Thank you for editing this story Sunflower Fran. :)
Chapter 26
Inquisition (N.) a period of prolonged and intensive questioning or investigation.
I spend most of the next few days answering question after question from both Alice and Rose.
Their main issue is whether we are officially a couple now or not, which I don't quite know how to answer.
People around school have started murmuring about us because of how openly touchy Edward gets with me and I sort of hate it. I thought I loved attention, it's one of the reasons I made sure to become just as popular as Victoria was before she left, but I realize now that privacy is something I value above all else.
The rumor mill started the Tuesday after our weekend spent in Edward's bed.
I was walking to class with my books clutched in the crook of my left arm, when Edward startles me walking close beside and instantly threading his fingers with mine.
With his brows drawn together and his eyes set on our joined hands, he says, "Do you know why the spaces between your fingers were created?"
I open my mouth to give some smart-ass response when he continues, "So that I could fill them with mine."
My heart does an unexpected leap, and I melt as I look over at his smiling face. Then he lifts our intertwined hands to his mouth and kisses mine.
"Have a good day, Princess."
That was the day my heart grew in size, or maybe it was just my love for him that increased. Either way, I am drowning in an emotion that I am not familiar with, and I don't know what to do about it.
The second time Edward caused a stir of conversation was in the lunchroom when he surprised the hell out of everyone by publicly kissing me.
I was in the middle of telling him how much I love my American History class, explaining why the course is so great, animatedly expressing the deep connection I feel to history and how amazing my teacher is for breaking it down in ways that I not only understand, but I actually enjoy. He listens and comments appropriately but mostly he just watches me as if what I am saying is the most interesting thing ever. He tilts his head to the side and even as I talk, I see the look he gets when he's in thought. The look he gets when he's admiring me like a work of art.
Suddenly, without warning, he smacks a kiss on my lips, as his hand makes its way into my hair. And when the shock wears off my eyes flutter closed. He kisses me long and hard as if he'd waited all day for the perfect moment. It's as if he had gone his entire day while suffering without my lips on his. It was also tender yet powerful, and wildly passionate, much like his array of personality traits.
When he pulls away, I am dazed and confused, blinking lazily to put my world back into focus.
"What was that for?" I whisper, opening my eyes to see him smiling at me. He's always smiling at me, and I secretly love that about him. He can't help but express how much he adores me.
He tucks a stray lock of my hair behind my ear and then pinches my chin. "For being you."
I don't swoon often, but he got me there. How can my heart take any more of his sweetness? Can a heart burst? Is it possible because I feel like I'm bursting with love for him.
Edward's smile never fades as he takes a chip off my tray and puts it into his mouth, making the mere act of chewing look like a sex ritual or something.
When I don't speak, his smile widens and he makes a gesture with his hands for me to continue my story.
I blink at him, wondering if he expects me to be able to talk right now. My suspicions are confirmed when he says, "Continue."