Chapter 5: Kind of Rude
The next day was…eventful, for lack of a better word. It started when I woke up in the middle of the night, only a couple of hours after Jake had left; to go to the bathroom.
And while I was most probably half asleep, the sight of Edward walking out of the bathroom, in only a pair of boxers woke me up completely. Unfortunately, not before I walked into him first.
I started to apologise but he beat me. "Oh! Bella, sorry! Um…yeah." He stammered as he moved out of the bathroom and I noticed his eyes quickly run up and down my body before taking a small step back.
"Uh, it's okay. I wasn't looking…sorry." I replied as I moved into the bathroom before I could talk myself into touching his bare chest; only to test if it felt as hard and smooth as it seemed. I was also self-conscious; I was only wearing underwear and Jake's big t-shirt.
"Um Bella?" he asked quietly.
"Yeah?" I whispered back as I held the door almost closed.
"Well um… I'm glad you're happy," he said. One of his hands ran through his hair and played with the hairs at the back of his head. Was it a nerve tendency? I looked into his eyes, why did he think I was happier than I was yesterday or the day before? And why would my happiness affect him in any way?
My confusion must have shown because he continued, "I mean, with you and Jake. It's good that you're happy…with him." He seemed to be struggling; as if he didn't really want to be saying this, yet he seemed sincere when he mentioned my happiness.
"Oh," I said, blinking in shock. Was it selfish and deluded that I'd already forgotten the fact that I agreed to date Jake? Most definitely. "Uh… thanks, Edward."
It was quiet as he just smiled at me in return, so I let him off the hook. "Well um, I need to pee. So I'll see you in the morning." I said before I closed the door. He whispered a 'night' before walking off to Rose's room.
~*~
Then, later in the morning when I was eating breakfast I noticed just how awake Rose and Edward were, in her bedroom. I groaned as I had rapidly lost my appetite. I put my bowl in the sink and went upstairs to get my bag and phone.
This was so messed up; I had a crush, and I mean a huge, painful crush on my sister's boyfriend, while I myself agreed to date someone else. What was wrong with me? Yes, I did enjoy kissing Jake a lot, but I was being selfish dating him; I was giving him hope while I was hoping for my feelings toward another guy to disappear.
It would be better if I was the only one suffering, and left Jake to just be a friend. But the selfish part of me wanted to try and be happy; without Edward.
Obviously I would never have a chance with him; even if he wasn't with Rosalie…she is his type, while I am the complete opposite to my sister. I could see that Edward's car was still here, I figured he'd take her to school, so I left in our truck.
~*~
In English Alice and I chatted about our hobbies and our families. She told me her father, Carlisle, was a doctor, while her mother Esme, is an interior designer. She also mentioned that she and Edward had an older brother Emmett who was away in L.A. working as a fitness instructor. I told her about our mother living in Phoenix with our step father Phil and how our father is the Chief of Police in Forks. Her eyes bulged as I mentioned his occupation.
"Wow. So is his life like really exciting?" she asked.
"No!" I laughed. "It's really a quiet, easy job. And I see that as a good thing." At the subject of my dad, I realized I hadn't seen him at all since before I called him at work when Edward stayed over for dinner. He'd been working a lot since then. I wondered if he was okay.
"Hello? Bella, Earth to Bella." I quickly looked up at her when she started to wave her hand. "You okay?"
"Yeah, sorry. I was just thinking." I replied before we got back to work.
When we were in Art, Alice was telling me how she really didn't think Edward would go for Rosalie. This peeked my interest a little too much.
"Really, why?" I asked.
"Well, Edward hasn't really had many girlfriends. He only had like two back in Chicago, and neither of them were anything like Rose."
"Yeah well, it's not hard to fall for the blonde locks, beautiful body and charming demeanour." I said.
"Oh I know," she answered with a smile.
I laughed, "I wasn't talking about Jasper, but okay." She laughed with me.
I mentioned how I said I would go on a date with Jacob, which led me to talk about him and how we've known him for so long.
"Has he liked you for a while?" she asked.
"Well, yeah I guess so. He's joked for years that if I'm interested, I have him as an option. And once, when were ten, he made me promise that if we were both 25 and single, I would marry him." I laughed quietly at the memory which made Alice smile.
"Aw, that's so cute. Well, if my dreams come true and Jasper asks me out on a date, we should all go out together; us, you and Jake and Rose and Edward." I smiled at her effort but not at the suggestion. I imagined I would be quite uncomfortable being next to Rose and having to witness Edward's affections towards her.
"Um yeah, maybe," I replied.
~*~
As we walked to lunch and sat down, I suddenly got the urge to spend our lunch in the bathroom. Rosalie sat on Edward's leg while they kissed passionately. Jasper however, smiled hugely at our appearance. Though I assumed it was mostly because of Alice, I gave him a small smile back.
While I sat there, I imagined this to be what a joint date would be like, minus Jake. Jasper and Alice began talking as I silently ate. Rose only paused for a second to breathe at one point, which then enabled Edward to see that Alice and I were now at the table. He seemed to want to stop their public performance, which annoyed Rose. Eventually she moved onto her own chair and gave me her evil eyes. It wasn't my fault, why was she blaming me? She put on a fake smile.
"Hi Bella. How's your day going?" she asked.
"Um… fine. Yours?" I replied.
"Yeah, it's going really well," she said as she looked at Edward, who was still looking at me intently.
"Great," I said sarcastically. I was about to leave the table with the excuse of needing the toilet, but my phone went off instead. I pulled it out and it informed me I had a new message:
-B-
Hey Beautiful,
I miss you, can I come over today
after school?
Jake X
In spite of myself I smiled as I replied:
-J-
Hey Jake,
Miss you too. Of course you can :)
X
-B-
I took a sip of my drink just as I heard Rose ask if Edward wanted to come over. I waited until he said he would, and then sent another text to Jake.
-J-
Actually, could I come to yours?
X
-B-
I sat there just watching my phone and waiting for a reply. Even though I could feel eyes on me, I remained the same. Taking the last few gulps of my drink, I finally got a reply.
-B-
Of course!
Come over when you can baby :)
XX
-J-
I frowned a little at the nickname; it was 'baby' already? I put my phone back in my pocket and smiled though. I'll never get over this feeling that someone wants me. I still couldn't believe it. Even though I've known Jake wanted to try to date ages ago, I guess I thought he'd change his mind as soon as we started. It felt really nice to be wanted; especially by a guy like Jake. So maybe, after some time… I'll want him as much, or more than I want Edward now. Hopefully. For both our sakes.
"So Bella, are you going to be home after school? 'Cause if there was a way you could maybe… not be… that would be great."
I, along with Jazz, am used to these suggestions from Rose. And although I understood them, since it might save me from the sight of them in bed; it was pretty much the same hearing them the other day. I looked to see that Alice and Edward's expressions were actually humorous at this point. I opened my mouth, but Edward beat me.
"Rose. That's kind of rude. We're not kicking Bella out of her own house."
After a quiet gasp of…I guess shock from Rose, I spoke up. "No, it's okay. Seriously. I'm going to Jake's anyway."
I thought that would have solved their problem, but Edward looked disappointed and Rose… well she looked livid, as she watched Edward. Just then, the bell rang and I was the first on out of there.
~*~
A/N: Reviews are incredibly encouraging :)