A/N: Back in Washington! What's bound to happen? Let's just say the distance between Edward and Bella will reach an all time low by the end of this chapter. Enjoy!
CHAPTER 6 | IL RITORNO
EPOV_
We pull in the driveway, and I take in the sight of my old home. A beautiful construct of steel and glass amongst a myriad of tall trees.I open the car door and inhale the cool, insipid Washington air. Everything is just as I remember. "So, what do you plan on doing tonight? The big one-eight." Dad asks. Hmph, the big one-eight. Who am I kidding? I feel exactly the same. "I'm not sure. I may go get a bite to eat after I unpack and chill for a while. And I do have to wait for my cars to be delivered." He looks a bit baffled. "Delivered? Aren't you supposed to pick them up?" No, silly father. "Aro had the company overnight the cars here, they left Italy a few hours before I did. Should be here sometime tonight." Dad's mind looked blown. "Tonight? That's awesome! Quality service." I smile at his naivety. "Only the best dad," I shut the trunk, "only the best."
As I walk into the house, my nose is tickled by a faint, yet familiar scent. I walk into the kitchen and of course, Mama Cullen is cooking away. "Hey mom," I smile. She looks up, gasps and essentially bombards me. I chuckle, wriggling in her arms in attempts to make the hug less awkward. I mean, hugs are way better when both people can breathe. But hey, that's my opinion. "Edward, I've missed you! Happy Birthday, sweetheart. Carlisle," she begins to scold, "you did NOT tell me our Edward was coming home today!" He rebuts, "I did too! It is the 20th, dear!" She takes a look at her cell phone. "Well, I'll be.. you're right. Here, Edward sit, tell me everything."
A while later, after finishing up the welcome home/what did you do/what have you learned and/or seen conversation, I head up to my room. I walk in to find it exactly how I left it. Nice. It's almost nostalgic, as I had a few decent memories here. I walk around, taking everything in, avoiding the the daunting, tedious process of unpacking. I hear a soft knock at the door. I glance to see that it's dad. "Here's the rest of it. Jeez Ed, twelve pieces of luggage? That's ridiculous. Need any help?" Twelve pieces of luggage for one person is fucking ridiculous. But I enjoy nice things, and I'm okay with that. "No thanks, I think I can handle it." I put my phone on shuffle, plop in my earbuds, and start the task.
The time flies by as I unpack and rearrange. Unloading clothing and listening to music, I'm allotted time to think. I actually begin to converse with my inner self.
What will people think when they find out I'm back? Maybe they didn't notice you left. And if they did, what's my alibi? Where'd I get the strength? The speed? The looks? What will I say? Hm... Puberty. Psh, that's no excuse. You're right. But don't be surprised if there was a rumor about dad spending a shitload of cash on our plastic surgery and we just finished recovering. Erg, fuck them, fuck that. I don't have to explain myself. I'm sticking with puberty.
The loud roar of a motor outside pulls me out of my thoughts. Must be the delivery guys. I watch as they unload my cars, place the keys in a box and nestle it at the front door. Well, that was quick. I walk downstairs and grab the package. Damn, I'm really bored. Is this the grandeur of the "big one-eight?"
I sit on the couch and decide to watch TV for an hour or two. After rotting through two episodes on the Travel channel, I turn off my television and toss the remote. "I really need to find something to do." I whisper to myself. Hmm.. now that I have my cars, maybe I could find a party going on somewhere around here. Yes. I glance at my watch.
3:57. Well, I'm just going to party myself to bed. I opt to stay in tonight and just start fresh tomorrow. But what the hell will I do?
I think back to the Travel Channel and the show I was watching. Hm, I haven't surfed in a while. The beach it is. Satisfied with my plan, I lay down and drift off to sleep.
BPOV_
I know I've said this before, but I need to say it again. Alice is a serial rambler.
Apparently the weather is looking "absolutely stunning" tomorrow, and Adelaide Alden is throwing a private beach party. "She really wants us to go, and promises it's going be great," she exclaims, "and she invited that really cute guy, Jasper!" Oh, and she's gone boy crazy. Her latest prospect? Jasper Hale. "Why not," I relent, "I've got nothing better to do. Plus, the beach actually sounds really refreshing."
"Yay," she squeals and claps her hands, "we've gotta look hotter than usual tomorrow, Bella, cause you've got to get a boyfriend too!" My eyes widen at the thought. "Oh, do I? Ali, you know I'm not looking for that right now. What if I meet someone else and he turns out to be another Mike?" Ugh. The thought of being trapped like that again makes me shudder. "Or he could be another Preston," she adds quickly, smirking suggestively. "Alice!"
"Chill out, I'm kidding! I know you guys haven't gotten serious and you don't want that yet. Hell, you give me wide eyes and the same damn lecture every time I mention him. He's just a guy, not fucking Voldemort. Plus, I still want you extra hot JUST IN CASE a hot guy strolls by. "
"Whatever. I don't have any 'extra hot' bikinis."
She smiles, "No worries, that's why we're on our way to go pick some out right now." Sneaky bitch!
Alice continues talking, going on and on about the party and Jasper the entire way to the mall. But, my thoughts were elsewhere. I was thinking about the "hot guy that may stroll by." Was she planning something? Preston's great and all, but there's still something missing. I'm a girl, I want my fucking fairytale and he isn't it. What the fu—why am I overanalyzing?
"Bella, let's go." Alice is staring at me, confused. I get out of the car and walk with her into the mall, thoughts still lingering.
"Snap out of it! You almost just ran over that old lady!" Oops.
"Sorry Al, I'm just thinking. But don't worry, everything's all good. Let's go pick out something sexy." I shake my head, take a deep breath and focus. Live a little. Whatever happens, happens.
Shit, I'm starting to sound like Alice.
EPOV_
I dream about falling, and twitch awake. Sigh.
12:37, I read my Cartier timepiece as I pull it off. "I'm late," I mumble. I hop out of the bed and head straight to the bathroom. After taking a longer-than-usual pee, I freshen up, put on my wetsuit, and grab my swim trunks. I mean, who wants to be stuck in a wetsuit the whole day?
I pack my surfboard and other items into my Bentley, and drive to the beach. When I arrive, my eyes widen in amazement at the sheer amount of people there. Either that's a party, or the tide is really fucking pleasant right now. Hopefully the latter.
It had to be a party. There were kids my age all laughing, swimming, dancing or drinking. Hell, some are doing all four. As I drive around in search of a parking space, I notice many, many eyes looking in my direction. And by many, I mean everyone near the area. And by everyone near the area, I mean a shit ton of people. Fuck. Of course, the only open space was in the clearing, next to the path that leads down to the beach, which, unfortunately, was where everyone was.
So much for flying under the radar today. Then again, you should've bought a more conservative car, jackass. Fuck it. Ignoring the gazes of everyone, I step out of the car and grab my board and a couple of other things. Gazes. Okay, I can handle gazes. Then, all eyes shifted from my car... to me. I could already hear the whispers. Are you fucking serious? I close my eyes and reach down into my roots, internally. If they want to look, let them look. You've become accustomed to this. They do not matter, no one matters. I reopen my eyes, instantly refreshed, confident, indifferent to the prying stares from the beings around me.
I shut my trunk and lock my door as I walk down onto the beach. I enjoy the heat from the sun rays as I walk on the blistering sand, which is currently deliciously numbing my feet. I find a good spot, lay down my towel and plant an umbrella. After I slap on some sunscreen, I grab my surfboard, zip my wetsuit and head out to the water. Whether eyes are on or off of me, I'm ready to have a good time.
BPOV_
"Here ya go!" Alice exclaims as she tosses me her sunscreen. "Thanks," I smile, "I have to give it to you, Ali, this beach party was actually a great idea. I really need a tan."
"Yuck, me too.. I'm just glad I get to see my baby... Jasper," she pulls her hands to her chest and her eyes light up was she says his name. "You know, technically, he's not your baby yet. That's your goal for today, remember?" She rolls her eyes, "Yeah, yeah." Alice turns to Rosalie, "So Rose, who've you got your eye on?" Rose smiles deviantly, "Well, I've been checking this one guy out A LOT, lately.." she spots him out in the crowd and nods in his direction. "There, holding the Corona." We look over toward the bar to see the chiseled, burly guy."The buff, extremely ripped one?" Whoa, nelly. Rose never usually goes for jocks, but I can understand why he's the exception."That's him," she smiles, "Emmett." We observe as he and another guy start throwing a football while sipping their beers. "He's fucking hot," Alice says candidly, making Rose blush,"Holy, he's with Jasper!" She pumps her fist and makes this really, really odd noise. "Guys," Rose smirks, "I think I'm going to go get a drink." I admire Rose's ability to go after what she wants. She's fierce, powerful. Intimidatingly pretty. She's a damn good friend to have, to aspire to be like. "Ow, ow! Go get your man," Alice whoops and then surprises her by slapping her butt as she leaves.
"You're a mess," I laugh. I'd begun to say something else to Alice, when the gleam of a white Bentley catches my eye.
"That is one hot car," she whispers to me. "I know," I concur. I glance around the beach, and observe everyone else. "Whoever this is, it looks like he's piqued a lot interest." I say to her. "Well, who is it?" We all watch as the mysterious person exits the car. If the car was hot, then the guy driving it was on fucking fire. We all marvel. He was absolutely beautiful.
A/N: Oh, boy. Review!