Southern Comfort: Chapter 4

Southern Comfort

Chapter Four

Walnut Street is completely packed with people. Our town isn't overly populated, but the winter carnival is something popular, so it isn't uncommon for an abundance of tourists to show up on the last night. They help keep the shops that lined the street in business, so no one complains.

It's a long walk from my house to Walnut Street but I want the privacy. I walk to the carnival alongside a few of the people that had parked on my street and am taken away by the sight of Walnut Street all dolled up for the celebration. Our town celebrates for a week and tonight being the last night until next year makes for an exciting time for everyone. This year the mayor has rented a snow machine that a group of small children that have probably never seen snow before are standing under, mesmerized by the fluffy white stuff that's floating all around them.

A quick text message informs me that Alice and Jasper are in line getting us some of Maggie's famous hot white chocolate, so I head towards the opposite end of the street, waving at any familiar face I pass. Lauren stops me to admire my outfit of choice, a pair of dark wash jeans stuffed into my favourite cowboy boots that have fur lining, to keep my feet toasty, and a black pea coat that I received from my mother for my birthday.

"I never see you this dressed up," she laughs. "Are you actually wearing eyeliner?"

"Yep, I couldn't do the mascara though. The wand freaks me out." We share a friendly hug and her husband, Tyler, catches up with us, pulling her into a passionate kiss before pointing up towards the mistletoe that hangs above us. He kisses my cheek to keep up with tradition and they inform me that they found out their baby due in a few months is a boy. I congratulate them before hurrying off to find Alice and Jasper.

Alice is excited to see me and I'm sure she notices the change in my mood. We share a brief hug before Jasper hands me a cup of hot white chocolate and kisses my cheek before pointing up to the mistletoe. I follow the two of them over to the pavilion where the local high school's chorus is performing. They are singing the song Alice and Jasper danced to at their wedding. I hold their cups while they slow dance amongst the other couples on the make shift dance floor in front of the pavilion.

"Did you save me a dance?" a smooth voice causes me to jump and almost drop the cups in my hand.

I turn and find Edward sans Jessica standing behind me.

"Huh?"

"Did you save me a dance?" he takes the cups from my hands and sets them on the ground by a tree so they don't get trampled.

"Yeah." I smile as he leads me out onto the dance floor.

The song has ended and Maria, Jasper's little sister walks up to a single microphone before the band starts up. My heart starts to beat erratically when I recognize the song. I want nothing more than to pull away but Edward's already grabbed my hand and wrapped his free arm around my waist. He starts to sway us slowly as Maria begins to sing.

When the rain is blowing in your face,

And the whole world is on your case,

I could offer you a warm embrace

To make you feel my love.

The feeling of his arm around me is almost too much. I pull my hand free and wrap both of my arms around his neck.

When the evening shadows and the stars appear,

And there is no one there to dry your tears,

I could hold you for a million years

To make you feel my love.

I rest my head on his shoulder as we dance and I fight the tears pooling in my eyes.

I know you haven't made your mind up yet,

But I would never do you wrong.

I've known it from the moment that we met,

No doubt in my mind where you belong.

I'd go hungry; I'd go black and blue,

I'd go crawling down the avenue.

No, there's nothing that I wouldn't do

To make you feel my love.

I want to tell him. God, I'm dying to look into his eyes and let him know that I'm in love with him.

The storms are raging on the rolling sea

And on the highway of regret.

Though winds of change are blowing wild and free,

You ain't seen nothing like me yet.

I lift my head up so that I can see his face and realize that his eyes are swimming with an emotion I've never seen before.

I could make you happy, make your dreams come true.

Nothing that I wouldn't do.

Go to the ends of the Earth for you,

To make you feel my love

The song comes to an end but we are still stuck in the same spot staring into each other's eyes. We're both looking for something, anything. A tear falls down my cheek and he's quick to wipe it away. I open my mouth because I know if I don't admit my feelings right this second, I might not ever have the courage.

"Edward."

"Yeah."

"I-"

"Excuse me. Can I have my date back now?" Jessica's voice cut's me off, bringing us out of the tight bubble we'd found ourselves in.

I pull away from Edward so quickly that I bump into a dancing couple behind me. I apologize and scramble off of the dance floor towards Alice and Jasper.

"Oh Bella," she says, pulling me into a tight hug. "The two of you break my heart."

Jasper hands me a handkerchief out of his pocket and points to his eyes. "You got a little make up darlin'."

I let Alice wipe the eyeliner off of my cheeks and they insist that I accompany them to dinner. Knowing that I shouldn't, but not being able to help myself, I scan the dance floor and find Edward immediately. He and Jessica are dancing on the edge of the dance floor by the pavilion, but his eyes are on me, causing my heart to seize.

As if she knows I'm looking, Jessica lifts her hand up to cup his cheek before leaning in and whispering something. He smiles and I watch him lean down. I look away before their lips meet.

And in that moment, what was left of my fragile heart disintegrates into nothing.