The One That Got Away

Chapter Three

For those of you who read the Get Your Southern On contest entries, this is my contribution. I am tickled at the results ... first place in public vote and third place for the judge's choice. I've decided to break this up into smaller, drabblish chapters and it will be continued. The contest contribution is the first six or so chapters, roughly. I don't know how long it will be, but I do have it planned. Thank you to Bridget for betaing this for me and for Clo, who created the banner.

Thank you for those of you who have read this! I hope you continue to do so! Without further ado ...

Seattle, Washington ~ February 10th, 2016

Bella was sitting in a first class lounge, waiting for her flight. She was reading her latest manuscript, editing before she submitted it to her publisher. She was anxious. Alice had given her a complete makeover, including new clothes, new lingerie, a chic new haircut and highlights. Bella was not comfortable with her new look, but it was growing on her.

The flight attendant announced pre-boarding and Bella got up, walking onto the plane and settling into her seat. She plugged in her earbuds, snuggling in for the day of travel ahead of her. Three flights and two layovers before she arrived in Tampa for the first since she graduated from Hillsborough High School.

Bella was the only daughter of the police chief of Tampa. She could have been the typical policeman's kid and break all the rules, but Bella just liked to hide behind her books and spend her free time in the library. The popular crowd made her life hell, especially Tanya Denali. Her father, Charlie, had broken up more parties at Tanya's home with underage drinking during her tenure as a high school student at Hillsborough High School. Instead, she just made herself scarce to avoid Tanya's ire. Every so often, Edward Cullen, Tanya's longtime boyfriend, would stick up for Bella. She was grateful for that, but Tanya would always manage to make Bella feel like she was a centimeter tall.

Though, despite the hell she endured in high school, Edward Cullen made it a little more palatable. When he wasn't around his cronies, he was very sweet. Bella and Edward shared biology together and were partnered for a huge project. Edward was completely different and kind. He made her laugh. His crooked smile made the butterflies attack her stomach, and his smooth, velvety voice made her heart leap. She felt something for Edward, but because he was a part of the popular group and the crown prince of Hillsborough High School, they were never destined to be.

Nearly twelve hours after she left Seattle, Bella arrived in Tampa. Her father was waiting for her, dressed in his uniform and mustache twitching. "Hey, Dad," she said, hugging him.

"Bells," he said, kissing her head. "You look different."

"Alice gave me a makeover for this shindig," Bella deadpanned. "My hair was colored and I had things plucked and tweezed that I never knew I had."

"I didn't need to know that, Bells," Charlie snickered. "Now, I'm on duty, so, I'll take you back to the house and let you get settled. There's food in the fridge and I should be home around midnight."

"Thanks, Dad," Bella smiled. Charlie picked up her luggage and they went out to the waiting squad car. He drove back to the small bungalow, helping Bella unload her bags. With another hug, Charlie left and Bella pretty much fell into bed. Traveling across the damn country was truly exhausting.

The next day, Bella spent most of the morning finishing editing her manuscript before she got ready to go to the basketball game. Originally, the reunion was to be on Homecoming weekend in October, but there was a hurricane that canceled the festivities. The reunion was rescheduled for Valentine's Day weekend, coinciding with the Pack the Place basketball against their rivals. She wrinkled her nose about going to the game. She rarely went to games when she was in high school. However, through Facebook, she made plans to meet up with one of the few friends she had in high school, Angela Weber-Cheney, at the game.

Bella had an early dinner with her father before taking her old truck to Hillsborough High School. She could hear the cheering from the parking lot, along with the band playing their fight song. Bella wrinkled her nose, steeling herself to endure the basketball game. She walked into the gym, paying the fee and wandering around the newly renovated bleachers. There was a huge banner for the class of 2005 hanging in the middle of the stands. Bella recognized a few of her classmates. A few looked a little worse for wear and others hadn't changed a bit.

Like, Angela.

She waved happily, running toward Bella and throwing her arms around her friend. "Girl! You look absolutely beautiful," Angela crowed, swaying Bella. "It looks like that cool, Pacific Northwestern air has done wonders for you, Bella!"

"So does being married, Ang," Bella smiled. "When are you due?"

Angela put her hands on her huge baby belly. "Around the middle of February. I was kind of bummed that I found out I was pregnant. I was looking forward to drinking myself silly this weekend, but oh well." Angela looped her arm through Bella's. "How are things in Seattle?"

"Good. I'm working in one of the largest libraries in the city and I've been dabbling in writing," Bella blushed.

"I knew you'd become a writer. Your stories for the literary magazine were always so poignant and perfect," Angela said, sitting them both down on one of the bleachers. "Are you dating anyone?"

"No. I haven't met that special someone," Bella shrugged. "Not everyone is as lucky as you to marry your high school sweetheart."

"Speaking of high school sweethearts," Angela smirked. "You know Tanya and Edward?"

"Are they still together?" Bella asked.

"No. They were married but got divorced. Tanya was cheating on Edward and it was a messy, messy divorce," Angela whispered, taking my hand. "He's back in Tampa, working at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital as a pediatrician. As far as I know, he's single."

"Really?" Bella asked, feigning nonchalance, but her heart was stammering against her ribs. She still had some strong feelings for him. "I always thought that the power couple of Hillsborough High would be together forever."

"She was awful, supposedly. They got married in college when Tanya discovered she was pregnant," Angela hissed.

"Edward's a father?" Bella squeaked.

"To twins," Angela nodded. "I'm Facebook friends with him and his kids are clones of him. So adorbs."

"Do you think that Tanya will be here?" Bella asked.

"I don't know. I doubt it. Their divorce was really nasty and she relinquished her parental rights to her babies. What mother does that?" Angela spat.

My mother, Bella thought bitterly. And apparently Tanya Denali.

"Oh, speaking of which, look who just came!" Angela said, pointing to the entrance to the stadium. Bella followed Angela's arm and saw the tall, muscular form of Edward Cullen. He hadn't changed a bit.

Okay, that was a lie.

He'd gotten better.

His face was more chiseled. His body was muscular but not overly so. His hair was still a bronze, disheveled mess, but it added to his appeal. On his face, he had a pair of chic glasses that made him look more intelligent and undeniably sexy. Bella had a weakness for men who wore glasses. She bit back a whimper as he strode through the crowd, weaving his way to the cordoned off section of the bleachers for the class of 2005. Some of the popular group rushed around him, giving him hugs and high fives. Edward smiled, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. He was searching the bleachers for someone. When he found the espresso-colored eyes of Isabella Swan, he made his exit and walked toward her.

A/N: Edward ... yummy.