Before you read ahead, go up the page and click Communities. Thank you, now that you're there, go to books, then Twilight. After that, click on the Best of the Best: 1000 plus reviews. Now, scroll down the page. Do you see a story by a certain Mayface? Is it called Missing Piece of the Puzzle? Hmm…you did? So I wasn't dreaming…? In that case, holy crap!AH! Let me repeat, AH!
Okay, sorry about that. :) Um, yeah, can I say something else? THANK YOU AMAZING PEOPLE OF ALL TIME WHO FLATTER ME AND SPOIL ME WITH REVIEWS AND PM'S TOO MUCH! It's because you of (Yes, I'm pointing to you.) that my story is now Best of the Best: 1000 plus reviews. Wow…just, wow.
Another amazing thing, you know how I said I live in a small, boring place in Texas? Turns out, my hometown is the only place NASA's astronauts practice and train before flying to outer space! Yeah, the airplanes we have…turns out all of them aren't real airplanes. No wonder I see so many in the sky all the time! Oh, yeah, our science teacher, he was a fire fighter when the first Space Shuttle ship whatever was gonna fly out (Sorry if you don't get me since you're not in the U.S. SORRY!) and yeah, the pilot (Young, was his name) tore off his original patch and gave it to my teacher. Our science teacher, Mr. Candelaria, also has a collection of patches they've given him, including a space patch that no one can see because it was a gag. You know, to kid around. (Apparently, astronauts love messing around and playing jokes.) And did I forget to mention I touched something that's been in outer space? Well, I have. :) That's freakin' awesome! Wish you guys were in Science, room 300 and something on Friday afternoon with me! You would've done and seen cool stuff people don't get to see or do in their lifetime. :) This has so been my week.
Oh, and that Extreme Home Makeover show? (No, it's not going to be for my house, but how awesome would that be?) Their in my town! Yup, yup, yup! :) But Ty won't do interviews! That sucks. We all wanted to know what he puts in his hair…
Sorry, you guys have a weird Author :) Here's the next chappie. (Oh and I made a mistake, there are two more chapters before Christmas, not including this one.)
Missing Piece of the Puzzle
Quotes from friends used in this chapter:
"Whopin'." –Edward Burger (not my real teacher!), and Ale
"Get your hands off my back pack. It costs more than you do."
"Veggie-mobile!"
"I don't know, she starting snapping her weird teeth at me."
-All by Jonathon
"As do I." –Aaron/Amanda
Chapter 25: Thanksgiving and Fred Loya's
"You look fine," Edward comforted, but that didn't help cool my burning cheeks. "Bella, you look stunning, now, please, leave your hair alone."
I sighed and dropped my hands onto my lap. Is that a wrinkle on my pants? I started ironing them with my hands. "Bella, you're being absurd." Edward whispered.
Forcing myself not to find anymore flaws, I brought my attention back to the table for dinner. Well, dinner would be demeaning – it's more like a feast. A full, steaming, mouth-watering feast made by Esme Cullen herself.
"Emmett," Esme said sternly. "Now you know we don't start eating until after we say grace."
We all looked at Emmett as he stared lovingly, and longingly, at the cranberry sauce. Rose, who was at his side, slapped him arm with the back of her hand. Emmett immediately sat up straight, like a four year old being told he had to behave to get the toy he wanted.
Alice snickered, causing Emmett to stick his tongue out at her, and went back to having a private conversation with Jasper, who was to my left. Edward was on my right, following Esme at the head of the table, then Emmett and Rose in front of me. Carlisle was still up in his room getting ready – we were at Esme and Carlisle's house for Thanksgiving and Carlisle just got back from an extra shift at the hospital – but I was sure he would fill up the empty chair at the other end of the table.
We were all dressed up, and even though neither Alice nor Rose let me borrow one of their outfits, I was self-conscious. Very, self-conscious.
"Sorry. I'm here," Carlisle said, rushing down the last steps of the stairs and fixing his tie. He smiled at his wife, who smiled back and kissed Alice and Rose on their heads. If that were to happen more than three months ago, I would feel offended, but I know we hadn't completely opened up with each other yet. Well, that and I was too far away, but he smiled at me as he pushed his chair in.
"It was no problem," Esme smiled.
"Yeah," Emmett muttered, looking down. "No problem, at all." Rosalie glared at him, but he shrugged and raised his head, hunger enveloping his sweet face.
"So," Alice spoke up, her feminine voice filling the air. "Should we say grace?"
"That would be a wonderful idea." Jasper commented, talking all adult-ish for this special occasion.
I freaked out when they all joined hands and bowed their heads. My heart raced for its life as Jasper and Edward took hold of my hands. I've never said grace before, not even when Renee was going through her religious phase. But was saying grace really that religious? I don't think so; people could say thank you for what they have or what they eat, no matter your faith. …Right?
I followed their lead, lowering my head, but peeked up at everyone under my eyelashes. Even Emmett – who was starving – kept his head down respectfully. I didn't realize Carlisle had started until Edward squeezed my hand, signaling for me to close my eyes and pay attention.
"-we would like to thank you for this food you have given us." Carlisle continued. "Being able to have all of us together for another year, and welcoming another member of our little clan, Isabella. She definitely has brought us a little confusion and uncertainty this past year," He said playfully, and I felt everyone at the table smiling, even me, "but she has shown us how much we have and what we should be grateful for. Thank you for have her stumble upon us…literally." We all chuckled. "Now," All of us raised our heads. "Let's eat!"
Emmett grabbed food-filled dishes in a second, and soon, his plate was one, too. I got my favorites – mashed potatoes, biscuits, gravy, and the usual – and waited for Esme to finish cutting the turkey. Once she perfectly sliced pieces, she would put them in a plate and give it to Edward. After Edward got it, he passed it to me and told me to pass it to Jazz. When Jasper got the warm plate, he passed it to Alice, who passed it to Carlisle, who gave it to Rose, who gave it to Emmett, who stuffed his mouth with it. The cycle went on until everyone had sliced piece of turkey. Soon, we were all eating a perfect meal. I can't remember the last time I even celebrated Thanksgiving. It seemed like a family thing and cost too much money – even with all the girls' money put together.
After I served myself some stuffing, I heard Alice talk. "Emmett," She sounded like a know-it-all sister, "You can't be playing with your food at the table."
Emmett was in the middle of building something with his vegetables. "What are you doing?" Edward and I asked in unison, and then smiled at each other.
"Tada!" Emmett beamed at his mixed vegetables.
"What is that?" Rose asked, disgusted.
Emmett rolled his eyes. "It's a veggie-mobile," he said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "You know, a car made out of vegetables."
"Emmett," Carlisle and Esme said together, just the way Edward and I did previously. Emmett smiled sheepishly; showing off his gleaming, pearly white's and dimples. "So how's school?" Esme asked, cutting her food.
Rosalie was about to answer but Emmett beat her to it. "Uh, yesterday Monica came up to me!"
The only thing I've heard about Monica is that she was a slut. Or so I've been told. This caused Rose's face to burn with hatred.
"What!" She screeched.
Emmett turned to her quickly. "Don't worry, I didn't say anything nice. I was as mean as I can be!" He vowed.
Rosalie was still fuming. "What did you tell that as-" Carlisle raised his eyebrow at her. Rose bit her lip, contemplating wither or not to finish her rant. She spoke in a softer voice, "Sweety, what did you call that apple?"
Alice, Esme and I muffled our giggles. Of course, everyone, including Rose, didn't know we used apple instead of the other word way before her.
"First, I felt a tug on my back pack, so I turned around and saw her smiling at me. Then I told her, 'Get your skanky hands off my back pack. It cost more than you do.'"
We all burst into laughter, even Esme and Carlisle. "And then?" Edward prompted.
Emmett laughed. "I don't know, she started snapping her weird teeth at me." He raised his upper lip, squinted his eyes, and made chipmunk sounds with his teeth. We all laughed out loud, enjoying Emmett's funny story.
"It was a whoppin' good time." Emmett breathed, leaning back on his chair.
"Whoppin'?" Jasper asked.
Emmett nodded proudly. "It's my word of the day. Every day I constantly say a word that's not used in common vocabulary."
I shook my head. "Out of all the words in the dictionary, you decide to use something like whoppin'?" Only Emmett… "Is that even in the dictionary?"
He shrugged. "It is in mine."
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"And then, Aaron told her, 'I despise you,' and she adjusted her glasses and said, 'As do I,'!"
For some unknown, weird reason, we couldn't stop laughing. I don't know why. I mean, that isn't even really funny. Yet, we all couldn't breathe.
Was it because Emmett said it? Was it because I can imagine it in my head? Or was it simply because the feeling around us, this joy and happiness of being with people you love, that made us all so giddy? I don't know, but whatever this feeling is, I don't want to lose it.
"Bella, dear," Esme called, still smiling from Emmett's jokes. "When would you like to go shopping for your dress?"
The question surprised me, and I'm sure it showed as I drew my head back. "Excuse me?" I asked politely.
Esme remained with the sweet smile. "Your dress…for the ball…?" Her smile faltered as she realized I didn't have the slightest idea what she was talking about. She curiously looked over at Edward. "You haven't asked her yet?"
Edward looked irritated as he spoke, "I was going to."
"Oh," Esme covered her mouth with her hands. She smiled at me. "Sorry."
I slowly looked over at Edward. "Ball…?"
He sighed and looked at me. "The hospital has this Winter Ball every year, it's very formal with an orchestra and everything, and I was wondering if you'd accompany me?"
A smile appeared on my face automatically. "I'd love to."
"Aww!" I blushed as Esme, Rosalie, and Alice watched me in awe.
"So, Bella, this Saturday?" Esme asked.
I nodded shyly. "That'd be great."
2 Weeks later
December, Saturday 13
"But Sarah," I whined into my phone. "It was supposed to be a double date!"
"I know," Sarah said into Omar's cell she was borrowing. "But Omar is really sick and he can't be exposed to the cold. Especially not at night in winter."
I sighed. I knew she was right; Omar was sick and he needed his rest. I guess I was just too excited about going on a double date with my friends – besides Alice and them. "Okay, well, tell Omar, Edward and I say to feel better."
I can already see Sarah nod on the other side of the phone. "Gotcha. Oh! Omar needs me, bye."
The line went dead. "Bye," I mumbled.
I pushed the end button and threw my phone on my bed.
"Hey, Alice paid good money for that." Edward teased, with a crooked grin, as he walked into my room.
"Bad news – Sarah and Omar can't make it tonight."
Edward sat on my bed. "One of them got the virus?"
I nodded and Edward shook his head. "It's been going around. My dad says it's getting serious. Did you tell him to feel better?"
I nodded again. "I told Sarah to tell him."
He accepted that. "Okay. It's almost time for the eight o'clock showing. Are you ready?"
We were finally going to see Fred Loya's house, and my butterflies that once descended by Sarah's phone call, came back.
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Edward zipped up my outer jacket.
Yes, you heard right, outer jacket. As in, it's not my only one. I had an undershirt, my shirt, a sweater, my jacket, my outer jacket, my gloves and matching scarf with a beanie. I wore regular jeans, but everything else was a beautiful shade of gray. We were standing outside Fred Loya's house, in front of the huge crowd, and waited for the light show to begin.
"Edward, please, I think I'm sweating in this thing." I exaggerated.
He rolled his eyes. "It's not my fault you're hot."
I bit my lip as my cheeks flushed. Edward realized his chosen words. "No! Not that kind of hot. Not that you aren't hot, you are, I just mean as in sweating, dehydrated, you know. But you're still hot, very, I just meant in the other way."
I chuckled. "It's okay, I know what you meant."
He sighed happily. "Okay, good."
Dun.
Dun.
Dun.
Dun.
Edward and I immediately turned out heads to the giant house decorated with a thousand light bulbs. Carol of the Bells, played by The Trans-Siberian Orchestra, echoed loud and clear over the speakers. With every note in the melody, and electric sound, the lights changed colors. The trees were decorated with lights as well, and every single other piece of the foyer and gates were piled up with lights – they beamed into the sky! Once that song was over, Wizards of Winter, once again played by TSO, jammed out.
After an eight good minutes, everyone clapped their hands, cheers filled the air, and Edward suddenly grabbed my hand. "What are you doing?" I yelled over the crowd.
"Come on! I wanna be one of the first ones to enter!"
"Enter where?" But it was too late; people were all ready walking into the…open gates?
Edward pulled my hand and walked me across the street to the gates. I admit it, once we were in, all the sparkling, twinkling lights hurt my eyes, but I adjusted. Once we passed a couple of bright Frosty's, the flat screen TV that changed saying every ten seconds, we followed the crowd of people.
"So…" Edward smiled.
"So…" I grinned.
"How's school?" He asked.
"We got off for Christmas Break yesterday."
"Oh, me, too." Edward said awkwardly.
I smiled to myself. Will I ever stop feeling like my legs are Jello when I'm around him?
"Oh, look," Edward pointed to a table crowded with people by Fred Loya's second house. "Let's go get cookies and hot chocolate."
"We can do that?" I asked, astounded.
He chuckled and nodded. "Yes, Bella, we can. Come on." He led me through the crowd, pushed through eager people, and we were finally by the tables.
"Two hot chocolates, and four cookies, please." Edward asked politely.
"Edward? Edward Cullen?" A man behind the table, who was serving the people, asked.
Edward automatically smiled. "Jacob! Good to see you." He shook hands with a boy who had long, shaggy bronze hair. It was lighter than Edwards, though.. "Wow, you've sure grown since I last saw you."
Jacob has a white smiled as he spoke, but his cheeks were a rosy pink due to the harsh winter. "What's it been? Two years? God, I miss you guys, so does my dad."
"Aye, tell him we miss you guys, too. How's your mom?" Edward asked, as if he's known Jacob his whole life.
"She's good. How's Esme and Carlisle? Still working hard at the hospital, I bet."
Edward nodded. "As always."
Jacob turned his attention to me. "And who's this?"
Edward grinned. "This is Bella, my girlfriend."
Jacob looked at me, studying my features. "Hey, haven't I seen you at Forks High? You hang around with the…uh, never mind."
"You got to Forks?" I was surprised. I thought I knew everyone in my class. "And don't I hang out with whom?" I prompted.
He shrugged, and poured hot chocolate. But his hands were shaking – not from the cold. "Oh, no one. You know, I've just seen you around…with a certain group…"
Edward's smile didn't flatter, but it was more it was stiffer. "Yes, our hot chocolate?"
"Oh, here you go." He handed each of us a cup with hot steam spewing out. It felt nice in my cold hand.
"See you around, Jake." Edward mumbled. He no longer seemed interested in him.
"Bye. Tell the rest of the gang-I mean guys I say hi." He stuttered, eyeing me with worry for his use of words.
Edward nodded once and turned me around quickly. "Will do."
After taking a few sips and walking past the crowd, Edward whispered in my ear. "Sorry about him. He's a sophomore at Forks, but it never came to me he might see you with…the girls."
"Who is he anyway?" I asked, looking at a huge Nativity set by the other side of the gates. I was used to the talk about me and the girls around school, so this doesn't really come to a surprise. I try ton to judge people by it, even though they judge me. That's something I learned by meeting Carlisle.
"He's one of Fred Loya's kids. Carlisle saved Fred's life when he had a heart-attack – they've been good friends since then."
"So you've actually been in there house? ...Houses?"
Edward smiled, both of us exiting the gate. "Sure. One of these days, maybe you will, too."
After a long ride home – which I fell asleep, by the way – I felt being carried. Uh, not again!
"Mmm…Edward."
"Yes, Bella?" He whispered.
"Put me down," I muttered angrily, my eyes shut tight.
He laughed quietly. "Okay," then I felt my soft bed under me. "You're down, now."
Opening one eye, I glared at him. But it soon turned into a gaze of awe with his looks. So handsome…
Edward bent down, filling my senses with his sweet smell, and kissed the top of my head. "Goodnight, Bella."
I smiled into my pillow, a blush taking over my cheeks. I almost felt like writing an apology note to my stomach and cheeks as he tucked me in.
Dear Tummy and Cheeks,
Sorry, the butterflies and blushing are his fault.
Gosh, when did I turn into such a sap? Can liking someone so much really change you into something else? I feel like the world I despised with all my passion suddenly turned into the most unbelievable, beautiful thing ever. Like that rose that's now sitting on my desk with a vase filled of water – even beauty has pain.
Before Edward left, as he turned off the lights, I said, "Night. Don't let the evil vampires bite."
I could hear him chuckling till he reached his room, and fell asleep to the sound I love the most.
End of Chapter
If I don't update, it's for good reasons. Don't ask, and please stop messaging me about it. Thank you, Preya, for being the only reader who talks to me about something other than updating. :) Next chapter is the Winter Ball and Christmas! (I will update correctly from now on. I'll even update again sometime this week.)
Love, Mayface!
