EPOV:
I lie across my bed and stare to the ceiling. My mind a thousand miles away. High school had ended, and college to attend in the fall. My life way on the right path and I had the future to look forward to. So why did I feel so empty? My family loved and supported my choices, and were happy to see I was happy. But my mother knew better.
"Edward, can we talk for a minuet bunny?" I hated it when she called me that.
"Mum, I'm 18, isn't there something else you can call me?" I tried to force a smile from my dead cold lips. She noticed.
"I'm not here to discuss pet names sweetie .. oh is this one ok? Anyway, I'm here to talk to you about, well maybe getting away for a while." She took my hand and wouldn't meet my sad eyes.
"Mum, why do you say that? "I knew the answer, but I asked so she would feel better.
"Edward, you sit in this room all day every day, you don't call your friends, you don't go out with your brothers. I'm worried sweetie." She finally looked at me and tears were in here big brown eyes. I knew I was hurting her, she had always thought of my as her little man, and looked out for me. I couldn't bear to see that look in her eyes for one more moment, even if it meant lying to her.
"Well mum, i was actually just thinking about that." I tried to put as much enthusiasm in my voice as possible.
"Oh really Edward?!" That made her tiny face brighten up. She quickly jumped off the bed and ran to my closet. In moments, my suitcase was out of the floor and handfuls of clothing were in the bag already. I rolled my eyes a small smile carved my face, and rolled off the bed to help my mother.
So here I was, driving to who knows where. The sweet sense of separation from watching eyes, and worried stares. My mother was right though. I was lonely. I didn't know what was wrong. Maybe time away would mend this pain in my chest. This empty hole. I quickly gained speed as a drove out of the town limits.
BPOV:
"Mom, do you really love him?" This was awkward. My mom and I had always had our roles reversed. She was contemplating marrying the man she had been dating for 3 years and Phil had asked her to marry him. She wasn't sure if she was making the right choice, so, she came to me. All the way to Forks, a 3 hour drives.
"Well, he is very sweet and kind to me and" I cut her off.
"That's not what I asked you. DO YOU LOVE HIM?" I looked her dead in the eyes and pated her hand. I knew the answer, but she needed to figure it out for herself.
She looked down at our hands, and her eyes wondered for a few moments. Finally she answered. "Yes" It was barely audible.
"Sorry, what?" I wanted her so say it with confidence.
"Yes, yes I love him!" She said loud and full of joy. A smile spread from ear to ear.
"Then go!" I whispered with a smile on my lips.
"Thank you." She got up, grabbed her purse and keys, and ran out the door.
I sat there on the couch and tears came to my eyes. For once, I didn't care that she was happy. I guess that's not true. I was thrilled that she had found someone to make her happy and feel safe. Phil was a good guy. He could take care of her, and I knew that. No, these were tears of my own pain. Pain? No, it couldn't be pain. I was happy. I finished high school with honours, and I was accepted into an Ivy League college. I had my life together. So, why did I feel so .. so ...empty?
I wiped the single tear that escaped my eye and got off the couch. I think I need to get out of town for the day. I didn't think twice. My mom would be with Phil all day so she wouldn't notice my absence. And Charlie was at work. I looked out the window and saw that the rain had finally stopped in this hell hole town of Forks. I still couldn't believe I had lived here for almost 3 years. I loved living with my mom, but Forks seemed like a better fit for me.
So I left the house, locking the door and facing the cool breeze that met the bear skin of my face. It felt like home. I instantly thought of the ocean. The smell of the water. The feel of the sand between my toes. Sunset. Oh a bon fire! I knew where to go now.
I ran to the truck and started its old, noisy engine. I back out of the driveway and started toward the light house.
EPOV:
I decided to drive to the next town and stop. I kept driving down the empty highway, with an arm wrapped around that empty feeling in my core. The radio was loud, and the car moved quickly. I needed to escape this feeling. As I drove a small sign stating "Forks 4 Miles" caught my attention. Ah Forks, my sweet escape into no memories or heartbreak. I hit the gas and headed up the ramp into this small, unfamiliar town.
I drove through empty streets and saw just how tiny the town was. I saw one tiny Inn and thought it was perfect. I could be alone and no one the wiser of it. I parked the Volvo on the side of the road and got out. The breeze was cool and damp. The rain, just misting, caught hold on my skin. I think I smiled as I walked up the steps into Forks Inn. The lady working behind the desk fell off her chair as she looked up at me. I rolled my eyes helped her up.
"Are you ok?" I asked her. She just gasped and got to her feet fixing her shirt and straightening her hair. Blush coated her cheeks and she batted her eyes at me. Oh great.
"Oh yes, I'm fine, thank you." She got back on her chair and started typing like she hadn't known i was there. "Uh, miss?" I hinted.
"Oh my god, right." She had a new wave oh blush coat her entire face. "Uh, I'm Jessica, can I help you sir?" She was really trying hard to sound older. It was entertaining.
"Uh, yes, I'm looking for a room, you know, since were at an Inn." She laughed. Wow, was she ever dull.
She got me a room and I went back to the car. I opened the Volvo's trunk and grabbed my bag. I placed the strap over my shoulder and walked into room number 4. The room was small but it had a window. Surly not a prison. I put my bag down on the bed and felt the bed spread. Oh this would be fun. I laughed at the ugly flowery spread and rolled my eyes. Maybe I would go out, get some fresh air. Something in my core healed. Wow, maybe I did need some time out. Weird. I locked the door and went to the Volvo.
I put on my jacket and started the car. I didn't know where I was going, but I just drove. I went down many streets until I drove past the outer lines of town towards the ocean. I parked the car on the side of the road and got out. The ocean looked peaceful like after a storm. I took my shoes off and left them in the car. The feeling of sand between your toes was one of my favourite things.
I walked down the beach and thought of nothing. My mind was blank and my heart was dead. I put my hands in my pockets and continued walking. I saw a light house up ahead and decided to go and look. As I walked, I heard a scream coming from the light house. My heart stuttered at the sound, and my feet took off.
My heart was breaking as that scream echoed in my ears. Someone was hurt, what happened? A million questions in my mind. I didn't stop, I just ran. I got to the light house and looked around. "Hello!? Hello!? IS ANYONE HERE!" I was getting panicked. Was I too late? I kept looking as I heard the cry one more time. "HELP!" I ran to the edge and saw her.
BPOV:
I drove to the hardware store to buy some wood. I was going to spend the day at the beach and hope that I could make a fire. "Thanks Mike" He handed me the wood and gave those gooey love eyes. I hated that we had this kind of relationship. "Hey Bella, what are you doing with all that wood?" He got closer and i stepped back. "Oh I uh ... I'm getting this of Charlie. Bye." I hated lying because I was bad at it.
I ran out and got into the car. Oh.. Mike had liked me since I got to Forks, and I couldn't stand it. He was so sure of himself and it bothered me. I shook off that feeling. I thought again about my mom and more tears came to my eyes as I thought about how she would run to Phil and kiss him, telling him how much she loved him. That empty feeling came back. I pulled over that the side of the road and wound my arms around my core. I wept for a few minutes until the feeling was gone. I turned the truck off and got out. The wood was dry, so i should be able to start a fire. I looked to the sky. Too much light still. A few more hours until dark, maybe I would come back to get the wood.
I took off my shoes and left them in the truck bed. I looked at the water and felt better. This was my spot when I needed to think. I walked by the water and put my toes in. It was freezing. I laughed at myself for thinking it would be warm. I wrapped my arms around myself, not to help my "empty hole" but because it was cold. Looking around I saw that the light house was only a few minutes' walk down the beach. I slowly stepped in the cool sand and felt it mould between my toes. This felt so right to me. "Oh feeling of freedom, sweet sense of right" I whispered into the wind.
I got to the lighthouse and felt the cool wood of the building. Tears of joy now coated my cheeks. I heard the waves crashing up on the shore at the end of the hill. I walked towards the edge. The lighthouse was built on a small cliff that overlooked the water and you could see for miles. I walked closer and closed my eyes. The mist of the ocean caught my face, and i smiled once again and the feeling of wholeness.
Standing on the edge, I looked over to see the waves, when a strong breeze hit my back. I almost thought someone had pushed me. The wind was so strong that it knocked me forward. I screamed as I fell toward the ice black water. Falling forward until my head pierced the water and engulfed my body. Twisting and thrusting and numbness was becoming my only feelings. I kicked my legs and arms to get to the surface. I kicked hard until my head broke. The current was strong and i knew i only had seconds. Suddenly I heard a voice. I didn't hear what they said, i just screamed with a shrill and broken voice "HELP". And my body was pounded again with the force of the waves. The waves had pulled my body away from shore and I was too tired to kick anymore. I knew it was over. I would drown. My mother would be heartbroken and my father would be devastated. I was sorry I couldn't say goodbye to them. I felt the last breath escape my lungs.
The final bash hit my body from the weirdest angle. The water was pulling my body hard, but in the wrong direction. The current was heaving my body and i was losing life. With little strength I brought my hand to the weird feeling around my core, to find it was a strong hand. Someone had heard me. I dropped my hand and lost consciousness.
What felt like seconds later, I was on the beach and someone was talking to me. "Miss, oh god Miss are you ok?" His voice was like an angel and full of concern. He had saved my life and all I could do was lay lifelessly in his arms. He hit my back a few times and the water that was pounded down my throat was suddenly gone, and I could breathe again. I coughed a few times and finally opened my eyes.
EPOV:
"HELP"
I heard her cry down there in the water and I jumped. I dove to her, hoping I was strong enough to save her. The water was freezing and it felt like tiny knives were piercing my legs, arms, and chest. I looked around to see where she was, but nothing caught my eyes. I went under the water to see her tiny body wasn't moving. Panic engulfed my heart and i went to her. I grabbed her chest and fought the waves to get to shore. I felt her tiny hand touch mine, and my heart gave a tiny squeeze. She was alive. I kept my arm tightly around her as I swam to shore. She wasn't breathing when I got her on the sand.
"Miss, oh god Miss are you ok?" I was almost crying. I had to save her. I hit her back in between her shoulder blades with light pressure. A cough came from her chest and the water clogging her windpipes. She was breathing again. I laid her back down and watched her. If this wasn't bad timing or what, i noticed just beautiful she was. She had long hair and deep brown eyes. She looked up at me with fear beaming from her eyes. I picked her up in one swift motion and ran to the Volvo. I opened the door and turned the heat on. There was a blanket in the trunk i could get for her. As i was getting out of the car, and hand caught my arm and she whispered "Don't leave me" She looked so scared. I whispered back " I won't, I promise" She closed her eyes and laid against the seat. I ran and got the blanket for her. My heart suddenly felt whole. I couldn't think about that right now. She needed me. I closed the trunk and got back into the car. I placed the blanket on her lap and took off her jacket and her shirt. I didn't think it was proper to take them, especially with her being unconscious, but she was freezing. I didn't look at her as i put the blanket around her core.
I sat back in my seat and tried to warm my own body now. Small goose bumps were still covering my body. I rubbed my hands over my arms and awaited the girl to wake. I closed my eyes for only a minute when I heard the car door open and the light come on.
"Oh, I'm so sorry" She whispered. She had the blanket around her and her now dry clothes in her hands.
"Oh, no that's ok. How are you feeling?" Why did I feel so panicked to not let her go? Would I ever see her again? What was her name?
"Yes, thank you. Thank you for saving me. I thought I was a goner." She blushed and I smiled. "That's ok, I'm just happy your ok. I'm Edward" I needed to know her name. My heart was beating so fast."
BPOV:
"I'm Edward" His voice was like melting honey. My heart was squeezing. "I'm Bella." Uh, what was I suppose to do now? "Well, thank you." I got out of the car and walked to the truck. So much for a bon fire, but I needed to get into a hot shower and get home before Charlie did.
"Wait, Bella" I heard him get out of the car and call. I turned to him and saw his angelic body. He was like a masterpiece, a painting for the gods. "Yes?" I asked like an idiot.
"Please let me take you home, I did save you, and it wouldn't be right of me to let you go alone." Was he blushing? "That's very sweet of you, but my truck is here, and my father would worry." I didn't want to go, but what I said was true. Charlie would worry.
"Then I insist on following you there to make sure you get their safely." Ok, he was definitely blushing in the light of the moon. "Ok, I guess that would be fine." I turned to the truck, a huge smile on my face. I started the truck and waited for him. In seconds he was in view of my mirror and i couldn't help but stare. This had to be a dream. Sooner than I thought, we were back at my house. I parked the truck and got out. He had also parked his little silver car. I waited for him to get out. I wanted to thank him once again.
"Thank you" I told him as he got to my side. He gestured to the door and I started towards it. Up the few steps, and under the door frame, I turned to wish him good night. I saw he was looking right at me. Dead straight in the eyes. I shied away and unlocked the door. I stepped in and then i gestured him to come in. We were in a silent staring now. He came in and closed the door behind him. I turned on a light and walked towards the stairs.
"Oh, I'll be right back. Hold on, I'll give you back your blanket." I think I was blushing as i thought of how i was nearly naked under here. " No rush, take your time." That's when he gave me a smile that would make full grown women cry. His crooked smile knocked the breathe out of me. I turned and walked up the stairs, unsure of what to say to this god when I got back down stairs. All I knew was, I didn't want him to go. Why didn't I have that empty feeling anymore? I didn't even know him . . .