Behold!! Chapter 9 finally arrives!! Just curious, have you ever really just wanted to scream out, "BEHOLD!! I HAVE SHARPENED MY PENCIL!!" I have. I don't know why though, I just did.
You all have amazed me yet again with your awesome, ninja-like reviewing skills!! I mean, I have more than 130 reviews! You rock my freshly bleached white socks!! Yes, I hold a special place in my heart for the classic white tube sock.
And now for the notes to the reviewers who so kindly gave me words to implant into this chapter.
Note to Ericaisdazzled: Flinkle dink is in there, so in Your FACE!! My god, I'm really rocking these words –smiles smugly- gets slapped by reviewers -apologizes-
Note to Aden101: Autodysomophobia is in here as well!! I feel smarter, just so you all know. Words like these require me to look them up, so in the end, I learn something. See, knowledge is power!!
Note to Blindwind: Sugar rush is in here!! Yeah, this word was probably one of the easier ones to place, but thanks. You gave me a break. Trying to place all the other words wasn't so easy.
Note to Bearhug946: Tiddlywinks is in here, and again, you are so totally random…I STILL LOVE YOU!!
Note to Booknerd14: All your words, including the following: pit-bulls, lucky charms, apple pie, lavender licorice, toothpaste, and Bunnicula are in there.
Note to Luv2write001: I used the Rejection Hotline number, which happens to be 206-494-0827 in Seattle. I also used supercalifragilisticexpialidocious
My God, where the hell do you readers get these crazy words from anyway!? I feel smarter every time I get a word I have never read before!!
Anyway here is the Disclaimer and Chapter 9!!
Laura says: I am sad.
Edward says: Why is that, Laura?
Laura says: -gasp- Edward, what are you doing here?!
Edward says: Well, Bella likes the way this story is playing out. She likes that she doesn't get dazzled by me as much as she normally would. So she sent me to thank you because Alice is forcing her into shopping for the wedding. You know, gift registry, deciding between blue or gold napkin rings, the works.
Laura says: Oh. Okay, send my thanks to Bella for me. She is rocking my socks in this story too with all her sarcasm and spunkiness!!
Edward says: Very well then. But why were you sad?
Laura says: -sigh- I don't own you guys or the Twilight series in general. It's quite depressing.
Edward says: Well, think of it this way, you own this plot line. That's got to count for something.
Laura says: Aw thanks Edward. You always know what to say to make me feel better.
Edward says: Well, your thoughts aren't gross about me so far, so I think you are pretty nice as well. dazzles Laura
Laura says: …Sorry, what was that, again? Wait, Darn you Edward and your dazzling eyes!!
Edward says: -chuckles- Yes, I still got it!!
Chapter 9: Rain Dances and Sanity
BVOP
When I got home after school, my mind was jumping from one thing to another. Does Edward really mean that he just wanted to be "friends"? Can I trust him? Is he going to be just like him?
Quite honestly, I think I was going to get a migraine from all the questions. But there was one question that really got me: why would he change his ways just for me? I mean, it was nice and all, but why would I influence him that much? These thoughts filled my mind as I sat on my bed. A loud booming sound shook me out of my thoughts.
I listened intently until I heard it again. Thunder. Suddenly, there was another large clap of thunder and then the sound of pelting rain drops hitting the ground filled the air. A sudden urge came over me as I found myself standing up, grabbing my cane, and walking out of my room.
My feet carried me to the front door where I turned the knob and pulled it open, allowing the sweet, clean scent of rain to fill my nostrils. The thing about Forks' rain was that it wasn't as muggy as most other places. The air was cold yet fresh and full of new possibilities. And rain was just what I needed to help me sort out my thoughts.
I took a step out the door, the light mist of water spraying me as I got closer to the edge of the porch. Leaves were rustling along with the wind, creating a cacophony of sound that just melted in with the pelting bullets of water hitting the drive way. My cane in front of me, I felt my way off the patio and onto the soft grass. It was then that I felt like my body was working on its own.
My cane fell onto the soft grass when my hand subconsciously loosened its grip on it. My hands went above my head, fingers stretched apart and almost grasping at the unreachable sky. My breathing became slow and deep, almost as if I was sleeping, yet my heart was pumping fast and strong. My hair was now sticking to my face, as my clothes were sticking to my body. But nothing mattered. It was just me, the earth, and the rain. Having forgotten my shoes inside the house, my feet were now sinking into the softened soil beneath me. The soft grass tickled my ankles lightly.
Unconsciously, a smile had crept onto my face and my mouth opened, catching the cool water that was falling from the sky. Everything was forgotten; everything was gone except for me and this rain. Everything was perfect. I could feel that my eyes were closed, preventing water from falling into them, not that it mattered being that I couldn't see, but I felt as if I could imagine everything, every color, every detail that I hadn't seen in a whole year.
I remembered every detail of my new home. The white paint, slightly faded, but still there. The upstairs window, slightly dusty, yet it had a timeless feel that it feel like a portal to the outside world, which it kind of was. The landscape being entirely green, no warm brown to even out the mossy look of everything. The air was cold, but my skin felt like it was being pelted with icy hot water, cool to the touch, yet it warmed on my skin.
Out of nowhere, my mouth opened and I was singing in the rain. And out of all the songs that the world had to offer, it was a lame childhood song. Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. I don't know exactly why that song seemed to pop into my head, but it did, and I was singing it out loudly. I didn't care that I most likely had the worst voice ever and that plants were probably dying from hearing it, I just needed to do this. Nothing seemed to make sense anymore anyway. Why couldn't I just sing my heart out, not worrying about the opinions of others or the plants?
I felt and heard as the rain slowly stilled, the air taking in the calmness and leaving me to settle down from my rain-induced high. Never had I been able to do this before, especially not in Phoenix where it hardly ever rained unless it was hurricane season, and then, you never wanted to go outside. It wasn't until I heard heavy footsteps coming towards me that I realized Emmett had been home the entire time and had the ability to watch me through the attic window. The heat that was forming on my face was most assuredly causing me to turn crimson by now.
"Bella, what the hell are you doing out in the rain?! I saw you throwing your arms up and down like an idiot; it looked like you were doing a rain dance!" The laughter in his voice was evident, but I could tell that he was trying to hide it. I smiled sheepishly and spoke, "I was just thinking." My answer was completely honest. This so called "rain dancing" was my meditation. Though the answers to my questions weren't exactly answered, my mind was cleared so that I would be able to answer the questions, hopefully soon.
Emmett's voice pulled me out of my thoughts again. "Oh shi- I mean, oh flinkle dinks! I need to go to the store." Flinkle dinks? What the hell?
"Emmett, what's up with the whole "flinkle dink" thing?" I could almost see him smiling sheepishly at me. "Jasper bet that I couldn't not curse for a whole day (A/N: I am aware of the double negative use; don't rub it in!). So he said he would give me a hundred bucks if I don't. The bet doesn't start till tomorrow, but I need to practice." I'm sure my face went from a look of confusion to understanding to a knowing smile. Emmett just couldn't look past a bet.
"Wait, why did you need to go to the store?" I was truly curious now. He wouldn't normally worry about stuff like forgetting to pick something up at the store.
"Oh well, I bet Jasper something too. But I need to the store to go buy some apple pie filling, lavender licorice, lucky charms cereal, toothpaste with baking soda, a dog harness, I think medium size, you know, like the size for pit-bulls, a stuffed bunny, and some material so I can make a cape for it so it can be dressed up as Bunnicula, the vampire bunny." I'm sure I gaped at him for about five minutes because when I finally opened my mouth to speak, I couldn't find the words. Why the hell would he need all that stuff for a bet?
"Emmett, what exactly are you making Jasper do?" He chuckled darkly at my question and wrapped the towel I didn't know he was holding around my shoulders, leading me into the house. Let's just say that Emmett probably would never tell me and Jasper would probably be too ashamed to actually say what he would have to do. (A/N: That's all you're getting out of me. Just imagine the possibilities. I know, you hate me for leaving you hanging like that, but I had too. And because Emmett's mind is just way too complicated for even me to figure out.)
After getting inside the house, I walked up the stairs to my room to shower and get changed into some warmer, less wet clothes. Though, the entire time, I was still questioning Emmett's sanity. My muscles automatically relaxed when the scorching hot water hit my back, the tenseness that had unconsciously taken over my body now gone. Fortunately, my mind was too busy trying to figure out what Jasper's bet was to actually dwell on my predicament with Edward. I was pulled out of my thoughts by Emmett, who was saying that he would be gone until late with Jasper for the bet. I still don't know what it is.
After dressing, I exited the steam filled bathroom only to hear the phone ring downstairs. After stumbling down the stairs without any major bodily injury, I grabbed the phone and answered breathlessly, "Hello?" I heard the tinkling little laugh of a certain little pixie. My breathing calmed while she began, "Well Bella, how are you on this fine day?"
"Umm, Alice, we saw each other at school a few hours ago. You were there; you know how my day went." I didn't see where she was going with her original question or why she was beating around the bush when she obviously wanted to just scream everything out over the phone; the eagerness in her voice was very much audible.
"Oh contraire, my dear best friend. I believe something else happened after lunch between you and my dear brother that you have yet to share with me." I had completely forgotten, which is saying something since the whole rain dancing began while I was contemplating what to do about said situation.
"Alice, can't you just ask Edward? I'm sure he is willing to tell you." What else could she want?
"Well Bella, he already told me, but I want to hear from your point of view." Ah, so that's what she wanted. Well, knowing Alice, she would weasel the truth out of me eventually. I was turning into a major push over with Alice around so much. "Okay, I'll tell you. He walked into class and apologized to me for his behavior at lunch on Monday. I apologized for crushing his foot with my cane. He then said he wanted to be my friend. When I told him that I wasn't sure and I didn't want to be one of his conquests, he said he would earn my trust if I would let him. So I agreed. If he can earn my trust, he and I can be friend. Only friends."
Alice was silent for a moment before letting out a sigh. "I have to say, I'm a bit shocked. Edward hasn't committed to something or someone in a long time. He must really like you." I don't know why, but I blushed at that comment.
"Why would he like me, though? I'm just plain Jane Bella. I'm not much to look at." Downing on myself was something that was necessary for me; because it was all true. I wasn't special, smart, pretty, or even interesting.
From the other line, I heard Alice snort loudly. Then she spoke, "Bella, though you are blind, you don't see yourself clearly. I mean, before Rosalie knew that you were Emmett's sister, she was jealous that you were hanging on his arm. She really thought he was cheating on her with you. She even said that you were prettier than her, which I have to admit, is true." My mouth was agape. How could she say that? That was simply ludicrous. From all that I had heard of her, Rosalie was the epitome of beauty.
Shaking my head, I spoke, "Alice, that's just plain stupid. We all know that I'm not prettier than her. And I already know that you are beautiful. There's no need to try and make me feel better about how I look. It's not that it matters anyway. I can't see myself, therefore I don't care all that much." Alice was too nice. I appreciated that she felt the need to reassure me on my looks, but there was really nothing she could say. I wasn't pretty and that was all there was to it.
"Fine, whatever Bella. Oh, wait, I forgot to tell you that I'm going to be having a costume party next Friday!" She spoke excitedly. Alice's always optimistic nature was now probably increased tenfold by this party. Wait, why was she telling me?
"Okay, any particular reason why you are telling me this?" It's not like I could go. Well, I could, but the party atmosphere just wasn't for me. I'd never even gone to a school dance before, what made her think that I would go to a party?
"Well, first of all, everyone is invited. Second of all, you need to choose a costume." Yup, she was insane. "Alice, I'm not going. I'm sure it will be fun, but I'm just not a party girl. Sorry." There was a silence before she spoke again, "Bella you are going and you have no choice. Emmett and everyone will be there. And if you don't choose a costume, I'll choose it for you." The stern tone in her voice told me that she wasn't kidding, and I wasn't going to mess with her. "Fine Alice, I will go," she squealed on the other end, "but you can choose my costume anyway. I wouldn't know what to choose. What are you going to be anyway?"
Her tinkling laugh filled my ears again as she spoke, "Well, I think I'm going to be Tiddlywinks the fairy." Why was it that today everyone was using words like tiddlywinks or flinkle dinks? What was this world coming to? "Alice, is there even such a thing as Tiddlywinks the fairy?"
"Well, no, but I can't stand Tinkerbelle. She's all blonde and weird and I'm not. It's not a big deal though because I designed the costume so it would fit me perfectly and now I know exactly what costume to get for you!" Crap, oh god, she was going to give me a crazy one!
As if reading my mind, she reassured me, "Don't worry Bella. It's going to be good and you'll love it." After saying goodbye as quickly as possible, Alice hung up, probably to go work on my costume.
After the strange phone call with Alice, I headed back upstairs to bed. I checked the time only to find that it was only about nine o' clock at night. Bored and still fully awake, I decided to try and solve the questions that had been in my head, the ones that didn't involve Edward, that is. I know I should have been thinking over what Edward had said, but I didn't want to. He was a confusing subject and I knew that I would figure him out eventually; I just had to let the answers come naturally.
It was then that I opened up an internet window on my computer and looked up autodysomophobia. According to Mr. Varner, that's the phobia that he had and I had still had no idea why he told us. When I found out that it was the phobia of a bad smell, I laughed hard and loud. Figures he would tell his students; he thinks we smell. Varner was probably the weirdest teacher I had ever had.
While I was on, I check my email, though I had often avoided checking it. The emails didn't come as often anymore, but I still hated listening to them. The interesting thing about emails is that you can delete them without reading or listening to them, but I didn't. I listened to them because I knew I deserved every single one. Sure, some were harsh, but I had to pay for the consequences of my mistakes. I breathed a sigh of relief when I found that I had only missed about five emails from Renee.
"Bella,
Why haven't you called? Are you okay? Has anything happened to Emmett? Do you want to come back home?
Love, Renee
Basically, all the emails played out the same way. The computer's monotone voice still cracked me up whenever it read her frantic letters. I laughed internally and emailed her back reassurances so she wouldn't worry and get on a plane to Forks right now. Knowing Renee, she would do that.
I heard the front door open, squeaking loudly on the hinges as someone walked in. I recognized the footsteps as Emmett's as he stomped up the stairs. He walked into my room and sat on my bed I presume, as the mattress coils squeaked underneath his weight. "Hey Bells, why aren't you asleep yet? I thought you always go to bed early?" I turned around so I could face him. Normal tendencies to look at someone as they spoke never left me. "I was just checking my email. What did you need?"
"Well, I needed to look up the Rejection Hotline number. Rosalie was looking for it on her phone but she couldn't find it, so I was hoping I could use your computer." What was up with people today and all the random things?! This was insane!
"Okay Emmett, why do you need the Rejection Hotline number? First you need to get all that crap for Jasper's bet and you won't even tell me what his bet is. Now you need to get the number? That doesn't make sense at all." He laughed boisterously and walked over to me. I felt his hand press down on my shoulder in a brotherly manner. "Bella, some things are better not spoken. If you find out, it won't be because we told you." He quickly opened up another window on the computer and found the number, which the computer read aloud: 206-494-0827.
He left without another word while I screamed out, "Emmett! You're being extremely cryptic, you know that?!" His booming laughter filled the house as he made his way up into the attic, also known as his room. Soon afterwards, I felt as if I had just come down from a sugar rush. My body was moving around sluggishly as I made my way to my bed and allowed sleep to overcome me. My dreams were filled with questions as to why Edward would change his ways for me. My mind subconsciously wanted these answers solved and would do whatever it took, even invading my dreams, to answer them.
Okay, I know this chapter was almost purely fluff and I didn't feel like it was my best but guess what? How else was I supposed to put all those words in there when they were totally random? It's nearly impossible! And insane!! So I did this chapter my own way!
But the rain thing actually did happen with me. I actually lived that and it was raining when I was typing this chapter, so I just HAD to put it in.
Just so you know, I don't know when I will be updating next. Tomorrow is my first day of orchestra camp and then as soon as that is over, I am going to the beach with my family. My cousins came down from Dallas to celebrate!! That's right, I am going to little South Padre Island, Texas. Yes, I will be fighting off the seagulls.
Anyway, since I'm not wearing socks right now, I will be head banging to your reviews. But that means you need to review. Click the little grayish colored button and review!! Please!? I mean, I swear, if you do, I will get down on my knees, my palms will be up in the air, and I will scream, "BEHOLD! REVIEWS!!" I swear, I will!
