A/N: Hey guys. I was so excited about this chapter that I decided to go ahead and post it. (YAY ME?) I think there was a little bit of confusion about the last chapter. No, Edward did not kiss Bella. It was just a rumor. That's high school for ya.
I borrowed this chapter title from Six Pence None the Richer's "Kiss Me".
Part Six
Kiss Me
"I promise," I lied, none too convincingly, crossing my index finger over my heart. "I… don't like Edward, Jess."
She raised a perfectly-waxed eyebrow at me skeptically, before apparently accepting my story and forgiving me. "I guess I got a little carried away. But keep your hands off him, Bella, Honey," she warned. "He's mine."
I cringed at the way she said this, but, fortunately, she was too preoccupied with her nail buds to notice. "So we're good then?" I willed myself to say, staring at the dirty tile floor of the Forks High School hallway.
She nodded. "We're good."
"Good," I said. "I've got to get going. I have a major test next period, and I need to get a little studying out of the way before lunch period ends." This lie, like all of the others, came easily to me, but for a much different reason. Adrenaline coursed through my body as I felt the urgent need to see Edward for the fifth consecutive time that day. This time it was uncontrollable. I had to make an inconspicuous rendezvous with him, if only for a few moments.
I barely saw myself wave goodbye to Jessica, instantly snapping open my phone and sending Edward an impromptu text message:
I need to see you. Meet me in the supply closet in… five?
Even as I read the reply, it surprised me. And though I could not quite put my finger on it, something in the four-word message sent shockwaves coursing throughout her entire nervous system.
Anything for you, Bella.
TNEBDTNEBDTNEBDTNEBDTNEBDTNEBDTNEBDTNEBDTNEBDTNEBDTNEB
"So what was so important that you had to drag me into the janitor's closet to discuss?" Edward joked, closing the door behind him, as well as the space between us. As per usual, my heartbeat increased significantly.
"I… I…" I choked, silently begging the film of tears beneath my eyelids to stay, to no avail.
"Is something the matter, Bella?" he demanded, gently as possible. "Please tell me."
"It's… stupid," I admitted, holding back the sobs that threatened to make me inaudible. "It's just… Jessica." Why was I so emotional all of the sudden? I could not, still cannot, explain. Something about the concept of losing Edward to the prettier, much shallower Jessica Stanley shook fear into my very core.
"What about her?" A look of confusion clouded over his eyes as the film of tears thickened of its own accord.
"I think she's i-in… l-l-love… with you." I felt an insane blush spreading inevitably across my fair-skinned cheeks, and I turned away from him. "Now I feel utterly ridiculous."
"What's this really about, Bella?"
Whether it was just a shot in the dark, or I was just that predictable, I could not be sure. However, I did know that he was deathly serious. And, of course, that he was right to question my motives. There was an ulterior reason that I myself had yet to recognize until he pointed it out.
"Well…" I began, a sub-conscious part of me deciding to open up to him. just het it over with, I ordered myself. "I guess… I do… kind of…"
"Kind of what, Bella?" he coaxed, his voice smooth and calming, like honey.
"Kind of-"
"Bella!" Jake exclaimed, shoving open the oaken door with great force. "What do you think you're doing to her?" His accusations were obviously aimed at Edward, but I felt the need to justify our location.
"We were talking, Jake. Please… get lost?" I explained quickly, stepping in between the two of them, fists clenched, as if they were ready to have a go at each other.
"I swear if you touch her…" he cautioned Edward, glaring at him menacingly. Edward returned the glare, standing his ground just as firmly, but, somehow, a bit less threateningly.
"I think that's for Bella to decide, now, isn't it?" He grinned sideways at me, making my knees buckle juvenilely.
"You little—"
"JAKE! Please?" I pleaded, looking from him to Edward a number of times before he reluctantly agreed.
"I'll be watching you," were his parting words.
Somehow I didn't doubt it.
A/N: Okay. So… I got a total of ONE review for the last chapter. Hopefully this one will get at least two. That is the depending factor for how fast I update again. So if you read this chapter REVIEW pplleeaassee? Virtual cheesecake is waiting for you. Much thanks,
C.J.