Er… so… it's been a couple of years… enjoy!

Auburn

By Rasine

Concern

I wasn't granted very much time for rest. Just as I was slipping into slumber, a light knock on the door jolted me awake. I groaned under my breath, ripping the down comforter off of my body and swinging my legs over the edge of the bed. I padded across the room, rubbing my eyes groggily. As I reached for the door knob, I paused, glancing down at the long, frilly white nightgown I wore, blushing slightly at the realization that it could be Edward at the door. My cheeks still flushed, I opened the door slightly, poking my head out, squinting my eyes at the bright candlelight.

"Good!" Mrs. Masen crowed, "You hair is still wet."

I stared at her for a long moment, my half-asleep mind not comprehending her words. "My… what?" She promptly pushed past me, lighting various candles around the room. I watched her in confusion.

"Sit. I'm going to show you how to properly do your hair." She ordered, pointing towards a chair in front of a beautiful vanity table. I sat obediently. Humming softly, she pulled out a hair brush from a drawer beneath the mirror, and then grabbed a candle from across the room, setting it in front of me. My form was then perfectly illuminated in the mirror. Mrs. Masen began pulling the brush through my wet tresses slowly. I sighed. It felt wonderful.

Mrs. Masen couldn't keep the silence for very long.

"You have lovely hair," She commented, "and it will look beautiful in curls. Hair always stays up best in curls."

"Oh, thank you." I responded, watching as she opened a drawer filled with strips of rags. She took one and wrapped a section of my hair around one, tying the ends of the cloth together.

"I've used this trick for as long as I can remember. My mother taught it to me." She smiled proudly. "Perfect ringlets every time."

I smiled back at her, wondering why she was going through all of this trouble just for me. She seemed to hear my thoughts.

"I know this seems odd, dear," She began hesitantly, "but if you're going to be staying with us for the summer, I figured it only fair that I got to know you."

"Of course," I murmured in agreement.

"So, Miss Swan," Her eyes sparkled at her next words. "Where are you really from?"

I wanted to laugh. I almost wanted to say: "The twenty-first century," but I figured that it would not sit well with the current time. I smiled instead.

"Arizona."

Mrs. Masen looked slightly disappointed, clearly hoping for a juicier tale.

"Not much going on down there. How did you get here?"

"By train." I lied, and bit my lip. She didn't look convinced, but continued with her interrogation.

"Why did you choose to come to Chicago, dear?"

I grinned wryly. "I just really, really needed to escape."

She nodded, although the look on her face was perplexed. She shook her head and came up with a new question. "Are you involved?"

I cocked my head to the side, wary. "Involved in what?"

She smiled mischieviously. "Don't be coy. Involved." She repeated, putting more emphasis on the word. I blushed.

"I… was. It didn't work out." I chose the words carefully.

She nodded sympathetically. "I'm sorry."

I winced. "Don't be, please. He was horrible."

She left the subject knowingly. "How did you run into my Edward, dear?"

"Just coincidence." I said quickly. Mrs. Masen didn't speak for a long moment, still winding my hair around the strips of cloth.

"Ah… Coincidence. Such a wonderful thing, isn't it, dear?" Mrs. Masen mused dreamily as she put the last cloth in place. I nodded mutely. The corners of her mouth twitched up into a smirk. At my curious glance, she turned my head and gestured towards the mirror. I giggled at my ridiculous reflection.

My hair was piled all over my head in the rags. With a smile, Mrs. Masen turned towards the door and opened it quietly.

"Call for me in the morning, if I'm not up to wake you. If I am, I will knock." She smiled and jerked her chin towards my head. "Those contraptions are surprisingly difficult to remove if you don't know how."

I laughed softly and thanked her before she slipped silently out the door, closing it behind her. With a relieved sigh, I ran across the room and flung myself onto the bed, snuggling deep into the fluffy mattress and comforter. The uncomfortable rags didn't keep me awake long. Within seconds, I slipped into a luxuriously deep sleep.

…

A loud knock on the door caused me to roll over so quickly that I toppled over the side of the bed, smacking my head on the nightstand and covering me in sheets and blankets. I groaned loudly.

"Come in," I called, attempting to disentangle my ankles and wrists from the sheets. I heard the door open just as I freed myself from the mess of blankets on the floor, and turned to smile sheepishly at Mrs. Masen.

Edward let out a laugh so loud that it rattled the house.

"Miss Swan, you look particularly lovely this morning," He managed, breaking into chuckles in between the words.

"Oh, you're just jealous that you won't have perfect curls." My voice was teasing, but my face was scarlet from embarassment.

"You caught me." He held up his hands and grinned, and I laughed. Mrs. Masen darted into the room, various dresses piled in her arms. She glanced apologetically at me and then glared at her son.

"Out, now, Edward. Let me help Isabella get ready before you whisk her off into the city." She shooed him out of the room, and he flashed a dazzling crooked grin at me before she slammed the door in his face. I raised an eyebrow at her.

"I'm going out?"

Mrs. Masen nodded. "Yes, Edward would like to show you around Chicago, and I figured you two wouldn't mind picking up some apples and such for me from the market."

I smiled, touched. "Mrs. Masen, you've all been so wonderful to me. How can I ever thank you?"

She grinned mischieviously, her eyes sparkling. "Oh, I'm sure I'll think of something. Come, now, let me get those silly things out of your hair."

She had them out in minutes. I watched, fascinated, as she untied the knots and with a flick of her wrist, pulled the rag from my hair and laid it neatly into the drawer. As she had promised, perfect, soft ringlets swirled around my face in a dark halo. I looked at my reflection and beamed, lifting my right hand to gently touch the curls.

"Mrs. Masen, you made me pretty." I turned my smile on her. She flushed at my comment and turned towards the pile of dresses that she had set on the bed.

"Don't be ridiculous, dear, you were already lovely."

After piling my hair into a large bun, leaving a few curls out to fall gently against my cheeks, she stared at me quizzically. Then she smiled. In one smooth movement, she pulled a long, pale blue-grey dress from the pile of fabric on the bed and handed it to me.

"There is a chemise and underdrawers on the bed, along with stockings. It's quite warm out, my dear, so be sure not to be in the sun too much."

I thanked her profusely, but she simply waved her hand dismissively and skipped out the door. After I pulled on the chemise and underwear, I turned towards the bed, lifting the dress and holding it in front of me. I flipped it over, admiring the soft fabric, the delicate lace that trimmed the collar. Carefully, as to not muss my elaborate hairstyle, I pulled the dress over my head and turned around to see the back in the mirror. Then I wrinkled my nose.

Tiny buttons ran from the collar of the dress to my lower back. I managed to get half of them done, but I was no contortionist. With a sigh, I pulled on my stockings and walked over to the door, opening it and sticking my head out. I saw Edward leaning against the banister at the base of the stairs.

"Edward!" I whispered. He looked up and smiled at me.

"Yes, Miss Swan?"

"Can you get your mother for me?"

He cocked his head to the side. "May I ask why?"

I huffed, impatient. "I can't get all of the buttons on this blasted dress done."

He smirked, bounding up the stairs and stopping abruptly in front of me.

"I can help you."

He pushed past me into the room, and I stared at him with wide eyes. He grinned devilishly, but his eyes remained playful.

"Well? Turn around."

I stumbled back a few steps, bewildered. "Mr. Masen, this is hardly appropriate."

He laughed, all hints of mischief wiped off his face. They were replaced with kindness and amusement. "Miss Swan, they are buttons. I believe your innocence will still be intact if I do them up."

I bit my lip, considering. "Fine. Just be quick." I spun around.

Edward promptly fastened the rest of the buttons. I fidgeted for a moment, adjusting the long dress.

"Thank you." I told him. I walked over to the mirror, spinning myself around slowly. I smiled at my reflection. I looked as if I belonged in this time. When I glanced back, Edward was staring at me. I blushed, I'd forgotten he was there.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be so vain." I smiled, twirling in a circle and beaming as the blue-grey skirt swirled delicately around me. "I've just never worn anything so beautiful."

Edward smiled. "I'm sure you look lovely in whatever you wear, Miss Swan."

I blushed, and Mrs. Masen poked her head in. "He says that to all of the girls," She stage-whispered. I laughed. Edward opened his mouth to defend himself, but Mrs. Masen was already ushering me down the stairs. Her left hand glided down the banister as we moved, and a flash of gold caught my eye.

"That is a beautiful ring." I commented. Mrs. Masen beamed.

"Do you like it? It was my husband's great, great-grandmother's. Edward will give it to a lucky young lady someday. Hopefully, someday soon," She stressed, smiling innocently at her son.

Edward sighed. "I wish you'd stop attempting to marry me off, mother."

"Not until I hear you say 'I do,' darling." She smiled pleasantly and opened the door for us. "Have a wonderful day."

"You, too," I murmured, walking out the door.

Edward and I walked side by side down the street, commenting on the heat and the beautiful summer flowers. Soon, the conversation lulled and we walked silently. I gritted my teeth as the wound on my leg began to throb. The pain grew with each passing step, until it became almost unbearable. What I would have done for some Extra-Strength Tylenol. Edward had been watching my distressed face, and he stopped me.

"Miss Swan?" He inquired, concerned.

"Bella." I corrected, but my voice sounded strange, watery.

"You're sweating. Do you need to sit down?"

Spots swirled in front of my eyes. I raised my hand to my forehead and felt beads of moisture. "Yes, please." I gasped, stumbling forward. He righted me by my elbow and led me to a bench under a cool, shady tree. I leaned my head back and closed my eyes. I felt a soft pressure on my face and opened my eyes slowly; Edward was using his handkerchief to dab the perspiration off of my forehead.

"I'm sorry." I murmured. "I'm not usually this delicate."

"You don't have to apologize." He said softly. "Would you like to go back?"

"No." I sat up straight slowly, and looked at him. "I think I'm fine now."

"Are you sure?"

I didn't answer for a moment, dazed. God, his eyes were green. Like celery. Or seawater. Pale green lined with dark green. And his hair was that bronze color. All tousled. And his mouth—

"Bella?"

I was shook from my thoughts when I realized that I was leaning very close to Edward's face. The look in his eyes was completely bewildered and somewhat amused. My face grew hot and I immediately backed away.

"I'm sorry. That was hardly appropriate. I… I think I just need some air," I told him, standing up quickly. He watched me sway for a moment, his mouth popping open in surprise. I walked briskly down the path that led into a small park lined with flowers and trees. Once I reached a small clearing, I plopped down in the grass and buried my face in my knees.

"What the hell am I doing here?" I whispered to myself. Was I in a coma? Did the bullet go into my head and not kill me and now I was imagining myself being swept off my feet by some handsome 1918 boy? Tears rolled down my cheeks. Wake up. I told myself. Wake up!

"Miss Swan?" Edward jogged into the clearing, gasping for breath. He knelt down quickly beside me. "Are you hurt?" He asked, wiping a tear from my face.

"No, I'm fine." I said robotically.

"Why on earth did you run off like that?"

"I just… needed some air, that's all."

"Yes, but usually when someone says that they don't wait an hour to come back."

"It's been an hour?" I mused. I didn't think that I'd been walking for that long.

"Yes, it's been an hour." He repeated, exasperated. He helped me off of the ground.

"I'm sorry." I ducked my head. "It just seems as though everything is happening so fast and I… I don't know what's happening to me."

He stared at me for a long moment, closed his eyes, and shook his head slightly.

"Shall we continue our walk?"

"Yes, of course."

We walked back through the park in silence. I glanced over at Edward, only to find him staring intensely at me. I flushed and quickly averted my eyes. A smiling couple walked by, chattering happily. After they had passed, I cleared my throat. Edward began to speak just as I opened my mouth.

"You didn't come here from Arizona, did you?" He blurted out. I stared at him in shock.

"I…" I sighed. "No, I didn't."

"Where are you from?"

"Well, I really am from Arizona—"

"But how did you get here?"

We had stopped walking. I turned to face him. His eyes burned with curiosity.

"I don't know." I said honestly. "I woke up, and I was here."

He pondered this for a moment, and then started walking again. I stared after him, and then rushed to catch up with him. We reached the street again, and Edward slowly offered his arm to me. I took it carefully, the way a person would touch an unfamiliar animal.

"I'm sorry to have troubled you so, Mr. Masen." I said slowly, trying to sound formal.

"Hm?" Edward seemed lost in thought. "Oh, no, really, you're the most interesting thing that's happened all year. All mother and I do is bicker about the war."

"The war?" I asked. "Oh, right. The United States entered World War I in April of 1917."

Edward looked at me strangely. I cursed myself for speaking of a current event as something from a history book. I fished desperately for something to say.

"Why do you argue about the war?" I asked after a long pause.

"I turn 17 in a few weeks… but I want to lie about my age and go to fight." His voice burned with passion. I dropped my hand from his arm and stared at him in horror.

"Are you insane? It's just trenches and men running back and forth at each other over a big piece of land and dying! And then even worse, they repeat the cycle over and over again absolutely nothing is accomplished!"

Edward stared at me, incensed. "It's the honorable thing to do!"

"It's stupid! And suicidal!"

Edward scoffed. "Scold all you like. I'm doing it."

I glared at him. "Where's the nearest army office?"

He looked at me in surprise. "A few blocks away, why?"

I started off in a random direction. "I am going to tell them your name and your real age and then they won't let you go!" I said fervently.

He smiled smugly. "What a wonderful idea. Except for the fact that you are going in the wrong direction."

I turned on my heel and headed back in the way we came from. "Fine! I'll go find your mother, tell her your plan, and then she'll show me the way!"

He blanched and grabbed my arm, staring at me with furious eyes. "You don't even know me! It's my decision. Why do you even care?" He spat.

I grabbed his hands and held them tightly. "I'm not about to let my only friend die in that stupid war! It'll be resolved in a year, anyways!" I glared unwaveringly into his eyes.

Edward stared at me with a strange expression on his face. I paled when I realized what I'd said. I dropped my hands. "I mean, it'll probably be resolved soon!" My voice faltered, the passion gone.

"Your only friend?" He asked softly.

"Of course you're my only friend." I mumbled quickly, stepping away from him. "I don't know anyone else here, do I?"

Edward stared at his hands, and then back at me. I blushed.

"I sincerely apologize, that was…" I began.

"Hardly appropriate?" He finished teasingly. He playfully shoved my arm, and I laughed. We continued on our mission to buy the ingredients Edward's mother had requested, talking lightly. However, everytime I looked at him, I felt the strong desire to change his mind, and to keep him from harm.

…

That night, I had dreams of young men yelling over the sounds of explosions, running through trenches and screaming in agony. I saw Edward lying lifelessly on the muddy floor of the trench, his green eyes flat and cold. Blood bloomed from his chest like a malicious red flower. I sat up, gasping. Knowing I wouldn't get any more sleep, I lit the candle beside my bed and slipped quietly downstairs. I sat beside the fireplace, drawing my shawl tightly around my shoulders and shivering. The coals in the hearth burned a steady dark orange. I added a few pieces of wood and poked the fire absentmindedly. Soon enough, I had a steady fire going. I warmed my hands contentedly.

The stairs creaked slightly, and I whipped my head around to see Edward rubbing his eyes groggily.

"Bella?" He said sleepily. "What are you doing up?"

I gave a small smile at his informal use of my name. "I had nightmares, I couldn't sleep. Did I wake you up, Edward?"

"Mm. It's fine. What were you dreaming about?" He plopped down on the couch, yawning. He patted the space beside him and I sat down, curling my legs up beside me. The vision of his listless eyes made me shudder.

"The war. And… you. It… frightens me to think of you going there." I whispered.

This got his attention. His eyes brightened slightly. "You're really that worried about me?"

I blushed, staring into the fire. "Don't act so smug. I'd be worried about anyone who was thinking about going to war."

He threw his arm around me tiredly, his eyes heavy-lidded. "I'm not thinking about going to war. I am going to war."

His breathing slowed and I saw that he was drifting off. There was no point in arguing with him now. He slouched down on the couch and pulled me in closer, pressing his cheek to the top of my head.

"Ed-Edward…" I stammered.

"Hm?" He seemed utterly unconcerned about our current position. I could almost see the sweet tendrils of sleep grasping him. I felt them creeping up to pull me under, too.

"Promise me something, Edward."

"Mm… what's that?" He didn't open his eyes.

"Give me until the end of the summer to change your mind, okay?" I whispered.

"Bella…" He sighed.

"Promise me."

He sighed again. "I promise. Now go to sleep."

I felt his heart beating strongly and steadily, and the warmth of his cheek. I sighed and listened to the steady crackle of the fire. Before I could form another coherent thought, I fell quickly asleep.