LL: whew so that last chapter was pretty intense huh?
PWTF: um...it's already flown out of my brain..thinking...one "sex"...what happened again? right. Breakfast. and almost meeting. It sure was intense to write. I can't even imagine reading it!
LL: I hope they had a good time
PWTF: If they didn't last chapter, they sure will this one! You did amazing bb!
LL: Aw thanks, do you think they can handle the awesomeness we're about to throw at them this chapter?
PWTF: Not sure...maybe we shouldn't give it to them yet...give them time to prepare...
LL: Ooooh you're so cruel bb
PWTF: mwahaha!!! It's fun having my own story to taunt people with rather than being on the other end...
LL: trufax
I'm in the drivers seat for this one and thanks to PWTF's amazing writing it flowed instantly! Thanks for cleanin' up my work bb!
Disclaimer: We do not own anything twilight related. That is all Smeyers biznass.
EPOV
The park was extraordinarily empty, considering it was mid afternoon and the sun had made a rare and awkward appearance in the London sky. It was something special when the rays of the sun shone down here without a trace of the misty moisture that was so characteristic of our city.
Walking along the path, I spotted a comfortable-looking tree with some shade and slowly walked towards it, taking care not to get in the path of mothers pushing prams. Leaning up against the rough bark of the tree, I slid down to the ground, hissing lightly as I felt the bark leave scratches on my skin underneath the fabric of my t-shirt.
Crossing my legs as I hit the ground, I pulled an apple from my pocket and polished it on the knee of my jeans before taking a large bite from it and studying my surroundings. Turning my watch around, I noted that it was several minutes to four, but I had no idea what kind of schedule Bella Swan ran on.
Was she habitually punctual or fashionably late? I took her for a punctual person, and I was not disappointed when only a moment later I noticed her entering the gates to the park, taking her time and drinking in her surroundings. As she drew closer, I could see the contentment in her face as her eyes drifted, never focusing on one view for too long, and before I knew it, she had walked right by me.
Jumping up from my spot, I tossed my apple core into a garbage can before jogging up behind her and tapping her on the shoulder.
She startled before whirling around, looking aghast, but her expression became resigned as she realized it was me rather than a mugger or a beggar – which she may have preferred to me. Realizing that with a grimace, I greeted her and gestured for her to continue walking.
"So Tanya?" She all but spat out, and I could hear the venom in her voice. Being this close to her, I could smell the faint traces of chlorine on her, remnants from her heat this afternoon, but also a scent that was so very Bella that it could not have been created from a scent or product.
It was a scent that was purely her, and as it swirled around my head I found myself unable to respond until she again asked, "so Tanya?"
I blinked at her, nodding, and led her to a small table outside an ice cream stand and absently pulled her chair out for her before taking my own. Tilting her head to the side, she gave me a funny little look.
She sat for a minute, her eyes boring into mine, before they dropped down and then to the side.
Closing my eyes, I tried to decide how much to tell her.
"Tanya and I. We look very good together; the media thinks we make a good couple." She looked at me, her face blank as she waited for me to explain my vague statement.
"We both entered the swimming scene around the same time; we trained together often, and that's when speculation began." I swallowed, taking in her expression, which had softened slightly. She reached her hand down into her bag, grabbing two bottles of water and offering one to me.
Accepting the bottle, I twisted the lid off, drinking half of it down in one gulp before replacing the cap and setting it down.
"I'm sure you've been asked enough times by reporters, or maybe you haven't. The media pays a lot of attention to things that have nothing to do at all with the reason for your fame. I'm a swimmer, but," she gave me a small smile, letting me know she was still with me.
"They focus on my family, and of course my love life, which I hated, because back then I didn't have one. The entire country of course seemed to think I should, and it almost seemed easier to go along with the lie than to have half the country's eligible women throwing themselves at me constantly."
Trying to keep the smug, all-knowing smirk off my face, I kept my expression neutral and tried not to look at her face quite yet.
"Don't get me wrong, I love women and I'm straight as an arrow, but all these fans that claim they know me and want me don't know a damn thing about me. They know the basics and they know the stats but they don't know me."
My voice dropped to a hushed whisper so low, I wasn't even sure Bella would hear me, "nobody does."
My eyes finally lifted to gaze upon Bella's face just in time to see her look away, blinking rapidly. I looked away again, not wanting her to feel uncomfortable under my gaze.
Out of the corner of my eye I could see her reaching her hand across the table before it stopped short, hesitating. I saw her mouth open as if she was about to speak, but I had to finish this before she said anything.
"So that's how Tanya and I happened. I thought if I went along with what the media wanted, then the women would leave me alone and the media would stop hassling me about my love life, but none of it has worked. Instead now the media is asking us questions about our relationship and asking when I'm going to pop the question and how having a family will affect our training and all I can do is sit there and gape like an idiot, because I don't love her, Bella. I never have. I only did it because I thought it would make things better. I don't love her, I don't want to marry her, and I certainly don't want to have kids with her."
I downed the other half of the water bottle, my eyes stinging with unshed tears as I let loose everything I had planned on NOT telling her.
"The worst thing is, I'm so caught up in this lie and everyone believes it. Tanya knew in the beginning we were only together for show, but after so long I think she's actually starting to believe it, and that's scaring the shit out of me because I don't know how to get out of it anymore. I just want to be with someone I love, someone who knows the real me, Bella, and I fucked everything up and I don't know how to get out of this."
My cheeks burned red as I realized my voice had risen during my tirade and my eyes weren't able to hold the tears in, and I coughed violently, trying to pass the tears off as my eyes watering. When I looked at Bella, I saw that it wasn't working, so I balled my fists up and rubbed them deeply, almost painfully, into my eyes, trying to stop the tears.
I heard a scraping as Bella pulled her chair up into mine, and I felt her small arm wrap as far around my shoulder as it would reach. As I leaned into her, I was mad and embarrassed over the episode, and I felt her other arm come around my neck to hold me close to her.
Her body felt stiff next to mine, and I knew this must be making her slightly uncomfortable, but I just couldn't bring myself to care as she smoothed down my hair and hummed quietly while I settled down.
This was probably the best dream I'd ever had, and I have had a lot of good dreams in my lifetime. In my dream I was wrapped around Bella and she was wrapped around me, and she was so small and warm as we held each other.
It was as though I could almost feel her running her fingers through my hair, and I felt warm lips press against my forehead, once and then again. I suddenly felt as though I was falling and jerked awake to see a jostled-looking Bella staring at me with wide eyes.
Oh god, I wasn't dreaming was I? All that really happened, I really just told her all that and cried in front of her.
What was she going to think of me now?
She must think I'm a complete loser.
Wait.
Wait a minute.
Did she really kiss me?
Or was that part of the dream?
My eyes met hers, searching, and she gave me a cautious smile before her grip on me loosened up. My arms, which had circled around her waist, went slack, and I stretched my upper body, looking over at her. She winced as she stretched her arms and torso.
Great, she's a tiny little thing and she had to sit here and support me while I napped for god knows how long.
Way to be a douche bag Edward, always thinking of yourself before others! She turned in her seat and she smiled at me, "I'm so sorry Bella, I didn't mean to freak out or fall asleep."
"It's…okay Edward, really. I really didn't expect you to tell me all that, I mean I figured there was something – off about you guys, but I had no idea it went that deep. Reporters, for the most part, leave me alone about my personal life. I can't even imagine how they must pester you and how annoying that gets. I…I don't even know what to say about Tanya really. It's not hard to understand how you got into it, but you let it get so far, Edward. I wish I had some amazing words of wisdom for you, but I don't even know where to begin."
Nodding my head towards her, it was a better response than I had hoped for. I had expected a more outraged response, about what a horrible person I was, or what a failure I am. It wouldn't be the first time I'd heard those arguments before, and I don't really know if I had been expecting to hear them from her. I never know what to expect from her.
"I know you hate me Bella, but I can't let you hate me based on what you think you know. If you decide that after all I've told you that you still hate me, then I can accept; no I expect that. I guess I just needed you to hate me for the right reasons, not the wrong ones."
Closing my eyes to avoid her rejection, I turned from my seat and took off at a furious pace towards the entrance. Risking the look back, I saw her only several feet from me, jogging to catch up.
Stopping, I allowed her to catch up. She wasn't even short of breath as she slowed and slung her bag over her shoulder. Looking up at me she shook her head, as if she was missing something.
"Edward, I don't hate you, I don't think I ever did. I just didn't understand you. I'd thought you were just out to flaunt your fame and incredible looks, and being with Tanya was another way for you to attract attention.
I thought you were so snobbish. But I can see that's not the actual case. But one question. Were you actually sick for Beijing, or were you making excuses to not go into the polluted air?"
So that was why she hated me. Not because I was dating her competition, because she thought I was some stuck-up pretty boy. Feeling relieved, I let out a big sigh.
"So you think I have incredible looks?" I enjoyed watching Bella blush as I pointed out her earlier statement.
"But to answer your question, yes, I was actually sick. I wanted more than anything to compete in Beijing. About a week before they started, however, I came down with pneumonia. I couldn't possibly swim when I could barely breathe."
Bella smiled widely, presumably as she realized that I was actually a decent guy.
"Thank for you talking to me and clearing things up. I think it helped you, too, to let out all your feelings about Tanya. It should help to have someone know that it's all an act, you know; it's less of a secret this way. Edward, I know we're kind of opponents, coming from different countries and all, but I'd like to be there for you if you'll let me. No one should have to go through this alone. I can even try and help you think of ways to break it off with Tanya if that's what you really want."
Nodding my acceptance, I tried to find the motivation in her eyes, but I couldn't see any pity in them. She seemed to be genuinely sincere about being friends with me.
Happy with my agreement, she glanced at her watch; it had to be getting close to dinner time and we should probably be getting back to the hotel. Thinking along those lines she looked up at me as I towered over her small frame.
"It's almost six o'clock, do you want to grab some dinner before heading back to the hotel? I haven't ventured out of the hotel much yet and would love to see what London has to offer. Will you be my tour guide?"
Laughing at her eagerness, I agreed and she followed me out of Hyde Park, and we walked along the streets of London. Finally, I decided to take her to the Ale Trail.
It was a comfortable little pub that I liked to spend time at, but Tanya found it too low brow for her and would never come with me. Holding the door open, I waited for Bella to pass through the threshold before following her in and walking up to the podium.
Winking and passing the hostess a twenty, I asked her to please find us a quiet booth in the back.
Gathering our menus, she motioned for us to follow her, and I let Bella lead me, not wanting to pass up the rare opportunity to check out her backside as we made our way to the back of the restaurant. We took our seats across from each other in the booth and were left with an awkward silence after the hostess told us our waitress would be with us in a few moments.
Knowing it was probably already common knowledge, I asked her about her love of swimming and what motivated her to get into the sport. Midway through our conversation our waitress showed up.
Lauren seemed to the crème de la crème of their wait staff, most likely sent out to attract the famous Edward Cullen. After ordering a pint of Guinness and a corned beef on rye, I looked up to see Bella still floundering over the menu. Lauren smiled sweetly at me before sneering in Bella's direction.
This only flustered Bella more, so I slid my hand over the table and pushed her menu flat.
She looked up at me, an apology in her eyes, and I pointed to several items in quick succession, explaining what they were and why she might enjoy them. In the end, she chose bangers and mash with a plain diet coke.
Lauren snickered slightly at her drink choice before promising to get our order in quickly and to let her know, looking at me pointedly as she winked, if I needed anything. Her wink looked more like a small flinch or seizure brought on by the chemical fumes of her blond hair dye.
Bella started asking questions about Tanya and our relationship, asking how much of it was faked and how much was real. Her eyes didn't show any surprise as I told her that we had been physical, but I saw her flinch when I told her we had indeed had sex.
For some reason I felt very guilty and tried to backtrack and tell her that it meant nothing and it wasn't great; that it was just for show. That only seemed to make it worse; she flinched again before looking down and studying her diet coke as she drank.
Thankfully our food came, and the lull in conversation as we ate was both comfortable and awkward, neither one giving way to the other. We declined dessert, not wanting to stick around anymore. I knew Lauren was making Bella uncomfortable, and she was just another one of those women trying to throw themselves at me.
My hand hesitantly found the small of her back as she led me out of the restaurant and into the summer night. The sun was getting lower in the horizon and I turned us in the direction of the hotel.
Today with Bella had been amazing, all of it, even the parts I'd rather not think about. As we strolled along the streets, I took in all the other people who were out enjoying the evening. There were couples holding hands and looking so very much in love, and I glanced down at Bella's hand swinging lightly along her side, hoping someday I could have what they have.
There was a commotion behind us, and I could hear the speeding footsteps and yelling that went along with my being out in public. The paparazzi must have caught wind of my being out and about, and I was honestly surprised we hadn't been accosted much earlier. Turning my head to the side, I took in Bella's wide, terrified eyes and remembered she wasn't used to this.
The media left her alone, but she was with me now; she wasn't going to want a piece of her to filet among their varied news spreads as well.
Making a snap decision, I grabbed Bella's arm, pulling her into a run with me so fast that her bag whipped around and hit me in the ass. Thinking that we had finally outrun them, I pulled her into the first alley that wasn't creepy and gross. I pushed her up against the wall and rested my head in her hair along her neck as we both panted and tried to catch our breath.
She was trembling underneath me and I kicked myself mentally for taking off with her. She was probably terrified and thought I was a jackass.
Small squeals of laughter erupted from her and I lifted my head, confused at her outburst. Looking at her, she had broken out in hysterical giggles and a smile broke out across my face at the sight of her. The sun had gone down and I looked down at her, breathing hard and smiling up at me, and I don't know what came over me as I lowered my face dangerously close to hers as her laughter stopped and her face became serious.
She closed her eyes and I lowered my lips to hers as my eyes slid shut.
Our lips met and she tasted amazing, and that was the last thing that happened before flashing diverted our eyes and we realized we had been caught by no less than a small army of photographers and reporters.
Oh. Fuck.
OOOOOH They kissed! And got caught doing so on camera! What does this mean for Edward? What does this mean for Bella? What does this mean for Tanya? Up next is my bb PWTF. You know what to do!!!