I didn't send out review replies for the last chapter. Sorry! I love each and every one of your reviews. They make me smile.
The drive to Port Angeles went by slowly. Neither Edward nor myself were huge conversationalists and we seemed to be both experiencing first date jitters.
Once we were a few miles out of the town limits, Edward spoke.
"I have an iPod in the glovebox, if you want to listen to some music, there should be the chord, too."
Once I had the iPod all hooked up, I scrolled through his music selection, before deciding to listen to Bright Eyes.
"So, where exactly are we going?" I asked, turning down the volume a bit.
"We have reservations at the Moonshine Steakhouse, I hope that's okay?"
I shrugged. "I've never been. I think I've heard of it though."
"It's my favorite restaurant that I've been to, since I moved."
"What was your favorite in Chicago?" I asked him. I found myself actually curious and wanting to know as much about him as possible, even his favorite restaurant in a state I'd never been to.
"There's a place called Hot Doug's. They have like, all these different types of hot dogs. It's pretty cool."
"Seriously? I just saw that place on the Travel Channel a few days ago! I love sauerkraut. I could probably eat an entire jar of it."
Sometimes, I just wish I could shut up. I'm on a date with Edward Cullen and talking about fermented cabbage. He most likely thinks it's gross and won't want to kiss me again. Ever.
"Sorry, I'm just really hungry."
It was true, I'd only had a bowl of cereal in the morning, too nervous to eat during or after school.
"It's okay, Bella. I'm pretty hungry too. Good thing there's no traffic."
I wanted to tell him that of course there was no traffic. This was a remote part of Washington, the only time we saw traffic was if a tree fell over the road or it was too rainy to drive.
The rest of the drive to Port Angeles was spent learning more about each other. I found out he wasn't entirely too sure of what he wanted study when he went to college.
While his father never pressured him, Edward knew his father wanted him to go into medicine, like him. His grandfather, a financial analyst, hoped he would get into the financial world, Edward having always been good with numbers.
When he asked me the same question, I wasn't too sure what to say. I knew I wanted to further my education after high school, but with the amount of money in my college fund, I didn't have too huge a choice.
"Maybe...English? Being a librarian might be cool. I also like history. Maybe a museum curator? I'm not really good at anything..." I trailed off. I didn't want Edward to think I was a complete loser or so desperate I would stoop to fishing for compliments.
"I'm sure that's not true, Bella. Everyone's good at something."
We fell into silence the rest of the drive, which luckily wasn't that much further.
Edward pulled into a small corner parking lot in downtown Port Angeles.
"I hope you're okay with walking, we're about a block or so from the restaurant, but parking kind of sucks here, if you want, I can drop you off at the front then-"
"Edward," I reached out, grabbing his hand. "It's fine. I'm wearing Converse. I think I can walk."
He was at my car door by the time I got out and shut it for me.
"Can I just do one thing?" Edward's voice was low, nervous.
His body was so close to mine, distracting me, so that all I could do was nod.
He took another step forward and I took one back until my back was up against the car door.
My entire body relaxed as soon as Edwards lips met mine in tentative touches. He hands were on my shoulders. I grabbed onto him, clutching fistfuls of his sweater, but he pulled back before things could escalate further.
"Wow, what was that for?" I asked, biting back a smile.
"I don't know." One of Edward's hands went from my shoulder to rake through his hair, leaving it a mess. "I just wanted to do that since I picked you up tonight. You look beautiful. Stunning."
There must have been something wrong with me. Edward gives me the nicest, most sincere sounding compliment I'd ever received by anyone who wasn't obligated to compliment me, like my parents. Yet, my first thought was what teenager tells someone they look stunning? I mean, I had heard Mike tell Jessica she looked hot, or Tyler tell Lauren that her ass looked 'slammin'' in her jeans, but stunning? I thought it was a much nicer compliment.
"Thank you. You look really...handsome. Like, I'm not really sure how to explain. But I really think I like argyle."
Edward just laughed, shaking his head then grabbed my hand as we walked towards the restaurant.
0-0
We were seated in a booth in the back corner of the Moonshine Lodge. After the waitress took our drink orders and I had chosen what I wanted from the menu, I looked around the dining area.
It was basically anything you would expect from the name. The walls as well as the floors, ceilings and furniture were all different shades of dark paneled wood and there were deer trophies hanging up on the walls amongst paintings different types of birds. It was a very...manly place.
There were a lot of other people at the restaurant and the bar that was in another area of the restaurant had lots of noise and talking coming from it.
"Do you know what you want?" Edward asked, breaking me out of my observations.
"Yeah, what about you? Everything sounds really good. What do you usually get?"
"Umm, usually my parents order the Filet Mignon spring rolls, then I usually get the Prime New York Strip."
I flipped my menu open, looking to see what the descriptions of the foods were. That's when I noticed the prices.
"Holy crap, Edward. That's a forty dollar dish!" I freaked out. I had only brought a twenty with me to dinner to help pay. Glancing over to my selection, I saw that the Top Sirloin was nearly thirty. "This is too expensive."
"Bella, stop." Edward said, effectively shushing me. "It's not too expensive. It's fine. It's our first date...hopefully the first of many, if you don't realize I'm just a loser and run the other way. I want it to be special."
By the time Edward was done speaking, his cheeks were tinged pink and he was playing with his cloth napkin, twisting and untwisting it.
"Hey, Edward. Don't be like that. This isn't the first and last date. This is the first of hopefully a lot of dates. Let's just hope that I don't scare you off. I can usually scarf down inordinate amount of food and I've yet to see the dessert menu."
The waitress came by shortly after that and we took turns asking each other simply questions until the food arrived.
I'd never tasted such good food in my life. The steak was perfect as was the twice baked potato. It was definitely better than the steak I usually cooked for Charlie at home.
When our waitress asked us if we wanted to see a dessert menu, Edward asked if he could just order dessert for us. Shrugging, I agreed.
The dessert was a gigantic Molten Lava cake topped with whipped cream, slivered almonds, caramel and chocolate syrup. Simply put, it was heaven.
"Mmmm," I groaned as soon as my tongue hit my spoon. "This is so good, Edward."
Edward laughed nervously, shifting in his seat. "I'm glad you like it, Bella."
I nodded enthusiastically. "Definitely. From now on, you pick out the dessert everywhere we go."
Edward paid the bill, refusing to accept any of money, even for the tip, then we gathered up our stuff to go.
0-0
After leaving the restaurant, Edward and I decided to walk around, enjoying each others company and the freedom of being able to openly display affection towards each other without prying eyes or gossipers.
Edward had his arm around my shoulder, pulling me under the crook of my arm while my arm was wrapped around his waist, underneath the pea coat he wore.
"Un-fucking-believable." Lauren's voice rang out from behind us and I turned quickly, shrugging out of Edwards embrace, suddenly feeling embarrassed.
"Lauren. Hi," I greeted, forcing a smile. She was wearing a ridiculous amount of make up, an equally ridiculously short dress and was hanging all over Tyler.
"I just knew you were fucking Cullen."
"Lauren, just give it up. Seriously. I didn't do anything wrong. Why are you being a bitch?"
She scoffed. "Didn't do anything wrong? Let me see, you lied to us and chose them over us. Now you're fucking that. And I'm not a bitch. I'm simply calling it like I see it."
I felt Edward tense besides me and I instantly saw red.
"Don't you fucking talk like that about Edward or his friends. They're nice. They're normal. I was sorry that I lied to you guys about what I was doing, but really, all of you haven't really given me a reason to stay sorry."
Lauren just stood there, a bitchy smirk on her face.
"Why don't we just go our separate ways. You do your thing, I do mine, we don't speak. Don't acknowledge each other at schools. Sound good?"
The smirk on Lauren's face turned into something resembling a sneer and she let out a quick laugh. "Whatever, Bella. Enjoy your date."
With that, she reattached herself to Tyler's side and led him past us, Tyler calling out a goodbye as they went.
"What was that?" Edward asked, after Lauren and Tyler were out of our sight.
I sighed. "That was Lauren, well...That was Lauren showing us her true colors, I guess."
I reached for Edwards arm, wanting to tug him along and go someplace more private to continue talking, rather than the middle of the busy sidewalk.
"No. Not that. I know what that was. I mean, you saw them and you just, tried to get away from me. We were walking and when you saw them, you instantly separated yourself from me. Like you were embarrassed by me."
I cringed. "Edward, no. I wasn't embarrassed. I just know how Lauren can be. I'm sorry. I'm a bitch. I'm no better than Lauren. I shouldn't have done that. I'm sorry. Please?"
Edward sighed, letting out a frustrated groan. "That can't happen again, Bella. Please. I get that this is new and everything and we don't have to...advertise it, but it a shitty feeling to have you detach yourself like that from me."
I hung my head. "I know. I promise, really. I'm sorry I ruined this night. Everything was going so well and then Lauren had to show up and then I made you feel bad..."
"Hey, I'm having a good time. This was just a little road bump. I'm sorry too for freaking out. I shouldn't have."
"How about we're both sorry, it won't happen again. Let's just forget about this and move on with our night?"
Edward smiled, agreeing.
After walking around a bit more and stopping by some of the shops that were still open, we headed back to the car.
This time, our hands stayed clasped over the center console the entire ride home.
When we drove up to my house, Edward turned off the car. "I'll walk you up, okay?"
I rolled my eyes. "Edward, I think I can make it up the path. I'm not going to get lost and no one will jump out from behind the bushes."
"Hey, it's all part of a proper date, okay? Besides, you should have heard the lecture my parents gave me on proper etiquette before I Ieft."
As soon as we got up to the front porch, the door opened, revealing Charlie. "Hey, kids. Have a good time?"
"Ermm, hey Chief...Charlie." Edward said, now looking nervous. "We had a good time."
"Not too good a time, I hope..." Charlie replied, giving Edward and I a pointed look.
"Dad!" I shouted, "was there something you needed? Edward and I were just saying goodnight."
"No, no. Just seeing how you two kids were doing."
"Okay, well, we'd like to say goodnight." When Charlie didn't move to close the door, I added "alone, please."
"Fine. Five minutes." Charlie grunted, giving Edward and I one last look before turning around and closing the door.
"I'm sorry." I said immediately.
"Your dad kind of scares me. He brings his gun home with him, right?"
"He's fine. He's just being weird. I know he likes you, so he's just trying to scare you or have some fun or something. Ignore him."
"Okay, that's...good to know. I guess I should let you get going, then. I had a really nice time tonight, Bella. Regardless of crazy girls and intimidating dads."
"Good. I did too. Everything was just...perfect."
Edward smiled widely and I couldn't help myself. I reached up and kissed him, bracing myself on his biceps, which was quickly becoming one of my favorite places to touch him, loving the feeling of hard, lean muscle under my hands.
"Goodnight, Edward," I said once I had released my grasp on him and turned, opening the front door.
"Night, Bella."
0-0
"What the heck was that, Dad?" I asked as soon as I walked in. "Coming to the door, seriously?"
Charlie shrugged, sitting on the couch, trying to look innocent. "What, Bella? I just wanted to make sure you two kids had a good time."
"Yeah, right. You couldn't have waited until I actually got in the house? Instead of embarrassing me and scaring Edward?"
Charlie perked up. "Edward was scared? Why, did he have something to be scared about? Guilty conscious?"
"Dad!"
"I'm just giving you a hard time, Bells. What kind of dad would I be if I didn't? Anyways, glad you two had a good time, but not too good a time."
"Okayyy, I think that's my cue to leave. I'm going to bed. Night, dad." I walked over to him, giving him a kiss on the cheek before retreating upstairs to get ready for bed.
0-0
The next weeks were...interesting, to say the very least. I had basically spent the rest of the weekend after my first date with Edward worrying about school on Monday. I had put on a 'brave' front with Edward and Lauren, but now that I thought about it, what would she do?
Monday came too quickly for my liking. I hadn't voiced my concerns with Edward at all, or anyone else for that manner. I just hoped he would be prepared for whatever she could have in store.
Sadly, I wasn't proven otherwise. It seemed like everything in the school knew for sure about Edward and my date and the fact that we were together. The only reprieve from the strange looks and snickers was lunch in the library. Not many people hung out in there anyways and at least I was surrounded by friends. And Edward.
Lauren hadn't actually talked to me since Friday night, but I figured since she already informed the entire school, her work was done. Jessica hadn't spoken to me in Spanish and Rosalie now ignored me whenever we crossed paths, not even bothering to glance in my direction.
Edward and the girls had really become a lifeline to me. When I wasn't hanging out at Angela's house with Victoria or Angela after school, Edward and I were hanging out at the park or talking on the phone late into the night.
Regardless of all the bullshit at school, things were looking up.
"Hey, can we just stop by my locker real quick? I need to drop off my math book and get my bio book," I said, cleaning up the garbage from my lunch.
"Yeah, sure." Edward packed up his books, resting his hand on the small of my back to guide me out of the library.
As I'd become more aware of, there were plenty of people snickering and whispering as we walked down the hallway.
I wasn't quite sure what they were talking about, though. At this point, Edward and I had been 'public' for two weeks. At school, we always kept things chaste to the point of ridiculousness. We never held hands, except for brief moments in biology where he would reach over and squeeze my hand. Kissing was out of the question, although we had snuck in a quick peck in the library. When no one was looking. Behind rows and rows of books.
So to have people throwing us dirty looks and whispering made me want to simultaneously roll my eyes and cry.
"This sucks." I sighed turning the dial to unlock my locker.
"Just ignore them. They're jerks, Bella." Edward sighed right back, probably tired of my complaining. He was leaning against the locker next to mine, looking agitated.
"Yeah, I know. It's just-" As soon as I opened up my locker, a ton of stuff fell out of it.
"What the hell?" I wondered, bending down to see what it all was.
I felt my face heat up as I looked down at what I now saw were pamphlets and little packages, wordlessly handing them to Edward, who had knelt down to help me pick the mess up.
"Everything You Need To Know about...Chlamydia." Edward read aloud. I groaned, looking over to see his face turning beet red as well.
"So You Think You Might Be Pregnant, Teens and Pregnancy, Teens and Bulimia, Teen Girls and Body Image, A Girls Guide to Personal Hygiene." Edward continued reading the pamphlets, much to my embarrassment.
The embarrassment turned into complete mortification when I realized that there were condoms, dental dams, diaphragms and spermicide. All courtesy of Planned Parenthood.
"Fuck!" I yelled, standing up. Looking around, I saw that everyone near us was now watching, laughing and whispering.
Edward was still kneeling, now shoving everything he could into his messenger bag.
I stood there, watching as Edward finished cleaning up everything, my eyes darting up to see if the crowd had somewhat dispersed. They hadn't.
Finally, Edward stood, not looking around at his peers, his eyes locked on mine.
"Come on, let's go," Edward says, grabbing me by the crook of my arm. I quickly locked my locker, although I knew it's pointless; someone already knew the combination.
Edward was walking so fast, practically dragging me through the hall and towards the parking lot.
"Edward? Come on, I don't want to be late for class!"
He halts in front of his Volvo, causing me to bump into him. "Well, you don't have to worry about behind late for class, because we're ditching."
I scrunched my eyebrows, confused. "Ditching? Edward, you don't ditch. Neither do I, really. Come on, let's just go back to class. There's only three more periods left."
"Bella, are you planning on reporting what happened to your locker to a teacher or the principal?"
"Umm...no." I laughed, "Why would I do that? You know they would just use it as more ammo. I don't even know who did it. Do you think Jessica and Lauren would really stoop so low and actually go to the trouble of getting all that stuff?"
"Maybe...maybe this isn't just going to work out." Edward sighed, running a hand through his hair.
His words hit me like a ton of bricks. "You want to break up?"
Edwards eyes widened, then he pulled me into his arms, his head burrowed in my neck.
"No, Bella. Never. But you don't deserve this. Before me, you were popular, had friends. You weren't relentlessly teased like you are now."
I pulled back, making sure he was looking fully at me.
"Edward, I don't care. I want to be with you. Lauren and Jessica, I don't miss them. Maybe I miss how things seemed easier before, but it doesn't matter. I'm finally getting that. It's just you and me. Besides, I love our group of friends. Angela, Victoria, Ben and James. I get along with them so well. I can actually have an intelligent conversation with them. I'm...happy."
I could see Edwards internal battle going on behind his eyes. I didn't want him to doubt this or think I'd be better off without him in my life.
"Hey. Stop it." I punched him lightly in the arm, trying to lighten the situation. I brought my hand to rest on the back of his neck, pulling him down to kiss him.
It freaked me out when Edward retreated into himself like that, but I knew he was trying to be strong. I hoped that we could make it through the rest of this high school bullshit and come out of it unscathed and stronger than going in.
I looked up at the handsome boy in front of me, smiling. "So, where are we going to go?"
I really liked hearing all the songs that remind you of your time in high school. Keep sending them in.
Soo, Renee is still pregnant, although Bella hasn't really mentioned it lately. I suck at baby names. It would be awesome if you guys left your name selections (boy and girl cause we don't know what she's having yet) in a review or a PM, tweet, whatever. Once I have enough, I'll do a poll up on my profile so you guys can pick your favorite name for a boy and girl. Then, when the birth comes around, you'll find out the sex and the name. Exciting, right? Plus, you'll get credit for the name in whatever chapter it's revealed in (Renee still has four or so months left of pregnancy, so it's a while.)