CHAPTER 15 – PLAY ALONG
30 Seconds To Mars – This Is War
It's the moment of truth, and the moment to lie,
The moment to live and the moment to die,
The moment to fight, the moment to fight
To fight, to fight, to fight!
A/N: Characters don't belong to me...blah blah blah...
Thank you ever so much for last chapter's reviews. Thought we'd get more of Bella's fire again.
After we finished the practical, we didn't exactly say goodbye. We gather our things in an almost mechanical manner and as I turned to say goodbye, his eyes captured mine again so we stared at each other again until Mike interrupted him before either of us could voice our thoughts.
I'd quickly ran to retrieve my duffel from the locker but Mike had caught up with me, not allowing me a moment of peace as he prattled on, jumping from different topics that I'd given up and chose to ignore him.
Now as I walked towards Gym, with the pubescent human boy by my side, I could hear his low calm breaths and make out his soft footsteps among everyone else's.
I wanted to hear his thoughts.
Mike nudged me and I blinked back into reality as I looked towards him and stopped with him as he asked, "So what do you think?", his blue eyes gleaming with hope.
Even though I felt guilty for not listening to him, I still couldn't help but my monotone voice as I asked, "About?"
"The dance?" a blush rose to his cheeks as he looked at his shuffling feet, appearing sheepish and I could hear how his heart raced as each second passed was accompanied with my silence.
He had asked me on a date - to an upcoming school dance. I had caught the colourful posters informing everyone about the 'Ladies Choice' dance but had chosen to ignore them. I'd prefer to simply stay at home, read a book in my cabin and just revel in the silence instead of having everyone's prying stares trained on me.
As I turned to answer Mike, Edward Cullen chose that moment to angrily push past us, a low growl ripped through him but it was loud enough for me to hear.
Was he angry?
With me? With Mike?
Fear prickled in me as I stared after him and caught how he'd quickened his steps before rounding the corner. As I lost contact with his form, an unusual ache burnt in my chest.
"I was thinking maybe you and me-" Mike started and I grew irritated with him.
I interrupted him before a mental image could transpire with his suggestive words, "Sorry Mike" I quickly apologised and began to walk again as I caught his fallen expression, "I am going to be out of town" was my fabricated story.
"Oh" was all he could say and I began to walk towards the gym but he caught up again and apparently wasn't satisfied as he questioned, "Why aren't you gonna be here?"
Thinking fast, I thought of the perfect excuse, "I will be visiting family" my thoughts grew wistful as I dreamed for the lie to be the truth. I would give anything for a moment with them – I hated being alone. Being surrounded by people that were only listening to my lies and people that would never understand who I was.
"Where?" he interrogated.
I narrowed my eyes at him, hoping he would see my shortening temper, "In Seattle" my words were sharp and curt hoping that he would forget about it now but he remained persistent as he pursued the rest of his bothersome inquisition.
"Can't you go another day?" he whined desperately.
His whole demeanour was annoying me and I felt my anger flare, "No!" I snapped at him and he stopped in his tracks, looking shocked. "I mean, it's a non-refundable ticket" I sighed wearily as the tiredness began to thicken the atmosphere, weighing me down.
He still wouldn't surrender as he jogged to catch up with me and I read his thoughts as he began to voice them, "Maybe we can do di-"
"Oh we're running late" I interfered again and ran towards the changing room.
-XxxxX-
Because of the insufferable human being that was Mike Newton, I was late to the lesson and I saw that everyone else had already changed when emerging from the changing room.
It was quite a small group – only a handful of students, all scattered around the large court.
My eyes were alert as I caught sight of both Lauren and Jessica sat at the bleachers in tight blue shorts and pale yellow Forks High School t-shirts. How could I deal a class with both of them?
Reining in my anger, I caught Angela's attention as she waved to me and I jogged to her in the very comfortable hi-tops that I'd bought in Port Angeles.
"Hey, how come you're late?" she asked while stretching so I followed her actions and began to stretch my limbs as I sat on the floor and stretched to meet my toes with ease.
Grumbling at her words, I answered, "I had a run in with Mike"
She glanced at Mike who was preoccupied with Tyler before she then looked back at me, "Must've been fun" she smirked and I grimaced making her laugh.
I then sat up alert as I felt someone's eyes on me, making my skin burn with the intensity of their stare and sure enough when I looked to the right, I saw Edward and Alice and the one I remembered as Emmett. All were sat at the bench and all were staring at me so I looked back to Angela and ignored them as I continued to stretch.
I was angry.
Angry that he affected me in such a way.
Angry that I had responded to him.
Angry at myself for allowing myself to be pulled into his web.
He was vampire.
Pushing away the darkening thoughts, I asked Angela, "So what are we doing today?"
"SINGLES TENNIS" the coach announced before Angela could.
The activity would be simple enough.
Coach Clapp seemed to regain authority with the shrill of the silver whistle that had been hanging loosely around his neck. All the students responded to this rushing to the storage to claim a racquet – well all apart from me and the Cullens who dragged themselves and leisurely pulled out any racquet.
I followed Angela and I too picked any racquet not as bothered by the colour as some of the girls were but as I walked back to where we'd been sitting, Lauren pushed at my shoulder purposefully and sneered when I stumbled.
My fingers tightened around the leather encased grip and I took a threatening step towards her but my shoulders were grabbed by Angela who steered me away from them.
"Thank you" I whispered.
It seemed there was always something to be grateful for in regards to Angela.
Glancing at the Cullens in wonder as to whether they caught that, I grew confused when seeing that the big one named Emmett seemed to be berating Edward as his hand was pushing him down to the bench. Alice stood before him trying to calm him? What had I missed?
My interest grew as I caught Edward's glare being directed at someone behind me and when I turned I only found Jessica and Lauren.
Could it be…?
No – I shouldn't think like that.
Instead I looked down at my racquet and began tugging at the strings with my index finger, I was satisfied that they were tight enough. Maybe tennis would a way to release all my aggression – too bad they weren't the racquets I used to play with. They could handle any amount of pressure – these ones would break easily if I played like I was meant to.
"I guess the game is starting" Angela nodded towards the court where there were six courts with the nets put up. Each court was marked with a number.
"When I blow to the whistle, girls move to the left side but the boys stay where they are"
"Bella you can start with me" Mike grinned and I looked towards Angela for help but she shrugged as she was called off by Eric.
I sighed and nodded, allowing myself to follow him to the court.
"Don't worry, I'll take it easy on you" he winked at me and I smiled dumbly nodding along with what he was saying but my internal thoughts were mischievous.
When Coach blew the whistle, Mike tried to serve the ball but it hit the net the first four times. Each failed attempt, the more aggravated he grew, the more his complexion closed into a tomato red.
At first it was amusing but then it was now becoming annoying. "I'll serve if you want" I offered but he declined so I stepped back, shrugging my shoulders as I watched him fail again.
I was trying really hard not to laugh but he wasn't making it easier with the funny sounds that escaped his lips so I had to bite the inside of my cheek.
Finally he got it over the net and I acted quickly as I batted it back to him.
He missed.
"One point for me" I smirked and watched him scrabble for the ball.
"Guess the winner surfs then" he chuckled nervously and threw the ball back at me and I caught it with ease before completing a perfect serve which he narrowed his eyes at but pulled himself together as he jumped to hit the ball back but I stayed where I was as I batted it back to the right.
He missed.
"You're really good" he gasped, looking out of breath.
Or you're just really bad. I mentally commented which made me smirk but I quickly composed myself not wanting to make him feel bad."My mother signed me up for tennis" I admitted and rolled the ball between my fingers, reading for another serve but was interrupted with the coach's whistle.
"Guess our game's over" he sighed and I nodded ready to walk away bit he called back to me to say goodbye with a wave which I shyly returned before shuffling off to my next contender.
Tyler.
"Well lookie…what we have here…" he grinned and his eyes trailed from the soles of my feet to my face. "Aren't I lucky" his grin grew wider than I had thought possible.
Feeling uncomfortable under his stare, I shivered as it took me back but quickly pulled myself together and snapped at him with a dark glare, "Let's just play the game"
"I love games" he purred. "Don't worry babe, I'll take it easy on you" he added and my brows furrowed in anger. Why did he and Mike insist on that? Was it because I was a girl?
Well I was about to prove him wrong.
We played on for our limited fifteen minutes while I continuously scored my points as the ball hit the floor of his side. While he aggressively moved around his side of the court, I stayed where I was and stretched my hand anticipating his every obvious move.
Finally the whistle rang and I caught the ball as he served it. "I guess I won that round" smiling sweetly before I added smugly, "babe".
He growled angrily, breaking his cool exterior but then his features transformed into a forced smile, "It wouldn't exactly be gentlemanly of me to not let you win" was his nonchalant reply, though I could detect the underlying frustration with his strained words.
I snorted at this and waved to him as I moved on down the court, feeling energized and empowered with the last two games.
I was having fun.
Next opponent was a short boy named Brandon who turned out to be an okay player as he kept his thoughts to himself and concentrated on the game.
Though I still won.
I moved on to the next court but froze in my next step as I caught sight of Edward Cullen.
My insides acted as before with the close proximity but I pushed them aside and breathed in as I continued down towards my side of the court but kept my eyes on him through the gaps of the net that was fortunately separating us.
"Hi" I gave a strained smile, forcing my muscles to cooperate.
"Hello again" he whispered, a small smile playing on his lips though I could detect he was uncomfortable with the way he was gripping the racquet's handle. "Ready?" he asked holding up the tennis ball. Again, I could almost make out the certainty of his win through the glint in his eyes as well as in his voice.
He probably thought he'd have to go easy on me – maybe let me win a few points.
Little did he know.
I simple nodded in reply and tightened my hold on the racquet handle.
His movements were gentle and fluid as he performed a perfect serve but instead of hitting it back, I reached up and caught it in one hand.
He raised an eyebrow, "Don't take it easy on me" I threw it back sharply, catching him by surprise as he felt the force behind my throw when catching it. "It's insulting" I snarled through gritted teeth and he permitted the amused smile this time, his golden eyes darkened with an unknown emotion.
"Sorry" he apologized but the smile in his voice only angered me further. I waited as he served it back, still gentle and swift.
His smile fell when I hit the ball with as much force as I could master and he realized that he almost lost but quickly regained his position as he quickly reached to the left and batted it back.
I allowed my anger and frustrations to pour out and control me through the game but still remained careful as to not expose myself by breaking the racquet.
Both of us grew angrier as neither faltered and neither of us had scored a point so we continued batting back and forth. I anticipated his next move with the way he rolled back his shoulder so I rushed to the back right and batted it back which he had also seen coming.
In the distance, I heard the shrill of the whistle but neither of us stopped as we continued.
Back and forth. Back and forth. Back and forth.
Neither of us had grown tired and both of us didn't want to give up.
Adrenaline coursed through my veins with every hit and I felt the same rush I had in the morning. Slowly the fire that I used to own seemed to be returning.
When he hit it back, I jumped in the air and batted it back and watched as he took a small step to the left before the ball hit the wires of his racquet, sending it back to me that I had to dive to the right and bat it back with a forceful backhand.
The whistle was blown again and I waited for Edward to give up but the fire burning in his eyes told me otherwise as he continued on with a game.
Edward Cullen was competitive – I was sure of that.
Just as I reached out to hit it back, a small pale hand reached out to grab the ball and I stopped my movements in confusion and turned to the intruder.
Alice.
"I think both of you won this round" she flashed a toothy smile though her eyes were wary as they searched mine in suspicion.
Avoiding her eyes, I found that the other students including the coach were surrounding our court. All in awe with what I suspected they had just witnessed.
"That was a great game Marie" the coach complimented and it seemed to be an agreement as it was following with murmurs of agreement from the other students.
I felt flushed and bashful, the strength and fierce competitiveness I had acquired for the game had dissolved and I was back to reality.
"You played tennis at your old school?" Coach Clapp seemed impressed.
I shrugged nonchalantly and reached up to run fingers through my hair as a habit but remembered it was in a ponytail so I dropped my hand back down as I answered, "My mother took me to a tennis club" giving the same answer I'd offered to Mike.
"Well it paid off" he added and patted my back then turned to the rest of the group, "Lesson over. let's get going" he used the whistle again to remind everyone of his authority and I found it amusing as some jumped at the sound but all listened and began to file out.
Lauren and Jessica walked off but not before reminding me of their hate with the fixated scowls directed to me – I worried that those expressions was permanently incised on their faces. However, I couldn't help myself as I waved to them with a sweet smile making them huff again as they stomped away.
Angela jumped in front of me, blocking them from my sight as I looked at the wide smile that graced her face. "You're really good" she complimented and I shrugged acting indifferent. I would not break under their waiting eyes.
"Too good" the big one named Emmett murmured, narrowing my eyes at me but then glanced at a puzzled looking Edward before an amused grin broke out.
"So are you" I complimented Edward who narrowed his eyes at my word and remained quiet. A calculating expression marred his graven features and I knew he was trying to decipher what had just happened and how I had played to his level.
I have to admit I was happy that I'd bruised his ego.
It had been a risk for me to play like I did but I knew that he wouldn't reveal what he was by telling me that it was impossible for me to have matched his speed. If he called me out – I could easily retaliate.
Was he angry that I had been a match him?
"That was fun" I commented before walking away with Angela by my side still complementing my skill to which I allowed the pride to settle in and the wide grin, I'd been repressing to finally spread across my face.
I was happy.
A/N: Please continue to read and review. A Cullen POV coming up soon...