AN - Sadly, I own nothing. :((
The week passed quickly. Rosalie and Alice dragged me shopping in Seattle when they learned that my luggage will not be sent over until Tuesday. Jasper and Emmett kept bugging me about what kind of car did I own. They kept teasing me that I was probably driving a 'mom car'. Oh how shocked will they be when they see my baby. Edward and I became inseparable. We have always been best friends but this time it's different. There a tingle that shots through my body whenever he touches me and, jeez, that smile! I swear it melts me every time! I swore that I will move on from Edward. I mean there's no way he'll feel the same way, right?
"Bella!" I looked up and saw Edward smiling and approaching me. I am at the poolside reading Jane Austen while Rose and Emmett is doing … god knows what. I smiled at him.
"Hey. Whatcha doin' here?" I tried to imitate the famous rapper, Nicki Minaj, but I failed miserably because Edward laughed. He sat by my side and also dipped his feet at the water.
"Just dropping by. School starts tomorrow by the way."
"I know." I sighed.
"Nervous?"
"A little."
"Why?" Shock sounded on his voice.
"I'm practically the new girl. The shiny new toy." I sighed again.
"Oh c'mon Bells! Everyone in school knows you!"
"Uh huh. And proof to that is when you didn't recognize me at the ball." I said sarcastically.
Edward sighed and took hold of my shoulders forcing me to look at him. He looked me in the eyes.
"I didn't recognize you because you look like a living goddess. The Bella I used to know was shy and quiet. Of course, she was beautiful but you wouldn't look at her long because she looks like a private person. The girl that I saw in the ball was confident and sexy. She stands out – not only because of her inhuman beauty – but also because of her aura." I took a deep breath.
"You are beautiful, Bella. You are gorgeous. Always have, always will. You just needed confidence. Now don't doubt yourself. You can face them tomorrow. We have your back. I have your back. Trust me."
"Thank you. I needed that." I smiled at him and saw him looking at my lips. He leaned down and I leaned into him. Oh god he's going to kiss me!
"Ahem." We jumped apart and looked at the door to the pool. Alice stood there with Jasper behind her. They were both smirking. Damn them. Edward was about to kiss me! Talk about rotten timing!
"Hey, guys." Edward greeted them with a forced smile. He seemed irritated with their interruption. Score!
"Hey, sorry to interrupt but we're about to head out to eat some lunch. Wanna come?" Alice asked.
Both of us nodded our heads. "Hey, I'm going to change. Meet me at the car?" I asked Alice.
"Sure. Hurry up though. Emmett's hungry." Oh god forbid Emmett stays hungry!
I ran upstairs and into my room. I change into a pair of white shorts and a yellow cami shirt. I slipped on silver ballet flats. I didn't bother with make up and left my hair down in wavy curls. I ran back down stairs and into the front yard. They were all standing in front of Emmett's jeep. We arrived at the diner and there were only a few people there. As soon as we entered and sat on a booth in the corner I knew that they were talking about me because they kept glancing in our direction. Edward leaned into me and whispered, "Don't worry about it, B. I got your back."
We sat in a secluded booth at the end of the diner. Edward sat beside me and took my hand in his. He positioned his body in a way that he is hiding me. It's a very sweet gesture that I'm very grateful for. Emmett and the others sensed my discomfort and began to make silly faces and joke around. I laughed with all of them but in the back of my mind I can't help but ponder on all the attention that I'm getting. If I'm getting all this attention now, what will it be like tomorrow?
But I didn't want to think about that anymore because as long as I'm with my family, I'll be alright. As long as Edward is by my side, I'll be able to face anything.