When Edward left, something inside Bella died.
Literally.
He wasn't going away forever; Bella knew that. It's just that his little three day hunting trip seemed more like three decades from her point of view. After waving him goodbye as he sped off with Jasper and Emmet, her heart fell to her stomach and stayed there.
She hated this.
She walked to her desk and stared at the little mountain of books piled there beside her computer. To keep herself occupied, she flipped open her English assignment, punched the on button on her computer and proceeded to start it. A little voice inside her head was telling her that he would be back soon, with his golden eyes and cool fingers and alabaster body. The little voice told her that Alice, Carlisle, Esme and Rosalie are around and you are safe.
But safe meant nothing to Bella. Safe meant Edward. And Edward was gone.
For now, the little voice added. Shut the hell up, Bella told the little voice sarcastically. She angrily flipped the page. The book protested loudly; crackling but submissively flopped opened to the next side. Bella sighed and smoothed the dog ears that time and bad handling had given the book. It was no use. Her concentration was shot, and her thoughts only spelt out one thing.
E-D-W-A-R-D.
Bella jumped up abruptly, knocking the book to the floor and twitched agitatedly. She hated this. She hated this! She loathed him right at this moment; for leaving her, for letting her be alone. All wretchedly alone. The little voice reminded her that Charlie was only out for fishing, and Alice would come if she called. But Bella didn't want them. She only wanted him.
The pain of him not being near was so much that is was physical; making her shiver and moan and clutch at her middle and her chest – her heart! – felt as if it would explode. Dry sobs racked her body as she stumbled to her bed and collapsed in a heap over the bedcovers. Then the tears came.
Was she the only one who could feel such pain? Such physical torment of missing someone so much, that it stabbed you from the inside? Bella secretly hoped not. At least then it would be normal. She clutched at her blanket, her anchor to her senses, and gritted her teeth to contain her sobs. Does he feel the same as I do? Bella's hot tears were consumed by her pillow. The little voice yet again reminded her of Alice, Carlisle and the rest. They can keep you safe too.
Bella bit back an inward snarl, which surprised her, and she choked. Her subconscious had triggered the fact that she was scared stiff. The protection that was Edward was absent and she was open to Victoria. Bella's eyes slammed shut as she tried to fight off the image of the fiery haired vampire with the bared fangs. She threw the covers over herself and trembled until exhaustion released her into slumber.
When she awoke, the golden-eyed god was by her side. And she felt whole again. In his arms.