Chapter 4

BPOV

I could feel someone standing near my legs, but I ignored them, intent on my emotional breakdown. I had run out of tears already, but I was waiting for the sounds of students in the hallways to go away before I got up. I heard the person clear their throat and I risked a careful glance out from my knees.

It was him. I made a note to myself that I really needed to stop glancing at him, not that I had known that it was him this time. What was he doing standing there anyways? I thought he hated me. He had sure run out of Biology fast enough to prove that.

There was no one else in the hallway now, I could hear that, and I was going to be late for gym class. I could either cower here until he said something, or just get up and get to gym as fast as possible. He didn't seem like he was about to say anything; though, why else he was standing there, I didn't know. I sniffled into my jeans and began to get up, not wanting to sit there for an hour. I supported myself with the wall, leaning on it like it was my life. Even so, with my first step forward, I tripped and I braced myself for impact with the floor.

But it didn't come.

Instead, Edward Cullen's arms shot out and caught me, picking me up and setting me on my feet. I turned, wide-eyed and forgetful, about to say thanks, to see him walking away again.

What was his problem?

I shook my head, glad that at least I hadn't broken my cover by talking, and hurried up the steps to gym. I wasn't terribly late, but I was horrified to see that the torture they had set up for today was badminton. There was no end to the harm I could do with rackets and nets and those birdies... I shuddered at the thought.

I wasn't required to change today by good grace of the teacher, which was great, owing to the fact I had forgotten to bring gym clothes. Forks High was too poor to supply gym uniforms, yet they required gym all four years. Oh, the irony.

"Want to be my partner, Bella?" Mike Newton stood in front of me, bouncing a birdie on his racket. I nodded slightly, sure he had no other options. He led me to the other side of the gym, where we separated ourselves a good distance, me in an isolated corner. He served me the birdie and I swung for it, my racket surprisingly making contact and knocking it clear across the room. I winced and stared at the floor.

"Don't worry, I'll go get it," Mike said eagerly, already jogging towards the birdie. I absentmindedly rubbed my face and brought my fingers away purple. Purple. Oh no. The make-up I'd put on that morning to darken the bags under my eyes was now running from all the crying. I ran to the bathroom, extra careful to avoid the girls playing badminton. I didn't wait for Mike; mostly because, with my mute mouth, I wouldn't be able to explain where I was going anyways.

Once I was safely in the changing room, I studied my face in the mirrors. It wasn't as bad as I had imagined it, but I rubbed off the make-up anyways. It wasn't very long until the end of class and my first school day in Forks. I prepared to go back out, but the bell interrupted me.

I was trapped. There was no way I was going to be able to walk past the girls that were no doubt swarming towards the door this very second. Another episode was out of the question, I wouldn't put myself in that position if this were real, now would I? I turned back to the room, searching for a hiding place. There was a bank of lockers against one wall, and I opened one on the far side of the entrance. 'Jackpot.' No one was using it; at least, no one's stuff was in here. I squeezed myself inside in the nick of time, glad I was thin and not terribly tall.

The door swung open with a gust of wind, and the locker room filled with echoes of girls' laughter and voices. I tried to make myself smaller and pressed myself into the metal. I ignored the nameless girls' talking until I heard my name.

"What do you think of Bella Swan? Isn't she weird?"

"Uh, yeah. Did you see what happened when she bumped me? She totally freaked and started crying!"

"I haven't heard her say one word..."

"Some sort of Emo Freak-out Attack..."

"Where did she disappear to during gym anyways?"

The talking went on. Some of it was pretty offensive, but it didn't actually offend me, considering this wasn't how I normally acted. It was exactly how I wanted them to react, really. They had even named my emotional breakdown an 'Emo Freak-out Attack.'

After a good fifteen minutes—how long did it take for them to change their clothes?—I escaped the locker, rubbing my sore muscles. I was taking a long, hot shower tonight. I deserved it.

EPOV

I didn't know what brought me back to her.

Here was Bella, sitting on the floor in front of me, screaming and crying her heart out. What had set her off? It couldn't have been my earlier behavior… I suddenly felt horrible.

Even if it weren't because of my behavior, someone like Bella shouldn't be in this condition. The thirst I felt earlier was subsiding as I waited for her to acknowledge my presence. It was maddening not to be able to hear her thoughts. Maddening was putting it lightly, too, as I couldn't decipher what to say to calm her.

After a few moments, the halls now cleared except for her and me, she started to breathe in a more relaxed pace, signaling her calm. I cleared my throat, trying to bring her back to the present.

She parted her knees, her brown eyes meeting mine. She stared for a few moments, shock and blush covering her face. Slowly—more slowly than I would have hoped for—she stood up and clutched against the wall. As she lifted her body and took a step, she lost her balance and began to fall forward.

Everything seemed to move at snail's pace. Her body went pummeling to the floor, the angle she created not optimal to brace herself with. If she landed like that, she would snap her wrist at best, or her neck at worst.

My hands shot out of their own accord. It didn't register until I felt her warm body embraced by my arms. This was odd, insane, wrong… and different. She fit so perfectly into my arms as I held her against my body, almost cradling her. I gently placed her on her feet, making sure she was balanced, before I spun around and stalked off.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her turn around and open her mouth. Was she about to speak?

She took off in the other direction, towards the gym. I shrugged it off and sped to my car. I had to do something, anything, to distract myself at the moment. A visit to Carlisle was called for…

~*~

I arrived at the hospital shortly after the incident with Bella. I rushed inside and found one of the nurses.

"Hello, I'm looking for my father, Dr. Cullen," I said quickly, ignoring the looks I was getting. More thoughts on the females and me in… certain positions. I held back a shudder.

"U-uh, y-yes. He's in his o-offi-ce, I t-think," the nurse in front of me stuttered. Her thoughts were actually kind, pure. She was just shocked by my sudden appearance and rushed attitude. I gave her a quick smile and nod before running toward Carlisle's office. I arrived at the door and gave a quick knock, out of courtesy.

"Come on in, Edward," he called from behind the oak door. I opened it and ushered myself in, dropping down in the seat opposite of Carlisle as he looked up from his paperwork.

"What's wrong?" he asked, concerned. I just shook my head slightly, my head resting on my palm as I leaned back into the chair to try and think. I had never experienced such a frustration like this.

"Edward? Are you alright?"

I let out a deep breath I had been holding. "No, I'm not."

"What is it? Did something happen?" Carlisle dropped his paperwork and came around his desk, sitting in the seat next to mine and scooting closer. I just stared at him and sighed.

"There's… this girl," I muttered, leaning forward and placing my elbows on my knees as I intertwined my fingers. Carlisle raised an eyebrow and had the thought clear in his mind.

'A girl?'

"What about this girl?" It was his turn to lean back as he watched me intently.

"I don't know. There are too many things to say!" I groaned, rubbing my eyes out of human habit. I sat still and tried to think of what to say.

"Start at the beginning, replay the day," Carlisle suggested. I took his advice and went through the entire day, factual information only. I didn't hint at the strange feelings I got when she was around, or how I was drawn back to her when she was screaming. Those details I emitted mostly as he watched me explain the situation.

"Is that really all, Edward?" he insisted, his eyes holding some suspicion and his mind hidden as he kept his thoughts subtle.

"I think so, yes. As soon as she walked in, I wanted to suck her dry," I responded, pursing my lips as he continued to keep his thoughts clear. "Why do you ask?"

"Then why didn't you? And why did you go back to her?" he clarified. I shifted nervously, sighing as I couldn't continue lying.

"I don't know… but I couldn't bring myself to do it. I didn't want to hurt her—much less than any other human, actually," I answered, taking a deep breath before I continued. "Something about her drew me in, drew me back. When she looked at me, when she cried, when she fell, when she was in my arms… I don't know. It was nothing I've ever felt before…"

"Edward, do you mind if I make a suggestion?"

"Of course not. You know your opinion matters most to me," I respond, shocked he even had to ask.

"Next time you see this girl, don't run off or ignore her. Try making casual conversation. Use Alice's example—try imagining her as a living being instead of a meal. As for your… feelings…" he trailed off, his mind asking whether he should continue. I nodded, once again shocked he had to ask. "Just trust your mind. Edward, you're a good guy, regardless of how you see yourself. Maybe you're meant to feel the way you do."

His thoughts were rather cryptic, and I wasn't sure I understand what he meant 100%, but I nodded and stood. He followed me to the door, giving me a brief hug before returning to his work. I left and walked to the parking lot, locating my car and getting inside

I found myself back at Forks High, the last class of the day finishing off. I knew Bella had gym, so I parked closer to the gymnasium.

My body began to boil, a loud pumping sound in my ears as I heard what the students were saying about Bella.

"What do you think of Bella Swan? Isn't she weird?"

"Uh, yeah. Did you see what happened when she bumped me? She totally freaked out and started crying!"

That was interesting. I was relieved that she wasn't crying over my reaction to her, but why did she respond to a touch like that? Surely she couldn't have bumped into anyone hard enough to cause that much pain or anguish. By the looks of it, she didn't seem so hurt. And she didn't mind that I had held her.

I felt a smile escape as I thought that. Bella didn't mind my holding her. Why did that make me happy?

"I haven't heard her say one word…"

Neither had I, but I was sure she could speak. I was also sure she had a very nice voice.

"Some sort of Emo Freak-out Attack..."

Emo Freak-out Attack? What in the world did that even mean? Just when I thought these kids couldn't get more stupid… Poor Bella, these reactions must only make her feel worse…

"Where did she disappear to during gym anyways?"

I froze as I listened more closely. Bella had disappeared? I searched the minds of all the students quickly, glancing through their eyes to see if she was in sight. She was nowhere. That feeling was back. It was like the screaming incident all over again. I felt horrible. No, this time, I felt worse. At least then, I was there, able to help with what little I could. Now I was stuck wondering where she was.

I exited the car as the last girl left the locker room, my eyes and mind both frantically searching for any signs of Bella. After the last car cleared the parking lot, I noticed the truck was still here.

'She drives that? It can't be safe…' I thought to myself, though I did feel slightly better knowing she had to be somewhere nearby.

Another fifteen minutes passed before the door to the locker room opened again. That was when I saw her, glancing around the halls and parking lot. She noticed me and her cheeks darkened once more. I gave her a weak smile as she dropped her gaze and ran toward her car.

She wonderfully made it there without tripping. For some reason, I felt she was more than familiar with the floor. There was that horrible feeling again…

She entered the cab of the truck and quickly started it, backing up and driving off toward the homes. I sighed and shook my head. I rushed back to my car, unsure of what to do next. I should have gone home. I should have gone and played the piano. I should have done anything other than what I did.

I arrived at Chief Swan's place before Bella did. She was a careful driver and took the safer, albeit longer, path home. I parked down the block and made my way toward the house after she arrived as well. She exited the cab and rushed to the door.

I sighed, comforted in knowing that she was safe and sound at home. I turned back and returned to my car, entering it and driving it back home.

Bella Swan… Tomorrow. Tomorrow I would talk to Bella.

Leon McFrenchington: Aw, he helped her. Now, why? You'll find out next chapter. Emo Freak-out Attack… these children are so witty, no? Epic and TRD is awesome. Review. That is all.

TRDancer: Badminton. Ah, the cursed sport. I think the children are witty, they feed my brain with their random shizz. :) Ruh-vee-eww, please and thank you.

Leon McFrenchington: Spring Break for me. It's awesome. Regular updates though, so no worries. Also, I'm pretty sure someone won't like this chapter… but we do, and that's all that matters :)

TRDancer: Spring Break is awesome, even if it is snowy outside. Oh well, gives me more time to party with the computer, which means FF. I like this chapter. OH WAIT. I didn't read it.

Just kidding. Of course I read it. I edited it too. Review, my lovelys! Because the button loves to be clicked! (Haven't said that in a while... thought I should.)