Emerging Swan

Chapter 9 - X Girlfriend

So don't, don't keep, keep calling
Hanging up the phone
When I anwser I know it
Tears you up inside and
Why do you sit in silence
On the other end
'Till I hang up and you
Predictably call right back again

X-girlfriend you can't have him
It's about time
That you found you a new man
He's moved on
Don't you know? Don't you know?
You gotta let him go
Let him go, let him go
X-girlfriend you don't listen
Stop trying
He's not gonna give in
He's not yours anymore
Don't you know?
You gotta let him go
Let him go, let him go

Hey x-girlfriend
Whatever your name is
I'm really not amused
'Cause the things you do
Are very offensive
And sometimes straight up rude
All those late night calls and notes on his car
Won't get you anywhere
You can call his mom as much as you want
And he won't really care

X Girlfriend ~ Mariah Carey

***

Edward Cullen, 2020

Events: 2014

I awoke sometime during the night feeling incredibly comfortable and incredibly content. I let out a soft sigh, and felt a slight movement next to me. My eyes flew open, and I was shocked to see that Bella was still curled into my side, her arm slung across my waist and mine across her shoulders and back, and that we had clearly fallen asleep at some point. The TV wasn't on anymore, though I didn't remember turning it off, and one lamp was still softly illuminating the room.

Moving very slowly and carefully, not wanting to wake Bella, I stroked the back of my knuckles across her cheek, revelling in the feeling of her soft skin beneath mine. I was surprised when she let out a very quiet sigh and leant fractionally into my touch. I pulled my hand back from her face, and realised that we should probably separate and go to our own beds before I did something I'd regret. Like kissing her. A lot. I had never exactly been one able to control myself when a pretty woman appeared in front of me, and Bella was a bit more than pretty. She was fucking beautiful, and she didn't even realise it.

Alright. Okay. That was me being overly gooey. She definitely knew it.

She most certainly does.

Bella yet out a sudden quiet yawn, and her eyes flitted open as she gazed sleepily at me. She smiled at me, and we both flushed slightly when Bella realised that she had been sleeping with her head on my shoulder for however many hours. It was pitch black outside, so clearly the middle of the night.

"Sorry," she murmured. "I didn't mean to fall asleep on you."

"It's fine. I fell asleep too."

I really, really wanted to make some slightly-cheeky comment about how gorgeous and peaceful she looked when she was asleep, but I restrained myself. Fuck, if I didn't know that she'd had such a bad experience with guys in the past, I probably would have made said comment, but I didn't. I wasn't a completely heartless bastard, no matter how much I sometimes pretended to be.

"We should probably go up to our own beds," I whispered, realising we'd been staring at each other for several seconds. As I spoke, something flitted across Bella's face and she bit her lower lip for a moment, before releasing it as she looked back at me, her expression shuttered. Considering the depth of feeling I'd seen a moment ago, though hadn't paid so much attention to as I probably should have done, this was slightly abrupt, and I wondered whether something about my suggestion had offended her. Too blunt, perhaps? Maybe she was annoyed that I didn't wake her earlier?