I can tell that Rose is drunk when she calls.
She tells me they're at The Cellar. She can't tell me where it is, but I've passed it a few times before and I know that I only have to take one MUNI line to get there.
It takes me a little while to freshen up and put on clothes. I don't bother making myself too dressed up since I know that I can't get inside the club anyways.
At eleven-forty I'm standing outside of it, calling Rose.
She's not answering.
After a couple more calls, she does.
"H-helloooo," Rosalie slurs. "Bella! Come inside, come inside!"
"Hey, Rose. I can't get in. They won't let me."
"Bastards!" She yells.
I laugh a little. Maybe this wasn't a good idea. Rose probably doesn't even remember calling me.
"Rose? You still there?" I hear her talking, but it's not to me.
"Fuck off!" Rose yells. I don't think it's to me, though. "Bella, I don't even know..."
The line goes dead.
I wonder what to do next, but I'm not sure.
The next MUNI doesn't even come until after midnight.
I wait a while longer, ignoring the looks from some of the guys that have stepped out to smoke.
I nearly jump out of my skin when someone taps me on the shoulder.
"Bella?"
It's Edward.
He looks good.
Black slacks and a grey button down with the sleeves rolled up past his elbows.
Flushed face and crazy hair.
"Sorry about Rose. Someone should have taken her phone away from her. I really don't think she's in any condition to be calling people," Edward apologizes.
"Oh, that's okay. I guess I should get going anyways and wait for the bus."
"Wait, you're taking MUNI at this time? Alone?" Edward asks.
"Umm...yeah. How else would I get home?"
"That's really stupid, you know."
"Stupid?" I ask. "I can't afford a cab. The bus works just fine," I tell him.
"Let me call you a cab."
"Edward, it's New Years Eve, I'm not going to be able to find a cab at this time. The bus is fine."
"It's unsafe," he insists.
I roll my eyes at him, then stare him down. We're silent for a few moments, staring each other down. Then, from inside the club I hear the DJ come on and announce the midnight countdown.
The smokers quickly snubbed out their cigarettes and rushed back inside.
10...
"You should probably go back inside," I tell him. "It's almost midnight. They'll be wondering where you went."
Edward shrugs. "It's fine. They've all had more to drink than me, I think."
"Suit yourself," I tell him, sighing. "I guess I'll go to the bus stop and wait."
"Please, don't. I saw how those guys were looking at you just now. It'll be ten times worse when you're on the bus with a bunch of drunks."
"I'll be fine," I insist. "Bye."
I turn around to leave, but he catches me by my wrist and pulls me towards him.
1...
His lips are on mine in an instant.
Happy New Year!
