Here it is. Hopefully you like it more than I do :)
I knew I shouldn't be fretting like this. I mean, I didn't even like the guy, why would I care what he saw me in? That didn't matter, the fact was I still was going to meet his family did. They were the people I was going to make the biggest impression on.
I flitted nervously around my room trying to find the right clothes. It was hard for a person with my taste (sweatshirts, jeans, dirty tennis) to find something nice that doesn't smell like mothballs. I took out the nicest shirt I had and placed it on my body in front of the mirror. It would have to do. I stripped my clothes and replaced them with a nice pair of white pants and a blue blouse.
My eyes glanced to my purple alarm clock. I had four minutes until 7.
Edward had called me to confirm the time he would pick me up would be 7. Twice. Twice. I don't know why he felt the need to call the second time, I had heard him the first. I asked him this and he told me he was bored and wanted me to come over sooner. Although he couldn't see, I did roll my eyes. He soon hung up, leaving me with half an hour to decide what to wear. What fun.
I ran a brush through my hair and couldn't help the compulsive urge to look at the clock.
6:59 turned to 7:00. The doorbell rang downstairs.
Guy's good, I thought. I heard Charlie open the door, and the fake cheerful chatter of them both. I knew how awkward and tense they both really felt.
I made my way slowly as not to trip. My dad was shaking Edward's hand, introducing himself.
"I will get her back by 10, I promise," Edward smiled politely. Charlie stared at Edward suspiciously. I had reassured him it wasn't a real date, that Edward and I were just friends going to dinner with his family. I'm sure what Edward said made it sound like a definite date.
"Okay, yeah, sure," Charlie agreed, but I could now see him reconsidering. I partly hoped he would. Instead he bid his good bye to Edward, then me and made his way to the couch to have some alone time with his favorite baseball team.
I turned to Edward. He was looking pretty casual and now I felt over dressed. Self-consciously I ran my hands over my bare arms. Edward smiled like he knew I felt uncomfortable and reached out to grab one of my arms. He unfolded them carefully and looped one with his.
"You look beautiful Bella. I've never seen anything so gorgeous," he told me. I smiled a bit at his sincereness. I glanced back at Charlie. Surely this contact with Edward would throw him for a loop.
I never had a problem with boys. They were fine and everything, just not for me. My dad knew this too. He never had the opportunity to show his fatherly protective side because I never had a boyfriend or anyone close enough like that. His reaction to my dinner with Edward came to a shock. He had agreed, surprisingly, even though he was a boy. I didn't expect Edward to make this look like a date either.
Luckily Charlie didn't notice, or he did and was pretty good at ignoring his surroundings.
"Let's go love," Charlie heard that. But he turned his head just as Edward closed the door behind him.
"Can you not do that in front of my dad?" I hissed at him.
"What?" he asked as he opened the passenger side of the Volvo for me.
"Call me love and get all touchy feely in front of my dad. Don't do it. In fact, don't do it at all!" I huffed as I got inside. Edward's face tensed into a frown at my words and he closed the door, before getting into the driver's seat.
The car smelled really good. Which wasn't surprising. Edward always smelled good and not just the unoriginal 'fresh soap' smell either. I couldn't exactly describe it, it was so unique and powerful I was sure no deodorant or cologne was the reason; it was pure Edward.
Edward drove for a while at a rate that kept increasing.
"Uh, Edward? You do know that you are going over 80," I informed him.
"I know," he said simply.
"In a 35 zone," I said. His speed just continued to increase. The speed-o-meter seemed to mean nothing to him. We didn't swerve at all which was good, but I was starting to think he was going crazy.
"We're going to die," I looked out the window, watching all the trees fly by in a blur. How could other cars not see this Volvo pass like a race car? Oh yeah, that's right. Because we happened to be on a deserted road.
"We're going to die," I repeated, "you're going to crash, and kill me."
"Bella, relax. You aren't going to die, I'm not going to let it happen." Edward calmly spoke.
"Whatever. Can you just slow down? You're scaring me a bit," the whole time I spoke normally but he saw my white knuckles as I gripped the leather seat and slowed down by 50 mph.
"Thanks," I breathed relaxing my grip, "do you always drive that fast?" He smirked and looked at me from the corner of his eyes.
"Yes, yes I do," he said.
"This speed must be killing you," I added.
"Yes, yes it is," he smiled. We were silent the rest of the way until we got to his house. Which I was shocked to see.
I had heard rumors that their house was a mansion. That it was ginormous and could fit 10 houses in it. Edward's family was obviously rich by the clothing he wore and the car he drove. It was just shocking the way the house was though.
It was huge, but very friendly and homely despite the five minute drive through a dense forest road. A white picket fence rounded the perimeter and the porch was full with flowers. The house was two stories, clarified by the windows, but definitely had high ceilings. This place had many rooms, no doubt. The roof sloped too many points and a balcony over hung a window to the left. I was pretty sure the depth of the house went further behind what I could see.
Edward had gone around to my door while I marveled his white gleaming house. Five cars were parked around and a garage off to the side just offered the imagination of what more they possibly could have.
Edward opened my door and I took a dazed step on the gravel.
"Your house…" I shook my head, unable to describe.
"You're speechless," he teased.
"Yeah," I laughed. He smiled at my reaction and guided me to the front door.
"Are you guys having a party or something?" I pointed out the cars that all seemed alike in high class style. Except for a Jeep Wrangler that had mud caked everywhere. Someone liked to get dirty.
"No, just family has come to visit. Perfect time for you to come over actually," he smiled again, showing his slight dimples. I suddenly got more nervous than ever. I was going to meet everyone? Was he insane? They were going to hate me.
Edward opened the door. It made no sound as we walked inside. The first thing I was met with was the living room. Nice, homey, leather chairs were spread out around a TV that had ever game imaginable hooked up to it. A game was paused on it and a controller was thrown carelessly on a beanbag chair. There was a closet right by the door where we were supposed to put our shoes and coats. Across the room, right in the back was a staircase, leading up to the rooms and the appealing balcony I had seen outside. Right next to the staircase was a hallway where I heard woops of laughter and joyful chatter of many people.
"Are you excited at all?" Edward's voice sounded a bit sad. I had to admit, I was since getting here. I was feeling more comfortable now knowing what I was up against.
"Of course Edward, but this is new for me. All of it. You've got to understand that," I said. He nodded and moved some hair out of my face.
"Did I tell you that you look beautiful yet?" He asked.
"Yeah," I said. He smiled and took my hand, leading me towards the noises. An aroma of sweet food hit my nose as soon as we entered. We had met the kitchen. And about 6 people around a table in there.
All of them stopped talking when we entered and in my nervousness I moved closer to Edward.
"Edward!" A burly man called. He must have been most of the source of the talk and laughter. His friendly face had a big smile on it. He was very muscular and had curly brown hair. He wore a sweatshirt and casual jeans that were in total contrast to the woman who sat next to him with her hand on his knee. His arm was resting on the back of her chair in ease. She was gorgeous. Long golden locks fell from her shoulders and over her red blouse. Her shorts complimented her long legs. She gave a peaceful smile to us both.
"Bella!" A tinkering voice called. I flipped my head to a little black hair pixie.
"Alice?" I said. I had forgotten she lived here for a while. She nodded and jumped out of the lap of a very attractive blond haired boy who must be her boyfriend. Alice ran over to me and jumped me in a hug.
"It's so great to see you! When Edward said he was bringing you I didn't believe it because of what you said in the store that one day," Edward's head turned to mine and gave me a questioning stare. Obviously Alice did tell him about our get together. Or the details anyway.
"But it seems like you worked out your differences! I'm so happy for you two," she screamed. I smiled meekly, not saying anything. I didn't want her hopes up, then blaming Edward when she figured out we really didn't solve anything.
"Alice, stop screaming in the girls face," someone said. I looked behind Alice and saw a woman who was definitely not my age. She had caramel colored hair and a warming grin on her petite face. She extended a hand towards me and I took it in an instant hoping she would excuse my clammy sweaty one in return.
"I'm Edward's mother, Esme. This is my husband Carlisle," she looked over at a tall man with blond hair and an equally warming smile.
"I see you've met Alice," she said. I nodded.
"Is she a mute?" I heard the burly one ask the blond girl beside him. She elbowed him in the side.
"What? She doesn't talk much!" He said rubbing his ribs.
"Why must you be loud like a freaking giant!" she hissed.
"Is that a fat joke?" he replied. She sighed and rolled her eyes.
"Over there is Emmett," Alice said, pointing to the giant. He smiled brightly and cried, "Hey Bella!"
"Hi," I said shyly.
"I'm Rosalie, Emmett's girlfriend," the blond girl stood up and walked over to me, giving me a small hug. It was very relaxing compared to the chaos with Alice.
"I'm Bella," I said stupidly. But it was polite to introduce myself.
"I know," she smiled and looked at Edward briefly before going back to sit with Emmett.
"Bella! I want you to meet my boyfriend! This is Jasper. We met on campus at college!" she pointed to the blond haired boy. He gave a polite wave. I could tell he was a man of few words.
"Dinner smells lovely Esme," Edward said after I had been introduced. Edward didn't introduce me to anyone, probably because everyone already knew who I was for whatever reason.
"Yes it does," I spoke up finally putting distance between me and Edward, "and your home is beautiful. I've never seen anything like it." She smiled greatly at my compliment.
"Thank you. It took a lot of hard work to get it that way, but it was worth it in the end. Maybe after dinner Edward could give you a tour," she gave Edward a glance before going to the stove.
"Bella, come sit by me!" Emmett patted the chair beside him.
"No, Bella's going to sit by me during dinner," Alice told him. He glared at her.
"You've already gotten to know her, it's my turn pixie," he said. I blushed at the argument over me. I felt kind of happy they liked me so much even though they didn't really know me. I wondered what they would think when they found out I didn't really love Edward back.
Alice raised a challenging eyebrow and shot out her fist. At first I thought she was trying to punch him, but that wouldn't be right since she stuck it in the middle of the table. She didn't have that short of an arm span. Emmett shot his out too.
"Rock, Paper, Scissors," they said together, pumping their fists. Both shot paper.
"Rock, Paper, Scissors," they said again. Both shot rock. In frustration they both leaned forward, fists ready, eyes in determination. If it wasn't the heat of the moment, it would look ridiculous.
"Rock, Paper, Scissors," they said again, faster. Both shot paper again. Alice threw up her hands.
"Quit copying me!" she cried.
"You quit copying me!" Emmett cried back.
"How can I copy you without reading your mind!?"
"Same question to you, Pixie!"
"Shut up, Emmett, she's sitting with me!" Alice said. This whole time they didn't notice Rosalie get up and pull a chair beside her.
"Come on Bella, you can sit by me," she said. While Alice and Emmett continued to fight, I took a place beside Rosalie. Edward followed behind me and pulled up his own chair on the other side of me.
Alice was about to say something when she saw me. Finger poised in the air she exhaled.
"Bella, you traitor," she shook her head and leaned back onto Jasper. She was still in his lap.
"Banana," Emmett wined at me, "I wanted you to sit with me."
"Banana?" We all asked at the same time.
"Yeah, it's her new nickname. It rhymes with Bella," he said in a matter-of-fact voice. Edward furrowed his eyebrows.
"No, it doesn't," he said.
"Yes, it does. Bella Banana. Both start with 'B' and end with 'A'," Emmett said. Rosalie shook her head.
"I'm sorry Bella, I'm not sure how he goes through life," she said.
"Look, I'm not that stupid," Emmett argued. Rosalie raised an eyebrow.
"I'm not Bella, I promise," he insisted. I smiled.
"Okay Emmett, alright," I said. Esme came over then.
"It's time to eat. I hope it's okay we're eating in the kitchen Bella. The dining room is being redone so we needed to move the table in here," she said to me. I waved my hand.
"It's fine, Esme. It is your house after all, you can do whatever," I told her. She smiled.
"I hope just a simple goulash dish is fine with you. I didn't know what you preferred and Edward didn't know either," I looked at Edward. Of course he didn't know. He didn't know me.
Esme got the food set out on the table. It smelled delicious. We all made a quick prayer before we dug in. Alice chatted happily about college life for a while then Emmett took over with talk of his own experiences. He had just finished his first year of college then planned he wanted to travel for a few years before finishing school. He told great and funny stories and I found myself having a wonderful time.
"So Bella, how's life?" Alice asked, "You know, since two days ago." I shrugged.
"Not much," I replied. She inclined her head, wanting me to go on.
"What?" I asked puzzled.
"Nothing happy? Nothing sad? You and Edward didn't do anything?" She was hinting something and I was pretty sure I knew what it was. Edward telling me he loved me. She wanted me to talk about it.
"Alice, stop pushing," Esme scolded. Carlisle chuckled. I looked to Edward and he had his head down, pushing some food around his plate.
Something about Edward's sullen face made me feel bad. Although I didn't know how to make it feel better, I did put my hand on his knee under the table in reassurance. He looked over to me with a small smile, surely shocked I would do something like that. I was shocked I did it.
"Hey Banana, after dinner do you wanna have a round of guitar hero?" Emmett seemed excited.
"I'm not so good with video games," I told him. He did waver.
"Nonsense. With a good teacher like me, you will be better than Van Halen when we're done," he said.
"Emmett, that might not be the best idea. Bella needs to be home by ten and Edward still needs to give her the tour of the house," Carlisle spoke up. I was a bit disappointed I would have to get home. I was having too much fun.
"Fine. But next time I'm here, Banana and I are gunna do it to it," he chuckled loudly.
"I'm sure if she knew you were coming she would stay away," Rosalie said.
"You would definitely hear him coming. From like, a mile away," Alice said. I laughed. I could believe that.
"Edward, you go now and show Bella upstairs while I clear the table," Esme said.
"I could help," I offered. Esme shook her head.
"No dear, that wouldn't be right. You go with Edward," she said. Edward stood up and offered a hand to me. I took it politely but let it go once we started walking. Edward let me go first up the stairs, following behind. When we got to the top he pointed out rooms. Alice and Emmett's old rooms had been changed into a computer room and junk room, but cleaned up a bit so they could stay there for the week. He showed me the bathroom, and his parents' room, then stopped at the end of the hall.
"This is my room," he said shyly, then opened the door. I was first hit with the wall of CD's. The whole wall. As in, you would have to get a ladder to get the ones at the top. The wall next to it was all glass. You could see the forest clear through it.
"That is…wow. I'm speechless again," I said. There was a white rug that was on his tan carpet and a black couch sat in the middle of the room. His bed was pressed against the far wall.
His room was amazing. I turned to Edward who was staring at me.
"Your room is wonderful. I really love it," I said sincerely. He smiled and took my hand, leading me to the couch. I sat down but he didn't. I watched him go to his stereo and put on some music. I was expecting some emo/rock/I want to kill everyone for my pain music but was surprised with classical flow. Piano and violin harmony filled my senses and Edward walked back to me, sitting beside me.
"You like classical music," I said surprised.
"I do," he said, "You do too." He said.
"How do you know that?" I asked.
"You relaxed when it started," he said. Edward turned his body to face me.
"Look Bella, there are some things I need to say," he didn't look very happy saying this. He took a deep breath right before he started. I was thinking he had realized finally that he wasn't in love with me. Or he had fallen out of love.
"I might know you as well as I should. You might not think that I know you enough to be in love with you. I realize, as always, that we aren't close or best friends, but I observe. This isn't meant to sound creepy but I watch you react to things. I learn what you like from that. I might not know the material things about you but I know your feelings, and the cute smiles and adorable blushes you make when you like something," Edward said. I stared at him for a moment.
"I don't know what to say Edward," I said honestly. What was I supposed to say? Thank you?
"Then don't say anything. I just want you to know I can read you pretty well, and I want you and I to get to know each other more. I don't want to scare you or make you nervous. I want to prove that I'm a nice guy and okay to be around," Edward said with so much emotion. He looked me in the eye the entire time. He put his hands on my knees.
"You want a lot of things, I see," I gulped.
"I want you to love me," Edward looked down. I tilted his head up to look at me. I didn't hate Edward anymore, we were just an misunderstood relationship.
"Edward, I promise you we will be friends. I can't promise it will go into something more," I said truthfully. His face broke a little and I felt a bit helpless.
"I used to hate you because you hated me. Then I thought you were playing a game with me. With my heart. That's what I thought all stupid boys did. I'm pretty sure you aren't lying about this whole thing, so I believe you," I stroked his cheek, hoping he would feel better. He closed his eyes.
"I want to get to know you Edward. I don't want things to stay cold and awkward between us," I told him. He nodded into my hand.
"I'm sorry for forcing you to come tonight," he said. I laughed.
"You didn't force me Edward. If I really didn't want to go, I would have kicked and screamed the whole way. I actually had a great time. I'm going to come back soon," I told him. He opened his eyes.
"You had fun?" He sat up straight. I nodded.
"Your family is really interesting Edward. I'm a bit disappointed Jasper didn't talk though," Edward laughed.
"He never talks. It's kind of a shocker he is with Alice," he said. I had to agree.
"I could tell they loved each other though. Jasper couldn't keep his eyes off of her and Alice wouldn't let his hand go throughout dinner," I mentioned.
Edward and I spoke about random things throughout the night. We pulled the couch over to his window and sat together, looking out at the stars.
"It's hard making pictures out of the stars even if there are so many," I said. Edward sat beside me with his arm lying across the couch behind me.
"I don't think it's hard to make the picture exactly, just showing someone else what you see. Nobody has ever seen what I see," he said quietly. We sat in silence for a few beats. I pointed up.
"Right there, between the moon and the big dipper. I see a lady bug," I said. Edward looked for a moment and nodded.
"I see a heart with a smiley face inside," he said. I didn't see it at first. I cocked my head to the side and it brushed Edward's shoulder. Unintentionally I leaned more into him. I smiled.
"I see it too," I said. And I did.
"You do?" he said.
"Yeah, right where the lady bug was," I said. He stroked my head, massaging my scalp. It calmed me down, into a very relaxing state. He didn't respond so he must have nodded.
"See? We can see eye to eye. We can make this work," Edward whispered.
"hmm," I smiled and closed my eyes, "I'm glad." I drifted to sleep after that.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Epov (for those of you who wanted it)
I looked at Bella who slept peacefully on my shoulder. I stroked her silky hair softly, reveling in the feeling of having her this close. I knew she didn't love me. Or she tried not to anyway. We would get close and she would back away from my touch. She was scared of my actions and how they were so sudden. I knew they would scare her but I could hide my true feelings for long.
I had loved her since the beginning. Her smile, her laugh…everything Bella swarmed my senses at all moments of the day and never went away. I didn't want them to either. She was the reason I lived.
There was a light knock on my bedroom and for the life of me I wanted it to go away. I wished for no interruptions at this moment, when all was well, but I never get what I want. The knock grew louder.
"Yes," I called softly. Alice opened the door and looked at Bella's sleeping form.
"Edward, I'm so happy for the both of you," I gave her a stern look.
"What did Bella say to you that day in the store?" I asked.
"Don't beat around the bush Edward," Alice murmured, making her way towards us.
"What did she say?" I really wanted to know. It bugged me to think that Bella hated me so much she would talk to my sister about it.
"She didn't take my offer of coming over because she said you and her didn't get along. That's all she said on the matter. I didn't tell her then you loved her then either. But I think she seemed sort of suspicious when I let it slip that I knew who she was," Alice made a regretful face.
"That's it?" I asked.
"Uh yeah, that's it," she said, "You two are so cute. Why didn't you ask her this? Trust is supposed to be a key element in a relationship." My chest hurt and I looked out at the full moon.
"We aren't together Alice. She doesn't love me back. She practically on the verge of hate," I said. My chest constricted and it hurt saying those words.
"I'm so sorry Edward. She will love you one day, I promise," Alice spoke.
"Alice, you aren't freaking psychic! Get over it!" I said in anger. She couldn't promise me anything. Bringing my hopes up wasn't a good thing because if I fell, it would most likely be suicidal, melodramatics aside.
"I don't need to be a psychic to see this Edward. She likes you, she's just not sure if she wants to pursue her feelings yet. You've been a jerk to her before. She doesn't want it to happen again," Alice explained.
"I know," I looked at Bella.
"I need to take her home now don't I?" I said. Alice nodded.
"It's 11," she said. My heart stopped.
"Her father's going to kill me," I ran a hand through my hair.
"Thou shalt not worry," Alice giggled, "Esme called Charlie. She said dinner was running a bit late and you would drop her off around 11:30. She really wants you guys to be together too." I nodded. I know she did. She thought something was wrong with me when 'an attractive young man like me wasn't bringing home women left and right'. Basically my mother wanted me to be a player. She really thought I was gay for a while, she just didn't say anything.
I looked at Bella again. I was sorely tempted to wake Bella up by kissing her, but I didn't think it would go over too well with her. Instead I ran a hand through her hair and shook her shoulder gently.
"Bella love, it's time to wake up. You have to go home," she groaned a bit and rubbed her eye before looking up at me. Sleep didn't hide her beauty at all. If anything, the puffy red from sleep made her brown eyes stand out even more, making me want to stare forever.
"We've got to get you home," I whispered to her.
"Okay," she whispered back. I drove her home and she managed to stay awake the whole way. Once I passed her off to Charlie I bid him and her a good night, giving her a swift kiss on the hand. She was too tired to blush like I knew she normally would've.
As I drove home in my Volvo, I gained more confidence in my mission to make her mine. Alice wasn't a prophet of the lord but she was never wrong about a relationship. We would make this work.
Review if you would. Tell me what I could do better with my writing