Chapter 2 – What You Waiting For?
"I wanna heal, I wanna feel what I thought was never real
I wanna let go of the pain I've held so long
(Erase all the pain till it's gone)
I wanna heal, I wanna feel like I'm close to something real
I wanna find something I've wanted all along
Somewhere I belong"
Linkin Park – Somewhere I Belong
BPOV
I have to say, I was surprised with myself. Of course a decision like that- impulsive, could be a great success or a huge disaster. But, for once, I'd take my chances. There was nothing holding me to Seattle, so I could have my house and my job in any place. At least, in New York, I knew the Cullen's, so I wasn't completely alone.
I quickly glanced at Alice to see her staring at me, as if I was about to announce my candidature for the presidency of the United States.
"What?"
"Nothing" sang Alice "I'm just waiting for your next move. I've never seen you like that, Bella. But I like it."
I laughed, "Am I really that lame, Alice?" then I realized what I'd just asked "Hold on a second, don't answer that."
Alice laughed too and stopped in front of a shoe store, dragging me with her on her way.
"No. You are not. But, I was wondering, as you're so decided on making some changes in your life, you could take this chance and burst your bubble all at once…"
"I'm not in the mood for parties, Alice." I groaned, my shoulders immediately falling. Having a make over and going to some crowed club was definitely out of my plans.
"Me neither," murmured Alice, to my surprise. She moved to the next store, but never entered.
"Alice, what's going on?" I whispered, "Please, you're scaring me! Is it Laurent?"
Alice has been dating the vocalist of an alternative rock band called 'The Bloodsuckers" for the past two years and this guy was definitely a problem, with a capital P. But far worse were the other two members of the band – James and Victoria. They're both too hardcore, in my opinion. Even for Alice. But Alice is used to having things her way, so…
"It's nothing." She shrugged, but the movements looked, somehow, fake "I'm kind of tired of going to parties and shows 24/7. Sometimes, I just want to order some pizza and watch some Grey's Anatomy's episode on TV, you know? Like a regular human being."
Oh. My. God. Now I was open mouthed. She was serious! Because Alice was always a fan of parties and clubs, fancy bars…. The kind of glamorous life that the high society we belonged to were used to living. I was the one with Mickey Mouse Pajamas. Not Alice. But maybe, even Alice needed some stability in her life.
"Oh, don't worry, Bella." She smiled apologetically "I'm just tired because it's time for closing the edition of the magazine. Cole was impossible last week." she growled. Her boss was well known for being as bitchy and mean as possible. Alice used to say that Kelly Cole puts Miranda Presley to shame.
All I could do was speculate if this was true or not.
"If anything goes wrong, will you tell me?" I asked, shyly. I had neglected Alice for years, because of Jacob. Maybe she didn't trust me anymore.
"Of, course, silly!" she grinned, "You'll be the first to know!"
I was relieved, but still worried.
"So, what are you going to do now?" asked Alice, changing the subject to my present life – again.
"What do you mean?"
"To pass the afternoon" she said simply "What would you like to do?"
An idea crossed my mind.
"There is a place I want to visit!" I smiled.
#
"OMG, this is HUGE!" squealed Alice, while she danced around the long living room of my grandmother's house. Seriously, huge didn't even start to cover it.
What the hell did my grandmother did all alone in a four-story house, with six bedrooms? Alice asked me the same thing.
"Well," I said, while we climbed the stairs to the parlor floor, where we found a second kitchen, the dining room and the family room "She was always kind of eccentric" I grimaced "I think it's in our DNA."
"Oh, come on! Renée is not that bad." She giggled and went to stare at the many windows in the dinning room. She sighed. "This is so pretty. Imagine yourself having breakfast here. This is the way to starting the day, Bella."
I had to agree. I bit my lip already picturing the small table. For the family room, a couple of comfy armchairs, the walls painted in a creamy, warm color…
"Bella." called Alice, taking me off of my plans "Let's see the rest."
Giggling, we both climbed up to the rest of the house. The master bedroom was freaking huge. I couldn't stop smiling. Laughing, Alice ran through the large space and made a double with a perfect finale. She used to be a cheerleader on high school and she still could make the doubles and triples. If I tried to mimic her, I bet I could throw myself out the Bay Window.
"What are you going to do with so many rooms? She asked, "Open a republic? Maybe an asylum for cats?"
I laughed and smacked her arm as she faked pain.
"I'm thinking about putting an announcement in the newspaper. What do you think?"
"That's sound like a good idea." She agreed," Interviewing the potential candidates should be fun."
"Hmmm."
"There is just one problem." She pointed. I raised an eyebrow at her." Why would anyone paint the walls in mustard?" she wrinkled her perfect nose.
"It is hideous, isn't it?" I agreed, glancing around. With the dark red doors, it looked like MacDonald's designer stopped by here. Mustard and ketchup, Eww.
Her phone rang and the voice of Gwen Stefani filled the empty room
"What you waiting
What you waiting
What you waiting
What you waiting
What you waiting for
Tick-tock, tick-tock
Tick-tock, tick-tock
Take a chance you stupid ho"
I rolled my eyes and went to check on the other bedroom crossed the hall. It was smaller, but the bathroom had a nice view. And Alice was right, the color on the walls was hideous, but it wouldn't be too expensive to paint. I could hire some painters…. No, even better. I could paint the walls and save the money to buy furniture. Hmmm.
"Bella!" yelled Alice and I saw her crossing the hall," Mom is inviting you for dinner."
"Sure." I said my mind still calculating. That's why I didn't notice the pixie's evil grin.
"She agreed, No, mom, I don't know if Laurent will show up too." She made a pause "I don't care. I'll be there by eight, okay. Love you too. Bye."
Alice's phone rang again. It was Laurent, this time. She disappeared again on the other room. When she came back, her face was furious.
"I have to head back, Bells," she said, sourly.
"What happened?"
"It seems Victoria" she spat "is making a scene because she hated all the clothes the costume designer picked for her. She wants me there. Now."
I frown "You don't work for her!"
"That's what I said, but Laurent insisted, telling me that if I don't make it, she'll refuse to show up on stage," she rolled her eyes," I hate her. And I'm starting to hate him too."
"Alice."
"I know, Bella. I just can't handle with this now. " She sighed, "See you later?"
"Yeah."
She smiled "Don't worry, I'm okay. And, don't worry about the outfit tonight, okay? It will be just us."
I smiled her back, gratefully, "Thanks, Alice."
"No problem" she turned and waved.
I spend the rest of the afternoon walking around the city, window-shopping. Everything seemed to be happening too fast. Two days ago, I was at my engagement party, planning my life with Jacob. We had a great apartment, a nice job and our friends. Now I was in a huge town, with no job, an old house and a couple of friends – counting with Emmett. I was scared, but I had to find a way to make this work.
I went back to the hotel and took a second shower. I was wondering which clothes I should wear. Nothing that I packed, in my despair to get as far away as possible from Jacob, seem to match at all. The hotel phone rang. Dang it! It can't be Alice!
"Miss Swan, there is a gentleman waiting for you at the entrance."
A gentleman? Who? Oh, forget it, it must be Emmett. Alice must have asked him to pick me up.
After a quick debate, I decided on pair of comfy low cut dark wash jeans, with a light blue tank top and an off the shoulders wool blouse, also in dark blue. I quickly brushed my hair, and put on a bit of lip-gloss. I grabbed my too fancy purse and red coat and went down. When the elevator's door finally opened, I saw the man leaning against the nearest wall. It wasn't Emmett.
It was his brother, Edward.
This night it going to be long.