Read. Enjoy. Review.
Disclaimer: Not SM
Chapter 2
I breathed a sigh of relief once I reached the house. It was only one day yet I felt as if it had already been a week. Not wanting to take the chance of having nothing to do and thinking about things I shouldn't, I decided to start diner early.
I grabbed some fish from the freezer to fry and started to mix dough for rolls. I expected to be eating a lot of fish from now on since Charlie loved to fish with Billy and the freezer was always packed. I made sure to make extra since Charlie had told me to expect company over for diner.
I hummed to myself as I worked my way through the kitchen feeling content and comfortable. Cooking was one of my favorite things to do. It allowed me to focus on something other than life and I had been accustomed to it from an early age. It was either learn to cook or face a near death experience every time Renee entered the kitchen. I still wonder how she and Charlie were able to manage during their marriage. I suspect there was a lot of takeout calls and visiting friends.
As I waited for the dough to rise, I picked up a book I had lying around for a while from my mom. It was called "A Great and Terrible Beauty". I wasn't much for modern books, preferring classics over everything, but it looked pretty good. I was able to get quite a bit read before I had to finish up with diner.
The cruiser purred into the driveway right as I placed diner on the table. Charlie greeted me with a simple "hey" while taking off his coat and gun.
"Smells good Bells. What's on the menu tonight?" He grinned at me sheepishly.
My eyes rolled as I laughed at him, "I think you have been enjoying my cooking a little too much dad. We are having fish, rolls, and bit of veggies."
"You can't blame a man who has lived off of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches the majority of his adult life."
Soon after Charlie stepped in, Jacob and Billy showed up. I hadn't seen them since I was a little girl, and though Billy looked the same, Jacob had changed a lot. He didn't look like the boy two years younger than me, but instead like a very handsome man. We had always been good friends, and I missed his warm presence in my life.
We sat to eat peacefully, interrupted occasionally by a question or two about school and how I liked Forks.
"Hey dad, did you hear about an accident two weeks ago?' I ventured to ask just as he finished up the last of his food. Jacob and Billy looked up from their food as well.
"Who hasn't? The Cullens are a highly admired family. If it weren't for Carlisle and his medical expertise, this small town wouldn't be doing as well as it is."
"So Carlisle is a doctor?"
"Yes, one of the best. It was quite hard for him to operate on his own son I would imagine. The worst part is the other driver only had a few minor injuries, able to walk away just after a short visit with the doctor. That James guy is lucky the Cullens didn't want to sue or anything. If it were me, I would have gone after his ass with a shot gun!"
That was the most I had heard him talk all at once, and I wanted to laugh at his choice of words.
"I would have ripped him up into pieces and then watched them burn," Jacob declared with an aggressive look to his face. Billy just shook his head at his son while Charlie and I laughed.
"Do you think he will make it?" I timidly questioned once the laughing sobered up.
"I don't know Bella. No one does." Charlie left the table after halfheartedly offering to wash up. I said it was fine, quickly cleaning up before making my way upstairs. I made up some lame excuse about being worn out from school so that I wouldn't be bothered. Jacob and Billy left soon after dinner.
I meant to read some more, and try and lift my heavy mood off the Cullen family, but instead I fell asleep still fully dressed…
"Bella! Over here Bella!"
Someone unfamiliar was franticly calling me, but I couldn't find them. I was lost in the middle of a dark forest, feeling secret eyes on my back wherever I ran.
"Bella! Please help me!"
I screamed back at the person but I still couldn't reach them. I just kept running for what seemed an eternity. Finally I happened upon a clearing. It was a beautiful meadow with wild flowers growing amongst the green grass, a small stream running through the middle.
At the other side of this hidden meadow stood a figure, but I couldn't make out whom it was.
"Bella, help me please. I can't get out." It called to me in a hysterical voice.
"I don't know how! Tell me how!" My cries were unheard as the figure continued to beg me. I was scared and lost and needed but couldn't do a single thing.
A distant wolf cry sounded behind me, pulling me farther and farther away from the helpless figure.
I shot up straight in my bed panting hard and covered in sweat. It wasn't real, just a dream. I tired to calm myself down, but my breathing didn't seem able to calm to a normal level.
Giving up, I headed toward the bathroom for a shower as quietly as I could. It was 1:30 in the morning and I didn't want to disturb Charlie.
Sliding out of my clothes, I stepped into the steaming hot stream of water and just stood there allowing myself to relax. I wasn't one to read into dreams too much, but what the heck? The thing that bothered me the most was the fact that, despite how much I denied it, I knew who the figure was. I knew the person calling for my help, and just like in my dream, I have no way to help him.
After I was thoroughly wrinkled like a prune, I stepped into some pajamas and went back to bed. If I thought I would be able to fall asleep easily, I had another thing coming,
The whole night I lay tossing and turning attempting at least a little shuteye before the next day of classes rolls around. Nothing worked so I just read. In actuality I don't think I really wanted to fall back asleep. Watching Edward call for my help and being useless once was enough.
"Damn it Bella! You don't even know what he looks like and yet you are worrying over him as if you have some claim. You don't have the right, so just suck it up already." I breathed heavily angry with myself. Maybe this was just because I was seeking an escape from my real problems: new kid at school, leaving my mom, and hating this raining cage. That's it, I am just focusing on something else, it just happens to be Edward Cullen.
--------
The next day was no different, I argued with myself over my unnecessary worry for a man I didn't know, I wondered about Alice Cullen wanting to talk to her but afraid I might offend her, came home, made diner, dreamed of things I shouldn't, and then stayed up most the night.
A week went by in a similar manner, except for a brief nonverbal exchange I had with Alice. We happened to both be in the limited library the school provided; I smiled at her and she smiled back, though hers was visibly forced. That's it. The dark circles around my eyes were growing increasingly prominent. They looked engraved into my face forever.
Charlie had asked about my sleeping schedule and even offered to find me a new bed if mine wasn't working out. I declined of course just blaming it on nerves from moving to a new place.
It was Saturday and I was fed up of being consumed with other people's problems. All the books in the house I had already read, and my truck was on the fritz so I was very limited in occupying my time. It wasn't raining for once, so I decided a walk would be nice. Charlie was over at Billy's watching football and planning on fishing so I would be here alone anyway.
For a second I wondered if I should bring bread or something to leave a trail in case I got lost, but then I felt silly so I just settled on following the path behind my house and not leaving it. It was still early morning so I didn't have to worry about it getting dark before I got back.
Throwing on a pair of tennis shoes and a light jacket, I set out for the trail. I wasn't much for hiking, but it was better than having nothing to do. The trail wasn't too treacherous and I only stumbled a few times.
I had been walking mindlessly for a lot longer than I planned when I came out of my little bubble. Looking up I saw the sun was already directly above me, only barely raised when I set out. If I wanted to make it back before dark, I needed to turn around and head home. I was about to head back when I stopped.
For some crazy reason, I had a strong urge to turn right and keep going. Looking over I saw that it was entirely unmarked forest and would be extremely stupid of me to try and make it through, let alone make it back home without getting lost. Even so, I couldn't leave and the urge just kept getting stronger. What the hell is wrong with me?
"You are a complete idiot Bella," I mumbled to myself as I reluctantly turned right. God I was a freak, having weird feelings and then always talking to myself. Maybe there was something wrong with my brain. Nonetheless I was making my way through a forest I wasn't familiar with. This time I tripped a lot more, causing scrapes and bruises easily.
I probably walked in that direction for another hour before I grew fed up with myself and decided I should probably try and find my way back. Just as I went to turn around, I caught sight of a clearing. I could tell by the larger amount of light allowed to reach the forest floor. Carefully I made my way through the trees and bushes until I reached the clearing. As I pushed past the final bush I almost collapsed in both fright and awe.
I was actually here. It really existed. I was literally standing in the same meadow that had haunted my dreams. Just as I had witnessed countless times in my sleep over the last week, the meadow was gorgeous. I made my way to the middle of it, next to the stream, and lay down. All my worries were forgotten as if this were my safe place, the place where I could hide from the world.
Gazing up at the sky, I was pleased to see it was actually clear for once. Just like a child, I tried to pick shapes out in the clouds, even laughing at myself with my ridiculous imagination. For instance I swear one looked like vampire biting into a mountain lion. Yeah, how weird is that?
A soft breeze was blowing the trees and grass making them appear to be dancing. This meadow was truly alive and… magical. Here I felt like anything could happen.
My eyelids started to droop and even though I should have, I didn't fight it. I was so tired and this place was so relaxing. Before I knew what was happening I was asleep and dreaming peaceful dreams…
"Hey Bella," the figure spoke to me from across the meadow. His voice was no longer panicked like it had been every time I had heard it.
"Who are you?" I wanted to step closer but I knew I wouldn't be able to. I had never been able before.
"You know who I am," he said smoothly, his voice like pure silk. I expected the dream to turn for the worst and to be dragged away, but instead this time the figure stepped out of the darkness. He was beautiful.
A tall boy looking to be about seventeen stood before me. He had beautiful bronze hair that was unruly and messy but in a very attractive way. His green eyes seemed to piece through my very soul like he could see even my deepest secrets.
He was like an angel, perfect features seemingly carved out of stone. I had to check and make sure I wasn't drooling. Dream or not that would be embarrassing.
"E-Edward Cullen?"
He just smiled at me and came closer. Once he reached the middle of the meadow he laid down like I had been doing before. His muscular arms rested behind his head, one knee propped up with the other lying flat. He was wearing a dark green T-shirt that made his eyes stand out even more and a pair of dark jeans.
I just stood there staring at him. Was I awake or dreaming? I wasn't sure anymore, it all seemed too real.
He spoke again with his eyes closed perfectly at ease, "You finally came Bella."
"Where you expecting me?"
"Sort of. I don't know really."
"How do you know who I am?"
"I don't know that either," he turned on his side and gazed at me in deep thought.
"Bella I am not sure what's happening to me, I just know that I am very… lonely like this. For some reason I can reach out to you though, so you must be special right?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about Edward. You aren't making sense."
"I know."
"Will you explain?"
"Nope."
"Why?"
"Can't."
Accepting his answer for now, I approached slowly. He didn't move an inch. Once I reached his side, I mimicked his position and gazed at the slowly setting sun. We both laid there in content silence, not even a bit awkward. For some reason just being next to him made me fully content. Even if this weren't real, I would still count myself as the happiest girl on earth at that moment.
The sun was almost out of sight now, and it made me disconsolate. I knew we would have to part now, though I don't know how I knew that. Just as I suspected he got up to leave, and I could feel myself being pulled away from him, only this time I wasn't screaming or scared.
Just before he was out of my reach he called to me, "Bella don't worry anymore. I will watch over you. I promise." Then he was gone.
My eyelids fluttered open and I found myself in the same position as my dream, or was it a dream? Now I am really confused. It was completely dark. There was no point in trying to get back home now. I would just get even more lost, so I decided to stay the night and find my way back as soon as the sun rose.
Rightfully I should have been terrified, I should have been aware of every little noise thinking it was some monster coming to get me. I should have been afraid of being entirely blind to my surroundings deep in the forest. But I was none of those things. The last words Edward said to me stayed in my mind. Real or imagined, I trusted that he would protect me.
Cute? Not? Let me know! Luv ya!
