"So he's your dance partner now?" Mike asked, staring at me from across the table at the local pizza place.
"I didn't really have a choice… There was no one else" I answered, shrugging my shoulders as I took a bite out of my slice of pizza. "And besides, he seems to know what he's doing… I might even learn a few moves after all"
Eric started laughing histerically. "Yeah girl, he wants to show you some moves alright!"
"Eric, shut up!" Angela said while punching him in the arm. "Anyway, I thought they looked cute together"
"Yeah, he seemed interested in you" Jessica added, sipping on her lemonade. I couldn't help but notice that she souded a little jealous.
I sighed and pushed my plate into the middle of the table. "Look guys, it's getting a little late. I better be heading home" And with that, I stood up as they said goodbye to me.
"I'll walk you out" Mike called, running to catch up to me. "Bella -"
"Mike, please… I don't want to talk about it" I said as I stepped outside and the cold air instantly sent shivers through my body.
"I reckon he's stalking you" Mike said, with concern in his voice.
"What?" I asked incredulously and turned to face him. "Just because he decided to take the same dance class as me, it makes him a stalker does it?"
"Possibly. Look Bella, you don't even know the guy. I think he's a creepy, weird jerk… And have you seen the way he looks at you?"
I huffed and turned away from Mike and walked over to my truck. If anyone's stalking me, it's you! I thought to myself as I searched my bag for the keys.
All of a sudden, Mike blurted out from behind me. "Bella, why won't you go out with me?"
I froze on the spot as I desperately tried to think of something to say. "Mike, I -"
He quickly spun me around to face him and pressed his index finger against my lips.
"Incase you haven't realised by now… I – I really like you. I've had feelings for you since you first arrived in Forks about four months ago and it would hurt me to see you with another… Especially him"
I stared up at him with my eyes wide open in complete shock. He slowly moved his finger away from my lips and caressed my cheek.
"Mike you're a friend, and that's all" I said, trying to sound convincing.
As I went to push his hand away from my cheek, he reached up and seized my hand.
"What are you doing?" I shrieked, as he moved his face closer to my own.
"You're so beautiful… Please, please won't you give us a chance?"
"Us?" I gulped, staring wide eyed at his lips. "I – I don't think -"
Just then a pair of bright headlights shone directly on us and Mike instantly let me go and jumped backwards.
"Bella, is everything alright here?" Someone called out from inside the vehicle.
I instantly recognised the voice and walked over to the car, silently being thankful for the interruption. "Yeah I'm fine dad. I was just on my way home now"
"Right" He said, glancing over at Mike before looking out the window at me.
"Its ok dad, I was just saying goodbye to him"
He looked up at me somewhat unconvinced, but believed me anyway. "Well I'll see you when you get home then"
"Sure" I replied, giving him a quick wave as he slowly reversed and drove off.
I took a deep breath and turned around to face Mike who was looking extremely embarrassed. He smiled awkwardly and looked down at his feet before making eye contact with me again.
"I err, better get going" I said quietly as I fiddled with the keys.
"Fine" He mumbled as he turned around and headed back inside the pizza place.
I quickly got into my truck, closed the door behind me and sat there for a moment. What on earth just happened there? Why can't he understand that I just want us to be friends... He's lucky he's got that! I thought to myself as I pushed my hair out of my face and started the engine.
Later that night I was lying on my bed listening to my iPod, when the home phone started to ring. I ignored it for the first few rings, expecting my dad to pick it up but when I took my headphones out of my ears, I noticed that the shower was running. Rushing down into the kitchen, I grabbed the phone and breathed heavily into it.
"Hello?"
"Hey" Someone said before chuckling quietly. "Had to run to the phone eh?"
I remained silent for a moment, as it slowly started to dawn on me who was on the other end of the line. "Edward? Is that you?"
"I see you've memorised my voice" He said, sounding rather seductive.
Swallowing a dry lump in my throat, I quickly tried to change the subject. "Lucky guess I suppose. Um, listen… How did you get my number?"
"Phonebook"
"Oh yeah, I told you my dad's name back when I was in your car. Ok… So, what's up?"
"Nothing much. I ah, just wanted to talk"
"With me?" I asked, feeling my stomach suddenly tie up into knots.
"Well, yeah. If you want to that is"
"Yes!" I said a little too quickly. "I mean, yeah that's fine. I'm not busy"
"Excellent. So, how was dinner with your friends?"
I didn't mean to sigh that heavily, but I guess he heard me through the line as he chuckled a little.
"That good huh?"
"Hmm, they can be a little annoying sometimes… I wish they'd just mind there own business"
"This doesn't have anything to do with me, does it?" He asked, with a little concern in his voice.
"Oh, um…" I hesitated for a moment, thinking whether or not to tell him. I finally managed to work up the courage. "Maybe... Yeah. It's just the fact that you're my dance partner -"
"Ah. Is this upsetting Mike is it?" I could sense the humour in his voice and I could just imagine that little smirk upon his face.
I managed to let a small laugh out myself. "You could say that"
"I don't mean to be rude or anything, but what do you see in the guy?" He asked.
I started laughing hard, I couldn't help it. "Oh god, no! You think that we're together?" I laughed, taking a large gasp of air. "No don't worry, it's not like that. I have no interest in him what so ever!"
Edward was silent for a moment while I continued to laugh a bit more as I wiped a stray tear that was rolling down my cheek.
"It's like a one sided thing – he likes me, and even though I try to tell him were just friends… He can't seem to accept it"
"That makes things awkward" Edward spoke in a low voice.
"Well, sometimes it does… But when all my other friends are around, he's ok"
"I think you should tell him to piss off" He said rather bluntly.
"I beg your pardon, tell him what?"
"Tell him to piss off and leave you alone. This guy is obviously a jerk"
"Funny. He says the same thing about you" I muttered.
"Does he now? And what do you think?"
I hesitated for a moment as I nervously bit on my lower lip "I err - I think you're… Nice"
"Just nice?" He asked teasingly, and I sensed he was smirking once again.
"Um, well I don't really know you Edward..."
"Yeah, about that... I was hoping we could change the situation" He replied sounding rather confident.
"What? What do you mean by that?" I asked, even though I knew exactly what he meant.
"How about tomorrow we go down to the ice skating rink"
"Ice skating?" I whined. "Ah, I can't… I'm a hopeless skater"
Edward chuckled for a bit before sighing. "First you say you can't dance, and now you say you can't skate?"
"That's because it's true!" I laughed.
"Well then, that'll make it all the more fun won't it. So I'll pick you up around 10.30am?"
"You know, I never said that I actually agree to this…" I laughed again, but this time it was a little more awkward.
"10.30am it is then!" He said, sounding rather pleased with himself.
I sighed in defeat and pretended to sound like it was a hassle. "Alright, if you insist… I'll give you my address -"
"No need, already got it"
When I was silent for a moment, he added.
"Phonebook"
"Right" I said, mentally slapping my forehead.
"Ok, so I'll see you tomorrow"
"Sure. See you then"
"Goodnight, Bella"
"Goodnight" I said before quickly hanging up the phone.
Oh my goodness... I have a date with Edward Cullen! I flopped back onto my bed, popped my headphones back into my ears and pumped the volume up. If anyone saw me right now, I must've looked absolutely stupid with this massive goofy grin on my face.
Thank you very much to everyone who has given me reviews, I really appreciate it! :)
To crystal heart 12: I've put 'Torn Between Two Kings' on hold for a bit while I focus on my twilight story. Thanks for your kind words though, your encouragement is awesome and I'll definitely continue the story when I get the chance.