A/N: Shout out to TwilightFanatic247 for reviewing. Song for this chapter is When It Rains by Paramore.
Read. Reweiw and Enjoy.
Bpov:
Edward Masen was an enigma but there were just too many pieces of the puzzle missing that I couldn't actually see the whole picture yet.
I wanted to figure him out, I really did, but he was sending me so many mixed signals.
I wanted to believe that he wanted to open up to me but it's hard to tell what's what with him.
I didn't understand what happened in the car, it was more like a roller coaster then anything.
He was laid back and easy one second then clamming up himself shut behind all of his walls.
He was so afraid to let anyone see him for who he really was that he isolated and alienated those around him, unintentionally of course.
We bickered like two year olds but that was the best part of all.
I felt so comfortable around him, there was a sense of familiarity like listening to an old song while randomly listening to the radio, one that you used to listen to and had probably forgotten about but it brings back so many memories.
Why he wanted to meet me tomorrow was a mystery that I had yet to solve and I ran different scenarios in my head while I was doing the laundry and making Charlie's dinner each of which steadily began to sound wilder and wilder until I threw back my head and growled in utter frustration.
"Bella, what's wrong?" Charlie's voice came floating over the game commentary.
Oh fish sticks I forgot he was home.
"Umm nothing dad I just cut myself while slicing vegetables..."
It sounded fake to me too but at least he didn't come into the kitchen to investigate further.
I was spared that.
I went back to thinking. I dint get much sleep that night and needless to say I looked like hell in the morning.
I texted Alice to not come and pick me up today and that I would drive myself to school being perfectly capable of doing so in spite of what she thought otherwise.
This had a three fold cause first I wouldn't have to argue with Alice if I texted her, I was in no mood for it after a sleepless night my nerves were on the edge.
Second I was planning on going to school early in order to talk to Edward before school and third it insured that I wouldn't have to face make over time from Alice if she saw the way I looked today.
I don't she would be able to do much at school what with classes and stuff.
I dressed without really noticing what I was changing into, skipped breakfast, grabbed my ipod and car keys which was collecting dust in my drawer and was out the door.
It was raining heavily as usual and I stood with my head up to the sky feeling the raindrops slide down my face.
I relished the feeling of being alive in that one moment, being able to feel the rain on my face and hearing the pitter patter of the rain drops.
I felt a smile creeping on my face.
Normally I didn't like the rain but today was different.
I stood there for just a minute longer before finally walking towards my car.
It was really pouring now.
I was right in front of the door of my car before I realized that someone was leaning against it.
The person was none other then the evasive Edward Masen.
I stared at him.
"What are you doing here?" I asked thoroughly confused.
"I said I'd see you tomorrow didn't I? Well its tomorrow."
He was look at his feet while talking but his eyes flashed up to my face now and again.
That sounded pathetic to me too and this was coming from the girl who was constantly with Alice and her pitiful puns.
"Can I drive you today?"
I was curious and consented with a lapse of my better judgment.
I wanted to get to know him, I wanted to be a part of his world whether it would be a big part or small one was entirely up to him. I was like a lost puppy willing to follow him anywhere he went.
I was toast.
I should think so, I just compared myself to a puppy.
I smiled a little at the thought and followed him to his car. He opened the door for me and when I raised my eyebrow at him he just gave me a sheepish grin. My knees began to tremble slightly at that and I sat inside quickly to avoid falling on my face. He shut the door softly behind me and got into the car and pulled the car out of the driveway.
At first there was silence in the car and I listened to my iPod for there was nothing else to do.
"What are you listening to?" He asked.
I plugged in my IPod to his car as an answer and soon we were singing along to "We Will Rock You" by Queen. We were laughing by the time the song finished.
"I haven't heard that song in so long; I forgot how good it was." He said with a smile.
Darn that smile.
I sifted through my playlist and we sang along to every song.
We arrived at school later then I had perceived and shouting a hurried goodbye over my shoulder to him I ran to class before the bell could ring.
I just skidded to a stop in English; all wet and earned a withered look from the teacher at my efforts. Ignoring him I made a bee line towards Alice. As soon as the teacher turned his back on the class to write something on the board Alice nudged me.
I looked up.
"Is that a smile I see on your lips dear Bella or do my eyes deceive me? Surely you of all people know better then to be seen smiling of all things." She said, well she was observant I'll give her that.
"Cut it out Alice." I said though I couldn't wipe the smile off my face.
"Ha I knew it. That is defiantly a smile. Spill Bella because if you wont I have the means to force it out of you."
I didn't want to know what those means were.
"It's nothing Alice. Can't I be happy without a cause?" I mocked being hurt but she was in earnest.
"No Bella it's just that you smile so seldom that I figured that it must have been something big."
Didn't I smile often?
I never noticed but it must be true because she was after all observant.
"Well I can't imagine a cause for it, I didn't get much sleep yesterday, skipped the most important meal of the day and was late for school because I was jamming to the songs on my playlist with Edward." I trailed off.
She didn't seem a bit surprised by the last part though and looked as though she had almost expected that answer.
"Oh come on Alice you can't possibly have seen that one coming."
She didn't get the chance to reply because the teacher who was very out of patience with us told us to shut up if we already knew the book and to let the rest of the class evaluate it in peace.
"Someone woke up on the wrong side of his bed this morning." Alice said under her breathe, I sniggered.
Just before lunch Alice dragged me in to the nearest toilet and demanded that I take off my hoodie.
"Really Alice if you are planning to rape me you might have chosen a better location for it. People might hear my screams."
"Oh for heavens sakes Bella I don't have that much time to pretty you up for lunch." Informing me of this she proceeded to pull out an absurd quantity of makeup which by the looks of it was all brand new.
She couldn't possibly have fitted all that into her small book bag but this was Alice and miracles like that were possible for her.
Two girls who were applying lip gloss in the mirror eyed her enviously.
"I'd rather prefer to stay in my present state." But my appeal was silenced by a look from her.
I have no backbone to speak off.
I let her attack me with brushes and whatever else that she pleased and then with me in tow she hurried to the cafeteria.
Rosalie was sitting with Edward and Jasper at our table and Emmet was getting lunch.
Rosalie looked up as we neared the table. "Well about time…" But she caught site of my face "Wow Bella you look hot. I'd consider playing for the other team for you."
I rolled my eyes at her. Only Rosalie would say something like that.
Emmet who had come back soon enough to hear the last part of her speech said, "Don't make me fight you for her Belly bear, if you try to put some of your sexy moves on her I'm going to have to take you down."
Jasper let out a laugh at that which made Alice look at him like he was the only person in the room. I gave her a little push and she went and sat down next to him.
"I don't have moves Emmet, sexy or otherwise but if Rosalie chose me over you then I didn't say that I won't fight back." I winked at him. The expression on his face was priceless.
Edward had his back to me so he had yet to see me; in fact he had yet to notice anything around him at all. He seemed deep in thought.
Since there was no other seat left but the one next to Edward I was compelled to take it or remain standing. I think this had been planned by them all along but I can't say that I minded.
I sat down beside him trying to ignore the stares of everyone at the table.
"Really guys if you are going to stare how about trying to be a bit subtle about it?" I said irritated when they didn't take their eyes of me. They pretended to look at something else.
I sighed.
Jasper, who had been looking at Edward, coughed loudly.
His coughed seemed to do the trick and was successful at pulling him out of his reverie.
He looked around and caught Jasper's eye who inclined his head towards me. Jasper didn't think that I noticed but when he looked at me I rolled my eyes at him and he mouthed "Just trying to help." Smiling sheepishly.
Edward looked at me and it seemed as though he had just noticed me.
"Oh hello there Bella, I'm sorry I just zoned out for a bit." He said smiling.
Did I ever mention how much I hate that smile of his?
"Really why I didn't even notice, I thought this was your every day countenance. Sitting staring at nothing in particular and all." But I smiled to let him know that I was kidding.
"So I was thinking and I'll try to be your friend." Well that took me wholly by surprise.
I blinked at him as he waited for a reply.
What was I supposed to say? Thank you? Welcome aboard to the crazy train?
Going over what happened yesterday in my head I was more then a little embarrassed by what had passed.
What on earth had possessed me to beg him to be my friend?
Why had I so readily denounced Rosalie and Alice? Sure they were a pain in the neck but they were the best friends that I could ever hope for, they always knew what was best for me and would do anything in their power to help me.
What on earth? But maybe it wasn't any earthly power. Maybe it was Fate that had compelled me. Truth be told I had never had a strong belief in Fate but maybe…
"I see that I'm not the only one who has the tendency to zone out." Edward said.
"Oh yeah she does that all the time why you should have seen her just a few days ago….." I interrupted her before she could say anything more.
"Thank you Alice that will be enough." I said shooting her a glare.
"Aww lighten up Bella, you need some fun in your life." Emmet said then snapped his fingers "I know, you need a night out!"
I graoned.
I knew that Rosalie, Alice and Jasper too would be in on this.
"No way! Not again, the last time we had a night out I made a fool of myself in front of god knows how many drunken half brains and you ended up loosing a lot of money to this one," I said pointing to Alice.
She pouted at me "Pwease Bella, wont you do this for me?"
"Oh no I am not falling for that one again."
Soon everyone excluding Edward was trying to convince me go along with it.
"Come on darlin' it'll do you good" Said Jasper in that southern accent.
"But it's a school night!"
Emmet snorted at that one, "Knowing you, you would have already completed any work there is. Studying so much can't be good for you."
"But Charlie won't allow…"
But Alice cut me off, "Won't allow you to go out? You know I can convince him. He can't resist the Brandon charm"
"You know Alice I think I know someone else who can't resist the old Brandon charm."
Uh-oh I shouldn't have said that.
She glared at me, "And just what exactly do you mean by that?"
Edward intervened then. Giving me his best lopsided grin he said, "Come on Bella a night out couldn't do any harm."
"Traitor." I hissed at him narrowing my eyes,
"Yay, Bella's going" Alice said loud enough to make the whole cafeteria stare at her.
"I just can't see why you guys can't go without me."
"It just won't be the same" was Edwards reply.
Sweet mother of pearl, what had I gotten myself in to?
