Chapter 14: A State of Serenity and Rapport (teaser #2)

He shook his head, whispering, “I feel better… when you’re here, but you shouldn’t lie for me, Bella. Not me.”

“I wanted to,” I assured him, reaching for his hand. “For you, I wanted to.”

His hand gripped mine, and the warmth coursed through my fingertips, working its way up my arm and through the rest of my body, causing me to briefly close my eyes. He exhaled a shivering breath as he gazed down to where our fingers connected. “Meu anjo,” he murmured softly.

“What does that mean?” I asked, grinning. I recognized the words, he’d said them once before. And just like last time, the way he spoke them, how they rolled off his tongue as if he were always meant to say them, left me curious and content simultaneously.

The left side of his mouth pulled up into a small smile, but he never answered my question.

Chapter 14 Pictease

This pic does NOT mean smut is in the chapter. Just so you know.  ;)

Chapter 14: A State of Serenity and Rapport (Teaser)

“Bella?”

“Uh, yeah, Alice, it’s me.”

“Sorry,” she whispered, her voice gritty. “I had just dozed off when you called.”

I laughed. “Well, we had a late night, so I’m not surprised. I took a nap earlier myself.”

She chuckled loudly, but the sound was interrupted midway by a heavy yawn. “God, sorry about that,” she giggled. “Did I hear you say something about needing a favor?”

Our comfortable exchange had minutely distracted me from the reason I’d called to begin with, but now, well, now I was once again stressed. My whole body felt weighted by it. I had no idea if calling her was an entirely smart idea or how much I could and would tell her, but I knew in asking for her help, she was going to require something in exchange. And truthfully, even though I trusted Alice with my life, it wasn’t my life I was concerned about. But in order to pull this off, to be able to stay the entire night with Edward, I needed an alibi and complete secrecy when giving it. Alice was the only one who could give me that.

“Yeah,” I responded nervously. “I did.” I was positive she could hear the tension within my voice.

There was silence on her end as she waited for me to continue and silence on my end because I had no idea what my approach was yet. It wasn’t as if I had a great deal of time to think this through, so I needed the quiet to mull over what I should say to her.

“Well?” she finally asked, breaking through the dead air. “What’s the favor?”

I still wasn’t entirely prepared, but I bit my lip as I readied myself to speak. Here goes nothing, I thought. And instead of speaking articulately, my response came out in a garbled rush. “Ineedyoutogivemeanalibi.”

“I…uh…blah, blah what?” She was clearly mocking me. “English, Bella.”

I groaned out of frustration directly into the mouth piece, running the fingers of my free hand roughly through my hair. “I need you to give me an alibi.”

“Oh, so that’s what you were saying,” she smirked. “What for?” 

“The entire night,” I murmured.

“WHAT!” She practically squealed. “What are you up to, you naughty girl?” I had no doubt the wheels were turning inside that brain of hers, running through a plethora of scenarios leading me to asking such a request and none were appropriate.

My face flushed in embarrassment at her words, and I responded immediately without ideating how I should actually respond. “It’s not like that, and I can’t get into a lot of detail right now, Alice. I promise I’ll explain what I can later, but please, I just need to know if you’ll help me. I really need you to do this for me. It’s important.”

Way to go, Bella. That statement in itself would obviously fuel the “need to know” fire.

“Oh, no, Bella Swan.” I could hear the sound her head made through the phone as she shook it, her tone firm when she spoke. “No info, no alibi.”

TUS POEM # 4

I counted down the minutes till I was alone
Till I could go to him, so he wouldn't be
I packed my bag with things he liked
Made sure to have the iPod and my book to pass our time
I heard the door close and the car start up
I sighed in relief
When I heard the gravel crunch
I went down the stairs two at a time
Opened & closed the door after turning the key in the lock
And finally made my way to my Abandonward and his Lancelot


Written by the wonderful hayboo05. <3

TUS POEM #3

My Warmth, My Angel
by Rose

Broken, crumpled against the wall

Inside, my soul it bleeds.

Dark memories of my past...

As I cling on to my only security.

If I could just make you see,

Everything I am, is everything I used to be,

I’m gone so far away...

So beyond the light, that no one can see...

Broken, crumpled beyond repair,

Cold to my bones,

My skin trembles under a touch,

The only touch that gives me warmth...

She looks at me with honest eyes,

With a kindness I never knew.

She takes my hand and holds me tight,

And all at once, the fears are gone...

Like a fragile string I’m holding onto

Desperately wishing that it’s not a dream,

If I were to wake up and break it...

No God, don’t wake me up from this sleep!

But she feels real, I can see her now,

I see her even with closed eyes.

She found me, she loved me somehow,

She is my Angel in disguise...

When she puts me together,

Piece by piece of my lost, broken soul,

I can almost believe in happiness

It all doesn’t hurt anymore...

I breathe the air she gave me,

When I was worse than dead.

She soothes and calms, like magic,

The storm inside my head.

Were I to lose her,

I know not what life would mean...

She’s all that keeps me going,

My comfort, my air, my warmth, my everything...

Chapter 13: Discern (Teaser #2)

When I woke up, sunlight filtering through the window and dancing across my eyelids, Alice was already awake, sitting up on the twin mattress nestled on the other side of the nightstand that sat between her bed and the one I was now laying on. She had this odd look on her face, brow furrowed, mouth in a straight line, and for some reason that look left me with a feeling of dread. I sat up quickly, rubbing the sleepy haze from my eyes with my palms. “Alice?” My voice sounded hoarse, mostly because my mouth was dry and not particularly tasting very good. I hated morning breath. “Alice, what’s wrong?”

“Who’s Edward, Bella?” That one question answered the overwhelming feeling of dread that now intensified to the point my stomach rolled in nausea.

“What?” I whispered, because I could clearly not speak above that. Honestly, I was surprised I was able to speak at all. I cursed my sleep talking because this was not a good time to be doing so, not when I was at Alice’s home and not when she was so inquisitive to begin with. I thought I had a handle on it, but I was apparently dead wrong.

“You kept making weird sounds."  Her eyebrows lifted as she leaned forward, forming an ‘o’ around her mouth with her hands while whispering, “Like sex sounds and you said ‘Edward’ several times.”

Chapter 13: Discern (teaser)

We remained in the doorway, standing on the threshold between his hallway and the boiler room, unspoken but holding onto one another. I never loosened my grip on his trembling form. If anything, I tightened it further. But now, I was feeling a little bit selfish here because I didn’t want to let him go…ever. I would gladly stand in this very spot for eternity, endure unspeakable leg cramps and discomfort, just to hold him, just to feel this…whatever it was. And I felt guilty for it, for feeling this way because it shouldn’t feel this right, and he certainly couldn’t reciprocate. That wasn’t a possibility, and I was angry at myself for allowing this feeling to creep up on me, for needing it, even if I didn’t quite understand it – which only served to add frustration to the many emotions enveloping my body now.

But he pressed his face further into my hair as he wrapped his arms fully around my waist in a tight embrace, then whispered in a shuddered breath, “Meu calor, meu anjo.”  

I had no idea what he’d just said or even in what language he spoke, but I did, in fact, believe that it wasn’t actually meant for my ears to hear; it was more a verbal musing that wasn’t really meant to be verbal. Edward was certainly proving to be more than I expected, not that that should have surprised me, and I had a feeling he just unknowingly revealed another layer.

TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE HEART AWARDS - UPDATE

Voting Round 1 is now open for the Total Eclipse of the Heart Awards. TUS has been nominated in 20 Categories. And for those that nominated, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Make sure to go vote for your faves.

http://totaleclipseoftheheartaward.weebly.com/index.html


*The Human In Them Award - Best All Human
*The 'Just The Beginning' Award - Best Story In-Progress
*The Dead End Award - Best Tragedy
*The Addictive Award - Story That Has You Checking You Email Every Minute For A 'New Chapter' Alert
*The Tense Atmosphere Award - Best Drama
*The Bitten Apple Award - Most Original Story
*The Complicated Existance Award - Story With The Best Plot
*The Creatures Of The Night Award - Story That Keeps You Up Late At Night Reading It
*The Shattering Of The Heart Award - Story That Breaks Your Heart
*The Beautiful, Shy Piano Award - Best Edward And Bella Story
*The Unforgotten Award - Story That Will Never Be Forgotten
*The Detective of Forks Award - Story With The Best Mystery
*The Heart Stopping Award - Story That Takes You By Surprise
*The Panic Award - Story That Leaves You With Suspense...Or In Other Words, Best Cliffhanger
*The Movie Award - Story That You Can Picture In Your Head...Like A Movie
*The Hair Puller Award - Story That Makes You Want To Throw Your Laptop Across The Room
*The Dazzling Protecter Award - Best Use Of Edward In A Story
*The Edible Art Award - Most Creative Story
*The Clumsy Lover Award - Best Use Of Bella In A Story
*The Stephenie Meyer Award - Best Author

Chapter 12: Method of Secrecy (teaser #2)

I reached out, placing my hand over his in reassurance. I couldn’t help but gasp as I felt that intense warm current surge up my arm as my skin came in contact with his. It only seemed to become more acute the more we touched. He inhaled a crippled breath, closing his eyes as he did so. He flipped his hand over, palm up, and squeezed my hand.  I’m not sure if either of us would ever get acclimated to that feeling.

It wasn’t painful by any means; in fact, it was quite comforting. Truthfully, the warmth felt good. Really good. It reminded me of something, but I couldn’t put my finger on it. I could feel the intensity even through my esophagus, so I had to clear my throat before I could speak. “I understand,” I told him, and even though I’d cleared my throat, my tone was still coarse. I kept speaking, hoping the grittiness in my voice would disappear so it wouldn’t be so obvious how affected I was. Whether I understood it or knew why, touching him affected me and it was beyond confusing. “I know my promising Marcus won’t hurt you won’t make a difference right now, but I hate the idea of you sitting here uncomfortable. And if it’s me, if my being here also makes it difficult for you to…uh…do what you need to do, then I can go and-”

“No,” he said abruptly, shaking his head almost violently as his fingers wrapped tighter around my hand like he was trying to anchor himself to me. “Don’t go away from me…Bella.”

I swallowed thickly, my heart shattering at the fear in his voice, the fear that I’d leave him. As if I ever could.  

FACEBOOK LINK FOR TUS

A Facebook group page has been started for TUS by the wonderful Rose-ecdc. It's meant for discussion on TUS, etc. Feel free to join us over there. Here's the link.

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=117305168282608&ref=ts

TUS POEM #2

This beautiful poem was written by the amazing Rose-ecdc. <3 you, bb!
P.S. I seriously have the best readers ever. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the support you've shown me and this story. Mwah!

THE UNACCOMPANIED SOUL

I couldn’t abandon the hope

Resting in those green eyes

I couldn’t make myself leave,

Over the desperate cry that begged me to stay.

How could I oversee the pain

That your face couldn’t hide?

How I wish I could just hold you tight

And make it all go away...

If I could steal away all your nightmares

Lock away all your fears,

Promise you it would hurt no more

And mean it...

If I could turn back time

And undo what you’ve been through;

On the past if I could lock the door

And seal it...

Chase away every cry of pain,

Every scream of despair

With a rainbow of purity

That I see in your soul.

You are a melody

That pierces my heart

Like a book of secrets

Just waiting to unfold...

Let me touch your soul

Let me comfort you

Let me subside your tremors

Let me hold you

Let me chase away

All that haunts you

Let me be your security

Let me love you...

I can’t make myself leave

I already am in too deep

I pray lord heals your wounds

That eyes can’t see...

But a heart can feel them

And yours is broken

Let me put it back together

With my arms wide open...

Everything I am is yours

You are my reason to breathe;

From the hell you’re trapped in

Let me set you free...

Would you let me in?

Would you let me hold your hand?

When all else is lost

Would you let me love you?

For as long as I am,

I’ll face it all.

Let them do what they may,

I won’t let you fall.

You will never remain

The unaccompanied soul...

-Rose.EC/DC

Chapter 12: Method of Secrecy (Teaser)

My mouth dropped open, eyes widening in shock. His answer was not one I expected to hear at all. “What do you mean ‘here’?” I asked incredulously. He continued staring at me, wearing the same expression upon his face. He seemed thoroughly amused by my confusion. “You actually take a bath here?” He shook his head, which only served to confuse me more. “But you just said-”

“Shower, not bath…Bella,” he interrupted, cocking an eyebrow while still wearing that little smirk. My eyes widened further at his statement and facial expression. His reactions proved exactly how much of an enigma he really was. There were many layers to Edward; that much I ascertained.

“But I don’t…How do you...” I paused, running my hands down my face, shaking my head. I was completely stammering my words, thrown by the fact that he actually showered here. I never in a million years expected that, it just didn’t seem probable to me. Yeah, his body didn’t appear dirty so I figured he was able to manage some kind of personal hygiene, and I guess I really didn’t know what I anticipated him to say, but it wasn’t that. “Why…I mean, where do you shower in this place?”

He stared at me, eyes twinkling with intensity as his face shifted through emotions. I was trying to read him, trying to understand what I was seeing behind those green orbs, hoping to understand the reason behind his silence and the look he was giving me. And it dawned on me as his eyes roamed my face that he was doing the same, trying to read me. Was he afraid to tell me?


His eyes finally lowered toward his lap as he whispered, “Where…where I found you.”

UPDATED INFORMATION ON TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE HEART AWARDS

I've been nominated in more categories. To those that have nominated me, I can't tell you enough how much I appreciate each and everyone of you and the support you show me and this story. From the bottom of my heart....THANK YOU!


Categories:

*The Stephenie Meyer Award
*The Addictive Award
*The 'Just The Beginning' Award
*The Beautiful, Shy Piano Award
*The Hair Puller Award
*The Detective of Forks Award
*The Human In Them Award
*The Movie Award
*The Dead End Award
*The Panic Award
*The Heart Stopping Award
*The Shattering of the Heart Award
*The Tense Atmosphere Award
*The Clumsy Lover Award
*The Dazzling Protecter Award
*The Edible Art Award
*The Creatures of the Night Award
*The Complicated Existence Award
*The Bitten Apple Award

Edit: Three more categories were added to the list.

Chapter 11: Endeavor the Warmth (Teaser)

I was staring openly at our hands to the exact spot our fingers touched.  Neither of us made a move to pull apart, nor did the sensation dissipate the longer our skin stayed connected.  “There’s…so much,” Edward breathed out.

My head snapped up, eyes locking onto his face. His were focused on our hands, but his expression more than defined his confusion – I understood that feeling all too well. I was wearing my confusion badge a lot since I’d met Edward.

One of his eyebrows was raised higher than the other, nose was slightly wrinkled and there was an obvious crease between his brows. “Why, Bella?” he whispered, shaking his head. I bit my lip hard, completely terrified of the underlying reason to his question. This thing that kept happening when we touched, was it too much for him? Would he want me to leave now?  I was terrified that was the case, that I was going to be rejected by him now, and because of that, I’d never wanted to know someone’s thoughts more than I did in this moment. “Why are you?”

“Why am I what?” I asked as I pulled my hand away, careful not to do so too abruptly.  I tried to mask the tension in my voice, but I knew I was failing miserably.

“It’s so warm. Why…why are you so warm?”

“I don’t-”

“He didn’t… It was never…” He seemed lost in his musings, so much so, I felt as if I were standing outside a room, eavesdropping. “He wasn’t warm.”

The way he said it, the agony twined with his words, made my heart feel as though someone took a straight razor to it, slicing through the tough muscle to the source of me, penetrating my soul. His pain had such a daunting affect on me, and I barely knew much about him or what happened to him. “Edward, what did he-”

He inhaled sharply, glancing down at his hands. “I don’t want to, Bella.”

“What, Edward?” I wanted to reach out to him, terrified I might be pushing too hard. No, what I really wanted to do was touch him again. “What don’t you want to?”

His eyes met mine pleadingly, and he exhaled his words on a crushed whisper. “Be in the cold anymore.”