Title: Milkshakes & Motorcycles
Summary: Bella is bored with her square life. She wants more than a white picket fence in her future. She hopes to find it with a beatnik, otherwise known as the leader of The Twlights, Edward Cullen.
Disclaimer: The author does not own any publicly recognizable characters herein. No copyright infringement is intended.
Milkshakes & Motorcycles
BPOV
Elvis' voice rang out above the chatter and noise inside the diner. I swiveled back and forth on my stool and bopped my head, making my ponytail bounce along to the tune. Finally, I saw Alice come through the door, skipping her way over to the stool beside me. She tossed her pompoms on the seat next to her.
"You're late," I told her.
"Sorry, practice ran over then Tyler insisted on walking me," she explained.
A schoolmate of ours, Eric Yorkie, came up to the other side of the counter. "What can I get you?"
"A chocolate shake and fries, please," Alice ordered.
"Just a strawberry shake for me, please," I requested.
Eric wrote it down and headed to the order window. I glanced out the window when I heard the roar of motorcycles. Three greasers, known as The Twilights, rode into the parking lot, passing Tyler and his friends—both groups eyed each other with distaste.
"I think Tyler is going to ask me to go steady at the sock hop," Alice said lightly.
I turned back to her. "You don't sound cranked."
"Tyler is alright, but he's…" She trailed off.
"A square?" I giggled.
Alice nodded. "I want something more…round." She waved her hand around.
"Round?" I laughed. "What does that even mean? You can't make up words, Alice."
She shrugged. "It's the opposite of a square, isn't it?" She glanced out the window at The Twilights, who were now smoking while leaning against their bikes. I knew she was secretly keen on Jasper Whitlock, the tall blond.
"It is. But I think you mean beatnik." I bit the corner of my lip as I eyed the leader, Edward Cullen. He had to be over six feet tall. And I was secretly jealous of his hair; it was a beautiful shade of brownish-red. Edward's eyes were the most amazing shade of green, eyes that were unfortunately covered by a pair of shades at the moment. He never failed to make my heart skip a beat. I shouldn't desire him, but I did.
"Please, like you're not real gone on Edward. I see you stare at him, all the time," she teased.
"I don't know what you're talking about." I blushed as I focused on the mirror behind the counter. With the right angle, I could still see him.
"Right." Alice giggled.
"Order up." Eric placed our food down in front of us.
I took a sip of my shake then stole one of Alice's fries. When I reached for a second one, she swatted at my hand.
"Why didn't you get your own," she complained.
"My mom said she was cooking a big dinner for Emily's birthday, and I wasn't supposed to order food after school. Technically, I didn't order this." I held up the fry.
Alice rolled her eyes and slid her basket, so it was between us. "Go ahead."
I ate the fry while trying to be casual about glancing in the mirror again. They were headed inside, so I smoothed out my ponytail, trying to prepare myself. I grabbed a fry and dipped it in my milkshake before bringing it to my mouth.
"Eww, Bella, that's so gross." Alice wrinkled her nose in disgust.
"It's good, you should try it," I told her, dipping a new one and holding it out toward her.
"Don't mind if I do," a masculine voice answered instead of Alice.
I watched as Edward gently grabbed my arm and brought the fry to his mouth. He sucked on it, then bit off the end, so that his lips brushed my fingers. My heart fluttered in my chest, and I started to feel lightheaded.
He gave me a lopsided grin. "You're right, doll face; it's good—sweet and salty."
I blinked wide-eyed then popped the rest of the fry into my own mouth. When I realized what I'd done, I blushed bright red. Edward chuckled and winked at me. I was going to flip my lid; I just ate a fry that touched his mouth first.
"Hey, Cullen, get away from my girl!" Mike Newton bellowed, breaking the spell that Edward had put me under. I had completely forgotten where I was, and that we were in antsville.
"One date doesn't make me your girl, Mike," I responded quickly, so Edward didn't get the wrong idea. The date with Mike had been a real drag. He even tried to kiss me, but I turned quickly, so he got a mouth full of hair instead.
"Looks like you need to get bent, Newton." Edward snickered with his friends joining him.
"It will be a second date at the sock hop this Saturday night. Bella is going to be my date." Mike puffed up his chest proudly, so his letterman sweater was on display.
"I never promised to go to the dance with you. You haven't even asked." I started to get angry.
Mike frowned, seemingly surprised I was resisting. "I asked your father, and he said yes."
"You asked her father and not her?" Emmett, the biggest member of the gang, snorted.
"Well, her father knows what's best for her, and it certainly isn't some greaser." Tyler stood up for his friend.
Before I knew it, the group of them looked ready to fight. I leaned back against the counter, afraid that I would get caught in the crossfire since they were standing so close. The diner had grown quiet as everyone was looking in our direction.
"Hey, you kids, take it outside! I won't have you fighting in here!" Pops yelled from the kitchen.
"Don't worry, Pops. We were about to burn rubber anyways." Jasper grabbed Edward's shoulder and yanked him back.
The Twilights left, and I felt disappointed to see them go. I could tell by the expression on Alice's face, she was also sad. The chatter picked up once they were out the door and headed to their bikes. Mike stepped in front of me, blocking my view.
"I don't want you talking to Cullen," Mike ordered me.
"Don't tell me what I can't do. You're not my father," I snapped.
"Your father would say the same thing. Cullen is no good and from the wrong side of the tracks. He'll only hurt you. You better be careful, Bella, before I change my mind about you," Mike threatened before turning his back on me and talking to Tyler.
"Get bent, Mike," I whispered under my breath.
I paid for my shake and slipped out with Alice, while Mike and Tyler were still talking about the last football game. We made a quick stop at the five and dime store, so I could pick up a hula hoop for my sister, Emily's, birthday.
"Michael Newton is such a jerk. Who does he think he is, ordering me around?" I complained.
"I know, Tyler too. They act like they own us," Alice said angrily then gave me a sly grin. "But I think Edward is keen on you."
"You have flipped your lid." I shook my head as I swung the hula hoop too hard and lost my grip.
The hoop rolled into the street as the bikers were headed our way. I cringed, thinking I would cause an accident. However, Edward swerved and caught it with one hand. He hooked it over his shoulder and pulled up next to Alice and me.
"Lose something?" he asked.
"Sorry, it got away from me." I reached out for it, but he didn't offer it back yet.
"Are you going to show me how it works?" he teased, smirking at me.
"It's not for me, it's for my little sister's birthday. Please, give it back," I pleaded.
"Well, I suppose I can't disappoint a little girl." He hooked it over my head, so it hung around my neck like a huge necklace.
"Thank you." I smiled sweetly at him then adjusted the toy to my shoulder, so I could carry it better.
Edward winked at me. "You're welcome, doll face."
"Are you going to the sock hop?" I asked, biting my lip.
The trio broke out into laughter, and I felt completely foolish. I could feel my cheeks heat in embarrassment. I took a backward step away, wanting the sidewalk to open up and swallow me. Edward stopped laughing and grabbed hold of the hula hoop and pulled me toward him.
He gave me an apologetic smile. "I don't think we're invited."
"Everyone is invited. The diner is a public place," Alice piped up. "Jasper, won't you come?"
"Sorry, paper shaker. You'll have to shake those for someone else," he told her, glancing at her chest.
Edward let go of the hoop and revved up his bike. "Also, your boyfriends wouldn't like us there." He took off on his bike.
"Mike Newton isn't my boyfriend," I yelled at his back.
I huffed in disappointment as they disappeared from sight. I glanced at Alice, and she was also looking disappointed.
"I told you, you were wrong," I told her.
M&M
The night of the sock hop, I sat on one stool with one leg up on another with a bag of ice that Eric gave me on my ankle. I was bored out of my mind, watching the dancers. I wasn't really hurt, but I needed an excuse to get away from Mike because he was getting handsy. Mike didn't seem too disappointed as he was now dancing with Jessica Stanely, who didn't seem to mind his roaming hands.
As if sensing his presence, I turned and watched as The Twilights pulled into the lot. Emmett's girlfriend was hanging on to his back, but I was jazzed to see that Edward arrived solo. I fluffed up my hair and smoothed my skirt, I hoped he would come inside the diner. However, they seemed to settle in the parking lot. Emmett and Roselie started making out while the other two pulled out cigarettes.
Edward leaned on his bike with a cigarette in his mouth as gazed through the window at the dancers with a stoic look. His eyes fell on me, then he frowned as he glanced back at the dancers. He tossed his smoke to the ground and said something to the others before heading inside with Jasper trailing him.
Edward headed my way, to my elation, but paused when he noticed my foot. "What happened to you, doll face?"
"I hurt it dancing," I told him. Was it wrong of me to be happy he was concerned?
Edward clenched his fists as he glared at Mike's back. "And Newton is letting you sit here by yourself while you're hurt, instead of taking care of you? He needs a pounding." He started toward Mike.
"Wait." I jumped off the stool and tried to stop him by placing my hand on his arm.
Edward glanced down at my feet then back at my face, raising one eyebrow. "Are you even hurt?"
"Umm…no," I admitted guiltily.
He scowled. "So, you lied to me?"
I shrugged. "Actually, I'm lying to Mike. I really didn't want to dance with him. I'm more than happy to let Jess have him."
The anger fled from Edward's face, and he chuckled. "Would you fake being hurt if you were dancing with me?"
"Are you asking me to dance?" I fluttered my eyelashes at him as hope swelled in my chest.
He smirked. "I don't dance."
"Then I guess you won't know," I said cheekily. "But if you don't dance, why are you here?"
"Bored, so we decided to take a ride," he answered.
"Well, I'm bored, will you give me a ride on your bike?" I asked boldly. My grandmother was probably rolling in her grave, thinking how improper it was for a young lady to act this way with a boy.
Edward hesitated, looking surprised, then gave me a broad smile. "Okay, doll face, if you want a ride then I'll give you a ride. Do you need to tell Newton you're leaving?"
"He'll figure it out, if he notices."
Edward laughed and wrapped his arm around my waist then guided me toward the door. He paused and looked back. "Jasper, let's go."
I glanced over my shoulder to see that Jasper had seemingly been watching Alice. She would be jazzed to know. He glanced at Edward and nodded, shoving his hand into his pockets then following behind us.
Edward pulled me over to his bike and straddled the bike. He then helped me on and instructed me to tuck my skirt around my legs, so it didn't fly up, and where to put my feet. Jasper smacked Emmett in the back of the head before getting on his own bike.
"What's going on?" Emmett asked, as he stopped making out with Rosalie.
"We ride," Edward announced.
"With the fuzz's kid?" Emmett questioned, looking at me.
"Yes, do you have a problem with that?" Edward argued with him.
Emmett smiled ruefully. "I don't, but he might."
Edward glanced over his shoulder. "Hold on to me tight, baby doll."
I wrapped my arms around him tightly and he started the motorcycle. I felt the vibration under me, and it was a frill of excitement. Rosalie glanced at me curiously just before Edward took off out of the parking lot and down the street. My excitement faded as my stomach started to flip when everything started to blur. I buried my face into Edward's back and breathed in the scent of smoke and leather.
After a few moments, I ventured another peek, resting my cheek against him. It was easier this time as I watched the buildings wiz past. In fact, it was as fun as I hoped it would be. Eventually, we arrived at a rundown part of town and stopped at a garage. Edward slowed, came to a stop, and put his feet on the ground.
Edward turned to look at me. "Are you good back there, baby doll?"
"Yes. I loved it," I told him.
"Really, because you looked a little green back there," Rosalie accused.
"Only a little at first, but once I got used to it, I really did love it," I insisted, looking up at Edward. I really didn't want him to think I was too weak for being on his bike.
"She did better than Tanya, she upchucked after her first time on the bike," Jasper snickered.
"Tanya upchucked after a lot of things." Edward rolled his eyes then held out his hand to help me off his bike. "Do you want something to drink, baby doll?"
"Yes, please." I nodded.
He took my hand and led me into a garage. "I'm afraid, I don't have any milkshakes. Will a pop do?"
"I like pop," I told him.
Edward went over to a soda machine and lifted the lid pulling out two glass bottles. He opened the first and handed it to me, then he opened one for himself. I glanced around the garage where a car sat with its hood up and no one else appeared to be around.
"Are we allowed to be in here? It looks closed," I asked.
"Relax, it's my uncle's place. I work for him, so he won't mind." Edward led me to a couch.
"You work?" I asked in surprise, taking a seat on the couch. Despite being old, it was very comfortable.
"A few days a week. My father is serving overseas in Korea, and my family could use the extra money. My mother's job barely puts food on the table. I would quit school to work more hours, but my mother and uncle insist I be the first Cullen to finish high school," he explained, resting his arm behind me.
I was surprised by this revelation. I always thought he was a wild one. But he had a side to him I never knew. "I think that it is very sweet of you to help your family. It also would be smart to finish school." I shifted closer to him.
"Yeah…well. Once my father makes it back, I want to take off and explore what's out there. Not settle down."
"I know what you mean. I don't want to be stuck in this town." I looked at him through my eyelashes.
Our eyes locked for a few minutes, and he leaned down and pressed his lips to mine. I felt it straight down to my toes. I also didn't mind when his hand cupped my breast. Unlike Mike, my heart fluttered, and I wanted more. I moaned when I parted my lips and his tongue slipped inside my mouth. I instinctively ran my finger through his slicked back hair.
Then suddenly the moment was broken when he sighed and removed his arm. "What are you doing here, baby doll?"
"You brought me here?" I was confused.
"I mean you should be at the sock hop with Newton, not jumping on my bike and sitting in a garage with someone like me," he explained.
"I don't like Michael. I like you; and you act like you like me too. I don't see the problem?" I crossed my arms in front of me.
Edward ran his hand through his hair. "I do like you, baby doll. If I didn't, I wouldn't care enough to stop myself. But you deserve a guy like Newton."
I stood. "I'm sick and tired of everyone telling me how to live my own life. My father, making dates for me. Then Michael Newton, thinking he can order me around just because he took me to one flick. One minute he acts like a square then next he tries to feel me up like I'm easy," I yelled.
"You told me he didn't hurt you." Edward's eyes darkened.
"What do you care if he did? You're practically shoving me at him. Because you too seem to think you can dictate my life. One of the reasons I actually liked you was because I thought you were different than them. Cooler and not so controlling. And I'm done with it!" I snapped, storming away.
"Where are you going?" I could tell he was following me.
"Home," I answered without looking at him.
"You're not walking by yourself," he said, reaching out and grasping my elbow lightly.
I yanked it away. "Don't tell me what I can or can't do." I walked right out of the garage past the others who were looking at me curiously.
"Bella, will you stop," Edward called after me; when I didn't, I heard him curse behind me.
I didn't get too far when I heard the roar of engines. If he thought I was getting back on his bike, he was mistaken. A motorcycle cut in front of me, making me stop short, then I was circled by three others. My heart dropped into my stomach as I realized it wasn't The Twilights but a rival gang from Port Angeles.
"Get away from her, James!" Edward hollered.
Edward and his gang arrived, and everyone jumped off their bikes. I took a couple backward steps scared that there was about to be a fight and Edward would get hurt. Rosalie yanked me away to an abandoned storefront.
"This is all your fault," she hissed as she watched the fight break out.
"All wanted was to walk home and stop being treated as an object to be controlled," I whispered, feeling guilty.
I cringed as Edward took a hit to the face before delivering two solid punches to James' stomach. I saw a flash of something shiny in James' hand.
"Edward, he has a knife!" I screamed.
"Don't distract him," Rosalie told me. I could see in her eyes she was as scared as I was. Emmett was taking on two of them.
Sirens broke through the noise, and two police cars arrived.
"It's the fuzz," someone yelled.
The fight broke up and people started to scatter. The other gang tried to tear ass up the street but was blocked at the end of the street by another police car. I rushed to Edward's side unable to contain myself. I wrapped my arms around his waist and buried my face in his chest.
"I'm so sorry. Are you hurt?" I struggled not to start crying. I'd made a huge mess of things.
"Bella, you got to let me go," he said softly.
"But—"
"Get your hands off my daughter." I felt myself being pulled away from Edward by my father.
"Dad—"
"Get in my car, young lady." Dad wouldn't even look at me. "Marks, I wanted these three arrested and in the back of your car."
I panicked because they hadn't done anything wrong. "Dad—"
"I SAID GET IN THE CAR!" Dad hollered at me.
"Don't yell at her," Edward snapped as he was being cuffed.
Dad turned on him. "Stay out of this, punk!"
"Daddy, please listen to me," I begged as I tugged on his sleeve. "Edward, Emmett, and Jasper did nothing wrong but try to save me from the other group. James' group tried to hurt me, but these three came to help me. You should be thanking them, not arresting them."
Dad looked at me with narrow eyes, then over my shoulder to where Rosalie was still standing there. "What did you see?"
"The same thing as your daughter. I saw her walking when James and his gang drove up the road and circled her. These three were working at the garage when they saw what was happening, they ran to help her then a fight broke out," Rosalie told him.
My father sighed and rubbed his chin. "Marks, let them go. Bella, get in my car, now, unless you want me to change my mind."
I nodded with tears in my eyes, I glanced at Edward, hoping he knew I was sorry, but he was staring at the pavement. I gulped and walked to the car and got in. A few minutes later, my father got in too.
"Are you hurt?" he asked, and I shook my head.
"Young lady, do you want to explain to me why you're out here instead of the dance? Where is the Newton boy, he should be with you? He promised he'd take good care of you." Dad was clearly very upset.
"Mike is still at the dance as far as I know. Last I saw, he was dancing with Jessica Stanley. Mike is a complete square until he became a jerk, who tried to feel me up on the dance." I hoped throwing that in would hurt my father's oh-so-perfect image of him.
Like I'd hoped, Dad scowled. "I'll have a talk with him. But that doesn't answer my question about how you got on this side of town."
I sighed and leaned against my seat. "I was bored and wanted to jet. I saw Edward in the parking lot, and I asked him to give me a ride. Riding on a motorcycle looked like fun."
"It's not fun, it's dangerous. So is Edward Cullen, he's a hoodlum. You're to stay away from him," Dad ordered.
"Edward might have saved my life tonight," I argued.
"One good moment doesn't excuse other bad ones," Dad pointed out.
"What has he done that is so terrible?" I asked.
"It is not your place to question me, young lady, you will do as you're told," Dad demanded.
"No, that's bogus. I'm sick of being ordered around like I'm unable to make decisions for myself. I like Edward a lot. I think he's a good guy. Did you know he's going to be the first in his family to finish high school? Did you know he has a job after school to help his family? A hoodlum doesn't do those things, so I want an example. Has ever been arrested?"
"No. But that doesn't mean he won't," Dad said simply.
"That's a royal shaft. You're judging him without any facts to back you up," I said.
Dad huffed a laugh. "You'd make a good lawyer."
"Well, maybe I can be." I shrugged my shoulders.
Dad tapped his steering wheel with his fingers. "Not my daughter because good girls become wives and mothers."
"What's wrong with wanting something different than doing what everyone else does? Don't you trust me to make my own decisions?" I sighed.
Dad pulled up the curb in front of our house. "You certainly didn't give me a reason to tonight. Get inside, and you're not going anywhere for the rest of the weekend."
My shoulders slumped and I nodded my head sadly. I knew it was a long shot for him to see it my way. I pushed open the door to get out.
"Bella," he called, and I turned back, still holding on to the door. "You have to understand, you gave me a fright tonight. To me, you'll always be my little girl, who needs protection."
"Yes, sir." I gave him a forced smile.
M&M
The rest of the weekend went by without much excitement. Alice called me on the horn, but I wasn't allowed to speak to her. School was a drag, we talked at lunch, and she told me Mike and Jessica were now going steady. At least, he won't be bothering me any longer.
However, Edward was nowhere to be seen either. By the end of the day, I just wanted to go home. Alice had practice, and I didn't want to hang around the diner, waiting for her. While walking, I tensed when I heard a motorcycle come up beside me. I glanced over my shoulder and was relieved it was Edward.
The bike slowed next to me, so I stopped to turn and face him. He halted, then cut his engine. He removed his shades and placed them in the front of his shirt. His emerald green eyes sparkled in the sunlight. The light bruise around his eye made him look hotter. My heart immediately started to flutter, but I squashed the feeling quickly.
"No milkshake today, baby doll?" he asked.
"I wasn't hungry. I'm sorry about the other night," I told him.
"I should be apologizing to you," he said softly, reaching out and tweaking my ponytail.
I shook my head. "I wasn't the one almost arrested."
"If it keeps you safe then I'd gladly do it again. It wouldn't be the first time that almost happened, but who knows, it's very possible it was the last. Seems like a little bird got in the ear of the fuzz, defending me." He gave me a small smile.
I blushed "Where did you hear that?"
"From the man himself," Edward answered. "And before you rattle your cage, it was a good talk. I myself didn't think I'd be on the Chief of Police's good side. And it'll stay that way, as long as you wear this." He reached behind him, then held out a helmet.
"What is this for?" I asked, confused.
"For your pretty little head when you ride with me," he explained with a smirk as he placed it on my head.
"When I ride with you?" I was still completely confused by the turn of events. I reached back to fix my ponytail, so the helmet fit properly.
"That is if you want to." His smile fell.
"Did you ask my father's permission?" I accused, feeling like I've been through this before.
He snickered. "No way, baby doll. I know better than to do that after your speech in my uncle's garage. Your father sought me out and shoved the helmet at me. He gave his permission, without me asking for it, I promise."
"Oh." I felt a small bit of hope but still annoyed I had to get permission. I stepped closer to him, so my legs brushed up against one of his.
"If you get on this bike, it's your decision alone. But know that I want you there." He winked at me.
"Well, I did enjoy it the last time." I flirted with him.
"I think the ending could have used some work," he said with a chuckle.
Edward cupped my cheek and leaned in to kiss me. It was gentle and more tender than the night before. But it was probably a good thing not to make out in the middle of the street and test my father's patience. Edward helped me onto the back of the bike.
"But I do have to warn you of one thing," he said as I wrapped my arms around him.
"What?" I frowned.
"I don't do Sunday dinners with the parents," he stated.
"I didn't ask you." I rolled my eyes. "What are we going to do?"
Edward started the engine. "Well, doll face, one day I hope to burn rubber out of this town. But tonight, dinner with my mom."
"You just said you didn't do dinner with the parents." I raised my eyebrows.
"I said I didn't do Sunday dinner. Today is Monday." He smirked. "Hold on tight."
Edward took off down the road to our new beginning.