Hi again! I hope you like this chapter! It was kinda of hard to write but it's done.
I do not own anything besides the plot, Scott, Sarah, Matt, and Taylor. Oh and my lovly beta XoBella ItaliaoX
Enjoy!
I was buckled into the car watching the trees whip past me, us. My mother was buckled in the driver's seat. She was singing along with the radio, with a smile on her face. Her blue eyes were sparkling with happiness and her strawberry blond hair was pulled into a pony tail. She looked beautiful. We drove for a while as she kept on singing, when she pulled forward. After stopping at the stop sign, it all came crashing down. A truck smashing into Mom's side of the car, glass flying everywhere, screams coming from both of our mouths. Pain washed over me as I was screaming for my mother, seeing her slumped over the steering wheel with blood running down her pale cheek. Her body was twisted in ways no body should be twisted. Trying to get out of the car, I fall into icy arms. Looking up, all I see are warm, golden eyes.
I woke up in the warmth of my Charlie's arms around me, rocking me, helping me try to calm down.
"Shh, Bells. It was only a dream, only a dream baby girl." He murmured into my hair.
Turning my head, I cried into his shoulder, his warm tears falling into my hair. How long we stayed there, I wasn't sure, both of us crying over the loss of our mother and wife. Losing her is something we both will never truly get over.
When my crying finally started to slow, Charlie still rocked us back and forth. His large, warm hand still rubbing my back, something he has done since I was baby.
"I'm sorry I woke you." I sniffled.
He kissed my forehead, his mustache tickling my skin. "You have nothing to worry about baby. Now, try and get some sleep. Okay?"
I nodded, kissing his cheek, then laying back down and covering myself with the now cool blankets. Charlie kissed my temple and smoothed my hair before moving to his own room. Sleep wasn't something that was going to grace me with her presents any time soon. Getting up, turning on my bed side lamp, I grab my sketchbook from my desk and nestled back under my blankets, pulling my knees up, I started to sketch my mother.
I finally fell asleep almost an hour later with the pencil still in my hand.
Waking up to the sound of my alarm clock buzzing wasn't what I wanted to hear at six in the morning. But school was a must. Dragging slowly out of bed and putting my sketch book away, I made my way to the bathroom. Looking in the mirror, I could see the purple bags under my eyes from the lack of sleep. My skin was a little bit paler than normal, and my lips were chapped. Sweatshirt and jeans day it was. Jumping in shower to wake up a bit more, putting it as warm as I could stand it before getting in. The hot water burned my skin, but it felt so good, it was almost warming me on the inside too.
Dreaming about my mother wasn't something new. It happened every so often. The worst was always on the anniversary of her death. What made it worse this time was that I actually forgot about it. I will never forgive myself for it. She was an amazing woman, always doing something. But she always came back to her being with me baking together or her drawing, something that we also share. She taught me how to draw at the young age of two years old when I was scribbling on a piece of paper. I've loved to draw ever since then, Mom and I would always draw together after school. We would talk during our drawing. When I was little, I would babble along with whatever she said.
Oh, how I miss her.
Tears rolling down my cheeks mixing with the water that was falling down on me, not knowing which was falling faster down the drain. My mother was, is, the most important person in my life, along with my father. Losing her was one of the worst days of my life. It was actually hard on all of us, in my little group of friends, but the one that took it almost as hard as I did was Scott. He was always over with us. Him being in home with a single father, he always thought of Mom as his own.
Scott had lost his mother when he was just months old. Jenny had become very depressed after she had given birth to Scott. Making his father, John, do most of the parenting, not that he minded. He loved Scott and would do anything for him. Jenny just became worse and worse. She tried getting help, but she wouldn't put forth the effort of truly trying. Not even for Scott. One day, she just couldn't take it. When John was at work, she had left a note saying she couldn't take it anymore. That she loved her baby boy, but she couldn't handle being a mother. She had left Scott in his crib when he was asleep and never returned. John had come home to a screaming Scott and Jenny nowhere to be found. John had joined the force with my Father and that's how Scott and I met at the young age of 5 months. Mom had taken care of Scott when John was at work or whenever he went out with Charlie. Scott was truly devastated once he had learned about his mother and what had happened. I had helped him get through it and he helped me when I lost my Mom. Scott and I have been through thick and thin and we would never leave each other when the other one is needed. Scott is what I needed now.
The water finally turning cold was making it so I had to get out. Wrapping a towel around me, I walked back into my room, quickly getting dressed in a simple black hoodie and dark jeans with my black Chucks. Going back to the bathroom to brush my hair and teeth, I looked at myself one last time. My eyes were now rimmed with red from crying. Great. Going downstairs, I saw Charlie sitting at the table, reading the morning paper, still in his pajamas.
"Morning." I greeted half-heartedly, kissing his cheek
"Morning, Bells. You going to school this morning? I know you didn't get a lot of sleep last night."
"I need to see Scott, Dad."
That was the end of that conversation. Placing my poptarts in the toaster, I leaned against the counter, waiting for it to pop.
"Going to work today, Dad?"
"Yeah, just a little later than normal. I should be home around the same time, so I won't be home late."
"Okay, Dad. Sounds great. You deserve a little break around here."
"Thanks, Bells. Do you want to talk about what happened last night?" He asked carefully.
"Later Dad, okay? I'm not really ready to talk about it yet." I still needed to think about the golden-eyed man.
"Whenever you're ready, Bells."
Grabbing my now warm breakfast, kissing Charlie's cheek and thanking him for last night, I was out the door. Pulling the hood over my head as I walked to my truck, I began picking at the food that was in my hand, without any interest of really eating it. Eyes were staring at me again this morning. I didn't know if I wanted them staring at me right now, as I got into my truck. The drive to school was short, which I was thankful for. Parking at one of the first spots I saw, which I didn't even notice was by a silver Volvo, I started scanning over the lot looking for Scott once I was out. My breakfast was forgotten.
Arms wrapped around my waist from behind. A warm breath in my ear, smiling, because he knew what I needed. I needed him. "Morning Bella." he whispered in my ear.
I turned myself in his arms, wrapping my own around his neck, hugging myself to him. "Scott." I breathed.
"How are you doing Bells?" He asked, his left hand rubbing my back as I quietly sniffled into his neck
"I could ask you the same question. I didn't even ask how you were doing last night. I'm sorry for that." I told him.
"You know me Bells. Besides, I'm more worried about you." He said with his cheek now on top of my hooded head.
"I had a bad dream last night. I woke up Charlie." I told him. "I did some drawing after Charlie left. I'm not running on a lot of sleep."
"If you need to leave let me know, okay? I'll get you out of here. Also, since the bell just rang, I'm coming over tonight so we can talk just you and me sound okay?"
He lifted his head and pulled my hood back. His frown deepened as he traced the purple under my eyes. Removing my arms from around him, I agreed to him coming over. Walking to the building with his arm around my shoulders, I noticed Edward Cullen glaring at us with his dark eyes. It made it even more freighting. I tried giving him a warm smile, which came out as an awkward grimace, as I walked by, making my cheeks turn pink from embarrassment.
When we got to my locker, I grabbed my things for my class. Scott walked me to class, stopping me from going in.
"I'll be here to walk you to your next class, okay?"
"I don't want you to be late."
"Don't worry about it. Wait for me after class. I promise I'll be here."
Nodding my head, I walked into class. I couldn't tell you what was being taught. I was too busy thinking about what happened last night; the dream to be exact. Those eyes were startlingly beautiful, filled with so many different emotions. The cold arms that caught me so swiftly and how he cradled me to him. How safe I felt in them.
Class passed quickly and soon the bell was signaling for us to leave and head to our next class. Scott wasn't waiting at the door like he had said, so I waited by the door for him, hoping he wouldn't take too long.
"Waiting for someone?" A smooth voice asked.
Turning my head there was Edward Cullen, also leaning against the wall with his shoulder.
"Yes, my friend Scott." Could it be that his dark eyes turned an even darker shade of black? "He said that he was going to walk me to my next class, but it seems that he's running late."
The bell rang before he could speak. "Well, it seems that you are late now."
"I guess I am. I'll have him make it up to me later."
"Would it be alright if I walked you to class?"
"Wouldn't that make you even more late than you already are?"
"It's a study hall, nothing to worry about."
"Well then, I would love for you to walk me to class." Smiling at him, my cheeks tinting pink.
He gave me a smile that resembled an angel's. "Which way are we going?"
"Government." I told him.
"Well, let's go then."
We began walking towards my next class. I didn't want to break the almost calming silence. I kept on looking in the corner of my eye to study Edward, watching how graceful he walked, how pale he truly was, and how unnaturally dark his eyes were. Something was defiantly different about Edward Cullen.
"How are you feeling today, Bella?" Edward asked as we got closer to the class room. "You left early yesterday and it looks like you didn't get enough sleep. Is everything alright, now?"
This is something I so do not want to talk about right now. "Yes, I feel a little bit better today. Speaking of sleeping, you don't look any better Mr. Cullen. The purple under your eyes are almost as bad as mine." I snapped back.
"I apologize if I offended you. I was, am, truly concerned."
"Why?" I asked as we got to the closed door of the class room I was supposed to be in.
"I can't answer that." He answered smoothly.
"Goodbye, Edward. Thanks for walking me to class."
I didn't give him a chance to answer. Walking in the door, everything stopped and everyone stared at me. Mr. Peterson, one of the new teachers that had come in this year, didn't ask why I was late. He already knew. Who didn't know about me losing my Mother and the little episodes I used to have. To be honest, I still do have them on occasion. He had sorrow in his eyes that he didn't even bother hiding.
"Please take your seat, Miss Swan." He said softly before he went on back to teaching.
I started walking to my seat as quietly as I could, not wanting to disrupt any more than I already had. After a while, I studied Mr. Peterson. He had short, blond hair, his skin was tinted with some color, proving he wasn't from around here and making me wonder why he would move here to begin with. Over the years, when new people moved here, all you heard was them complaining about how the sun never came out and that it always rained. That it was depressing. Most of them moved again, to where, I didn't know or care. Forks was my home and I loved it. Mr. Peterson was tall, had bright blue eyes and he always wore a smile; always making me smile in return. Well, not always. He was thin, but not overly. You could tell he worked out, because on casual Fridays, he wears a nice t-shirt that showed his shapely arms. He was also young; he had just finished college when he was offered this job. The girls loved him, always talked about him. I would appease them and talk about him too. When really, all I wanted to talk about the amazing book I had read that last weekend or show them the new drawings that I have done.
I loved my friends. I truly did, but some days I ask myself why I am friends with them. However, I always came up with an answer. We have been through so much and no matter what, we always had each other's back. My little group all may have many differences, but that's what makes our group that much better, that much more fun.
During all my thinking and not really paying attention, I sketched a bit on a plain piece of lined paper. It was one of the many pictures that were in my room. It was all of us when we were younger and my mother. We were surrounding her with Scott and I on her lap. Emily, Sarah and Taylor were at her feet and Matt and Tyler were standing behind her. It was Mom's birthday. All of us were outside the day we had the picture taken. She was in a lawn chair and all of us were covered in mud from being outside. All of our parents were together for her birthday and all of them were close friends. They were happy to see us playing together. Especially when all of us were truly happy.
The bell rang. Packing my stuff, I left my paper on top so it wouldn't get ruined. I would get the notes from Emily later. Walking out the door, there was Scott breathing heavily.
"May I help you?" I asked him, narrowing my eyes at him, knowing he had to run across the school to get to me. I walked away towards my locker.
"I came to walk you to class." He told me, following.
"Where were you last period? Edward was nice enough to walk me to class last period. Where were you when you promised you would walk me to class?" I asked, truly hurt that he blew me off.
"Coach – Wait, Edward Cullen? One of the new kids?"
"Does it matter? At least he was kind enough to walk me to class when you weren't there." Cursing myself for the angry tears that were coating my eyes and for not getting enough sleep. Otherwise, I wouldn't be acting this way.
"I'm sorry I wasn't there, Bella." He told me, trying to pull me to him.
"Don't! I really needed you today and you blew me off. So guess what? Screw you Scott!" I told him, slamming my locker door, not noticing my picture falling to the ground, before I walked away from him.
Pulling my hood up so it was covering my face, I couldn't show that I was having another break down. I needed to be strong. I couldn't act like this anymore. I continued ignoring Scott's voice who was still trying to make me stop and listen to him so that he could explain why he wasn't there. I didn't care. I was tired and emotionally drained and I didn't want to hear it. Walking into the math room and taking my seat, I waited for class to start.
Arms wrapped around my shoulder pulling me into an awkward hug, "How are you doing, Bella?" Matt asked with Emily by his side.
"I'm hanging in there." I told them truthfully.
"You know, all of us are here for you. You're not the only one suffering. Your mom was like all our mom too. We also know that you're beating yourself up for forgetting what yesterday was. Don't do it Bella. We know that you think of her every day and that makes up for it. You know she wouldn't want you to be this upset." Emily told me, pulling my hood down. Both of them frowned seeing how I looked.
"I know, I know. I'll be alright. I promise. I just didn't get enough sleep last night."
"Nightmares again?" Matt asked, both knowing that was why I didn't sleep.
"Do you need an answer for that question?"
"I guess not. Bella, you know our little group isn't just a group of friends. We're family and we stick together and we help each other out. Talk to any one of us and we'll be here for you. Losing your mom was hard on all of us, but you can't keep that all inside of you. You know what happened last time." Emily scolded me.
Glaring at the both of them, I pulled my hood back up, turning my head away from them. Matt squeezed my hand as he passed to go to his own seat and Emily pulled me into another awkward hug. Class began and I paid attention every once in a while, since math was the one subject that I truly struggled with.
The rest of the morning went by fairly quickly. Taylor, Sarah, and Tyler all came up to me with hugs and saying that they were here for me. I haven't seen Scott since the scene at my locker. By the time lunch came around, I still didn't feel like eating and I didn't want to deal with Scott. Instead of going to the cafeteria, I went to the art room. Miss Muntz didn't care if I came in during her lunch break. She knew what I needed and she let me have it, paints. Grabbing everything that I needed, I let myself loose; dipping my hands in the paint, even though I knew that it wasn't washable. I liked seeing the paint on my fingers. It reminded me of Mom. It wasn't unusual to see paint stains on my fingers. As I painted, I heard a piano playing in the music room next door. It was soothing. It was slow and sweet. Almost like a lullaby. It also sounded like someone had been playing the piano for many years and it wasn't known for Mr. Green to play during his break. It was someone else. I didn't know who it was, but they played beautifully.
Relaxing further as I continued to feel the cool paint on my fingers, I began leaving my them to the blank piece of paper. The music playing in the background is exactly what I needed. Pushing my hood back with my wrist as I continued to paint, time passed quickly for me. Soon, the music stopped and I felt Miss Muntz's hand on my shoulder.
"Time to go sweetie. Oh! What an interesting painting we have here." She commented on my work.
It was the golden eyes again, but that's all it was. Those eyes with a black background. "Thanks." I muttered.
Putting the painting on the drying rack so I can get it later today, I started putting the paints away in their rightful place, then washed my hands of the remaining paint. I left, thanking Miss Muntz for letting me come in and for the late pass that I needed. I began walking to chemistry with a lighter heart after that much needed art session, and also knowing I was going to see Edward. Oh god, Edward. What was I doing? I mean, he's shown interest right? What was the whole, 'may I walk you to class?' but the 'I can't answer that' when I asked him why he cared. I mean what the hell? Maybe it's better just to have a friendship with him. I could get close to him to figure out what he was. I know he's pale, like the definition of pale, and his eyes are really dark. But couldn't that just be contacts? He's very graceful and his whole family was supposed to be adopted, even though they all looked alike. Well, some of their features were something that they couldn't share unless they were truly family. What was the Cullen's secret?
Opening my locker, there was a packed sandwich in there. What the hell? Was this a joke? Who could have put this in there?
Did you leave food in my locker? ~ B
I sent the text to everyone and all of them replied that they didn't. Thanks guys. Well, whoever did it was being thoughtful, but how did they know I didn't eat lunch? Taking the sandwich and my books for chemistry, I was off to the class. Opening the door, I immediately threw away the sandwich, not knowing who it was from, giving Mr. Banner my late pass and took my seat next to Edward.
"Not hungry?" He asked I gave him a questioning look. "You just threw away your lunch."
"Oh, no. I'm not. My stomach still isn't right."
He nodded once before turning back to pay attention. His body slowly started shifting away from me and his hands were griping the table. I could almost hear the hard countertop crack with how hard he was holding the table.
"Are you okay?" I asked, grabbing his hand then gasping on how cold it was. I also took note on how there was a spark when I touched him. "Are you sick, Edward?" I asked, holding his hand tighter.
"I-I'm fine."
He pulled his hand out from under mine and tucked it under the table, his lips in a hard line. It seemed like he almost wasn't breathing. He wasn't fine. He wasn't acting this way yesterday, was he? But I didn't stay the whole class yesterday. I didn't really pay attention to him then, either. I couldn't make that same mistake again.
"Your hands are so cold Edward, are you sure you're okay? If you need to go see someone I'll go and take you." And hopefully get more answers.
"I'm fine, Bella. It's nothing to worry about." He told me smoothly.
Sighing, I turned back to Mr. Banner. But try as I might, I couldn't pay attention. My hand still tingled from me touching Edward. I couldn't pay attention because I was thinking about how cold Edward was, and thinking about how different he was acting from yesterday. Thinking about how I needed to start watching Edward Cullen from now on.
Class slowly moved forward and when the bell rang, Matt came right over. "Feeling better after painting?" He asked nodding towards my hands.
"You know I always do, Matt." I said, giving him a smile. "I always feel better after I do my art things."
"Well grab your things, Sweetness! All of us are going to the coffee shop for a little while and you're not going home to mope."
"Matt, I already missed half the day yesterday. I can't miss it again today."
"Coach Clapp and Mrs. H will understand. Besides, you need to eat. You weren't at lunch today."
"I ate breakfast." I defended myself.
"How much of it did you eat?" He asked raising a blonde brow.
Pink rushed into my cheeks. "I…uh…some of a poptart."
"Some? Knowing you, it's a corner of it. Come on, you need to eat. You're not pulling this stunt again."
My eyes widened with shock, looking to see if Edward had left yet. He hadn't. My cheeks turned into a deeper red. "Don't be bringing that up." I hissed through my teeth.
"Bella, I'll copy my notes so you can have them. Don't worry about anything. You really need to eat. Don't make yourself any more sick." Edward's voice broke us from our glaring contest.
Horrified, I turned my head to Edward. "You don't have to do that. I'm not leaving. I told you I wasn't hungry."
"Oh yes you are! That would be great...Edward, was it?" Matt told him, gathering my things along with his.
"Matt, stop it. Edward doesn't have to do anything. I'll go." I told the both of them.
"I'll take the notes, Bella. Don't worry about it." Edward told me as he gathered his things and walked away.
"Happy? He didn't have to do that. Stop being so damn bossy."
"He seemed like he really wanted to do it. So get over it." He said.
I pushed him out of my way, walking towards my locker for the last time that day. Pulling it open, a piece of folded paper came out with my name written on it. Who keeps getting into my locker? Tucking the letter into my back pocket without Matt noticing it, I took my books from him, putting them away in there respectful place and grabbed my jacket. I locked it back up, and then walked over to Matt's locker. Waiting for him, we walked outside once he was finished, seeing that everyone was waiting for us.
"Sorry for the wait." I apologized. "Matt was being an ass to Edward."
"He offered Bella!" He defended himself.
"I told him not to do it and you told him to do it anyway!"
"He seemed like he wanted to do it."
"Yeah he wanted to do it! He wanted me to leave with you guys so I'd eat because you just had to bring up what happened over a year ago!" I yelled. "Why would you do that Matt? He was sitting right there and you knew that! I don't want anyone to know what I did to myself, and if I want to do it again I can very well do it again! It's my damn body! Mine!" I seethed. "You have no right to tell me what to do! No right to tell me how I should feel I'm sorry that I wasn't hungry at lunch, but don't you dare slap me in the face with that!"
Matt's square, usually smiling face was turned into a frown. His blonde hair was long enough were his bangs reached his brow. His tall, brawn frame hunched over just a bit. His blue jacket made his blue eyes pop, showing how hurt and sorry he was.
"Bella I-"
"Matt, don't." I told him tiredly. "Can we just go?" I asked, turning back to my group.
All of them looked worried. Emily's dark bangs falling out of their usual clip, covering her brown eyes. Her lips also pulled into a frown, her arms hugging her small frame. "Come on Bella, we're all riding in my car since we can all fit in there."
I nodded my head, heading to her old SUV, pulling my hood back up as I walked. I climbed into the back without a word because I knew it would be a fight. I knew no one liked being in the back, so someone else was just going to have to sit next to me. I buckled myself in and pulled it so it was tight against me and pulled my knees to my chest, waiting for this whole thing could be over. But was Scott still coming over tonight? I didn't know. Did I want him to come over still? Yes, yes I did.
Laying my head on the window, thankful that my hood protected me from the cold that it would have brought. I heard someone slip next to me and I saw it was Sarah. She opened her arms to me and I immediately pulled myself into her arms, and i wrapped my arms around her soft torso with my head on her shoulder. Silent tears began running down my cheeks, and she shushed me softly while running her hands through my hair. Out of all of us, Sarah was the most motherly, always taking care of us, having someone check on the other when she couldn't do it herself. Sarah was a full figured girl, curves in all of the right places. Her stomach was flat but she was still a bit soft. Her hair was strawberry blonde. She had bright green eyes, full lips, and she was beautiful. All of my friends were and I was lucky to have them.
Sarah rubbed my back, rocking us back and forth, just like my mother used to. What she did to all of us. "I miss her, Sarah." I cried. "I miss her so much. I can't believe I forgot what yesterday was."
"I know you miss her, Bella. Don't feel guilty for not remembering what yesterday was. Mom would want us to be happy and for us to remember all of the happy times that we had with her. Not all of the sad ones. Please don't make yourself sick again. Please don't Bella. We can't go through with that again. You're just starting to truly get healthy again. It just about killed all of us to see you like that. Especially Scott. Please, no more Bella."
I didn't know if I could promise her that I wouldn't do it anymore, and that killed me. She hummed quietly as we rocked. Her hand ran through my hair, lulling me to sleep on her shoulder. I woke to Sarah's soft voice, waking me up from my almost peaceful slumber.
"We're here, Sweet Pea. Time to get up."
Pulling myself off of her shoulder, I rubbed my eyes. "Sorry for falling asleep on you, Sarah." I slurred, my voice still thick with sleep.
"You needed it, Bella. Don't worry about it. Just think, tomorrow is Friday. Then after that, you can sleep in all you want. Well, maybe not, because we're having a sleepover soon. Maybe the guys can come over too."
"Maybe." I agreed.
We both climbed out of the car, Sarah's arm around my shoulder as we walked into the café. We all ordered something to drink. Sarah also ordered me a chocolate chip muffin, my favorite. Everyone started into conversation. I butted in when I could, but I was thinking about everything else other than what they were talking about. My mind soon drifted to Edward. What did he think of me now that he knows what I have done to myself? Would he tell his family? Why was he acting so different today? Why was his hand so cold? Did he truly care about me?
"Bella? Bellaaaa?" Tyler sang.
"What?" I asked, shaking my head from my thoughts. Those would have to continue later.
"What's going on with you and Cullen?" He asked.
"Nothing is 'going on.' He just moved here and I'm being a friend." I told him, picking at my muffin and slowly eating it.
"Are you sure?"
"Positive. I'm just trying to be his friend."
Tyler nodded his head in acceptance, seeming to like my answer. I couldn't help but notice that Scott seemed to like my answer too. An hour passes before I notice we started tell stories about when we were younger. About how amazing my Mom was and how they felt like she was their Mom too. It warmed my heart to hear all of their stories. It was what I needed after the car ride.
After several more hours and one muffin later, we were leaving to go back and get our cars. The car ride back was more easy going with everyone talking about the upcoming weekend and how that there was going to be a sleep over. Everyone was excited for it. Even the guys, since we also planned on going to the beach this weekend. Getting back to the school, we all said our goodbyes with Scott promising me that he was coming over.
Charlie still wasn't there when I got home, but I knew he would be soon. I started dinner right away, making up for not making it last night. I kept it simple. Waiting for it to be done, I pulled out the note that burned in my back pocket. Opening it carefully with shaky fingers, it read.
Sweet Isabella,
I'm here now. I won't let anything happen to you. I'll be watching over you.
Yours,
AM
AM? I don't know anyone with those initials, and I didn't know anyone who could right that beautifully. Why were they watching over me? Was this a sick joke that one of the guys were playing on me from last night when I said that I wanted a Phantom? No, they wouldn't do that to me. They know I don't like to joke about things like this. So who was this was watching over me? A chill ran down my back. I didn't know if it was because I was scared or happy about it. Folding the paper back up, I placed it back in my pocket and pulled dinner out of the oven after the buzzer went off. I saw Scott pull in the driveway. He always had a knack for coming just when dinner was done. He came right in, not bothering with knocking. He knew I saw him in the window.
"Whatcha got there, Bells?" He asked.
"Dinner for Charlie." I told him.
"Aren't you going to eat?"
"I had a muffin."
"That's not enough, Bella."
"It's enough for now. I'll eat later."
"Don't you dare make yourself sick again, Bella."
"I won't."
"Promise me."
"I'm not going to make a promise with you. You broke yours this morning."
"Bella, I'm sorry I wasn't there. Coach Clapp caught up with me when I was on my way to you. He told me that if I keep doing what I'm doing, I'll be getting a scholarship for football. Then we started talking about the team. We got caught up in talking and by the time the bell rang, I thought you already went to your next class."
"Well, I waited for you because you promised you'd be there. This is our junior year. Soon we'll be seniors, then we'll all be off to college. We will be leaving each other. Was it some type of test, seeing if poor Bella Swan can actually get to class by herself?" I asked, tears in my eyes.
Scotts black hair fell in front of his green eyes. He pushed them back as he walked over to me. Pulling me into his warm chest, his muscled arms wrapped around me. He tucked my head under his chin. "You know damn well that's not true, Isabella. I really did talk to Coach Clapp. I didn't do it on purpose. It ate me alive knowing I didn't walk you to class. As for college, I'm not leaving you Bells. None of us are. We agreed for the first few years, we're all going to Seattle for school and then we will plan on what we want to do next. None of us are leaving you. Nobody is ever leaving you. You're stuck with us." He murmured as he swayed us back and forth in the middle of the kitchen, with his face in my hair.
I nuzzled my head further into his neck, just like this morning. Holding on to the back of his shirt, I held him close to me. I couldn't lose my friends, and the more I thought about it, I couldn't lose my new found Phantom either.