Bits and Pieces

The Ice Cream Shop

Synopsis:

Ship: Bella/Edythe

Notes: This one is shorter, but I hope you enjoy it all the same :)

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The shop was basically vacant when Edythe walked in. Above her, the bell hanging on the door jingled merrily, and a woman at the front counter looked up and smiled at her. Edythe smiled back but did not approach, and instead walked to a seat in front of the window. She then stared out at the parking lot and waited for Bella to arrive.

    She had lacrosse practice today. Edythe decided the day was nice enough as any to practice, despite the fact it was a bit warm for early May.

    Her head snapped to the door when the bell jingled again, but she looked away when a woman (who was certainly not Bella) walked in with her two children. She tuned out their conversation over how many scoops of ice cream they would get and stared out at the sky instead.

    The door opened four more times, and on the fifth Bella walked in. Her cheeks were flushed and her hair was thrown up into a ponytail. She looked exhausted.

    "Bella," Edythe called. Bella turned and smiled, then walked over and threw herself down in a seat next to Edythe. She rested her head on her arms and Edythe began rubbing her back. "How was practice?" She asked softly, noting that Bella was still wearing her jersey.

    "Brutal," She heard Bella mumble. "It was conditioning all day."

    Edythe winced. "Do you want anything?" She asked. "The ice cream could cool you down or something."

    Bella hesitated, then sighed. "No, I probably shouldn't. I need to lose weight, not gain it. I'll pass."

    Edythe raised an eyebrow. "You sure?" She knew Bella loved the chocolate ice cream here. Whenever they had matching lunch hours, they went out and came here for open lunch.

    Bella hesitated again. "Yeah," She finally said. "I'm good."

    It wasn't believable. So, when Edythe went up to get herself a cone of cotton candy ice cream, she also ordered a small chocolate milkshake for Bella.

"Here," She said with a smile as she sat down again. Edythe placed the drink in front of Bella, who was now sitting up and looking out at the street.

"How did you know?" Bella laughed, picking up the drink and taking a sip. "Mm. Chocolate. You know me so well."

Edythe laughed quietly as Bella leaned her head on her shoulder. The two sat in silence, just watching the world pass by through the ice cream shop's window.

Edythe loved moments like this. Any span of time spent with Bella was one she cherished. They were both normally busy with their lives and prepping for college, but in the few moments they could snatch away for each other were the ones Edythe couldn't let go of when she was trying to sleep at night.

God, she thought. I just love you so much.

            While most people were unnerved by the thought of being in love, Edythe relished in it. When she met Bella, she couldn't wait to be with her. When Bella asked her out, she couldn't wait to be her girlfriend. And now that she was her girlfriend, she waited (rather impatiently) for her heart to fall in love with Bella.

    It was all she wanted, and finally she got it.

    As Bella hummed quietly and played with Edythe's free hand, taking her fingers and pressing them to her lips, Edythe thought.

       Would she freak out? Edythe wondered.

    Bella didn't strike Edythe as someone who would freak out, but then again, Bella's poker face was stellar. She tried to remain as calm and level headed as possible when she wasn't at home.

    Should I not tell her?

    Edythe rejected the idea immediately. She had to tell Bella. They kept no secrets between them, and it was going to stay that way. Besides, why should something so wonderful be kept under wraps? Edythe wasn't afraid of loving Bella. It was what she had been dreaming of since she'd laid eyes on her.

    "Bella?"

    Bella raised her head off Edythe's shoulder. "Mm?" She hummed, taking a sip of her milkshake.

    "You know I love you, right?" She asked softly.

Bella smiled. "I do, actually. And I love you, too."

Then, the two leaned forward and gently kissed. It was a Tuesday, and to some it would be unremarkable. The day right after Monday, the second day in the work week.

But to Bella and Edythe it was the first "I love you" and that made all the more remarkable.

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Hey, so this was really short! I just had to get this cute moment out and to share it with you, though. I hope you enjoyed! Leave a comment if you did, or if you have a request!

See you next time!

-J