Chapter 5
I stayed up half the night just wondering what was going to happen the next day. Would Edward even be there? If he didn't show up, did that mean he was guilty of everything I supposed? maybe if he did show up, it meant that he thought he could hide it from me. Could he?
I also had an acute fear of being malled during the night, but of course that was only partial to my lack of sleep. I woke up in the morning dreading what would be happening later on today. The thought of how little I had slept mixed with fear of seeing Edward, did not put me in a good mood. I dressed in a daze, ate breakfast in a daze, and walked to the train and then to the university.. in a daze. My bones must have jumped out of my skin the second Alice popped up behind me as I entered the gathering area.
"Hello, Bella." She murmured with a hesitant smile on her face. I tried to wipe the look of surprise off my face before answering.
"How are you, Alice?"
"Fine." She looked behind her for a moment before meeting my gaze again."Look.."
"Bella!" I heard Angela yell behind me. I bit my lip, but turned around to greet my friend. "Did you hear the news? Another murder!" Her face was a blaze. I tried my best to smile.
"Yes, I've heard." My voice is low, condemned. She gives me an honest look.
"You were there weren't you?" She lowers her voice.
"Ummm..." I look away and behind me. Alice is gone. I let out a burst of air through my nostrils. I grab the hair at the nape of my neck.. something I do when I'm upset. "No. But I heard a lot about it." She doesn't seem to believe me. "It's gotten dangerous, Ang." I reach out and touch her arm. "Really bad. I think I should stop researching the events." My voice was almost a whisper. I was surprised she could hear me over all the people walking past. But she sighed, relaxing.
"I'm glad." She smiled. "I need to get to class. If I don't talk to you later, I'll see you on Monday. Have fun in Forks this weekend."
"I will." I pat her arm and she walks off. With a huff, I head towards my first class. History. With Edward. I must have held my breath the entire walk to my class's building. As I entered the lecture hall, my breath came out in a woosh. He wasn't here. I made my way to my usual seat and sat down steadily. When someone sat down in the seat next to mine, I expected to hear Jessica's new gossip. I turned to look and Edward was there staring at me. I moaned and turned my head, letting my hair fall to hide my red face. His hair was messier than usual, and he had dark shadows under his eyes. Clearly he had not gotten much sleep either.
"Bella..." His voice is dark. "I think we need to talk." I turn to look at him, my eyebrows raised.
"Do we? I think it is you who needs to talk."
"I suppose." He wonders to himself. "I need you to promise me that I can trust you not to tell anyone what I say."
"Why?"
"Because if you do, I don't know what I would have to do."
"Excuse me?" I glare at him, shaking my head. "You are rediculous." I smile. "I can't believe you're trying to mocark me!" I look away. Edward grabs my hand and rubs it between his. I stare at him for a moment. "What's wrong with you?" I whisper, bowing my hea.
"I don't know." He whispers back. "Can I trust you, Bella?" He looks up at me through his lashes. After a second, I nod. He smiles sheepishly. "Okay. Can I meet you somewhere.. tomorrow maybe?"
"Sure." I can't seem to raise my voice back to normal. "Wait. I can't. "
"Why?"
"Because, well, I leave for home every weekend." I look away, sliding my tongue over my lower lip. "Sorry." I look back at him, but his eyes are focused at the professor at the front of the room, who is setting up slides of Jane Austin's household.
"So am I. Tonight then. Meet me for dinner?" He turns and looks at me. I suck in a breath.
"That's not a good idea." I murmur. He looks at me with a strange expression. "What would Lauren say?"
"Lauren? The blonde girl from lunch?" He chuckles. "She wouldn't think anything. We aren't together. Never were." I hunch my shoulders.
"It looked like it."
"To her maybe."
"Yeah?"
"Yes." He smiles, tilting his head. "So how about it?" I smile back. I want to say no. He could be dangerous, but I can't do it.
"Okay."