Chap.1 BPOV
Since Rose decided to move in with Emmett, Alice and I needed a new roommate for our final year of college. I don't understand why Alice doesn't move out too, she and Jasper are together all the time anyway and she sleeps there most nights as well. But then again, they've only been together for six months so it's still new. I guess she also doesn't want me to feel like they are all abandoning me. That doesn't mean I don't get lonely, I'm so sick of always being the third wheel, well fifth in this equation.
Alice and I decided to only look for a new male roommate, 'cause Alice figured it would be a good experience for us, to know what it's like to live with a guy, before moving in with our future boyfriends, well only my future boyfriend 'cause Alice already has Jasper. It was all Alice's idea, but I think she did it for my sake, so I could loosen up a little around men and not be so uptight and closed off. I wasn't that way around Emmett or Jasper, but other guys made me wary, I don't trust their intentions.
I've always been painfully shy and it wasn't until my first year of college that I lost my virginity. That was a big catastrophe by the way. The guy had the tiniest dick and came in like two seconds, I'm not even sure he broke my hymen! His name was Mike and we had been dating for a while, and I just wanted to get my virginity out of the way, so that maybe I could have a real relationship, like Alice and Rose. But that didn't happen; we broke up shortly after he took my virginity. Apparently he had made a bet with some frat boys that he could deflower the cute nerdy girl from his English class, and that was all I was to him. Anyways I'm getting sidetracked here.
So we have five interviews to get trough today. Somehow four out of the five guys ended up in front of our door at the same time, even though they were scheduled a half an hour apart. There's nothing worse than a guy not being punctual, but arriving ahead of time is also a big no no.
Because we were doing the interviews in the living room, the rest of the guys were required to wait outside the apartment. It was a little embarrassing, all those guys waiting outside our apartment like it was a club entrance or something.
We had just finished our second interview, Alice and I plopped down onto our seats with a sigh. We had told the guys we needed a few minutes, before continuing. The first to guys kept drooling over Alice and were not so discreetly flirting with her. I don't blame them; Alice is a very pretty girl, short, almost black hair which made her green eyes stand out and a petite body. And let's not forget her impeccable fashion sense. I'm just plain looking, with my brown hair and brown eyes and I'm just a jeans and t-shirt kind of girl. Although I do enjoy sexy underwear, that's my little secret, I find it gives me confidence.
I looked over at Alice who was currently wearing a just as disappointed face as I was, that just made me twice as pessimistic as I already was. When Alice noticed me starring, she quickly recovered her face.
"Don't worry Bella; you know my intuition never fails. We have known each other since kindergarten, when have I ever failed you?" Before I could answer she continued.
"I just know the perfect guy will show, you'll see." She made it sound like he was meant to be more than a roommate. But that's typical Alice, talking in riddles. I didn't even bother asking her what she was talking about; I just nodded, wanting to get these interviews and day over with.
As I was escorting Tyler, our third interview back out the door, he abruptly stopped in the doorway, making me walk straight in to his back. I let out a small "Umf" on impact, my hands shot up as reflex to his back.
He turned around, and looked down at me with a smirk on his face, looking pleased with himself, as my hands now rested on his muscular chest. I quickly removed my hands and blushed furiously; I didn't want him thinking I was doing it on purpose.
Tyler leaned against the doorway on one of his shoulders and crossed his feat, looking like he owned the place. "So Bella, I was thinking, roommates or not, we should definitely go out some time. I know this nice little Italian place around the corner…"
I had to cut him off right there. 'Cause seriously, who hits on someone they are about to become roommates with, not that he was our choice, far from it, but still.
"Look Tyler, it's very nice of you to ask me out, I just think the circumstances are a bit weird, so… no thank you." I don't usually reject guys, so I had no idea what to say, so I just spewed out what popped in to my head.
I was fidgeting with my hands looking at the floor. I chanced a look at Tyler, who was clearly miffed that I had just rejected him. He was a very good looking guy, had that whole tall, dark and handsome thing going on, so clearly not used to rejection.
All of the sudden he looked a bit embarrassed, as he looked over his shoulder. He returned his gaze to me looking crestfallen. That's when I noticed that the two last guys were waiting on their interview and had heard it all. My eyes were fleeting, not wanting to linger on the last to guys adding to the embarrassment of the whole mess. I swiftly looked away. I gave Tyler a quick escape.
Keeping my gaze on the floor, "We will let you know at the end of the week Tyler, have a nice day."
"Thank you" He muttered under his breath and made his quick escape.
Alice popped out of nowhere, joining me at the door.
"What's taking so long Bella?" My cheeks turned slightly pink again, while mumbling "nothing" under my breath.
I hurried back into the living room, leaving Alice to greet the next candidate.
I took position in my big comfy chair. I've had this chair since forever. It used to sit in my parents living room when I was a kid, so when I move, it moves with me. I've spent countless of hours reading and watching movies in this chair, eating chicken soup when sick and crying in to the cushions when my heart is broken.
I curl up, tucking my feet under me, placing my notepad in my lap, with all our questions and await Alice's arrival.
This guy Erik was just as horrific as the ones before him.
As I walked Erik to the door, he somehow got the idea that maybe I wasn't interested in Tyler because he was the athletic type, and since Erik was the academic type, he apparently figured that I might give him a chance, because go figure if he didn't ask me out on a date when we reached the door.
"So Isabella, I know Tyler was probably far from what you usually date, you strike me as a smart girl, intelligent like myself, so I think we will be compatible in all regards as well as romantically."
I scrunched my brows together in a frown, and put my are you serious face on, placing my hands on my hips. I don't think this guy owns a romantic bone in his body. It had been a long day, and my limit has been reached. And what the fudge is up with this doorway, it must be cursed!
My cheeks burn crimson when I'm embarrassed and when I'm angry; right now it's definitely the latter. I ran a hand trough my hair and let out a frustrated sigh.
"Look here Erik; I don't know how all you guys figured this would be like some sort of dating arrangement combined with the move-in. That's not how this goes, just because we are looking for a guy to move in with us, doesn't mean we want a fuck-buddy or… or whatever!"
He looked slightly aghast, and then had the decency to look a little embarrassed. He scurried away without another word, and now I was the one who was mortified. Acting like a lunatic, we definitely shouldn't have arranged all these interviews in one day. I guess we know that now for our next interview round – wait, shit one guy is left.
I lifted my gaze afraid of what awaited me; all the while wobbling the line of pent up rage and humiliation, my cheeks still burning with both.
I was met with a calming ocean of jade green, that's the best way to describe this man's eyes. Saying that he simple had green eyes would be denigrating or blasphemes even. His hair was like a wild forest fire, both in its wild disarray and color, the light brown with the hints of red where the sun touched him.
God snap out of it Bella, you're starring! I quickly composed myself and took a small step towards our final candidate of the day.
"I'm so sorry you had to witness that, I don't usually fly of the handle like that. I just… I…" never finding the right words, the Adonis before me interrupted me and my eyes found the floor yet again.
"Don't apologize, I don't know what those guys were thinking – well actually I do know what they were thinking" I could hear the smirk in his voice. "But it was as inappropriate as could be, so don't apologize I absolutely understand your reaction." Still expected him to be smirking, but looking up I found him looking at me with a gentle smile and an expression I couldn't quite read, compassion and something else. That combined with his velvet voice, made my knees weak and my cheeks burn anew.
Alice chose that moment to join us by the front door. Now she was the one smirking, what's with all the smirking today!
"Hi, you must be Edward, I'm Alice" She held out her hand to which he accepted with a big smile, my insides went all mushy. God he was just too beautiful. Dressed in light baggy jeans, brown leather belt and a grey long sleeved t-shirt rolled up to the elbows, showing of his strong underarms. The shirt clung to him like a second skin, showing of his broad shoulders and perfect muscles.
"Nice to meet you Alice." He turned towards me. "And is it Isabella or Bella, because I've heard both from your admirers." And with that he rewarded me with a beautiful crooked smile. I definitely needed to sit down very soon, this man made me swoon; I didn't even know that was possible.
"It's just Bella." I cautiously held out my hand in greeting. When his big rough yet soft hand enclosed mine, it wasn't like an electrical current, as much as it was more like a wave of pleasure cursing throughout my body, in close comparison to an orgasm I might add.
I chanced a look at his oceans of jade and found myself drowning; now I definitely needed to sit down. He looked down at our joined hands with a slight frown.
"Let's go inside!" I kind of yelled it, but in my defense I was seriously panicking, no man has ever made my body react like this. I made an abrupt turn and bolted for my sacred chair, hoping desperately to return to the high level of comfort my chair usually brings me.
As Alice and Edward were walking towards me, I heard a low whisper from Alice.
"You only use her full name when you're angry or she's in trouble." She smiled a cunning smile at him, which he returned. His eyes then landed on me, and to which his whispered answer was -
"I'll be sure to keep that in mind."
-~oOo~-
With my trusty notebook placed firmly in my lap and my feet tugged beneath me, I was as ready as could be for this interview.
Alice took a seat on the couch farthest from me, leaving Edward a wide space on the couch right in front of me.
He was angling his body towards her, the two of them already in deep conversation like they've known each other for years. This gave me a short window of opportunity to study his profile.
He has such masculine features. A very strong jaw line, slightly scruffy brows but a very clean shaven look despite his wild bed hair. I looked down at the notepad with all of our questions, thinking this is not going to end well.
"Bella?" Hmm… what.
"What, yes... what?" Was my fumbling answer, not having heard a word. Alice was smiling that scheming smile again.
"I said, are you ready with our questions?"
I turned my gaze towards Edward. He looked like the picture of relaxation, one angel over the other knee and leaning back in the couch with his hands behind his head.
I cleared my throat, took a deep breath and decided not to let him influence me in such manner.
"Yes of course. Edward first off, tell us about yourself. Age, what is your current occupation; do you attend college or simple work for a living? And maybe what you like to do in your free time."
Edward smiled that crooked smile at me, almost like he knew I was trying to put on my big girl pants and not let him have any power over me.
"I'm twenty-one and I'm not in college, I never finished." He didn't look as confident now, and I wondered what might have happened.
"I work construction during the day and have a part-time job at a club during the weekend. So it's not going to be a problem paying rent."
"So it sounds like you don't have much free time for hobbies…" It sounded like he worked a lot.
"Or girlfriends." Alice interjected, thank you Alice for bringing that up. My cheeks turned a slight pink color.
Edward had a small smile on his lips. He looked at the coffee table in front of him, now leaning forward with his elbows resting on his knees.
"No, there's no girlfriend, but I do have free time, I get home at four every weekday so my nights are available and on the weekends I work from eleven pm to three am. So I have the whole day, minus the sleeping in of course."
Mhh… images of Edward sleeping roam my head. Him resting on his stomach, hands under the pillow and the sheets barely covering his bottom. Small dimples of his lower back on display.
Stop it Bella!
"And let's see… I like to spend my free time with friends, I enjoy dancing and play the piano, don't worry it's not like I own one that I would be dragging in here though." He said with a small laugh."
Alice and I both looked at each other; we both knew he was the best candidate so far.
We continued asking him about different things, such as if he would mind a shared food budget or if he preferred his own food on own shelf, and what time he usually showered, so we wouldn't clash.
All though I wouldn't mind clashing… Stop!
When we were finished with all the questions, we showed him the apartment. The living room he had already seen, which was attached to an open kitchen with a countertop with four barstools. But also a table to fit six people right by the kitchen.
Then there was the hallway which had all our bedrooms and the one shared bathroom.
We showed him his room, and I just now noticed that his wall is against mine. God I hope he doesn't bring home any girls.
Last but not least the bathroom, which had a small shower with a detachable showerhead, bathtub and a small sink. Nothing fancy, but very doable.
Alice's and my room had the door ajar, so you could peek in, it only seemed fair, that the one moving in could get a peak at what we were all about, not that I think my room said much about me.
White walls with black framed black and white photos of all my family and friends adorned all my walls. They were all pictures I had taken over the years. My windowsills were bright aquamarine, to break the sharp lines of black and white. My bedspread had the same color mixed with purple.
Edward passed our doors, barely looking in; I guess he didn't want to seem like he was prying. But I could have sworn he did a minor double take on my room.
We end the tour, returning to the living room.
"Well girls, I really liked the place and we seem agreeable on all the rules and such, so I hope to hear from you."
He looks at us, running a hand trough his hair. He actually seemed kind of nervous. This is a far stretch from the confident man we've seen up until now. But it actually makes me like him more, he hasn't appeared as cocky but it's nice to see him more human if you will; that he can be nervous too.
Alice and I exchange glances, yes we both agree, he is perfect.
"Edward we have your number and we just need to have a small chat, Bella and I and then we will call you. Probably within twenty-four hours or so." She smiles reassuringly at him, possibly trying to express with her eyes, that he is our choice.
I think she succeeded, 'cause he lets out long sigh and smiles a breathtakingly beautiful smile.
There he goes, making me swoon again.
We walk him to the door, say our goodbyes. After Alice shuts the door, I can't help but peak out the window right next to the door, as I watch his retrieving form I can feel Alice's gaze in the back of my head.
"All right let me have it Alice, get it of your chest." I turn towards her, expecting her to be grinning from ear to ear, maybe crack a joke about me ogling him. But as my eyes land on her face, she just looks calm and happy.
"What? You're not going to say anything?" She just shrugs her shoulders then turns on me and heads for the couch. I join her, only in my safe haven – the chair.
I keep starring at her waiting for her to do something, but she just keeps looking back at me with that calm smiling face and it kind of makes me panic, 'cause if there's one thing Alice is not, its calm.
Finally she speaks.
"So do we agree that Edwards the one?" Why does that sound like a loaded question?
"Um, yes. I think he is the best choice, don't you?" I frown a little, a tat confused. Most certainly she didn't think that one of the others were more suitable.
"Absolutely, he's perfect! Then that's settled, shall we call him now?"
Okay I'm calmer now, because she is now back to her hyper self; smiling big, jumping a little on the couch clapping her hands together.
"Jeez… eager much Alice. Isn't there like a rule that you wait a certain amount of time and then call?"
"Silly Bella, that's dating. We can call him now, put the poor guy out of his misery."
I guess she's right, but she has that calm smile on her face again and it's really starting to freak me out.
I stand from my chair and start walking towards my room, speaking to Alice over my shoulder as I walk.
"Sure Alice, since you're so eager you get to call him, and make sure he know its next Sunday he can move in 'cause that's the end of month.
A/N:
Don't worry you will get to see much more of Edwards hot body in the next chapter, 'cause you know that you can accidently walk in on each other in the shower… tihi, till next time :D