AN: hey faithful readers! So I gots a favor to ask. I basically suck at spelling, so while you're reading if you see a misspelled word could you let me know? Other wise I won't see it. Okay, thanks for reading!
I stayed in Bella's room looking at her books and Cd's. I didn't know why I was sticking around here. I found myself scanning through her books trying to figure out her complex personality. I had to laugh at myself. What a stupid thing to do; yet I couldn't help myself.
"Edward," Bella whispered. I turned to see what she would say about my being in her room only to see that she was still asleep. "Edward," she sighed and turned unto her side.
The feeling that coursed through me wasn't unnerving. I couldn't figure why my life suddenly seemed complete because she said my name. It's not like I hadn't heard her say it before. The only difference was that she was asleep. There was no menace in her voice, no edge of defiance, and that difference made my world.
Get a hold of yourself, I chided myself, you're just acting this way because she got hurt. That had to be it, right? I didn't like her. I liked Tanya.
I sighed, I didn't know entirely anymore. I decided I wouldn't deal with it tonight. I went back to my room and got ready for bed. My thoughts swirled around the day's events, but most of all around Bella herself.
How could on girl look so fragile and practically bite off your head when you want to protect her? Shaking my head I concluded that tomorrow would be a good time to ask her.
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The alarm went off too early for my liking. The night had consisted of tossing and turning with sleep evading me until the late hours of the night. Slamming my hand down on the off button, I turned to get a few more minutes.
A timid hand on my shoulder woke me. I awoke to find Bella next to my bed. "Uh," she turned a cute beat red, gulped and continued, "We're going to be late. I'll take a bus or something, if you want to keep sleeping."
I looked at the clock. 8: 15, the time we usually left for school. "No, no!" I jumped out of bed and gather the clothes I had laid out to wear. I heard the door close and realized I had forgotten Bella was in the room. I didn't bother to think about what she might have thought.
Bella was in the car when I walked into the garage. She already had it running, I opened the door and backed out of the garage. "How did you get my keys?"
"They were on your dresser with your phone, Tanya found a ride to school, by the way." She handed the phone across the console.
"So you came into my room, stole my keys, and took my phone?" I took the phone, raising an eyebrow.
"No, I went into your room to find you because we were running late. The phone was ringing when I got in there. I saw it was Tanya and told her that you were still asleep. I woke you up and then picked up the keys to go start the car. I told you that I would." I blinked. I hadn't heard anything. "Man, are you always this touchy when you wake up?" She turned around and I thought I saw her rub under her eye out of the corner of mine.
"Are you crying?"
"No." Her voice cracked reveling her lie. I had hurt her. Dejection washed through me at that lone thought. I reached over hesitantly to wipe away her tears and comfort her, but then I thought that I might actually offend her, or hurt her more.
"I'm sorry," I whispered. I met her depth-less brown eyes briefly before she looked down.
"It's okay. I'm fine"
"I didn't mean to upset you." I pulled into a parking space and waited for her to answer.
"I don't like being accused."
"I don't think anyone does, but I was trying to make a joke." I gave her a small smile.
"Some joke," she muttered as she got out of the car and slammed the door. I sighed, she was still upset. I got out of the car and walked to my first class, my thoughts in a daze.
"Sleep well," Tanya asked as I sat down next to her in Spanish. I nodded and turned to pay attention to our teacher. If she tried to talk to me throughout the rest of the morning I didn't notice. My mind was buzzing on what Bella was doing and didn't come back to earth until we were in our History class, the only class Bella and I had together.
Mrs. Eddy was assigning partners for a project. I wasn't paying all that much attention until she called for Bella and I to be partners. My head shot up and I couldn't stop the small smile that spread across my face. It was too late for me to realize that I should be disappointed that I wasn't partners with Tanya, and she was already moving to her partner's desk before I could give her an apologetic smile.
Bella sat down next to me frowning and rubbing her arm. "Is working with me that bad?" She looked up shocked.
"No, lets get started on our project, okay?" I nodded and started the exciting task of choosing a topic.
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"Are you okay?" Bella was frowning and massaging her arm again.
"I'm fine, Edward. Stop fussing." I dropped it, and I focused on the road. I looked in the rear-view mirror and saw Tanya's sleek black car behind me. I felt bad that she had to drive herself today, but I was the one who overslept not her.
The first words out of Emmett's mouth when we got home were, "Not my show. Rose is getting something in the kitchen." Tanya and Bella laughed. I looked to see that a makeover show was on, and I smiled. Bella went upstairs, probably going to her room.
"May I talk to you?" Tanya's voice sounded in my ear and I turned to see her upset face. I nodded and followed her upstairs. We passed Bella in the hallway. She must of just dropped her book bag off.
I shut the door and went to go sit by Tanya on the bed. "What do you want to talk about?"
She sighed, "Edward, I think we should cut this off. It's not working." I stared at her. "Don't give me that innocent lock, Edward. We both know you like Bella, it's obvious."
"Tanya, I-"
"It's okay, Edward, I get it. Look you might be in denial, but I'm not blind. I can see it as plain as day. Today," she sighed, "it was like you weren't there. Your mind was somewhere else. No doubt you were thinking about Bella. I knew you were worried about her, and that you couldn't help but wonder how she was doing."
"I'm sorry, Tanya." I wanted to deny it, but I couldn't truthfully.
"Edward," she combed my hair back, "this is for the better, isn't it? It's better to cut it off now instead of on you wedding day. Gives us more time to adjust. Besides we can still be friends." She got up and left the room saying, "See you in class."
I heard Tanya and Bella in the hall. "Oh, are you leaving already?"
"Yeah, I have to meet Jacob to start on our project."
"Oh, well have fun."
"Yeah, see you tomorrow."
"See you." It wasn't five seconds till Bella came knocking on my door. I looked up, "Hey, are you okay?"
"Yeah, what can I do for you?" I worked on keeping my face composed.
"I just wanted to tell you that I'm going to take a shower."
"I thought you usually took those in the morning?" I saw a small smile cross her face.
"I do, but Jasper's letting me sleep in tomorrow, so I'm taking one now." I eyed the arm she was rubbing. "I'm fine, really."
I shrugged, "Have a nice shower." She nodded and stopped at the doorway, "Would you like to start on our project after dinner?"
"Sure, Bella."
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We sat in Bella's room with our research laid out on the bed. She was frowning and rubbing her arm. "Bella, what's wrong? You've been frowning and rubbing that arm all day." I started to reach for her arm to inspect it myself, but she pulled away quickly.
"I told you I'm fine! Why can't you just leave it at that?"
"Bella, something is wrong. Let me look." I grabbed her hand and she pulled away rashly. She toppled back on the bed, and her sleeve was bunched up. I saw a violent purple blot, or at least the start of it. I planted my hand on her shoulder to keep her down and from pulling away from me so I could see what happened to her arm. She tried to push me away, but I was stronger than she was.
Gripping the sleeve I pulled it up over her shoulder. Under the cover of her sleeve were brightly colored bruises and a puncture mark. These must have been throbbing all day. "What happened?"
"Nothing, now get off!" I did as she wished and helped her up as well.
"It doesn't look like nothing?" She looked away to glare at the wall. "Did James do this to you?"
"It doesn't matter if he did! Now just drop it, okay? I hate this! Why do you care?"
"Because you deserve being cared about." She let out her breath in a loud huff. "Why are you so stubborn about this?" She wiped under her eyes and sighed. "Bella?" I leaned over and captured a tear that she missed. "I didn't mean to upset you. I'm just trying to understand."
"I'm not upset. I'm mad." She sighed. "I don't like attention, Edward. Making a big deal about this will bring noting but that. So can we please just drop it?"
I leaned over and gave her a hug. I thought that she would pull away, but she, instead, rested her head on my shoulder. "Okay, Bella. I'll drop it, but we can at least ask Carlisle for something to help with the bruises."
"We?" She smirked.
"Fine, you can."
"Thanks, but I'll muddle through.
"So stubborn." She detangled herself and smiled, then yawned. "You're tired. Go to bed."
She laughed, "Sure thing, mom."
AN: I hope you guys liked the chapter. So i wrote probably one of my most hated lines, "we can still be friends," but i couldn't just throw Tanya totally out of the picture. You'll see why later. Anywho, review, review, review. And don't forget if you see any misspelled words, tell me.