Disclaimer: P-chah, if I was Stephenie Meyer I wouldn't be using fanfiction
Author's Note: I know this took way to long to post but on the bright side, it's twice as long as a normal chapter, so enjoy! I'm sure this chapter won't answer all of your questions, but the next one will, and it should be up soon.
Kyle took my hand and lifted me up, swiftly sliding a ten dollar bill out of his pocket and onto the table. My mind was numb, and surprisingly not panicking. My clenched heart stayed in a regular rhythm.
Of course, the blatant trust in him was foolish, and I should've acted differently. Namely, running in the other direction. But then again, when have I ever followed logic?
Hand in hand, I followed him into the brush. When he stopped he let out a roguish grin.
"I thought this would've been harder,"
The beat of my heart quickened, and his grin faded into a serious look. At that moment I wished I hadn't told Edward I was going to Angela's, but what he said next was something I didn't expect.
"Bella, you might not have known this before…" he paused, "I have feelings for you,"
I looked down, still silently shocked and thankful I was still living. "I…," I hesitated. "Don't?" It came out as a question, and I frowned.
"Oh." he, too, looked down. "If that's the case…I suppose you wouldn't want me intruding on your wedding,"
"Kyle," I said, my face concerned. "I – I think I do." I had meant to say sorry, and I regretted it immediately.
He gave a slight smile, and it made me forget the guilt. "I know your in love with him," he said, certainly. "But I hope…I mean, give me chance, okay?"
I nodded, feeling a strange infatuation in the corner of my heart, but pushed it away.
I'm in love with Edward, I told myself fervently, and didn't catch the lie.
Four days until my wedding, and the countdown was on. Precious time was slipping out of my grasp.
"So," Alice commented while I prepared dinner for Charlie. "How was your date with Kyle?"
I stared, bewildered, and then stupidly realized that Alice would've seen all of yesterday's ordeal. "Alice –"
"Bella, what are you doing with him? Much less going into the woods alone with him? You said you had feelings for him? Where is this coming from?" Her words came out fast and accusing.
"I don't have feelings for him," The words felt strange in my mouth. "I just told him that so I could leave those woods alive."
"So you won't be hanging out with him anymore?" She gave me a reproachful look.
"I…" I lost my words.
She ignored me, and continued. "If I hadn't been there –,"
"You were there?" I asked, astonished.
"Of course – far away enough so that he couldn't smell me – but Bella, what were you thinking? If I hadn't been there he could've killed you. Why do you want to spend more time with him?"
"He seems like a nice guy…," I replied, losing my words once more.
"You're not seeing him again." She said it with a disturbing finality in her tone.
"Alice," I started, but didn't know how to finish. Nothing I could say would change her mind, and that made my teeth clench in anger.
"You don't seem to understand how dangerous Kyle is, and I'm not taking any chances." She said indifferently.
"Well I'm in just as much danger here!" My voice emanated an unusually callous pitch, and it was filled with raw hate.
She started looking through the magazine beside her, frowning, and I was immediately guilty for what I said.
"I'm sorry," I whispered.
Alice just shook her head. "I doesn't matter. The important thing Edward doesn't know; yet. He definitely does know something's up and I can't keep singing the alphabet in French for much longer,"
I smiled. "Thanks for keeping this Alice,"
Alice perked. "Anything for my bride-to-be," she paused for a moment, "You still aren't meeting him though."
My eyes narrowed, but there was a knock at the door, and I stomped to answer it.
"Bella, don't do that," Alice warned.
I opened the door anyway, still angry and defiant of her ignorant control.
"Bella?" A handsome voice asked, and without warning my heart melted.
"Kyle? Why are you here?" I asked him curiously, overcome with a bewildering happiness.
Kyle sulked, a heavy sadness entering his bright eyes. "Do you want me to leave?"
"Bella!" Alice exclaimed in alarm, as if a mouse was willingly entering the mouth of a snake.
Suddenly she set me out of the way, imparting Kyle with a genuinely frightening glare, and closing the door thoroughly.
Once again a bored look appeared on her face, as if my fate was already decided. "Bella, please don't push this, I'm trying to keep you alive." she affirmed scoldingly, and examined her nails with disinterest. I bit my lip in the midst of my emotions, and it started to go numb from the pain.
Tears materialized under my eyes, and I was barely able to blink them away. I wasn't sure if it was from hatred or sadness.
"Leave, now." My voice was thick, but hard and even, despite the turmoil erupting inside me.
"Bella –," she tried, obviously distressed for upsetting me.
"Now!" I yelled, and the intensity was almost to much to bear.
Stunned, she was gone in a flash. I could hear the screech of Carlisle's black Mercedes speed off.
Collapsing on the staircase, I couldn't control myself, and didn't try. Tears appeared under my eyes and I let them fall.
Why do I have to love Kyle? And at that moment, I knew I did. But would I have to break more hearts, and destroy more people?
Do I love him more than Edward? Could I love anyone more than Edward?
I heard the front door creak open, and thought I knew who would come to comfort me. Instead, I heard the voice that made everything seem okay again, the one that melted my heart at the very sound of his voice. Someone I had been mesmerized by from the very moment we met.
"Bella?" he seemed unsure, but when I lifted my head his eyes hardened in anger at someone I didn't know.
Joining me on the stairs, he whispered definitely in my ear, "It's all going to be okay," Kyle held me to his chest. He had said the right thing, and I believed him.
"I'd thought you'd left," I said quietly.
"I would never leave you, Bella." His eyes softened as I looked into them.
There was silence, as each syllable echoed slowly in my ears.
"Do you love me, Kyle?" I already knew the answer.
He paused, seeming to examine himself. "I do love you," Kyle spoke it like he was waiting for impending doom.
"I think I love you, too," My voice was certain, and suddenly, there was a static between our touch that felt unwaveringly true. I could tell by the way his eyes changed that he could feel it.
Kyle smiled, wiping the tears from my cheeks.
He chuckled but it was cut short. Abruptly, he tensed, becoming frozen, and then with a speed dueling a werewolf, gently pushed me out of his lap and against the banister.
"Your fiancé is here," he said immediately. "I should go,"
"No!" I said, my voice cracking with desperation.
"I'll find you tonight," he said simply, then disappeared.
Within seconds, Edward's silver Volvo screeched into Charlie's parking spot. Wincing inwardly, I held my legs to my chest and waited.
"There was someone here," he stated, rushing into the house and letting a low growl overtake his velvety voice. "It was him."
I simply stared.
"Are you alright?" he suddenly seemed concerned, and took my hand.
"Yes," I said slowly, not entirely sure. I would have been fine, if Kyle had been able to stay longer.
"Bella," he said softly. "What happened? I can smell him on you," Edward let out another hushed growl.
"We talked for awhile, that's all," my voice my gravelly, and on the edge of tears. I missed Kyle, too much, too soon.
"What did he do to you?" he asked furiously, unusually violent and angry, eyes smoldering.
"Nothing Edward, I'm fine. I just…," I paused. "Needed to see you," my voice cracked at the lie, but he mistook it for grief.
"I'm here now," he held me in his arms carried me to my room, setting me gently on the bed.
I closed my eyes, but stayed conscious easily, despite my intense, sudden exhaustion.
Edward, knowing I was awake, whispered in my ear, and his cold, tickly, breath didn't phase me, "I'm sorry about Alice," he paused, and I knew he was thinking about defending her position, but stopped, and continued watching me breath evenly, in and out.
"I think I need some time alone," Which was true, I needed to reflect, on everything. When I didn't hear an answer I opened my eyes and he seemed vaguely conflicted.
"Please," I looked at him with puzzling, uneasy eyes.
He shook his head, "I'm not leaving you alone when that vampire might come back. He might…harm you."
I glared at him, abruptly annoyed. I was in no mood for his over-protective bravado right now. If Kyle wanted to kill me he would have done it already.
I couldn't help but admit that at that moment I wanted Kyle to hold me in his arms. I immediately winced.
No thinking like that Bella, I warned myself. You're marrying Edward.
But at what cost?
I didn't sleep that night.
"Bella," Edward whispered softly in the darkness, "What's wrong?"
I had stopped counting the times he sang me my lullaby. "I don't know," I did my best to hold back a whimper.
I did know. Because my mind couldn't stop swirling with images of Kyle, of his hearty, infectious, laugh, and the warm smile that could make me melt effortlessly.
But the most vivid, and unreasonable reverie in my mind had his cold, granite lips aligned with mine.
I almost wept in frustration and desire, but blinked away the tears fervently, appreciating the fact Edward couldn't see my watering eyes in the darkness.
Edward stiffened suddenly and rushed to turn on my desk light, a low growl escaping his throat. "Kyle."
My heart beat furiously, and my mind soared in bliss.
"Stay here, Bella, I'll deal with this," His perfect brows met in anger.
"No, Edward!" I whispered urgently and he met my eyes in confusion, "What if he just wants to talk to me?"
"At three o'clock in the morning?" he gave me another confused, searching look.
My eyes were pleading, "If something… comes up, it might wake Charlie. And then we'll have to explain you bothhere in the middle of the night." My eyes watered at the thought of Kyle being in danger and I turned away.
Edward gave in, his hard eyes softening. "If he comes anywhere near you –," his words were cut off by his own snarl.
I glanced at the clock, and was suddenly very tired. Kyle would be watching, I didn't need to worry. I dreamt about him that night.
"He's not here," I whispered.
"No." said a sharp voice, and I cringed.
I picked up the towels thrown angrily onto my bed minutes earlier and closed my door quietly.
Stripping off my clothes, I turned the shower to the highest level of heat, and when my hand touched the water, it burned, but I didn't really care.
I betrayed him, and I hadn't even done it yet.
I let out a muffled sob, letting the tears fall from my deep brown eyes, barely discernible in the midst of the shower's artificial rain.
Alice wasn't there when I got out.
Alice's POV – 3 Hours Earlier
Vivid green leaves rustled close to my ear and I knew immediately this vision was going to happen, and soon.
"Kyle," I heard Bella whisper in rough voice. "Do it now Kyle,"
I could only make out her face when Kyle spoke, leaning into my view. "I don't know Bella," He seemed hesitant, his bright eyes anxious.
"Kyle," she replied, her eyes brimming with affection I hadn't recognized before. "If you don't…" she trailed off, and they were silent.
"Sure?" He asked in a quiet voice.
She smiled a small smile. "Do we have a choice?"
The passion was evident in her eyes when his lips met hers.
My slightly glassy eyes contracted in panic when I distinguished the figure standing in front of me.
"Is this what you've been keeping from me?" My brother averted his eyes, trying to compose his face.
"Edward…," I started.
"No, Alice, I understand," he said, his voice low in masked pain.
Edward's door slammed forcefully behind him and I sighed.
Will he ever have a happy ending?
