BPOV
I was... shocked to say the least when Edward told me the reason he came up to my room. The day he busted me in a full blown make out session with Justin. I didn't want to tell him that I had feelings for him then too. I would tell him, just not yet. Today was zoo day, and I was going to enjoy it, not have small chit chat about past feelings that are not really irrelevant now. What's done is done.
"Eww" I said "That is gross"
"It's just a lizard Bella" Edward laughed. Casually swinging his arm over my shoulder.
"Yeah but it's still gross" I shrugged.
The reptiles enclosure/room like thing was dark... and murky. The air was thick and warm.
"Typical female" I heard him whisper
"Excuse me?" I asked, acting like I didn't hear what he said
"What? Huh... ahh... nothing"
"Don't insult us females" I crossed my arms over my chest and glared him
"Sorry" He mumbled. Looking down at the wet ground.
"Good" I laughed taking his hand.
I ignored the rest of our walk past all the slimy... poisonous icky things and trotted straight out the door.
"Well, that was interesting" Said Edward in a sarcastic tone.
"I don't like reptiles... or anything slimy for that matter"
"I can see that" He chuckled
"Let's go see the gemsbok" I said pulling him away from the reptile enclosure
"The gem what?" He asked sounding confused.
"They are African Oryx" I informed him
"African what?"
"Never mind" I rolled my eyes at him and kept dragging him along.
***********
"This is a powerful-looking antelope with a well-defined pattern on the head and body. On the face, there are three black stripes alternating with three white ones. There is a black stripe running down the centre of the back. The white underside is separated from the gray flanks by a black line. The tail is long and has a black tuft. The horns are nearly straight and almost parallel, and average about 30 inches long. The female's horns are usually longer and slimmer. There are two distinct races of gemsbok: a northern form which often has its ears fringed in black, and a southern form with longer horns, rounder ears, and a darker rump. Length of head and body is up to six feet, shoulder height about 4 feet, and it weighs up to 450 pounds." Edward was reading the description plaque that was nailed to a wooden post.
"Wow, that allot of animal" He laughed "450 pounds"
"I think they are fascinating" I said while taking a few photos of the animals grazing.
I walked over to Edward and glanced at the plaque
"Gemsbok generally live in herds of up to 40 individuals, often in association with other species of antelope or with zebras. The males are often solitary animals, however. Active from dawn through nightfall, it feeds on grass and leaves, and can survive long periods without drinking any water. The horns are effective weapons. When fighting, the head is lowered between the forelegs in order to impale the enemy."
"That would hurt" Edward stated
"Sure would" I giggled "So, where to next?" I asked
"Hmm" He put his finger on his chin thoughtfully "Let's go see the lions" He said as he waggled his eyebrows at me
Laughing at him I flicked him in the nose then ran off in the direction of where the lions where with Edward running after me. Take that!
"I like the colour of the lions fur" I said once we stopped in front of the enclosure.
"I like lions full stop"
"The normal colour is tawny-yellow, but varies from gray to ochre, and can even be blackish. The female has paler colouring, especially on the throat and on the underside of the body. The length of the mane, found only in males, may be associated with the coldness of the local climate. Length of head and body in males is over six feet, and the tail is over three additional feet long. A male lion can weigh up to 550 pounds, with the females much smaller than the males"
"Now that Is allot of animal" I laughed
"But they are smaller than the gemsbroke" I said
"They have more meat on then" Edward shrugged taking the camera out of my hands
Nodding my head a few time I resumed reading the plaque
"Lions are social animals, living in prides usually made up of one or more adult males, two or more females, and numerous cubs and adolescents. It hunts mainly at night, but is also active during the cooler part of the day. It hunts by ambushing prey such as zebra, and various animals belonging to the cattle species. Because the lion tires quickly, it does not usually pursue its prey. The degree of cooperation has been exaggerated, but the resources of several lions are often combined: while the group stalks the prey, an animal may be ambushed by a lone lion, usually a lioness, which often kills the prey with a single blow on the back breaking the spinal column. Lions also kill by biting the throat to suffocate the prey." Poor zebras
"They are so violent" I shuddered
"It's the way of life" He said staring at the lions in awe
" Well, they could be friendly and just live of the animals that have just died from old age or something. That way everyone would be happy and no one would get hurt"
"Doesn't work like that" He laughed
"I know" I sighed "But I just wish that... I don't know, things were nicer and less vigilant"
"What next?"
"I wanna see a nice animal that isn't a murderer" I said.
" how about we go see the wild horse?" He asked
"I like horses" I said with a smile
"Then to the horses it is"
***************
"Wow" I breathed "beautiful"
"Yeah" Edward replied, not sounding really serious.
"I like them" I said pocking my tongue out at him "Read the plaque to me"
"The wild horse's coat is reddish brown on the flanks, becoming gradually paler towards the underside. In summer the coat is considerably shorter than in winter. The mane is dark brown and permanently erect, similar to the zebra. It has long, slender limbs with 1 large hoof (toenail) on each foot. Not including the tail, wild horses are approximately 9 feet long, but only four to five feet tall at the shoulder. They weigh approximately 800 pounds, with females slightly smaller."
"9 feet long? They don't look that long" I said, tilting my head to the side trying to see how what looked to be 5 feet long could really be 9 feet long
"This is the only wild horse remaining in the world and may belong to the same species as the domestic horse. Wild horses have been nearly wiped out, and it is no longer possible to happen upon the large herds that used to be commonplace. Today the wild horse is being interbred with domestic horses in Mongolia, and before long the species may die out altogether in the wild. "Wild" horses earn their name, constantly on the alert for enemies (both man and wolves). They can defend themselves quite vigorously with kicks and bites. It can live upwards of 30 years. They can go a long time without water, feeding exclusively on grass." He continued
"I can't believe such a beautiful animal is almost extinct. See this is what those lions do"
"The way of life" He shrugged again
"Have you no heart Mr. Cullen?"
"Yes, right here" He replied, putting his hand over his heart
"Use it" I suggested
"I do use it"
"Apart from loving and caring about your parents, friends, sport, your car or food what else do you care about or love?"
"You" He stated simply
"Good on ya" I laughed love? Yeah right, Edward Cullen does not fall in love
EPOV
That totally slipped out and I have no idea where it came from. In more words or less I basically told Bella I loved her. I was thankful that she didn't think I was being serious so I didn't say anything more about it. I cannot, possible, absolutely am not in love with Bella. I know that for a fact. If I were in love with her then I would feel all warm inside when I'm around her, I wouldn't be able to stand being apart from her, she would constantly be on my mind, I would worry over her all the time etc psshhh see not in love with her... or... wait a minute –
"Edward, are you coming?" Bella said, bringing me out of my thoughts. Shit, so not happening
"Yeah coming" I sighed. I shoved my hands in my pocket and followed after her.
I can't love her? Can I? I have never been in love before, so I don't really know what it feels like...
I watched Bella's hips sway from side to side, her hair flowing Waverly in the wind.
"What the fuck is that?" I asked once we came to a stop.
"It's a Lynx Caracal" She said as she took a few photos
"How much film do you have?"
"Not film Edward, memory" She laughed "And allot, I still have 2000 photos that I can take. Say cheese"
She shot a photo of me, I didn't smile, I glared at her.
"Oh cheer up Edward"
"There isn't anything wrong with me." I said as I walked over and stood next to her.
I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her closer to my chest, just needing to feel her body pressed against my. Have her close to m- OMG... I...I...I think I love Bella
I heard Bella let out a content sigh as she pushed her face into the crook of my neck and inhale deeply
"My spot" She mumbled
She seemed to fit perfectly with her face pressed against my neck.
"The colour of the coat is uniform reddish brown above and white underneath, but sometimes no darker than beige. The fur is short and very soft. There are long tufts of hair on the ears. The soles of the feet are hairless. The limbs are long in proportion to body size. The caracal grows to about three and one half feet long, twelve inches of which is tail, and it can weigh 40 pounds." I read as she hugged herself closer to me.
"This animal is nocturnal, primarily to avoid the heat of the day, because in the colder parts of its range it also hunts by day. Despite its long legs it does not run a great deal. It jumps very well, and often catches birds by leaping up at them as they fly by. It feeds on many species of mammals and birds, especially rodents and small antelopes. It is completely solitary in clearly defined hunting territories."
"No wonder it's not awake" She laughed "What's the time?"
"It is..." I pulled out my phone and flipped it open "5:00pm" wow where exactly did the day go?
"No wander I'm hungry" Bella sighed, still pressed firmly against my chest.
I knew that what she just said was code for 'I wanna go' but I just couldn't bring myself into letting her go, though I knew I had to. I gave her a quick squeeze then released her from my hold If only you knew how I truly felt about you. I thought to myself. Though I couldn't tell her, I only just figured it out for myself it still needed to sink in. And what if she didn't feel the same, I don't want to be rejected or shut down.
I grabbed onto her hand and laced my fingers with hers. I brought her knuckles up to my lips and placed a soft kiss on her hand. She smiled at me sweetly.
******************
"What do you want to eat?" I asked her once we pulled out of the zoo parking lot
"I don't know, you choose"
"Hmmk" I replied as I drove down the highway that headed towards home.
After about 15minutes of driving went came to a little cafe. Deciding it was better than nothing I pulled over and helped Bella out of the car.
"What do you feel like?" I asked as we stood in front of the counter looking at the menu.
"Umm" She said as her eyes glided up and down the chalk board "Schnitzel with chips and gravy"
"Alright" I turned to the waitress who was staring at me with lust filled eyes
"Can I get a schnitzel with chips and gravy and I will get a chicken burger with salad" I told her
She was alright looking, tall, skinny, kind of up and down, no real distinguished curves, hazel eyes, oval shaped face and black hair. Nothing compared to Bella though.
" Sure" She replied smiling at me, completely ignoring Bella "Any drinks?" She asked, looking at me
I looked down at Bella, who had seemed to notice the waitress staring at me. She crossed her arms over her chest and glared at the woman.
"I'll have a coke" She said
"Same here" I replied, pulling Bella close to my side, hoping that she knew I only had eyes for her.
She wrote down our order, I paid her then we went and found a table close by the window.
"Did you see her" Bella said angrily
"Yes, love I did see her" Shit. Please don't notice
"It was as if I wasn't even there" She huffed
"Don't worry about it" I said, trying to calm her down
I put my hand on top of hers on top of the table and rubbed the top of her hand soothingly
"Alright" She sighed
The waitress brought over our food.
"Here you go" She said, placing the plates on the table "And here are some napkins" She grinned at me, placing the napkins in front of me
Bella snatched the napkins of the table and shoved them back into the girls hand.
"Take your stupid napkins and leave my boyfriend alone" She sneered
The waitress glared at her, then turned to me and gave me another smile before turning and leaving
"Bella" I said sternly "Why did you do that?" I asked
"That bitch put her phone number on the fucken napkin" She spat
"How do you know?"
"Because I saw it written, plain and clear as day Edward that's how" She seethed
"oh" Was my wonderful reply "I didn't see" I muttered
"Of course you didn't" She said as she stabbed her schnitzel with her knife
"Bella, calm down please"
"No"
"Please"
"Why should I? You have females practically undressing you with their eyes, flirting with you, giving you their phone number and you don't care. They ignore me"
"Because I don't care Bella. I don't care who tries to give me their number, I'll throw it out, and I don't care that they flirt with me, I won't flirt back." I sighed "I only have eyes for you Bella"
She stared at me for a long moment before hanging her head and playing with her food
"I'm sorry" She muttered
"It's ok" I laughed
She looked up at me and gave me a warm smile before popping a chip in her mouth and chewed slowly, while looking up at me through her long lash's
****************
Once we got home I said goodnight to Bella and walked her to her door.
"I'll see you tomorrow?" She asked
"Or tonight?" I responded hopefully
She smiled at me and nodded her head "20 minutes?"
"Ok, I'll see you then"
She gave me a quick kiss before going inside.
..........................................
There we have it.
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