AN: As promised, here's BxE finally...
Bella POV
I was staring at myself in the mirror, trying to gain confidence for tonight.
I was wearing red flats with my new light blue jeans that hugged my body in all the right places and matched that with a velvet red top Alice begged me to get. The eyeshadow I had on my lids was the blush I put on my cheekbones. I couldn't tell if that looked obvious, so I padded some brown shadow on the outer V of my eyelid. Once satisfied, I slide on my lips my favorite strawberry flavored gloss.
When Misty invited me to the movies tonight, I had thought for some reason it would just be the two of us hanging out. That was until she had added me to a group chat with five other unknown numbers and gave us the movie title, time and where to meet. I was a bit anxious about who else was coming, I wanted to ask Misty who the other people were but I didn't because I knew myself well. If just one person I didn't like was going I'd chicken out. I was trying to break free from my comfort zone tonight.
I'll be honest, as I sprayed perfume on myself I was really hoping Edward Masen be one of the mystery numbers coming tonight since he hangs out with Misty's crowd. She's a cheerleader, he's a basketball player, so they hang out with each others team, that's just how high school works.
I really wanted Edward to be there because there was this thick tension between Edward and me that started after our small moment last week.
It was the second day of my fashion change: I was wearing a loose royal blue shirt with black leggings, and was walking toward lunch when I saw Edward was heading the other way. I felt like everything was in slow motion as the usual bundle of nerves tightened in my chest after seeing his handsome self.
Everytime I saw Edward Masen, he always brings back the battle in my heart because I was so drawn to him yet I hated him so much at the same time. I honestly didn't think I hated anyone more than Masen after he left me in the middle of the night, then ignored me in school. The memories of how we danced and talk at the party were fuzzy, but I remember the emotions of that night crystal clear. Those beautiful emotions were soiled by his rudeness afterward.
But on that Wednesday last week, for once Edward didn't look past me, but at me.
His stare was all on me, it was very intense. I felt like I couldn't breathe as our eyes stayed glued to each other until we passed each other and time resumed normally. I believe this was the day he really noticed me. My hair was down and the blue shirt I wore was a similar color from the dress from the party, he must have recognized me that way.
Since then, anytime I saw Edward Masen in the hallway, this electricity buzzed through us. It became a staring game in the halls and quick glances at each other during class. The tension was boiling and about to burst between us. I just wished he would be there tonight, so we can finally talk.
I grabbed my purse before going down the stairs. I waved my parents goodbye before starting up my old, red truck. My baby roared to life, the sound of the engine helped dull the anxious feeling I had. I set the station to a relaxing channel and headed off to the Port Angeles Mall. I drove through the streets of my town, admiring the lovely hills that made the drive to the movies pleasant.
The mall had more cars then I expected, I had to parked my trunk all the way at the back of the parking lot. I peered myself in my mirror and gave myself a small pep talk. I jumped once I heard my phone ring and looked at the screen name: Alice.
"Hello?" I answered immedieately, it was only 6pm I'm surprised Alice has called me so early tonight. Maybe things didn't go well with Jasper again. When Alice told me she was gonna hang out with Jasper today at lunch, I was a bit worried because I never wanted to see her as hurt as she was the morning after the party.
"Heyy, Bells" I heard her chuckle, I was already suspicious at her tone of voice.
"Hey Al, what's up? How was hanging with Jasper?" I asked.
"It was so so much fun!" She paused to sigh "He's still with me actually. He's right here!"
"Oh." I mused "Why are you calling me then?" My finger was tapping on my wheel, I was getting a bit anxious because I should have been meeting up with Misty about now. A moment passed with no answer "Hello?"
"Yess?" She asked me back. I was beginning losing my patience.
"Why are you calling me Alice?"
"You seee, we kinda had too much fun and now I can't drive." she giggled awkwardly.
"What do you mean?" I was very concerned and confused now. The movies were long forgotten, I felt my bestie instincts kick in.
"I kinda tried pot," She said sheepishly "I'm honestly so stoned right now Bella I can't drive like this. I was hoping you can pick us up and we can all hang till I chill out."I dug my hands in my hair, so disappointed at how irresponsible she was being! I couldn't believe she's high right now, I had no idea she was trying drugs tonight!
"Alice, tonight was my movie night with Misty. I'm literally at the mall right now, this is such bad timing." I groaned and placed the palm of my hand on my head as I thought out what my next actions should be.
"Oh, right! I'm so sorry Bells, aww. I forgot." She whispered before saying "You know what, nevermind it's fine we'll just uber somewhere."
"No, no Alice, don't worry about it. I'll come get you now." I told her with a sigh "I'll just reschedule with Misty, shes with other people now so she'll be fine. Just text me your address." I told her. I decided that seeing my best friend high was better than any movie, anyways. I kissed my dreams of seeing Edward tonight goodbye and dialed Misty's phone.
My GPS sent me to Alice's location, which was surprisingly the National Park near our school. I drove the whole way there not knowing what to think. It felt weird that my best friend since elementary school decided to smoke weed with some stranger basically and not tell anyone! I'd have to talk to her about this when she's sober.
I pulled into the parking lot, wondering how Alice will be like high. My dim headlights found Alice's white Kia Optima instantly, with the pair on making out along the side of the car. I wrinkled my nose at the sight before honking loudly at them. The two jumped apart and I found myself laughing at Alice's horrified face. Alice was the first one to march into my car and sit next to me "That was cruel," she huffed.
"I couldn't resist." I snickered "And you smell like weed." The sickling sweet scent soon consumed my trunk after Jasper got in and closed the passenger door. I was still having a hard time connecting Alice and weed together, she just never seemed like the type to smoke.
"Oh, I do?" Alice giggled randomly and wiped her clothes with her hands as if she can just clean herself that way.
"Yeahh, let's just keep the windows down for this ride. Jasper, lower your window." I tell him, I didn't wanna get a second-hand high myself.
"Aye, aye captain." He responds.
I started to roll my window down a bit also "So, where are we going, Ms. Giggles?" I asked Alice who was just snickering to herself non-stop.
Alice looked at me and laughed harder "Food!" she eventually declares.
"What are you guys craving?" I asked
"How do you lower the window?" Jasper turns to me and asked with a blank look. Before I could respond, Alice took over.
"Like this!" She squishes herself onto his lap and rolls the window down "It's an old car, you got roll this baby up yourself." She tells hims, Jasper soon takes over to finish rolling down the window. They stared deeply into each other's eyes for a second before they started to kiss each other again.
"Woah, ok enough!" I tell them, surprised they'll just make out heavily after just rolling up the window.
"Sorry." Alice innocently slides back down to her seat
"I'm picking the food place now," I tell the two before starting up the truck. This was gonna be an interesting night.
-x-
The cashier and I both looked at Alice as she studied the menu. I've never seen her eyes so red and focusing on something so hard. "Do you know what you want?" I asked her after some time passes.
She blinks a couple times and looked at me with uncertain eyes "Do you think he knows we're high?" She whispered back to me.
"He does now." I chuckled. Jasper started cracking up behind us, "I'll order first," I tell the McDonald's cashier who was smirking at Alice. I took a step forward and tried to order while trying to ignore Alice's giggling that bounced in my right ear. "I'll have a medium coke with a number 2, For here." After I got my receipt, Jasper went up next to order.
"Uh...I'll have large fries and large chicken nuggets." He told the worker.
The teenage worker with greasy blonde hair raised his eyebrows "Sir, there are no large chicken nuggets. We have the chicken nuggets 10, 20 or 40 pieces."
Jasper scratched his hair "Oh right. Uh.." He glanced at the menu again "I'll just get the quarter pounder with cheese instead."
"Mhmm," sighed the worker as he took his order. He looked up at Alice "You ready now, miss?"
"Yupo," she said more confidently this time "I'll have a double cheeseburger with medium fries, an apple pie, and vanilla cone," I could see her eyes are lite with excitement. By the time she stood next to us, my order had come out.
"Wow, you sure are hungry," Jasper commented at the amount of food she got.
"I'm starving!" She exclaimed, "I've never felt so hungry before, I can't wait to sink my teeth into that apple pie!"
Once we all got our trays and drinks, we sat down next to a window seat. I've only drunk two sips from my soda by the time Alice had unwrapped her burger and tore into it. Watching her eat that burger was like watching how a lion would eat its prey, it was too graphic to even watch.
I peered at Jasper to see that he's the opposite. He's studying his french fry, taking slow robot-like movements between looking at a fry, dunking it in ketchup before eating it with a questioning look.
I started laughing at the sight, it was absolutely ridiculous. "What are you laughing at?" Alice questioned me. I couldn't take her seriously with those lazy red eyes of hers.
After I collected myself, I answered "You guys are just too funny. I'm starting to love high people." I turned to Jasper "And you...what on earth are you thinking about when you were looking at those fries?"
His cheeks turned slightly red at my observation "I don't think I like these fries, they taste weird." He explained, which ignited my laughter again because I'm surprised he ate so many of them considering he didn't like them.
Alice looked surprised at his revelation "McDonald's fries are iconic!"
"They're so skinny and soft and flavorless," he contradicted her while wiggling a french fry at her. She took his fry from his hand and ate it.
"Mmm! So salty, so yummy." she licked her lips.
Jasper shook his head "They're not even warm! They're cold, sad fries."
Alice tasted her own fries and gave him a look "They're fine, yours are just cold because you dip them in ketchup." She popped a few more fries in her mouth after that and ate them with a smile.
"Ketchup isn't cold," he disagreed
"This ketchup is room temperature, Alice." I had to side with Jasper on this one.
Alice scoffed and stared at her food for a bit before pushed her box of fries towards me "Bella, try these fries. What do you think? Who's right?"
I haven't had McDonald's in a while, I forgot what they're fries tasted like. I took two fries and ate them, judging them on their flavor. I taste the salt, but besides that, the flavor was kinda mushy. "Eh... let me try a little more." I grabbed a few more fries and dunked it in ketchup this time. As I chewed my last fries, I felt their bloodshot eyes staring me down.
I had reached a conclusion:
"They're alright." I shrugged. "They just taste like plain old fries, but I do agree with him on the fact they're kind of thin."
Jasper grinned "These fries are barely considered fries to me. I need to take you out to get some real fries."
Even though Alice lost the argument, she still smiled wildly and asked "Oh yeah? Like a date?"
Jasper was in deep thought while staring into Alice's shiny eyes, I knew right away he was a goner. He scrunched his eyebrows momentarily before sighing deeply "Yeah," his lips transformed into a warm smile "Sounds like a plan. How about Friday?"
"Friday night is now all yours IF..." Alice took a dramatic pause "I get your number."
I saw Jasper reach out and grab Alice's hand "Deal."
"Guys, tonight is Friday," I told them, chuckling.
That sent them both on a laughting fit. I sighed, these two were so cute together that I started yearning for a boyfriend myself. Moments like these remind me of how lonely I feel deep inside, I really missed having a romantic partner to share my life. Suddenly, my phone rang. I pulled out my phone and saw an unknown number was calling me.
Was this the universe helping me out? "Hello?" I answered, "Who's this?"
"Hey, Isabella," A husky voice spoke "It's Jacob Black. How's your night going?" I had a feeling it would be him, but I was hoping I was wrong.
"Oh hey Jacob," Alice shot me a look after hearing the name "I'm good, I'm just babysitting tonight."
Alice scoffed then burst out laughing again. "Oh really? I didn't know you were a babysitter, that's cute" He said in a sultry voice "I hope you're free tomorrow night then because I need a babysitter to look after me." Was this his way of asking me out? I was trying so hard not to just die of laughter right then and there, I was literally shaking.
"I'-Im actually not," I snickered. He was telling me something but I heard nothing because his last sentence just kept replaying in my head in his deep voice. 'I need a babysitter to look after me.'
When he talked to me in lunch today, he gave off such a forced tough guys vibe that I honestly thought he'd be a lot smoother than that! I had to end this, I wasn't listening to a damn thing he was saying "Listen, Jacob my phones dying, I'll talk to you some other time."
"Just plug that bitch to a charger." He told me.
I rolled my eyes at his tone "I didn't bring a charger with me." I lied
"Oh fuck. Alright, have a good night," His voice seemed much more sullen now.
I gave my goodbye and hung up. Alice was handing back Jasper his phone when she turned to me and asked in a serious tone "What did he want?"
"To know if I could babysit him tomorrow," I tried to keep a straight face as I said that it cracked after seeing Alice and Jasper die of laughter. Together we laughed up a storm and probably annoying every other customer in the restaurant.
After our meal and laugh attacks, Alice swore she felt way better. We hung out a bit at McDonald's a bit afterward before we were ready to go. I took Alice and Jasper back to her abandoned car. "Be good now," I warned Alice as she got out my truck.
She skipped to my door and opened it to give me a hug. "I will, I promise! Thank you so much for being such a good friend. I'm sorry the night didn't turn out like you planned."
"It's alright," I gave her a squeeze before letting go "I had more fun with you guys at McDonald's than I would have with Misty anyways. Seriously though, be smart and stay safe." She gave me a warm look before going back to Jasper. I drove off and back home, thinking over the night. I had fun, Alice seemed fine being high but I still wasn't comfortable at the thought of her doing drugs. Jasper seemed like a nice guy but we don't know what he's really all about.. l just have to talk to her another time so just in case if she does smoke, that she'll have to do it in a safe location where she could sober up.
-x-
The rest of the weekend past quickly with my focus on homework and Netflix. When school started up on Monday, I had my homework perfected and even read a couple chapters ahead. Alice was with Jasper this morning and Angela never responded to the chat, of course, so I went to my usual lone table near the back of the cafeteria and listened to music.
I was nodding my head to the beat when I noticed Edward Masen walking down with another jock down the empty hall. That was unexpected since the jocks usually hung out in front of the school. I looked down and pretended not to notice till they passed. A minute later, I looked up and made eye contact with Edward, who was standing and talking with the other student. We both jumped slightly as soon as we made eye contact as the electricity passed again and looked away instantly. My heart was pounding by then, wondering a dozen questions.
The boys eventually started walking again. I felt Edwards stare as if the heat were all over my body. Every step intensified the burning sensation until the boys walked past me and I cooled down. I had no clue what Edward was thinking or doing back here Maybe he likes you A voice in my head whispered. I pushed that thought away and banished it. Edward could have any girl he wanted but hasn't dated anyone since his sophomore year for a reason.
The rest of the school day passed rather quickly since I enjoyed most of the lessons my classes were teaching. Every time the bell signaled the end of a class, my heart would pick up speed wondering if this was the time that I'd see Edward again.
At lunch, Alice was talking with hearts and butterflies to Angela and me about Jasper. She still doesn't know if they're officially dating but Alice believes that it's only a matter of time. We never discussed to Angela about what happened Friday night nor did I tell the others about my strange relationship with Edward Masen now.
In fifth period we were studying the solar system, more specifically the planets that we shared the sun with. Mr. Banner was a pretty good teacher, he made our lessons more fun and understanding. After working on questions 1-5 in the textbook, Mr. Banner announced that he was assigning us a project. The project was a classic, make a model of the solar system using foam balls. "Alright pair up with someone, groups can be one to three people. I'll start passing out a paper with all the details of this assignment."
Students immediately starting pairing with one another. I looked to my right, the desk was empty of my usual science partner, Emily. Mr. Banner had a habit of assigning many projects throughout the year and Emily was always my partner. I tried to ignore the awkward feeling I felt as I saw my classmates all talking to each other. I glanced at Edward and saw the girls that sat around him were all facing him, he was most likely gonna partner with them, of course.
Mr. Banner slipped a green assignment paper on my desk "Do you have a partner, Ms. Swan?"
"Uh, yeah I do." I simply said. I learned early in the year that if I said no to that question, Mr. Banner would make it a quest to find you a partner, which is as embarrassing as it sounds. As Mr. Banner walked to the student behind me, I heard the chair of the empty desk next to me scraped backward.
"Need a partner?" I heard that haunting voice say.
I turn to see Emily's desk was now occupied by the elusive Edward Masen, the guy who has plagued my thoughts these past weeks. I hated to admit that he looked great in those gray pants and a dark blue button shirt.
"I already have one," I snapped at him. It didn't matter how hot Masen looked because those forest green eyes of his made my hearts guard go up. This was the guy who started the havoc in my mind and body.
"Oh, really?" He raised a brow "Who?" He pretended to look around.
"Emily. The girl who's desk your sitting in," I told him matter of factly.
"I don't see an Emily today, which means you technically don't have a partner." I rolled my eyes at his logic "I'm really good with our solar system, by the way." he winked. There he goes, ruining my peace with his charm.
I had lived my life safe by sticking with the same friends and routine for the past 17 years of my life. I felt stable emotionally wise by keeping the same and avoiding anything new until I decided to challenge that by going to the last Mallory party. During and after the party Edward made me feel things, happy and also painful feelings that I had never felt before. These new intense feelings made me feel vulnerable.
"Edward Masen!" I heard Banner call from his desk. "Who's your partner?"
Edward gave me a mischievous smile before saying my name. "Isabella Swan," Mr. Banner looked at us curiously before writing our names down. I felt the whole class turn to look at us, which made my face flush from the attention. I could sense the glares from the jealous girls who wanted Edward to be their partner for the final science project of the year.
As Mr. Banner started calling out other students names, I turned to Edward "So you know my name?" I was curious, I don't think I ever introduced myself to him.
"Yeah, I found out who you were after asking around," He said cooly "You never did give me your name at Laurens party." I looked away as my cheeks heated remembering the last time we hung out "Luckily there was a video of us dancing, I was able to ask around. It took longer than I thought it would to figure out who you were."
I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from responding. I felt like there were so many things that floated around us that we needed to speak of, but I didn't know how to word them. "I had a great time that night." He continued. I looked at him this time, his eyes seemed so sincere I felt my body glow from the compliment.
It was the war in my heart again that had me conflicted.
"Yeah, it was fun." I said unenthusiastically, looking anywhere but at him. Those words weren't the highlight of my feelings from that night. Just saying it was fun felt like I was betraying myself. I really wanted to demand answers about that night, such as why did he leave me alone in the bedroom. It was Victoria's fiery red hair that reminded me of exactly where we were and why I couldn't ask such personal questions.
Edward chuckled at my response "Wow, you're acting as if that night was just another boring night to you, which we both know isn't true."
I felt like he was trying to get a rise out of me. I breathed in deeply while grabbing our assignment paper "So, since your so good at the solar system, which planet are you gonna write a report for?" He gave me a look for avoiding his statement "Don't give me that look! We should be talking about the project anyways. I want a good grade for my last high school project and I'm not gonna let having you as my partner ruin that!"
He shook his head "Ouch. What makes you think I won't be a good partner?" He sounded offended. Good.
"I don't know." I told him but I was really thinking about how bad his attendance has been this year and how much of a party animal he's rumored to be. I just wrote him off as being a stereotypical basketball player that didn't care about his grades.
"Trust me, I'll be the best partner you ever had," His voice rose a bit in a suggestive way. "And I'm writing about Venus. It's my favorite planet."
I wrote down the planet on the sheet of paper "How come?" I asked
"It's the planet of love and beauty." He told me in a voice that sent goosebumps along my body.
I bit my lip "I'll write about Mars." I decided without thought and wrote that down also.
"Mars? So basic." He commented.
"Hey! Don't diss Mars, it's pretty interesting that it's capable of holding life, unlike that desert, Venus." I argued, feeling a bit riled up by his teasing stare. It drove me crazy how handsome and arrogant he was.
The bell rang, breaking our stare down. I felt relieved to be done with this class. I shoved my papers as quickly as I can in my dark orange bookbag and stood up.
Edward followed behind me "So, can I get your number?" He asked casually. The bell had rung, I was done with school and him.
"Nope!" I said and walked out of the class towards the parking lot.
Edward was next by my side now "But what if I have a question about the project, partner?"
I felt a pang of annoyance remembering at the word partner "Fine."I huffed. Edward passed his phone to me, it felt surreal to put my number in his phone. I gave him one last look before saying my goodbyes.
"See ya!" He called out to me as I walked into the parking lot. Once I sat in my truck did I feel my emotions truly.
"Holy shit." I breathed out. I was feeling such a rush after our conversation. Finally, we talked!
I knew I mostly hated him because of how he treated me like another one of his conquests; as if our night was just another casual fling to him. But now it seems like he hasn't forgotten our night after all. He choose to do the project with me, that must mean something. "Holy shit!" I couldn't believe I had sparks flying with the Edward Masen!
Maybe... breaking out of my comfort zone was the right thing to do.
AN: Sorry for the long BxE wait but I really wanted my characters and story to develop the right way. The next Mallory Mansion party is coming up so follow my story for an invite to the craziest high school party around!