Falling To The Sun | B. Swan + E. Cullen

vingt-quatre

The fluorescent lights of the cafeteria were disgusting, Roman decides. Disgusting and light enough to give her the beginnings of a pounding headache.

She really would rather sitting out in the rain, barely protected by one of the large trees surrounding the school, than sit at the table.

But that was where Bella was, where Edward was, and if she was going to spend as much time with them that she could, then she had no choice but to suck it up and join them at the table, homework crammed into a tiny space in front of her while she balances her food on her lap.

Work was growing more demanding with the change in weather that needed her walking the trails dutifully, simultaneously dealing with the pressure to find the wolves that she wasn't really looking for.

Edward hold his fries into her line of vision, refusing to move them until she eats. She ignores the annoying thump thump of her heart as she takes a few. His care for her was beautifully touching, draining away the tension that lived in her shoulders.

"Don't stress yourself out now," he tells her, "Eat something before you make yourself sick."

She crinkles her nose. "I can't even remember the last time I was sick."

"It wouldn't do to start now, then," he says, holding out his fries as he eyes the salad she held in her lap. "Eat up."

"Ya ya, sure."

No one has said anything about it yet, the sort of limbo the relationship they were in and she was thankful. They had never defined anything as if it was a test trial period. Whatever they were doing, Roman loved it.

She didn't have Edward, in so many words, but it was like hesitant dating that she hoped would grow into more.

It certainly had the potential to, she thought, she was just waiting on his final decision so she could know. After two months, it had to be soon.

Graduations was fast approaching, the possible end making her wish she could freeze time, or run away with them instead...

Roman wasn't sure what she was going to do if he couldn't love her.

She didn't want to think of.

"Roman? What do you think we should do to celebrate Bella's freedom?" Angela asks, switching the focus to her.

She catches her loves eye and the nervous fidget of her fingers.

"Ice cream."

"Why do you always suggest ice cream?" Bella marvels. "How much ice cream can you eat?"

"Never too much ice cream, right Angie? Ben?"

The couple laugh, turning into their own silent conversation about the pros and cons of too many cold treats, leaving room for her to observe Bella and the worried way she's focused on Alice not that she's not distracting her friends.

The petite vampire was staring straight ahead, eyes glazed and unfocused. The vision was a serious one, important, if Edward's furrowed brow and tense shoulders was anything to go by. He was coiled like an animal waiting to pounce.

A chill runs down her spine, a sliver of fear sneaking its way into her heart. She rests a hand on his arm, glancing back to Bella worriedly.

Edward laughs, a very natural, beautiful sound. "Nap time already, Alice?"

She jumps unexpectedly, smiling sheepishly. "Sorry, I was daydreaming."

"Better daydreaming than spending another two hours in school," Ben laughs along, not suspecting anything about the weird behaviour.