Thanks for all the encouraging reviews.


Dusk and Dawn: Chapter 9

Interruptions

EPOV

"And one, two—three, four—five, six—seven, eight", Jessica chanted loudly. We've been practicing for nearly an hour and I was exhausted. The moves were complex and required a great deal of energy.

My back cracked once I stretched it up. Practice was going to begin in ten minutes. Sweat began to fill my back as I wiped my neck with a towel. The rest of the girls had formed a small huddle while having their break. I could hear their giggles, all the way from the other side of the floor. Lance was still working on the choreography, dancing insanely on the dance floor.

Bella's hair was in a messy ponytail; more strands were hanging down than there were clipped. Sweat had stopped rushing down from her head as she drank her water. Emmett and Jasper walked by with a basketball. What I would give just to be at basketball rather than dance. I looked around; I could hear Raquel practicing vocal exercises while Jessica started stretching herself.

"Honestly, Bella", Alice came into our practice studio. "You need to fit this for me." She exclaimed loudly, trying to persuade Bella.

I could see Bella making repetitive gestures, declining.

"You need a new wardrobe and I want to see if periwinkle looks good on you. Pleeeease", she pleaded. "I am not spending this entire summer leaving you with nothing new to wear."

"Alice", Bella's voice was slightly audible. "I like my clothes, I don't really care about the latest trends you have in your in-case-of-boredom magazines."

"But Edward would love it if you have a new set of clothes", Alice turned to me. "Right, Edward?"

I shrugged and just enjoyed looking at the exasperation I had caused on her. I like the way Bella dressed; it didn't even matter to me on how she dressed.

"Both of you are just so impossible", Alice sighed and she places both hands on her hips. "It wasn't just a coincidence that you two ended up together. You're both obstinate!" She walked out, pouting and stomping her feet as I walked and sat beside Bella.

"You think she's really mad at me?" Bella asked.

"I wouldn't count on it", I smiled. "Just put on one of those and strut for her; I'm sure she'll forget about it."

"I hope so", she grinned but her expression was uncertain.

"Alright!" Jessica was beginning to be as perky as Alice. "From the top!"

I followed Bella to the middle of the floor, when she suddenly lost balance and I had caught her just in time.

"I usually end up on the floor before I even realize I've fallen", she smiled as I saw her cheeks burn red as she walked to her position.

"Careful; don't trip", I mouthed when she looked back at me.

"One, two—three, four—five, six—seven, eight", she counted. "Eight, seven—six, five—four, three—two, one!" The music was fast and the choreography seemed even faster.

The fifteen minutes could have passed by faster. Bella and I were already walking out of practice right after we had finished two more rounds. The speakers were suddenly turned on again: All afternoon classes are cancelled excluding classes from one thirty to two thirty P.M. due to the sudden seminar scheduled for teachers.

A burst of cheering exploded around the campus when Bella and I walked to her cabin.

"I promised my mom I'd call her today", she said as we stopped at the door. "She worries about me too much."

"I'll see you after class," I smiled before she walked in.

I suddenly felt something strike my back, a basketball-- Emmett. I turned to see Emmett and Jasper in their gym attires.

"Early game", Jasper said as they walked towards where I was. "You busy?"

"Nah", I said as I shook my head. "But can I ask you guys a favor later?"

"Beat us to a game and we might just forget about our service charges", Emmett said as he shot the basketball to me.

"Sure", I followed them to the court.

The sun was hotter than usual. It suddenly reminded me of the simulation about global warming we once had for a science class back in Alistair. We headed the game with a chest-pass exercise.

Emmett had suddenly grabbed the ball and shooting it through the basket. Without any other signal, the game had already started. I made my way to catch the ball and dribble it pass Jasper then shot in the other side of the court. Preparing for another shot, I dribbled the ball and lifted it up, and then Emmett had suddenly snatched it and passed it to Jasper, shooting another basket.

The game was tied down to Emmett and Jasper with forty-nine points and me with forty-seven points. There were only two minutes left before the game would be over. Luckily, it seemed that Emmett and Jasper were already exhausted that it was as if they wanted me to win when I shot three points into the basket.

"Okay", Emmett was panting. "You win", his hands where on both his knees.

"What'd you want us to do?" Jasper said as he wiped the sweat on his forehead with his arm.

"I just need you guys to arrange some things", I smiled. The heat was already unbearable and I could feel my throat starting to dry.

Picnic at meadow.

I wrote it down on a small paper. Maybe she needed specific directions…

Follow the cemented path, pass the large water fountain. It's only a few minutes away from camp. See you there after class.

– Edward

My watch read one twenty in the afternoon, classes would begin in ten minutes. I slipped it between the topmost hinges of her locker before making a quick exit.

"So, let me get this straight", Emmett stood next to me during our break from Physical Ed. "You want Jasper and me to fix up a date for you?"

"Not exactly", I replied as Jasper came. "I just want you guys to make some arrangements before Bella gets there."

"We'll have to work fast then, because we still have showers right after this class", Jasper added. "Not to mention the time it's going to take us to walk to the meadow."

"Yeah", Emmett said. "Maybe you could pick some other place for you picnic."

"I'd prefer it at the meadow", I said firmly, showing my decision was made.

Prrrt!—Coach's whistle sounded. "Cullens, Leos, Hale—freestyle, now!" His voice was extremely loud as he pointed to the nearest end of the pool. The four of us took our places.

"Taste my dust", Jasper said sarcastically to Emmett.

"Taste my dust bunnies!" Emmett laughed before shifting to a ready position and Jasper rolled his eyes.

I positioned myself, ready to be faster this time; no pauses.

"And Edward", Emmett called. "It's just a race, don't take this personally."

Prrrt!

I propelled my body with force, making each stroke stronger. I turned my head and I could see Justin only a few inches from being in the same place with me. Faster.

I peddled harder until my hand was only three inches away—Prrrt!

Unbelievable….

I was nearly three inches away this time… Justin was cheering loudly again.

"Don't take it seriously", Emmett sang. "I hate to say it but", he grinned widely. "Itoldyouso! Itoldyouso!" He guffawed annoyingly, making me glare at him.

A few minutes passed by before we reached the locker room. Emmett, Jasper and I raced to the showers and sped off as soon as we finished changing, then stopping by the cabin to grab the things we needed.

We arrived at the meadow and I quickly threw Emmett the picnic blanket and handing the food to Jasper. They started setting up as I quickly went behind a shrub and hid the disk player I borrowed from Jasper.

"When Bella gets here", I told them. "Both of you will be behind the bushes and start playing it later, then leave." They nodded.

"Okay", I said. Emmett and Jasper had just finished setting up. They set up a picnic blanket with food already in the middle. "Thanks. I'll catch you guys later at the cabin." My watch read two forty-five, Bella might be here any minute.

"Wow", Jasper said. "I haven't seen you done this in ages."

"More like centuries", Emmett smiled. "You know, since", he was hesitant. "Emily."

It's been a while since I've had a picnic with someone. The last time I could recall was when I was with Emily, but it was only in a park. This time, the meadow was actually part of the camp, for the Biology class to identify specimens up close. I could hear footsteps, making Emmett and Jasper run and hide. It was probably Bella.

"Edward?" I heard Bella's voice. She looked around the meadow.

"You're late", I joked.

"I'm sorry", she mused. "Alice was bugging me about a lilac shirt and a white cashmere sweater this time. I tried to make it up to her for the time I didn't want to wear what she asked me to this morning."

I led her to the picnic where we sat opposite of each other as I handed her one of the sandwiches.

"How'd you set up all this?" Curious Bella…

"Emmett and Jasper lost to a wager."

"I see", she smiled. "They're standing right behind those bushes." Bella laughed, I hadn't notice them; I thought they left.

I looked behind me and moved the leaves away.

"Hi", Jasper smiled at us. "We were just leaving."

"Yeah", Emmett stood up and really left off with Jasper, who had just played the music: Claire de Lune. We finished all the food, including the chocolate-covered strawberries, which Bella loved when it was served in the cafeteria.

I took Bella's hand in mine and led her to the center of the vast meadow and started swaying to the music. One hand was on her waist, while the other held her hand. Her cheeks burnt red for the second time again today and her expression was different.

"I don't really dance, plus, I usually fall", she smiled sheepishly.

"I think you're doing fine", I said—even a better job than I was. I probably despised dancing more than she did. But I didn't mind it like this. I gently spun her around. "I don't mind dancing when I'm with you."

"Same", she softly said, but her eyes were elsewhere. It's as if she was looking around.

I raised one eyebrow at her when she shifted her eyes back to me.

"I have another feeling were being watched", she said. Her expression was alarming.

I looked behind her: a small, red light was hiding behind the bushed.

"Alice", I sighed loudly, showing I was exasperated, and I really was. It amazes me on how we never get some privacy. I stopped dancing and waited for her to come out.

She slowly showed herself, along with Rosalie from the bushes. I was more surprised to see Rose in Alice's little mischievous schemes. They walked toward us, revealing a video camera.

"Just a safe bet", Alice smiled.

"The guys told us you were here, so we decided to make things interesting."

"So, both of you are having a money-making business out of my relationship with Bella." I said—ingenious females.

"You're family must be really fond of bets", Bella mused. The thought was embarrassing. "What was it about this time", Bella looked at Alice.

"We just had a simple bet", Alice grinned.

I glared at her.

"It's just a safe bet of twenty dollars with whether both of you guys would kiss during you're date", Alice confessed.

"Rosalie's bet was that you'd kiss once Edward drops Bella off at our cabin."

Great, I was just about to get on with that until Bella caught them spying.

Rosalie noticed my sudden silence and looked at Alice, wide-eyed.

"I think we just ruined it", she whispered, which was clear enough for me to hear.

Alice gasped. "Omigosh", guilt spread across her face and I sighed, rolling my eyes, Bella chuckled.

"We'll be leaving now", Rosalie reluctantly grabbed Alice's hand and started pulling her away, while still grumbling.

Bella was still smiling, looking at Alice being dragged away.

"So", I held both her hands and she looked at me. "Where were we?" I smiled.

"I don't know, I forgot", she smiled. "Would you show me?"

I smiled at her, before leaning in to make our faces only an inch apart. Our lips met again, lingering together even longer than the first time. Her lips were soft and warm and I could only smell the scent of her hair. Other than that, I was completely oblivious to whatever was around us. The music was nearly over when she suddenly pulled away.

"Sorry", she said. I realized her phone was vibrating—what a lot of interruptions. "Hello?"

I heard loud voices from the other end.

"What?" Bella said frantically

There was another pause and more voices from the other end.

I could see the shock in Bella's reaction. "O-Okay", she managed to say. "Bye."

Her eyes were suddenly watery.

What did Bella find out that suddenly made her want to cry?

I've actually finished the next chapter but I've decided to post in in its own due time.

I don't know when I'm going to post it but I've decided that it will matter with the number of reviews.

-Kar