A/N: Hey everyone! I was so happy to read all of the reviews. It's what makes writing worth it for me (I know I say that a lot but that's because it's true) :D. Here's is chapter 8 and I'm proud to say it's my longest so far.
Chapter 8
I walked through the parking lot at Tristan's side, contemplating what I would say to him. He opened the door for me silently as I climbed in. I heard Nevaeh and Xavier climb in the back, quietly whispering about what to do for the rest of the night, but I didn't glance back. Tristan climbed in, slamming the door and starting the car. The radio blared as he sped out of the parking lot. Part of me was waiting for him to hold my hand as he drove like he always did, but his hand rested on his thigh and showed no sign of moving. The entire ride was awkwardly quiet. My gaze remained fixedly on the landscape outside. My mind was racing and I was trying to sort through my thoughts.
Okay, so everyone knows you lied about not feeling good and they know you lied to hang out with a group of people they had never seen before. It's not like it's any of their business anyways. And now I have to explain Edward to Tristan. But what should I say and how do I explain why I never told him about Edward? Why didn't I ever tell him about Edward? Because I was still hoping he would come back for me. Wait, where had that come from? I shook my head, trying to focus on what I would say instead of Edward. But he really did look perfect. My memory of him had never done justice. No. Edward's cute but he left you. He said though that him hurting me was different from Tristan hurting me. How is that different? Hurting me is hurting me. I paused, struggling with what I was telling myself. It was because he loved you and wanted to keep you safe. What? But I do love how protective he still is. If he didn't still feel something for you, why is he so protective? I don't have any feelings for him. He's my friend now and after what he did that's all he will ever be. I don't feel any other feelings for him. Do I?
My thoughts were interrupted by the car door slamming. I jumped in reaction, but settled when I realized that we were back at the dorms and Xavier had just gotten out and that Nevaeh was in the process of gathering her things. I looked over to see Tristan staring out of the windshield, his hands curled around the steering wheel, the car still running. I wanted to ask him what was going on, but the look on his face was enough to tell me not to say anything. I heard the other door slam and I turned to see Neveah and Xavier walking inside. Wearily, I began to undo my seat belt, but my back hit the seat as Tristan sped off.
"Where are we going?" I asked, struggling to put my seat belt back on. I waited for an answer, but there was none. He remained staring out of the window. "Where are we going?" I demanded this time. His reply came in the form of turning the radio up louder. "Ugh," I groaned, giving up and shrinking into the seat. I knew he would be stubborn and not answer me, so I gave up, not wanting to waste my breath.
The car sped down the street. "Tristan slow down!" I yelled, jumping at the sight of the speedometer. When he showed no sign of hearing me, I continued to yell. "You are going sixty when the speed limit is thirty five! Slow down! You're gonna get us killed!" Thankfully, although he didn't answer, I watched his speed drop down to forty five. I was grateful for the fact that nobody else was driving around here. Sighing and knowing perfectly well that that was as good as it was going to get, I closed by eyes and leaned back into the seat.
I didn't open my eyes again until the car came to a stop. It was hard to see, but I could barely make out a house. I looked over at Tristan, about to ask where we were, but he was already climbing out of the car. Slamming his door, he walked around and opened mine. "Tristan...?"
"Get out of the car, Bella." His voice was quiet, but tense and strained. Slowly , I got out and stood next to him. I cautiously followed him up the sidewalk. Now that we were closer, I could tell that it wasn't a house, but a set of apartments. Tristan pulled out a key and opened the door. I followed him in, tense and aware. He closed the door behind me.
"Who's place is this?" Still, not answering me, Tristan dropped his jacked and keys in a chair and laid down on the couch.
"Liam's." I jumped at the sound of his voice, his statement startling me after having been so quiet.
"Who?"
"Liam. He's this guy I met at my old job. He rents this apartment and lets me crash here when I feel like it. He's in Ohio right now, visiting his parents. He gave me the spare key and said I could stay here while he's gone." Tristan's voice was so indifferent that it frustrated me.
"And why didn't you ever tell me about him or this place?"
He shrugged. "Never felt a need to." He stood up and walked towards me so quickly that I didn't have enough time to react. I tried to run around him, but Tristan grabbed my wrist and pulled me against him. "Now you have some things to explain to me."
"Ow, Tristan! You're hurting me!" He dragged me over to the couch and threw me against it. I sagged into the cushions, rubbing my raw wrist.
"Who were they?" He was yelling now, but I tried to keep my courage. He would never really hurt me, I told myself over and over.
"I don't know what you're talking about," I whispered.
"Don't play stupid! Those people you were with at the mall, who were they?"
"Emmett's family!" I yelled back, regretting it instantly as I watched his muscles tense and his fists curl. I shrank back, making my voice quiet and calm. "I knew them from when I lived in Forks."
"Why didn't you ever tell me about them?"
"Because I never felt a need to," I snapped back mockingly, beginning to get angry again. "After they left during my senior year, I figured I'd never see them again."
"And that guy, who was he?"
"Which one?"
"The one right next to you! The one who was constantly glaring at me! Who the hell is he?"
"Edward! He and I dated okay! He broke up with me and moved away!"
"Why didn't you ever tell me about him?"
"I don't know!" I was so upset by this point that I could feel my eyes begin to well, but I refused to let any tears escape.
"Well that kid better watch it. If I ever catch him messing around with you again, I swear, Bella,..."
"Edward!" I interrupted, standing up right against him. I was shocked by my actions, but I couldn't stop them or control the words coming out of my mouth. "His name is Edward! He is my friend! And he will not be anything else after he broke my heart! I didn't tell you about him because I wanted to forget about him and what he did to me! And the only reason he was glaring at you was because he wanted to protect me from you after he saw what you did to my arms!"
"I hurt you accidentally because you made me so angry! The only reason I was angry was because you made me worry!" He shoved me back down hard onto the couch and drew his hand back as if to hit me. Thankfully, he didn't. His violence left me stunned. But at the sight of him moving angrily towards me, I recovered and pushed my way around him, heading towards the door. "Where are you going?"
"Away from you!" I opened the door, but he slammed it shut from behind me and stepped in front of me.
"How? You don't have a ride," he was almost amused at this point, which pushed me even further to the edge.
"I'll walk! That's it Tristan! I'm done! It's over!"
"You're not going anywhere." Tristan leaned back against the door, crossing his arms.
"I told you I'm done with you!"
"Well, I'm not letting you go." He grabbed my wrists and pulled me back onto the couch, laying down and forcing me to lay down with him. I struggled and fought, but it was no use when he was twice as big as me. "Come on, Bells. Calm down. You and I both know it isn't over and it won't ever be. You belong with me."
No," I stated, trying to push myself away from him. "I refuse to stay with someone who hurts me out of anger."
"You're right," he sighed. I froze and looked up at him. "And I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that. I promise I won't ever do that again, just don't leave me sweetheart. I need you right now. I know I have anger and even bipolar issues, but I can get through it with your help. I need you right now, Bells. It would tear me apart if I lost you." Although the act was gentle, he forced me to lay down on him as he rubbed my back. "I'll make it up to you, Bells. We'll have a great night tomorrow. I promise."
"Why should I believe you?"
"Because you love me. And I love you. Every relationship has it's rough points and speed bumps, but we'll get through it. I know we will. I'll work on my anger problem if you promise not to make me worry about you with that Edward guy. Okay? It'll all work out. You'll see."
I didn't believe him, and I had a feeling that he knew it. But I was too worn out to continue arguing with him when I knew it was pointless. The way he was holding me in his arms reminded me of what we used to have and made it easy for me to fall asleep. However, it wasn't Tristan that I dreamt about, but Edward.
A/N: Well, what did everyone think? I had to get this chapter done before I could move on to the club scene, which I'm really excited about. After rereading it, I'm unsure of how it turned out. So please let me know. Thank you for reading my story and reviewing, and please continue to do so. I'll be anxiously awaiting your reviews! :).
