Edward POV
I scale the oak tree that presides over Odessa house, in the early hours of the morning. Counting the appropriate windows, to find the room I am certain is hers. The room is cast in darkness but the curtains are not closed. It's four in the morning and she's not there.
Where could she be?
Out obviously.
Partying? Drinking?
None of these ideas matched with the Bella in my head. But she's not seventeen anymore. Time changes humans in irrevocable ways, their temperaments and moods being dictated by time. Something that I can never get my head around. I am much the same as I've always been. My tastes never deviating from what I liked as a human.
I'm frozen. Stuck in the mind of a seventeen year old boy. However many years go by, an as wise as I think I become. I will never change; not really.
She changed me. Forever
That was special. The exception
I will always love her.
But drinking, clubbing?
It's not something that I would ever think Bella would be into. But where else could she be at this time?
With someone?
The one?
My hands reflexively tighten on the branch eliciting a moan from the wood.
My plan now seems so juvenile.
I knew that the sun would rise above the clouds as soon as day broke. My plan was to wait till she has awoken, tap on her window, hoping that shock would allow her to open it. She would be distraught; of course. Angry even. But I would ask her to listen, telling her that I could not possibly leave until the sun once again descends. We would have all day.
She would forgive me.
Because she is forgiving
Because I would make her. Using my advantage. My otherness to make her forgive me
We would be Bella and Edward Again.
The rose coloured future is whipped away.
I still don't leave my vigil though.
It's six am before anything in the room changes. Even though I am staring directly into it, I barely see the door of the room move awkwardly, as a staggering figure blunders in.
Intoxicated.
The thought is a sneer, I can't help but feel disappointed in her.
The woman turns on the bed side lamp; flooding the room in light. . .
It's not Bella.
At that moment I can see, as if I was blind before.
The expensive stereo system sitting on the desk, accompanied by a top of the range laptop.
The picture on the bedside table. A cluster of friends, staring into the camera. None recognisable. The medical books thrown haphazardly on the floor.
She's not Bella.
She can't hold a candle to her.
But what's she doing in Bella's room?
I count and recount the windows.
Definitely room oh36. Had Ms Cope got it wrong?
No I could see her staring at the computer screen in her minds eye.
But the truth was there, it wasn't her room.
I could feel the night slowly turning into the morning; knowing that I only had another hour of darkness.
I scale down the tree, with all the agility of a cat, making my unnerving way to the reception.
I will find her.
I know instinctively that the man on the desk isn't going to be very helpful.
His portly figure is leaning back on the chair, behind the heavily laden desk. A revolting egg and mayonnaise sandwich never far form his mouth; scraps that have missed litter his security shirt.
"And what do you want." He growls.
His sandwich spraying crumbs across the paper work. His eyes shifting from me to the clock behind me. His shift will soon becoming to a end.
"Hello I was wondering if you could help me-
"-look buster, in exactly twelve minutes I will be getting off. I have been sat here for the past seven hours. Seven you've got it. And I don't care if your room's in over a feet of water. Wait till I'm off and cry to someone who gives a dam."
Just Fuck off, Preppy.
Oh great, Ernie's going off on one. I feel sorry for whoever's on the receiving en. I better go save them, my shift doesn't start for a but I might as well..
A woman in a Alaska university hoodie, and a steaming cup of coffee, emerges from the cordoned off section behind him; her short ginger hair in disarray
"Calm down Ern. It's not this guy's problem that you have a shit job. How about you get off and I help the young man?"
The stained Ernie, huffs ascent pulling himself out of the chair, and heads for the door.
"SO how can I help. ."
The woman's eyes finally graze upon me, her mouth falls slightly open.
Whoa, thank you Ernie.
"Hello. I have travelled here to meet a. . . well a friend. I knocked on her door, and someone else opened and told me that I am mistaken, I was just wondering if you could tell me if I've got the wrong room?"
I know it's a long shot, but they must know where Bella's been.
"Right, well if you tell me the name, I'll check our database, and find her for you. . ."
If it was me, I'd make sure I was in the right place.. . Shut up Kim you have a boyfriend for God's sake
"Isabella Swan."
I shine her a fake smile, as I hear her hands hitting the keys, a amusing look of concentration apparent on her open features.
"Right well I'm sorry Mr.."
"Edward."
"Oh Edward. Well I've got no one here at the moment under that name. . . are you sure that you've got the right place? There's quite a lot of student housing in the area."
"I'm sure." I repeat, wishing that I could search the computer myself, but her mind refuses to leave my face.
"Oh wait here we go. Isabella Marie Swan. We've got her in our database. Completing an Ma - in European literature ?"
I nod quickly, letting the hope build in my chest.
"Yeah she was in oh36, but that was two years ago. She moved in here in September 06. Ending her contract early in January 07."
"What!"
My hands slap the desk. Uncaring about the shocked expression on the receptionists face.
What's got into him?
"Yeah. As far a I know she's still here, she hasn't withdrawn from the course at least. But she ended her contract with us in January 07. Ah I've got an address to send an subsequent mail etc. . Would you like it?"
I don't even respond, just glaring in her direction.
Geez he seemed like such a nice guy before. Jilted lover? Obviously, should I give out the address? Well he needs to sort this through, and he would find it out anyway.. It might get it out of here sooner.
"All I've got is a house in Jacksonville? Is that any help?"
I grind my teeth together. Another dead end.
But she said about her continuing her course. I know where the building is that houses all literature and English studies. I'll get there before the sun and keep an eye out.
What if she's changed?
I'll still love her.
What if she's with someone else.
. . . . . . . .
Well what will I do?
Give her another option.
Find him. Tear him limb from limb.
No.
He won't deserve her.
Neither do I.
The silent argument concludes before the woman has even finished speaking.
I am decided. Resolute. I will find her. Watch her. Be with her.
Because I love her more than anyone else ever could.
And even though I know she deserves better, I will be with her.
