Chapter 4 To See Me Like That

Edward's POV

Confusion would be the only word to describe my state of mind now as I wondered aimlessly through the streets of Forks. The sky was its usual grey colour but the low rumbling I could hear signalled a storm was coming. But I didn't care. All I could think about was Bella and the mystery seeing her again created. I sighed in frustration and ran my hands through my wind tousled hair- this was ridiculous, instead of solving the mysteries she'd created for me all those years ago, she'd created more for me now once I'd seen her and I, like a true journalist, would not rest until I figured this out.

I'd gone to the Swan's old house earlier, only to be told by some guy that really needed a haircut that the Swan's didn't live there anymore. When I'd asked where they lived now, he'd shrugged and told me that he didn't know and that it wasn't his problem.

I'd felt like hitting the guy.

So now I was just wondering the streets downtown just thinking about how I could find her again.

The answer came to me in the form of spotting Rosalie and Emmett's café across the street. Rosalie must know what's going on- her reaction the previous time I'd seen her only enhanced my suspicion. And right now I was going to do anything in my power to get her to tell me.

With a determined stride, I pushed the door to the café and entered.

Only to find out both Rosalie and Emmett weren't working that day.

"Yeah, they had to head out of town; they had some things to do in Seattle." Jessica Stanley, who was the waitress manning the counter, told me vaguely when I asked.

I groaned in frustration, "Do you know when they'll be back?" I asked.

She shrugged uncaringly and popped a piece of chewing gum into her mouth, "Day or two maybe?" then she smiled seductively at me as she got a glint in her eye that I didn't like, "When did you come back anyway?"

I rolled my eyes, as if she didn't know! Jessica was a huge gossip, at least she had been back when we'd had a couple of classes together in high school, she'd always been too forward for my liking, always trying to get into my pants.

"A couple of days ago." I told her distantly before an idea occurred to me, "Are you still in contact with Bella Swan?"

Jessica's smile immediately dimmed and she got a rather disgusted look on her face, "Hell no." she scoffed, making me curious; Jessica had always been friendly with Bella, even though Bella had admitted to me that she felt she couldn't trust Jessica at all.

"Do you know where she lives at least?" I asked, trying not to let my frustration show- the best way to get through to this girl was to be direct.

Jessica laughed as if I'd just told the funniest joke, "Her dad died about two or three years ago." She offered randomly, not answering my question but giving me interesting information anyway.

"Really?" I gasped in shock. That may just explain why the phone calls had stopped, even though a dozen more questions had now been created.

"And Bella? Where is she now?"

She looked uncomfortable for a moment, "Oh…um you don't know? Well she is kind of anti social these days- no one ever sees her." Then her expression abruptly changed and she spoke before I could ask her to explain, even though I was planning on giving up, I wasn't sure exactly how much of her information I could trust.

"Oh well, she doesn't really matter now." She smiled eagerly again, "My shift ends at four, so would you like to grab some dinner? Then afterwards we could go back to your place and maybe…catch up?" she purred annoyingly in a tone that made it clear she didn't want to be talking by that stage. It made me uncomfortable to even think about.

"No thanks." I said as politely as I could while still remaining firm, "I've got to go."

I didn't care that it had started to pour with rain outside; I just wanted to get away from Jessica's overly enthusiastic come ons.

I walked a little further down the street, sighing when I realised I was going to get soaked and catch Pneumonia if I didn't get out of this rain soon.

So I ducked into the nearest alley I could find, sighing in relief when the rain stopped pounding against me. I leaned against the wall and took in my surroundings. My heart ached as I took in the large cardboard box that was obviously being used as a home- I hated that there were people that had to resort to these kinds of living conditions. Everyone deserved a home.

My eyes drifted over to the opposite side of the alley and I almost jumped in surprise when I realised I wasn't alone in the alleyway. There sat a shivering young girl (obviously the owner of the box) against the wall, her knees tucked to her chest, her wide brown eyes looking at me in surprised horror.

I recognised her immediately, even if this was the last place I'd expected to see her.

"Bella."

Bella's POV

I froze at my name. It hadn't been a question, he knew it was me.

Dammit.

I sighed, "She died a long time ago." I whispered, more to myself.

"What are you doing out–Oh…"

And I watched his face change as realisation filled his gorgeous eyes, watched as shock and surprise coloured his expression, I had to close my eyes then. Because the rejection and disgust that was sure to follow would destroy me.

I was extremely surprised when I felt him sit next to me and a gentle hand touched my cheek. I shivered at the warm, caring…? sensation. just like at the hospital

My eyes flew open in surprise, immediately taking in his expression.

There was no rejection.

There was no disgust.

There wasn't even pity. All I could find was empathy and kindness to his eyes as he looked at me.

"Come home with me." He said and I couldn't stop my mouth from falling open in shock.

"Wh..Wha..t?" I stuttered.

He smiled briefly, "You need a place to stay and I have an extra room. I want you to pack up what you have here and take my extra bedroom."

This wasn't right; this was not what I was expecting.

"What's the catch?" I couldn't help the hope that came into my voice, but I was suspicious- no one had ever offered me what he was.

He chuckled, "No catch and if you don't say yes I will carry you there."

I sighed, "Will you ask questions?"

He paused, "The basics, if you don't mind." He said, making me pause as well. Was I ready to talk about this?

"But if it will make you say no, then no, I won't ask." He said quickly, noticing my hesitation.

I sighed, true excitement filling me for the first time since…I couldn't actually remember.

"I can't sponge off you." Was my feeble argument. I wanted him to be sure before he offered me such a huge gift. I was just a girl off the street- he didn't owe me anything, we had a past but that was basically it.

"You won't be." He shrugged, "My parents' own the place, I don't pay rent. And I need a roommate, some company."

Maybe it was too forward but right now I didn't care- I threw myself into his arms, only feeling self conscious about it a moment later when I pulled back, grimacing as my ribs flared in pain.

"Thank you." I whispered, my gratitude and excitement heartfelt as I realised that everything might turn out okay.

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