Title: The Art of Online Dating
Chapter 13: Boytoys & Jewelry With a Side of New Years
Rating: M
Summary: Bella and Alice have just graduated from Forks High School. They decide to try eHarmony just before going off to college. Will they find Mr. Right?
Type: AH AU OOC; Pairing: Bella/Edward, Other Canon Pairings.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters. They all belong to the wonderful Stephenie Meyer. I also do not own any songs or websites mentioned. They belong to their respective owners.
A/N: First and foremost, I would like to spread the news of Stephanie (Daddy's Little Cannibal's) death. She was an amazing author on this site and was killed in a drunk driving accident on May 8th. I only knew her online, but her death feels like a great impact on me. She was one of my inspirations for writing fanfiction and was a very fun person to talk to. She will be deeply missed and I hope that you all will read her stories to understand her and in remembrance. She put a little piece of herself into every story she wrote........Now, about this story. I know I have taken forever and I deeply apologize. I started writing this chapter back in the end of January trying so hard to get it out by March, then was met with lots of RL issues including school getting very hard, a baby kitten, and family issues. This chapter is very long and things are going to get a little different after this chapter. They've had a fairly easy time, which means that something is lurking. If you go back, you might be able to figure out who is involved. Hopefully you guys will stick with this story in its entirety and I will not abandon any of my stories. If I do there will be an AN, so if there is no AN in the story, then I am just super slow with the update. Thanks to those that stuck with me, and now, on with the story.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
FLASHBACK TO LAST CHAPTER:
The one thing I did do that was remotely fun and exciting, was make Edward's present into a sort of game. It was a promise ring for guys, a steel band with a diagonal line of three small diamonds, but I made the unwrapping part an adventure.
I had wrapped the small box in his specified paper and placed a tag on it. Then I found about ten or twelve more boxes of graduating sizes. I placed each box within the other with varying paper and tags, making sure the final box said Emmett. Emmett would get the most excited about a huge box just for him.
Alice actually didn't know about my plan, so I was excited to see her reaction when they finally got to the box that said her name. I could just imagine her excitement, and then disappointment, when she opened it to see Edward's name on the final box.
I hoped that he would like my present and not think it was stupid. I knew guys weren't much for jewelry, but as I had said when he gave me my ring, I wanted something to claim him with, and this was the best I could come up with.
I was vaguely worried about how much Edward had spent on me, not wanting him to spend too much, as he tended to do. I was brought out of my thoughts of what he possibly could've gotten me, by the sound of the doorbell. Our parents were here.
This would be a fun, giant Christmas.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I opened the door and it felt like I had just opened up the door of a clown car. Relative, upon relative, walked through the door, bearing presents, food, and other assorted odds and ends. I saw my parents, Edward's parents, Alice's parents, Rosalie's parents, and even Kate, Garrett, and Tanya.
Connected to Tanya's arm was a shy-looking, cute, young man. Alice had been right. Tanya brought a boy toy. I smiled at her, as she walked in and she blushed.
I closed the door behind them and went to join everyone in the family room.
"Alright, who's ready for presents?" Alice asked excitedly.
"Ooh me! Me! Pick me!" Emmett said, raising his hand up high and practically bouncing where he sat.
"Okay, okay. Calm down. I'm passing out the presents this year." she said, as she walked over to the tree and picked up the closest present.
It was a present for her parents. The rest of the present passing went this way with an occasional canine interference by Nessie or Jake. They liked ripping up the paper and eventually we got to their presents, so they would leave ours alone. It was hilarious seeing Jake try to carry the bone that was bigger than his entire frame. Several times his back legs lifted off the ground.
Luckily, since we had started early due to the vast amount of family members, it took us almost three hours, putting us just in time to enjoy the dinner I had spent all morning preparing. We were down to the last handful and the puppies had wandered off somewhere in the house. I didn't pay attention because I was too worried about the presents still under the tree. One was mine for Edward and another was his to me. I didn't like presents and I was worried he had spent a lot of money on me. I was also worried about his reaction, but of course, he didn't even know it was his gift yet.
Alice pulled it and read the name on top. She handed it to Emmett, looking a little sad that the huge box wasn't for her.
"Ooh goody! This big box for me? Thanks Bella!" he said, quickly ripping off the paper and opening the box.
He pulled out the second box, looking at it with a confused expression. He read the tag several times before speaking up.
"Wait a minute. Why does this say Alice? I thought this was my present." he said, pouting, as he handed it back to the, now, very excited Alice.
"Sorry. Guess I forgot who it was for by the time I wrapped it up again." I said, trying to look convincingly innocent.
She just as quickly tore off the paper and opened the box to reveal yet another box. She seemed to understand what was going on and passed it on to the next person, giving them a look of, "just go along with it." They all just went along with the process, realizing it was a sort of game I had created.
I could see Edward's eyes light up every time a new box was revealed, but was disappointed when it wasn't for him. I was starting to feel guilty, until I realized we were only one away from his box.
"Here ya go, Carlisle." Jasper said, handing him the much smaller package.
He quickly opened it to reveal the final box.
"Alas, it seems it is for Edward." Carlisle said with a smirk, before handing it to the visibly excited Edward.
I bit my bottom lip in anticipation of his reaction. He opened it to reveal the small, velvet, ring box. He pulled out the ring and inspected it.
His smile took up his whole face, as he slid the ring onto his left hand ring finger. He turned to me and gave me a peck on the lips, before pulling me into a hug.
"Thanks, love." he whispered appreciatively.
"Last, but not least. To Miss Bella." Alice said, breaking up our love fest by handing me a rectangular box.
Oh God. Jewelry. That means lots of money spent. I thought, fighting a grimace, so that I didn't make Edward feel bad. It's not like he knew.
I unwrapped it to reveal a box definitely meant to hold jewelry. Inside was a beautiful necklace. It was a round, white gold locket with silver hearts facing up and down, filled with tiny diamonds. I opened it to see two tiny pictures. One of Edward and me, and another of Jasper, Emmett, Alice, and Rosalie. It was beautiful and I fought the tears that pricked at my eyes. I still felt bad about the cost, but it was certainly a lovely gift.
"So, do you like it?" he asked me, breaking me out of my thoughts.
"Wh—oh yes. It's beautiful. Thank you." I said, still looking at the small images in the necklace that had probably cost him a fortune.
From my peripheral view, I saw Alice shoot me a look. She knew I hated when people spent money on me or surprised me, but her look said, "we will discuss this later, so just suck it up for now."
I rolled my eyes at her and looked over at Edward.
"Thank you. Really. It's lovely." I said, giving him a genuine smile.
His face lit up, just like when he had been given my present, and he gave me that adorable crooked grin. He pecked my cheek, then everyone made their way to the kitchen for food.
We had set up a sort of buffet because of the large amount of guests we were entertaining. We couldn't find tables that could fit all of us and still fit us in the kitchen, so seating was a free-for-all.
Tanya and her boytoy were sitting on the largest couch, so Edward and I sat next to her. Several of the parents ate in the kitchen, standing around talking. Tanya's guest immediately set down his food and stood up to greet us.
"Merry Christmas, to you both and thank you for welcoming me into your home this holiday. I'm Aaron Zhelan." he said, shaking Edward's hand first.
Edward smiled back at the boy in a reassuring gesture. The boy then turned to me and took my hand. He placed a nervous kiss on my knuckles.
I blushed, as usual and Edward chuckled, as the boy sat back by Tanya.
"So, how did you two meet?" I asked casually, spearing a small piece of ham with my fork.
"Math class. I needed a tutor, he offered to help." she said blushing slightly, before turning her gaze on him.
He smiled nervously before looking down at his plate.
"How sweet. So how old are you, Aaron?" Edward asked politely.
"Sixteen. I can drive now. I drive this old Volvo. It's really boxy looking, but it runs nice." he said, shrugging and still avoiding eye contact.
"A Volvo? Really? I drive a Volvo." Edward said, his eyes lighting up and his body leaning across me.
Aaron seemed just as excited, as he leaned over Tanya to converse with Edward about Volvos.
"Psst. Let's go over there and let the boys chat." I whispered to Tanya, pointing to the other couch.
She nodded and we walked over to the couch, while the boys sat closer together talking more animatedly.
"Funny how when cars are brought up, boys forget that we even exist." Tanya said, giggling.
I nodded in agreement, while chewing the bite I had just taken.
"So, do you like him?" I asked casually, catching the pause before she shook her head no.
"Liar" I said, smiling as I popped another piece of potato in my mouth.
She blushed and looked as if deciding whether or not to tell me the truth.
"If I tell you the truth, will you tell me the truth about something in return?" she asked, looking directly at me.
"Uh, sure?" I replied, confused that she would even make such a deal.
"I like him, a lot. We started talking when I got back from that visit earlier this month and have secretly been dating for a week and a half, but my parents don't know. My mom thinks I'm too young to date, yet she already can't wait for me to drive." she confided, while rolling her eyes for effect.
"Wait, then how did he get to come with you?" I asked, confused, yet again.
"His parents went out of town to visit his half-sister for Christmas and he opted to stay home. I asked if he could come with us, our parents talked and somehow my parents were convinced into letting him come along. He sleeps on the couch in our hotel room, but I sneak to lay with him sometimes late at night." she said, whispering the last part to me.
I snickered at her deviousness. She could rival Alice at this point.
"You should just tell your mom that you think if you are old enough to drive, you are old enough to date. You're almost sixteen, right?" I said quietly, so we wouldn't be overheard.
"In about four months, I'll be sixteen." she commented.
"Well, there you go. Just keep doing what you're doing, without being too rebellious, mind you, and be respectful with him. Your mom may be more understanding when your argument comes up." I said and was met with wide eyes.
"What?" I asked, oblivious as to what I may have said.
'You—you want me to keep lying??" she whispered, sounding shocked.
"Well, um, not exactly—" I started to say, but was cut off by a squeal.
Tanya launched herself at me from across the couch, while I barely kept my plate from spilling my food to the ground. She let go, so she could speak again.
"You are, by far, the coolest person I know." she said, a huge grin plastered on her face.
"Uh, thanks?" I said, unsure of the reason behind her statement, but then it dawned on me and I felt like an idiot.
I was probably the only person she knew that would tell her to lie to her parents, so she could keep dating her man on the sly. Boy, wasn't I just the greatest pep talker ever? Ugh. I forced a smile back at her, but she looked like she had more to say.
"I—um, I have a question for you. Remember our deal." she reminded me before asking the question I dreaded, "How did you and Edward really meet?"
According to our parents, we had met at school through Jasper. Telling them we had met online would only breed anger and outbursts from my parents, and who knows what from his parents. They seemed so calm and collected that there had to be some major outbursts whenever Edward had done something wrong as a kid.
I paused, trying to figure out if I should really tell her. I didn't have a real reason not to trust her, though. I mean, she had just trusted me with a serious secret of hers, why couldn't I repay the favor?
"You can't tell anyone, okay?" I finally said.
"I knew it! I knew you guys didn't meet at school. That seemed too boring. You guys are totally different than the average couple. Okay, promise I won't tell." she promised eagerly.
I smiled at the thought of how we definitely weren't the average couple. Meeting online, connecting instantly, sparks of electricity with every kiss, a promise ring, a locket. We were quite the pair.
"We met on that eHarmony online dating site. Our best friends signed us up for the site and we got matched up somehow. We went out, but didn't start officially dating until we started school a little while later." I explained.
"That is so cute! You guys both got signed up by your friends, got matched, and happened to go to the same school? That is definitely the hand of fate, or destiny, or whatever you want to call it. How sweet." she said, fawning over the real "how we met" story.
It felt nice to have someone else in on our real story. I kept feeling like I was hiding the truth, afraid of our parents' reactions, telling us we couldn't be together because we had met in an inappropriate way for their little girl, or the darling son. Charlie always had been one to overreact about boys. I was about to head to the kitchen for seconds, when Alice pulled me aside.
"Can I have a word with you?" she asked, already half-dragging me down the hall toward her room.
Jake, who had been sleeping in the hallway with cranberry sauce on his nose, woke up and padded along behind us. I put him in my lap and tried to clean off his little nose, as I took a seat on her bed. She closed the door and sat beside me.
"What did you want to talk about?" I asked, scratching behind Jake's ears.
"Edward." she said simply.
My hand paused until she spoke again.
"He really loves you. He doesn't know how to show it in a way that doesn't make you feel spoiled or materialistic." she started explaining.
Jake let out a short growl. He still liked to pick on Edward, though he had been less vocal about it since Nessie was introduced. Even dogs seemed to have short-man complex.
"I know, Alice. I love him, too. I don't want to hurt his feelings, but I hate when people spend money on me." I said, petting Jake's ears again, getting him to fall back asleep.
"Bella. You are going to either have to take one for the team or explain things to that boy. But do not, and I repeat, do not do it tonight. Wait a few weeks, so you don't make him feel uncomfortable, or bad, about his present to you." she said sternly.
I chewed my lip, while I thought about what to do. Jake snored softly in my lap.
"I'll wait until school starts again. It'll be before Valentine's day and far enough after Christmas to get things in order." I finally concluded.
"Sounds great. We better get back out there before they wonder where we went. Plus, I think Nessie misses Jake." Alice half-whispered.
With the mention of Nessie's name, he jumped off my lap and started scratching on the door. What a crazy little pup I had been given. Guess he fit in around here, though. I smiled to myself, as we walked back out to join everyone. Jake raced over to find his puppy lover.
Edward walked over to me with a piece of apple pie. It was warm with a swirl of whip cream on top.
"Thanks. Just the way I like it."
"You're very welcome. So what did you and Alice go off to talk about?" he asked, taking a bite out of his pie.
Oh, this guy is good. Straight to the point. 'Kay, think Bella.
"Oh, you know. Plans. New Years and such." I said, trying to hide the inner panic that I actually had no plans for New Years yet.
I hoped to God that he would believe me and that Alice would get one of her 'feelings' so that her and I would be preaching the same story to curious kittens.
The sound of her tinkling voice felt like a nice, deep breath.
"Oh yeah! How do you feel about karaoke at the local coffee shop? It's the only place open that night with no alcohol. Won't have to worry about the drunken idiots." she said, smiling widely.
He nodded, his eyes betraying the fear of the idea. I, too, was taken aback. I did not want to sing in public, especially on New Years.
"Great. It'll be fun! Make sure you pick at least one solo song and you can pick a couple group songs, too. But make sure that no one knows what you pick and in the groups, only group members can know their songs." she said, scampering off, no doubt to inform the rest of the crew of the plan.
I could see Jasper, Rosalie, and Emmett chatting merrily with Tanya and Aaron before Alice burst into their conversation. This could not mean good things for me. I fingered my necklace absentmindedly, biting my lip while I thought about what to do.
"You really are quite adorable when you do that." Edward whispered in my ear.
I was broken out of my semi-trance and faced him.
"I also wanted to tell you not to worry about how much I spent on that necklace..." he started, but I tuned him out as I began to worry again.
Did he see my real reaction? Is he upset? Oh no, I didn't mean to hurt his feelings. I thought to myself.
"...so it barely cost a thing." I barely caught the end of his little speech.
"Huh?" I replied brilliantly.
"I said, my friend works at the store, so he let me borrow the employee discount, plus I got the Christmas deal." he repeated for me, chuckling at my expression.
I'm sure I must've looked awed because somehow, this wonderful boy just seemed to know me, without me having to say anything. Maybe I wouldn't have to have that talk after all.
I smiled at how in tune he was to me and he took that as a good sign, considering he couldn't hear my inner dialogue.
"Awesome. It really is a beautiful necklace. You think we should visit some more of the family before we try and figure out songs for next week?" I asked, feeling relieved.
He nodded and we walked into the kitchen to join the family, while we ate the rest of our pie.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
(New Year's Eve)
"Are you guys ready, yet?" Rosalie yelled down the hall.
Alice was busy doing my hair again. Alice felt that whenever you leave the house, you should look like a model or something. Maybe that was just her choice of major speaking, but either way it was her excuse for the "torture of Bella."
We were going to the local coffee shop for a New Year's Karaoke party, all thanks to Alice. We had all picked personal songs, which we weren't allowed to reveal to anyone, and then some group songs, where only those in the group could know the song.
Needless to say, we were all very excited about everybody's song choices, even if part of me dreaded having to actually get on the stage and sing in front of everyone.
We were all ready after Alice pinned a few more curls in place. All of us seemed to have picked simple, yet elegant outfits, most likely due to an Alice and Rosalie joint force. They sure could prove to be a deadly duo.
We pulled into the little coffee shop parking lot. There were only a few other cars there. Most people were downtown getting drunk or having parties at home.
We found a nice size table off to the side of the makeshift stage. There were four microphones available for use with little lyric screens in front of each one. We were a little bit early, so the boys got up and ordered us some drinks while other people filed in and found places to sit.
"Alright! Hey everybody!" a short man with lots of hair announced from on stage, as the boys rejoined us at the table.
There was a small chorus of 'heys' as everyone looked to the stage.
"My name's Johnathan and I just want to welcome you to our fifth annual Kooky Koffee's New Year's Karaoke Kraze!" he spouted excitedly.
There was some applause and murmurs, but he continued on with his little speech.
"We have a sign-up sheet over at this table, so you can just sign your stage name, the number of singers, and the song, and we can get started real soon." he gestured to the table off to the opposite side of the stage from us.
He walked off stage and Alice bolted to the list, obviously very eager to do her act. We all stood up to follow suit, as did a few others.
"No peeking at the entry above yours. I still want the songs to be a surprise." Alice said, a warning in the undertones of her message.
She stood there as a sort of guard, with her hand covering the entries already made to ensure everyone heeded her word. When everyone was done, we headed back to our seats to wait for the actual event to officially begin.
"Okay! Seems like everyone is signed up, so we're gonna put the names in a bowl and draw performers out one at a time." Johnathan announced, as he ripped the slips along the perforated lines and folded them up.
They were all placed in a clear fish bowl and he reached in to twirl them around before he pulled the first performer out.
Alice looked a little bummed that her running up to be first had been useless, until he read out the first name.
"First up, Alice Brandon and her Soul Sisters!" Johnathan said cheerily, while Rose and I nearly choked on our drinks.
"Please, tell me he's kidding." I pleaded, using a napkin to wipe my drink off my chin, my nose, and the table.
"Aww, you guys...I need you as my backup singers!" Alice pouted, while her eyes grew wide.
"Ugh, fine...Just knock it off with the puppy eyes, or I may puke." Rosalie said, standing up.
I followed suit and we followed a bouncing Alice to the stage. We stood in front of the small teleprompters and the music started up. "Whatta Man" by Salt n' Pepa. Lovely.
"Yeah, yeah." Alice sang.
"Oooh." Rosalie and I did an awkward backup.
"Uh, hey, hey. Alright, yeah. Ooooh." Alice continued.
"What a man, what a man, what a man, what a mighty good man." we all sang together, as Alice pointed to a very red Jasper.
I almost burst into laughter seeing Jasper blush, but managed to repeat the lyrics three more times before Alice got to the next part of the real song. Rosalie and I were left to sing random 'oohs' and uh-huhs.'
After we got through the second chorus, I couldn't help but snort at the words coming out of Alice's mouth, trying to describe "Jasper," while sticking to the original lyrics.
"My man is smooth like Barry, and his voice got bass. A body like Arnold with a Denzel face. He's smart like a doctor with a real good rep, and when he comes home, he's relaxed with Pep." she sang quite seriously.
She had obviously memorized the song, as she stepped off the stage and walked towards Jasper, still singing.
"He dresses like a dapper don, but even in jeans, he's a God-sent original, the man of my dreams."
She was now sitting in his lap, while Edward and Emmett fought laughter for fear of Alice's wrath. As we got to the more sexual part of the song, Jasper's blush faded and mine flared up.
"My man gives real lovin', that's why I call him Killer. He's not a wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am, he's a thriller. He takes his time and does everything right, knocks me out with one shot for the rest of the night."
She lowered her voice audibly for Jasper, who looked very happy to be where he was. The words and their actions caught me off guard and I stuttered through my assigned inserts.
Had they already gone that far and she didn't tell me? We're best friends! Then again, I hadn't exactly fessed up about Edward and I because I figured she just knew what we'd been up to, like she always seemed to do. It's not like we had done much more than the night we had our date, at the beginning of break.
By the time my inner thoughts were done, we were done with the song and I was the only one still standing on stage, looking like an idiot.
"Hey Bella! I didn't know you wanted to go next!" Alice squealed out and I ran to my seat, thankful when Johnathan took over before I could face more awkward embarrassment.
"Alright, thank you ladies! Next up is...Emmett Brandon!" he said into the microphone.
Emmett almost broke his chair trying to run up to the stage fast enough.
"I'm really not sure what I've gotten myself into." Rosalie whispered to Alice and me.
"It is time to really start Karaoke night!" Emmett shouted from the stage, causing the microphone to make an uncomfortable screeching sound, as a very familiar Journey song began to play.
I couldn't hide my giggle at remembering when my mom had sung this around the house, while she vacuumed, thinking it would be loud enough to drown out her voice.
"Just a small town girl, livin' in a lonely worlddddd. She took the midnight train, goin' annnywhereeeeee. Just a city boy, born and raised in sooouth Detroittttttt. He took the midnight train, goin' annnnywhereeeeeee."
He was definitely very into his song choice and the crowd seemed to be joining in. You could hear some other tables silently singing along with him, while other started a rhythmic clap.
"Don't stop belieeeevin', hold on to the feelinnnnnn', streetlights people ohhhohhhohhhohhhhhh. Don't stop belieeeevinnn' hold onnnnnnnn, streetlight peopleeeee..." Emmett sanging, putting as much as he could muster into finishing the song with a bang.
When he was finished, I not only realized how short of a song it really was, but people were clapping fervently, including Johnathan as he meandered back on stage to call the next person up.
"Thanks, Emmett! Next up is...Janice Smith!"
I was glad I wasn't up yet because it was definitely going to take a build-up of confidence on my part. Janice ended up doing a lovely version of Howie Day's "Collide."
"Alright, now it's time for...the Virgin Squad?" Johnathan asked, rather than announced.
I looked around wondering who could've picked such a strange name, when to my horror, I was met with Alice trying to drag Jasper from his seat while urging Edward and I to follow suit. Oh great. It's time for that song. She would do something like this...
I trudged back up to the stage, going over the steps Alice had burned into our brains. Edward was smiling, obviously very happy with our song. Stupid boy and his boy hormones.
"You can do this. I figured a funny name would lighten up the mood and make you loosen up, so put some feeling in it, or else I get to make you Bella Barbie for a week." Alice whispered menacingly.
I briefly wondered if I should just take the week of torture, but Edward's smile and wink made the choice for me. The song started and it was time to sing.
"When I see you, baby, I wanna...take off your clothes...just, rip off your clothes...just take off your clothesssssss..." I sang, running my hands haphazardly all up, down, and around my microphone stand to appear sexually frustrated as the song meant.
As I thought about it, I really was. Ever since our little date, not much had happened. It was like we launched to Mars and instead of finishing our trip to all the rest of the planets before returning home, we decided to just hang out for a bit and relax. It didn't help that we hadn't had much time to ourselves to do anything about it anyway. Between planning, taking care of Jake and family visiting, there was little time for us.
I could see Emmett and Rosalie staring at us in shock once I was brought out of my reverie.
"I know, baby, you're frustratedddd..." Edward sang.
"Uh huh.." I sang, putting a little extra emphasis in my few words.
"But, I'd like it if we waiteddd..."
"Mm mmm..." I shook my head no, my hands going to my hair and messing it up as part of my act.
"Get a little more acquainteddd..."
"Alright..."
"It's better when anticipateddd..."
"Oh, just take off your clothessssss..."
"I wanna touch your little, your little hip bones, your collar bones, and all your other bones. And your happy trail, ooh your treasure trail, let's see where it goesssss..." Alice sang, sounding quite seductive along with her hand gestures and body language. Her actions were obviously shocking her "poor" brother.
Alice and Jasper continued the little sing talking Edward and I had just done, getting way more into it. I was definitely going to have to question her about it later.
"If you take off your clothes." Alice and I sang together.
"You take off your clothes." Jasper and Edward sang together, overlapping the last part of our lyrics.
"And if you take off your clothes."
"I'll take off my clothes."
"And I take off my clothes."
"I'll rip off your clothes."
"I'll rip off your clothes."
"I'll take off your clothes."
"Take off your clothes."
"I'll rip off my clothes."
"Rip off your clothes."
"I'll take off your clothes."
"Come on, just take off my clothesssss..."
That part of the song always made me giggle because of how much we all had to sing over each other and how into the song we all got as we sung together.
It was almost time for Alice's and my big ending.
"Oh, just take off your clothesssss!" we both practically yelled into our microphones, holding the notes as best we could.
"Please..." I added to the end in a breathy whisper.
By the time we were done, the café was effectively in shock. I giggled nervously, as we made our way back to our seats. A few other people were called up before we heard any of our names again.
"I'm not sure what to think. I'm ashamed to call you my baby sister now. What would mom and dad think of this?" Emmett said, shaking his head and looking confused as to whether he should be grossed out or laughing.
"Well I thought it was quite a show. Didn't know Bella or Edward had it in them to be honest. But boy did little Miss Bella prove me way wrong. I knew Jasper could do it. He's been a closet horndog since junior high. Just liked to play the 'yes ma'am' good boy routine to get girls. Alice was also a no-brainer, I might add." Rosalie chimed in, throwing Alice a wink.
I wondered if maybe Alice had been turning to Rosalie about the matter because of Rosalie's experience. I figured it made sense and shrugged my shoulders, as Rosalie was called up to the stage. She started in on Saving Abel's sexy "Addicted," which was very obviously dedicated to Emmett, and he was very clear on that factor.
"I know , when it's getting rough, alll the time we spend, when we try to make this love, something better than, just making love againnnn."
She had found a way to make her voice gravelly and rocker sounding. It almost sounded as if she had smoked a couple of cigarettes before her performance to get the scratchy sound. You could tell, however, that less people cared about what she was singing and more were stuck staring at her, transfixed by her beauty and sex appeal even through all the clothing.
"How can I make it through, all the things you do. There's just got to be, more to you and me..."
I was pretty sure that Emmett wouldn't have noticed if an entire family of flies had taken up residence in his gaping, drooling mouth because it didn't look like his jaw would be coming off the floor until she was finished.
"...or the sound you make, with every breath you take. It's unlike annnythinggggg...I'm so addicted to youuuuuu....addicted to youuuuuuu..."
She finished with a graceful bow, then quickly flipped all her hair up around her to bring back some volume. She sashayed her way over to our table and kissed Emmett on the forehead, while the next contestant walked up to do Wham's "Careless Whisper."
"You like?" Rosalie asked.
"Uh huh." was Emmett's dopey response.
Obviously his brain had not yet recovered from its full meltdown a few minutes ago.
"I think we all need a song to calm down our hormones." Jasper said with a sly smile.
"Oh really? So you think you can just conjure one up for us?" Rosalie said, acting her usual cocky self towards her twin brother.
"Maybe. We'll just see who's next."
To some surprise, Jasper was called up next. I was glad that when the music started, Jasper was going to play the role of hormone calmer with a sweet rock song. It was another Journey song, obviously dedicated to Alice.
"Give us a break now, we know it can't all be bad news. Let's get away now, cause when I'm holding onto you...We're all...we're all that really maaattt-terssss, the time...is now, for taking our own chann-cess, we're all...all that really maaaatterssssssss."
Jasper did the song beautifully, adding his own personal touch of twang. Alice was definitely swooning and I'm sure if she was in a cartoon, she would have had those little heart eyes and melted into a puddle on the floor.
"I wanna love you, I'm gonna try to make it right. Nothing can touch you, We'll make a dream come true tonight..tonight..tonight..."
Alice ran up to him before he could even get off the stage and jumped into his arms. Lucky for his quick reflexes, or he would've hit the floor. By the time they made it back, and much to my dismay, I was announced to go next. It's not that I didn't want to dedicate my song to Edward, it was more fear of totally screwing it up.
I was going to attempt Nat King Cole's "Unforgettable." I started off smooth and my fears slowly vanished as I made it to the lyrics I felt were most important to describe my feelings.
"Unforgettable...In every wayyyyyyy...and forever moreeeee...that's how you'll stayyyy. That's why, darling, it's incredible, that someone so unforgettableeee, thinks that I am, unforgettable, toooooo..." I repeated it once more with my eyes closed to avoid choking up when looking at Edward. I made it through the end and walked off stage to a beaming Edward.
"That was beautiful Bella...I don't even know what to say..." Edward said after pulling me into his lap for a hug. I nestled into the crook of his neck, just taking in his scent, content.
There were a few more singers before Emmett was called up once more. This time he was apparently dedicating the song to Rosalie. I think it was safe to say that all of us didn't know what to expect and were maybe even a little frightened at the possibilities.
Jasper burst into laughter when the song started. Oh boy, it was Jonas Brothers. Poor Rosalie.
"I'm hot. You're cold. You go around, like you know. Who I am. But you don't. You've got me on my toes, toes, toes."
Rosalie was surprisingly taking it like a champ, whooping and hollering for Emmett. Emmett's grin grew while he sang for her.
"I'm slippin' into the lavaaaaa. And I'ma tryin' to keep from goin' underrrr...Baby, you turn the temperature hotta, 'cause iiiii'm burning up, burning up, for you baybayyyy."
Emmett licked his finger and stuck it to him with a hissing sound in the middle of singing and most of the crowd lost it to fits of chuckles and giggles. It was nice that Emmett could make a fool of himself and not care. I knew one day it would make him a great father because kids seem to get the best kicks out of their parents hurting themselves or acting like fools.
He came off the stage to clapping and good-natured laughter.
"We're down to our last five performers! Here's the final line-up before the Midnight countdown: Edward Cullen, Kallie Jackson, Samantha Gallen, Theodore Lake, and finally the group finale. I'm hoping all of you have picked up your lyric sheets from the table? Alright, well then let's have our next contestant come on up!" Johnathan announced.
Edward walked up to the stage, looking as if he was mentally preparing himself. It was strange to see since he always seemed so confident. It was endearing to see him so vulnerable like the night he gave me my ring. I took a glance at my ring and smiled as one of my favorite Goo Goo Dolls songs started to play, "Slide."
I knew he didn't mean for all the lyrics to be towards me, but the chorus was when he looked directly at me.
"I wanna wake up where you are, I won't say anything at all, so why don't you slide."
It was really a sad song, but the lyrics were so meaningful that I loved them. I was glad he picked it, which made me smile more. He took my smile as a way to boost more confidence and got into the next part of the song.
"And I'll do anything you ever dreamed to be complete, little pieces of the nothing, that fallllll...May, put your arms around me. What you feel is what you are and what you are is beautifulll. Ohhh, May, do you wanna get marrieddddd, or run away...oooohoooh ooooooooooh ooohoooh..."
I liked the name May. I had often put it on my list as a middle name for a daughter. The song's bridge made me think even more about the future I could have with Edward. I knew I was going to have a permanent smile for the rest of the night because of it. He came back to the table looking confident and energized.
"How'd you know that was one of my favorites?"
"Guess I just know you, don't I?"
My smile faltered for a fraction of a second when I remembered Christmas. I was eventually going to have to talk to him about it for later occasions. I quickly pushed it away so I could enjoy my night.
I didn't really pay attention to the last couple performers, eager for the countdown and my first ever New Year's Midnight kiss. I vaguely realized we were singing "It's Raining Men," for the finale because I was watching the clock more than my lyric sheet. When we finished, we crowded in groups around the wall-mounted televisions to watch the ball drop in New York. We counted down loudly.
"Ten! Nine! Eight! Seven! Six! Five! Four! Three! Two! One! Happy New Year!" we all shouted.
Edward quickly grabbed the back of my head and my lower back, dipping me down for an intense kiss that made my eyes roll back and wish we had had more free time as of late. All worries vanished from my head and in that moment, it was only us, New Year's and our great friends somewhere in the background. All conversations were lost and I barely even tried to remember what I would have to do later. I hoped that this year would be amazing now that I had Edward and my new friends by my side.
With them, "my family," I could face everything and know I would be met with understanding and love.
Or at least, that's what I was hoping for.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
A/N: Okay, I finally, finally, got this finished. 16 pages! I hope you guys liked the song choices for karaoke and that it wasn't overwhelming. I will try and post a playlist on my myspace so you can hear the songs they covered. If you couldn't tell by the ending, something is coming. We've been relatively drama free, aside from minor occurrences (Rosalie, James, Tanya) and now Edward and Bella will be meeting difficulty. What I have planned is something close to an issue that has happened in real life (not to me), so it is not crazy. Even if you think it is, this is still fiction anyway. Please remember that. Thanks to those of you that stuck with me and hopefully will continue to stick with me. I have mapped out the rest of this story very loosely, so that I now have an idea as to what will be happening in it. Please take the time to review. No flames, but constructive criticism is welcome.
-DL