"Don't
be afraid." I murmured. "We belong together." I was
abruptly overwhelmed by the truth of my own words. This moment was
so perfect, so right, there was no way to doubt it, his arms wrapped
around me, holding me against him…it felt like every nerve ending
in my body was a live wire.
"Forever." He agreed.
Edward looked at me for another agonizing second. When he leaned in to press is lips to my throat, I quivered. He knew I was afraid, but he knew that I wasn't going to let him get out of his end of the bargain. A thousand images passed through my mind. Images of what I was going to have to leave behind. My mind lingered for a brief moment on a memory I had come to take for granted. It was a small garage with an unfinished car sitting opposite of us. Jacob and I were sitting on an old couch, drinking lukewarm sodas and talking about nothing in particular.
I felt a single tear stream down my cheek. G'bye, Jake. I'll miss you. Edward knew I was crying. His face was only inches away from my face instead of inches away from my throat in an instant. He kissed me gently, trying to ease the pain that he thought he was responsible for.
I let my eyes find his. "I'm gonna miss Jake so much," I managed in a broken voice.
"I know," said Edward. He seemed to be in more pain than I was.
"But I've made my choice. I can't live without you."
He smiled wryly at me. "Are you sure?"
"One-hundred percent" I assured him in a whisper.
He sighed, but nonetheless pressed his teeth into my neck. At first I felt him pierce the flesh on my neck, but soon it was forgotten in the painful sensation of hell running through my veins. I held onto Edward for support, but the room was beginning to fade. Soon I would be lost…
The room was getting darker and darker. I heard Edward shouting. "Bella? Bella? Bella, get up! Bella, answer me!"
His voice got higher and slightly rougher. I was almost horrified when I opened my eyes to find that…
I was in my own room. And the voice was not Edward's, but my mom's. She pounded on the door.
"Bella, hurry up, or you'll be late for your plane!"
I blinked. Plane? What Plane? My eyes were wide open now. I ran to the door and flung it open.
"What plane are you talking about?"
"Your plane to Forks, Bella. Remember? You're going to live with Charlie." She gave me a look of pure confusion.
Forks? Why would I go to…Then it hit me. "NO!" I shrieked. I slumped to the floor. He…really didn't…exist. He…he…was never there...
Even without the comfort of knowing that Edward was real, I went to forks. I cooked pasta the first evening, but wasn't surprised when Charlie gave me the keys to my "new" car. An old, Chevy pick-up.
I eyed the key thoughtfully. "Hmmm…Edward Cullen."