Bella:
I wake up the following morning, all wrapped up in Edward. While I'd really love to stay in his arms, I'm not sure he'd want that. Does this still classify as a one night stand? Yesterday, when he asked me out, his intention was clear.
I quietly gather up my clothes, quickly getting dressed. I can't find my panties, so I just throw on my dress and leave the hotel room. Though, not without glancing over at the sleeping Edward one more time.
He's so perfect.
Maybe Alice was right after all. She said she didn't want me getting hurt.
No.
I knew this was just sex. Nothing more.
After I've left the hotel room, accidentally slamming the door slightly, I make my way to the lift. I check my phone, seeing I have two texts, both from Alice. She wants the three of us to meet up for breakfast at 10.
Shit, it's quarter past ten now.
Ah well, I'm renowned for always being late.
When I finally reach the café we always have breakfast at, it's almost ten thirty. Rose and Alice both give me pointed looks when I sit down at our usual table. What can I say, we're creatures of habit.
"I only got the text at quarter past ten!" I tell them as soon as I sit down.
"That wouldn't happen to have anything to do with a certain tennis player?" Alice asks, raising her eyebrows and handing me a magazine. On the front cover, there's a picture of Edward, his arms wrapped around me in the hotel bar. I didn't even notice there were any photographers!
"How d'you know it's me?" I reply, hoping to sound confident.
"Bella, it's so obviously you. The magazine didn't get your name, though. They did, however, comment how you two were all over each other," Rose tells me, smirking.
I roll my eyes, feeling my cheeks heat up. How could I be so stupid?
"Fine, it was me," I sigh in reluctance at having to admit this.
"So? How was it?" Rose asks, leaning forward a bit.
"Amazing," I admit, nodding. "He only ever calls me Isabella. I did tell him he could call me Bella…but. Yeah, I fucking love it," I add. "So, what was the point of this gathering?" I ask, trying to change the topic.
"Why? Missing him already?" Rose asks.
I glare at her.
"Well, you know how we were discussing the apartments yesterday? I found a three bed place, that's actually within our price range!" Alice announces excitedly.
"Really? You got pictures?" I ask. Alice roots through her large bag, eventually retrieving a folder with a tonne of pictures.
Honestly, the place looks amazing. Although the bedrooms look a little small, I'm sure we'd manage.
"The office we were looking at is within walking distance, too. It'd be perfect," Alice tells both of us. We nod in agreement. "I spoke to the realtor, and she said we could move in a month from now!" Alice adds.
"Wow, that's amazing! We should go for it," Rose says. I nod along with her, grinning widely.
Alice calls up the people who are renting out the apartment, to place an offer. I know Alice is excited about moving back to where she grew up, and Rose and I have always dreamt of living in America.
*****DEUCE*****
Over the next month, we all spend our time packing up our belongings. Tomorrow, we're moving into our new apartment. Most of our stuff is going to be sent over by our parents after we've moved, and we're all so excited.
A part of me – though, only a small part – is rather excited because of a certain tennis player. The New York open begins in two weeks, which Edward will be playing in. It's ridiculous for me to be getting excited, since I haven't even seen him after the hotel.
After the magazine picture, much speculation was made about his relationship status. His people eventually released a statement, saying that Edward Cullen is single, and that the girl he was picture with was just a friend.
That kinda hurt.
"New York baby!" Rose screeches, barging into my apartment. I roll my eyes at her prancing around the room, Alice soon following.
"We've got you a present," Alice adds, skipping over to me and handing me an envelope.
I open it slowly, wary of the huge grins on their faces.
They're up to something…
"You got me tickets to the New York open?" I squeal, jumping up to hug them both.
"Yeah! Hopefully you can see Edward again…" Rose trails off, looking at me knowingly.
"Have I really been that obvious?" I ask, sighing.
Rose and Alice just nod at me.
*****DEUCE*****
Upon arriving at our new apartment, we quickly realise we're missing a lot of necessities. One of them being a coffee machine. And a kettle.
Basically, any kitchen appliance that isn't an oven, fridge or sink.
"I can't believe we're finally here!" Rose says, walking through the apartment.
"Ok, first job. Who gets which bedroom!" Alice says, grinning at both of us.
After that's decided, we make a list of everything we need, and plan to go shopping. Turns out my pay check for being a ball girl was higher than I'd expected, so we have a bit of extra money.
Alice leads us to the local supermarket, since she didn't live far from here when she lived in New York, so thankfully one of us knows the area.
While we're shopping, I see a magazine, Edward's picture on the front. Alice and Rose aren't looking, so I pick it up to see what it's about.
It's just an article about the upcoming New York open, where he's got pretty good odds of winning. The thought that I could soon be seeing him thrills me, though he probably won't see me. There'll be thousands in the crowd; it'd be a miracle if he saw me.
*****DEUCE*****
Tonight, Alice and Rose tell me they're going out. They invite me along, but I decline. They'd just try to set me up with some random, insignificant guy.
"We'll text you to know what we're doing," Rose promises as she and Alice leave.
I spend the evening watching TV and googling Edward Cullen. Sue me, I don't care. There haven't been any recent stories involving him, just the hype of the New York open. It's rather pathetic that I'm getting this attached to him.
In the press statement, he said I was just a friend. I'm hardly even that. All Edward knows about me is my age, my first name, and my dream to open my own publishing company.
It was just sex. It was just sex.
Maybe if I tell myself this enough times I'll start to believe it.
Maybe.
Or maybe I'll just spend the rest of my life hopelessly infatuated with him.
The second one seems more probable.
A/N: Thoughts on how Bella is coping? :O
Review please!
P.S. Thanks to the guest reviewer! :D