Chapter three

Edward's POV

In the hospital after the incident with Tyler's van

"Is she sleeping?" I asked Tyler as I entered the hospital room to find them both lying helpless in their beds. Her eyes flew open at the sound of my voice.

"Edward!" Tyler drew my attention again, "I'm so sorry I - "

I stopped him. "No blood no foul." I tried to joke. He had no idea how very true my statement was though… "What's the verdict?" I turned to Bella again.

"There's nothing wrong with me but they won't let me go!" she complained. "How come you aren't strapped to a gurney like the rest of us?" She glared.

"It's all about who you know." I joked, flashing her a smile. "But don't worry, I came to spring you." Just then, Carlisle entered the room.

I noticed Bella's eyes widen at my father's unnaturally good looks. I'm not sure why but this seemed to anger me…

I was very pleased, however, to see that Bella was able to resist his charm and continued to fight him as he tried to convince her to stay for a while.

I had to laugh at her stubbornness, not everyone could hold up like that against a vampire, much less Carlisle.

"Really, I'm fine." She spoke again, jumping out of the hospital bed and falling to the floor. I moved to catch her, but Carlisle was quicker. "I'm fine." She tried to assure us.

"Take some Tylenol for pain." My father advised, watching her for signs of any more problems.

Seeming to ignore him, she strode quickly to me. "Can I talk to you?" she hissed under her breath, her scent hitting me full force. I felt my thirst roar. I clenched my jaw, trying desperately to fight the monster inside of me.

"Your father is waiting for you." I spoke through clenched teeth, desperately trying to will her away from me.

"I'd like to speak with you alone, if that's okay." She said firmly. Would she not just let it go?

I glared at her, slightly aggravated by her defiance. I turned and strode, a little too quickly, down the hall. I finally stopped, and she breathlessly caught up to me. "What do you want?" I asked impatiently. I wanted her to leave, but was confused by my need to have her beside me.

"I want the truth." She whispered, still trying to catch her breath.

Not this again.

"What do you think happened?" I snapped, hoping she would change her mind and let it go.

She spoke hurriedly. Almost as fast as… no. No I wouldn't think about that. "You weren't anywhere near me, Tyler didn't see you either so don't even try that. We were both going to be crushed by that van but your hands left dents in it and…"

I listened to her painfully true theory. How could she be so observant?

"You think I lifted a van off of you?" I tried to speak as though I thought she was crazy – though it was the furthest thought in my mind. "No one will believe that you know." I stated.

"I'm not going to tell anyone." She whispered, looking dejected. Her statement surprised me, and even though I couldn't read her mind, I believed her.

"Then why does it matter?" I asked, trying to keep my intimidating stature.

"It matters to me. I don't like to lie – so there better be a good reason why I'm doing it."

"Can't you just thank me and get over it?" I asked, a hint of pleading in my voice.

"Thank you." She hissed.

"You're not going to let it go are you?" I asked.

"No."

"In that case… I hope you enjoy disappointment." I spoke clearly, hoping she understood.

We scowled at each other in silence, though I was having trouble not getting lost in her eyes. She finally spoke. "Why did you even bother?"

Her question… hurt. It hurt me for her to think I could stand to let her be crushed like that.

"I don't know." I whispered truthfully. All I could think in that moment was, not her. And so I acted. I had no idea why, why she meant so much, and it troubled me to no end. I could tell I had hurt her. That she had taken a different meaning – the wrong meaning, from my words.

But I turned anyway and walked back down the hall.

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Okay you guys. I'm really nervous about this one so please, please review and tell me what you thought. Thanks so much!

Midnightmoon21