A/N: My entry for the Perfect Date Contest. April, thank you for editing. Any mistakes left are my own.
Disclaimer: All things Twilight belong solely to Stephenie Meyer. No copyright infringement is intended.
The Assignment
I tapped my pencil on my desk rhythmically as I tried to focus on my computer screen. My Perfect Date… I snorted and tossed the pencil down. It seemed like such a superficial topic for an essay. Mr. Berty wanted us to practice writing them for college applications, but I failed to see how any good school would ask that question as a topic.
I couldn't see how talking about long walks on the beach or dinner by candlelight would showcase how I would be good for their school. I wanted a college degree, not a husband. I could only imagine how many of the essays were going to star Emmett McCarty, the school's quarterback, or meathead if you'd ask me.
I glanced around my room and spotted a DVD sticking out from beneath my bed. Alice had left it here by accident when she'd slept over. I got up to put it in my bag so I wouldn't forget it. I glanced at the image on the front before an idea formed in my mind. I grinned wickedly before I sat back down and started typing.
…
The next day, I sat next to Alice in class as we waited for Mr. Berty to begin.
Alice smoothed her paper in front of her and smiled fondly at it. "I wrote about last Valentine's Day when Jasper first told me he loved me." She sighed dreamily.
"That's sweet," I told her.
"What did you write?" she asked.
I handed her my paper, and she skimmed it. "Can you do this? Isn't this plagiarism or something?"
"Not really. I paraphrased a quote, but I also footnoted it, so I should be good." I shrugged.
"Alright, everybody. Settle down, please." Mr. Berty rapped the top of his podium. "I want to hear a few of these essays. Do I have a volunteer to go first?"
"Me." Lauren waved her hand in the air.
"Alright, Miss Mallory." Mr. Berty gestured to the stand.
Lauren took her place and tossed her long blond hair over her shoulder. "My perfect date would be with the Mac."
"Excuse you!" Rosalie interrupted. "I know you didn't just say my boyfriend's name."
"Hello. It's my perfect date so it can be with whoever I'd like." Lauren huffed.
"Um…no you can't slu…Lauren," Rosalie hissed.
"Calm down, Rosie, let the girl have her fantasy. You've got the real me," Emmett spoke up.
Rose shifted her glare to him before settling back in her chair, crossing her arms in front of her.
"Enough! This is the classroom not the malt shop. Lauren, continue," Mr. Berty directed.
Lauren prattled on for another few minutes. I swear I ended up counting over fifty 'likes' in her essay.
"Thank you, Miss Mallory. I advise in the future not to use the same word repetitively. Please take your seat. Mr. Newton, let's hear from a male perspective."
Mike took his place in front of the class. "My perfect date takes place in the back of my car with Jess."
"Oh. My. Gawd. Mike, you could at least buy me dinner first," Jessica complained, her face turning bright pink.
The class cracked up laughing. Mr. Berty pinched the bridge of his nose before standing. He took the paper from Mike and scanned it. With a shake of his head he gave it back.
"Mr. Newton, I'm going to allow you a do over. This time please keep it rated G," Mr. Berty told him. He looked around the room before settling his gaze on me. "Miss Swan, I think I can trust you will deliver something inspiring."
I exchanged a glance with Alice. I was starting to second guess my decision, but it was too late to turn back now.
"My perfect date is October 10th. The summer is over, it's not too hot, and it's before the winter cold arrives. All you need is a nice sweater. The leaves on the trees are vibrant shades of reds, oranges, and yellows that glow in the sunlight, and the air has a crisp feeling. Best of all, pumpkin spice flavored everything is back. On this perfect day it would include apple picking and hayrides." I continued for another few minutes before reaching my conclusion. "At the end the day, I would curl up with my favorite book, cozy slipper socks, and a soft blanket in front of a fire to ward off the evening chill."
"I don't get it. There was like no guy…or even girl on your perfect date." Jessica looked confused.
"That's because Bella is a loser who can't get a date," Lauren scoffed.
"Miss Mallory, your comment was uncalled for. You owe her an apology," Mr. Berty ordered.
Lauren rolled her gray eyes. "I'm sorry you're a loser."
"See me after school, Miss Mallory," Mr. Berty snapped.
"Mr. Berty never specified the type of date he was looking for. So I took a creative spin on it." I bit the inside of my cheek and risked a glance at the teacher.
His face was blank before he nodded. "You're right, I didn't. Very well done, Miss Swan. An essay like yours would stand out to admissions. I like the descriptive details you added too." He stood and faced the class. "I would like all of you to partner up with a classmate and use the rest of the time to go through your essays. Give each other constructive criticism. I'm giving you all a chance to rework them, some of you need it."
…
At the end of the school day, I closed my locker door and jumped when I came face to face with the new transfer student, Edward Cullen. His parents sent him here from Chicago to live with his aunt and uncle, who just happened to be Emmett's parents. Where Emmett was the all-American boy, rumor had it, Edward was a bad boy and was kicked out of his last school.
"Is it true? You never had a date?" he asked.
I shifted my books in my arms. "I don't see how that's any of your business."
"I'll take that as a yes." His smirk irritated me.
"Look, it's by choice. I don't see the point of dating anyone when I plan on leaving town and going to college next year. Besides, have you seen the options around here." I waved my hand up and down the half-filled hallway.
"Present company excluded, I assume." He winked at me.
"Wow, you're arrogancy can rival your cousin's. And that's saying something," I scoffed.
"Ouch. Harsh." He chuckled and leaned against my locker, throwing his arm over my shoulder. "Come on, I'm not that bad. Give me a chance. Go on a date with me and I'll prove it."
I stepped out from his hold. "Sorry. I know you're new here, but my dad is the chief of police. He's not going to let me date you even if I wanted to say yes."
"That silly rumor, again. I thought you'd be one of the few smart enough not to believe in rumors. I didn't get kicked out of my old school." He rolled his eyes.
I instantly felt guilty, as he was right. I'd listened to the gossip mill and jumped to conclusions.
"Then what happened?" I asked curiously.
"I wore a leather coat to school on my first day and everyone made an assumption." He touched the collar of his jacket.
"You're right, it's wrong everyone made an assumption about you on what you wore. But I was talking about why you were here?" I asked.
"My dad is doctor and decided to join Doctors Without Borders for a year. My mother, who is a nurse, went with him. So it was decided I should come here while they were gone," he explained.
"They're doing a great thing. Why haven't you corrected everyone," I questioned.
"It was a nice chance of pace from my nickname at my last school," he said with a grimace.
"Which was?" I prompted.
"I'll tell you on our date?" He gave me a cheeky grin.
I giggled and shook my head. "I didn't agree to any date."
"How about a bet? If you find my essay about a perfect date is better than yours, you have to go out with me," he challenged.
"There you go again with the arrogancy. You should be careful, if your head gets any bigger it won't fit through the double doors," I teased.
"Sounds like you're evading answering me," he suggested. "Do we have a bet?"
"Maybe." I shook my head and smiled.
"Well that's not a no." He winked, and I watched him as he walked away.
…
Edward Cullen was proving to be an interesting individual. I couldn't get his green eyes or smirking grin out of my head all night. I also found myself wondering what shade to call his uniquely colored hair.
…
The next day, I was curious to see what Edward had planned for an essay. I'd even considered in the back of my mind if one date would really hurt.
"Do we have a volunteer to go first?" Mr. Berty asked. "Alright, Mr. Cullen, the floor is yours."
When Edward walked by my desk, he slowed and gave me a wink. It didn't go unnoticed by Alice.
"What was that for?" she whispered, and I shrugged in response.
"My perfect date is also in October. However, it is not the 10th , it is the 31st. The only time of year you're allowed to be anyone you wish by simply wearing a costume." He paused and looked up from his paper. "A clumsy nerd could become Thor or Hulk. While a shy girl can boost her courage as a queen or their favorite popstar. It could be anything, like a jock can show his sensitive side wearing a tutu—"
"Hey. I never wore a tutu. I took ballet lesson to improve for football," Emmett interrupted.
"I wasn't talking about you specifically. It was an analogy," Edward said.
"Go on, please," Mr. Berty stated.
Edward continued his essay about Halloween being a night to be someone new. "I've saved the best for last. The night is filled with all the free candy you can eat."
The class laughed, including Mr. Berty, who shook his head with an amused smile. "Thank you, Mr. Cullen."
After the period was over, I walked out of the class with Alice beside me.
"Bella, wait up," Edward called.
I looked over my shoulder and slowed. Alice glanced between us with a curious smile. He adjusted his backstrap and strands of his hair fell in his eyes. My fingers itched to reach out and touch it.
"What's the verdict?" he asked.
"Your speech was good," I conceded.
"Better than yours?" He smirked.
"I wouldn't go that far." I returned the smirk.
"Maybe we should ask Alice, since she'll be impartial." He looked at her.
"Why is it a contest?" She raised an eyebrow.
"It's not." I rolled my eyes.
"Bella agreed if mine was better that she'd go on a date with me," Edward said.
"Well, then his was better." Alice grinned like a Cheshire cat.
I shot her an annoyed look. "I didn't agree, I said maybe." I turned back to him. "What was the nickname?
He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Nerdward. Happy?"
I gave him a sympathetic smile. "Not really. So the whole bad boy image gave you a chance to be someone new." I drew the connection between his essay and his new image.
"Exactly it gave me a chance to be someone different. Give me a chance. It's just one date. It's not like I plan on proposing." He stuck out his bottom lip.
"Awww, Bella, you made him sad," Alice proclaimed.
"Fine. One date," I agreed.
Edward dropped his pout and smiled widely. "Great. I'll pick you up in twelve days at noon."
He walked away, leaving me shaking my head and Alice giggling.
"If he is so adamant about going on a date, why is it so far away?" I headed for our next class.
Alice shrugged, then her eyes widened. She fumbled for her cell phone and looked up the calendar. She immediately started laughing so hard she almost dropped her phone.
"What is so funny?" I asked.
"In twelve days…" She started giggling so much she could hardly speak.
"Out with it, Alice." I reached for her phone.
"Sorry." She took a deep breath. "It will be October 10th. You know your perfect date."
A/N: Thank you everyone who voted my entry. I have no plans to continue at the moment.