Stephenie has it all. I just decided to play with her characters and add some of mine.
Pictures of the characters on my web, here: http:/ newdawn-newday-newlife . webs . com/ residentadviser . htm. As you know by now, remove the spaces. On FB you find me under the name of Cherry Bella.
THANK YOU, GUYS! I never expected so many reviews or story Alerts/Favorites or hits. You are great! This is seriously my only story to recieve such feedback! I may update every week, I'm not sure yet.
Beta'ed by Pastiche. Lethe. I'd be lost without her. And pre-read by TeamAllTwilight.
I had no idea where I was going, because I haven't counted the floors earlier, but when I saw the sign on the door, I knew I had finally found his room. I turned the knob, but the door didn't open. Knocking a few times, I got no response so I called his name.
"Edward?" I kept trying to get him to open the door until I was about to give up. I heard a sound from the room next to his and tried that door. It opened. The room was engulfed in darkness from the closed curtains, but I could make out shapes, and there was a strange scent in the air. There was something big near the windows, a couch behind the closed door and something else a few feet away from me. That something else moved, and I realized it was Edward.
"Lock the fucking door." His voice was devoid of any emotion. I did as I was told and joined him on the floor, discovering what the suspicious smell was. He was smoking. I had no idea he smoked.
"What are you doing?" I demanded.
"If you came to boss me, you can go back the way you came," he snapped, and took a drag of the cigar. When I didn't move, he put me on his lap and buried his face in my shoulder. "I hate this! Everyone thinks I'm so great and big and wonderful… when in reality, I'm just a scared, little kid."
My vision became cloudy, and I wrapped my arms around him. His shoulders began to shake, and I knew he had started to cry. I watched as he carefully stubbed the cigar and wrapped both his arms around me. "I don't deserve you, Bella."
"Don't say nonsense. If you want me to admit, I'll tell you that I always found you interesting." I felt my blush rising to my cheeks.
He snorted. "Why don't I believe you?"
I kissed his jaw, wiping his tears with my thumb and thought of something to cheer him up. What better idea than to continue our fun from earlier.
"'Cause I'm all alone.
There's no one here beside me.
My problems have all gone.
There's no one to deride me!
But ya gotta have friends!"
I sang Donkey's song and earned a soft chuckled from him.
"I appreciate it, baby, but I can't change who I am."
"You don't realize how much you changed?" I asked, incredulously.
He sniffed and looked at me sadly. "I may have changed something," he whispered. "But Bella, I can't change my past. It took me a couple of years to stop recoiling from a raised hand that didn't mean harm. You have no idea what I've gone through, and I don't want you to ever feel like that or know how it is."
"Why are you pushing me away?"
"Because I'm weak; I just realized that when we were in the kitchen. If something would happen… I won't be able to protect you."
"What would happen? Look at me, Edward." I raised his chin and stared in his clear green eyes. "I don't need superheroes. I lo..uhh… look, I think you're great."
"What did I just say? People have a preconceived image of me. I'm not the fucking hero! I built my life on lies and I live inside a double wall, safe and happy in my lies."
"I have to disagree. You are a hero! You were down and you picked yourself up, in a bad way, I must admit, but you are up and confronting this cruel world we live in."
"Bel-"
"There are people out there that can't do what you did! You are lucky for having Esme and Carlisle and Alice and Emmett and your friends! You're strong, even though you can't see it. Edward, some kids are not able to do what you did. You got so far…"
He looked at me with a strange look then, out of nowhere, his mouth crashed on mine kissing me with more passionately than ever. A small moan escaped me, and he answered with an equal grunt.
"Oh Bella…"
I was on my back, Edward hovering above, never ending the kiss. His hands gripped my hips, and I felt him against my thigh. I pressed on his lower back and his hips crashed with mine making us both moan.
"Bella, thank you," he whispered, sucking on my earlobe.
"You're welcome." I was glad I had made him believe in himself a little more. "So now you think you're a hero?"
"I need a little more convincing," he said, cockily. I came to love this part of him, but at times it was annoying as hell.
"Edward, honey, are you okay?" Esme's voice came from outside the door.
He stole another kiss then went to open the door. "I'm all right."
"I thought you'd be here," she said knowingly, and advanced in the room. She stopped shortly when she saw me. I blushed. Of course.
I was sure she could tell we had been making out because his hair was sticking in every direction, and I could see a few strands of mine staying at odd angles. I bit my lip and looked around, trying to find an escape. My eyes fell on the big object I had seen earlier. It was covered with a sheet and by the looks of it, it was a piano.
"I'm sure he is." Edward's voice got my attention.
"He always is." His mother told him and hugged him. "Now, about this hair…"
"No! Keep your scissors away from my hair!" Edward hissed and put his hands on his hair.
"But look how long it got," she complained.
"Bella likes it," he said quickly. "Right Swan?" he asked over his shoulder, smiling crookedly making my heart melt. Damn you, Cullen!
"I… uh guess. It's nice." When I fist my hands in it when we're making out or getting dirty. I blushed at my own thoughts.
Esme must have realized something because she dropped it. She whispered in his ear and he grunted in disapproval, but left the room after shrugging to me.
"Can we talk, dear?" she asked, and closed the door.
Suddenly, I felt claustrophobic. She opened the curtains and window that let the afternoon sun come in the room. Then, she took a seat on the couch.
I sat on the piano bench, wriggling my hands and biting my lip. This was awkward. Why the hell was I here? I wished for my car to have worked. I would have been with Charlie by now.
"You look scared. You should know that I don't bite," she joked, easing the atmosphere, a bit.
"I-I'm a bit n-nervous," I admitted. My voice trembled horribly and I wasn't sure if she caught my stutter.
"You must be pretty special if he let you in here." I felt my eyebrows pull up. What was that?
"This is his room, too. No one is allowed in here, though. Emmett calls it 'Edward's brooding room' but I call it 'Edward's forgetting the world outside room.' Now, you choose whichever you prefer."
"He plays the piano?" I asked, confused, realizing why the piano was there.
"Didn't he tell you? He can be pretty secretive at times." She sighed. "Another reason why I think you are special is because he never talks to anyone for days after something like this happens. When he agreed to talk to Emmett, just now, I knew you have done this. You've changed him, healed him."
"Oh no, Mrs. Cullen! I've merely-"
"Don't be modest, honey. And do I have to remind you that I like to be called Esme?"
"Ehh okay, Esme."
She smiled, and I knew she wasn't that kind of mother. She wasn't possessive of her little boy and she wasn't a vulture about what girl is her boy dating. I liked her more and more.
We went downstairs and when we were close to the living room or dining room or family room – whatever, the place was huge – a crash came from there. Esme's eyes widened and she froze, closing her eyes, her lips moving as if praying.
Edward's laugh followed a moment later and as if on cue, Emmett roared, "You little shit! Mooom!"
Esme glanced at me. "If it's the vase, they are both dead."
I fought a smile and followed her inside the room. It was the TV, a small portrait from the fireplace's mantle and something else that looked like it had been made of crystal.
"He did it!" Emmett pointed to Edward and backed, bumping in the back of the couch.
Edward snorted and crossed his arms in front of him. "I didn't!"
"Did!"
"Didn't!"
"Did too!"
"Did not!"
"BOOOYS!"
They both stopped and looked guilty at her.
"Emmett, go to the store. It has to be the same!"
"What? Edward broke the TV!"
"I don't care! You are buying it. And you, mister," she turned to Edward who was smirking at Emmett, as if saying "Serves you right!" He turned to his mother surprised. "I want another one." She pointed to the broken gewgaw. "Again," she muttered, under her breath.
The boys glared at each other. "NOW," Esme said loudly, making them jump.
Emmett came to me, bumping my shoulder. "You know anything about TVs, Boop?"
"No fucking way! She's coming with me!" Edward grasped my arm.
"You get her everyday!" Emmett tugged on my other arm.
"She's coming with me!"
Emmett snatched me, nearly ripping my arm, when he saw Edward wrapping his arms around me.
"OUCH!" I cried out. "Let go, Cullen," I hissed, shaking the arm in Emmett's grasp.
"Heard that, bro? Let go!"
"I meant you, dickhead!" I yelled. "It hurts."
Edward shoved Emmett off me and rubbed my shoulder, watching me concerned. "Are you hurt badly, love?"
My breath hitched, along with Emmett's. Edward didn't seem to realize what he had said.
I managed to answer. "I'll survive."
"Then, can we go and be done with this?"
"Now?" I asked surprised, still thinking of the little word he had said.
"Of course. Mom would want the house intact before nightfall."
Before we left, she sat us down and fed us then let us leave. Emmett talked Rose into going with him.
We found a store, but Edward didn't buy anything, complaining that Esme would want something similar.
"And what was that?" I asked, going back to the car.
"It was Cupid and Venus."
"You mean Cupid and Psyche?"
"Yeah, that!" He nodded and stopped the car again. "If we don't find anything here, we're going back tomorrow."
"You mean, we aren't going to your house, now?" I asked, confused.
"No, silly girl! We're going back to Seattle tomorrow. To the mall or somewhere… to buy this blasted thing! I hate Emmett."
We went back around nine at night, famished and empty handed.
"Well?" Esme greeted us, looking expectant at Edward.
I stomped on his foot before he could explode. "We'll go to Seattle tomorrow. There would be a variety from where to choose," I said.
"That's fair. And you left your phone home, honey. It rang quite a few times." She handed Edward his phone, and he groaned loudly when he saw who had called. I didn't want to know what skank had called. He went upstairs, calling whoever had called, while Esme took me to the kitchen.
"You can stay with him, but you sleep in the guest room that is across his room. Are we clear?"
I could have kissed this woman! "Yes, Ma'am!" I grinned.
"You're spending too much time with him," she said, shaking her head. "Here, take this upstairs." She handed me two plates with cookies and other delicious looking deserts.
When I arrived in front of his room, I realized I couldn't open the door. I tried to open the door with my elbow, but managed to hit it on the door. As I was about to scream for him, he opened the door and I nearly fell on him. He smiled and steadied me then frowned at who he was talking to.
"Don't fucking change the subject!" he yelled, and kicked the foot of his bed. "Are you fucking nuts, man?"
I put the food on his desk and turned to ask what was wrong.
"I don't fucking care about Spot and your dog-bitch! Explain to me why you did what you did!" I hadn't heard him so angry in a while. He was talking with someone from the team, I gathered that much. "You've watched too many chick flicks! You listen here Gravel, and you listen good! You erase my name and Bella's from that shit list and I may forgive you." Our names? What list? "Oh no, your death would come sooner than you think! I'm coming there tomorrow. Family business. Prepare to die, Gravel," Edward growled, looking at me and rolling his eyes. "Whatever, man. Write your will." He hung up and threw away his phone, wrapping his arms around me.
"What happened?" I whispered against his lips.
"That motherfucker! Bob Gravel."
"What had he done, now?" I asked after a few kisses that curled my toes.
Edward put me on the bed and kneeled at my feet, sobering up. "You are allowed to help me kill him," he started, putting his head on my leg. I gestured for him to continue. "There is a sort of disturbing thing that helps with credits, a summer activity," he added, sighing.
"A competition?"
"Sort of. Look, we don't have to do it. Fuck, we won't do it!" he stressed out, running a hand through his hair.
"What is it, Edward?"
"He signed us up to some singing shit! I told him he watched too many times High School Musical, and the fucker didn't even deny it!"
"Wait! Singing?" I asked, shocked.
"Yes! Exactly my point! Now, I just need an idea of how to kill him and make it look like an accident."
"You could do it… You have a voice," I pointed out, remembering our first date.
"Are you mad, Swan?"
"Guys, ar- ooh what are you doing there?" Emmett asked obnoxiously, stepping inside the room.
"Bob planned our summer," Edward said at the same time as I said, "He was just proposing a trip to Seattle."
"I'll take one word out of that thing: Proposing." We looked at each other, horrified, but Emmett seemed to have forgotten about us. "Cookies!"
"Oh, by the way," Edward whispered, leaning closer to me. "Coach gave him Spot for the summer and… his Mom got him a bitch… they'll make quite a pair." I didn't want to understand what he told me. "I mean bitch as in dog female… for Spot, you know? She's a Husky, too."
"Oh… that kind of bitch!" I gasped, a giggle escaping me.
"What are you saying, Ed? Is our Spotty boy getting laid?" Emmett asked, through a mouthful of cookies.
"I truly hope not. You know coach's rule." They looked at each other and said at the same time, "No daddies on the court."
"So, Seattle tomorrow?" Emmett asked, grinning.
"Yes," Edward groaned. "Any ideas how to kill someone and make it look like an accident?"
"I'm not allowing you to kill Boop," Emmett said, authoritatively.
Edward rolled his eyes. "I want to kill Gravel."
We explained what he had done and Emmett was okay with it. He went to tell the others about this, and I realized we won't be able to back out. Steam was coming out of Edward's ears.
"We won't do this shit," Edward promised. I wanted to record him and prove him wrong when we'd do exactly that. If Alice got in this… we'd do it.
I woke up by a sudden banging noise and a string of curses from Edward.
"Wha' are you doin'?" I slurred out.
"Sorry. Jeez, ouch," he groaned and rubbed his head. "Sleep. I'll go buy that thing and have a long talk with Bob."
"Wait, I'm coming with you!" I was awake, suddenly.
"It won't tak-"
"You'll be gone for most of the day. Come on," I pleaded him. I didn't have any desire to stay with his siblings the whole day.
"Okay, hurry up. I'll get some food for the road." He kissed my cheek and ran out of the room.
It took me a second to realize that I had fallen asleep in his room. What would his mother think of me? Breaking my promise from the first night, but it was his fault for putting a boring movie; I was bound to fall asleep.
Less than half an hour later, we were out of the house, but not before his mother complained about his choice of clothing then she looked disapprovingly at my short jeans. We convinced her that we were fine and she finally allowed us to leave.
"FINALLY!" Edward groaned, when we were in the car, on the road out of the forest. "Why must you wear that shirt? Look at that hair! Jesus!" he mocked her, gripping the steering wheel.
"And it's your fault she even looked at what I was wearing!" I slapped his arm, making him chuckle.
"It was only fair. I mean, she was screaming at me since I had woken up! Why did you sleep in my room? Why I didn't cover the cookies? Why wasn't I wearing slippers? Why wasn't I wearing clothes besides my boxers… Christ! It's ah-mazing to be back home."
I couldn't help but laugh at his little outburst.
"It's not funny!" He turned the music up and glared at me, daring me to comment. I continued to laugh as he floored the gas on the highway. We'd be in Seattle in no time if he drove like that.
"Do you always drive so fast?"
"You know, I do," he said softly, turning to me.
"Watch the road!" I said sternly, grasping my safety belt. He complied, rolling his eyes.
Once in Seattle, he drove to a part of it I hadn't been before and stopped in an underground parking lot of a mall. Edward took my hand and led me to a store with crystal objects. I've always been a simple by-passer, admiring such things.
"I truly hope they have it," he muttered under his breath. He went straight to the girl that was selling, not looking around for the gewgaw. "Hello," he greeted her, gripping my hand.
"Hi! Welcome to-"
"Listen, do you have a crystal Cupid and Venus?"
"Psyche!" I hissed.
"Whatever. Do you?" Edward rolled his eyes, still looking at her.
The girl looked at us for a few seconds then nodded. "Of course, follow me."
"Why didn't you let her talk?" I asked, tugging on his hand.
"They say the same thing, every time."
"They don't know you were a customer before," I groaned, and stopped in front of a showcase where many Cupid and Psyche gewgaws were. The girl started talking about them, and I could see Edward's patience wearing thin.
"We'll look and tell you if we'd like to buy something," I told her, calmly. She nodded and departed.
"They're all the same," I said, after looking at them, only the size was different.
"No, they aren't. Look closer. I mean, that one has them standing as the other one doesn't." Edward pointed to those and I slapped his finger. He poked his tongue out and stole a kiss from me. "That one," he said, grinning. "Hey!" he shouted for the girl.
I elbowed him and glared. "You're not in the wild."
"Did you find something you liked?" She remained professional. I would have killed him a long time ago if I were in her place.
"Yes, actually," Edward said, sarcastically. "The one with Cupid protecting her." The girl smiled and took the gewgaw, gushing about our choice until Edward snapped at her. We left as soon as he paid. He had a scowl on his face on the way to the car.
"And now, we have to dispose of Gravel," he said cheerfully, rubbing his hands together.
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