Edward's POV:
"So what should we do?!" Rosalie asked, obviously excited about her first time in Chicago.
"Why don't we just walk around and show you the main attractions and our favorite places; and then when we're done touring, we can head over to Wilson Park and check it out." Alice suggested, wanting to make sure that Bella, Jasper and Rose get a good first trip to Chicago.
To tell the truth, I wanted to go over to Wilson Park now and just skate with Bella. But if Bella wanted to go around and tour then I guess that's okay.
I pulled out my phone and called Gabriel. It rang, and rang, and rang again.
"If your calling Gabriel and Catie, they're little preoccupied at the moment." Alice said with a wink.
Ewwwww. They were cute but those are my friends and I'd rather not hear about their sexual adventures.
Emmett called mom and dad and we left the hotel. I took a deep breath and breathed in the scent of good ol' Chicago. (Ahh…..cough, cough))
"Let's go." Rosalie yelled, dragging Emmett behind her.
Well, it obviously looked while she was excited. Jasper was just happy to be dragged wherever Alice wanted to take him. And Bella just held onto my hand with a thoughtful expression on her face.
"What's up?" I asked, gently bumping her shoulder.
"Huh? Oh! I was just thinking…do you think they'd mind much if you and I just ditched them?" She asked with a hopeful smile.
And here is another reason why I love her.
I gripped her hand harder and began pulling the other way.
"See you guys at the park, later!' I called out, before Bella and I took off running, which was difficult considering we were both klutzy.
All we heard was Alice yelling behind us before we rounded a corner.
"So…." I started.
"Wilson Park?" Bella finished, holding up her skateboard that I forgot she had brought.
I smiled with her, and holding her hand in one hand and my skateboard in the other, I led her to the park.
"Since the MSD's tomorrow, do you think anyone will be there today?" Bella asked.
I wanted to say, Duh!
But she had never been here and she wouldn't know.
"Oh yeah. People flock in for this particular competition all the time."
"Especially since the infamous Edward Cullen is coming back to take his rightful place as skater royalty." She said with a sarcastic tone.
I only laughed with her as we navigated the streets.
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Bella's POV:
Words couldn't describehow happy I felt walking the streets of Chicago with Edward as my guide. Luckily the hotel, was only a bit away from the park so we didn't have to walk much.
"Here we are." Edward gestured with his arm as I gazed wondrously. The park in Port Angelas had nothing on this. Granted, it wasn't humongous, but the sun shined cleanly on it and the professionals already skateboarding made it seem more majestic.
I literally squealed and began to pull Edward forward.
"Somebody's excited." I heard him mumble.
Well, if he doesn't want to squeal with me, that's fine. I have plenty for the both of us.
We headed over to the center empty pool (Any skaters out there want to give me the technical term for that?), and we poised ourselves on opposite side.
"You Go First, Bella!" He called out. I smiled back.
Gladly.
I quickly dropped in and let myself feel the speed of the drop.
I relished in the sudden adrenaline rush and that icy feeling that shot through me. It made me understand how Edward had fallen in love with skateboarding.
After finishing an easy set, I let Edward go in. As I watched with pride as he set a simple ollie into difficult stunts, I became aware of a crowd forming around me.
"Dude, am I just wigging out here, or is that Edward Cullen?" I heard some guy ask behind me.
"Bronze hair. That's him alright. Just look at the way he's effortlessly pulling that kick-flip on the edge." Another answered.
Ah, so the paparazzi has invaded. Maybe I should leave Edward to fend on his own for a while…
I casually walked around the crowds, though no one noticed me because everyone was enamored with the sexy skater boy in front of them.
Eh, I can't blame them.
I sat under a tree, and watched as Edward finally took notice of the crowds as he caught himself at the edge. Looking up, I could also see him searching the crowds, probably wondering where I went.
Then I saw the full effect of his pride literally glow as people started to call out his name,
The shouts were being carried over by the wind, and as people shot him questions, and "Welcome back's", he became a new person.
His lips pulled at the sides, and he smiled as a tinge of pink painted his neck. His posture straightened and he stood a little taller, and smiled more as people began to pat him on the back or other things.
He finally spotted me, and his smile grew, and he began to walk this way.
People then began to look my way and I actually heard some people reflecting back to the you tube video and point me out as his girlfriend.
My eyes widened and I blushed.
Oh great, I'm nationally known. Damn, why did I have to fall in love with a nationally-known skater? Because he's sexy and amazing, that's why.
"Where did you run off to?" He asked, as he plopped down beside me. The crowd suddenly dispersed and went back to their original activities.
Dang, it's like they have some high respect for Edward or something.
"Well, I figured I'd let you enjoy your fans for a second." I teased. He rolled his eyes, but I could see him smile a bit.
Wow, competing really does effect him. Well, I like this Edward. He practically glows.
"Come on, we still have some more pipes and rails, to ride and grind." He said, standing up, and offering me his hand.
I gladly took it and we ran to the crowds again.
Jasper's POV:
After Edward and Bella so rudely took off, we spent the entire day touring the windy city. I loved Alice to death but man! My girl sure was hyper. Being back in her birthplace, she was running us around everywhere, recalling every memory that she everh had of the place.
Emmett was just the same, running us different places retelling an embarrassing story that had happened. My sides hurt from both laughing and exercising so much.
"As much as I would love to continue the trip down memory lane, can we just head to the park now? My feet and lungs are dying!" Rosalie said for the both of us.
"Sure." Alice said, catching us a cab that we all piled into.
As we rode to the park, Alice and Emmett continued their memory recalls.
"Oh! Look at the restaurant! Remember when we went their for my tenth birthday, Alice!" Emmett called out obnoxiously as the cab driver glared at him.
"Oh, yeah. If I remember correctly, you ordered the birthday special but were too busy making fun of the waiters so when they came back, you freaked, screamed like a little girl and sent the food flying all over yourself. We were band from that place forever." Alice said, recalling the memory with a smirk.
We all shared a laugh at the image of Emmett doing such a thing.
"We're here." The driver told us, coming to a stop.
After paying and piling out, we walked up the small hill and were immediately bombarded with a view of people and boards flying.
Man, I wish I could do that. I may have to ask Edward to teach me one of these days.
I scanned the crowds for Edward and Bella and finally, Rosalie spotted them.
They were at the far side of the park, talking with some guy, and by the looks of it, Edward looked angry.
"Shit." I heard Emmett say before he broke out into a sprint towards them.
"What?" Rosalie and I sad, turning to Alice who looked horror stricken.
"James." I heard her say.
We all knew the story about Edward so at this name we all turned back in time to see Edward lunge forward at James. Emmett just barely managed to grab him before he could throw a punch in.
At this point, we were already in motion, sprinting towards them.
"Don't you ever say something like that again to my face, you sick bastard!" I heard Edward growl.
Bella looked ready to bite someone's head off. More specifically: Edward's.
I knew the look in her eyes. She was pissed that here was Edward again, getting ready to throw himself into another fight.
"Get control of yourself, Edward!" Edward grunted, trying to drag him away, but Edward continued to lunge towards James.
The dark haired man only stood their with a smirk on his face.
"Get lost!" I barked at him.
"No, I don't think I won't." He said coolly.
That's when I saw him eyeing Bella up and Down, his eyes lingering in certain places.
"So what's your name, honey?" He asked with a husky voice.
Before I got time to send him flying to the floor for treating my almost little sister like that, Bella stepped forward and her hand went flying against his cheeks.
"Don't you ever talk to me again, you bastard." She hissed, leaving the guy stunned for a second, before glaring at her and swiftly turning away.
"Damn, Bella. Use a dick. I love it." I congratulated her, while quoting Juno, the movie we had watched during the flight.
She laughed briefly before turning an icy glare towards Edward, who had calmed down after seeing her slap James.
"Edward Cullen, you bastard!" She yelled, before swiftly turning and walking away.
"What the hell did I do?!" He yelled, pushing Emmett off of him and running after her.
Edward's POV:
I ran after Bella, trying to think of anything I might have done wrong to piss her off.
I grabbed hold of her arm causing her to spin around.
"What the hell is your problem?" I asked, irritated at whatever had he reacting like this.
"I'll tell you what the hell my problem is, Edward! You! Did I not tell you the first time around that I do not enjoy seeing you get into fights, especially for me! I could have handled what happened back there!" She yelled back, surprising me.
"Did you not see the way he was eyeing you up like a piece of meat?! Did you not hear him basically offering himself to sleep with you when he said you needed a real man?!"
"Actually, I did! And that's why I think this isn't even about me! This is about you and your silly ego! His exact words were 'why don't you dump this pathetic excuse of a man and get with a real man.' This is about you believing that because you were invisible when you were younger, that your not good enough to be admired.
"Did you not hear the crowds calling your name when we got here? I guess not because everyone knows your great except for you, Edward! People know you Edward! Isn't that enough or do you still have to go around trying to prove yourself to the only person who needs convincing: you!"
And with that, she left me stunned and ran, leaving me staring after her.
She caught a cab before any of us could catch her and they drove off.
"You idiot!" Alice hissed beside me, grabbing Jasper and running to catch a cab of their own.
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When I finally left to go back to the hotel, it was about late. I wanted to give Bella some time to blow off steam.
The ride on the elevator was awfully lonely now that I had had my revelation. Bella was right, of course.
As much as James' arrogance towards Bella set me off, I had felt that unworthy feeling again. Like even after trying so hard, I'd be never good enough for anything. Good enough for Bella, good enough to deserve the championship, even good enough to even be comfortable with myself.
I silently left the elevator and opened our room, only to find everyone, including Gabriel and Catie, already in their pajamas, watching a movie.
They all turned as I entered, except for Bella, who purposely kept her eyes on the movie.
"Bella, can I talk to you?" I asked quietly.
She didn't answer.
"Please?" I asked again.
"I'm going to go to bed guys." She said stiffly, and quickly stood and retreated to the bedroom.
"Bella, please. Just let me talk to-" But I was cut off as she slammed the door in my face.
I guess I'm sleeping in the living room alone tonight.
