Wish Upon a Star: A Bella and Edward Story
Disclaimer: Characters taken from Stephanie Meyer's Twilight © and used in this fanfiction do not belong to me.
Summary: It's been a few years since Edward and the Cullens left Forks and left Bella. Now she has grown and is in love with a great guy. But what happens when Bella returns home to Forks and finds that things have changed for the Cullens and Edward? How did one wish change everything?
Author's Note: Hi everyone, so here is the next chapter. Anyway I hope everyone enjoys and of course Read & Review please! And again the next update will be in two weeks! Thanks TBG
Chapter 5: Hallucination Long Forgotten
BPOV
I stared at the closed elevator doors for a moment before I registered that Andy was still hugging me. I held him tighter to me and pressed my face into his neck. It couldn't have been...him, I thought to myself. I pressed my face closer into Andy, taking a deep breath of his fresh soapy scent.
No, it couldn't have been. He was somewhere far away, probably having fun with his distractions, I thought.
The hole in my chest which had long healed and become a horrible scar, throbbed painfully. I wasn't going to allow myself to begin hallucinating again, especially when I loved Andy and was about to marry him. No, it was probably someone else who had gotten the same hair colour from a bottle. Maybe his hair colour was more common then I'd originally thought it was. My frame of reference at that time had been somewhat limited.
"C'mon Bells, this is our floor," Andy whispered in my ear before he pulled away and caught my hand. Andy's sweet voice pulled me back to reality and I followed him out of the elevator. We walked down the hall to Alice's and knocked.
Jasper answered the door. He had quickly smiled when he'd seen it was Andy and I, but I had caught the sombre look he'd had on his face.
"Hi Jazz, this is Andy. Andy this is Jasper, or Jazz for short," I said as they shook hands.
"Come on in you two. Alice is getting dressed, of course. Bella, could you please go in there and speed up the process?" Jasper asked with a desperate look on his face. I laughed and nodded.
"Ok. You and Andy get to know each other while I'm gone."
With that, I left the two men to talk and knocked on Alice's bedroom door. I heard some shuffling and then she opened the door. She pulled me inside and shut it behind her. I crossed my arms as I looked at the different piles of clothes on the bed and Alice in her robe.
"Alice, I thought you said you would be ready by the time I got here. This is definitely not ready."
Alice rolled her eyes and began to search through her clothes.
"I know, but I just don't know what to wear. I know that I want to wear this skirt and these shoes," she said as she held up a short blue jeans skirt and a pair of blue peep-toe wedges, "but I don't know what I should wear on top."
I sighed and went over to the clothes. I searched in the pile for a moment, and then spotted a white graphic t-shirt with a blue and silver design across the front. I pulled it out and held it up for Alice's inspection.
"How about this?" I held it up for her to inspect.
Alice looked at it for a few seconds and then smiled. She took the shirt from me and held it against her body in front of her mirror. She smiled at herself and then put it on with her skirt and shoes.
"It looks good. Thanks for your help Bells."
She twirled in front of the mirror as I grinned back at her.
"Good, now get your purse and let's go."
Alice stared at herself for a second longer before she began to scurry around the room, grabbing things to put in her purse. I watched her for a moment and then decided I'd ask her.
"Hey Alice?"
"Yeah?"
"Is everything ok with you and Jazz?"
At this, Alice turned and looked at me questioningly.
"Why do you ask?"
"Um, I don't know. I guess it was just from something I saw on Jazz's face when I got here, but it was probably nothing."
Alice seemed to think about it for a moment.
"Probably...because Jazz and I are fine. Anyway, let's go," she said quickly.
I smiled and grabbed her hand, pulling her out of the bedroom.
"Ok, we're ready to go," I announced as we entered the room. Jasper and Andy stood up. They both came up to Alice and I and smiled. Jasper kissed Alice on the cheek as he looked at her outfit.
"You look beautiful, now can we go?"
He looked imploringly at Alice who laughed and smacked his chest, which she could now reach in her wedges. He laughed and caught her hand, and began to pull her toward the door.
"I guess that means we're leaving," Andy whispered to me as we followed them out the door. We made our way downstairs and to my car.
Before I opened the driver's side of the car, Alice was in front of me. I raised an eyebrow at her and smiled.
"What is it Alice?" She was still grinning as the guys watched.
"Could I drive Bells? I promise I'll be extra careful now that my reflexes aren't what they used to be," she said as she glanced at Andy.
I stared at her for awhile before I tossed her the keys. She jumped into the car as both Jasper and Andy looked at each other and then switched positions; Jasper going to the front seat and Andy going to the back seat.
I climbed into the back seat and Andy wrapped his arm around my shoulders as I put on my seatbelt. I grinned and snuggled into his arm. He kissed my cheek and smiled.
"I like sitting like this better anyway," he whispered into my ear before he lightly bit it. I almost gasped at the small bite, but I bit my lip to stop myself.
I looked up at him as he grinned seductively at me.
"Stop that," I whispered.
"Or what?"
"Or, I'll make you pay for it later," I said as I ran my tongue over his jaw swiftly. He shuddered slightly and I felt his arm tighten around me. I smiled to myself and decided to stop him.
"So how do you like it Alice?" I asked as I leaned forward and looked at her. She grinned at me and in the corner of my eye, I could see Andy's slight frown. My smile grew a little bit when I saw that; he was such a baby.
"It's absolutely wonderful Bells. I'm so jealous." She pulled into a parking space beside a small boutique as she spoke. I looked around at where we were. I hadn't been paying attention because of Andy's distractions.
"We'll let the boys do what they want as we shop. They don't have to stay with us if they don't want to, but I definitely want us to get Bella something sexy for the honeymoon, so if Andy wants to be there for that..." Alice trailed off suggestively.
Andy perked up and I smacked his arm at his reaction. Both he and Jasper laughed and I shook my head.
"No way Alice. If you do get something for me, let it not be something like that."
I knew that I was getting married and I was technically a grown woman, but lingerie was not my style. I would feel awkward in it, even though Andy tells me how sexy he thinks I am in the simplest of things.
There was one particular time, after finals in third year, it had been a very warm day so I had worn a short jean skirt and tank top, and Andy had basically jumped my bones after he'd given me a once over.
"Fine Bella, we'll deal with it later," Alice said matter of factly. I sighed, knowing that this was not even close to being over. At this point Jasper spoke up.
"I think Alice's idea of us shopping separately is a good idea. Then we can meet up for a late lunch in a couple of hours."
I nodded, that was a good idea. Then the guys would get to hang out and talk, and Alice and I would be able to do the same thing. And since both Andy and I had had a large brunch, we would be full for at least a couple of hours.
"Let's get to it then," I said as we all piled out of the car.
EPOV
I wandered around Port Angeles for a long time. I really didn't see where I was going, or really paid attention to my surroundings, but my feet led me through the town.
I ended up walking down the same street that I took the day I had looked for Bella when she'd first come to Port Angeles. The night that she'd almost been attacked, almost been. . .I shuddered to think of what would have happened if I hadn't shown up when I had. I could still remember their thoughts that night. I had never felt so blood thirsty and murderous in all my time as a vampire as I did in that moment.
I decided that this street wasn't one of good memories, so I turned around and went down another street.
My feet once again took me to a familiar place, Bella Italia. I looked at the building and its warm interior and the memories of my dinner with Bella, the night that changed everything between us. At least in the sense that everything had become irreversible had seemed irreversible between us.
I felt that familiar restricting pain around my heart and I sighed. I turned away from the building and continued to wander around. I walked all over downtown Port Angeles and even made my way to the pier, but I didn't see any of it, didn't take any of it in.
Everything was colourless and bland to my sight. All I could think of was Bella, and I kept torturing myself by replaying her kissing her boyfriend in the airport, breaking my heart's already broken pieces over and over again.
Finally my human stomach needed nourishment and I decided to catch a bite to eat. I made my way over to a hotdog vendor in a local park and bought one. I put on minimal amounts of ketchup, mustard and relish not knowing what they tasted like and then sat down at a nearby bench to eat.
As I did, I finally began to survey my surroundings. The park had couples and children running around it, enjoying the warm spring day. Cars drove by, dogs sticking out their heads to catch the breeze and tons of sunglasses and hats filled the area. I quickly finished my hot dog, liking the taste that the ketchup, mustard and relish made together and licked my lips.
I glanced across the street and froze. Bella was standing across it and she was looking right at me.
BPOV
"Alice you are so horrible. What exactly did you buy?"
"Nothing you need to worry about at the moment. Let's just go meet the boys alright?" She said mischievously. I rolled my eyes and sighed. Alice's shenanigans were something I was used to by this point, so I relaxed and strolled, arm in arm, with her down the street.
The sun had warmed the pavement beneath our feet and I could feel the heat permeating up and around my sandals. I took a deep breath, a touch of the salt from the pier floated through it. I smiled as the breeze cooled me and lifted my hair.
It felt like my life was finally falling into place, was becoming something wonderful which I hadn't expected. I caught sight of Andy and Jazz walking toward us and felt a smile pull against my lips. I could see Andy's blue green eyes staring into mine as he reached me. He pecked my lips lightly and took my hand.
"So are you girls ready to eat?"He asked, his deep voice rumbling lovingly through my ears. I nodded and scanned the immediate area.
"Starved. Where do you want to g-" I choked on my words as I caught sight of a young man finishing off a hot dog across the street. He turned his face and my heart constricted. I stared: the face, the hair, the body...Edward. My mind struggled to comprehend this. He couldn't possibly be real. No he was only another hallucination. One of those long forgotten hallucinations. . .forgotten till now that is.
Everything around me seemed to slow down and get dark. It focused only on Edward for what seemed like years, but must have only been seconds. My heart began to pound wildly as I stared. His face was an impassable mask, but then he smiled his crooked grin, my grin. My heart galloped.
From somewhere far away, I heard Andy calling my name, but all that I remember was staring at the Edward across the street and then letting the darkness envelop first him, then I.
My first waking moments, I could hear someone calling my name. I struggled to open my heavy lids, and when I finally did, saw the bright light above me.
"Bella?"
I turned my eyes to the sound and looked at Andy. He sighed in relief as he saw me and took my hand.
"Oh Bella, you're ok. You really scared me back there. How do you feel?"
"A little light headed but otherwise, I feel fine. Where's Alice and Jasper?"
"They went to get some food because they knew you'd be hungry when you woke up," He whispered. I nodded and then turned to look back up at the ceiling.
"Bells, what made you faint the way you did? I've never seen you do anything like that before."
I turned and looked deeply into his face. He couldn't know the truth. Of course Andy knew about Edward and our relationship but no one knew about my hallucinations. I didn't have an explanation as to why my old hallucination would appear. I hadn't been doing anything dangerous. Maybe it was my subconscious telling me something, but I shook that off. Edward wasn't important anymore, only Andy. I smiled as best I could.
"I think it was just the heat, and the fact that I hadn't eaten didn't help either. I'm sorry that I worried you," I said. He probed me with his eyes, searching mine for few moments before he shook his head and kissed the back of my hand.
At that moment Alice and Jasper came into the room carrying bags of food. Alice rushed over when she saw I was awake and hugged me.
"Oh Bells, you scared us. Don't do that again." I just smiled lightly as she pulled back and looked at me. She pulled one of the bags toward me and smiled.
"Let's eat, we're all starving."
After having our lunch in the hospital in Port Angeles, the doctor discharged me and we made our way home.
Alice drove again until we reached her hotel, where she hugged me tightly before we said goodbye.
I watched her go into the hotel with Jasper before we pulled out. Andy had insisted on driving, since he thought it was better to be safe than sorry.
As he drove, I placed my hand on his thigh. He picked it up and brushed his lips against my knuckles.
"I'm sorry that we ended up going home early. It seemed like you were really enjoying yourself," I said as we drove over the stretch of empty road.
"I was, but I could never enjoy myself knowing that something was wrong with you. I like Jasper, he's a nice guy, but I love you and that makes you my number one priority. Don't apologize for something you had no control over."
I nodded deftly as he put my hand back down on his thigh and lightly stroked it.
We sat like that the entire way back to my house. Andy made sure to settle me on the couch and snuggle there with me.
His wide chest was warm and muscular and I felt good lying beside him. He wrapped his arms around me tightly, his warmth enveloping me. Andy was never going to be as hot as Jacob had been, but his body heat was natural and it was always able to lull me sleep. I knew that I could be with Andy forever, and lie in his arms like this forever. This was the last thing I thought before I fell asleep.
EPOV
I paced up and down the hotel room. I ran my fingers through my hair restlessly, counting down the minutes until Alice came back and ripped me a new one. I had seen the fierce look in her eyes when she had caught sight of me and I had no doubt that she was going to come in here like a little fireball and burn me to hell.
I cursed silently under my breath. Was it my fault that I'd accidentally seen her? I hadn't meant to. She'd looked as beautiful as ever, her cheeks blazing with color from the heat and sun; her hair glowing brightly with the tinges of red, that could only be seen in the sun, glittering.
My heart had stopped beating for a moment as she'd stood beside Alice and smiled. I hadn't meant to startle her, I hadn't wanted to interfere at all, not after seeing her so happy, but I hadn't expected the reaction I'd gotten from her.
Bella had caught sight of me, and had stared. Stared for probably a good five seconds before suddenly, she'd collapsed.
I had started, my heart leaping into my throat. I was about to rush over to her and see if she was alright, even though every nerve in my brain was telling me not to, especially with her fiancé standing there, holding her up. But I caught Alice's eye and the look she had given me had stopped me in my tracks.
I had stared at her and then retreated. I knew that look was going to have some serious words to go with it when she got back.
I heard the door opening and looked toward it as Alice stalked in. She came right up to me and jabbed her finger into my chest even though she only just reached it.
"See what you did?! I told you that this would happen. Bella can't handle you being around Edward. She was silent the whole time we were at the hospital. She wasn't laughing anymore or smiling or being herself. She looked drained and it was all because of you!"
At this point, Jasper came and took Alice's shoulders and she physically calmed down. She took a deep breath and shut her eyes.
After everything she'd said, I felt horrible, but I wasn't going to say anything. I waited for her to speak first. She opened her eyes and stared at me. I guessed she could see the stricken look on my face because she sighed again.
"You need to leave Edward before you do something lasting. You did it once when you broke her heart," Alice said. I swallowed heavily at these words. She was right and I knew it. Bella had moved on, I needed to as well.
"When is my flight supposed to leave again?" I asked.
"Tomorrow morning." Alice replied. I stood frozen for moment before I sat down heavily in my seat. Jasper came over and squeezed my shoulder.
"We're really sorry Edward. It's just better for everyone this way." I turned my eyes and looked up at him. I strained for a smile and then stood up.
"I think I'll just go to my room. Thanks for everything guys."
I strolled out of the living room and went into my bedroom. I shut the door and could feel an aching deep in my chest. I could feel tears prickling behind my eyes and I bit my fist so as to control the sobs I knew wanted to roll throughout my body. I hadn't cried for over a century, I wouldn't start now. I just rolled onto my bed and buried my face in my pillow.
The next thing I knew, Jasper was gently waking me up. I sat up and looked out the window at the rising sun. I gulped as I realized it was time for me to go.
I showered and got ready sluggishly. When I went into the den, Alice was there setting down the room service breakfast. I looked at all the food sitting on the table and smiled at Alice. But my smile faded as I saw my things packed and ready to go. I guess they didn't want to waste any time.
I went over to the table and sat down as Jasper came in and did the same. It was deathly quiet as we ate, only the clinking of our forks and knives on the plates making any noise. I didn't want them to see how distressed I was. I didn't want them to know how much I hated leaving, knowing I was leaving Bella behind to be married. But I also remembered how Bella had reacted when she'd seen me. She just couldn't see me again.
I finished my breakfast and pushed it away from me. I stood up and so did Alice and Jasper. Alice came over and hugged me.
"Safe trip home," she said as she gave me a squeeze. Jasper then came over and gave me a hug as well. I strained a smile for both of them as Alice called down to have a taxi waiting for me. I got my things and then quickly went downstairs. I didn't look back as I left their room.
I got down to the lobby and saw that the taxi had just pulled into the front. I went over as the driver came out. He opened the trunk and put my bags in as I got into the back. He climbed in, a man in his early 40s, with grey hair strewn across his temples and a beer gut. He looked at me in the rear-view mirror.
"Where to?"
And in that moment, I realized that I could see Bella as much as I wanted, but she just didn't have to see me. And wasn't I already good at seeing her without her seeing me? I clenched my teeth and met the man's brown eyes.
"Do you know where I could rent a car?"
The driver looked surprised.
"Sure. Is that where you want to go?" I nodded quickly and he shrugged. We pulled out and in no time I was in front of a car rental. I paid the taxi driver and got out, taking my bags inside to inquire about a car. I wanted something in black but also something that would blend into the environment.
I ended up picking a black 1981 Chevrolet pickup truck. I threw my bags into the back and covered it with the tarp that was inside. I made arrangements with the owner to have the truck for the whole summer. He agreed wholeheartedly when I dropped $2000 cash in front of him.
When I got in and began to drive, I felt a rush of happiness run through me as I did. It was exhilarating as I drove down the road to Forks. I didn't think Alice would check to see if I'd gotten on the plane, she trusted me enough.
I drove fast, not as fast as I did as a vampire, but fast enough. Before I knew it, Forks' city limits were upon me and I was feeling that sense of exhilaration flowing quickly through me again. Finally, I was pulling up in front of Bella's house.
I parked across the street and just stared. It hadn't changed at all. I stared for a long time, when suddenly my heart began to pound as I saw the door open and my Bella walk out.