Author's note: I think you will all enjoy this chapter ;) Read, enjoy, review!
Disclaimer: Stephanie Meyer owns Twilight and its characters. I only wish I did
Chapter songs: Something about You – Jamelia and Claire de Lune - Dubussy
"Argh!" I grumbled to myself throwing down on my desk the notes I had been reading over, I was studying for exams and was frustrated by the fact that I had been cooped up in my room for hours feeling like I was making no progress.
I looked out my bedroom window, it was snowing, heavily. This added to my dark mood, it wasn't that I didn't like snow, I just was wary of it.
Growing up in Arizona meant the only time I ever saw it snow was when I spent Christmas is Forks with Charlie. Snow to a clumsy person was hell; I would have to be more careful than normal. I sighed, the house was so quiet.
It was Sunday and Alice and Rose had gone out for the day with their other halves. I picked up my notes again, I knew I had to try and concentrate for a little longer; my English 305 exam was tomorrow. I absorbed myself in my notes once again; suddenly my phone beeped making me jump.
I grabbed my cell quickly, eager for distraction.
To Bella; From Edward
Hi Bella, how's the studying going? =)
I read the message with a smile on my face; Edward was the best kind of distraction.
To Edward; From Bella
Hey Edward, it's going, I guess. I have cabin fever!
To Bella; From Edward
Awww, I could use a break too. Want to come over?
To Edward; From Bella
Sure, be there in a few
To Bella; From Edward
Can't wait =) Use your key; I'm up in my room finishing off some reading, head straight up.
I quickly straightened my desk and checked my appearance in the mirror. I was glad I had decided to make myself presentable this morning instead of throwing on my usual study attire of sweatpants and a tee.
I grabbed my keys, phone and my jacket and headed downstairs. Outside was freezing cold and it was still snowing heavily, I trudged across the drive and let myself in to the boys place.
"Hey it's me" I called out.
"Come on up" Edward called back. "Hey" he said happily as I walked into his room.
"Hi" I replied smiling, "It feels so good to be out of my bedroom, out of the house even" I said happily, "I cannot wait for exams to be over!"
"I second that" he said chuckling, "What would you like to do today? Watch a movie? I bought some new ones" he told me.
I laughed "Of course you did and yes that sounds good"
We settled on his bed the same way we did every time we hung out like this.
We chatted through the previews; every time we hung out together alone we would ask each other questions, every question under the sun. I now knew almost everything there was to know about Edward. It was nice spending time with him but on the other hand it drove me to despair. I was still too chicken to admit my feelings so no progress had been made with our relationship turning in to anything more than friendship.
I pushed those thoughts aside and concentrated on the movie. I must have been mentally exhausted from all the studying, I felt sleepy. Before I knew it I had drifted off to sleep.
"Ssshhhhh, Emmett shut up or you'll wake them up!" I heard Rosalie whisper angrily as I began to wake.
"Awww they look so cute together" Alice whispered.
"Quick Jasper take the photo" I heard a click and a saw a flash behind my closed eyelids.
I heard Edward growl, it sounded close to my ear, I opened one eye just a little and saw his tee shirt clad chest, his arms were wrapped around me, this had to be the best way to wake up.
"And you thought I would wake them up, ha Jasper!" Emmett laughed.
Edward groaned "What the hell?" he released his grip on me.
Sitting up I glanced at my evil friends, Alice was beaming "Had a nice nap did we?" she asked me winking.
"It was until you lot woke us up" replied Edward.
I looked at Jasper and noticed the camera in his hands, "Argh, I can't believe you took photos Jasper" I groaned, he smiled at me sheepishly.
"It was Alice's idea"
"Of course it was" I mumbled.
"We'll just leave you to too it then!" said Emmett winking, I heard the emphasis he put on the word it.
I groaned once they had all left the room, "Nice friends we have huh?" asked Edward "I was enjoying our nap until they woke us up" he smiled at me.
My face flushed and my heart began to beat erratically. "Come on, we should head downstairs and steal that camera".
Later that week
"I hate winter" I announced loudly as I sloshed my way through the front door, it was snowing again and my shoes were soaked right through.
I kicked off my shoes and made my way into the living room; I had had a hellish day of back to back exams and having it snow and soak my shoes had tipped me over the edge.
The whole gang was there they all looked up as I sat down heavily on the couch.
"How'd your last exam go?" asked Edward.
"Hmm I think it went well, I hope" I grimaced.
"You'll ace it Bells" Jasper reassured me.
"I think we should celebrate tonight!" announced Alice, "No more exams and it's almost Christmas! Who's in?"
"Hell yes!" exclaimed Emmett.
"You know it" added Rose.
"I'm keen" said Jasper nodding.
They all turned to look at me and Edward, "I'm in" said Edward smiling.
I made it look like I was pondering for a moment, knowing that drawing it out would make Alice super impatient. I grinned "Only if there are strong drinks involved?" I asked, they all cheered.
"Of course!" exclaimed Emmett.
"Come on girls let's get ready" said Rosalie.
Since it was so cold we dressed to keep warm, we all wore jeans and dressy tops with jackets thrown over the top.
We met the boys downstairs; jumped in the taxi they called and made our way to our favourite bar. We pulled up at the New Moon Bar and Grill and hurried in to get out of the cold. We checked our coats and bags in, Emmett bought us all drinks and we settled in a booth to watch the boys play a game of pool.
"We should finish off our Christmas shopping this weekend" Alice said sipping her drink, "I only have a few things to get now" she added.
"Maybe we should go on Monday?" suggested Rosalie, "Avoid the crowds and all that" "That could work since we leave for Forks on Wednesday!" Alice replied. "How much do you have to get Bella?" she asked me.
"Ummm" I stalled. I had already bought Alice, Rose, Renee and Phil's gifts, so that left... I mentally counted up the other people I had to buy gifts for. Crap!
Alice noticed my worried expression, "Who do you have to buy for?" she demanded.
"Well put it this way, I sorted out your gifts and Renee and Phil's" I cringed "I guess I was so caught up in exams" I said feebly.
"Don't worry about it Bells, we'll help you find gifts for everyone" Rose reassured me.
As we chatted I felt as though someone was watching me. I casually glanced around, scanning the crowd in a non obvious way.
Standing by the bar was James, staring at me, I shivered. He smiled at me in a sinister, creepy kind of way, it made my skin crawl. There was something about him that wasn't right, something more than him just being a sleaze.
I felt a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach; I looked away from him quickly and downed the rest of my drink. There was something not quite right, something I couldn't put my finger on. I pushed the feeling aside, I wanted tonight to be fun and he wasn't going to ruin that.
"Hey Bells! Want to play pool? Edward needs someone on his team so we can play doubles" Emmett said in a raised voice as he walked towards us girls, "Jasper and I will be one team, you and Edward on the other"
"Sure" I said eagerly, glad to distance myself from James and his creepy stare. "But I should warn you Em, I'm not very good"
Emmett laughed "Just make sure you don't hit any of us with the pool cue Bellsy and it'll be a good start" I joined in his laughter, that did sound like something I would do.
"Hey team mate!" Edward said putting his arm around me; I smiled up at him.
"I should warn you now I don't think I'll be of much help. I'm not the greatest of players"
He chuckled, "I'll teach you" he told me.
"Ok, hold the cue like this" Edward told me wrapping his hand around mine, his grasp was warm and strong, my heart began to beat erratically again.
"And then lean over like this and aim" he carried on, I was having trouble concentrating on what I was supposed to be doing having him so close.
"Now pull back and then forward" The balls broke apart and went in different directions.
"I got one in!" I exclaimed, shocked, the boys all laughed.
Rose whistled "Go Bella!"
The game went on, Edward helped me sink a few balls and it was neck and neck the whole way through. Joking and razzing ensued, I was having so much fun I had forgotten all about James. I hadn't notice him move his way across the crowd to be closer to me.
"We won?" I asked in amazement.
"Rub it in!" Emmett said sulkily.
"Stop being such a poor loser" Edward said punching Emmett in the arm.
"I demand a re-match!" said Jasper loudly.
The next game was Alice and Jasper versus Rose and Emmett, Edward bought us both another drink and we settled down in the booth to watch.
Alice was very competitive, but unfortunately for Jasper she was a terrible pool player.
Emmett and Rose won easily and the game was over quickly, Alice sat down next to me and Edward in a huff.
"Here Allie, drown your sorrows" Edward said pushing a drink across the table.
She laughed "Thanks Ed, so Bells what are you up to tomorrow?" Jasper and Alice were going out for the day as were Rose and Emmett.
I shrugged "Just hanging out at home I guess, we are all going out tomorrow night though right?"
"Yup, Jen from my design class is having a party and we are all invited" she replied.
"You could come over and we could hang out?" Edward asked me, "I was just going to hang around home so it'd be nice to have company" he smiled at me.
Alice caught my eye and gave me a knowing look. "That sounds great!" I answered enthusiastically.
When I woke the next morning it had stopped snowing but the ground was still covered in white.
I decided that for my own safety I would forgo my morning run, a broken leg for Christmas was not on my wish list.
I had a shower and got ready for the day, by the time I made it downstairs Alice and Rose had left.
I made breakfast and sent a few emails; Chelsea had sent me a long message that required a long reply. I missed her so much; I decided I would have to make a trip back to Phoenix soon.
Around 11am I headed across the drive to the boys place and let myself in.
"Morning" grinned Edward.
"Hey, what's on the agenda for today?" I asked him.
"Hmmm want to head down and check out the Pike Place Market?" he asked.
"I'd love too!" I had been dying to go and check it out since I first moved here.
We got bundled up and made our way outside; he headed straight to his prized Volvo.
"I'm guessing that means I don't get to drive?" I demanded pretending to be upset, he grinned at me.
"Get in Bella".
We had a great time at the market. We both picked up a few Christmas gifts and sampled the different food on offer.
We headed back to his place and decided to chill out and listen to some music.
"What are you listening to at the moment?" I asked him pressing the play button on his stereo; the sound classical music filled the room.
"Claire de Lune is great" I told him earnestly.
"You know Debussy's work?" he asked a pleased.
"Some, only my favourites, my Mom used to play classical music at home sometimes"
He smiled, we listened to the soothing melody for a while and then Edward stepped towards me and reached for my hand.
He pulled me close to him and put one hand around my waist, the other he intertwined with my right hand and clutched it to his chest.
I looked up at him confused, "I can't dance" I spluttered.
Hhe grinned at me "It's all in the lead. Lucky for you I can dance" he told me as we began to sway to the music.
I had to admit I was rather enjoying dancing like this with Edward, probably a little too much.
My heart was pounding in my chest once again, I wondered if I would ever be able to slow it down around him.
He twirled me around slowly, gently pulling me back towards him. I looked up and he was watching me with an unreadable expression.
"Bella" he said softly letting go of my hand and placing his under my chin.
I froze, unable to process in my mind about what was happening, I wanted to pinch myself, surely this was a dream, a product of my over active imagination.
He looked deep into my eyes, then to my lips and back again and then he slowly moved closer and kissed me.