Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight.
17. New experiences.
Epov:
I wasn't paying much attention in Spanish. My mind was preoccupied by a certain brown eyed girl. Again I saw how mad she became after Jacob left but underneath that I saw the hurt he caused. I suppressed my feelings then but gave them free range know. I felt such anger towards him that I balled my hands into fists subconsciously. I didn't realize how tightly they were balled until I felt my short nails bite into my palms flesh. I don't exactly know what his problem is but if he causes her anymore pain I will have to do something about it. I would never hurt him because that would hurt Bella and that's the last thing I wanted to do. I will talk to him and if his problem is with me then I would try and sort out whatever it is that's bothering him.
All through class I kept my eye on the clock and silently cursed the person who decided that an hour should be sixty minutes long. The clock was so slow it was like a pack of turtles stampeding through peanut butter. When the last minute of class finally arrived I quickly packed my things, the bell sounded soon after that and I was out the door before it stopped ringing. I kept my eyes locked on the gym doors and narrowly escaped collisions with other students as I made my way over to the gym. I was positive Bella hasn't left yet as I leaned against the wall waiting for her. I stood there for awhile and just wondered if I hadn't missed her while I was walking over here when she finally exited the gym.
Her cheeks were a slight rose color from the exercise and it made her whole face glow. I smiled at her lazily. "How was gym?" I asked as I pressed away from the wall and took her bag from her shoulder.
"Great, I lost a game of badminton and found out there is absolutely no reason for you to be interested in me." I stopped suddenly and barely noted that she almost walked into me.
"What do you mean I have no reason to be interested in you?" I asked glaring at her as if demanding the truth from her.
"Well I have moderate intelligence, I'm not hot, there is nothing special about me and you can easily have anyone you want in school. So I can't help to think, why me?"
I dropped her bag and pulled her into a tight hug whishing I could squeeze those absurd thoughts right out of her head. "How can you see so much potential in other people but when it comes to yourself you're as blind as a bat? You are intelligent beyond your years Bella, you don't care about the little things like shopping, clothes, parties and boys but you care about your family, friends and dumb rude boys that don't deserve your attention at all. No you're not hot..." She looked at me with hurt in her eyes, always jumping to conclusions to early. She opened her beautiful mouth to say something but I quickly held up my hands to stop her, "Let me finish Bella. You're not hot because you're breathtakingly beautiful. I never liked hot girls the beautiful ones are far more interesting. You are the most special person I know Bella and I don't want any of the other girls. I just want you and I will always just want you."
She looked at me and I hoped she could see just how much I meant these words because they were all true. She obviously saw something there she liked because she grabbed my shirt, reached up on her toes and kissed me. She kissed me so passionately my knees almost began to buckle and I kissed her back hoping that she would understand just how much I did care for her.
She pulled away braking the kiss and buried her face in my heaving chest, "You're wrong about one thing though." She spoke her voice a little muffled by my chest.
"And what's that?" I asked putting my finger under her chin tilting it upwards to look into her extraordinary eyes that was still shining with passion from our kiss.
"You are not a dumb rude boy...You're a stupid one." She said as she smartly turned out of our embrace and danced out of the reach of my grabbing arms.
"You're going to pay for that Mrs. Swan. When you least expect it, your going to pay." I laughed and picked up her bag from the icy ground. I reached for her hand and led the way to where her friends waited at Spiky's yellow Porsche.
"Ok what's up with the two of you?" Emmett asked glaring at me when we reached them. You better watch what you say Edward you need their approval, I thought to myself.
"And what's it to you?" Bella asked as I placed her bag on the back seat.
"I care for you Bella and if someone messes with you they will have to deal with me." He said jabbing his own chest while glaring at me. I actually felt a chill run down my back.
"And me" Jasper chimed in and went to stand next to Emmett claiming his right to Bella.
"Calm down boys, he would not survive an encounter against me if he even considers hurting Bella." Rose said and placed her hand on Emmett's shoulder. He smiled at her and placed his arm around her.
Bella and I didn't reply right away, I was glad that her friends stood up for her this way and I respected them even more for this. I looked at Bella and smiled at her from where I stood behind her. I curled my arms around her waist pulling her tightly into my chest, "Relax gays, I would never hurt her. Bella and I are going out and I care about her allot more than you know." I said kissing the top of her head to show them just how much I cared for her, I considered kissing her on the mouth but thought that might just push Emmett over the edge.
"I have the feeling that I would be planning a wedding in the near future so can we get out of the cold know?" Spiky asked causing all of us to laugh, what did she mean by that. I thought to myself.
"Well you don't bet against Alice, welcome to our crazy group Edward." Jasper said ruffling Spiky's hair. I'll ask Bella later what Jasper meant about not betting against Alice.
"Yes welcome Edward. Ok it's going to snow through the night and most of the day tomorrow. Are we going to have Battle of the sexes tomorrow?"
What is battle of the sexes? Weird didn't even cover this group. I chuckled at my own little joke. Emmett sure moved on quickly, how did Bella describe him? She said he was her own personal teddy bear. Well I see were she got that idea. They all agreed to battle tomorrow night and left toward their different cars.
"See you tomorrow my Bella." I quickly pecked her on her soft luscious lips and left as well. By the time I reached my car and looked back the yellow Porsche was gone. I sighed and drove home. Suddenly tomorrow seemed so far away.
I had allot of time to kill so I did my homework and even started on an English paper we had to hand in later next week but through all of that I just couldn't shake this funny feeling that something was wrong. Esme was late from work so I started on dinner making Spaghetti and meatballs with a light salad. Nor Esme nor Carlisle has arrived yet by the time the food was done and by now I was starting to get worried. I decided to set the dining table and then call them if they're not home yet. Carlisle arrived finally while I was halfway through setting the table.
"Something smells good, sorry I'm late there was a last minute emergency and Esme called and said she was caught up in a meeting." He said while helping himself to the food.
"Could you please just call in the future and tell me you're going to be late, I worry about you two you know." I said as I joined him at the table.
"Oh sorry, sure son we'll let you know." He smiled and I just nodded, I was still tense waiting for Esme. She arrived home, halfway through our meal, exhaustedly falling into a chair. Carlisle got up to fetch her some food.
"Everything ok Esme?" I asked looking her over intently.
"Yes I'm just tired, thank you Carlisle." She said as Carlisle placed a plate of food in front of her and began to eat hungrily. I relaxed slightly she seemed fine, then why was I still feeling as if something was wrong?
I volunteered to clean the dishes just to have something to do and then started to read one of the books I bought in Port Angeles. I couldn't concentrate on the story and have read the same line about five times when I decided to go bed. It was about ten when I finally fell into a restless sleep. An irritating screeching woke me. It can't be seven Am already. I recognized my ring tone and glanced at the clock, who would call me at midnight?
"This better be good." I answered grumpily.
"Edward its Alice, I'm sorry to wake you." I was wade awake now when I recognized Spiky's voice.
"Alice what's wrong?" a thousand scenarios ran through my head, the one crazier than the one before.
"It's Bella." NO! I screamed in my head as my whole body went rigid. I must have made a choking noise because Alice tried to sooth me. "Edward relax, she's ok...physically at least. She had an argument with Jacob and won't stop crying. I was hoping you could come over and help her...somehow, nothing I do helps apparently." My lungs strained against my chest reminding me to breath, I inhaled deeply relaxing my stiff body.
"I'll be right over." I hanged up the phone and ran as quietly as possible to my car only pausing to check if I had indeed closed the door behind me.
I drove like a maniac to Bella's house. I hoped that there were no speed traps in a little town such as Forks as I stepped on the gas, speeding up even more. Alice waited for me on their front porch.
"You didn't have to pull a Michael Schumacher, Edward. She not in danger, although dressed like that she might be." She whispered as I paused in the middle of the porch, I was still only wearing my pajama pants.
I shrugged, "I was in a hurry, are your parents sleeping?" I whispered back as we made our way inside the house quietly.
"Yes, Bella's room is the second door to the right. Please try not to upset her more." I nodded and ruffled her hair.
"Leave it to me Spiky." I walked to Bella's door, took a big breath and knocked as quietly as possible.
It seemed like forever as I waited for her to open the door. After some time I decided that she was clearly not going to open it. "Bella please open the door." I whispered as hard as I can without alerting her parents to my presence. I heard Charlie stop snoring and I froze until his snoring picked up again. Suddenly the door was yanked open and I stared at Bella. She was still wearing the same clothes from school and her face was still wet with shed tears. My hart pulled together by how sad her face looked and my blood started to boil with anger towards Jacob.
"Edward what are you doing here?" She whispered as I entered her room closing the door behind me just to have something to do and not go rip Jacob's throat out. I scooped her up and carried her bridal stile to a rocking chair I spotted in the corner avoiding the bed. I didn't want to create a scene if someone came to check on her and I knew things might get out of hand if we were on it together. I sat down placing her in my lap because I could comfort her better.
"Alice called me. So who am I beating up?" I asked hoping the joke would lighten the mood. I rubbed her back while rocking us slowly back and forth.
She told me what happened between her and Jacob in the forest. I just listened in silence biting on my lip if I wanted to make a rude remark. I stiffened as she told me about the kiss and thought how I was going to break his jaw tomorrow but I chuckled softly when she told me she kneed him. I felt responsible for the strained friendship I caused between her and Jacob.
"I'm sorry Bella. I didn't want your friendship with Jacob to suffer because of me."
Her head jerked up, "It's not your fault Edward. Even if I never met you I would never be able to go out with Jacob. I just don't see him that why." I felt comforted by the fact that she wouldn't go out with him and didn't say anything but just kept comforting her, I would make this up to you Bella someway or the other I promised myself.
Her sobs finally subsided and we just sat together for awhile, the silence wasn't uncomfortable at all. It was more a feeling of contentment. She was tracing patterns on my bare chest sending shivers of joy down my spine when her stomach suddenly growled.
I laughed, "You better go get something to eat." She shook her head sending waves of strawberries around me. It was clear she didn't want to leave because she was afraid I was going to disappear, "Bella I'll wait right here for you." I said wondering when last she ate.
"Promise me?" She asked.
I smiled and kissed her quickly, "I promise, now go."
She ran quietly out of the room and I glanced for the first time at her room. It wasn't a girlie girl room, there was books lying all over the place and even a pair of day old socks. Running shoes lay in the corner next to her desk witch also was overflowing with books and a laptop. Next to me on the ground I noticed a very old copy of Withering Heights. I smiled as she came back into the room. She carried two plates with sandwiches and walked to her bed. She sat down Indian stile in the middle of the bed.
"Come here, I made some for you too." She said mentioning to the extra plate in front of her. I walked over to her chuckling lightly.
"Who said I was hungry?" I asked, she just raised her shoulders and tried to look everywhere but at me.
Was I affecting her so much that she was too shy to even look at me? Somehow the thought of me affecting her so, made me feel all fussy and warm. We ate in silence. Her cold ham sandwiches were delicious. When we finished she placed our plates on the floor. I noticed some mayo on her upper lip
"You've got something on your lip." I suddenly bent over her kissing the mayo from her lip sucking it a bit too long. "Mm, you're good enough to eat." I said before claiming her lips with my own.
I pulled away knowing we were in dangerous waters, I was at least. "Go change into your pajamas or whatever you sleep in." I said knowing it was getting late and I needed to get home before Carlisle woke up for work. She frowned but did as I asked. She grabbed her pj's and walked to the bathroom. She had changed into a light blue pajama pants and white t-shirt and I had to gulp from where I stood in front of the window. How could clothes not meant to be sexy be so seductive?
"You better get some sleep Bella." She walked over to her bed and pulled away the covers.
She climbed on the bed and turned to face me. "Sleep well my Bella." I said walking to the door not wanting to risk an intimate goodbye.
"Edward, don't go. Will you stay with me please?" She asked and everything in me screamed yes but my brain tried to talk sense to my body. What if one of her parents walked in on you? Just look at her face, how do you say no to that? I wanted to say no and walk away but then just nodded and crawled into bed next to her ignoring the screaming voice in my head.
She turned on her side and I lay behind her wanting to reach out and pull her into me. She must have known what I wanted because she snuggled into me and I slid my arm around her pulling her into my chest more securely.
"Don't get any ideas Mr. Cullen." She said and I laughed.
"What idea would that be Mrs. Swan?" I asked with my face in her soft hair.
"The ones you can only dream about."
I laughed again. "I wouldn't dare my love. Now go to sleep." I kissed the top of her head and started humming a song that started to form in my head for the last hour and it sounded allot like a lullaby and I hoped it would make her sleep more peacefully. I was awake awhile after she fell asleep and just ravished in the thought that this warm beautiful creature was laying in my arms. Soon I was in a deep dreamless slumber.
I woke when she groaned and heard an alarm going of on the bed stand next to me. I stretched to reach the alarm before it woke anyone else in the house. Then I squeezed Bella lightly and I saw her opening her eyes. Her head was on my chest and her hand rested over my hart, she had the cutest morning hair and it smelt just as wonderful as last night. Our legs were entwined and we fitted together like two puzzle pieces that were made for each other, how was I ever going to be able to sleep in my lonely bed again?
"Morning love, sleep well?" I asked, I just couldn't resist kissing her nose it was so close to my face. She didn't mind that I called her love yesterday night so I kept the nickname.
"Good morning that was by far the best nights sleep ever. I don't want to spoil this but Charlie would be up in fifteen minutes and I think it would be better if you're not here by then." I totally forgot about her father but with her by my side I could face the whole world and not care, I pulled her closer.
"But I wanted to stay for breakfast, do you kick everyone out of the house after they spent the night in your bed."
She hit me playfully, "You're the first Mr. Cullen but you can always stay if you want to. I just thought that since you're not bulletproof that it would be better if you're gone by the time he wakes. He could get away with murder since he is chief of police." I sighed; well all good things come to an end eventually.
"In that case I should get going." I pulled her face to mine and kissed her not caring if I had morning breath or not. Out of breath and a few minutes later I left. I hoped that Spiky didn't lock the door yesterday night, I turned the doorknob and the front door swung open silently. I ran to my car and drove home hoping Charlie never finds out about last night.
My luck must have run out because both Carlisle and Esme was waiting for me when I returned home. "Edward! Where were you? I was so worried!" Esme pulled me into a hug while Carlisle just glared at me from over her shoulder.
"I'm sorry Esme, Alice called late last night. Bella was in a state and I just had to make sure everything was ok. I didn't plan on spending the night, I just couldn't leave her." I decided to tell the truth, I never lied to them and I wasn't going to start now. Carlisle glare softened a little and Esme looked worried.
"Is she better now?"
I smiled at her reassuringly, "Yes she is. Thank you for caring." I said as I looked at Carlisle nervously.
"Of course, she's like a daughter to me already." Esme said as I started to shift my weight from leg to leg as I waited for Carlisle to say something. Esme looked at him and they seemed to be having a conversation with her eyes, he sighed.
"Don't make a habit out of it and next time, wear a little more clothing."
I wanted to tell him he was contradicting himself but I realized how cold I felt and rushed to the bathroom to take a hot shower. I finished quickly and rushed to school earning a few laughs from Esme. Just like yesterday, Jasper and I waited for the girls. Fortunately we didn't have to wait long and I was more than happy to see Bella in the same mood as what I left her in. I opened her door just as Spiky stopped the car. I helped her out of the car and pulled her into a tight hug, I noted briefly that she was wearing a blue shirt that looked great against her pale skin.
"You look great. I like this color on you."
I complimented her tracing the collar of the blue shirt. She shivered lightly and I chuckled to myself, silly Bella.
"Thank you, did your parents give you any trouble when you came back?" I thought about this morning's reception at home and wondered if I ever could be in trouble. I smiled and took her hand leading her to her English class.
"No I explained what happened and they are one hundred percent ok with it. We are not to make a habit out of it." I said the last bit in a stern voice imitating Carlisle and didn't ad the part of wearing more clothing.
I walked her to the door of the English class and kissed her lightly before walking to my first class, I didn't want to be late and cause someone to phone Carlisle because I was tardy. I waited for her at the door of her third class and kissed her delicate hand before leading the way to the cafeteria. I knew all the students were staring at us as we walked past them. Some even whispered as we walked by them.
"I knew he wasn't gay."
"What does he see in her?"
"He must be lame in bed if he is interested in Bella." Bella paused suddenly and turned her head to look at something. I looked to see who she was staring at and noticed Jessica and Lauren a few feet from us. They must have said the last comment. I looked at her a little puzzled, why did it bother her so much what they said?
She smiled one of her sweetest smiles at them, "For your information...He isn't" She walked of towing me behind her, what on earth were you thinking Bella?
"What was that about?" I asked as when I finally caught up with her.
"Oh nothing I just protected your reputation. We can't let people think you're lame in bed, now can we?"
I growled under my breath, "I don't care about my reputation it's yours I'm worried about. Now everyone will think we're sleeping together."
She laughed, "I don't care what other people think about me. I know the truth and you know the truth, that's all that matters."
I sighed, that's not the point but I said nothing, I bought a tray of food we can share and walked towards our friends table. I noticed Jacob was present at the table, good at least he wasn't a total ass. Bella sighed with relief something that did not escape my notice, she was worried about him. He better not hurt her anymore I thought frowning.
She gave my hand a small squeeze to comfort me as we sat down at the table. I'm not the one who needs comforting. Bella started to chew on a slice of pizza. "Rose, why are there no brunette jokes?" Jacob asked looking at everyone accept in my and Bella's direction, real mature dude. I knew the answer to his joke and was about to open my mouth to answer when Bella shook her head lightly so only I could see, I kept my mouth shut a bit frustrated. Instead of answering I stared at Rosalie watching for her response. She shrugged looking at Jacob,
"Because, blondes would have to think them up." Jacob said triumphantly. Bella laughed with the others and I joined in hoping nobody would notice me forcing it, Bella leaned into me.
"Thank you for not spoiling the joke." She whispered into my ear nibbling my earlobe, shivers ran down my spine. Well if this was the thanks I was going to get that was fine by me.
Rosalie responded with a quick comeback, "Jacob, don't let your mind out. It's too small to wonder on its own." We all laughed again and this time my laugh was genuine. Bella and I finished our lunch together. Sometimes I would feed her something of the plate or just play with the hair in her neck.
"So Edward are you in for the battle tonight?" Emmett asked me. I was invited? Great that means they see me as their friend.
"Sure, it's like a snowball fight right?" I asked just to make sure, Emmett and Jasper snickered.
"It's the best snowball fight, we "the boys" fight against "the girls". There's this clearing in the forest with a few ditches, tree's and an old run down house that's basically falling apart. So its foundation makes nice bunkers to hide in. The aim of the battle is to see who scores the most hits. The team that loses pays for the pizza after the game."
Boys versus girls, suddenly the name made sense. "Great sounds like fun." Emmett held his fist over the table for me to bud with my own, the rest of lunch we "the boys" discussed various strategies. The girls just rolled their eyes and chatted about this and that. It didn't pass my notice that Jacob wasn't participating with the rest of us, I planned a few stray balls if he intended on joining us. He still didn't look at Bella once not helping his case at all, he was so immature. No wonder Bella wasn't interested in dating him, he was so childish.
About five minutes before lunch ended Bella and I walked to Biology. I knew we had some time left on the movie and couldn't wait to hold her against me again. We settled in our seats and waited for class to start.
"What's wrong love?" I asked although I probably knew the answer, she looked at me and sighed.
"Its Jacob I can't believe I never saw this part of him. Ignoring us like that was rude and childish and I'm afraid that maybe this change in him is permanent." I pulled her against my side and kissed the top of her head, relishing in the thought that she saw how childish he was but I knew why he was acting the way he was acting.
"His pride is hurt Bella, he confessed his love for you and you shot him down. Give him some time to get used to the two of us, I have a feeling that he would warm up to us soon enough." Or more that I will make him warm up to us.
She quickly brushed her lips against mine leaving me momentarily stunned, Mr. Laing walked in turning of the lights as he entered. I was once again seated behind her before my eyes could adjust to the darkness. I wanted to hold her but knew she was tense and started to message her instead hoping it would relax her. My hands were growing tired as class progressed but I kept going because I could feel her slowly relax under my touches.
"Now Mrs. Swan I believe some payment is in order." I said as I pulled her into my chest and kissed her, our tongues was still battling for dominance when I pulled away knowing the lights was going to come on in any minute. I was seated next to her just before the lights came on. She looked a little dazed and I chuckled lightly, "Are you feeling better Mrs. Swan?" She blinked her eyes and looked lost.
She seemed to come to her senses "Super Mr. Cullen, thanks to you."
We smiled at each other and I took her hand leading her the way to the gym. We greeted at the door my feet started to drag as I made my way to Spanish class. Spanish took longer as usual but I had time to think how I could make Bella feel better about the whole Jacob incident and decided I was going to buy her a new Withering Heights book. I rushed to gym again and waited for her. Once I saw her I smiled my crooked smile at her. I was awarded with one of her dazzling smiles and we walked to Spiky's car in a comfortable silence.
I placed her bag in the car, then I pulled her into me taking a deep breath of air in her hair, I wanted to remember her fragrance always that I could smell it even when I'm not with her.
"What are you doing?" She asked quizzically, I laughed.
"Its so that I don't get desensitized from your smell, you really smell good enough to eat." I nibbled her earlobe softly, she laughed pushing me away.
"See you later my Bella." I walked away laughing and drove home were I left a note telling Carlisle and Esme of my plans for the evening.
I just made it back to Forks in time from Port Angeles and now we were all in Emmett's Jeep heading to the clearing, apparently Jacob wasn't coming and that was just fine with me. Emmett dropped the girls at the one end of the clearing and then we drove to the other side.
"Ok guys the plan is simple, double team the girls to score double the amount of points." We all nodded, I thought we should make some snowballs before the fight started but Emmett said that it wasn't necessary. Emmett honked to let the girls know were ready.
"Gear up, let the best guy win." We split up and looked for good places from were you could attack just as easily. I found a nice bunker and loosened some snow making some extra snowballs. I was still busy with this when I spotted Alice a few feet away. I took aim and threw a perfectly aimed snowball at her. She ducked at the exact moment the ball would have hit her, did she have some kind of sixth sense?
Alice and I got involved in our own personal war. My balls just kept passing her. Some even missed her little body by inches as she ducked and wiggled her way from hiding spot to hiding spot. One of her balls actually hit me with such force that I had to remind myself that she was a girl. I managed to finally hit her when I threw two balls at once making our score even. We kept at it never facing any of the other guys, I wondered where Bella was. We neared the fallen house and I saw the perfect opportunity to unleash two more balls at her.
She narrowly escaped them again jumping behind a fallen wall, "Come out and play Spiky." I shouted at her hoping that taunting her might draw her out.
"Remember Edward little boys who play with fire get there fingers burned." Alice shouted and ran for another hiding place I threw a few balls after her missing her as usual.
"Stand still you little spiky pixie." I shouted as I scanned the place I saw her last, just one limb that's all I need.
"Hey... her... name... is... Alice" Bella bombed me with snowballs as she said each word, she ambushed me from behind. Spiky doubled back and landed a few well aimed snowballs of her own before I could even react to Bella's attack.
"Girl power rocks!" Alice said as she high fived Bella, how can such a small person be so annoying I thought were I laid on the ground covered in snow.
We finally stopped when it got to dark and we hit our teammates more than our foes. Thanks to Bella's ambush and Spiky's attack on me the girls won, "This is unfair, why do you always win?" Emmett asked on the way to the restaurant.
"Because God made man, and then he said, I can do better than that, and made woman." Spiky said patting his back sympathetically.
The rest of the night was filled with laughter as we ate pizza and finally headed back home.
Bella walked with me to my car, "Do you do this often?" I asked as I opened the car door.
"Yes, Emmett seizes every opportunity he gets."
I chuckled and kissed her briefly, "I better get going Carlisle will be waiting for me tonight." I said rolling my eyes and got into my car, I rolled down the electric window. "Here I got you a present." I handed her the book I bought her, I had it covered in Port Angeles and even made a lame inscription on the first page.
"Open it inside, Sweet dreams my love." I drove of I didn't want to see if she didn't like it. I should have written something different and not that stupid
Take care of my hart. I left it with you.
A/n ok as I promised I wrote a long Epov, hoped you enjoyed it. It took me about three days to write since everyone from family to friends wanted a piece of my time and I had to clean my room so I'm multitasking now, writing a paragraph putting something away writing another paragraph, I guess it will be clean eventually. Sorry this chapter was posted later than usual as Monday was a public holiday and I was caught up with friends and sport. Keep your fingers crossed I don't injure my fingers during netball season. Don't know how I'm going to type. Maybe like a four year old with one or two fingers.
Thanks for all the outstanding reviews ;p, Thanks for those loyal reviewers who review almost every chapter I appreciate it allot. And all the new reviewers that also review often thank you. Thanks for adding the story to your favorites and alerts lists.
Thanks for reading.