A/N: Well, a new chapter, and we're almost at the end of January in this story. I know many of you were not happy with how I left the last chapter, but I promise, I will let you in on the "secret" of the rehearsal as well as the performance the next day.
Anyway, on with the story.
DISCLAIMER: do I still need to bother with this thing? (let me know)
BPOV
Edward and I made it halfway to his room. We only made it halfway to his room because Alice came barreling out of her bedroom and wrapped her arms around me. Before I knew what was happening, she had pulled me into her room and sat me on her double bed. She was squealing and shrieking so much that soon Elizabeth came to see what the commotion was about. When she saw me sitting in her daughter's room she came over to me and wrapped me in a hug. She stepped back as Alice rushed at me again to wrap her arms around me. Soon all of us girls were giggling and laughing. I looked over to Alice's doorframe where Edward stood with his arms crossed across his chest. He had a small smile pasted on his lips as he watched this scene.
Soon, Edward was clearing his throat. "As much as I hate to break this scene up, because it is quite amusing to watch, Bella and I have to perfect two Shakespearian scenes by tomorrow otherwise our grades will suffer. I also want to make sure she's kept up with our math lessons since she's taken a leave of absence from our lives. Do you two mind releasing her until dinner?"
Alice started to pout and Elizabeth sighed. Finally they both released me to the care of my best friend. Edward and I made it the rest of the way to his room. He held open the door for me and I was pleased to see that he hadn't changed anything since I had last been here. I turned back around in time to see Edward locking his door. I gave him a confused look but he answered my question before I could speak it aloud. "Just in case Alice feels the need to come bounding in here to see you." I laughed and grabbed my book from my bag. I saw Edward getting his book and sitting down on his bed. I crossed the room and sat on his black, leather couch so we could prepare our lines.
We started by writing each of our lines in modern language first. Then we listened to what the other had written and decided if we needed to change anything. Both of us were satisfied with each other's work. We stood and decided to block off the performance. Soon we were reciting our new lines and deciding what do with our bodies as we spoke. Luckily, we decided on nothing more than a kiss on the cheek for this scene. I knew that Mike and Lauren would not be pleased, but at least we wouldn't have to make out because the scene called for it. We had finished our first scene when there was a light knock on Edward's door.
"Edward? Bella? Dinner is ready? Are you two coming down to eat with us?" Alice's voice was like a devilish pixie. It sounded like she had a secret, but refused to share it with us.
Edward and I shrugged our shoulders and headed towards the doorway. We would have to work on and finish the last scene after dinner or another night. We went down the stairs to meet Edward's family. They were in the dining room waiting for Alice and us to return. Soon we were settled around the table and talking happily about updates in our lives. I felt at ease here. It was as if Edward's family was an adopted family for me, and I an adopted daughter. I truly was blessed to still be welcome in this house after all that had happened between Edward and I.
After dinner, Edward, Alice, and I cleaned up the dishes and kitchen for Elizabeth. We all laughed and joked with one another. It was exactly like "old" times. I called my parents to let them know I would be staying later than expected to finish our work. They seemed pleased that I was working with Edward. After the phone call, Edward and I returned to his room for finish our final scene. This one was easy, because it was basically going to be done exactly as Claire Danes and Leonardo DiCaprio had done it in the latest remake. Edward and I would only be portraying Romeo and Juliet, so we were able to delete all the other characters and their lines easily. We spent a long time joking and debating "modern" ways to kill Juliet off. What would Romeo be carrying around with him that Juliet could use to kill herself with? Edward thought that Romeo could be carrying a Swiss Army Knife and insisted that those things could do practically anything. I suggested that Romeo carries rope or string and then Juliet would hang herself. But we finally settled on Romeo carrying his trusty razor (making sure he was clean shaven even in death) and then Juliet would use the blades in the razor to slit her wrists. We thought there was enough comedic relief in the situation, but we hoped Mrs. Larson would appreciate it.
After finishing our work for English, Edward pulled out his math book and helped me with our homework for the night. Since we had a big test coming up, he offered to catch me up with the last few weeks of lessons that I was seriously lost on. We would be working together during lunch or study hall to get me ready for the test. I had to say, my math grade was definitely taking a hit since Edward and I started fighting. I only hoped that we would truly grow up or I would have to figure out how to pass math without Edward. I soon had the entire assignment done and put the paper in my book bag, ready to be turned in the next day. Edward stood up and offered to walk me home. I agreed, considering it would give us a chance to really talk, and maybe we could decide what to do if we got upset with each other in the future.
Edward was a true gentleman on the way home. He made sure that he caught me when I tripped over my own feet, and he even offered to carry my things for me. We talked as we walked slowly back to my house. We talked about basketball and the stats I was working on with Coach James. We talked about what we were going to do after the season was over in a few weeks. We even talked about Lauren and Mike. All questions on that discussion seemed to be answers with only one or two words. We apparently didn't want to get into a lot of details about our love lives with each other, so we left it as asking the all important question: "Are you happy?" Which would lead us to a comfortable silence as we finished the walk to my door. Edward gave me a hug and made me promise to sit with him at lunch the next day so he could continue my math tutoring. I kissed his cheek and thanked him for all his help and promised to work hard to catch up.
He turned an walked down the sidewalk to his house. I was about to turn around and enter my house when I noticed a black Escalade drive by the house. I shrugged when I realized that there were probably more than one black Escalade in Washington state, so I shouldn't be confused by anything, and went inside. I didn't think about it anymore as I went upstairs to take a shower and get to bed. I cleaned up quickly and fell asleep easily that night. I was able to sleep deeply that night and woke refreshed the next morning. I was ready to greet the day and the rest of the week.
The rest of the week flew by. Edward and I ended up getting standing ovations in English for our performances. Even the teacher seemed pleased with our interpretations of the characters. We even caught her chuckling at our choice of murder weapon in the end. The only awkward moment came when I had to kiss Edward's lips "in order to get the poison from them" and Lauren walked in to deliver a message from the office. Of course, she blew up at me and Edward by the end of the day. I felt bad for Edward, because she was still upset about in by Friday when we had our last away game. The team had unfortunately lost one too many games, and we wouldn't be going to the playoffs. However, most of us were looking forward to next Saturday. On the 11th, the school was hosting a semi-formal Valentine's Day Dance. Most of the ride home from the game centered on whom would go to the dance with whom and what everyone was going to wear. Edward sat with me again on the way home as he continued to explain over and over again what I had been missing in math class. I was so thankful to have my best friend back in my life again.