Thank you everyone who reviewed! :D It always puts a smile on my face and satisfies my inner review whore ;)
Our favourite couple will spend some time together. Alone. All by themselves. With no one present. Yeah, you get the picture.
My beta; SarcasticBimbo, has been MIA for a while but I got impatient so Lotus Wright fixed the errors in the chapter. Any other mistakes are mine.
I own nothing! *whines*
Chapter XXI: The Non-Date Date- part I
My ass is numb after sitting on it for eight hours straight.
Heavy metal is blaring from the speakers as I tug and twist my curls into a semi-decent long braid. It's not an easy feat; more like an ass-numbing procedure.
It's a miracle that I can hear Dad's faint knock even though the music is louder than a pornstar faking an orgasm.
"Come in!"
"What the hell is going on, Bells?" Charlie yells over the riff of a guitar as he runs to the laptop to lower the volume.
I must be a sight to behold: I'm sitting in front of my open wardrobe door that's entirely made of a mirror on the inside with my body twisted so that I can braid the hair on the back of my head, and there's a shit ton of braid locs scattered on the floor.
You're a mess.
"What's the ruckus for, Bells? We have neighbors, you know," Dad scolds.
I turn around to face him. "Sorry, Dad."
"I'd be the first Chief of Police in this town's history who's ever been reported for disturbance," he jokes.
"Hahahahaha, Dad! That would be really cool."
"It would, huh? Yeah, you might be right, but I have to be a responsible adult, Bells." His mustache twitches as he sighs.
Dad has an amazing sense of humor behind the cop persona, though not many people are privy to it.
He hovers a bit, which he never does, so that tells me he wants to say something important.
"What is it, Dad?"
"So, you and Edwin, huh?" he asks casually.
"It's Edward. And I don't know. I mean, I don't think so."
He frowns in confusion. "What do you mean?"
"I mean that we haven't taken that step, yet." Oh God, I don't want to be talking about boys with Dad!
"Well, if you do, just-just be careful, Okay? I don't know how much your mother has told you…"
Nonononononono! Please don't have the sex talk with me!
My face must have reflected my horror because Dad falters and his face turns red. "Look, Bells, I'm your father, so it's my duty to warn you about such stuff."
"Dad! Really, nothing is going on between Edward and me. We're not even dating so you don't have to worry about anything. Mom has told me enough already."
Gah! I don't want to be thinking about having sex with Edward! I already have a hard time stopping my imagination from going down that rabbit hole.
He clears his throat."Okay, then. So, you don't like Edward?"
"Dad!"
"What? I'm just making conversation!" He holds his palms up, the picture of innocence.
I glower at him. "I don't want to talk about boys."
"Fine, fine. I'll leave you to do your hair. Wow, Bells, how long have you been working on it?"
From boys to hair, great.
"For eight hours. I don't know why I even decided to do it. The process is tedious and exasperating." I sigh. "There's not much left though, so I'll be in bed in a few."
"Okay, Bells. I was talking with Billy a couple of hours ago and I'll be fishing most of the day instead of a few hours. Will you be fine on your own?"
I want to roll my eyes. It's not like I didn't stay by myself when I was living with Renee and he knows this.
"Yeah, I'll be fine, don't worry about me." I give him a placating smile.
"You're always welcome to join later, Bells. Billy told me that Jake was asking about you." Dad winks.
A cold shiver runs down my spine upon mentioning that psycho's name. He can kiss my black ass, that delusional fuckwit. I don't ever want to see him again.
Of course I can't tell Charlie that Jake was acting all psycho because I don't want his friendship with Billy to be ruined over something that can be avoidable.
Instead, I play it cool and roll my eyes. "Jake's a good buddy."
Bless my Dad's mustache, he gets me so well."Okay then, I'll leave you extra cash for dinner, I don't want you cooking on a Saturday. Go and have fun on your date with Edward in Seattle. The Cullens are a good family but I still want you to be careful, okay Bells?"
I know when he means business so I nod in acceptance. "Okay, Dad, I will. Have fun fishing. And it's not a date. We're just going to the park together."
Yeah, that doesn't sound like a date at all, Swan.
He rolls his eyes. "Whatever you say." He then claps his hands. "Now that that's covered, I'll leave you be. Night, Bells."
"Night, Dad."
When the door closes I release a whoosh of air. I'm surprised he didn't give me the third degree for going out to the Arboretum with Edward tomorrow for our non-date.
I would have completely forgotten about it if Edward hadn't approached me today at lunch to remind me.
I was sitting with Angela and, being the nerds that we are, we were discussing the merits of invisibility vs mind control.
I was winning the debate and was pretty smug about it. Internally of course. I would never flaunt a win, never. Nope, not me. I'm a mature person.
Edward interrupted me in the middle of my rant and grinned down at me as if he had heard the entire conversation.
He can hear heartbeats, so I'm guessing his hearing range is a lot wider than a human's. I'll have to ask him just how far the extent of his hearing is.
"Hey, Edward," Angela and I greeted simultaneously then giggled.
Oh, God. What's happening to me?!
"Hello, ladies," Edward greeted as he bowed a little, his eyes alight with happiness and his signature crooked smile in place.
He looked much younger and so naughty when he glanced at me with his head tilted down. I'd have given him anything he would've asked at that moment.
The buzzing noise that was the cafeteria stopped and not a sound could be heard.
I turned around and rolled my eyes at the students.
"Please, sit down," Angela, the ever-polite of the two of us, told him.
Edward grabbed the chair next to mine and sat down. His alluring scent drifted towards me and I barely stopped myself from leaning in and inhaling a lungful as I wanted to at that moment.
Angela, on the other hand, leaned forward and clasped her hands under her chin, as her eyes darted from me to Edward, with a big ass smile on her face.
Because I'm a sarcastic bitch, I couldn't help it. "To what do we owe the pleasure of your presence?"
My British accent was pretty good if I do say so myself.
If possible, his crooked smile grew bigger and he leaned closer, his hands on the back of my seat.
Did someone turn on the heater?
He played along with the sexiest British accent I'd ever heard in my short 17-year-long life. "Excuse me, Madam, I came here to inquire about our visit to the Arboretum tomorrow."
He was so good at it.
I had completely forgotten about the trip and I was glad he brought it up. However, if I wanted to retain any sensibility, and not jump him that very instant, I had to stop him from speaking like that.
"What about our trip tomorrow?" I angled my body towards him.
"I was wondering whether we could take my car instead of going separately. I can pick you up at nine, unless you want to sleep in." He looked a bit nervous when he said this.
I really didn't want to inconvenience him. Besides, I didn't think I could handle his presence for many hours without doing something stupid, like sucking his face off as if it's a slack of ribs covered with BBQ sauce.
I know, I have an obsession with BBQ sauce. Sue me.
"Why? I mean, you I could just meet you there instead of you detouring to my house then driving to Seattle," I reasoned.
Edward didn't look surprised, in fact, it was as if he was anticipating my response, judging by the slight smirk on his lips. "To answer your question, it will take your truck much longer to make the journey than if we take my car. Also, a 56 Chevy cannot complete that ride on only one tank of gas."
His logical reasonings were sound and he made valid points but I was nervous to have to spend so many hours with him alone. I opened my mouth to reiterate about it being an inconvenience when he stopped me by placing his cold, large hands on mine. "Bella, please don't argue with me on this. It's no trouble at all. In fact, it will be my pleasure to spend some time with you and get to know you more."
My face felt hot again and my mouth, for the first time, didn't want to cooperate, so I nodded my agreement.
"Thank you," he muttered. He then raised his voice a bit to address Angela. "How are you doing Angela?"
"I'm doing fine, Edward. Thanks for asking. I'd ask how you're doing but you seem happier these days."
Very subtle, Angela.
I almost rolled my eyes but stopped when Edward looked me straight in the eyes and said, "Yes, I'm very happy these days."
Why must my face feel hot every time he looks at me like that?
"We can see that, right Bella?" Angela looked at me pointedly.
"Right." I turned and smiled at Edward. "I can see that."
His eyes moved to my lips and I responded by automatically looking at those pink, pouty and naughty lips of his that had felt so delicious and hot against my own.
Oh, the bad things I wanted to do to those lips and have them done on me.
A throat clearing brought us both from under the hypnotic spell.
Edward excused himself and went to sit with his family.
~E&I~
Thirty minutes later I'm done braiding my hair. I'm not one to flaunt, but it looks good.
Girl, it looks sickening!*
YAS!
I tidy my room and put on a loose T-shirt and shorts before diving under my fluffy comforter.
The clock strikes midnight and I'm still awake.
What is this jittering sensation and buzzing energy that is zipping through my body?
It's you feeling nervous and excited, duh! For someone so smart you sure are dim sometimes.
Why would I be nervous about being alone with Edward Cullen for a few hours, besides the obvious fact that he's a vampire, which is enough of a reason to be nervous?
No, there are deeper implications behind these feelings that surpass mere fear or nervousness.
I know I'm attracted to him and not in the cliché teenage way. This intense attraction to him is simultaneously overwhelming and frustrating that I just don't know how to deal with it.
It's only been five days since I confirmed he's not even human and I don't know what that means in terms of a relationship.
How does one even date a vampire?
There needs to be a guide for dating vampires damnit!
I can't even put to words what I'm feeling, because describing it as a mere crush is kind of downplaying it. A crush would've been a lot easier to handle. This… this is definitely more.
He's more. He's caring, sweet, charming, attentive, gentle, playful, and protective. He makes me feel safe like no one ever has, and deep down, I know that no one ever will.
He also has this way of riling me up but also calming me down, and that sexual tension that we have is almost palpable at times that I barely restrain myself.
Could it really be that I'm falling for him…?
Nah.
Bitch, shut up! We're in deep contemplation here!
The way he was worried today at the parking lot was… touching. But why did he turn up like that? Why was he so worried? Did he know what happened?
My instinct tells me he did and his arrival was to ensure I was fine. I don't think he heard from all the way wherever he came from, even with his enhanced hearing. Wait, he can't, right?
Ugh, it's all too much to deal with at this time of the night.
~E&I~
"Ow! Son of a bitch," I grumble, as I rub my pinkie toe from hitting it against the coffee table.
I woke up at 8:30 so I've been rushing through my morning routine because I didn't spend 20 minutes trying on different outfits, that's not something I would do. Nope.
It's NOT a date.
I hurt my toe while trying to balance on one foot as I put on my boot for the other while also holding a granola bar between my teeth.
No one should ever try that at home. Ever.
Once I'm confident that I look good—I mean, I'm ready—I grab the leather jacket because it won't be raining today.
And we'll match Edward.
At exactly nine o'clock, I hear a car pull up in front of our driveway. I grab my shoulder purse, check myself in the mirror hanging in the corridor one last time before I head out.
You look hot for the date, girl.
It's NOT a date!
When I step outside, Edward steps out of his car and smiles at me, which causes my heart to flutter in response. I smile back at him, remember to lock the door, and as I approach the car, Edward flashes to the driver side.
I stand still in shock for a moment, not expecting him to go full vamp on me just yet.
"Wow, you're fast."
Way to state the obvious, dumbass!
Edward shrugs his shoulders. "I feel very comfortable around you, Bella. I don't have to pretend to be something I'm not."
He opens the passenger side door and holds it for me. Before I sit down, Edward says. "You look gorgeous today." His eyes burn into mine, yet his smile is tender.
"Only today?" I raise an eyebrow, in an attempt to disguise the sudden surge of shyness.
He shakes his head. "You always look beautiful, Bella. Nevertheless, I'm very partial to that particular shade of green on you." As he says this, he gives me a thorough, slow once-over that by all rights should've creeped me out, but instead makes me feel sexier than ever. I manage to swallow my swooning and just smile.
OMGAH, he called us beautiful, girl!
Yeah, I heard that.
Cheer up, bitch! Keep them compliments coming, hotass.
Please give me a second while I find my bearings and remember how to breathe.
I'm a strong, independent woman, damn it! It's high time I act like one.
"Thank you, I try. You don't look too bad yourself, especially when you're not scowling," I tease.
That's a lie, he looks amazing in his red T-shirt. I snicker quietly as I take in the print on it: an all black silhouette of human evolution that ends in Ctulhu eating the evolved humans up like little snack. I like it.
"I don't scowl," he argues, raising his thick eyebrows.
"Of course you don't." I roll my eyes. "Maybe I should snap a picture next time for evidence."
"Or maybe that's your sneaky way of having a picture of me." The bastard winks.
Oh my God, cue that stupid blush again.
"You're so full of yourself, Cullen," I retort.
"Judging by the subtle variation of your heat and skin tone I'd say you like it Swan," he argues back, a stupid, sexy grin on his face.
"Stupid vampire," I grumble, feeling flustered as I quickly get inside his car.
I hear him snicker as he gently closes the door then flashes in an instant to his seat and starts the car.
His comment about the shade of green makes me think back to the time I ever wore a green blouse, but can't remember wearing this particular shade. Then it hits me. He must've noticed Nana Swan's scarf I was wearing on the day where I found Bob on the school's rooftop painted pink. Oh, which reminds me, I have to buy black paint while we're in Seattle.
"What are you thinking?" he asks. He's driving really fucking fast, judging from the way the trees are flying past us.
His tone is laced with urgency, as if he's been wanting to ask this for a while.
"Buying paint for Bob." I narrow my eyes at him.
Edward turns his head to me with a devilish smirk on his face. "Oh, that's too bad. Pink suits Bob well."
"If you value your car, which I know you do, you'd best shut it, Cullen." I glare at him.
That wipes the annoyingly sexy smirk from his face.
Good.
He turns on the radio and Debussy's Claire de Lune plays through the speakers.
I sit back, close my eyes and start to hum along the relaxing melody of the piano.
"You know Debussy?" Edward asks, sounding astonished.
"I know my favorites," I reply.
"It's my favorite, too," he mutters. "Not many people today are partial to classical music."
I open my eyes to see him looking at me with an amazed expression.
"What is it?" I mutter in fear of breaking the burning sudden tension between us.
"You defy my expectations, Bella. I sometimes think I have a good read on you, and then you say something which surprises me."
"And are you uncomfortable with being surprised?"
His stare is intense when the next words come out of his appealing lips that have left me wanting more of his kisses. "No, I love it when you surprise me."
"Are you not surprised often?" I ask. I mean sure, he's lived long enough to be able to practically know how people think and interact, but he sounds like he's rarely, if ever, surprised.
Wait? How old is hotass?
Oh God! Don't go there! I bet he's a bagillion years old!
"Not really." His lips twitch as he stares at me from the corner of his eyes.
"You must be a good reader then."
Edward looks contemplative for a while, as if deciding how much he should say.
"I thought I was, until I met you."
"Why do you think you can't get a good read on me?"
"Why are you surprised by that?" Edward asks, turning his head for a second to look at me with a confused expression on his face.
"Because I always say what I think and Renee, my mom, calls me an open book."
"I can see why she would call you that," he admits, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
What's that supposed to mean?
He sees the questioning look on my face and explains. "It's your eyes, Bella. They convey every emotion you feel. I've never come across more expressive eyes than yours before, probably because I've never—" He stops abruptly in mid-sentence.
You've never what? Tell me!
"Never what?" I encourage him with a smile.
He fidgets in his seat as he's looking straight ahead of him. Wait, is he shy?
AW!
I look at him expectantly as I lean against the window staring at the side of his face.
Feeling my stare on him he sighs in acquiescence and looks at me with intense eyes.
"I've never had strong, romantic feelings for anyone to even bother to notice."
Holy shit!
A/N: I know the park is a public place but for the sake of the story, they won the damn ticket to get an exclusive entrance :P
Damn! Another cliffie again! *snaps fingers*
* It refers to when you look at a person and they look so good it makes you sick, used esp. for females/drag queens/transexual females checking out other females/drag queens/transexual females - but meant completely as an admiration
From: . ?term=sickening
Reviews for me are like delicious Oreos 3 Mmmmmm Oreos *drools* I'm hungry now.