Life as I Know It

Chapter 3

Previously...

I wish I was brave like him. Hell, I wish I was brave like half the people I look up to. I wish I was different than myself.

~oOo~

I was working on my Math homework when my phone buzzed on my desk. I smirked when I saw Edward's message.

Are you busy? – E

Glancing out the window, I could see his silhouette pacing back and forth behind the blinds of his room. Looking back to my half-done homework, I typed back instead.

Yeah, doing math homework. – B

When's it due? – E

Next Monday. Why? – B

Idk. Just wanted to hang out. Jasper is out with his friends. And it's summer, so... - E

So... what? Lol I can't right now. Maybe later? – B

Maybe later? You can't take a break? – E

Your breaks consist of goofing off and going to the movies and stuff lol. – B

It's better than doing homework all day. ;) – E

I have to finish! Lol – B

So finish it... after you get back ;) – E

You want me to fail math? – B

No, but I want us to hang out tho. – E

And we will, once I finish this problem. Unless you could help me? Do you know anything about algorithms? – B

Fuck no! The only math I did in school was 2 + 2 LMAO – E

I snickered and looked to see him pull back his curtain and beckon me to come out.

I shook my head and pointed to my laptop. I signed in ASL. "Later."

He rolled his eyes and closed the curtains again.

I sighed, pushing my frustration in the back of my mind. As much as I would've loved to hang out with him, I really had to get this stupid work done. But this happened every time he asked me to hang out. I always had some excuse—homework, cleaning, laundry, my mom. Anything to keep me inside. It was amazing that he and I were still friends; we rarely hung out. We saw each other every day, but hanging out was a task for us, especially me. It wasn't that I didn't want to, I just couldn't. Going out at all was a task for me.

Putting my laptop on sleep mode, I knew I couldn't concentrate on algorithms any longer today. I got up to read a book I had to for a book tour coming up, and my phone buzzed again.

Ok, now I know you're not studying ;) – E

Shut up. Go away lol. I'm reading for a book tour. – B

Boringggg.... What book? – E

I snickered, rolling my eyes and took a photo on my personal Snapchat and sent it to him. A minute later, he texted me back.

Never heard of that one. You always read books no one has heard of? – E

Um, excuse me they're called indie books, like indie movies. Smaller made, low-budget, lesser-known authors. Simpler plots. – B

What genres do you read? – E

Mostly romance, dramas, fantasy. – B

No gore? No zombies? – E

Zombies? No haha!! And ewww there are zombie books? – B

Anything involving zombies, you can guarantee there's a medium for it. ;) – E

Ewwww count me out. Disgusting. The only thing I'll watch with zombies in it is Warm Bodies, and that's only because Nicholas Hoult is cute! – B

The girl with him is cute too. Feeling jealous? ;) – E

No! – B

Sure? – E

Shut up lol. – B

Edward was the easiest to talk to, even through text. We could talk hours on end, and time just didn't exist. It was like we were in our own little bubble.

But my bubble just had to burst when I heard the front door slam shut.

"Hey, Bella!" my mom called out, her heels annoyingly clacking on the hardwood floor.

I turned on my laptop screen to my homework again before she entered my room. "Hey, Mom." I smiled.

"How's the school coming along?"

"Fine. It's a little hard though."

"Why, what is it? Reading?"

"No, math."

She chuckled. "You know me, I don't know anything about math. Why don't you ask your dad?"

"He's out of town. Business stuff, I think."

She sighed impatiently. "That man. He can't take two minutes to help his only daughter out, but he has the nerve to go out on dates and business calls?" I rolled my eyes. Here we go again, I thought. "That's why me and him could never get along, you know. I always had to do the work around the house, while he's out on 'business trips' and such. Honestly, he's the most unreliable, selfish man...."

I shut my eyes and took a few deep breaths. As flawed as Charlie was, he was still my dad, and I hated when my mom talked badly about him in front of me. Though, all I could do was stay silent and let it pass.

"Sorry. I know how much you hate when I do that. But,"―she sighed again―"you just don't know what it was like when you and your sister were little."

"I hardly remember anything, really," I mumbled.

"Good. I wouldn't want you to remember it, anyway. Well. I'm off to the gym. Do you want me to pick you up anything for dinner?"

"Just Panera Bread salad is fine."

"Ok," she chirped as her heels clapped away to her master bedroom to change. The breath I was holding slid out of my lungs and I rubbed my temples together.

2 more years. Just two more and then I'm free...

A/N: If you're on Facebook, I have a small group called "DaniPitter's Fanfiction Group" to get together and chat about fics, Twilight, fandoms and stuff. Come join if you'd like!

Thanks for reading! :)