I'm home from Canadia, eh! Haha. I'm so, so, so happy to be back in New York again. The metric system was driving me crazy. Toronto was fun, but it was nothing compared to NYC. Heh.

I was re-reading the previous chapter and for some reason I just started cracking up when I referred Jasper as 'the unknown stranger'. Where did THAT come from?

Disclaimer: I only wish I could own Twilight, Starbucks, and 'Taylor The Latte Boy' (which is briefly mentioned in this chapter.)

Chapter 5: Worth It

Bella - POV

After leaving the café, Alice and I journeyed our way back to my apartment. She had requested that I finish her checkbook while she reorganizes my closet. Giving into her demands, I obliged without complaints.

As I was finishing up with the checkbook I glanced up at Alice. It seemed as if she was almost done as well.

I pushed the checkbook aside and I looked around on my desk. It was a simple little thing I got on sale at K-Mart when I first moved here. At the corner of the desk lay my song writing notebook. I slowly reached for it and pulled it in front of me.

I searched the spaces in my mind for any kind of inspiration. The only thing that really jumped out at me was him...Latte Boy.

I still find that nickname silly.

I softly began to hum a simple melody. I sat up and set up my keyboard in front of me. I saw Alice look towards me with a questioning look. However, I ignored her and lovingly ran my fingers over the keys. The melody in my head came to life.

A moment later Alice was by my side. "Do you have words?" She asked.

"No..." I replied. "Nothing's coming to mind." Besides a certain Starbucks employee...

"...Except Latte Boy." She teased. I blushed. Damn, she can read me like a book. She caught my face turning scarlet and she let out a small giggle.

I smirked. "So, if you are so sure of yourself, why don't you write the lyrics?" I challenged.

"Bella, the only thing poetic I've ever written was about a pair of socks in the second grade." She said seriously. I couldn't help it though. I let out a very loud laugh. "Okay Bella, you can shut up now." She said.

I did as she said and I sat up straight. "Alright..." I began.

"Oh I have a great idea!" She bounced. "Let's make up a silly song about Latte Boy...I'll try and help." She sounded extremely cheerful.

"Okay." I perched myself on my chair in front of my keyboard. I began to play a slow, melody. "Ohh, the Latte Boy..." I sang. I looked over to Alice to finish the lyrics.

Her eyes narrowed as she thought of something to say. Then she smiled brightly. "Bring me java! Bring me joy!" She sang in a high soprano voice.

I stopped playing and looked at her with a confused expression. All of a sudden we both started hysterically giggling.

"Okay, okay, okay, enough of this..." I said between giggles as I carefully pushed my keyboard way from me.

"That would have been the next hit!" She complained. "I can hear it now being played on every radio station...and the music video would take place in a Starbucks!..." She went on and on.

I just sat there and stared at her, bewildered. She looked at me with sincerity in her eyes. "Seriously Bells, you are a great songwriter, and I can tell without hearing any of your songs because I see the way you are at that keyboard...and just they way you blend so well with it...It was like one of those things that are simply meant to be."

After Alice said that I felt a feeling of accomplishment. No one had ever said anything like that to me before. And It felt...wonderful. It felt like I was worth something. It felt like I had a strong chance to be able to do something good in this world. I wonder if Latte Boy would feel the same way...

I noticed Alice standing there. I curved my lips into a big smile. "Thanks." I murmured.

"No problem. That's what I'm here for...kind of...not really." She let out a chuckle.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw an orange blob jump onto my desk. I turned my head to see Stewie.

"Oh, I didn't know you had a cat!" Alice exclaimed as she began to softly stroke his orange fur. "I always wanted a cat, but my mom hates them..." She rolled her eyes. "What's its name?"

"His name is Stewie." I said.

"Any reason behind it?" She questioned, curiously.

"Well, I did really like the show 'Family Guy'..." I laughed. "It just kind of fit him."

"Oh yes, when I look at him all I see is a deranged baby who's life revolves around his quest is to kill his mother and obtain world domination..." She replied, sarcastically.

"Ha, ha." I said dryly. "Very funny."

Suddenly her cell phone vibrated loudly from inside her purse. She ran over and fished it out.

"Hello, Alice Brandon speaking." She said. "Oh I forgot all about that...yeah...I'll do it tomorrow...chill out, mother...I know...yes...it will be done tomorrow...goodbye." She made a distasteful face and threw her phone on the bed.

"What's up?" I asked casually.

"Ugh! I have to RSVP 'no' to these stupid pointless dinner parties for my mom...Once again, I'm so thankful to have you." She put on a sly smile. I grinned back. It seemed like the right thing to do. "You are an angel!" She squealed. "Okay, so I'm going to drop off the invites tomorrow and I want you to email the return email address with something along the lines of 'I regret to inform you that I previously planned an engagement, and I'm truly sorry that I wont be able to attend...' blah, blah, blah..."

I nodded my head in understanding. That seemed simple enough. Except... "Alice, I don't...uh...have a computer..." I admitted, embarrassed.

"Don't worry, silly goose. You can borrow my lap top." She flashed her pearly white teeth. "Well, it's getting late. I told Jasper I'd meet him for dinner...So I'll see you tomorrow my dear!" She threw her tiny arms around me and pulled me into a hug.

"See you tomorrow." I repeated.

With a few graceful strides, Alice left. I turned my attention to the clock. 6:48. It was much to early for my liking. My eyes darted into the kitchen. Specifically at the lone jar on the counter. My face twisted into a devilish smile.

I said my 'goodbye' to Stewie and I departed into the cold air that surrounded New York City. At that moment I wished I grabbed a jacket, but I didn't feel like going upstairs. I then began the three block walk.

I approached the little coffee house. All the confidence I had worked up before had drained away. I mentally rolled my eyes. This is absurd.

I took a deep breath, straightened, and walked inside.

I muttered a curse under my breath when I saw Emmett behind the counter. I forced a smile as I slowly trudged to the front counter. Emmett looked up at me and a grin appeared on his face. "Bella!" He called cheerfully. Wow, I didn't think he would even remember my name.

"Hello, Emmett." I greeted with a small smile.

"What can I get cha'?" He asked.

I glanced up at the menu board. "How about a White Chocolate Mocha?" I said.

"What size you want?" He asked.

"Tall." I replied.

"Alrighty Bella...uhh...anything else you need?" He asked.

"No, that's it."

"Kay, 3.55 please." He asked while looking at the cash register. I handed him a five.

Why is my luck always working against me? It is like reality is secretly plotting against me and trying to make my hair turn gray by the time I am thirty.

Also, why am I making such a huge deal out of this? He is just some random guy that works at Starbucks. Why am I turning this into a half hour sitcom for my common sense's amusement?

But then I always remember his crooked smile. And his emerald green eyes. And his messy bronze colored hair...

I suppose he was worth it.

I retrieved my drink and waved goodbye to Emmett. Outside, it began raining. Now I really wish I had brought a jacket. I tried to walk fast, but not too fast. Knowing myself, I would trip and land my face into a dirty puddle.

The air was cold, so I began drinking my coffee. The warm liquid felt good as it soothed my throat.

I quickly began to walk across the street, whilst taking another sip. I wasn't paying much attention to the street so that resulted in me not seeing the dark blue minivan racing towards me. In the amount of time it took to blink, a strong pair of arms wrapped around my body and pulled me onto the sidewalk. The next thing I knew I was falling onto the cold, wet, pavement on top of the person who heroically saved me.

The minivan flew past as it's horn was blaring. The driver was yelling out the window in spanish or something. I didn't understand. Until then I realized I was holding my breath. I was convinced my heart stopped.

But it didn't. I was alive. Unbelievably, I was alive.

I let out the air that was trapped by my lungs and I took long deep breaths as I tried to regulate my breathing. But then I remember that I was laying half way on top of my savior.

I turned my head around and if my heart didn't stop beating before, I was sure it did so at that moment.

His bronze hair was not in his usually messy style. I'd blame the rain. His emerald eyes were closed. It seemed like he was still in shock too. I was in utter disbelief. This had to be a dream.

His eyes opened and they caught mine. I just stared at him. "Are you alright?" His velvety voice asked me.

I tried to find words. I wondered if I was speechless because of the almost-accident or the fact that Latte Boy is the one who saved me from a speeding van.

"I'm fine." I forced out.

"You sure?" He asked. "You still look like you're in shock."

"I'm fine." I reassured.

"Alright, if you are positive..." He picked himself up on the ground and helped me up as well.

"Thanks...for...uhh...just now." I said lamely.

"It's alright...I don't think that man knows what a stoplight is." The crooked smile was visible.

"Yeah..." I said not taking my eyes off his face. "I'm Bella." I blurted out. The second it escaped my lips, I regretted it.

"My name is Edward." His smile was still intact as he held out his hand for me to shake. Okay, I don't regret it after all...

Edward. Not a very common name, but I guess it suited him. He doesn't seem like the average guy. I took another look at his face. Yes, Edward suited him very well.

Oh my god! I know his name! Alice will be very pleased and possibly proud.

I took his hand and shook it gently. The moment my hand touched him I felt electricity shocking my entire body.

He looked me in the eyes. "You look familiar." He said.

"I do?" Stupid, Bella. Stupid.

"You come to Starbucks, right?" He asked.

"Yeah." I smiled. Oh god, he remembers me. He remembers me. He remembers me.

"I figured because you dropped your coffee on the way down." He said gesturing to the spilled coffee on the sidewalk. Great, there goes four bucks worth of good coffee.

"Oh." Was all I could say as I stared down at the cup.

"Well, I'm on my way to work right now...if you'd like to join me, I could get you a new coffee." He offered. I had to remind myself to breathe.

"Sure." I smiled.

We walked in silence. It was very awkward. I'm not usually one to start conversations but this was torture.

"So, that was a close one..." I said casually.

He chuckled. "Very close. You are lucky I was there."

I smiled. "Yes, I am."

More lucky than he thinks I am.

We entered the café. I was relieved to find that Emmett was no longer stationed behind the counter. I wonder what he would think if I came back for another coffee, drenched, and almost run over by a van.

Edward -I don't have to call him 'Latte Boy' anymore- led me to the counter. "Wait here." He said. I did so. I don't think my body would even let me move a muscle if I wanted to.

Edward reappeared behind the counter this time clad in his Starbucks apron and a smile. "How may I help you, Bella?" He asked. I was debating this time weather it was my cold clothes, or his voice sending chills down my spine. The odds were in Edward's favor.

"I'd like a Tall White Chocolate Mocha." I reordered.

He smiled and began to prepare my drink himself. I watched him as he smoothly created my coffee. When he didn't think I was looking I caught him adding some extra foam into my drink. He's sneaky.

He placed the latte on the counter in front of me. "That's all?" He asked.

I simply nodded as I dug in my pockets for a five dollar bill. I pulled it out and held it out toward him. Edward held up his hand and gently pushed mine away. "Don't worry about it, it's on me."

I was speechless once again.

"It's okay, really." He reassured me. I shoved the five back into my pocket and looked up into his shimmering green eyes, "Thank you...again." I smiled.

"No problem, Bella."

I turned my head towards the door. "Well, I better get going. I'll...see you later, Edward." I grinned. As did he.

"Until next time." He said.

I flashed a smile and gave him a small wave as I departed out of the coffee shop.

Oh, he was definitely worth it.

I agree. Edward is totally worth it.

I was originally just going to make Bella just ask for Edwards name and make a total fool of herself at Starbucks...but then I remembered when Edward saved Bella from Tyler's van at school and that's where I got the whole idea for their little encounter. I like this version better. Muahaha!

As a person who makes frequent visits to Starbucks, I hate how every time I never meet a guy named Taylor there. People make me sad...

But you know what would cheer me up? Reviews!

And I know that people read and don't review...tisk, tisk on you people. However, to those awesome, amazing, super dooper people who do review this chapter will get a cookie and a cyber-hug from yours truly!

You know you want to...