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Basically we get a word prompt a day and we then write about it. It's a great exercise to keep one's mind sharpened and focused on writing... This isn't beta-ed. It is what it is.

This has nothing to do with Fumbling Towards Ecstasy. Each day's prompt will differ, so what I write will vary greatly as well. If you like it, then cool, please review.

These are unbeta-ed. If you find any grammatical errors, you're more than welcome to point them out to me.

Today's prompts: August 19, 2010

Word Prompt: Lick

Notes: This continues the scenario established by the earlier prompt "Lollipop". There will be several related to this storyline, until a conclusion is reached.

Lollipop :

"Bella? Hey, c'mon, open your eyes", Edward says, his hands on my shoulders, pressing lightly. It sends my body into a flurry of sensation, my senses on overload.

While I don't want his hands to move, I'm also worried I'll embarrass myself even further if I don't gain some clarity really soon. Clearly I can't control my actions around him; the previous semi-choking incident is testament to that fact.

So I pull on my imaginary big-girl panties, take a deep breath, and open my eyes.

Edward's clear green eyes greet me, shining in the light of the sun. Their clarity surprises me, and I can see my eyes reflected in his. I can also see the look of awe that has adorned my face and I scramble to adjust my features, for fear of creeping him. No one wants someone staring at them, without moving a muscle, mere minutes after said someone gagged and sputtered right in front of them; not even Edward can be that accommodating.

I move a step back, trying not to invade his personal space. I'm almost certain my cheeks are still redder than a fire truck, so I pat them lightly, trying in vain to alleviate the color.

Now I'm at a loss of what to say. Cursing myself for not knowing what would make for appropriate conversation, after a choking session no less, I decide that gratitude is on order.

"Thanks", I say, trying to sound confident. Unfortunately, my quivering voice and the shrill pitch don't do much to relay that. I fight the urge to cringe, instead opting to look for Lauren- whom I had actually pretty much forgotten about.

"Um, yeah. Hey, you wanna go get ice-cream sometime?" he asks me, seeming just as eager as I am to change the topic. Then I realize that he just asked me out, albeit in a very friendly way. It's entirely possible that he's just taking pity on me and trying to make me feel better, but the softie in me wants to believe that there's more to it. Besides, he didn't ask me to go now. He said 'sometime', which probably means that he wants to see more of me. That he wants me around.

Sensing my silence as a negative response, he hastens to change the topic, "Hey, I think my mom called me – I'll see you around, yeah?" I see him turning back to run inside, almost running in his hurry to get away.

That's what causes my muscles to move, and without even knowing it I'm right behind him, my hand on his shoulder stopping him from retreating any further.

"I would love to", I confirm. I ca see he looks hesitant, probably questioning my delayed response.

"No, really. I- I was just stunned, so I didn't reply. But now I'm not, so, um. Yeah, I would like to have a scoop of Vanilla. I don't like the nuts in butterscotch, and the fruity flavors are just too sweet, you know? I mean, I prefer Ben& Jerry's - Chunky Monkey, actually. But I don't mind the normal flavors either 'cuz – oh Jesus. Please just stop me already" I say, a little out of breath by the end.

But it serves its purpose as I see a smile slowly creep its way up Edward's face. He chuckles a bit, his eyes all shiny, drawing me in.

I lick my dry lips, trying to moisten them. I see his eyes dart to my tongue, following its route.

We both blush simultaneously, and he flashes one more gorgeous smile my way, and I can't help but grin widely in return.

"Ah. Tomorrow? We'll walk together" he offers. And who am I to say no? I'm so caught up that he said 'together' in context to us, that I'm startled as he links our pinkie fingers together- his right , and my left hand one- and squeezes. Just as suddenly, he withdraws and looks over my shoulder, at Mrs. Mallory who is walking up to Esme.

"I should go", I say, very reluctantly. I don't want to go, but I know I have to. I don't want to screw my chances of babysitting Lauren again, and for that I have to at least show Mrs. Mallory that I was around her daughter.

Edward just nods, smiling all the while, and whispers a barely audible 'okay'.

We just stare at each other for a few seconds, and I finally relent, turning around to head back to Lauren.

Just as I take a few steps, Edward calls out to me.

" Bella? Is 5 alright for tomorrow?" he asks, and my heart flips a beat. I'm too overwhelmed to say anything, so I just nod.

His grin widens and he calls out one last time, "I'll be there". I just blush and then hurry away to Mrs. Mallory, feeling his gaze upon me the whole way.

As I reached her, I looked back one last time, and our eyes met in silent communication.

Green to brown.

And I'd never felt more contented.