"Edward…" I whispered softly as my right hand drifted across his chest. His lips met mine and as we kissed my hand slowly drifted down to his abdomen tracing his muscular stomach. I heard him let out a low moan as my other hand reached up and caressed the back of his neck.
Suddenly I felt him grab my upper arms and push me away roughly. I looked at him confused as to what I had done wrong. He was looking at me with anger and disapproval in his eyes. His expression made me nervous.
"Bella…" His voice seethed with disapproval. "We've been over this. You know where the boundaries are. Why do you always insist on pushing them?" He almost growled his last sentence at me. I was too shocked and hurt to say anything. He had never talked to me like this before. I knew that I had crossed the line with his boundaries, for they were his not mine. He didn't even discuss them with me before he set them. I had crossed the line many times, but he had never gotten this upset with me before. He let go of my arms after a few minutes of silence. I was still in shock. He shook his head angrily and mumbled something to himself. I couldn't make out everything he said but I did hear immature and childish. As soon as those words left his mouth I felt like I had been slapped in the face. I could feel the hurt as it ripped through my chest. How could he say such things about me? Did he really think I was immature and childish? I quickly turned my back to him closing my eyes and laid my head on my pillow. I did not want him to see how he had hurt me. I purposefully lay as far from him as possible. I was too hurt to cuddle tonight. A few seconds later I felt his cold hand softly shake my shoulder.
"Bella." His voice had softened but I could still hear the disapproval from before.
I didn't say anything at first. I knew my voice would portray my emotions and I didn't want him to know how he had hurt me. I wasn't ready for this conversation, not tonight. I finally resigned myself to say something knowing Edward would not leave me alone until I had.
I whispered as softly as I could hiding the hurt I felt, "I'm tired Edward I just want to sleep. Goodnight."
Edward took a deep breath and sighed, "Goodnight Bella." Then in a softer voice, "I love you." I didn't respond. I couldn't. I could feel tears starting to form in my eyes. I desperately tried to fight them off. I would not let him see me cry. I felt him lay down on the bed beside me and I did not make any shift to move closer to him. I stayed on the extreme edge of my bed until sleep eventually found me.
I woke the next morning, not willing, to face the day. I didn't want to face Edward. I was still so hurt from his words the previous night. I could feel him lying next to me, but I refused to move. I felt the bed shift as he repositioned himself and then felt his mouth at my ear.
"Bella, it's time to get up." He whispered softly. I didn't respond. I just lay there with my eyes shut.
"Bella you will be late for school if you don't get up now." I still said nothing. I didn't want to go thought an entire day of school feeling this way. I didn't know how I was going to look him in the eye and not cry. I decided that I would take the chicken's way out and fake being sick. I never stayed home from school. I deserved a day off. This would give me time away from Edward to think, organize my thoughts, and feelings.
Before I could say anything Edward murmured, "Bella about last night I…" I could hear the sadness in his voice but I cut him off before he could continue.
"Is Charlie home?" I said quietly.
"Yes, he is going into work late today." I could hear the confusion in his voice at my question. I got out of bed then and tiredly went to my door. I could feel Edward's eyes on me as I reached the door. Without turning around I whispered to him, "I don't feel well today. I won't be going to school. You go. Please. I want to be alone to rest. You can call me on your lunch hour if you like to check on me, though I will probably be sleeping. I have to go tell Charlie now. Have a good day at school."
"I love you Bella." Edward said sorrowfully. I pretended to not hear him as I opened my door and left.
I didn't want to discuss it with him. I slowly made my way down the stairs to the kitchen. I quietly told Charlie that I was sick and needed him to call the school. He looked concerned and asked if I needed anything. I declined and made my way to the living room to rest on the couch. I didn't want to go to my room right away for fear that Edward would still be there. Before Charlie left he grabbed a blanket from the closet in the hall and placed it over me. Tears fell down my face as I listened to Charlie get into his cruiser and leave the yard. I knew my actions were hurting Edward, and he needed as explanation. I just wasn't ready. I was hurting too much. I could feel my chest ache as I remember his harsh words from the night before. How could he treat me that way? How could he hurt me like this? I cried myself to sleep and didn't wake again until I heard the phone ring.