I am so sorry it took so long for me to post this chapter!! Work, life, craziness.. you know.
Just to let everyone know, this chapter was the start of this story! The very first thing I thought of when I started writing it, and it therefore is supposed to be the most important scene.
D/C: I do not own Twilight, nor any of the characters portrayed in the book and/or movie. *AM*
I awoke to the sound of Aqua's 'Barbie Girl' echoing through the room. I didn't know where it was coming from, but I wanted the noise to stop. Now.
"What the hell," I whispered. I felt the bed shift next to me, and my eyes shot open in surprise. Glancing over my shoulder I saw Edward walk across the room quietly and lean down to pick something off of the floor. Before he could turn around and see me staring, I turned my face back into the pillow. I had almost forgotten that he was in the bed with me, but I blushed when I remembered why he was there. I didn't know how to react to what happened between us last night, and I wasn't sure if Edward was going to avoid having said conversation.
The incessant song stopped and I heard Edward's whispered greeting.
"Yeah." There was a pause and I heard Edward laugh softly.
"Yeah Alice, last night was great. Thank you so much for helping both of us." I grinned stupidly into the pillow. So he wouldn't be ignoring our time together… why would he, after all? We're together, together, right?
"Put Jazz on, he sent me a text last night about a new spot to race in… yeah that's the one." There was a long pause. "Hey Jasper, what's up?" I remained motionless for some reason, not understanding myself as I tried to go unnoticed. I didn't want Edward to think I was eavesdropping, but I loved hearing him speak so carefree. What if he knew I was intently hanging on every word that came out of that perfect mouth? Would he be saying the same things? It was almost like Edward Unplugged.
"I'd love it," Edward continued. "I don't know if Bella will race again after what happened at your house. But I'm sure she'd like to watch. I'll call you in a little while and let you know. Bye." And with that, I heard him throw his phone on the floor and step towards the bed. I must have been great at my charade because Edward carefully slid back into the bed, hesitantly making sure he didn't jostle me in the movement. I suppose it would be rude to keep this going, so I moved my legs as if I were trying to wake up slowly. When Edward felt me move, he wrapped his arms around my waist, drawing me closer to his chest.
"Good morning Bella," he whispered. I closed my eyes and smiled, turning in his arms so that I could give him the proper 'hello'.
"Morning," I said, opening my eyes with a smile. When I saw him though, I gasped, blushing red. Edward's hair was sticking up in every possible direction, giving him 'sex hair'. His eyes were alive and bright, grazing over every inch of my face. He looked absolutely breathtaking.
"What's wrong?" He looked so concerned…
"Nothing, just enjoying the view," I admitted. Edward laughed and held me close, breathing in my scent.
"So what's with the ringtone?" I asked Edward while I memorized the tiny hairs I could see peeking from beneath his t-shirt.
"Ahhh, so you were awake." Damn. Busted.
"Partially," I lied. Edward planted a kiss on the top of my head, and I wondered briefly how horrible I looked this morning.
"It's Jasper's ringtone," he mumbled, rubbing his nose along the length of my jaw. The movement sent chills up and down my spine. "And if you think his is funny you should hear Emmett's. It's the 'Me So Horny' mix." I laughed into Edward's embrace, never failing to be surprised by the antics they all exchanged.
"You guys are too much." Edward laughed and pulled away, leaving the air cold within my arms. He noticed the pout on my lips and bent back in to set a kiss on my forehead.
"Don't fret, love, I'm not leaving you. But we gotta get up before your dad comes home and sees my car outside and me in your bed." His words hit a nerve and I jumped out of bed, leaving me lightheaded and off balance.
"What time is it?" I looked towards the window and saw that there was a faint glow from the sun peeking through the curtains. My eyes darted towards my alarm clock and saw that it was six in the morning.
"Shit!" I rushed towards the window, throwing the blue curtain back and staring eagerly at the driveway. My Mustang still remained nestled in its spot, with Edward's car behind it. Charlie's parking spot was still vacant, though I didn't know for how long.
"You have to go!" I exclaimed. I turned to Edward to make sure he was grabbing his stuff, and was immediately annoyed when I saw that he wasn't moving. He was standing in the middle of the room, holding one of his shoes in his hand and staring at me as if I had grown an extra head overnight. The damn sex hair almost made it humorous.
"What the hell are you doing? Move!" Edward laughed though, slipping his shoe on and stooped down to grab his dress shirt and jacket.
"Bella, it's okay," he said with a smile, "if your dad happens to come now we'll just pretend that I stopped by before school or something. Calm down." Calm down? Had he not met my father? Actually, I don't think he had. I shook my head, not believing him.
"I'm going to call the station and see if he's left yet," I decided aloud, "and if he has then I'll just make breakfast or something for him. Maybe soothe over the whole having a guy in the house thing." I made a move towards my cell phone and stopped dead when I heard Edward laugh.
"Don't you mean soothe over the whole having your boyfriend in the house thing?" I turned and smacked his arm. I couldn't help but laugh, but I was suddenly more nervous at the prospect of my father and Edward meeting. Just a couple of weeks ago Charlie had said he didn't like me spending so much time with the Cullen's because they were 'trouble'. After my setting him straight on certain things he hadn't said anything else about them, but I knew that every time he asked where I was going and who I was spending time with, he disagreed with the fact that Edward and Alice were involved.
What would he say when I told him Edward and I were now a couple?
I shivered at the thought. I grabbed my cell phone and dialed Charlie's work as quick as possible.
"Forks Police Department, this is Jacob." Great.
"Hey Jake it's Bella…"
"Bella! How's it going? You okay?" I rolled my eyes immediately.
"Yes I'm fine, is my dad there?" Jacob seemed miffed that I had cut off his greeting but I didn't have the time, nor was I in the mood, to amuse him in sporadic conversation.
"Yeah he's about to leave here in a second," Jacob's voice sounded clipped. "Do you want to talk to him?" I was shaking my head before he was finished.
"No, no it's fine. I'll talk to you later." With that, I hung up and threw my phone onto the bed.
"Okay Edward we have about fifteen minutes before my dad is home, you need to go home and get ready for school. Then you can come back if you want. We'll figure something out." I was starting to ramble, I knew. But Jacob had probably already told Charlie that I had called and that would just get him to push the speed limit just a little.
"Actually," Edward held out his hands to stop my movement towards the closet, "Jasper wanted to know if you and I could skip today." I froze, waiting to hear the rest of his explanation.
"Because…?" The look he gave me started off as one of pure smugness. But when I started to tap my foot Edward softened and eventually looked like he would be begging me.
"Jasper and Emmett found another 'track' just outside of Forks. This way there won't be the big city cops or anything. They want us all to come so we can play around." I rolled the idea around in my head, wondering why we couldn't wait until a day we all had time. But I knew this wouldn't be for a while. Between school, studying, and work, Edward, Alice and I were booked through every hour of our day.
"Okay, but if we sense any trouble, anything to do with the law or our parents, we are heading home," I said. Edward pumped his fist into the air like a child and ran forward to hug me.
"Let me call Jazz and then we can head out." I didn't have a chance to respond, and Edward was gone. I sighed and grabbed for clothes blindly in my closet. Unearthing a pair of jeans and a long sleeved black shirt, I rushed to the bathroom.
"Edward? I'm going to shower." I heard Edward's voice come from the kitchen, but wasn't sure if he had heard me or not. I assumed he was on the phone with Jasper and rushed to shower. I didn't take my time with anything, anxious for us to be out of the house before Charlie came home.
Dressing quickly, I pulled my hair into a tight knot on the back of my head and applied a small amount of makeup. I didn't dwell on my choice of shoes, settling on black flat boots, and flew down the stairs.
"Hey Edward, are you ready?" I grasped the doorframe and swung myself into the room and froze. There, standing in the middle of the kitchen, was Charlie. Staring down Edward. With his hand on his holster.
"Dad!" I exclaimed. Charlie didn't turn to me, but I heard the softest grunt emit from him. Edward's eyes slid towards me just for a second before they snapped back to the hovering figure of the police Chief. Edward was holding his cell phone in his right hand, and I could only figure that he had been talking to Jasper when my dad walked in.
"Bella, care to explain?" Charlie's request didn't sound like a question, and I cleared my throat before I took a step forward.
"First, dad, get your hand off your gun. Edward isn't a threat." I walked until I was standing in front of Edward, glaring at Charlie until his eyes drifted to my level and locked onto me. "Second, Edward was giving me a ride to school today. We both have to work this afternoon so we're carpooling. I had to get ready though so he was waiting down here for me." It seemed like a good lie. It rolled off my tongue so easily that I even believed it. Charlie looked back to Edward and cocked his head slightly.
"Is that true boy?" Edward was nodding immediately. Good boy, I thought.
"Yes sir. I called Bella this morning and offered her a ride." I wanted to laugh, really I did. But Charlie still wasn't backing down, and I could see his fingers flex towards the clasp holding his handgun.
"Damn Charlie! It's just a ride! Would you rather him wait down here or in my bedroom?" That got his attention. Charlie's hand dropped to his side and he paused for a second before nodding.
"You kids better get going before you're late for school." Charlie didn't move but I took that as our cue to escape. Grabbing Edward's hand, I pulled him around Charlie's side towards the front door. I nudged him outside, seeing the relief in his eyes when he smelled the air of freedom. Before I closed the door behind me, I winked at Edward and leaned back in the house.
"Oh, dad?" Charlie turned from his spot in the kitchen and raised an eyebrow. "I'm glad you got to meet my boyfriend. See you tonight." And with that I closed the door. The last fleeting look I had of my father as I trotted down the driveway after Edward was of him standing in the kitchen in complete shock. I was laughing, feeling carefree and mischievous.
Edward, though, was running beside me in shock.
"I can't believe you did that! Your dad is going to come back out here and shoot me!" I reached the passenger side of the Volvo and grinned over the top of the car.
"Then you better get in and drive before his feet become unglued from the kitchen linoleum!"
After we had gone back to Edward's house so he could shower and change, we headed to Jasper's house to follow the brigade out of town. The deserted neighborhood that Emmett and Jasper had brought us to was indeed the perfect area to spend time in.
"Go ahead and get accustomed to it," Jasper ordered all of us, "because after lunch we're matching up." I turned to Edward as we stood on a sidewalk next to his car.
"Matching up?" Edward put his arm around my shoulders and pulled me close. The neighborhood was much like the one we had been in the previous weekend, except that the houses looked much lived in and occupied by tenants. My eyes kept glazing over as I took in the old Victorian houses. I was jealous of the homes, wanting badly to roam through them on my own accord. A lot of the driveways were bare, but I could spot several expensive looking cars scattered through the streets. Several drops of rain fell on my shoulders but I looked up, glad that there was a canopy of trees covering us from the weather.
"We're going to just mess around and race each other," Edward explained. I looked over to see Alice dancing around in the streets, her hand being held by a smiling Jasper. It seemed that he would follow her anywhere. Rose and Emmett were leaning against Emmett's car, clearly deep into whatever conversation they were having. I let my eyes roam over his Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. It was far from a racing car, but I knew that it could go fast and it was 'panty-dropping-worthy', as Alice put it.
"I think Jasper will end up racing Alice at some point," he continued, "and then Rose and Emmett. I'll try to avoid the whole me and you again just out of being fair. But maybe you can go against Emmett or Jazz." I nodded, okay with this.
"Okay guys. Lunch time." Everyone nodded to Jasper and piled back into the cars. We followed Jasper and Emmett out of the neighborhood, glad to lose ourselves in conversation as we approached the food destination.
We parked our cars in front of a local restaurant: Dale's Real BBQ.
"Sounds a bit southern for Washington," I muttered as we piled out of the cars. Emmett laughed and started pushing us all towards the front door.
"Yes, but it is honestly the best BBQ sandwiches you will ever have in your entire life." I raised my eyebrow at Emmett's declaration of love to the small food establishment, but laughed regardless.
The inside of the diner was rustic and down to earth. Each table was a wooden booth, and we nabbed the largest booth in the back so that we could all sit comfortably.
"You should try the sweet tea," Edward said to me as I stared at the menu. "You'll love it." I accepted the request and told the waitress I'd have a glass of sweet tea. She showed up seconds later with glasses for everyone including a pitcher. Edward leaned over and grabbed my glass, tipping some lemon into it and then emptying a packet of sugar.
"It's the perfect mixture. Just don't top it off or it'll mess up the taste." I was in shock. Everyone seemed so at ease here, so relaxed.
"So do you guys come here often?" I asked tentatively.
"Every chance we get," Alice responded. Her eyes were trained on the kitchen area and she grinned when she saw the head of a middle aged man peak through the small window.
"Dale!" she screamed. The man looked up and wiped his hand across his face before he saw Alice.
"Alice! So glad to see you guys!"
"Dale is the best," she explained, taking a drink of her tea. "We met him when we first moved here, so it's been a few years." I nodded and turned my attention to Rose.
"I meant to ask you," I said to her, "are you doing the plan towards the parents?" Rose's eyes widened and she nodded.
"Oh! My mom asked me just yesterday if I wanted to go shopping, and I told her 'no'. She was so surprised, but I found out last night from my dad that he ran into my mom when they were at lunch the other day. Apparently my dad was on a date and my mom was going to drill me for answers." Rose looked smug for a second. "I didn't even give her the chance to guilt me into it!"
"That's great, Rose!" Emmett leaned in and gave her an affectionate hug, and I realized again how the two were perfect for each other. He looked at her with such adoration in his eyes, and she leaned on him like a rock.
"What can I get you guys?" The waitress appeared, and I realized I hadn't looked at the menu. Actually, no one had.
"I'll have the small pork special," Alice answered right away.
"Large pork special for us," Emmett pointed at him and Rose.
"Same."
"Same."
I looked around and shrugged. "I guess I'll get the small pork special." Edward laughed and patted my knee. He seemed so excited this morning, and I saw that his eyes were a lighter golden color. He was almost chameleon when it came to his eyes. They lightened when he was in a good mood and darkened when he was angry… or horny.
I reached out and took my first sip of the tea Edward had prepared for me and I almost died.
"Oh my… this is the best!" And it really was. I had visited my grandparents in Florida so often that I had grown to love the taste of sweet tea. Here on the west side of the United States, though, I realized that most people didn't have the natural taste for the drink. Instead they used the generic Lipton and Nestea. But I was glad to know that some people had the real touch.
"Told you," Edward said. I rolled my eyes and dove back into taking small sips of the drink. Within minutes the waitress came back with small baskets of food covering her arms. She passed them out to us and stepped away just as quickly.
"That was fast," I commented. I looked down to the food and shrugged. It didn't look like the greatest thing in the world, but when I looked at everyone else you would have thought they hadn't eaten in months. Emmett had removed the slice of pickle that the cook had put on top of the bun and shoved it on Rose's right away. He lifted the paper lining from the basket and threw the unwanted plastic thing to another table. He lifted some of the sauce that was displayed on the table and dumped a hearty amount on the sandwich meat. Sinking his teeth in, he sighed with happiness.
"Wow," I muttered. I looked around and saw that everyone had done the same, so I followed their direction. Within a minute I was taking my first bite of my pork sandwich.
I was floating in metaphorical heaven.
"We know," Jasper said to me from across the table. I couldn't even open my eyes completely to roll them at the observant man.
"Oh my God," I managed to blurt out.
"We know," everyone echoed. The meal was done within five minutes, and we were all heading back into the parking lot. Before we could even push the door open to leave, I saw that the clear skies were now clouded over and drops of rain were falling onto the pavement.
"How did the weather change so quickly?" I asked in disbelief. Edward's arm drifted around my waist and pulled me closer to him.
"Welcome to the Olympic Peninsula," he said sarcastically.
"You think it's still okay to… you know?" Alice seemed worried, and I didn't blame her for her question. But the guys all looked at her in mock anger.
"Um, yeah!" Jasper was shaking his head as if he couldn't believe someone was trying to opt out of racing that afternoon. "Everything will be fine!" I just shook my head and pushed into the parking lot after Rose. Stepping towards the Volvo, I stopped, causing Emmett to collide with me.
"Bells, what's with the traffic jam?" I couldn't move though. Because parked on the end of our line of cars was a dark blue Honda Civic. Complete with neanderthal ass hole, Kaiden.
"What the fuck?!" Edward had seen him. I cringed and stepped forward, hoping to thwart an argument before it even started.
"Kaiden what the hell are you doing here?" I yelled at him as I came closer. Kaiden had been staring intently at Edward's car, but when he heard my voice he looked up and his eyes widened. I wanted to think that he was maybe nervous about the fact that it was not just me and Edward. We were surrounded by a small group now, including the wall called Emmett.
"Bella?" Was he surprised?
"Yes, Kaiden, what the hell are you doing here? Didn't I tell you to go back to Phoenix?" I was standing only feet away from him now, and I saw that he was still wearing the same outfit as last night, which meant he hadn't planned on staying. What had changed? Edward stepped beside me and put his hand on my hip. The pressure felt nice, and I welcomed it. I could feel everyone else come to our flank, and I wanted to laugh as I imagined Emmett standing behind me with his arms crossed over his chest. Edward and I had explained what happened last night when we first arrived in that morning to the new racing area, and both Jasper and Emmett started to flex their muscles in anticipation of a fight. The only thing that had calmed them down was my assurance that Kaiden had left town and wouldn't be a problem.
I was wrong.
"Bella? What are you doing here?" Kaiden asked. Edward tensed and he took a step forward.
"I don't think that's any of your business, asshole, now back the fuck away before we remove you." I felt a shiver go through me, and I was surprisingly turned on by the anger in Edward's voice. I felt protected by all of them, comforted by the fact that Edward was stepping forward and Emmett and Jasper were clearly about to back him up. Rose and Alice were standing to my left, arms locked with mine in a row. We were a wall. I could see that Alice and Rose were pissed that we were all standing out in the rain though, and I felt bad.
"Who the fuck do you think you are?" Kaiden kicked back from his car and took a stupid step forward. His hands were clenched into fists and he was staring directly at Edward now. But I didn't have time to react, because Edward released his hold on my hip and stepped forward, shoving his hand under Kaiden's chin.
"Edward!" I screamed. But Emmett held onto my arm, holding me back from interfering. Edward pushed Kaiden back, shoving him against a large wooden fence that was surrounding the parking lot. Kaiden seemed so small next to Edward, and I felt my stomach clench when Edward shoved him against the fence several times before letting his arm hold him up.
"You better get the fuck out of town," I heard Edward say quietly to the now scared looking Kaiden. It was straight out of a horror movie. Kaiden had his hands wrapped around Edward's wrist in hope that he would be able to wrench the grip free. Edward though, looked sexy. I was ashamed to admit this, especially in the middle of the rain in a parking lot, but he did. His hair was darkening from the rain, and I could see every muscle as he used his strength to hold the other man back. Seconds later, Edward dropped him to the ground. Kaiden scrambled to his feet and shot me one look before he ran to the drivers' side door of his car.
"You'll regret this fucker!" And with that, Kaiden was peeling out of the parking lot and whipping through the streets, out of sight.
"You'll regret this fucker!" Emmett mimicked him, and we all burst into laughter. Edward stepped forward and wrapped me in a hug.
"Are you okay?" he asked. I nodded against his chest, pulling back a second later.
"How the hell did he know we were here? We're like ten miles from home!" Emmett looked around and shrugged.
"Did he follow you?" I wasn't sure. If he had, that worried me more than anything. Could he really have gone that far off the deep end to want to follow me around Washington? In some vain attempt to get me back?
I shivered at the sheer lunacy of it all.
"Let's get going guys, Dale is looking through the window." Jasper was right. Dale was pressing his face in a window, glancing at what was going on. I allowed Edward to open my side of the door, welcoming the dry interior of his car.
It didn't take long for us to get back to the neighborhood we were going to race in, and I realized that half the day had gone by. It was already one o'clock, and Edward, Alice and I had to be at work at four.
"Are we going to be late for work?" I asked Edward. He shook his head.
"No, we'll head back to Forks at about three. Alice says you have an extra set of scrubs at work?" She was right, I did. For days like this I suppose.
"Yeah." Edward smiled, pulling to a park behind Emmett. We all piled out and stood in the street. I was glad to see that it had stopped raining, and the streets were now just covered in small puddles.
"So, who's up first?" Rose asked. After a lot of arguing, we finally decided on a lineup.
Rose vs. Alice
Emmett vs. Edward
Bella vs. Jasper
I was glad I didn't have to go against Edward, but it seemed they were always trying pair me up with a guy. Was this some way to prove that I was 'worthy'?
"Rose, Alice, let's go!" Edward let Alice drive his Volvo, while Rose was driving Jasper's Trans Am. I wondered briefly what I would drive, and I somewhat hoped that I could slip behind the wheel of Jasper's car. But I knew the guy wouldn't feel comfortable with racing against his own car.
Rose and Alice slipped behind the wheels of their assigned cars and pulled them into position. I stood with Edward to the side as Jasper and Emmett were practically standing in the middle of the road in excitement. I looked around, nervous about doing this in another neighborhood, especially when this one seemed so well lived in. At least the other development had been vacant.
"Okay guys!" Emmett yelled out. I leaned forward, anxious to see who would win the race. As small as Alice was, she was a hellion in disguise, and I wondered if she would kick Rose's ass at this. Rose was sitting behind the wheel, revving the engine with a smile on her face. Alice was doing the same, and looked over to me and winked. Yeah, she had this in the bag.
"Literally, around the neighborhood like we showed you and then whoever passes the jeep first wins." I looked to where Emmett's jeep was strategically placed against the side of the road. It seemed like a good finish line, so I grabbed Edward's hand and pulled him over so we could stand against it with Emmett.
"This way we really know who wins!" I said to him. Edward laughed and leaned against the car beside me. Talking over my head, he struck up a conversation with Emmett about changes he wanted to make to his intake.
"Pay attention guys," I said, looking up at the two, "they're starting." Jasper was standing between the two cars with his right arm in the air. The sound of engines revving echoed through the air and I shivered; it was definitely getting colder out.
"One! Two! Three!" And they were off. Rose was instantly ahead of the Volvo, and I felt my eyebrows rise in shock. Maybe I was wrong about who would win…
"I wish we could follow them," Emmett said excitedly. He was right; the second the two girls rounded the corner ahead, we could no longer see them.
"I think it gives it the element of surprise," Jasper said as he walked over to us. I could hear the cars in the distance as they raced against each other, and within minutes I could see Alice come around the corner at full speed.
"Go Alice!" I screamed. Everyone laughed and my enthusiasm and I blushed. I suppose that I would be cheering either of them on, no matter who was in the lead.
"Come on Rose!" Emmett screamed as the black car whipped around the corner right behind Alice. We were all cheering as they grew closer, and I watched carefully as I saw Alice grow closer.
"Alice won," I muttered to Edward. He nodded, not taking his eyes off his car. I let my gaze drop back to the car, but felt my heart skip a beat when I saw the Volvo steer slightly off track.
The look on Alice's face said it all: she didn't have control. Before I could react, the Volvo as pointed directly towards Emmett's jeep, and directly for us. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Edward lift his left hand, palm out. I didn't want to tear my eyes away from the inevitable collision, and I couldn't react in time to jump away, so I let my eyes land on Edward's hand in confusion.
The sound of brakes squealed through the air, but I saw that the Volvo started to move to the left, and away from us. I gasped and looked up to see a look of relief on Alice's face. She had glanced at her brother, and when I looked up at him, he was lowering his hand and nodding to Alice.
"I saw that," I said softly. What exactly I saw, I wasn't sure, but Edward heard me.
"What?" he said just as quietly. I shook my head, looking back towards the two girls as they unfolded themselves from the cars. I didn't know what I saw. I couldn't find the words or the thoughts to say what I thought I saw. But time and time again, Edward was surrounded by unbelievable things. I didn't know if he was the cause of all of them, but I didn't know how to bring it up with him. Instead, I walked forward and left him behind to contemplate when I said to him.
Edward and Emmett were the next to pile into the cars after we all cheered for Alice's win. Rose didn't seem to care that she lost, but I knew she would be racing someone again very soon to reclaim her winning status.
Rose stood between the cars this time, and I stood to the side in silence as the guys tore through the neighborhood. No one seemed to notice that my level of enthusiasm had diminished, and for that I was grateful. Instead I just clapped and smiled when someone looked my way. My mind was reeling with the possibilities of what Edward was. Was? Is that what I really started to think? Maybe he was just… special? Moving things? With what, his mind? I couldn't believe the direction of my thoughts.
"Bella?" I snapped to attention just as Edward flew across the 'finish line' ahead of Emmett. Jasper was looking at me in an odd way, and I felt exposed.
"Sorry, just thinking about… stuff." Jasper seemed to be studying me carefully, but decided that I was okay. He nodded, turning to the others without another word. I would forever be grateful for Jasper and his ability to know when not to press into someone's life.
"Bella, come on! It's your turn!" Alice was pulling me forward before I knew it, and I was being shoved behind the wheel of Edward's car. I clipped the seatbelt around me and sighed. Looking to my left I saw that Jasper was already behind the wheel of his car, grinning at me. I couldn't help but laugh at his expression, and I felt my mood lift despite my thoughts.
Edward was standing on the side of the road, leaning against Emmett's jeep with a pressed look on his face. Something in his eyes made my stomach start to churn, and I suddenly felt anxious. Something was wrong.
"Hey, I think we should follow in your jeep," Edward said to Emmett. The wall of a man shrugged.
"Yeah, this way we can see just how bad Bella kicks Jasper's ass!" And then the others climbed into the back of the jeep, Emmett behind the wheel.
"Okay guys, are you ready?" No, I thought. But I nodded.
"Awesome!" I laughed at Emmett's excitement. "One, two, three, go!" And I slammed into first, feeling the car lurch forward. The feeling of speed was draped over me before I could even get to thirty miles an hour. I was smiling despite my nervous reaction to Edward standing against the jeep. Something in his eyes made me feel unnerved, but I couldn't place my finger on it. And why did he want to follow us?
I shook my head and shifted to fifth after I rounded a corner. I was in the lead and I didn't know how long it would last. Jasper was close on my tail, and right behind him Emmett was pulling up the rear. A thrill of excitement rushed through me when I thought of crossing the finish line… wait. What was the finish line now that the jeep wasn't there? I laughed aloud, feeling the vibrations beneath me. I didn't care where the end of the race was, I would round the neighborhood a million times if I had to.
At the last turn, I felt the feeling of unease again. I gazed in the rear view mirror and saw that Jasper was coming up the side quickly, and Emmett was close behind us. Looking back to the road in front of me I squinted my eyes. There, on the side of the road was a Honda Civic, blue.
"No…" I didn't think it could actually be Kaiden, so I passed it without looking twice. But then the car moved. I gasped when I saw the blue car gain speed quickly and pass Emmett. It was behind me within seconds. Taking my eyes off the road, I looked at the car and saw that Kaiden was behind the wheel. A look of crazed anger was displayed on his face, and he looked like a mad person.
"Shit." I tried to look over at Jasper and signal to him, but he was looking too intently at the road. What was Kaiden going to do? And then I knew. Kaiden sped forward and crashed into the back of the car, causing me to jerk forward. I cried out in pain and fear, looking over to Jasper again. This time he saw me and motioned for me to get in front of him. I stepped on the gas, seeing a break in the road ahead. I formed a quick plan in my mind and decided to speed forward and cut in front of Jasper so I would be okay. I wasn't sure what was on Kaiden's mind, but I didn't want to stick around and find out.
A horn honked and I looked up as I felt the car accelerate. Kaiden was leaning on his horn and causing Emmett to drop back in the road. Again I felt myself jerk forward, but I wasn't able to straighten again in time. I felt the car steer to the right and tried to correct it by turning the wheel to the left. Mistake. I over corrected the wheel and started to lose control. My scream broke free from my throat, and I felt the Volvo start to turn. Looking over to Jasper, I saw that he had turned off the road, and was no longer in my sight of vision. Instead, I saw Kaiden. Before I could do anything, he slammed the nose of his car into the side of the Volvo and I felt the car turn.
I lifted my hands away from the steering wheel, knowing I was unable to control it. In a cliché moment of thought, I started to think of my parents and of my friends. What would happen if I crashed and didn't make it out of this? The tires started to squeal, and I looked to my right. The car was careening into a small guard rail that covered a ditch, and I felt my skin grow cold. The tail end of the car hit the edge of the metal guard rail, and I literally went airborne.
I was scared and I didn't know what to do. The feeling of being completely above ground was terrifying me, and I didn't know when it would stop. I thought of Edward, and how mad he would be that I wrecked his car. I thought of Charlie, and how mad he would be when he found out I was racing. I thought of my mother, knowing I would anger her when she realized that my habits had not changed since I left Arizona.
But then it all stopped. There was no final collision and no continuance of feeling weightless. I realized that my eyes had closed, and my arms were over my head in protection. Opening one eye, I looked around and saw that I was still inside the car, and I had not crashed. I lowered my arms and looked to my left, out the window.
I was at least six feet in the air, motionless and waiting. My breath became short and panicked as I looked around.
"What the fuck? What the fuck!" I couldn't help but scream. I could hear the wind in my ears through the broken windows. When had they shattered?
"Bella!" I heard Alice's voice and I turned to it in panic.
"Alice!" I looked out the window and stopped breathing.
Kaiden was gone, to which I was immediately relieved. Jasper had stopped just feet away, and was running towards Alice with a look of fear on his face. Alice and Rose were standing in front of Emmett's jeep with sheer panic emanating from them. Emmett was just climbing out of the front seat and was rushing forward.
But Edward. Oh, dear, dear Edward.
He was on his knees next to Alice, with his arms stretched out in front of him. The look I saw on his face would have brought me to my knees had I been standing.
His hair was blowing in his face, every muscle in his body taunt. His jaw was clenched shut, and his eyes were strained in concentration. I could see his gold orbs from my position in the air, and I gasped when I saw the emotion laced in them. Edward's hands were positioned in front of him, literally shaking.
"Oh my god, oh my god," I could hear the words leave my lips, and I couldn't get myself to shut up. I was six feet in the air, seconds from crashing into a ditch.
I was motionless, mid air.
And Edward was holding me there.
WELL?? Please let me know what you think. I thrive on your reviews!!
A/N: Dale's BBQ is a real place in South Florida. Best BBQ sandwiches ever! So everything about the building and the sweet tea, owner, etc. is real. And if anyone is in the Fort Pierce, FL area, it's on Okeechobee Rd. near the old Orange Blossom Mall. Haha! That can be my shameless plug! :-) Love, Ashley