When we arrived at my house, I quickly jumped out of the car and headed toward the house.
"Bella wait" Edward called after me
I kept heading to the house as I felt Edward pull back on my arm gently.
"Bella please" Edward spoke softly, and I turn to meet his gaze
The tears were flowing freely now. I wiped them away quickly. "Is this what you wanted to see Edward?" I sobbed as his face showed shock
"Bella, I'm sorry-" he began
"Please don't say that!" I cried, " You can't imagine how hard this is for me. I want so badly to be close anyone…to you. But I'm afraid. Afraid of getting too attached to anyone"
"Close to me?" he questioned
"Forget it!" I said and pulled away running to the house
He was persistent and followed me inside. "Bella, just stop" he said calmly, reaching for me and pulling me to his chest
"Let me go" I said weakly, tears staining my face
"No" he said firmly "I wont let you go Bella. Not now, not ever!"
I froze as I processed his words. I looked up into his face and saw truth in his eyes. I placed my head on his shoulder and melted into a state of calm.
"I just can't do this," I whispered
"Do what?"
"I can't afford to care about you, about anyone." I looked into his pained eyes "When it ends badly-" I trailed off and he stiffened at my words, and the silence was broken by Edward's cell phone ringing.
He pulled away and answered it. "Hello?" he chuckled and held the phone out to me "It's for you" he smiled
I took the phone hesitantly from his hand and spoke "Hello?"
"Bella! It's me, Alice" she chimed
"Oh, hey Alice" I tried to sound up beat "Sure I'll come. Thank You." I smiled as I handed the phone to Edward
"What's was that all about?" he asked curiously
"Something about a party." I said casually "Well, thank you Edward. I guess I'll see you later?"
"Sure"
I walked him to the door and thanked him for the ride. He acted as though he didn't want to leave, but had no other choice.
I headed upstairs to get ready for this party. When I got out of the shower, I actually took the time to blow-dry my hair out. It looked really good; at least I thought it did. I even put on a little bit of makeup. I felt as though I was putting my mask on for the show. Well at least for several hours I can escape my problems.
I reached into my closet and pulled out a denim skirt. It was short so I put on a pair of black leggings. I put on a tank and looked into the mirror. I was shocked to find I actually looked nice. It needed something else, and I ran to Charlie's closet and pulled out a dress shirt. It was huge and I put it on and rolled up the sleeves, tying it in a knot at my waist.
The doorbell rang and I ran for the door. It was Alice of course and she seemed surprised when I opened the door.
"Bella you look fantastic" she smiled and spun me around
"You look great too Alice!" I smiled "Hey, I just need to leave a note for Charlie and we can go."
"Sure." She smirked
"What is it Alice? You look really keyed up"
"Nothing. We are going to have a great time"
"You never said where we were going?"
"Oh it's just a party. Some kids at school, are throwing it. I thought you might like to meet some of the local kids"
"Great" I said with heavy sarcasm
"Come on, it wont be that bad" she said, "Edward will be there" she winked at me
"Well then, why didn't you say so? At least I'll know someone else there"
We laughed together and headed to her car
We drove for only about 5 minutes and stopped at a house that was packed with cars.
"This is Jessica Stanley's house" Alice informed me "This was sort of a general invitation"
We headed into the house, and the music was blasting. There was a crush of people and I tried to keep up with Alice
"Oh look!" a girls shrill voice called out "Alice Cullen is gracing us with her presence!"
Alice must have heard her because she turned around and looked at the girl "Hi Lauren" she said, "This is Bella Swan"
"Swan" she said as a light sparked in her eyes with recognition of the name "The chief's daughter?"
I smiled "Yes"
I saw her look me over and she pressed her lips together in an ugly expression, I waited but she didn't say anything more.
I turned and bumped into a boy. His drink spilled on me, and I looked down at Charlie's shirt "Oh I'm so sorry" the boy said quickly and he took me in. "Well hello!" he smiled widely "I'm Mike. Mike Newton. And you are?"
"Bella. Bella Swan" I said as I removed the shirt, leaving me in my tight tank
"Wow. Um…can I get you something to drink?" the boy named Mike asked
"Sure, sounds good" I said and I turned to meet Alice's disapproving gaze
"Bella what are you doing?" she said shocked as she saw I was missing my shirt
"Alice, you may not know this about me but I am fairly clumsy. I bumped into this guy." I said seeing the guy again "That guy to be exact" I pointed at him and he smiled. I smiled back.
Mike handed me a drink. "Do you want to dance Bella?" he asked and I shrugged my shoulders and shot my drink back.
"Lets go," I said as he took my hand and we headed to the makeshift dance floor.
I closed my eyes and let the music take me away. I raised my hands to the sky and swayed my body to the beat. I soon felt an arm wrap around my waist and felt his body against mine. We moved to the music and just went with it.
All to soon, the music stopped and I was thrust back into reality. I opened my eyes and saw Mike looking at me with wonder "You are a fantastic dancer" he said breathing heavily
"Thanks" I replied as I moved quickly away in search of Alice. The boy Mike began to follow me, as I desperately searched for Alice.
Unfortunately, Alice was nowhere to be seen. As I looked out over the crowd I saw Edward, standing out in the crowd like a Greek god. I waved frantically to catch his attention, and his eyes locked onto mine.
I smiled in relief as I moved towards him. With a tap on my shoulder, I turned to see Mike. "Bella, where are you off to all of a sudden." He smiled and ran his hand down my arm.
"I saw Edward over there" I pointed to the direction he was, but he was gone
Mike seemed pleased as he took my hand to pull me aside.
"There you are angel" a melodic voice called out. I turned and saw Edward wrap an arm around my shoulders
Mike also turned and practically snarled "Cullen" he said as he looked between the two of us
"Newton" Edward replied cordially
Edward looked into my eyes "I've been looking for you everywhere Bella."
I took his cue and followed along "I'm sorry. I bumped into Mike here, literally and he asked me to dance. But what maters is you've found me now." I placed my hand on his shoulder. Mike's expression was deadly.
Edward pulled me away from Mike and I turned to wave goodbye "Thanks Mike, see you in school" I flashed a smile at him which seemed to brighten his expression
"Sure!" he said
Edward led me out of the house and towards his car.
"Thank you for the save in there" I chuckled, but he didn't smile.
"I'm just glad I got here in time" he huffed
"In time?" I stopped forcing him to do the same and look at me
"Just forget it," he said with an attempt to lighten his tone
"You intimate that you got here in time. Like what, to actually save me?" I smiled at the thought "Save me from Mike? He seemed perfectly harmless" I scoffed
"He's not as harmless as he looks Bella." Edward stated firmly
"I'm a very good judge of character Edward. Take you for example"
"Me?" he was taken off guard
"Yes you!" I smiled "now you on the other hand."
"What about me?" he spoke cautiously
"You, aren't has harmless as you look I'll bet" I laughed at that thought as I spoke the words. Edward had been so kind and sweet to me, he couldn't harm a fly.
"Your right" he whispered and looked away "I'm all wrong for you Bella" sadness in his voice
"Oh Edward! Stop that!" I taunted, "You'll be the death of me!" I smiled, but the smile wasn't returned
"I just might," he said so softly, that I almost missed it.
Almost…
