Hey guys Here's the next chapter! The next update will be the concert…
I wondered vaguely about what my mother had been doing these past years, and learned that she had a boyfriend named Phil and was living in New York temporarily as he played Minor League baseball. She seemed enthusiastic and happy to see me and asked how Emmett was, and about the Hales and the Masens, Esme and Emma especially. I wondered why she didn't call her own kids once in a while if she cared about us so much, but I decided to let it go and just enjoy the time I had with her without complications. A pressing weight was weighing on my stomach, reminding me that I needed to get Edward a gift. I stopped by Future Shop and bought him a sleek looking Ipod Touch. Surprisingly, he had never bought himself an Ipod, although he had always wanted one. I felt sort of bad for not choosing a gift that was more heartfelt, but the shop keeper asked if I wanted the back engraved, and I felt a little better as I nodded yes and got "Edward and Bella, Best Friends Forever, 2010." Engraved on the back, just like we had scratched onto the monopoly board so many years ago. I bought a card quickly from the nearest drugstore, my mother waiting outside, and tapped my head with the pen the cashier had lent me, wondering what to write. I placed the pen on the thick white paper and began to write.
Edward,
You've worked so hard to get here. You deserve every moment, every praise, every compliment and every smile you get today.
Always remember that I'll be there for you no matter what, because that's what friends are for. You have been the greatest friend
anyone could ever ask for for seventeen years, and I know it will last until were old and wrinkly. I'm so proud of you, Masen.
Do your best, pretend like it's me you and your guitar alone in your room, and leave them speechless. Most important of all, look for me in the crowd.
I'll be the one going crazy. Don't forget me when you're famous,
Love, Bella.
EDWARD POV
Bells burst back into our hotel room, where I was pacing in a panic. It was 6pm, the show was in two hours. I smiled despite myself as she waltzed in, seeing that she had stolen my Julliard sweater. I craned my neck to see behind her, and smiled awkwardly at Renee, so familiar faced. Her answering smile brought memories to the front of my head, and I shook them away, I needed to concentrate. The dress rehearsal had gone quite well, in fact, I didn't even know why I was so nervous.
"How did everything go?" Bella asked, hugging me quickly.
"Smoothly." I said, sitting down on the bed and running a hand through my hair. Renee looked at me with a strange expression in her eyes, almost loving.
"You aren't a little boy anymore, Edward." She said. I chuckled awkwardly. To tell the truth, I had never forgiven Renee for what she had done to Bella. I almost shuddered, remembering a tiny, 7 year old Bella with empty eyes.
"Nope." I said.
"Congratulations on all this." She said sincerely, looking around.
"Thank you." I said honestly back, and smiled. We all three headed down for a quick dinner at about 7, and then I headed down to the theater to get ready while Renee and Bella went back up to the hotel room to change. Before we parted, Bella pulled me aside.
"Edward, I got you something." She said. I shook my head.
"Oh Bells, you didn't have too." I said, feeling bad.
"I wanted too. Open it when I leave." She said, thrusting a small gift bag at me, white tissue paper flowing out of it. I smiled despite the intense butterflies in my stomach, and wrapped my arms around her. She did the same, burying her face in my chest. "I know you can do it." She said.
"I'm not so sure. I said.
"Stop that." She hugged me tighter. "Good luck, love you." She said, hurrying off to join her mother. I knew she had said it meaning in a friendship, like the way we signed cards and letters with 'love' or when we were laughing and joking, but it still struck something deep inside me.
"I love you too." I muttered as she pranced away, clutching the gift in my hands. I headed off backstage, and when I could get a moment alone, I opened it. I tore open the envelope on the card first, and read.
Edward,
You've worked so hard to get here. You deserve every moment, every praise, every compliment and every smile you get today.
Always remember that I'll be there for you no matter what, because that's what friends are for. You have been the greatest friend
anyone could ever ask for for seventeen years, and I know it will last until were old and wrinkly. I'm so proud of you, Masen.
Do your best, pretend like it's me you and your guitar alone in your room, and leave them speechless. Most important of all, look for me in the crowd.
I'll be the one going crazy. Don't forget me when you're famous,
Love, Bella.
I smiled, stroking her loopy handwriting with my thumb, and tucked it away in my back pocket, keeping it there for good luck. I opened the gift, and was shocked to see a shiny, new Ipod Touch roll into my hands. I had wanted one forever, but had never got around to it. I used my old walkman, seriously outdated, and really needed this for my next few years at Julliard. I grinned more as I saw the inscription on the back, "Edward and Bella, Best Friends Forever, 2010." Just like the monopoly board, and fought back the silly urge to cry. Brooke bustled in to the room, making all of us performers jump, and announced that it was time. Another jolt or nervousness fluttered through me, and I gulped, remembering the words Bella had said in her card.
RENEE POV
I followed Bella back to their hotel, still acutely aware of her scar. I tried to imagine the scenario and shuddered every time, thank god Edward had gotten there in time. We rode the elevator up and I got butterflies. How different would Edward be? He was 17 now, I reminded myself. Bella unlocked the door, and strode in, and then I saw him. He was tall, with good shoulders and a clearly muscular torso. His arms were also toned, and he was still pale. His peculiar green eyes gleamed from a slightly more structured face then the last time I had seen him, and his mop of bronze hair was still the same. I was lost in thought as I watched Bella hug Edward like it was the most natural thing in the world. Flash, Bella and Edward as three year olds splashing each other at the public pool, Flash, Edward and Bella pushing each other on the swings at age 5, Flash, them racing up and down the stairs, timing themselves, at age 11. I shook myself out of my thoughts.
"You aren't a little boy anymore, Edward." I said, and he chuckled.
"Nope." He said, and I was astounded at how low his voice had gotten. Still like velvet, smooth and sweet as it had always been.
"Congratulations on all this." I said sincerely, I really was proud of him, getting himself to Julliard and all.
"Thank you." He said, and we headed down for dinner.
Thanks "twigirl3" for the part about Renee calling her kids, I decided to add that in, just Bella wondering. Thanks everyone!
Reviews? xox