Chapter 2

As Chris drove me back to my house, I had to wonder why on earth he wanted to date someone like me. We'd only been together for a few months but already I felt like it wouldn't work. He was a straight A student and devoted himself to vounteer projects whenever the opportunity came. He wasn't as handsome as Edward, but he was still nice to look at with an olive complextion and dirty blonde hair that hung over his eyes. I always felt so insignificant around him and it didn't help that he always had some comment for me. I looked past it though, he just wanted to make me perfect, what I strove for.

"Isabella are you listening to me?"

"Huh?"

"I asked why I can't stay over."

"Well, because you never do anyways, and my cousin is staying with me."

"Cousin?"

"Yeah, he's looking for a job."

"I see. How is that going to affect your schoolwork?"

"I'm not a child Chris, I can keep up with it even though he's there."

"You're acting hostile tonight Isabella, it's not like you."

I inhaled deeply and remembered myself. I didn't use sarcasm or tones with Chris, I was a demure, delicate lady so that he would be able to put up with me.

"I'm sorry, I'm just stressed, I have a big project to do for Sociology."

"You should get it done soon then."

I nodded and stared out the window, thinking to myself. Chris drove silently to my apartment. I wished he would at least turn on the radio, but he wouldn't listen to it, he believed it was tasteless and conformed to society too much. So because of that, I didn't listen to music anymore. I stopped wearing skirts and shirts that he thought were "too low cut" because he didn't like them, and he refused to call me Bella, he thought it was too childish. I sighed as he pulled into the parking lot, killing the engine.

"Isabella, I think you should let me stay over tonight. I can help you with your project."

"That's alright."

"You look really tired, I don't want your cousin keeping you up."

"He won't."

I stepped out of the car, wishing I'd worn a heavier jacket as I saw small snowflakes fall from the sky. Chris took my hand as always and led me to my apartment, as if he could change my mind. I would give in, I always did. Chris needed someone he could take care of, and he couldn't do that if I let my independent nature show through. As we walked up the stairs, I thought about how much I'd changed for him. I no longer spoke out my opinions and I was always second guessing myself. If something went wrong in our relationship, it was my fault because he was as close to perfect as someone can get. He was patient with me and willing to look past my flaws, but he believed if they became a problem, he would point them out to me. As we reached my door, I unlocked it and he stepped inside ahead of me and let out a surprised yelp.

"You- you must be Isabella's cousin."

I could almost envision Edward's confused look and the slight glare that came with it. I stepped into my apartment and saw Edward in nothing but a towel, small beads of water rolling down his chest.

"Yeah I'm Bella's cousin."

"Isabella, she prefers that."

Edward looked a him for a moment and scoffed, walking back into the small kitchen. Chris turned to me and smiled awkwardly, his eyes occasionlly finding their way to Edward.

"He's... charming."

"Anti-social disorder."

"I see."

He leaned forward and kissed me, more passionate than usual and pulled away, his voice firm.

"I'll be coming by tomorrow for the park clean-up."

"Oh... Chris I forgot, I promised to help out Professor Malane in a demonstration tomorrow."

"Isabella, we talked about you making more commitments than you could handle."

I sighed softly and nodded, my voice low.

"I'm sorry Chris, I'll call her, someone else wanted to help anyway."

"Good, I'll be here at two o'clock to pick you up."

He gave me another quick kiss and walked out the door. I closed it softly behind me and reached for the ever-present bottle of asprin on the table next to the door.

"Does he always talk to you like that?"

"What's wrong with the way he talks to me?"

"Well for starters he talked to you like you were a stupid child, and he practically walked all over you."

"Which is better than the way you treated me."

I dry-swallowed two asprin and headed to my bedroom when he spoke again.

"I never meant to hurt you Bella."

I snapped.

"Hurt me?! You never even told me you slept with her until we got that phone call!! You were never going to tell me what you did with her and you just expect me to be okay with that?"

I picked up and book and studied it intently, trying to drown out his voice as he slowly walked toward me, the towel hanging precariously off his waist.

"I didn't want you to know, I knew it would hurt you."

"A bit late for that don't you think?"

He stood in front me me now, so I rose to his level, glaring. I hurled the book at him and it landed with a resounding thunk on the wall.

"Do you feel better?"

I hated that calm look of his and had a terrible urge to smack him and apologize for my behavior all at the same time.

"No I don't feel better!" I sunk to the ground, shaking violently. Edward bent to my level whispering softly.

"Bella please, I never knew she was pregnant."

"That's not even the biggest problem Edward."

I didn't want to look at him, but my body betrayed me. My eyes gazed into his and he slid his hand over my back, his voice still soft.

"What is?"

I didn't answer. Instead I stood up, ignoring my weak legs. I walked to the bedroom and prayed he wouldn't follow me. After closing the door, I heard the sound of the TV and I laid on the bed, breathing heavily. This was going to be a problem.

---------------------Edward's Point Of View-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I didn't follow Bella into her bedroom, I knew it would just upset her more. She'd changed since our last time together. She seemed more... introvertive and depressed. She no longer dressed the way she loved and she just let that guy talk down to her, my Bella would never do such a thing. What bothered me the most is she didn't bother to stand up for herself, instead she let him walk all over her and apologized when it was his fault to begin with.

After a few hours, I was nearly asleep when I heard screaming from Bella's bedroom.

"Stop it!!!"

I flung myself off the couch and burst into her room, shaking her awake.

"Bella what's wrong?!"

She flung her hand out and pulled it back just as quick when she saw me.

"Get out."

Her voice was low and she sounded embarrassed.

"Bella you were screaming in your sleep, what's wrong?"

"I said get out."

Instead I sat on her bed and crossed my arms staring at her.

"What were you dreaming about?"

Then I had an awful thought.

"Does this guy hit you?!"

"No! Not that it's your business anyway, now get out!"

Her small frame was shaking and she kept her gaze away from me.

"Bella..."

Her voice sounded desperate now, almost on the verge of tears.

"Please just get out."

I reached my hand out to touch her cheek and suddenly her hand slammed against my cheek.

"Don't touch me."

I dropped my hand to my side and gazed at her, watching silently. I saw a lone tear fall slowly down her cheek and then she seemed to break. More tears flowed from her eyes and she rolled to her side, hiding her face from me.

"Please Edward just get out."

I should've left, but I couldn't leave her like this. Instead I laid down next to her and slowly rubbed her back until the sound of her crying subsided. As I heard her breathing steady and felt her body go limp, I got out of her bed and walked to the other side, planting a soft kiss on her forehead.

"I love you."

I walked slowly out of her room and into the living room, suddenly very confused. This was going to be a problem.