Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns everything. Even me.
SURPRISE
"It's your surprise," Edward said enthusiastically beside me. I still wasn't sure if he was kidding, but I hoped to God he was. "You know, the one Alice and I were working on the other week."
I stared, dumbfounded, at the shiny, new black BMW that was sitting in the drive. The same one that Edward was preening over at the same time. I felt like I was having an out of body experience. However, my sister-in-law's name brought me back to reality.
I hadn't seen Alice since that day that she and Edward had left to go set up my "surprise". She and Jasper left for Denali the same day Edward had gotten back. Since then, it almost seemed like she was avoiding me.
She never called except to talk to Edward and when I tried to say hello, she always made some excuse to hang up. I told myself that I was being irrational and of course she wanted to talk to me she was just busy, but a part of me couldn't help but feel that something was wrong. Something big. I didn't even know why she and Jasper had left.
"Sorry it took so long," Edward's voice pulled me from my stupor. "But they had to install all the extra features."
Extra features? He's kidding. He must be kidding. But he didn't look like he was kidding.
"So…what do you think? You haven't said anything," he asked, still smiling, as he put his arm around me.
"I…" I couldn't do anything but stand there like an idiot with my mouth open in shock.
"You don't like it." Edward's face immediately fell and I felt like a total bitch. I never wanted to make him look that sad ever.
"No, no, it's not that. I do like it, it's gorgeous," I said quickly hoping to make him smile again. It worked. "It's just…I don't really need a car."
He snorted at that. "Everyone needs a car, Bella."
"Yeah, I guess…" I said quietly. I probably would have gone on to politely argue the subject with him, but at that moment Carlisle walked out of the house. He looked slightly surprised to see us there. I caught his eye for a second but quickly looked away.
"Good, Carlisle," Edward said happily. "What do you think of Bella's new car?"
"Oh, I…It's very nice, Edward," Carlisle said slowly. He was clearly uncomfortable by the situation. Not that I was particularly pleased.
"See," Edward said turning to me. He kissed me lightly on the cheek. I could feel Carlisle's eyes boring into me. "Bella thinks it's unnecessary."
"Well perhaps she wants something else," Carlisle said calmly. I could hear a slight defensive underlying tone in his words and I hoped it was faint enough that Edward didn't catch on.
"Something else?" Edward asked. He turned to look at me and raised his eyebrows.
"No," I told him before turning to Carlisle. "I like what I have," I said pointedly.
"Well, clearly not," Carlisle said smiling a little. He was trying to come off as indifferent and good naturedly, but I could see that he was bothered by my and Edward's intimacy.
"Oh, I don't think it's the car," Edward continued, still oblivious to mine and Carlisle's private conversation. "I just think Bella's not very good at receiving gifts."
"I think she could be open to it, just depending on whose giving it to her," Carlisle went on. If I could blush, my cheeks would be on fire. I couldn't believe he was saying these things. What is wrong with him?
"He's right," I said suddenly, hoping to move past that last comment quickly. "I love the car. It was very sweet of you to get it for me, Edward." I leaned up to give him a kiss, which he accepted greedily. When we broke off, I whispered that I loved him before turning back to my new car.
"That's my girl," Edward said sweetly.
"I wouldn't be so quick to claim things, if I were you Edward," Carlisle said.
"What?"
"I think you should show me how this thing works!" I said rather loudly. Edward was looking confusedly at Carlisle but turned to me. I was staring at him intently, willing him to drop it and come with me.
"Yeah sure," he said walking towards the car. As soon as his back was turned, I shot an exasperated look at Carlisle before getting in the driver's side.
As soon as I was in, I had the car in reverse and backed out of the drive way leaving a cloud of dust in my wake.
"Whoa," Edward commented. His voice sounded surprised which I guess is appropriate considering my dramatic exit. I doubt he'd ever seen me do anything so bold. "Looks like you know what your doing."
"Uh, yeah, I guess so," I mumbled. I didn't really know where I was going, maybe into the closest town, but I just knew that I wanted to put as much space between my husband and my lover.
We rode in silence for a while and I worried that he was contemplating the conversation we had just had with his father. I wanted to say something but I couldn't think of anything good so I just kept my mouth shut.
It wasn't long before we pulled into town and I was sick of just sitting in silence, so I pulled up to the first building I saw. It was until I had parked that I realized we were at a small bar.
Edward turned to me and raised an eyebrow in question. I just shrugged uncomfortably and got out. He followed after hesitantly.
"Interesting stop, love," he said coming up behind me.
"Yeah, well…I figured…that there wouldn't be as many people in there since it's so early in the afternoon," I concluded trying to sounded convinced of the reason that I just made up on the spot.
If Edward doubted me in any way, he didn't show it. He simply nodded and headed for the door of the bar. When we stepped inside I reconsidered the whole thing.
The small building was filled with smoke and a variety of smells that I was happy I couldn't precisely identify. It was filled with nothing but about four little, dirty tables with broken chairs, a long, wooden bar, and a jukebox in the corner that looked like it didn't even work. Which I suspect it didn't since there was no music playing and all I could hear was the sound of grunts and coughs coming from the other…customers. The wood work looked rough and unfinished and if i were human I wouldn't want to touch it for fear of splinters. I could practically taste the stale beer in the air. Needless to say, it was equally insulting to all five senses.
Edward didn't look that pleased either, but he still went and sat on a grimy stool at the bar. I did the same and found that though we had changed location, I still couldn't muster a thing to say. The uncomfortable tension was growing with every second.
"So…" I started. My husband looked at me expectantly and I would have gone on to tell him something completely irrelevant and lame, except, thankfully, I was cut off by his phone's ring tone.
"Hold on a second," he said taking the small object from his pocket and looking at the screen. "I should take this, it's Alice. It'll only take a few minutes. I promise." He stood and began moving towards the door, reluctantly. His protective side probably didn't want to leave me in this place alone. For once, I didn't disagree.
"Tell her I said hi…" I mumbled so quietly I don't think even his extra sensitive ears heard it. Maybe I'll get to tell her hey myself this time. Though I doubt it. I don't know what's up with Alice lately but it's really wigging me out. As if I don't have enough to worry about lately.
I was so wrapped up in thought, I didn't hear the person next to me until they sat down. I turned to see a woman, maybe a couple of years older than me smiling at me. She was extremely pretty, so much so that she could probably pass as a vampire, but she didn't smell like a vampire or a human for that matter. I didn't recognize the scent, it was strange. Maybe my senses were just so messed up in here.
"Hello," she said, still smiling that perfect smile. I was a little taken aback by this complete stranger coming up to me like this, but she seemed friendly enough.
"Hi," I replied, wary. A small chuckle came from the back of her throat and she tossed her shiny, black hair over her shoulder.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be so forward," she went on. "I just saw you sitting her by yourself and I thought I'd be friendly." Then she leaned in a little closer to me as though whispering a secret.
"To tell you the truth, you seemed to be the only reputable person in here."
I looked at the other three people scattered throughout the bar. They were all older men who looked like they had been in here since the night before.
"I would have to agree," I told her. She laughed again.
"You also seemed a little sad," her face fell slightly as she said this, "and I was wondering if I could help fix that."
I had never had someone I don't know be so direct with me before but her features were earnest and true. It seemed like she really wanted to help.
"Oh, no, I'm fine," I said waving off her concern. "It's just been a long day."
"Tell me about it," she said with a small laugh. I laughed too, but when I looked at her, her face was serious, her bright blue eyes shining at me in a friendly way. It really did sound appealing: telling someone all of my problems. The best part was that she didn't even know me so she couldn't really judge or…tell.
I was on the verge of confessing everything, when I caught myself. What am I doing? I can't do this, especially with Edward right outside. I turned from her for a moment to look out the dirty window and say Edward speaking to Alice on the phone. He looked happy about whatever they were saying. I was glad to see him smiling and easygoing, but a small pang of jealousy arose somewhere deep down inside of me.
Alice hasn't even talked to me in the last few weeks and now she has time to joke around with Edward. And Edward was all serious and distant the whole way up here but Alice goes and makes him smile and laugh. I knew I was being irrational, but suddenly watching him, my problems seemed to grow enormously.
I turned back to my knew friend. She was looking at me expectantly.
"Trust me, you don't want to hear all of my problems," I said.
"Try me. You never know, it might help. And I love helping people," she said happily. There was something about her words that made the hair on the back of my neck rise slightly, but she still had the same friendly look in her eyes.
"Well, ok, yeah. I mean if you really don't mind listening," I said, giving in. She shook her head quickly and then leaned in giving me her full attention.
"I'm Ariana, by the way."
"Bella."
"Nice to meet you," she said sound genuine as always.
"You too. Alright, well it started when…"
Drama, Drama, Drama. Poor Bella is in WAY over her head. You almost feel bad for her except for the whole cheating on Edward thing. Haha.
Ok, I don't know when I can get the next chapter up b/c I won't be home at my computer for the next few weeks, but I will try. Promise. I know you're dying here. And the next chapter is when the REAL drama starts, so brace yourselves cause it only gets better from here... (or worse depending on how you look at it)
--BlueEyes
P.S. The more reviews I get, the more obligated I'll feel to update sooner. So if I get 20 or more for this chapter, I'll have a new one up within the next two weeks.