Chapter 3: Decisions

Second and third period went by in a blur, and I completely lost track of time. In fourth period I discovered that Darren was in my class, but I didn't get in a casual conversation with him because of all Edward's growling. I was just gathering up my books while Edward was waiting for me at the door, when Darren approached me.

"Hey Bella, I was wondering if you wanted to come and sit with me at lunch? I could always use a friend to sit with…" he trailed off suggestively.

Oh shit. What should I do? I know the obvious answer should be no. I should just stay away from him and sit the Cullens, but something was telling me to leave Edward for today and stay by him. I have no clue where the hell these thoughts are coming from. Something must be wrong with my brain today, but the urge to sit with Darren was so strong and I didn't even think before I answered.

"Sure, I'll eat lunch with you, but where did you plan on sitting?" I saw Edward's shocked and hurt face from the doorway, realized what I just agreed to.

"Um… well I was planning to grab a "bite" to eat in Port Angeles, and maybe do a little exploring. But, I'm not sure if you would be up for that."

"No that's fine with me, but when did you plan on getting back to school? It's a long drive you know."

"Yeah, I guess it is, but… you know how we like to drive fast. What do you say, join me for lunch?" He gave me a playful look followed by a wink.

Oh crap. He didn't just dazzle me did he?! "Umm…. What did you say?"I immediately realized what I just said and Edward probably caught on… I completely forgot he was even in the room.

I whirled around to see if Edward was still here, and just my luck, he was. But, he didn't stay in the room for very long, after I agree to ditch him, his face crumpled in pain and he stalked off toward the lunchroom to meet up with the rest of his family. All I can remember now, is the hurt and tortured expression on his angelic features. It put my heart in physical pain to see that, and I made a vow that I would make him smile that heart-melting grin he always gave me. But for now, I had bigger problems at hand. I couldn't just worm my way out of this one… I was on my own.

I slowly turned back to Darren, who had an amused look on his face. "What's so funny?"

"Well, just so you know, your boyfriend shouldn't be the only one who can spend time with you. He looked pretty choked up when you agreed to have lunch with me. But, anyways… what do you say?"

"I guess you have me all afternoon then, since I just blew off Edward. Hope you're not going to be too over worked with me around though; I'm quite a challenge to take care of," he wrapped an arm around my waist and strode off with me down the hallway. I should have flinched away at his touch, but I couldn't get my mind to respond with my body. So, I ended up letting Darren keep his arm around me as we walked out of the school to grab lunch.

As we reached closer to the student parking lot, I could feel that all eyes were on Darren and I.

We were just about to reach his car when Jessica, Lauren, and Angela invaded me.

"Bella, can we talk to you for a moment?" Jessica asked, trying to be discreet, but then found out that Darren didn't move an inch she added, "Alone?"

"I'll be waiting in the car for you Bells," Darren said in an alluring voice, and I almost completely lost my train of thought. Luckily, Jessica snapped me out of my trance.

"Okay first of all… what happen with you and Edward?! I mean I know you probably don't want to bring it up but seriously, you two were as tight as peas in a pod; when he left you, you were practically falling apart at the seams. Then, on your first day back you 2 were inseparable! All of a sudden you ditch him to go out with another boy, and not to mention he is the most gorgeous exchange student I have ever seen! Honestly, what the hell is going on?" She nearly shrieked.

"Jess calm down, there's no need to get all worked up over that." Angela said trying to calm her down.

I never thought that jess would be so concerned about my problems, and me, but she did have a point. Darren comes along and practically almost rips apart what I've been striving for to get back in my life. All I did to resist him was letting him take a hold of me like I belonged to him. Something is seriously wrong and I'm not sure what exactly it is, but I'm going to get down o the bottom of it.

I need to be private about my situation with Darren, I'm not sure exactly what's going on in between us. I'm no going to let anyone else into the situation until I know all the details myself.

"So you really think he's gorgeous?" I asked curiously with an eyebrow raised. Jess just stared at me; a little shocked.

"Bella are you blind?! Have you even had a good look at him lately?" she asked dumbfounded.

"Well, when you put it that way… no I haven't."

Jess decided to shake it off, but not completely. "I can't believe that you get all the good, looking, mysterious guys around here," she mumbled under her breath.

I could hear her as clear as if she was yelling it, because I've gotten used to spending so much time with Edward and his family, I've learned to become a close listener. "Thanks, so much for your opinion jess. I got to go, I have somebody who I have to attend lunch with." I finished off with giving her one of Rosalie's ice glares, and turning my back on her.

I stormed off back toward Darren's car; the candy-apple red corvette (the only sports car in the parking lot besides Rosalie's BMW M5). I was about 6 feet away from his car when I felt myself trip over a patch in the grass and found myself tumbling downward. I tried to brace myself for impact, but instead I was gathered up in cold arms.

I was half sure that it was Edward since he'd always caught me when I've fallen before, but this time it was none other than Darren.

"When you said it was going to be a challenge keeping care of you, I guess you weren't lying," he smirked.

I scoffed. "Just so you know, I'm a horrible liar." I said as he placed me back onto my feet and opened the 'vette door for me.

"We better get a move on it, or we won't have you back in time for your dad."

I gulped at the thought of that.

"Bella, Bella, Bella. No reason to be afraid; I'm a vampire of my word, even if I do drink from…"

I couldn't catch the last part of what he said because the engine revved loudly. He backed out of his parking spot, and made eye contact with the Cullens who were waiting by the M5. He locked eyes with Edward for a millisecond, gave him a wink, and then revved the motor again showing off the power of the car. The sudden increase of speed make the tires squeal against the pavement, and rocket us out of the parking lot.

EDWARD P.O.V.
There was something wrong about that new student, but I couldn't quite place it.

He was a threat to my family, me and especially Bella. I can't protect her anymore if she chooses to be around him, but I just don't understand why she would blow me off like that for a complete stranger.

When I saw her talking to him when exiting the class, he had a smirk of something evil on his face; he's up to no good, I can feel it. I'm going to do everything in my power to keep Bella safe. That was until the period right before lunch, my love completely blew me off for some newer vampire.

Am I not good enough for her?

Does she still have doubts about being with me?

Did I really hurt her that bad that she doesn't even want to be seen in public with me anymore?

Here I thought leaving her would give her a chance at a new life, and ordinary life without involving mythical creatures. But, what did I really know? I hurt her so much it was to the point she was jumping off a cliff for God's sake! For all I knew, she could have been committing suicide. Leaving her did nothing to help the current situation; it only made it worst. I feel like she isn't completely trusting me anymore and that I have to earn her back, but I think that she'll never completely be free of doubt.

Bella is still insisting that I change her sometime soon, but I can't bear the thought of it, my angel going through the most horrid pain imaginable. I am certainly not going to be the one to put her in that pain and damn her to a life of no sunlight (around humans that is) and blood drinking. I'd truly be a monster if I did that to her, but she thinks otherwise.

Only… if only I could pry into her mind and figure out what she's thinking. Even if it's just one tiny thought…

But sadly, I don't think I'll ever get to here what her beautiful mind is processing; it'll always be a blank.

Every time that that Darren crept into my thoughts, I couldn't help but feel a growl erupt in my chest; I despise him and his sick twisted thoughts.

Listening in on his mind, I caught wan his plan was; what he was going to do to my love.

NO. NO, NO, NO! He can't! I'll break every bone in his body if he does that to my angel! At that moment I couldn't control myself. I stood up shoving my chair back, fuming, and to my luck, the bell rang (covering me from any suspicion from my classmates). I was walking faster than human pace across the room, and readied myself into a vicious crouch in the back corner of the room; waiting for him to get out of his chair.

I let another feral growl escape by throat, but it was too low for any human to hear.

Darren turned stunned towards me, and only smirked, and shook his head in disapproval.

That's it! He's going down, I thought as I was about to leapt at him, teeth bared.

The next I knew, I had a blank mind. I completely forgot what I doing on the other side of the room. Confused, I stood out of my crouch; rubbing my temples trying to figure out why I was on earth just happened to me. Was I losing my mind?

Brushing the situation off, I gathered my books and waited by the door for my love.

I swear I could have felt my heart stop in my chest when Bella agree to have lunch with him.

She chose him over me. HIM… I feel like a disgrace; I shouldn't even be allowed to live, because of the pain I put my angel through.

I couldn't listen to his thoughts anymore; they were just too much. I had to get away. I needed my family. I needed somebody to talk to about all this. I needed Carlisle.

Instead of heading off to the lunchroom, I made a beeline straight for the Volvo. I wasn't surprise that the rest of the family was already waiting in front of the car; Alice probably saw my decision. They were might have thought that I was going to go and do something stupid, like pull another Volturi stunt. A couple months ago I went to the Volturi thinking my angel was dead; I couldn't go on in my existence without her.

I was glad that Rosalie was there too; I needed all the support I could get.

As I unlocked the doors, I was caught by my favorite scent; freesia, and strawberries mixed with the intoxicating scent of her sweet blood. My eyes immediately started searching for her, only to find that that slime ball Darren had his arm wrapped around Bella…MY BELLA.

She tripped on the way to his car, I only got about a meter away from my car when I saw Darren become a blur of white and catch Bella right before she made contact with the ground.

I was supposed to be the one to catch her when she falls. I'm being replaced. Replaced by someone who didn't leave her broken to fend for herself….

No, I mustn't think that… Bella and I will be happy again. She even said that nobody could replace me.

I was starting to doubt my angel's words, and the meanings behind them. Had she moved onto this vampire; left me in the dust?

No matter what Bella thinks of me, she'll always have my heart… even though it's not beating.

"Edward, stop feeling so depressed. You know, some people here are actually effected by others emotions. Besides, it too early to tell for sure if he's replaced you,"

"Jasper, how'd--," This was weird. I didn't think that Jasper would be that skilled at guessing what I was thinking. It left me in awe. He just gave me an empathetic look, as we slipped back into the Volvo.

I was just closing the door when I hear the engine of Darren's car rev loudly. Snapping my eyes to where it was coming from, he sent me a message through his mind

These violent delights have violent ends. Can you guess who's going to have the violent end in this human's story?

I froze, staring wide-eyed out my windshield. His engine revved more violently and they bolted out of the parking lot.

There's only 2 things that came to mind at that moment; protect Bella from having a violent end, and to rid that cruel vampire of his existence.