Eventually I gave up looking for the right hallway and made my way to the field. There had to be an entrance there. The grass squished under my feet as I tromped towards a tunnel. It wasn't well lit so the pile of pads caught me off guard.
The twisting straps wrapped around my ankles causing me to topple over. "Agh!" I spat when I landed in the rank gear. This was disgusting. Freshly used football pads still damp with sweat. Gross.
"Hey are you ok?" I heard a voice behind me. I arched my back trying to fling myself from the pile. I failed and under up just rolling and tangling myself more.
"I could use a little help," I consented since now my arms were caught too.
"I'm not entirely sure how this is humanly possible. You could not get more tangled if it were done on purpose," A second voice chimed. The light was behind the two nice strangers so I couldn't see their faces. "What were you trying to do in the first place?"
"I was just walking, minding my own business when these disgusting pads captured my feet. The tangling would have been caused from my failed escape," I sighed as their hands worked to free me. "I wonder if this is what a fish feels like, caught in a net." They both laughed and grabbed my arms to get me up.
"Why you were down here is what I meant."
"Oh, I'm a journalist for the Seattle Sun Times and my editor sent me down to interview the players. But I got lost. You wouldn't happen to know the way to the locker room would you?"
"Actually we do. Since we are players," the larger shadow replied.
"Finally!" They laughed at my joy and walked me back to the locker room. Then I could finally see their faces. The larger of the two had tight brown curly hair and adorable dimples. He smiled at me and held out his hand for me to shake.
"The name's Emmett Cullen. It's nice to meet you… ah what is your name?"
"Right, I'm Isabella Swan, but you guys can call me Bella. Everyone else does." My other rescuer was taller and lean. His light blonde hair matched well with his bright blue eyes.
"I'm Jasper Hale. It's nice to meet you Bella." His smile was sweet and charming.
"Wait, Cullen and Hale? Are you guys related to Alice and Rosalie?" Their smiles broadened.
"Yes we are in fact. Emmett is Alice's older brother while Rose and I are twins."
"Wow, what a small world. "
"And getting smaller by the looks of Alice and you," Emmett chuckled. I gave him a look but ignored the comment.
"Ok, so who wants to be interviewed first…" My gaze moved around the locker room. There were about twenty guys in various stages of undress all staring at me.
"Emmett! It's not my birthday until next week, you shouldn't have buddy!" A greasy black haired man stepped towards me. I felt myself shiver in revulsion when I understood his meaning. He thought I was a prostitute. "Hey there sweetie. Why don't you do a little shimmy for me?" He smiled revealing slightly yellow teeth and bad breath.
"Back off Eric, this is Bella. She's the new journalist at Rosie's paper," Jasper replied with disgust.
"Well then, go ahead and ask some questions." He didn't remove his eyes from my breasts the entire exchange. I crossed my arms feeling violated before I walked to the center of the room.
"Gentlemen, if you please. I need to interview each of you so please make sure you talk to me before you leave." There were many grunts in response.
"Want me to go first?" Eric asked as he removed his sweaty shirt. Bile rose in my throat. Swallowing sharply to keep my coffee I diligently took out my tape recorder and notebook.
"What are your hopes for this up-coming season?" I asked in my most professional voice. He smiled at me and licked his lips.
"I'm hoping for lots of coming actually." I knew what he meant and my anger flashed.
"If you do not take me seriously I will leave you out of the article. I have no problems pretending I have never met you. In fact, at this moment it would be preferable. If you excuse me I have a job to do." With that I turned on my heel and walked towards another player.
Occasionally I would glance up to find Eric staring at me but I ignored him, the disgusting dog. Most of the players gave cookie cutter answers. 'I'm gonna give 110 this season. But we'll have to see.' Fifteen times in different word groups could hardly make up an article so I decided to switch up some questions.
"Hello, what's your name?" I asked as I approached one of the last players. He was big around the shoulders with dark brown hair. He glanced at me revealing ice blue eyes. He blushed under my gaze and I felt my smile soften.
"I'm Ro-Robby B-Blake, ma'am" He stammered growing redder.
"It's ok Robby. Relax. I'm Bella. It's nice to meet you," I said softening my tone and holding out my hand. He took it in his. He was as strong as an Ox but as quiet as a lamb. "Do you mind if I ask you some questions?" He shook his head no and released my hand. "Why do you play professional football?" He glanced at me surprised.
"No one has ever asked me that before."
"I thought so. Well?"
"I guess it was expected of me. I'm from Texas, ya' see. Football is a big deal. Championships are everything. If you lose it isn't just a game that you lost, you lost the respect and support of entire towns. I couldn't handle losing, so I didn't."
"Isn't that a lot of pressure for high school students? Why would you continue that life?"
"It made my Daddy so proud when those college scouts came up to me. I was the only one they offered a full ride to Notre Dame. I couldn't let him down. What kind of son would ruin his father's dreams like that."
"But what about your dreams? I'm sure there was something you wanted more than what your Daddy wanted for you."
"I really like carpentry," he practically giggled after thinking for a minute. "Wood shop was my favorite class." He went on to describe his favorite wood types and steaming methods.
"Can't you do carpentry and play football? You don't have games all the time." I pointed out lightly.
"Yeah, but what kind of football player plays with wood?"
"This one," I said. He smiled slowly.
"I never thought about it." I placed my hand on his arm as I stood.
"Well Robby, I suggest you find yourself a workshop. I feel like you have some creativity yearning to get out." He picked up a leather jacket and a helmet I didn't notice before. He waved and exited.
"Is it my turn yet?" Emmett asked from his cubby hole.
"Sure, sure," I replied and made my way over.
It didn't take long to interview Emmett and Jasper so I continued to ignore Eric as I packed up for the day.
"Oh, there weren't any players missing today were there guys?" I asked trying to rile Eric.
"Well we were all here for practice, but Eddy skipped out early. He didn't want to be late for something," Emmett supplied.
"Dammit. I guess I have to bother you guys again sometime."
"It wasn't a bother at all," Jasper replied smiling.
"Yeah, it was pretty funny at the beginning. I think only you could have accomplished that." I smiled.
"So is Eddy a really important player? Or could I gloss over the gap?" I asked. Jasper and Emmett looked at each other in disbelief.
"Do you even watch football?" Jasper asked slightly bewildered.
"Not really," I blushed feeling stupid. It was probably an insult to interview about a sport you don't know.
"Eddy is one of the best quarterbacks in the league." My blank look caused a synchronized moan. "Bella!? Do you not even know what a quarterback is?" Emmett demanded.
"Maybe…." I averted my eyes but my face burned under their stares.
"He is basically the captain. He throws the ball, calls the plays; he's kind of a big deal."
"Oh…. So that means I have to interview him." I huffed.
"I think his fan base would be upset otherwise." We laughed as we walked back down the tunnel and across the field. "Now don't let any more sportswear capture you," Jasper instructed.
"I'll try."
"I hope Rose invites you to the Benefit tonight," Emmett decided right before we parted ways.
"I'll ask. Bye guys!"
"Bye!"
When I stepped onto the floor the bull pen was much more tension than before. It must be closer to deadline.
"Bella! Welcome back, can I see you in my office?" Rosalie called from the copy room. There seemed to be REMs of paper flooding from the copier. There were three people around trying to stop the flow. I saw Alice and waved. She beckoned me over.
"Hey Bells, how did you enjoy your first assignment?" She asked sweetly. She was sitting with her legs tucked under her. In this room of chaos she seemed perfectly serene.
"It was great. I met your brother, and Rosalie's. They are so nice! For the most part the team was great. Except this one guy. Ugh, he wouldn't stop hitting on me." I shuddered at the memory.
"Brothers," Alice replied.
"Excuse me?"
"I have two. You should have met both of them. And from the sound of your description it sounds like you did."
"Gross! Emmett didn't say that Eric was his brother. No offense or anything but that guy gave me the serious creeps." Alice looked confused for a second and then understood. She laughed a tinkling laugh.
"No! Eric is not our brother. Disgusting thought. Edward is my brother. Didn't you meet him?"
"Oh! No, I didn't get the chance. He was gone before I got there."
"Then you should come with me to the Benefit tonight to meet him!" Alice decided. She even took out her planner and made a little note. I think it said something along the lines 'make-over' but I wasn't sure.
"Emmett said something about that too."
"Bella? Come on I need a report!" Rose called from her office. I bade Alice farewell quickly and made my way over. "What do you have?" She asked from behind her desk. She didn't look up as her hands flew across her keyboard.
"They were giving me cookie-cutter responses, so I mixed it up a little." She looked up then.
"Like how."
"Instead of asking about this season, I asked why they where professional football players. I got this answer out of Robby Blake about how he was in football for his father, but he really liked wood work. It was fascinating." Rose thought for a second, letting the idea bounce around in her brain.
"I like it. Does this mean you need to re-interview some players?"
"I don't think so. Maybe it could be a feature thing. Like each major game one player would be chosen and we would learn interesting facts about him. This week could be Robby Blake."
"But you would have to go back eventually…" She chewed her lip.
"I did miss the interview with Eddy Cullen. He was gone when I got there." Rose looked at me.
"Eddy?" As if she didn't know who he was. "Edward! Oh! Then that settles it." She decided and started typing again.
"Decides what?"
"That you come to the Sports Benefit tonight. It won't be entirely work related. But you can introduce yourself to Edward."
"What is the dress?"
"Formal. I'm sure you must have a cocktail dress somewhere." Rose flipped her hand as if I should have an elegant gown waiting for every occasion.
"What time?" I asked glancing at my watch. I had to hit the outlets before they closed to find something suitable.
"Here" Rose handed me an invitation with all the needed information. "I think you are done for the day miss. You can go get ready/shop/ whatever. I'll see you tonight."
"Ok, I'll see you there." I slowly backed out of her office and leaned against the way. The speed of the bull pen was frantic now as deadline crept closer.
"Bella, let's go. I want to help you find the perfect dress," Alice appeared next to me with my briefcase and jacket in hand.
"Alright." Help would be appreciated since I had never been to anything of this caliber before.