With a tank full of gas and Tim Hortons in my cup holders, Jessica and I began the drive out of town. The Eagles played quietly on the radio station as Jess bounced in my passenger seat, gushing about her excitement for the day. I listened in quiet contentment as I waited for her to ask the questions I could see burning in her eyes the moment she stepped out of her house. I didn't have to wait long when she took a deep breath and asked the first ones, "So, what happened? You hinted that you and Edward are fighting? You did seem majorly P.O'd in class yesterday." I took a deep breath myself, knowing that whatever I told Jessica would eventually spread through the student body like wildfire. You don't dump someone as good looking and enigmatic as Edward Cullen and not expect gossip. I may be frustrated with him, but I still didn't want to cause hardship for him and his family.
"We did a little bit more than that, I broke up with him." I glanced over to gauge her reaction and was not disappointed, she stared at me for a good ten seconds in absolute awe.
"You dumped him?" She asked incredulously. I wasn't offended, to someone like Jessica it would be inconceivable to let someone as handsome and well to do as Edward go. "Why?"
"Yeah, I did. I, just, well…" I began, keeping my eyes on the road and taking a quick drink of my iced coffee to stall. " We're from… entirely different leagues and most of the time I just didn't feel like his equal. Turns out that's a deal breaker for me."
Jessica looked at me as if I just spoke Greek. "Bella, he's a freaking god."
"Well, that's the problem. He's a… great guy, don't get me wrong. I just don't like feeling more like a devoted worshiper and less of an equal romantic partner. If you're interested, feel free to shoot your shot." I quickly glanced over again and for a second feared that her eyes would fall out of her head. They bulged so much.
"You literally wouldn't mind me going after Edward?" Disbelief covered her face.
"No I wouldn't, we're done for good. I know you're still a little hurt after what Mike had done and maybe you'll have better luck with Edward than I did." The thought of Edward moving on fast with someone else pleased me more than I would like to admit, I just wanted to get back to normal. A vampireless normal. A less dangerous normal. If Jess found more continment in that life than I did, then more power to her.
"Bella, I can't believe I'm hearing this. You're sure? Because I will absolutely go after him if you don't take it back now. You're sure you're actually cool with this and it's not just sour grapes talking?"
"Honestly Jess you would be doing me a favor." I'd seen the look in his eyes last night, and even if he only had an ideal version of me in his heart, I knew Edward well enough to know that he would not take this break up easily.
"Well, then, do you have any advice for me? Any red flags I should know about?" Jess asked as she brought her straw to her lips and took a healthy gulp of iced cappuccino.
Only about a thousand, but she was right it was bad enough I was letting her do this knowing as much as I did, the least I could do was warn her the best I could about what I could. I took a drink myself and considered for a moment as we drove. "Hmmm, you should probably know that he's a bit clingy." I began, it seemed safe enough of a topic and a rather important one to get out of the way.
She swooned, "What's wrong with a little clinginess? I want to be desired by my man!" She puffed out her chest.
"Well Jess there's a little clingy and that can be romantic but then there's suffocating."
"Okay, noted, what else?" She asked with a concerning gleam of determination in her eyes.
"Be prepared, he loves to call the shots. In fact, get ready to never make another decision in your own life ever again." I added half light heartedly, mostly to hide the bitter taste that reality had left in my mouth.
" Alright then, I'll assert my dominance early!" The determination was thick in her voice, I was starting to feel a little bad for the poor bastard. He had no idea what he was about to get hit with. Yet anyway. I had to admit, if this actually went somewhat well, it would be entertaining as hell to watch. All I could do was laugh which only egged Jess on more. The rest of the drive to Seattle went that way, us bantering back and forth about pretty much everything. It felt good to be with Jessica like this again, I hadn't realized I had missed her so much.
We finally reached town and began our quest for good literature. We spent the afternoon in and out of big name book stores when we decided to try a small privately owned bookstore I had researched online that morning before stopping for a late lunch and going home. I already had quite a hord secured in my truck but I couldn't resist the idea of the cozy little store. We walked in and right away we were greeted with stacks and stacks of books of various conditions, the smell of an apple cinnamon candle wafting in the air. It was when a very fat, very furry calico cat came and rubbed against my legs that I had to apologize to Jess, that late lunch plan was about to become dinner instead. She joked that I looked like a kid that just discovered Wanka's factory and scratched the cat between its ears. Silently promising the cat a thorough cuddling later, I began perusing through the stacks. I was struggling with quite a pile of mass market paperbacks when a beautiful, plump woman with thick gray streaked hair and dark skin approached me. She wore a green knitted cardigan and a warm smile. "You seem to be a new face, dear. Here, this should help." She handed me a tote bag with the store's name in blue cursive with a cat reading a book as the store logo. I thanked her and began to pack the paperbacks into the bag. "I see you're quite a romantic dear! That seems to be one of our least popular genres at the moment, it's nice to see someone giving them a good home. Terribly sorry, my name is Diane, I own the store." She shook my hand, "I'm Bella, and that's my friend Jessica who's petting your cat. We're from Forks." I gestured toward Jess who had just scooped up that giant fur ball and buried her face in its neck. Diane laughed in amusement, "Have you found everything okay so far?" She asked me, gesturing to the heavy tote bag I was carrying to the register. "I did, you have an amazing selection, Miss. I'm not quite sure I want to leave!" She began adding up the price of the paperbacks on her calculator as she spoke, "Me and my family run things here, my son watches the store most days. Well, we're no Barnes & Nobles but we have heart! We also have a small book club that meets every other Saturday. Everyone brings home baked goods and tea and we discuss the biweekly book. We also invite local authors to come do readings and book signings, those tend to be about once a month." She paused her calculating and handed me two flyers with the information she had just told me written on them. I thanked her with all my heart as I paid for the bag of books. It pained me to leave but I had a truck full of books and a long drive home. I gathered my things, pried the poor cat out of Jess's arms, petting it myself as I placed it safely on the couch nearby. "Please come again!" Diane cheerfully called and waved as Jess and I walked out the door and towards my truck. The sun had begun to set so we decided to stop at a drive through and take our dinners home.
The night sky was moonless and full of stars by the time I pulled into Charlie's driveway. The porchlite was on so I had no trouble gathering my purse and food as I headed to the door. I threw one curious look over my shoulder before entering the house, wondering if there was a Cullen hiding in the tree line like normal. I truly hoped not.
The rest of the evening went by peacefully. Charlie seemed a bit concerned about me considering the recent break up, but I assured him I was more than okay. I told him all about my day with Jessica and the new bookstore I had found and fell in love with. He said he would help me haul the books I bought into the house in the morning. I warned him I was taking one more day off of school for myself, which he agreed was a good idea and just asked that it not become a habit. We watched tv as I ate the food I'd brought home and Charlie finished his own dinner.
After saying goodnight I climbed the stairs to begin my nightly routine. I'd gone to my room for my toiletry bag and night shirt when I opened the bedroom door to find a huge bouquet of red roses and a note sitting neatly on my pillow. I sighed, I was really way too damn tired for this, aggravated I picked up the thick paper and skimmed Edward's overly fancy handwriting.
These violent delights have violent ends
And in their triumph die, like fire and powder
Which, as they kiss, consume.
Bewarned my Juliet! For two star crossed lovers can avoid dire fate
So filled with blood and putrid hate
Should Juliet reunite with her Romeo.
My hands trembled and I dropped the paper, my mind blanked. I sunk to the floor. Oh dear God, he can't possibly mean it. I knew he had killed before, he told me so. But he swore that it had only been evil, criminal minded people. The monsters of society. He said he had been done with that life, that he was committed to Carlisle's vision in body and soul. A violent shiver took over my body, I forced myself to breathe. His family, they would never allow it. Alice would see it miles away. They wouldn't have to because he wouldn't, he's good I believed that. I would have never been with him if I didn't honestly believe that. His ego was bruised, that's all. This note was just an edgy attempt at a romantic notion.
I don't know how much time had passed but when my nerves had finally settled I stood up and prepared for bed. I lay in the dark and prayed that Charlie and I were the only ones in the house.