Yet again I want to thank my reviewers, you are the reason that I am getting a chapter a day out instead of doing my summer school work that I need to finish before school starts, so a special thanks to iluvvolleyball, thinker711, readingxinxthextwilight, Corrupt My Youthful Innocence..., etre.mon.evasion, anime-naruto-rox-16, Just-Peechy, lalalalalala8792, Childhood-Disruption, and CammieSwan1785. Aiming for at least 10 this chapter, pretty please with cherries and chocolate on top! 8 chapters in eight days- personal record. Yay me! R and R.
Meg
Previously: Edward Pov:
I changed into a pair of sweatpants before I headed up. I was surprised that when I got to the roof and found the door already open. I walked onto the roof, and looked around, momentarily distracted by the amazing view. Then I caught sight of something more breathtaking than the London view below me.
" Bella?"
" Edward?"
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Bella Pov:
I shivered in the cold night air and wished that I had thought to bring a hoodie, it might be summer, but it was late at night and I forgot that London gets cooler than the States. For a second I considered going back to my room, but then I caught sight of the view spread out below me. This was exactly what I needed I thought as I agilely climbed onto the edge of the skylight to get a better view. I leaned back against it and took in the London night in all its beauty.
All of a sudden, the peaceful quiet night was broken by a voice.
" Bella?"
" Edward?" I squeaked and almost fell of the skylight. Oh graceful. Two strong arms caught me. For a second I was relieved, and then he spoke and I thought about whose arms were the ones that kept me from kissing floor or roof of floor whatever.
" I thought gymnasts were supposed to have good balance," he joked.
" And I thought we were supposed to stay away from each other," I retorted. Sure I was a little hostile, but being in his arms after all that had happened was a little uncomfortable to say the least.
I wriggled free from his arms and under my glare he took a step back. " Are you like stalking me or something?"
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Edward Pov:
Great, just great. She totally and completely hates me. I thought it was fate when I stepped onto the roof and she was there too. The sound of my voice had startled her and she almost fell. I threw out my arms and caught her. She looked grateful for a second, but then I had to open my stupid mouth.
" I thought gymnasts were supposed to have balance," I joked.
" And I thought we were supposed to stay away from each other," She retorted.
She wriggled free from my arms and under her fierce if-looks-could-kill-I'd-be-dead-glare I took a step back. " Are you like stalking me or something," she asked in an accusing tone.
I felt like an ass, she obviously didn't want me here and although I would have given almost anything to be able to stay, and grovel, and apologize to her, I decided to give her what she wanted.
" Oh, I'm sorry I'll leave," I mumbled looking anywhere but at her. I turned and headed for the door.
" No, Edward wait."
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Bella Pov:
" Oh, I'm sorry I'll leave," he mumbled looking dejected and avoiding looking at me. He turned and headed for the door.
" No, Edward wait," I called. I don't know what made me do it, whether it was the lack of sarcastic comeback or just something in his expression, but I did it. " You stay," I tried to fix my mistake while still keeping my promise to stay away from him intact. " I'll go."
I took one last look at the beautiful city spread below me and walked to the door.
" How about we both stay and pretend that the other isn't here."
His suggestion stopped me in my tracks. I was torn between my want to get as far away from him and my reluctance to leave this peaceful place.
"Ok, fine, but if anyone asks neither of us were here." I stuck out my hand and with a smile he stepped forward to shake it. "Agreed."
We ended up sitting kind of close so we both could see the view. We sat in silence though, and if it weren't for the fact that I was hyper-aware of him, I could have pretended that I was alone. I tried to ignore his presence anyway.
A cold wind blew, and I shivered. " May I." He offered.
I looked at him confused. He had on no jacket, wait he didn't have a shirt on either. Yum… I mean… wait what do I mean again?
" You look cold, I thought maybe if I put my arm around you, you might be warmer. If I had a jacket or something I would offer it to you."
I was torn again, but to be perfectly honest, eventually curiosity over what it would feel like to have those muscular arms around me again won in the end. Plus it really was cold. I nodded not quite trusting my voice.
Warm. That's what his arm felt like around me. Warm and strangely at home. The wind blew again and this time I snuggled a little closer. I could not believe what I was doing, but it was like my brain was disconnected to the rest of my body.
We could get in sooo much trouble I thought. I really am quite comfortable the rest of me argued with the small still reasonable part of me.
His broad chest felt strong and safe to me as we sat under the full London moon. All the tension that I had been holding onto left me and I finally felt relaxed…
Sunlight warmed my face. I snuggled closer to something much harder than my mattress and much more sweet smelling. Wait… SUNLIGHT.
" Oh SHIT!" I sat up quickly and any remainder of sweet dreams was quickly dissipated.
" Whazz goin on?" Edward's voice was groggy.
" It's morning we fell asleep."
" So? It's ok calm down Bella, I'm sure no one has noticed that we are missing yet."
" I have practice this morning that's what's wrong. What time is it?" I grabbed his arm and answered my own question. " Crap, it's 7:00, I have to be at the gym in 20 minutes and I still have to change!" I scrambled to my feet.
" Bella, wait, I want to talk, I need to apologize and explain some things to you."
" Edward, I have to go, like this second."
" Fine, but promise me we can talk, tonight, here again? 11:00?"
" Sure," I threw over my shoulder, as I took the stairs from the roof two at a time.
I threw open the door to our suite, almost hitting Alice in the process.
" Bella, where the hell were you? My dad came looking for you this morning and I told him you went for a walk, cause I didn't want you to get into trouble, I'm glad your still on the team." Alice babbled following around as I threw my stuff around trying to get ready.
" I went up to the roof last night for some air, and I must have fallen asleep," I muttered as I tried to pull the ribbons out of my hair and pull sweat pants on over my leotard at the same time.
"Relax," Alice told me. " Dad pushed practice back an half and hour cause of something with the gym being cleaned or something, I don't know. Now let me help you, you have to look nice for the interview today."
I groaned, I forgot about 'Operation Damage Control.' I really was no good with the press.
" You should leave the ribbons in, they look nice, and we can just pull the rest of your hair back into a ponytail so you can practice. Go wash your face and change into a cute leotard and I'll run down and us low-fat yogurts and coffees. What do you want?"
" Uh, strawberry yogurt," I muttered as her words sank in. " And a caramel-lite espresso shot, please. I need the jolt." Alice laughed her tinkling laugh and headed out the door with a nod.
I sat down on my bed and took a deep breath before rifling through my suitcase for what, as Alice call it a cute leotard. I couldn't wear any of my team ones until later this week, but I wanted something patriotic.
By the time Alice got back upstairs I was a lot calmer. I had changed into my dark blue leotard that had paler blue stars shooting across it. I pulled my hair into a neat ponytail and was even putting on some blue eyeliner and black mascara, I know shocker, but I needed to look good for the pictures and the interview. Show that I was a presentable representative who would do her country proud.
"I'm so proud," Alice joked. " My little girl is all grown up and putting makeup on voluntarily.
" Shut up," I shot back as I grabbed my bag and headed to the door. " We don't want to be late for practice.
" What and ruin our hard won reputations as never on time," Alice joked, handing me my coffee and yogurt and digging into to hers.
" Funny," I answered wryly. Sure it was fun to joke, but today was really about me fixing my reputation.
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Here is a slightly longer chapter for you guys, I'm working on it. Also I meant to have gymnastics in this chapter, but I kind of segued. Anyway review and let me know what you think.
XOXO,
Meg