A/N: Alright my lovlies, here you go! I hope you enjoy this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Birdee: Thank you so much for your wonderful beta skills, you are amazing!
Upthedownslide: You know I love you like homemade cherry icecreem.
I dedicated this chapter to all my lovely friends and reviewers that I helped support my story when I was in doubt.
Disclaimer: DO NOT OWN, YO!
on to it..
Bella
A very sudden- and very loud instrumental rift followed by a robotic sounding voice ripped through the walls of my tiny apartment, causing me to sit up with a violent lurch.
"What the-" I mumbled sleepily, swiveling my head in every direction in an attempt to find the invading sound. My ears were pulsing in pain and in time to the beat of the assault.
Well now don't you tell me to smile
You stick around I'll make it worth your while
Got numbers beyond what you can dial
Maybe it's because I'm so versatile
Comprehension dawned into my foggy brain as a Beastie Boy's song, Intergalactic, pounded through the paper thin walls of my apartment, and was somehow increasing in volume. The pulsing my ears were feeling turned into a full on throb. I wasn't dreaming. This was real.
"WHOMEVER DECIDED TO WAKE ME UP TO THIS…THIS RETARDED EXCUSE OF A WAKE UP CALL SHALL DIE A VIOLENT DEATH THEN BE REVIVED ONLY TO EXPERIENCE MY EXTREME HATRED ONCE MORE. OH, AND THANKS FOR RUINING MY FAVORITE SONG. ASSHOLES." I roared from the perch on my bed. I rubbed my eyes in an attempt to soothe the pounding in my head.
I am known to do the Wop wop
Also known for the Flintstone Flop flop
Tammy D getting biz on the crop crop
Beastie Boys known to let the beat drop"Mmmh..drop" "Do it"
Alice and Rose busted through my door with wide smiles plastered on their faces. Alice had a messenger bag slung over her tiny shoulders, and Rose was holding what would appear to be my outfit for the day. I shot them both the dirtiest look I could muster. They stared back unflinchingly.
"Welcome to the first day of the rest of your life!" Alice screeched over the music after our silent stare off.
I blinked a few times.
"-I hate you both."
"Aw, c'mon, Bella! Chip up! You get to see Edward todaaay!" Alice ended with a sing song voice and a rather over-exaggerated wink.
"Die."
" Swan, get out of bed. Seriously. We need to get you sexified." Rose muttered and ripped the warm covers from my body, revealing my tank and boy shorts combo. A rush of cool air hit my sleep-laden limbs.
"Die twice."
Rose answered with a dramatic roll of her eyes, then wrenched me from my bed with such a force that it sent me flying across the room. She smiled sweetly and pushed me down the hall to the bathroom gently in apology for being so rough before. She shoved me through the door without asking if I was alright when my body collided into the sink cabinet, causing my toiletries to fly off the counter. My tooth brush just so happened to land, rather conveniently, into the open toilet bowl. It floated to the bottom.
"God, Rose! I think you bruised my arm!" I whined loudly, rubbing the sore part of my upper arm Rose had man-handled. " Plus, my tooth brush decided to chill in my toilet, so I have nothing to brush me teeth with!"
"Oh, sweet Jesus, MAN UP. Use a finger and don't come out of there until you resemble a wet cat and smell like strawberries."
I stuck my tongue at the closed door. The music pulsed on-but changed to a Beatles tune.
I sat down heavily on the side of the tub and raked my hands through my mane of hair. I was still tired after spending half of the night with Ryan. We decided to have a mini 70's horror movie-thon to help get us in the mindset for the convention we would be flying to early the next morning and-shoot jello shots on top of it. The night ended with me slurring a confession of love to Edward and cursing his 'hair boners' and Ryan carrying me bridal style, rather awkwardly, to my apartment. I touched the side of my forehead Ryan had gently brushed a kiss to. It had been the weirdest feeling to experience as those soft pillows made contact with my skin. I shrugged the feeling off and began rubbing my eyes to wake myself up a little more. We were just friends. End of story.
After about ten minutes of attempting to resist the unrelenting day by refusing to start my shower, Alice knocked on the door promising that a steaming cup of frothy coffee would be waiting for me if I hurried and showered. I gave in and turned the knobs as far as they would go-because my water pressure absolutely sucked-and jumped into the warm water and began washing myself quickly. Once I was sure all forms of grime and memories of Ryan's intimate moment were washed from my body, I stepped out and wrapped a towel around myself. I hesitated at the door for a second considering whether or not it would be safe to chance a quick run to my room.
But, before a coherent thought could pass through my brain, my fate was already decided. The door swung open and Alice swooped me out of the steam filled room and steered me towards my bedroom.
" Let's get you irresistible!" Alice sang as she forced me into a sitting position on my bed. Rose handed me my promised cup of coffee, and I closed my eyes as the torture began.
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"Are you trying to rip every single hair out of my head, Rose?" I whined through clenched teeth. She clucked her tongue at me in annoyance and ignored my complaints.
Alice and Rose had been working on me for the past two hours doing God knows what. Alice kept pinching my cheeks and lifting my head to angles that a yoga guru would be proud of. I was praying that my face wasn't too caked with makeup.
I let an exasperated sigh rip from my throat then laughed as Alice and Rosalie both rolled their eyes in unison. I loved my two best friends more then life itself. They were my shelter, my family. We had met back in college our freshman year during orientation. We were all in a group together for the forced mingling activities and immediately latched onto one another once we realized we were the only sane people in our group. We stuck together ever since then, and even though they loved to torture me, I couldn't deny them.
"PERFECTION!" Alice crowed as she finally backed away from me and took in her and Rose's handy work. Rose joined Alice in looking me over.
"I think this is our best work yet," she nodded in agreement. I felt my curiosity growing. I attempted to turn towards my full length mirror, but Rose threw my towel onto it.
"Nope, not until our work is completed."
Rose walked out the room then seconds later returned with the bag that contained my outfit for today. I sighed in relief when I saw if was a simple pair of jeans and a form fitting cobalt blue t-shirt. It wasn't until she revealed what was going under it that I felt my tongue grow thick in my mouth.
" N-no..no. I can't..I can't-" I stuttered as Rose dangled the skimpy underwear on graceful, long fingers with a smirk.
It was a simple blush pink thong, if you could call it that. It was basically just a piece of string held together by a thin strand of elastic. I couldn't stand a piece of floss in my ass, sorry. Wasn't my bag.
"Oh, just put on the damn bra and thong, Bella. It's not like Edward is going to be seeing it," Rose spat at me and launched the thong at me like it was a sling shot. She smirked before adding, " Unless a broom closet is available."
It was finally my turn to roll my eyes. I snatched the clothes from Rose's hands and took the bra Alice was dangling at me playfully. I marched to my bathroom and shut the door with a loud thump. I heard a knock on the door and I growled.
"Oh, Bella..you forgot the thong, dear." Rose's voice was full of a hidden chuckle she was trying to repress.
"Yeah, I'd rather go commando then deal with that shit being stuck in my ass all day, thanks-," I spat back and got dressed quickly. I was in too much of a haze of annoyance to notice myself in the mirror of the bathroom. Once I finally pulled the shirt over my head, I noticed my appearance.
I was stunned.
My long, drab brown hair had a new found gleam to it and was cascading beautifully in loose coils around my shoulders. I had a sweep of bangs pulled to the right of my forehead that gave me a whole new look. My face looked as if it were glowing slightly. There wasn't much makeup like I had feared, but enough to highlight my brown eyes and full pink lips. I had a little blush to accentuate my cheekbones.
I couldn't believe I was staring at my own reflection. I looked…sexy.
"Wow.." I breathed lightly. Rose and Alice had very capable hands, apparently.
I opened the door and walked out, humbled beyond reason, to the living room where Alice and Rose sat talking animatedly about Dior. I dropped to my knees and began to bend down with my arms extended forward. They watched my movements with amused curiosity.
"I'M NOT WORTHY!" I cried playfully as I lay completely onto the ground and repeated my bowing move. Alice and Rosalie were in a fit of hysterical giggles.
"You're worthy, you're worthy!" Alice gasped between tinkling giggles. I finally got up after a few more bows and plopped in between my two best friends and slung my arms around their shoulders. "Seriously, thank you guys so much." I gushed squeezing their shoulders tightly. "You are the best friends a girl could ask for."
Rose shoved me away playfully when a knock on my front door broke our love fest. " Yeah, yeah, go get the damn door." She gave me a quick squeeze before letting me get up to answer it. I jumped up and skipped over to the door and opened it with a fresh round of giggles bubbling in my throat. Man, why am I so giddy all of a sudden?
Ryan stood with his back to the door talking on his cell phone and leaning on the railing of my 'porch.' He was wearing his black biker jacket with his favorite pair of grey jeans and brown Converse. His hair was gelled up into a faux hawk.
"Surpriiiiise! Look, Ryan! I'm a girl!" I squealed playfully and opened my arms as he turned to faced me.
"Yeah, yeah, it's all good, man. Just calm down and it'll-" Ryan stopped mid-sentence when his eyes finally met mine. A blush crept across my cheeks as Ryan's eyes raked over my body gently, almost feeling like a soft caress. I ducked my head down and tapped my foot against the door jamb nervously.
"Hey, I'll call you back in a second," Ryan stated into his phone lightly. I felt his finger tuck under my chin and pull my face up slightly to meet his. His blue eyes were cloudy looking, deeper then the usual playful glint that crossed his eyes.
"You look stunning, Isabella.." he whispered lightly, his voice husky with a new emotion I've never heard from him before. I felt a new blush cross my cheeks and I averted my eyes to the crack above my door.
"Thanks, Ry, that's sweet of you to say-," I answered back, my voice cracking slightly.
Ryan dropped his finger from my chin and cleared his throat loudly. I tore my eyes away from the crack back to his, and the playful glint I knew and loved was back. "Well, where's your shit?" he asked gruffly, pushing past me playfully. I felt my brows furrow slightly.
Well, that was weird..
I turned to Rosalie and Alice who both seemed just as confused by Ryan's exchange. I shrugged my shoulders and shook my head before joining Ryan in my bedroom to gather everything I needed for the weekend.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
The car ride to the JFK airport was not an awkward one, thankfully. Ryan acted as if the moment in front of my door never happened and I gladly played along. I didn't want something that small ruin the entire weekend for us. Plus, we were just friends. No need to go and stomp all over that.
We had finally parked his SUV into an open space in the parking garage and were making our way towards the waiting area after going through the longest line in existence for security. My stomach began to twist into knots as I took in the rows of seating. Where is he…
"So, tell me again why Edward is coming?" I asked as I lugged my suitcase behind me, trying to break the spell of nerves that were rolling through my body. I could feel my hands shaking, and I tried desperately to still the sporadic movements. Ryan must have noticed my struggle, because he silently brushed my hand away from the rolling suitcase and took it over. A smile danced across his face.
"Well, he's always wondered what went on at work and he seemed genuinely interested, so he asked if he could tag along."
"Yeah, nothing is genuine about Edward Cullen." I muttered under my breath. My skin was beginning to tingle from the onslaught of nerves. Or was it excitement? "I can't believe you invited him. Or the fact that you're his friend." I looked up into Ryan's eyes with fake disappointment and planted my right hand on his shoulder. "Where did I go wrong?"
Ryan scoffed playfully and rolled his eyes. "Here Miss-Diva, you think you can handle watching our stuff while I get us some coffee?" he asked as he shoved the luggage next to my legs. I nodded my head, and he nodded his back in agreement.
"Back in a flash," Ryan called over his shoulder and started walking towards the café across from where we were standing. "Don't break anything!"
"Hah!" I answered sarcastically and looked down at the two bags of luggage. They were both the same size and had wheels on the bottom, so I was confident in my plan of maneuvering them to some seats a few feet from me. How much damage could I do?
Apparently enough to piss off three people by rolling over their toes and tripping myself by rolling them over the heels of my vans three times. I shot a deathly stare at the two vandals on wheels as they plopped down for the fourth time in obvious resistance. I stomped my foot in annoyance then rubbed my temples. I had barely moved three feet from my previous position. Where was Ryan with that coffee..?
After pushing past the anger directed towards the two inanimate objects before me, I bent down to pick them up when I heard the worst noise imaginable. A loud rip came from behind me and felt a sudden breeze on my exposed crack. In a very public related place.
Shit. Please, no. Please let that be my imagination.
A velvety laugh erupted from behind me and I felt my heart shutter into overdrive, confirming my fears. They were ripped and Edward had witnessed it.
No. This can't be. please, don't let this be how he sees me after two years..
"Amazing how some things never change." Edward's warm voice enveloped me. A blush passed through my entire body and I squeezed my eyes closed in mortification. I couldn't move, I couldn't talk. I was stuck in my bent position as the shock flooded through my body in huge waves.
Why me? Why always me, and on the day with no underwear-…
No underwear? Oh shit. Oh God. How did I not remember that?
I finally shot up from my bent position-after remembering that bit of information and whirled around to meet the twinkling emeralds behind me as my hands flew to my ass, attempting to cover the large tear. I felt my breath whoosh out from my lungs as I took in his appearance, completely forgetting my little crisis. He was still just as beautiful as I had remembered him.
His hair was the same bronze color, and it still flipped lazily every which way as if he had just got out of a windstorm. His skin had the slightest hint of a tan and he had obviously started to work out more once he finished college. Even through his grey pea coat, you could see how well defined his muscles were. A familiar smirk crossed his lips and I knew I was in trouble.
"Nice ass, by the way."
His comment woke me from my stunned silence. I felt the blood in my body begin to move again and the feeling in my toes rushed back with a sudden warmth. I squared my shoulders and gathered what little pride I had left. His eyes lit up slightly as he took in my appearance.
"Edward."
I watched as his smirk turned into the crooked grin that helped me-fall head over heels for him.
"Isabella."
I cringed at the sound of my full name. So, we were playing that game, were we? Alright. I can play along.
I smirked in his direction after hiding my discomfort. "Well, Eddie, you don't look as malnurished as you once did."
His turn to cringe. My smirk turned into a victorious smile. He recovered and walked closer to me.
"I see you still have that heart-warming charm." His sudden close proximity caught me off guard and I lost my train of thought. His hair waved slightly as a burst of warm air wafted down from the air vent we were standing under. My skin began to tingle again, but it wasn't because of nerves. It was because I had the sudden itch to throw my arms around the man before me and ravish the soft, reddish mounds he called lips
I laughed slightly and shook my head, trying to get rid of the feeling. "What are you doing here, Cullen? Is this some joke you and Ryan are playing? April Fool's is two months away, in case you didn't get the memo."
He smiled and sat his bag down on the ground and plopped into one of the chairs in the row I had been trying to make it to. He made everything look so graceful. He was like a damn gazelle.
"Didn't you hear?" He paused playfully looking up at me and my awkward standing position. "The hot babes." He finally finished then ran a hand through his already ruffled hair.
I rolled my eyes. Before I could get in my response, I heard Ryan's deep voice from behind me.
"Edward! I see that you made it!" Ryan walked over to Edward and they commenced the weird hand slapping ritual guys usually greeted each other with. After they had finished, Ryan turned back to me and handed me my coffee. I reluctantly let a hand stray from my exposed cheek and took a welcomed sip of my second coffee of the day, hoping the caffeine would calm me into an indifferent silence. Ryan had bent behind me to pick up his suitcase when I felt his breath hit the small of my back in surprise. I felt him push something against my butt quickly.
A newspaper. How inconspicuous.
"I thought I told you to not break anything while I was gone," Ryan whispered against my ear slightly and allowed me to hold the paper in place as he stood up from his crouching position. I felt a blush creep onto my cheeks for the hundredth time that day. It was only eight in the morning, Jesus.
Edward must have heard him because he smiled knowingly. "Oh, don't give her a hard time. She just couldn't wait to get out of her clothes when she saw me, that's all."
My jaw dropped at his bold statement, then the familiar annoyance I used to feel when graced with his presence filled my small frame.
"Why don't you just go fu-" Ryan's sudden jerk of my arm caused me to cut off my sentence with a small, surprised yelp. I looked up at him confused, and he shot me a look that stated a warning. I pulled my arm from his grasp and nodded my head slightly in agreement.
"Well, if you boys will excuse me, I have a little issue to attend to-," I said curtly then picked up the handle of my suitcase with my free hand and planted the hand holding the newspaper to my ass more firmly to my cheek. I made a quick exit to the nearest bathroom while I heard Edward's laugh trailing behind me.
Prick.
Edward
I watched as the love of my life walked quickly into the ladies restroom and felt my body relax. I was able to breathe again, fully. She was more beautiful then I expected her to be. More beautiful then my mind ever imagined.
I knew now that I would make it my mission to win her over before this weekend was over. Whatever it took, I'd do it.
Isabella Marie Swan slipped between my fingers once, but I would not allow that to happen again.
Ryan punched my shoulder and I looked at him with confusion. "What…and ow!" I asked, rubbing my shoulder slightly.
"Stop being so damn snarky."
I stared at Ryan for a beat. "Is that even a word?"
He ignored me and continued, "Look, I know you guys flirt with sarcasm, but go easy on her. She's nervous enough."
With that, he walked away to gather his and Bella's things next to the chair I was sitting in and walked over to a shop to grab some food.
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