Disclaimer: If you ever thought I was as good a writer as Stephenie, bless your soul. Unfortunately, I'm not her, and therefore, I don't own Twilight -cries-
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I think you should read this chapter now because... I said so.
Chapter 14: Tanya Part II
I was still sitting on my bed when I heard a light knocking on the door. I leaped up, and bustled over to peek through the eye hole, only to see a mop of bronze hair and brilliant green eyes. He was chuckling with a small pixie like girl. What were those two up to this time?
"I'm sick." I faked a cough before plopping onto my mattress.
"Bella, you left your clothes out by the lake." Edward's musical voice reached me. As I reluctantly returned to the door, I heard a loud cackle, and then scurrying footsteps. When I allowed Edward to enter my room, I noticed he was alone.
"What…?" I started, but he answered my unfinished inquiry.
"Tanya went by, and saw that I was holding your clothes, and that mine were disheveled. Alice went after her." There was a smirk creeping across his face. Yes, he was fully clothed, but his hair was standing on end more than usual, and his pants were certainly wrinkled. There was only one conclusion I could draw from this scene…
"No!" I moaned, sinking onto the floor. Edward was immediately next to me, rubbing soothing circles onto my back.
"Love, what's wrong?" I peeked through my fingers to look at his perfect features. They were currently twisted into concern.
"Don't you understand, Edward?" I squeaked, hiding my eyes again. I knew that comprehension hadn't dawned on him yet. "Tanya was under the impression that we had… er…" I paused, searching for a word that wouldn't completely humiliate me. "Well… she thought… we had done the dirty." Edward burst out laughing.
"Done the dirty?" He asked as soon as he was done laughing at me. I felt my cheeks heat up with chagrin. "Are you really that uncomfortable with saying a three letter word?" His chuckles continued, before I tugged him into an upright position. I pushed him roughly to the door. He peered at me over his shoulder as I shoved him through the frame. "Bella, you honestly can't get so angry about innocent teasing, can you?" An innocent pout graced his perfect lips. I rolled my eyes, fighting against my body to take him in my arms and kiss that pout away.
"I'll see you in lunch tomorrow," I informed him in a monotone, before shutting the door in his face.
"Well, I guess you're not invited to our little sleepover in Alice and Rose's room…" I heard the tantalizing tone in his voice, and decided that he was lying. I checked my watch, confirming how many hours I had until I could put my plan into action; only five. I smirked, before returning to my bed, closing my eyes, and ironing out the rest of my details. If this sleepover was real, it would make everything so much easier…
.:.
Alice Brandon (OH MY GOD SURPRISE!)
I felt a cool breeze on my face. I reluctantly opened my eyes, slowly blinking the sleep out of them. Someone's arms were lightly clinging to my body. Their grip tightened slightly as I rolled over to stare into the person's face. The most perfect male specimen was staring back at me, his crystalline blue eyes an ocean of emotion. I smiled lightly at him, my dark eyes dancing. I silently asked how he slept, and his eyes crinkled slightly, announcing that his dreams had been very pleasant. I giggled quietly, and a grin crept across his lips. Our eyes remained locked for a long while, before a grunt from the other side of the room broke it. Three things happened simultaneously. The door burst open, I shot bolt upright, and Rosalie squealed breathlessly. Everyone turned to stare at my sudden reaction as my eyes darted around the room. I noted that the visitor was Edward, who looked distinctly disheveled. Rosalie had squealed breathlessly because Emmett had rolled onto her in his slumber. But the worst part was our room.
Feathers littered the floor, along with a few lacy articles of clothing. I felt my cheeks heat up; this was a reaction worthy of Bella. Which reminded me of something…
"Edward, where did Bella sleep last night?" I asked immediately.
"Not in here," he grunted as he trudged over to the window to pull back the curtains. "For the love of all that is holy…" he muttered as he took in the sight that was my window. I screeched, staring in horror at the words.
How much?
It was obviously referring to strippers. Someone had watched our spectacle last night, and decided to mess around. And I had a very clear idea of who had done it. I made an indignant noise—something between a scream and a moan—before jumping out of bed and storming next door.
Bella Swan
I heard a breathless squeal through the thin walls, but it was much too close to be coming from Alice's bed. They obviously hadn't spotted the damage yet. I smirked, waiting to hear the rest.
"Edward, where did Bella sleep last night?" Not in there, I thought maliciously.
"Not in here." Huh. I thought Edward couldn't read my thoughts. Perhaps he just knew me so well… where did he even sleep last night? I was positive that he wasn't in the room with Alice, Jasper, Emmett and Rose, and I still needed to get him back for making me lose at Poker. I distinctly recalled telling him I would lose, and I was quite sure he said he wouldn't let me. But then again, he probably just wanted to see me naked… the perv, honestly. I suppose I shouldn't be too put off by the idea, I was just afraid that he wouldn't think I was beautiful. Now that I have sufficiently embarrassed myself, why am I even—my brooding was cut off by a loud shriek. Excellent—this meant that Alice had surveyed the damage. Wild laughter bubbled to my lips, and I fought it back. They would hear me laughing. I buried my face in my pillow, but I knew that Edward would be coming over soon to check in on me. Maybe Alice as well.
My door flew open.
"ISABELLA MARIE SWAN! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU ON? YOU WILL CLEAN THAT MESS UP RIGHT NOW, AND I MEAN RIGHT NOW. OR ELSE!" I couldn't hold it in any longer. I laughed maniacally until my sides hurt.
"Your… reaction… Edward…" I managed to choke out between fits of laughter.
"No kissing Edward unless you clean up this instant!" That sobered me up. It was Alice's turn to smile maliciously at me. "Go, go… Edward will be angry if he can't mack on you every moment." With that, she turned and bounced gracefully out of the room; no doubt to go tell everybody about the consequences. I reluctantly followed, mumbling about the annoying pixie the whole way.
I stumbled on the threshold, and waited for the floor to claim a part of my body. But the impact never came—instead, two more welcome arms encased me.
"I'm glad you're still falling for me." Even though the comment was so egotistical, I couldn't contain the shiver that zipped down my spine at his alluring tone. I turned my face to his, not surprised to find it mere inches from mine. "I love you," he reminded me. I had no chance to respond, as his lips immediately crashed to mine. Emmett wolf whistled. Alice squealed.
"OH BABY!" Emmett called. Edward's lips parted from mine so he could turn to glare at Emmett. I mimicked him. Emmett paled, and Rosalie laughed at him. The rest of us soon joined in. Eventually, someone knocked on the door and demanded that we keep it down. Snickers continued to erupt from my mouth; my lips obviously weren't pressed together tightly enough. Edward walked over to the door to see who had knocked. He groaned—the girl had taken it for a moan. He struggled against her grasp, for when he had peeked through the door, she grabbed him and tried to pull him closer. I rushed over to his side and placed my hand on his shoulder, jerking him back. With the force I exerted, I fell to the floor, with Edward landing on top of me, and Lauren landed on top of him… Lauren? What was she doing here?
"Get the hell off my boyfriend," I seethed breathlessly. "And me," I added, realizing I could hardly breathe with two people on top of me. Edward quickly rolled off, resulting in him lying on top of Lauren. She twirled her grimy hands in his soft hair, and attempted to pull Edward's face closer.
"Lauren, what the--" But his sentence was broken off by Lauren who had pressed her lips to his. A wave of nausea swept over me, and I stumbled to my feet, bolting from the room.
.:.
"Bella?" I heard Alice's soprano voice call out, softer than usual. I leaned my head against the cool porcelain of the toilet seat. "Bella, are you okay? Edward managed to get Lauren off of him; do you want him to come in?" Well, that would be horrible.
"No…" I croaked. "I need a toothbrush and toothpaste please?" I heard Alice rush through the door and off to my room to fulfill my needs. The door opened again sooner than I expected. Footsteps paced towards the stall I had locked myself in five minutes ago. They stopped.
"Bella?" Edward's musical voice was not what I expected. I jumped slightly, knocking my head against the little garbage can on the side of the door. "Bella, love, are you alright?" Concern was laced in his beautiful words. I moaned quietly before the wave of nausea engulfed me again. The stall door burst open, and I felt a cool breeze on the back of my neck. A few moments passed, before I could close my mouth and press my burning cheek against the toilet seat again.
"Bella, I have a bathroom connected to my room. Please come there with me; I don't want you to be here and have someone walk in on you," Edward suggested, and I quickly agreed, clapping my hand over my mouth so I wouldn't vomit all over him halfway through our journey to his dorm.
My hand immediately dropped from my mouth when Edward opened the door to his room. It was a single person suite—sports captain's privileges. The common area of the room consisted of a large black leather couch and a small ebony coffee table. A large flat screen television hung on the opposite wall. There was a cutout in another wall with a counter top, which allowed an easy view into the kitchenette (which consisted of a sink, some maple cabinets, a microwave, a mini fridge and a coffee maker). There was a wood door, and I supposed it lead to the bathroom. I took a final glance around, noticing a sliding door nearby, before pushing the bathroom door open, and situating myself by the toilet.
"Edward, why do we always stay in my room when you have all this space?" I asked after a moment of just staring at the toilet seat. His musical chuckle rang in my ears, and I couldn't help but smile. I felt his fingers trickle down the nape of my neck from where he had been holding my hair.
"There is so much more… action…" He started hesitantly. "Down on the fourth floor there is so much more action," he decided. "With Rosalie and Alice right next door… and Lauren getting flustered…" He chuckled again as I felt the blush raging across my cheeks.
"Wait, Edward. You're supposed to be in school…" I glared at him after my epiphany. He grinned at me sheepishly, but made no move to leave. "Edward, I will not have you fail any, and I repeat, any classes because I'm here puking my guts out." Edward rolled his eyes, moving his hands to hold my hair back from my face as I turned back towards the toilet.
"Hush, Bella," he murmured into my ear, kissing my jaw softly. "Rest, love. I'll always be here for you. No matter what."
"You'll never leave me?"
"Never."
.:.
I slowly opened my eyes to a nauseated feeling in my stomach. I felt someone holding my hair out of my face. A rush of memories hit me at the speed of light. Lauren all over Edward this morning, my getting sick, coming into Edward's suite, and leaning over the toilet (the clearest memory, obviously) with Edward holding my hair out of my face. I heard a musical voice from above me as a cool hand stroked my knotted hair.
"Good evening, love. Are you feeling any better?" Edward asked. Such the gentleman; always concerned about my well being.
"I would feel better if you had gone to school," I retorted, attempting to keep up my usual demeanor. No such luck—my voice was scratchy, and I became worn out by the time I said those ten words. He chuckled, his fingers swiping strands of hair that were sticking to my pale face. I sighed in content, leaning back into his embrace.
Of course, the moment just HAD to be broken by another wave of nausea engulfing me. Edward held my hair again.
"Edward, you don't have to stay here. I can manage on my own… I don't want you to waste your time holding my hair while I vomit," I stated warily. Edward shook his head, pressing his lips together tightly.
"Bella, I'd rather be with you than anywhere else," he replied slowly and sweetly, letting his lips brush gently against my neck.
"Even if I'm regurgitating my insides?" I quipped. Edward sighed deeply.
"Bella, just let it be. I always want to be with you, no matter what." I nodded, not wanting to argue the point any more. "Have some water." He handed me a frosted glass of icy water. I immediately chugged it down, and instantly wanted more. He laughed quietly before taking my glass and walking out towards his mini fridge. When he returned, he resumed holding my hair while I leaned over the toilet seat.
.:.
The next time I woke up, the room was dark. There were soft snores coming from a place right behind me, and I felt the slight pressure on my neck that was Edward's hand. I glanced at the clock on the counter, and read five o'clock. My stomach was no longer full of butterflies, and there was no wave of nausea sweeping over me. Apparently, it only lasted twenty-four hours.
I slipped out of Edward's embrace, smiling softly to myself. I borrowed his toothbrush, hoping he wouldn't mind. I had left mine in the girls bathroom. I wandered to his kitchenette and fixed myself a glass of water. My feet then moved reflexively to the sliding door that led to Edward's bedroom. I lightly placed my hand on the door, marveling at the texture. I pressed lightly on the door before sliding it over. My jaw dropped at the magnificent sight.
The wall opposite the door was made entirely of glass, with black curtains hanging loosely to the sides. I could get a glorious look at the black night. The wall to the right was covered by a CD collection that could give any record store a run for its money. There was an ebony nightstand with a digital clock and a few pictures. But the majority of the room was a colossal bed. The frame was wrought iron with small flowers. Some might have thought that the flowers were feminine, but I thought it was simply romantic. There was a plush golden comforter, which matched a throw rug beneath the bed. A plethora of pillows were scattered across the top of the mattress, which was just begging to be slept in. I crawled to the center of the bed and wrapped my arms around my knees, resting my chin on top. I closed my eyes, still smiling softly, inhaling deeply…
That was how Edward found me an hour later. I could hear him calling my name from the bathroom, panic etched in the velvety folds of his voice. I, however, was too content to move. Eventually, he discovered the open door, and rushed in, taking me in his arms.
"Bella, next time I call your name, answer…" He mock scolded me, but I could hear the mild irritation in his voice.
"Sorry," I squeaked, offering him a small smile. He chuckled, before retorting with a remark I would have expected from him about two weeks ago.
"The next time you see this bed, you won't be wearing much… or anything at all." He winked flirtatiously, before gliding off to his closet to pick out clothes for the day. I noticed my clothes—they were the same as yesterday.
"Hey, Edward? Can I borrow a shirt?" A mound of black material flew towards me, and I picked it up from where it landed on the bed. "Don't come out," I warned as I stripped, before buttoning his shirt. "Okay, I'm decent." Edward emerged from his closet, dressed in a plain red long sleeved shirt and jeans. The sleeves were pushed up past his elbows, giving me a perfect view of his muscular forearms. I felt my mouth start to water as he strode towards me, before plopping next to me on the bed. He quickly tied his shoes, and my eyes glazed over. His eyes found mine, before raking my almost naked body. His mouth opened for a moment, like he was about to say something, but he shut it. He wrapped his arms around me, holding me tightly. I let my arms snake around his torso, and I felt his sweet breath at my ear.
"You are utterly indecent," he disagreed, before kissing my cheek and letting me go; I decided that I didn't want him to jump me this early in the morning, and after I had been sick. I sighed heavily, before trudging out of the room.
I opened the door to my room, rummaging around for a pair of leggings that I could wear. I only discovered red ones, and settled for them. I was fully aware of Edward leaning against the door to my room, but I wasn't paying any attention to him; that was a change. I was too busy trying to find shoes to match my clothes.
Wait, what? I was turning into Alice and Rosalie… this was bad. I grabbed those trusty black flats before racing back to Edward, quickly pressing my lips to his. He smiled before wrapping his arms around my waist and dipping me backwards to deepen the kiss. I giggled quietly before pushing gently on his chest.
"Edward, time for education!" I exclaimed, plastering a cheery smile on my face. Edward rolled his eyes, and then pressed his body to mine to resume our kiss.
"There are children in the vicinity." Damn Alice. I broke away from Edward, my brows knitting together. Edward glowered at his sister.
"Are you a child?" he hissed, tightening his grip around me. Jasper ghosted into the room, smiling knowingly. Rosalie and Emmett followed after.
"No, Emmett is." Alice replied, pronouncing each word slowly, like she was explaining how two plus two equaled four to a child. Emmett looked around in confusion.
"What?" he whined. I burst out laughing and was quickly joined by everyone except Emmett. "What?"
"You're whipped," Alice said simply. I pressed my lips together, trying to keep in another fit of giggles.
"Sure, sure," he retorted, rolling his eyes. Rosalie glanced over at me and Edward, who had his arms still wrapped tightly around me.
"Nice shirt, Bella. I'm not even going to ask what you two did last night, because… let's just say I have this intuition…" she trailed off, smirking. Alice took one look at me, before racing out of the room. My eyes widened in horror, and the blush ravaged my cheeks, then the rest of my face.
"Oh god… oh my god…" I mumbled, turning my face into the crook of Edward's neck. I felt his throat vibrate as he laughed quietly.
"You found us out." My mouth opened in surprise as I tilted my head back to look at Edward. His emerald eyes were glinting mischievously, which I found extremely alluring. Damn him.
"BELLA!" Alice screamed when she returned, a thin red belt in one hand, the other latching onto my arm. "Put this around your waist. You're walking with Rosalie and I to the food court and then to classes. No boys. Goodbye." I quickly wrapped the belt around my waist before being tugged me out of Edward's grip and out the door. I managed to mouth help me to him, but he just laughed quietly.
.:.
"So, how was it?" Alice inquired, raising her brows suggestively. I gagged on my coffee.
"Alice, he's your brother!" I exclaimed. She rolled her eyes, while Rosalie watched us intently.
"I'm adopted, Bella." Like that explained everything. "So, how was it?" she continued, leaning forward to heal the epic tale that was Edward and I.
"We didn't do anything. I was throwing up all night," I admitted. Rosalie scoffed.
"Honestly, Bella. Stop trying to get out of telling us the details. We can handle it. We are strong woman," she declared. "Was it seriously that bad?"
"No, if I did that with Edward, it would not be bad, I assure you," I replied with a furious blush. Alice clapped excitedly. "But I haven't done anything physical with him other than kissing, so I wouldn't know for sure. So if you would please excuse me." I stood up, holding my coffee tightly, and stalked towards class. I heard whispers follow me as I progressed through the buildings, but my mind was elsewhere.
In the gutter, to be exact.
English passed by quickly. People hadn't heard about my twenty four hour stomach virus, and were assuming the worse. My mind was too far gone to hear anything they said. Snippets of the lecture Mr. Hall was giving managed to permeate my ears. Mike kept shooting looks at me, and I noticed Jessica watching us in worry. I glued my eyes to my notebook, and idly doodled in the margins.
When the bell rang and I was pulled from my thoughts, I looked down at my paper, only to see five pairs of eyes staring at me. How my hand worked that out, I didn't know. They were very detailed and realistic. Taking a closer look, I realized why that was. They were Edward's eyes. I smiled slightly before shoving the notebook into my bag and walking quickly out of the room. Jessica made an attempt to question me, but I simply shook my head, stating "I don't like him, Jessica."
"Bella!" Alice greeted me when I took my seat in Government.
"Hi there," I replied quietly, taking out my notebook and continuing with my doodles.
"Wow," she exclaimed, looking over my shoulder at Edward's eyes. "Those are… fantastic. Have you ever considered going into art? You could be in my class… actually, that's a lie. But art is fun!" I looked at her quickly, confused. "Oh, I never told you, did I? I'm in the fashion design course—I take art lessons on drawing figures. It's really fun. I want to be a designer one day," she explained, drawing herself up proudly.
"And I'll be the first to purchase your clothes," I assured her with a grin. Alice giggled, and I raised my brow, allowing her to elaborate.
"You'll have to fight Rosalie for the top spot," she said, turning her attention to the front board. I sighed deeply, resting my chin on my hand.
.:.
I always hated math, but this was just over the top.
I walked into my Trig classroom with Alice by my side. She had just told me about all of Emmett's antics throughout the past year. They were highly amusing, and I found it difficult to stop laughing. Unfortunately, there were only two seats left open in the classroom, and neither was next to each other. I discovered Tanya and Lauren in our usual seats, with Jessica sitting awkwardly next to Lauren. There was an empty spot next to a kid named Kyle, and another next to… Tanya. Typical.
"Cullen, next to Hargrove, Swan, next to Denali," Mr. Turner barked. I immediately, and grudgingly, obliged, ignoring the menacing looks Tanya was giving me.
It took her all of fifteen minutes to pounce.
"So, when's the baby due?" she sneered. I looked questioningly at her. "Don't play dumb. Everyone knows about you and Edward. Lauren saw you tousle haired, and he was carrying your clothes. How does it feel to know that soon, there will be a true bastard in your life?" I clenched my fists, trying desperately to not slap her to the next millennium. "How much did you pay him to jump you?" I still refused to look at her. Be the better person, be the better person, I chanted in my head. "Hey, Bella?" she continued, completely oblivious. Be the better person. It was becoming my mantra. "Have you ever wondered why Edward would choose you over some other girl? Someone like… Skye, maybe? She is much prettier than you, and has a much better personality. What if she pulls one over on you? Edward leaves you to go comfort the girl who got cheated on. Boo hoo." She was obiously trying to get a rise out of me, and it worked. I turned slowly to face her, cold fury in my eyes. She raised a brow as if to say 'do your worst', so I did.
I knocked over my chair in my haste to claw her icy eyes out, to leave bruises over every inch of her body, to make her beg for mercy. I managed to let a few well positioned punches make contact with Tanya's gut, arm and cheek. I didn't notice the entire class turning to look at us in awe, I was too distracted.
"Take your top off!" someone yelled. I didn't listen to the horny boy, but continued trying to damage every inch of flesh that was Tanya Denali.
"MISS SWAN, MISS DENALI, PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE! NOW!" I growled at Tanya, who stared at me with wide, terrified eyes. I swept past Alice, who was beaming proudly at me, and out of the room.
Hopefully, Edward wouldn't hate me for trying (and succeeding) to beat the crap out of his ex girlfriend. Maybe he would like me even better and I would be able to fulfill some of those fantasies I was having during English class…
Author's Note: That brings us to the end of another chapter. I'm sorry for being slow at updating, I had... problems... with this chapter. Oh, oh, I have a five day weekend coming up (VICTORY) so chapter 15 will be up sooner!
I LOVE YOU. IF YOU LOVE ME, YOU'LL REVIEW :)
