Tick Tock ➙ Edward Cullen

Chapter Eleven

Melinda was slowly starting to feel better. Her stomach didn't tighten anymore when she saw Edward and Bella together and her eyes didn't well up when she heard his name. She was still catastrophically uncomfortable with being around the couple and had been closed off from Edward for a few weeks now but knew that they were still friends. As long as Edward was still in Melinda's life, that's what mattered to her.

The immortal boy had invited Melinda to come play baseball with him and his family to which she agreed to attending. It gave her an excuse to spend time with Edward outside of school and the mandatory homework assignments they worked on together. Melinda hadn't asked if Bella would also be coming but was almost certain the brunette would be there. Melinda was ridden with anxiety at the thought of seeing Bella as she sat on her bed, staring out her bedroom window waiting for Edward's arrival.

Cindy called up the stairs for Melinda to come down at the same time a white Jeep Wrangler pulled into the gravel driveway. It came to a stop right behind the silver Acura before Edward hopped out of the driver's side. He walked to the front door with his head turned to the ground, glancing up briefly to look at Melinda's window but the girl was gone. She slowly walked down the stairs as the ringing of a doorbell filled the small farmhouse.

"It's Edward." Melinda stated as she ran towards the door, swinging it open before Cindy could reach it.

"Are you ready for some baseball?" Edward asked with a small smile from the other side of the door.

"Baseball? That's a new hobby for you." Cindy chirped over her shoulder as she made her way back to the kitchen.

"Yeah, I'm ready." Melinda ignored the woman as she pulled her shoes and forest green jacket on before leaving the house and following Edward down the front steps. "So why baseball? Seems pretty random." The redhead asked and heard a small chuckle come from the boy in front of her.

"There's a thunderstorm coming, it's the only time we can play. You'll see why." Edward replied as he briefly glanced over his shoulder and led the way over to his Jeep. He opened the back door on the right side for Melinda and flashed her a sympathetic smile as the girl almost immediately noticed Bella sitting in the front passenger seat.

"Hi, Bella." Melinda politely greeted the girl as she got in the Jeep and watched Edward shut the door.

"Hi," was all Bella said without even turning to look at the girl who used to be her friend. The air in the Jeep was uncomfortably silent as Edward focused on driving and both the girls stared out their windows. They ended up in a muddy field that was surrounded by trees with a waterfal nearby. The sky was a dreary grey, warning everyone of a storm that was rapidly approaching. Edward parked his Jeep in the middle of the field before getting out while Bella and Melinda copied his actions. The trio walked across the field together with Melinda trailing behind, her shoes getting covered in mud as she tried not to slip.

The rest of the Cullen family was already in the field with a few of them holding metal bats and Emmett tossing a white ball from hand to hand. It seemed like they had been waiting for Edward's arrival as they all took their respective positions on the field as soon as he showed up.

"Glad you could join us." Emmett gently nudged Melinda with a smirk as he walked past her, heading to outfield with Edward close behind. Melinda wasn't sure what role she could play on the field as she didn't think there'd be much competition if she played baseball against a bunch of vampires. The redheaded girl followed awkwardly behind Esme and Bella as they headed to home plate. Bella was going to be the game's umpire.

Alice was on the pitcher's mound with Rosalie on home plate, a bat gripped tightly in her two hands. Melinda stood behind home plate close to Carlisle and Jasper while they watched Alice wind up a pitch. She released the ball and there was a loud crack as Rosalie struck the ball, sending it flying in Edward's direction. Lightning flashed across the sky and Melinda wasn't sure if it had been the bat or the thunder that made the ear splitting noise.