broken heart ached to have that camaraderie back.

"Does he usually greet you so… enthusiastically?" I heard the wince in his voice.

"No, Edward. That's never happened before," I whispered back.

I felt ashamed that Jake had molested me in front of so many people and that there was nothing I could've done to stop him.

"Oh," he said lightly.

"Oh?" I repeated.

He chuckled, "Yeah. I thought- well really I think everyone thought that he was- you know, your boyfriend."

My cheeks reddened.

"He was," I admitted.

"Was?" Edward asked, his voice an octave higher than normal.

"A long time ago," I answered.

A loaded silence filled the space between us.

Should I bring up the dry-humping we did last night? Does he remember that too and just doesn't want to talk about it because he's ashamed and just wants to forget it ever happened?

It was a minute or two before my stomach grumbled loudly, reminding me of the original reason I had left my bedroom.

I giggled, somewhat humiliated by my body's show of weakness.

Edward laughed with me, making me feel a little less awkward. "Where's your bathroom?" he asked a second later.

"Oh, it's to the left of here, just follow the hallway and it'll take you right to it," I explained while moving my hands around in the semi-darkness.

I saw and felt his shape leave the couch. Seconds later I heard the bathroom door close and looked down at my stomach.

You couldn't last another minute or two, could you?

Waving the light from the flashlight onto the floor, I tried to look for the Saltine's I'd thrown when Edward sneak-attacked me.

Scrambling up from my seat on the couch, I searched the floor towards the kitchen.

How come when I try to be good at throwing something, I completely miss and end up throwing it a few feet away, but when I'm unintentionally throwing something I can get some distance on the fucker?

"Here cracker, cracker, crackers. Come to mommy. You're gonna be yummies in my tummies when I find youuu." I crooned softly while searching.

Maybe they landed underneath the desk.

The antique writing desk my father had especially bought for me on my move-in day was situated in a far off corner of the living room right before it turned into the dining room. I tried not to have too many things on it at one time. The wood was old and I wasn't sure how long it would hold up with some of today's technologies weighing a pretty hefty sum.

Rolling the desk chair out of the way, I crawled on my hands and knees under the desk and flashed the light in all directions.

Damn, no crackers.

I hmphed and began crawling out from under the desk when I heard a throat clearing behind me.

I instantly stilled my body as humiliation settled into my bones.

Oh, for the love of St. Petersburg! Of all the positions he could've found me in, it had to be this one!

I was pretty sure my ass was sticking up in the air, thrusting about while I'd been sweeping the flashlight over the carpet for my crackers.

Why am I suddenly turned on?

Oh, not good. Not good at all.

Silently giving up, I dropped my head to the floor to rest on my arms.

Maybe if I'm really quiet he'll forget I'm here.

"Do you, ah, need any help, Bella?" his low voice asked from behind me.

Drat. Fooled again by my arch-nemesis, Mr. SexyPants!

I chuckled, my entire body shaking with laughter.

Oh great, my ass is on display and moving around like its having its own seizure or something.

"For my sanity, please stop doing that." I heard him mumble.

I instantly stopped and sobered up. Slowly lifting my head and turning it to the side so I could see his profile, I bit my lip.

I heard his groan and my boxers suddenly became way too tight for my nether regions.

"I'm sorry, Edward. Did you say something?" I asked coyly to try and ease the tension.

"I asked if you needed any help. Er, getting off the floor, I mean," he replied, his voice still low.

I'd like a little help with my boxers being so stifling, but somehow I don't think that would help me get off of the floor.

"Um, since you're offering, sure," I answered hesitantly.

I rocked back onto my knees while keeping my head low as to avoid hitting the desk. Edward reached for my hand as I offered it and I had to bite back my chuckle as to what happened the last time one of us was helping the other one up from the floor.

Not that I wouldn't mind a repeat performance.

I tried to ignore the thrum of electricity that always seemed to flow between us as our hands connected. Really, truly, I did.

The words were out of my mouth before I had a chance to think about them. "Do you feel that?"

Even in the dim light, I could tell his eyes were smoldering at me.

"Feel what?" he replied slowly.

Oh, so I'm a retard. I feel imaginary things that he obviously doesn't feel.

Go me.

"Uh, never mind. Just forget I said anything," I mumbled as he tugged me up.

He had more finesse than I did apparently. He used just enough force to pull me up from the ground but not too much to bring me colliding into his chest.

Damn.

Okay Bella, time for the self-preservation act. Back away slowly and you won't get hurt.

Letting go of his hand as if he'd burned me, I stepped away and began my hasty escape. "I'll just let you get some sleep. It'll make your head feel better. Oh, and before I forget, Alice wants to have breakfast at ten. At least that's what time she said to be ready."

I feel like a complete idiot.

Why did I have to say that?

"Oh… all right then," he said, sounding dejected.

I didn't know what else to say. I mean, "Sorry I sound like a complete lunatic" can only work so many times before it's life as an excuse runs out.

For the first time I've ever been in the apartment, I wished to high Heaven that I had a bedroom door.

I laid down silently on my bed, bringing both of my hands around the back of my head to cradle it.

Nice move, Bella. Now what will he think?

Oh gee, let's imagine it. I wake up in the morning, go out into the living room to say hello to Edward and he won't talk to me. He'll avoid me like the black plague and I'll feel like I've got dried drool stuck to my cheek.

My stomach twisted into knots. I was giving myself an ulcer from over thinking and I needed to stop before I was violently sick in the toilet.

You've thrown up once already today, Bella. Let's not go for a second time, 'kay?

Removing my hands from under my head, I sluggishly ran them over my face to physically try to scrub the thoughts from my head.

You just need to sleep. Get this day out of your system. Tomorrow you can apologize for your behavior to Edward and all will be right between us. Although, what do I apologize for exactly?

I rolled over onto my side facing the doorway and tried to go back to sleep. The images of Edward pressing up against me earlier assaulted my senses.

Jesus, it felt so… good.

I felt so right and completely entranced. I imagined myself wrapped in his arms again, pretending a warm cocoon engulfed me and humming my bones into surrender.

It was a short while before I fell asleep.

The next thing I know, an incessant knocking on my front door brought me out of my peaceful slumber and I was ready to kill someone.

Blearily rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I went to answer the door, fully unaware of the chaotic haystack that was my hair.

"Bella! Its 9:59 and you're… hair is a mess. What the hell happened to it?" Alice said loudly.

I grunted at her, somehow ushering her into the apartment before heading back towards my room.

My eyes were burning.

"Honey, use your grown up words, okay?" Alice said softly. I turned around and took in her appearance for the first time. The damn woman should've been confined to a tennis court with the outfit she had on. For some God-awful reason, she wore a very bright yellow polo shirt and white khaki's with a matching pair of white Keds.

I wanted to punch her in the face for being so chipper and country-club-esque.

"Where's Edward?" she asked.

I stopped mid stride, causing Alice to collide with my back from her not paying attention.

"What?" I said clearly.

"Where's Edward?" she repeated.

I slowly turned around, my eyes suddenly wide with fear.

Of course he left. There's no reason for him to stay, you nitwit.

"He's not on the couch?" I asked slowly.

"No. Should he be?" she asked with alarm in her voice.

"That's the last place I saw him," I replied calmly.

Great. You fall asleep for a little while Bella and you lose the guy you want to seriously bone. Fantastic.

"Maybe he's in the bathroom?"

"Uh, unless he's a ninja master, I don't think so." Shit, I'm not that dumb to not have noticed him passing by me a minute ago.

Alice giggled as she turned away from me and walked back towards the living room.

"He's a grown man; he couldn't have gone too far. Maybe he didn't want to come to breakfast. You did tell him about this morning, didn't you?" she accused as she spun quickly on her heel to point a finger at me.

I held my hands up in front of me in defense. "Easy there, Tink. I did tell him about you wanting to go to breakfast. Actually it was a couple of hours ago."

Her raised eyebrow was the only response I got back.

"What?! I was hungry and accidentally woke him up. It's not like I tackled him on the couch just to tell him that you demanded us to go to breakfast," I defended.

As soon as we reached the couch, I noticed that the blanket had been folded nicely and laid on top of the pillow. Edward's small duffle bag, shoes, and the note I'd written for him last night had all disappeared.

I sighed, "I don't know what to tell you, Alice. It seems that Edward had other things to do this morning."

I turned from the couch just in time to see her face fall slightly. Before I knew it, her happy, beaming mask had been put back into place.

"Oh well, more pancakes for us then! Come on, lazy bones, everyone's waiting," she rambled as she started pulling me towards my bedroom.

I trailed along after her, disappointed myself that Edward wouldn't be having breakfast with us. I knew I'd completely fucked up earlier. The fact that he just left without saying goodbye was my first clue.

"Now, we're all going completely comfy so hurry up in the bathroom while I pick out your clothes. Multi-tasking, Bella, that's where the key is," she said while patting my ass towards the washroom.

"Comfy?! You say to go comfy while you look like you're ready to spend the day at the club, Alice! I'll show you what my comfy is. Here, take a look," I said while grabbing a pile of clothes I'd left on my counter the day before.

"A pair of ratty sweatpants and an over-sized t-shirt is what you call comfy? Bella, what the hell is wrong with you?!" she exclaimed while taking them from my hand and separating them for her inspection.

"This is what I wear when I want to feel comfy. Now, would you like to rephrase your wording earlier? Maybe just say, 'dress casual' instead?" I snarked while grabbing my toothbrush and toothpaste from the counter.

I registered her sigh as I turned the tap on, wetting my toothbrush in the sink.

"All right, I give. Dress casual, Bella. Now, hurry up! We don't have time to dawdle around. I'm rummaging through your closet, by the way." I heard her call from my bedroom.

"Mff eye 'ind oo 'dew anyfing 'if mah codes, ime 'urt oo."

"What the hell did you just say?" Alice said as she poked her head around the bathroom doorframe.

I took the toothbrush out of my mouth, "I said: "If I find you did anything with my clothes, I'ma hurt you.""

She chuckled and backed out of the frame, leaving me standing there with my toothbrush poised at my mouth. "Alice, I'm being serious."

"Oh, I know you are, Bella. But still, you'd have to find the clothes missing first. And honestly, a lot of things in here don't deserve to be."

"I need clothes for work, sweets."

"You'll still have those, just a little less of them."

I growled, "Alice… back away from the closet."

"But Bella, see? I already picked out your clothes! And they look nice," she added indignantly.

I rolled my eyes before returning to the sink to spit.

I looked up into the mirror just in time to see her flop onto my bed. "So when are you going to tell me about that guy last night?"

I figured Rosalie would've explained. Well, at least she wasn't a gossip-hound.

That was a plus.

I wiped my mouth on a nearby towel before answering her, "Jake's just a friend, Alice. What happened last night was a misunderstanding and believe me, it's not going to happen again."

"So he's not your boyfriend or anything."

Jesus, didn't they believe me?

"No, he's not. He was, but not anymore." Fact was I didn't even know if Jake still wanted to be my friend.

That part stung.

Alice jumped up from the bed. "All right. That's all I needed to hear. Now hurry up, Emmett's especially starved this morning."

She snickered as she passed me, "He lost big time last night while we were playing video games."

As soon as she had scampered clear of my room, I grabbed the clothes she'd laid out on the bed for me.

Loose jeans and a bright, colorful tie-dye tank top awaited me, great. I dressed quickly, not wanting to make anyone wait especially long.

And if Emmett was as hungry as I was, I didn't want the irritable grizzly inside of him to find me for breakfast instead.

Something told me that Emmett irritated would be pretty bad.

I did a run through of my apartment, hoping to find Edward somewhere in its depths. I was disappointed when I walked through every room and found nothing alluding to his presence.

I grabbed my wallet and keys, then opened the door and closed it firmly behind me and locking it.

I was greeted by the group, Rosalie, Emmett, Jasper, and Alice, all waiting for me on the stairs.

"Morning," I said sheepishly.

All I got in reply was garbled grunts except for Alice's giggle.

"So what's the driving situation?" Rosalie asked from Emmett's lap.

"Let's head down first, before we talk about that, sweetheart," Jasper said from beside her as he started standing up.

We all shuffled down the stairs slowly, none of us caffeinated enough to talk to each other nicely quite yet.

Nearing the bottom flight of stairs, I broke the silence.

"Well, my truck can only fit about three people in it tops. So if you want to split up, that's fine."

I'd just landed on the bottom step when I heard a voice in front of me.

"Or we could take my Volvo."

My head snapped up at the sound of Edward's voice.

He came back.

XOXOXOXO

A/N: Thanks to Ellie and Amelia for being fantastic betas. Also, thanks to my mom for all of her support.

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