Ten years, that's how long it's been.
Since I've had to deal with Jacob Black
Since I hung out with Leah and Seth Clearwater.
Since I've seen Edward Cullen.
I have grown up so much since then yet stayed the same. I still read books every time I get a chance, yet when invited to go out for drinks with my roommate Bree and her boyfriend Riley would accept. I majored in both English and Social work at NYU. I had even been on a few dates, though none were successful.
Every time I went out with someone, my subconscious started to compare whoever I was with to Edward.
His eyes are the wrong colour.
His laugh doesn't sound right.
He could never love you the way that Edward did.
And in the end, that killed my entire happy buzz. Edward and I had started out as any normal couple facing the challenges of a long distance relationship. We texted hourly, called each other once a day and even skyped when giving the chance. But then we started talking less...and less...and less, till eventually the only time we spoke was the simple message we sent each other on birthdays. I assumed he moved on from our love affair and I guess it was for the best, I had even met someone too.
Caius Volturi.
Caius had been my professor when I had taken a literature course and at first I thought that he was a complete jackass. He had made people cry and leave the course and picked on me daily, but I stayed on that course despite his insults. Once he saw that I wasn't planning on leaving, he started opening up to me. We would sit in his office, discussing the wonders of the Bronte sisters, to the chilling novels of Stephen King. Talking progressed to flirting, flirting progressed to subtle touches, but never when any further than that. I had not put much thought into the idea of being with anyone after Edward, but I found it easy to talk to Caius about anything, even my past. Once the course was over, I thought it was the end of whatever was going on between the two of us.
Boy, was I wrong.
He called me asking to have lunch together almost every day; he took me out to book readings and classic movies and even introduced me to his parents. Things were really looking up for the two of us. Until i had received a phone call that changed my life.
It was a quiet Sunday, Caius and I had been planning on staying in, him grading papers and me preparing for my interview at an elementary school. His arms were wrapped around me kissing various places on my neck when I received a phone call.
"Hello?"
"Hi Bella, it's Leah Clearwater."
From there on out we spoke for almost an hour, just catching up. She had met Paul for real, only to find out that he was five years older than her and had a little boy, Somak. At first Lee had been caught off guard and was angry that he lied to her, but once hearing how she was the only one that he felt a connection with after Somak's mom left him for another man and didn't want to ruin that she gave him a chance. And after three babies, six break ups and makes up and a custom built house, she finally accepted Paul's marriage proposal and wanted me to be my maid of honour.
I was shocked that she still remembered me, let alone considered me to be her maid of honour. Of course I accepted and booked the first flight to Washington, but Caius was not too happy that I had made plans without his knowledge. And after an hour of fighting we came to an agreement. I would go down to Washington as planned and Caius would come a week before the wedding. Although I had moved on, the one thought that had stuck my mind was Edward. Would I see him, was he married to a runner up in miss world with photogenic kids and a giant dog with an ironic name?
Did he ever wonder about me?
After landing in Washington and hiring a car to drive to Forks I stopped at a coffee shop for a homemade puff pastry and some coffee. And that's when I saw him.
He still had those emerald green eyes, though his hair colour had darkened slightly. He hadn't change at all physically, but emotionally and mentally he was a full grown man. He was wearing casual jeans with a plaid button down shirt. He had ordered a coffee when his sparkling eyes captured mine. The look of shock on his face was quickly replaced with that famous crooked smile as he walked towards the table at which I had been sitting at.
"Bella Swan long time, no see huh?"He asked as he plopped onto the seat beside me
"Yeah, it has been a long time. But clearly time has only made you wiser and more handsome." I said and I bit into my pastry. "How have you been?"
"Good, I took over my dad's place at the hospital after he retired and now own my new house. What about you? Bet you're breaking hearts left, right and centre. "
"Um...I have not broken a lot of hearts, too busy being a double major."
"Really?" he asked, surprised. "What did you major in?"
"English and Social work." I wanted to tell him about Caius, but I didn't want to lose him just yet. He gave a heart warming smile and asked if I wanted to see the new house. I nodded yes and both of us walked out of that cafe, hand in hand.
God I missed this.
Edward was currently thrusting in and out of me while I laid there; legs wrapped around him, hands gripping the new Egyptian cotton bedding and screaming out in pleasure. We both reached out climax together, groaning each other's name. Once relaxed he looked at me with those eyes, licked his lips and leaned down to kiss me once again. "I missed this with you." He whispered and entered me slowly once again.
"Bella!" Seth exclaimed as I hopped out of the car in front of the Clearwater residence. Seth ran towards me and effortlessly picked me up, spinning me around till we were both dizzy. I gave him a tight hug and let the tears pour out. "I missed you so much." I sob into his chest.
"We missed you too Bell." I look up to see Leah. She's taller now and curvier, she looks...happy. A taller, darker man walks up next to her and kisses her forehead. She smiles and leans back to kiss him on the lips, briefly but passionately. "So you must be the famous Paul." I say, untangling myself from Seth.
"So you must be the famous Bella. It's nice to match a face to the name." He whispered something in Leah's ear and walked back into the house. I slowly walked over to her, before hugging her with all my life. "B, there's something you should know about Cullen." Leah says sceptically. "Lee, I don't want to talk about him right now. Right now I want to talk about your bachelorette party. I'm thinking Strippers, thongs and minimum alcohol, I want you to actually remember the last night of your single life. "
After dinner at Leah's, I decided to go over to Edward's house again. I had left my purse there and I needed it if I wanted to buy anything. Plus, any excuse just to see Edward.
Pulling up to his driveway, i noticed another car parked there. I got out of the car and walk to the door. I had never recognised that car before around Forks, but then again I had only been here for less than 24 hours. I knocked on the door twice and waited.
A beautiful woman, around the same age as Edward had opened the door. She had an ash-blonde set of hair which complemented her fair, flawless skin. Her pale blue eyes were looking at me, like she had just asked a question. "I'm sorry. What did you say?" I ask.
"I asked what are you doing here?" her soft, classic voice repeated. "Umm...I was looking for Edward, but it doesn't seem like he's here." I turned to walk but she lightly grabbed my arm, stopping me. "No, he's here. Edward, someone is here to see you." He came forward and his face paled. "Hi Bella, what can I do for you?"
"I left my purse here. Umm...I just wanted to come and get it." He nodded and went to go get it. "So how do you know Edward?" she asked. "Er...old friends. How do you know Edward?"
She laughed sweetly and replied:"That is typical Edward for you. Never mentions his fiancée in the conversations that he has."
My whole world had slowed and crashed down.
There was a burning sensation in my eyes, a lump in my throat.
And a huge hole in my heart.
Edward came back with my purse, avoiding eye contact with me. Just shoving my purse in my hands before muttering something to himself. I pulled myself together to ask one final question. "What's your name?"
"Athenodora."
Athenodora...the girl he had taken with to every prom.
I simply nodded and walked to the car quickly. I pulled out and droves as fast as I could out of there. I was driving so fast, do disorientated that I didn't notice the blue and red flashing lights and siren behind me. I pulled over and tried to calm myself down before rolling down my window and looking over at the officer.
The man I had dreaded seeing.
Charlie Swan.