London Underground

Chapter Two: Introductions Everyone

Edward’s POV

“The train has stopped due to safety issues at the station ahead. We do not know when the problem may be resolved. Thank you for your patience.”

Oh well that was helpful, prick.

Now what? I certainly didn’t plan on spending the remainder of my evening stuck on a tube train with four strangers. Hell, just being trapped in here with Alice was bad enough. God, we better get moving soon or I may lose my mind.

“Well that has us all in the know,” the big guy across the carriage said, grinning and shaking his head. He shrugged once and then returned to filling in his crossword, clearly not bothered about what the problem could be.

“Ugh, no cell reception,” Alice whined, pouting as she looked down at her phone.

At that the five remaining of us checked our own phones, each of us gutted to see there was in fact no cell phone reception. Just pissing great. With that twat’s announcement not telling us anything we could be here for hours. And of course, with no reception we couldn’t call our parents and let them know we were going to be late.

Shoving my useless blackberry into my pocket I looked around for something to do. If we were going to be here for a while I may as well make myself comfortable. The big guy seemed to have the same idea and stood up to stretch before taking off his suit jacket and lean it against the side, using it to cushion his head when he lay back down over the seats.

Alice and Blondie had returned to their conversation about fashion, filling the carriage with noise. Leaning back in the seat, I slumped down and put my legs out straight, crossing them at the ankles. I shut my eyes, suddenly feeling exhausted and tried to settled down a bit. I just wanted to rest my eyes for a few moments, relax for a sec before I was needed for something else.

Before I knew it I could hear Alice’s voice waking me up. She was sitting next to me again, nudging my shoulder gently. I sat up quickly and rubbed my eyes, taking a moment to remember where the hell I was again. The other four people in the carriage were all watching me wake, as though it was the most fascinating thing in the world.

“How long did I sleep?” I asked, feeling too warm.

“Only about forty minutes,” Alice replied. “I woke you so you would sleep later tonight. Hope that’s okay.”

“No, you did good, thanks.”

I stood up and stretched, hearing all my joints protest at such movements. As it was so hot I shrugged out my jacket and loosened my tie, undoing the top two buttons of my shirt beneath it. My shirt felt damp from the sweat which was completely unappealing. I was just thankful it was white and you couldn’t see how damp it was compared to what it would be like if I had chosen to wear the light blue one today.

Looking around at the other passengers I realised all of them had also taken off their coats or rolled up their sleeves. We did look like an overheated bunch to be honest. While I was on my feet I walked over to the windows and opened them, hoping for just a bit of cold, refreshing air to cool us down.

Once that was done I returned to my seat. Alice had some sort of magazine, which I guessed she got from Blondie, and was reading that so she wasn’t going to be any help in keeping me amused. Looking across to the brunette who was quietly reading I saw she still had the front cover hidden from sight. Well, it wasn’t exactly hidden, you just couldn’t see it from her jacket now being on her lap and the cover against that.

She didn’t seem to be lost within the pages anymore so I decided I would just ask what the book was. After all, it wasn’t like I was asking for her phone number or anything, this definitely should be easy. For some silly reason I was nervous as hell and felt like I was thirteen all over again, asking a girl out for the first time.

Clearing my throat I caught her attention.

“What are you reading?” I asked, smiling lightly as her and trying not to come across as threatening. If she was to freak on me it would be a pissing disaster. And what with the mental munchkin next to me I wouldn’t be surprised if she questioned my sanity too.

“Lolita,” she replied, answering politely. Interesting choice.

“By Vladimir Nabokov?” I knew that was the author but wanted to keep talking with her.

“Yeah, have you read it?” she asked, looking intrigued.

“Yeah a while ago. I’m Edward by the way,” I said, introducing myself and holding my hand out for her to shake. She leant across and did so, her small hand in mine, smiling softly.

“I’m Bella, nice to meet you.”

“Likewise. So, what do you think so far?” I nodded down at the book, hoping she’d be happy enough to tell me her theories.

“Well I’ve read it before but I think it’s a great book, despite its taboo topic.”

“What do you like about it?” I asked, wanting to prolong the conversation a bit further. “A lot of people seem to hate it, thinking its pure pornography and smut.”

“Yeah but then they haven’t really read it, have they?” Bella asked, shrugging. “I like the style of writing. For English being Nabokov’s second language he’s really mastered it well, much better than some native writers.”

“I agree wholeheartedly. But what about the plot? Do you have any qualms reading about a middle-aged college professor preying on a preteen girl?”

“Of course I do, it’s not an easy topic. However, it’s never too detailed and those scenes are hidden within the text. You could read it a hundred times and miss the initial scene of Humbert feeling up Dolores on the couch.”

“Eh sorry to interrupt but what the hell kinda book are you reading?” the big guy asked, frowning.

Bella blushed and looked down into her lap, possibly embarrassed. I wasn’t that bothered so explained to the guy about the plot in the hope he didn’t think we were too random nutcases enjoying a book about a paedophile. God that sounds awful.

“Alright that doesn’t sound so creepy,” he finally conceded. “Carry on.” He smiled at us both then went back to his newspaper.

Rather than going back to discussing Lolita Bella and I moved on to talk about other authors and what we each regarded as classics. My inner bookworm was revelling in the conversation. She was commenting on everything I could say, every book I had read, whether I hated it or not, she had an opinion. It was fantastic.

Our conversation was only cut short when the guy came over the intercom again. He only told us that we would be there for another two hours at max and that he appreciates out patience. It was really pissing me off. That lulled the whole carriage into silence unfortunately. It didn’t last for long though.

“Five down, an abnormal lateral curvature of the spine, nine letters. Anyone know what that is? I’m no doctor so don’t have a clue. No cheating though if you don’t know it,” the big guy said, looking pointedly at us all.

“Asking other passengers isn’t cheating?” I asked, smirking.

“Hey, if it’s all from the brain it’s fine. Doesn’t matter whose brain. So, anyone know the answer?”

“Scoliosis,” Blondie answered, not bothering to look up from whatever brochure she was looking at.

“You sure?” he asked, raising his eyebrows.

“One hundred percent.”

“Cheers,” he replied, smiling broadly, showing dimples and all. Blondie just nodded like it was nothing and returned to her pamphlet. “Just to let you all know, I’m Emmett and yeah, I’m going to be needing your help to fill out the rest of this bloody thing.”

A few of us chuckled and encouraged him on, asking for the next one. Gradually we began making our way through them, the only person not to speak up until that point being the blonde guy in the corner working away like there was no tomorrow. It wasn’t until there was a question on America that none of us could answer that he stepped in. It was obvious after he spoke how he knew the answer. His accent was one of a very think southern accent. I struggled a moment to get what he said, as did the others, but he said it again slower and we caught on.

“So you’re American?” Alice asked excitedly.

“What gave it away?” he asked, smirking.

Alice blushed and shook her head, confusing the hell out of me. Alice does not blush, ever. I shot at glare at the Yankee who was attempting to flirt with my sister. He saw my look and backed up a bit, raising his hand and pointing between us.

“Are you two together?”

“Oh good heavens no!” Alice said, her hands to her chest as though the very thought was painful. “He’s my brother,” she explained, smiling again at him. He returned said smile and nodded rather happily.

“Well that’s good news for me. I’m Jasper and it is a pleasure to meet you,” he said, holding his hand out towards her. She got up giddily and sat down next to him, shaking his hand.

“I’m Alice and nice to meet you too.” God from her smile alone I could tell she was in over her head already.

“So do the rest of you mind me asking all your names as well, seeing as we’ll be here a while?” Emmett, Bella and myself introduced ourselves and then it went to Blondie who had so far not given her name.

“Rosalie,” she answered, looking a bit reserved but smiling anyway.

“And do you all mind if I ask what you all do for a living?”

“I’m an interior designer,” Alice gushed to him. He soaked that up for a few minutes before turning on the rest of us.

“I work in real estate,” Emmett answered, shrugging.

Bella was next, explaining that she was a still a student in university but did part-time waitressing on the sides. Rosalie said she was a med student that did dancing on the side, to which Emmett practically demanded to know what type. Ballet, not pole dancing as he seemed to be hoping for. Hell, I think he was after some light entertainment. After all, there were poles in the carriage.

“So what do you do Jasper?” Alice asked after I had answered.

“I work for an oil company,” he replied shrugging. “In town on business at the moment.”

“How long you been here?”

“A week. I leave on Monday.” Upon hearing that Alice frowned sadly, looking down at her lap.

“Oh, well that’s a shame,” she muttered, her exuberance completely deflated. “I was thinking you maybe needed a tour guide but what with you leaving so soon there really isn’t any point.”

“Nonsense, I would love a tour guide,” Jasper said, clearly trying to cheer her up, and it worked.

“Great, so tell me, what have you seen so far?”

The two of them went off into a lengthy discussion about all the tourist sites Jasper had visited, missed and then onto the places the tourists don’t get to know about. I tuned it out, not needing to be reminded of all the culture on my doorstep that I took for granted.

Yawning I lay back down on the seats and began to get comfortable, hoping for another small nap to pass the time. Seeing as nothing exciting was going on it seemed like the best option I had. Plus, I was losing my patience with the whole bloody thing. I wanted off the damn train soon, if not immediately.

“Excuse me Jasper, Edward don’t even think about going back to sleep,” Alice said, using her reprimanded tone.

“Ugh, why ever not?”

“Because you’re being a spoil sport. Sit up and engage in some conversation.”

“Please Alice, let’s not do this here.” I didn’t particularly want to have a sibling spat on the tube in front of four people we barely knew. “I’m tired and I’m bored, let me pass the time the way I wish to.”

“No, and because you were bored we’re going to find something fun to do.” I internally groaned at that, praying to God that she was just thinking about making me read one of those fashion magazines she had. But no, it was much worse. “You know what we should all do? Play a game!”

Oh Alice, and I thought I wouldn’t have to kill you.