**This is not beta'd. I write these outtakes for fun to get to know the other characters a little better. *wink*

NGES OUTTAKE

CHAPTER 6

...EDWARD...

I'm pacing the sidewalk in front of the gym, stealing quick glances through the glass door whenever I get the chance.

As far as I can tell, Bella is still in the locker room changing. Which is good because I really want to talk to her before she starts warming up.

Charlotte hasn't said a word for the last twenty seconds. It's starting to get to me, but I'm trying my best to be patient, and not rush this.

My hand wipes away the sweat that's pooled over my brow, and when I accidentally let out a frustrated sigh, I instantly feel like a total dick for it.

This is getting awkward fast.

I need to say something simple before I say something stupid.

"You… you still there?"

"Yeah, sorry," she sniffles, blowing her nose right into my ear. "I'm here. I don't know why I'm taking this so hard. It's not like I didn't know it was coming."

Me breaking up with her over the phone is a jerk move, but deep down, I know it's the right thing for me to do. I should have broken up with her before I'd even left for the island, but Charlotte had successfully guilt tripped me the night before my flight... right after she'd let me reach second base with her while we'd made out on my bed for the first time.

When we said goodbye, she looked me dead in the eyes and insisted I would end up kissing Bella over the summer, and then she dared me to prove her wrong.

I told her she was crazy and accepted her challenge, but looking back, even then, I'd already known she was right. I guess there was a part of me that had wanted us to work out since she wasn't like all the other girls back home, but still… none of that was enough.

Not once Bella and I were together again.

All it had taken was me seeing her run by my window on Prima that first morning, and I knew—

"She won, just like I said she would."

"Come on, Charlotte. Don't be like that."

She laughs between her sobs and I can hear her sniffling when she lets out another exasperated sigh, "I just… I thought you really liked me. I thought we had something special. I should have trusted my instincts… the first time I came over your house and I saw all of those pictures... I knew I would never be able to live up to her. Not in your eyes."

My foot kicks at the dirt beneath my sneakers and I reach up to tug at my hair, "I'm sorry. I don't know what else to say. I should have been more honest with you. I should have just waited until the summer was over to say hi at the courts."

"Yeah, I guess you probably should have."

"Look, I wish things could be different because I do like you. I like you a lot. You weren't wrong to think that. I… I just shouldn't have a girlfriend right now."

She forces another sarcastic laugh and then whispers a soft, 'okay' without saying anything else.

"And when I see you at Rose's tennis matches, I hope it will be alright to say hello. I'd like to at least stay friends."

"I don't hold grudges, Edward. You know that. Life's too short."

Her response helps me relax a little, and I'm finally able to stop pulling at my hair. "I know you don't, that's another reason why you're so amazing, Charlotte. Any guy who gets to be with you will be lucky as hell, and I mean that. I really do wish things could have been different for us."

She sighs again, and then I hear her pull in a trembling breath, "Maybe things will be different… someday, for us. Maybe this just wasn't our time. Have a great rest of the summer. I'll see you around when you get back home."

Before I can say anything else, the line goes dead.

I drop Emmett's phone into my pocket, then turn on my heels to go back into the gym's lobby.

I don't even give myself a minute to breathe or settle my nerves.

Every second that passes is a second lost.

Once inside I see Bella standing in the hall outside of the locker room doors.

She looks anxious, but she's smiling.

Her smile causes my heart to twist at the center of my chest, and my own smile finds my face again.

It doesn't take me long to realize she's holding hands with Ben while she smiles.

I mean, it's not obvious, but they are definitely touching.

I don't even let it show that I've already noticed the moment they're apparently sharing.

Honestly, it doesn't even matter to me... and it doesn't matter to me, because I refuse to believe I'm too late.

It's a fact, Bella and I belong together.

All I need now is the opportunity to remind her.