Disclaimer: As much as I'd love to own these characters, they are the works of Stephenie Meyer, except Alexander, he's mine.
Chapter Six: Invitations
I woke up cold the next morning. Unlike the pleasant dreams I had about Edward previous nights, last night's dream was excruciatingly frightening. Maybe that was why I was sweating.
I sniffed the air. I could smell something sweet, alluring. It was recent too. How strange.
I went to have my "human minute," as I liked to call it, and walked downstairs to get my breakfast. Charlie was sitting there, looking concerned. Wasn't he supposed to be at work today?
"Dad? What are you doing here?" I asked begrudgingly.
"I wanted to warn you. Didn't I tell you that the "animal" we saw up county was human?" I nodded. "Well, there have been some deaths in Seattle as of late, and I want you to stay clear of Seattle for awhile. Where exactly is this hotel you're dancing at?" he asked.
"It's in Seattle. But, I am working on finding a replacement partner." I lied. I was planning on going regardless because I already confirmed.
"Alright, Bella. Just be careful, okay? You worry me sometimes." My dad told me with concern in his voice.
"Okay, dad." Then I remembered a question I had for him.
"Um, dad?" I asked.
"Yes?" he answered.
"Is there something going on with the Cullens? I've heard a few people talking about them." I asked nonchalantly.
His eyes flashed with something I had never seen on his face before: disbelief.
"The nerve of some people! Dr. Cullen and his family have been nothing but kind since they moved to this town! I thought we were going to have problems with all those teenagers living here, but they've been nothing but polite and courteous." That was the longest speech I had ever heard Charlie make. It seemed the subject of the Cullens was a big deal to him.
"Oh." I ended that conversation.
It seems my dad only stayed home to tell me that. So after he told me those things, he left for work. I made myself breakfast, eggs and toast, considering I had time before I had to get ready for school. I continued to think of what my dad said about what my dad said about the Cullens. If they were so polite, why was the youngest Cullen being so rude? Or better, so scary. I wasn't that scared of what he did yesterday. Just his warning sparked something temporary in me. Like he was about to attack. Like an animal.
I finished my breakfast and climbed the stairs to get ready for school. I wore a light pink sweater and white pants with light pink ballet slippers I had. It really looked cute. I also put on a pearl necklace that belonged to my grandmother.
I pranced downstairs to get my school bag and dance bag. Making sure I got everything, I walked outside to my beetle. I entered the vehicle with the same eerie feeling I have been having the past month or so. I pulled out of my driveway and I was off to school.
I entered the parking lot and pulled as far away from the silver Volvo as I could. I exited the car, and, much to my disfortune, dropped the keys in a puddle of water. I reached down to get it, but was beaten by a flashing white hand. I stood straight back up to see Edward leaning against my car, twirling my keys in his right hand.
"How do you do that?" I asked, amazed.
He chuckled.
"Bella, it's not my fault you are exceptionally unobservant," he chuckled at his joke.
"Ha ha. Now, can I please have my key back?" I asked.
He dropped it in my palm and I started to walk away, annoyed.
"Hey, wait!" he beseeched me.
"What?" I spat rather roughly, a result of my annoyance.
"I'm sorry," he chuckled, once again, "you distracted me. I wanted to ask you a question." He smiled.
"And that is?" I challenged.
"Well, I was wondering if, next Saturday, the day you go to the hotel to dance for people.." he trailed off.
I was about to interrupt him when he continued.
"If you'd like me to be your dance partner. I heard you say you needed to find one, or you'd be doing a solo act." He smiled again.
I could only stare at his beauty. The way his eyes gleamed gold, the way his bronze hair was unruly and messy, the way he stood when he was waiting for an answer. The way his beautiful skin reflected under the sheltered building. Positively gorgeous. So, my simple answer was a lame nod.
He smiled widely then, a little scarily. He sauntered off and said something like, "you really stay away from me."
I stared after him in awe. Just the way he walked was hypnotizing. I stood there for what felt like ten or so minutes, but the first period bell rang loudly. I tore my eyes from his figure, and walked off to first period. Before I got there, though, Mike stopped me.
"Why were you talking to Cullen?" he asked, jealousy flaring.
"He was just asking me a question about Biology homework," I lied smoothly. I was not going to let Mike know about Edward being my dance partner. Firstly, it would make Mike angry, and I don't want to risk my friendship with him. Secondly, I didn't know if people knowing I was with Edward would set off rumors, which I certainly didn't want. Thirdly, he wasn't normal, and I didn't want to tell anyone about us going anywhere, in case they get suspicious. If Edward was hiding a secret, then I would definitely not want to start a fire.
"He's weird. I don't know why someone as pretty as you would talk to someone so weird," he muttered.
I shrugged and walked away.
What just happened? Edward Cullen just asked me if he could be my dance partner for the hotel thing. I was split between being ecstatic and being nervous. I was more ecstatic than nervous, of course. I would have to start practicing with. He would have to touch me, hold me in my arms. My breath sped at that thought.
I advanced to first period English class. I entered the classroom and sat down in my seat. The teacher started his lecture and I dozed off.
What could Edward Cullen be that would make him want to bite me in the throat? He was an extra-something. Maybe not a superhero, but strong as one. He was fast as one. He was cold as someone dead, or immortal. Immortal? Edward Cullen? That would explain his old-fashioned dialogue, and his enjoyment for older music. But biting? The only time I see biting to the throat going on is when I watch vampire movies.
A.. vampire?
That was absurd. Vampires didn't exist. It had to be something else. Maybe, a superhuman or something along those lines.
Even if he was a vampire, I wouldn't mind. I liked him too much already, more than anyone I'd ever known. I found myself reacting to him in ways I didn't know I could react. Like my stomach will churn, or a blush would shade my face, not that my body hasn't done that before, just in the presence of a boy, my heart will speed up, and my breathing will accelerate. That was all really, really idiotic.
The bell rang in the middle of my reverie and I was off to Government. Eric walked me, but I did not acknowledge his presence. I was too busy in thoughts of Edward Cullen.
"...spring dance next Saturday," Eric mumbled quietly.
"What was that?" I inquired.
"I asked of you wanted to go to the spring dance with me next Saturday." He blushed.
"Oh. I, um, have something that day. I have a hotel to dance at. I am already confirmed so I can't back out even if I wanted to." Truth be told, I was not confirmed. I lied to him not only for the reason of having an excuse to deny him, but also, I needed a distraction. Like I said, anything to distract me from Alexander. Speaking of him, I had to talk to my dad about his funeral after school today.
"Oh, maybe next time then," he muttered.
"Sure," I replied.
He trudged off with his shoulders slumped. I almost felt bad. Almost.
The rest of the morning was spent pondering over Edward Cullen. Over what he could possibly be. He was definitely not human, I could tell. Maybe he was bitten by a radioactive spider. No that's just silly, stealing from comic books.
I followed the hungry crowd to lunch while staring at my feet. I sat down at my usual table, partially listening to Jessica's daily chatter. After Mike accepted her invite to the dance, she had been ecstatic, talking about everything possible to do for the dance.
"So I was thinking about going to Port Angeles to go dress shopping sometime next week. I want to look good at the dance." She babbled on. She planned on taking Angela. Then she asked me if I wanted to go with them.
"Um, sure. I need a new dress for the hotel dance thing next Saturday anyway." I told her, but she looked like she had no idea what I said.
"Jess?" I questioned, confused.
"Um, Edward Cullen is staring at you." Her eyes led to where he was sitting, all alone, looking at me. I blushed.
"I wonder why he is sitting along today.." she continued.
Edward caught my eye, lifted his hand and motioned for me to come over with his index finger. He winked, as well. My jaw dropped.
"Does he mean you?" she asked, jealousy in her voice.
"Um, maybe, I'm not sure. I better go see what he wants." I told her.
I stood up slowly, and walked over to him, tripping two times in the process. I stood behind a chair from across from him, holding on to the back of it. I stared at him and waited for him to start talking, if he was going to.
"Would you like to sit with me today?" he asked.
"Sure," I muttered. I made no hesitation to sit down. I pulled back the seat and sat down quickly. He chuckled.
I just stared at him, waiting for him to start. But, he seemed to be waiting for the same thing. So I started.
"So, what brought all this on?" I asked him warily.
He chuckled again. "I decided that since I am going to hell, I might as well do it thoroughly."
"That doesn't make any sense," I told him.
He smiled, "I know."
I continued to stare at him. He stared right back at me with his piercing topaz eyes.
"What are you thinking?" He sounded relieved when she asked this.
"I am trying to figure out what you are." And I was.
He hesitated for a little bit, giving away the fact that he seemed.. nervous about this piece of information.
"Are you having any luck with that?" he probed.
"Not exactly. I have, though, thought of a few things, of course," I told him.
"Would you tell me?" he asked.
"No, it's too embarrassing," I blushed.
"Just one?" he pleaded.
"No." I returned.
"That's alright, then. I will get it out of you eventually," he smiled widely.
"I'd like to see you try," I challenged him.
"Oh, I will," he said, confident in his task.
"So, uh, what was with yesterday?" I asked him.
"I won't tell you if you won't tell me," he smiled even wider.
"Wow, you caught me, and it wasn't even ten seconds yet." I laughed. He laughed as well.
"So if you tell me one theory, I will tell you why I did that yesterday," he smiled.
"Um, well, bitten by a radioactive spider?" I was not going to tell him about the thoughts of vampires. At least, not yet. I was going to wait for him to tell me that one on his own. If it's his secret, I wanted him to admit it.
He chuckled, "Nope."
"No radioactive spiders?" I inquired.
"Nope, never," he said smoothly.
"Okay, then. I told you one, now you tell me one." I smiled expectantly.
"My brothers dared me to lick your neck to scare you," he chuckled.
I did not believe him for one second. He may be a good liar, but no one goes up to someone and licks their neck on a dare. Plus, Edward looked serious when he said to stop him and the telling me to run away. The idea of him licking my neck on a dare was laughable. But, I dropped it, not wanted to beseech him.
"Why?" I asked.
"They thought it would be funny. If I did scare you, though, I apologize," he said sincerely.
"Oh, it's alright." I smiled.
I wanted to talk to him about the hotel thing. So I started to ask him questions.
"So, um. For the hotel dancing job, you wanted to be my partner?" I questioned.
"That seems about right," he smiled.
"Well, I have a few questions for you. I have never had another partner besides Alexander." I told him.
"Alright, then," he said nonchalantly.
"Well, have you ever danced to older music, from the fifties or sixties?" I asked him.
"Yes," he smiled.
"Have you!?" I asked, surprised.
"I have," he laughed.
"Well, that's good then!" I said, excited for this new opportunity to dance with someone new.
"Are you a good leader?" I probed him.
That's how we finished the lunch period. Talking about the hotel dancing, and how he danced and stuff like that. He also said that since he was in the music room the same time that I was going to the music room, we could practice in the other room, if the teacher would allow him, of course.
We exited the cafeteria beside each other, and walked off to Biology class.
We had a lab that day. We had to look through the microscope and identify the different types or protists, fungi, animals, plants, archaebacteria, and eubacteria. We finished the lab before anyone else in the class. We sat down and started to talk to each other.
"Bella?" Edward asked.
"Yeah?" I replied.
"I won't be here the next couple of days," he said quietly.
"Why not?" I probed him.
"Well, my family is going hiking. My family always goes hiking on nice days," he said.
"Oh okay. That's alright, I suppose. We have today and all next week to practice," I told him.
"Thanks, Bella," he smiled at me.
In the music room, after Biology, after his teacher agreed, we danced together for awhile to some songs that could be playing at the hotel. I had to say, he was an excellent dancer. Maybe even better than Alexander, and that was saying something.
We danced to various fifties songs, none of which I could name. But, he knew the words to all the songs, and he would sing them lightly while we were dancing. When we started to dance to the sixties music, he quit singing.
"Why did you stop?" I asked him.
"Ugh, I hate sixties music, and seventies," he went on. "The eighties were tolerable."
"That's okay, I am not a big fan of sixties or seventies either. I just like to dance to them," I reassured him kindly. He smiled.
We twirled gracefully for the rest of the period. I liked having Edward in my arms, and me in his. It felt safe, even though he wasn't human. I felt comfortable in his arms. He was hard as a rock, though.
When the period ended, he walked me to gym and we parted there. I was not going to see him for a few days, so I was going to start calling the hotel to see if I could get the playlist to the songs we were to dance to. I needed to tell them that I had a new dance partner anyway, so it all worked out perfect.
In gym, I ended up hurting myself with a volleyball. I jumped up to spike it and ended up getting hit in the head with it. Of course, everyone laughed at me, big surprise there.
I walked to my beetle and got in the car. I pulled out of the parking lot and drove home.
My dad wasn't home yet so I started to cook dinner before he got home. I decided to not tell him about my partnership with Edward Cullen, for he would ask many questions about it. I was not in the mood to be interrogated. I cooked up French dinner, something I hardly ever do. Much to my surprise, Charlie loved it.
"That was really good, Bella! You should make that everyday," he said while rubbing his gut.
"I'm glad you enjoyed it. By the way, when is Alexander's funeral?" I asked.
"This Saturday, Bella," he told me.
"Alright, dad, thanks for arranging it. It means a lot." I thanked him.
"You're welcome, Bells," he replied.
I finished doing the dishes, and walked upstairs to do some homework. By the time I was finished with Trig, I was starting to feel a little slumberous. When I was finished with my homework, I went to take and shower and have my human minute.
I put on some tatty old pajamas and crawled under the covers and fell asleep quickly.
That night I had a dream much like the first night. Only tonight I had a dream I was dancing with Edward Cullen, instead of a silhouette.
AN: Yayyy, sixth chapter is done! School starts for me on the 24th of August. So, my updates may take a day or two longer. It all really depends on how much homework I get. :( Review please!! :D