Chapter seven: The touch
Bella's POV
"Oh...this is Jake's shirt", I mumbled quietly, as my cheeks flushed red uncontrollably. Edward arched an eyebrow at me.
"And who is this...Jake person?" he asked, saying the name like it was a dirty word. I rolled my eyes.
"My best friend", I explained, "He came over yesterday and I accidently spilt some juice on him so I told him to take off the shirt."
"You told him to take off the shirt?" Edward asked, looking outrages. I blinked at him.
"Yeah...it was wet", I said defensively. He made me feel like I had stripped from Jacob. "So...I got him a new shirt from Charlie. What's the problem?"
Edward recomposed his face into a blank mask as he eyed the shirt on the table. I grabbed it quickly.
"Well...you ought to go to school now", he said after a while. I stared at him, trying to figure out what exactly had just happened. Did he tell me off? I just got a scolding from an angel?
Nice.
"Aren't you coming with me?" I asked him timidly.
I really wanted Edward to be with me today. It seemed as if I couldn't help it when he was away. That's when all the doubts would creep in. I didn't want to be during the middle of the day then realise that this had all been a dream or just my imagination. I wanted Edward to be real and whenever I was near him, I knew that he was.
"No...I don't think that's wise", said Edward curtly. He looked at my clock pointedly. "You better get on, Bella. As your angel... I don't think I should be holding you up when you need to go learn."
"What exactly are you here for then?" I asked him sceptically. I mean, I knew that he was here to stop me having bad dreams but was that it? Is that why he was here only during the night?
But then I was contradicting myself because it was as clear day as dark and rainy as Forks was, and yet here he was. I presumed Edward was some sort of protector. Wasn't that what guardian angels were? I mean, he couldn't protect me if we were apart.
Edward smirked secretly and I could see a disguised twinkle in his soft green eyes.
"I'm here to help you on many levels Bella", he explained gently, "but mostly because you fascinate me. I mean, well you fascinate everyone. You're special."
And that was probably the most clichéd moment of my life. Yet it felt like the best moment of my life. Many people had told me I was special, but I never believed them. Why would I? There was noting extra ordinary and brilliant about me. But when Edward had said it, I had to believe him. I mean after all he was my angel. My angel.
"I...I better get to school", I stammered, backing away towards the door. I blinked, trying to steady myself as I turned around.
"Learn something", Edward called out in an amused voive as I walked out. I felt oddly empty, knowing he couldn't be there with me. I turned back around and skipped into my room. Edward was already at the window.
"Wait! Edward", I called out as he coiled to spring out. "w-where are you going?"
"I'm going....where did you expect me to go?" he asked, turning back around with a puzzled look on his face.
"Well...I don't know...I thought...I thought you were staying with me", I said in a small voice.
Or maybe hide in my bedroom until I get home. Actually, I was leaning towards the latter. If he left then I wouldn't be sure if he'd come back to me. After all, when I was nine years old he had sprung out of my window and hadn't returned for eight years.
"I just told you that I couldn't accompany you to school Bella", Edward said softly, taking a step towards me.
"Well...can't you turn invisible or something?" I asked desperately, "I don't know...don't guardian angels turn tiny and stand on people's shoulders whispering in the person's ear to do stuff?"
Edward chuckled, shaking his head whilst I huffed.
"I cannot turn invisible nor stand on your small shoulders", he said slowly taking another step, half laughing.
"Some Angel ! No powers", I scoffed, "So are you just normal person with super beauty then?"
I blushed as I realised what I had just said. He smiled gently.
"I wish", Edward muttered quietly, "I do have powers Bella...but it doesn't work on you however."
"It doesn't work on me?" I repeated, quirking an eyebrow.
"No....my most precious gift and its no use to me", he shrugged, walking closer still. We were both standing by the doorway now, my back to it. Edward looked down at me as a lock of stray hair fell on his forehead.
"Well, what is it?" I asked him curiously.
Edward hesitated then sighed heavily in resigned way. "Mind reading."
"Mind reading?" I repeated, incredulous, "You can read minds? Holy sh –"
"It isn't wise for a lady to curse", Edward cut in, rolling his eyes in an amused way, "You better listen to me Bella, I know what's best for you."
"Wait, don't change the subject. Why can't you read my mind?" I demanded him, practically bouncing on the spot.
"I'm not sure", Edward answered, shrugging.
I was awed. I couldn't believe it. Yet there was a massive part of me that was immensely glad that he couldn't read my mind. I had, after all, been thinking unforgiveable thoughts of his body. I felt the colour paint my cheeks as I heated up. Must not think about Edward's body when he's standing les than a foot away from you.
"Well, I...what...is there something wrong with me?" I asked, sighing.
"I just told you that I can't read minds and you think that there's something wrong with you?" Edward chuckled. I resisted the urge to brush the hair off his forehead.
"I'm glad I amuse you so much", I muttered quietly.
"Not only that Bella," whispered Edward closing, closing the space between us, "Oh you do much more than that. You enthral me, and captivate, holding my interest in so many ways. I don't get surprised and appealed in many things Bella, you're probably the only one."
"And why do I enthral you so much?" I asked him, confused.
He smiled and lifted his hand up softly. The back of it grazed the skin on my jaw line as he traced it delicately. My whole body flushed with heat and embarrassment. I felt Edward stiffen slightly, looking as if he was holding his breath. I smiled at him, smoothing my cheek against his cold yet smooth hand.
"That's what I'm here to figure out", Edward murmured. Our eyes locked and brown met with beautiful emerald green. And I felt myself get lost in some sort of hypnotic lock that was happening between us.
And then like the clumsy idiot I was, I was falling. Now I had fallen many times before. I tripped over my two left feet enough times to give me marks and grazes and cuts all over my elbows and knees but this was like a different kind of falling. When his cold yet smooth hand had crushed over my skin I felt like I was flying. Not falling but flying. Whooshing through something that I didn't know what. And it was brilliant. I loved it.
I could feel Edward's cool strong arms around me, holding me close to him as my eyes closed of their own accordance. I could hear his panicked voice. He was shaking me slightly, trying to get me back. But I didn't want to go back. I was falling, flying and floating. With my angel holding me tight.
"Bella! Bella!"
Edward's POV
I didn't know what had happened. I had stepped close to her, too close. I was lost in those pools of pure beautiful muddy coloured eyes. Her skin was so soft and so warm. So absolutely beautiful that I couldn't help but loose myself completely. She was amazing. She was so different, so special.
I could feel the venom in my mouth but I pushed it away. I pushed it away because I couldn't think about that now. Her blush was covering her cheek, her neck. A beautiful pink colour. Turning into the taunting colour of blood red. Bella closed her eyes and exhaled out loud.
And collapsed in my arms.
I snapped out of the little magnetic pull that was drawing me close to her. Her eyes were tight closed and her body was limp. I panicked.
"Bella? Bella, are you alright?"
This was no time for me to be the angel that I was faking. I was planning on pretending to be her angel, fulfilling what she wanted at the same time as studying her. But now I was truly concerned. I couldn't help but be protective of this girl.
What had happened? Did she faint? Wasn't she breathing? Was it me?
"Bella! Bella!"
I cradled her into my arms, holding her close I and mounted her gently on the bed. She looked fine a second ago. She was smiling faintly up at me. I was feeling content. I had forgotten everything. As soon as I had touched her, it was like something tensed in the atmosphere. The demons of hell were hissing because a monster like myself had gotten the chance to touch an innocent creature like Bella. A monster like myself was slowly falling for her.
"Edward?"
The slightest whisper. The smallest voice. The little syllables.
"Are you ok?" I asked her. Her pulse was fine, a little faster than normal but fine nevertheless. Bella opened her eyes and sat up. She blinked, looking around.
"Are you alright? Would you like some water?" My arms were still around her shoulders, holding her close. I was ignoring the venom in my mouth; I was ignoring the urge to kill. I had to protect her. I had to make sure she was safe.
"Yeah...no, I'm fine", Bella stuttered, shaking her head. A fresh scent of her beautiful hair filled my nostrils. I tensed, stopping the air flow to my lungs immediately. Bella noticed.
"Edward? Are you alright?" she asked, turning to me. I closed my eyes to concentrate. The monster inside of me roared. BITE HER! GET IT OVER WITH!
I pulled myself away, snatching myself away from Bella and went to stand by the window. The fresh air of the trees and polluted atmosphere filled my lungs. I turned around to see Bella watching me warily.
"Go to school", I told her in a strained voice, "You're going to be late."
"But I don't –"
"Go", I snapped at her, through gritted teeth. If she was around for any second longer, I wouldn't be able to control myself. "Now Bella! I'm your guardian angel, trust me. Go...please Bella..."
"Are you going to stay?" Bella whispered, grabbing her bag and slowly backing away towards the door. Good girl.
"I'll be here before you fall asleep", I told her. And she turned and left.
As soon as she did so, I wasted no time in springing out of the window and running for the cover of the trees. My scent was now mixed with the beautiful scent of Bella Swan. She was going to be the death of me.
--
Oh I can hear him now, he's here. Thank goodness. I was greeted by Esme kind thoughts I as ran towards the house. No doubt I'd be stampeded with questions of my whereabouts. I just really hoped that Rosalie wasn't here today. She had work so hopefully she'd be gone. Her cold, nosy thoughts were what I needed.
I blocked my family's thoughts, hoping to give myself a piece of mind and to give them some privacy as I got to the house. Esme opened the door, smiling at me.
"Edward", she greeted me, opening her arms out for a hug. The human gesture never really got to me, but I did it nevertheless for Esme. Inconspicuously, she sniffed my clothes and stiffened.
It's the same scent as last time Edward. Who is she? Is it the girl Rosalie was talking about? A curious expression, as well as happiness landed on Esme's face. She smiled at me gently, hoping I would spill.
"What is her name?" Esme asked me, closing the door as I entered. I grimaced as I noticed Alice and Jasper on the loveseat.
The little pixie turned to smile at me.
"Good morning dear brother", Alice smiled. She was singing a French song in her head, blocking her thoughts. Jasper sniffed and smirked.
Did Eddie-boy get lucky last night as well? I sighed as I realised that Emmett was in the house.
"Don't you have a job or something?" I muttered, knowing fully well that he would hear.
"Sick leave", he laughed. It was a good idea for Emmett or Rosalie to take a couple of days off work during the year or people would get suspicious. They had to get sick, humans did.
I heard his soft thuds as he flitted down from the third floor.
I love her Edward! She's amazing! When can I meet her? Alice's shriek was annoying with her thoughts and her voice. I shook my head at her.
"You haven't decided yet?" she voiced her thoughts.
"Haven't decided what?" Jasper asked impatiently. No one liked the silent conversations between Alice and I.
"Nothing", I said, turning to go upstairs.
"When we're meeting...Belle? Bella? Isabella? Is that her name?" Alice asked out loud. She was singing Frere Jacque in her head. I stiffened when I heard her name.
"Wait? Is this the girl Rosie was talking about?" Emmett boomed, descending the stairs. I did not like the amount of attention my family were now giving me.
I know Isabella Swan from school. Emmett told me through his thoughts. A picture of Bella flashed in his head. A little growl escaped my lips. He shouldn't be thinking about her. She was mine!
Edward, Jasper warned me through his thoughts. I felt a wave of reassurance and calm wash over me.
"Edward? Who is she?" Esme asked out loud.
"The love of his life", Alice answered. And then she unleashed all the thoughts, images and foreseen scenes that she had been hiding in her mind.
