Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight or its characters. I own the plot of this, though.
Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews, views & alerts! I am so overwhelmed! With 100+ reviews, I think I'm doing pretty good for an OC story, so I want to thank all the loyal readers! :) This chapter will explain a lot. You'd probably want to kill me for this chapter (for both the content and the length), but patience, loves. You shall be rewarded. ;)
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Chapter 22
You're probably wondering what happened after that kiss. Well, this was how it went. As our lips touched, I was pretty much paralyzed by shock. After about two seconds, Edward realized what he was doing and pulled back. He apologized profusely and I assured him that it was no big deal, that the aura of the night just got to us. We were probably drunk-sleepy and didn't know what we were doing. He agreed, but I suppose we both knew that was not entirely true. We fell asleep soon after. For the record, we weren't holding hands.
The morning after, we tried to act normal around the four conniving villains of last night. We were able to convince them, but not ourselves. It was very apparent to the both of us that something was weird. We barely touched and barely conversed, just some small talk. We also avoided each other a bit. One time, Alice, him and I were in the kitchen and Alice left the kitchen to ask Jasper something. He left, too, without a real reason. I saw through him. He was afraid that I didn't want to be his friend anymore after his straightforward move last night. I erased all doubts when I hugged him good-bye and whispered, "Don't worry about it." He was grinning like mad when they left early evening. After I watched the cars speed off from my window, I rushed off to my bedroom and fell fast asleep.
Too soon, I was forced back into consciousness by the shrill ringing sound of my telephone. I glanced at the clock as I wondered who in the right mind would call me at such an ungodly hour. 6:17 pm. Not so ungodly after all. I was due to wake up in 5 minutes anyway, to get ready for school. Ring. I stood up and pressed the loudspeaker button.
"Wello," I mumbled.
"Cessa?" I heard a familiar voice ask. "Did I wake you? Sorry."
"Nah, 'tis fine. It's pretty late anyway. What's up, Edward?"
"Well," he said with hesitation evident in his voice. "I wanted to talk to you about the other night."
"Oh," I said. I waited for him to speak again, and when he didn't, I did. "Don't worry about it, really."
"No, I do worry," he sighed. "I am really, really, really sorry. I didn't mean to be so straightforward."
"It's okay," I assured him. "But you know this doesn't change anything between us, right?"
There was a pause. I knew what he was thinking, because a part of me thought that, too. We wanted change.
"We're friends, Edward, best friends," I said morosely. "Regardless of whatever frisson or something there is between us, we're not meant to be like that."
"Yes, I understand," he agreed, though it was apparent he felt otherwise. I felt otherwise, too, and he knew it. "I'll see you soon, Cessa."
"Yeah, bye."
I walked to my closet to find something to wear. I sighed heavily.
"I can't believe I kissed Edward Cullen," I said to myself. A low chuckle startled me.
"You shouldn't believe what isn't real, dear," he said, sounding amused. "I kissed you."
"Oh my word, Edward!" I screamed. "I thought you put the phone down already!"
"I always wait for you to put it down first, remember?" he laughed. "It's okay, Cessa. I can' t believe I kissed you, too. See you in a few?"
"Yes, of course. Now put the bloody phone down, Edward!"
I heard him laugh, and finally, a click. This was the right thing, yeah? Why, oh, why did it have to feel so wrong? I just knew we weren't supposed to be anything more than what we are now. I knew it and I think he did, too. That doesn't change the fact that I wanted it. Selfish, I very much am.
I walked to my bathroom as I ran through the mental list of reasons why I shouldn't be with Edward. At first, I was unable to think of a reason. I liked him; he liked me. How could that be something bad? His family liked me, and I'm sure my family would accept him, too. We had the same interests and tastes and we got along really well. It was like we were made for each other.
Then it hit me – the one crucial reason why I shouldn't be with him.
I remembered who he was. Edward Cullen.
One day, it would be as though he imprinted. He would find his Bella and love her unconditionally. What would be of me, then? Like Leah, I bet. Bitter, hurting and very much alone. Yeah, that pretty much covers it.
Author's Note: I want to know what you guys think: Who do you want Edward to end up with? Your vote might change my final chapter (which I have already written, by the way. :D) or not. All depends, but please do let me know. :)
