When we returned to Forks, Charlie was none the wiser. James was dead but Victoria was somewhere out there. Edward though would not let me focus on her. We went to the Cullen house once we came back first. Esme was a wonderful sight to see after so long. Having a mother figure was something I missed; Renee was a good person but not a mother like Esme. Rosalie was still distant to me but that was normal. I was just happy to be back home, hoping that things would go back to normal now.
Carlisle and Esme finally took me back to Charlie's. Carlisle talked to Charlie about my Asthma that we discovered by chance. Esme charmed Charlie as she explained what happened. I doubted that Charlie could even tell he was being lied to. But I didn't care as long as I was safe and Edward was still a part of my life I was happier than I'd ever been. Charlie thanked Carlisle and Esme for taking care of me so well and promised to keep in touch with Carlisle or Esme if he should need something.
Charlie noticed the sweater Alice had picked up for me and the bag of things that I came home with. "That's a nice color on you, Bells."
"Thanks, Dad. I'm going to go sleep. I feel warn out and I need to rest for tomorrow to head back to school."
"Ok, Bells. I'll leave Carlisle's note here for you to take to school for an excuse tomorrow. Nite, Bella. It's nice to have you home."
"Nite, Dad. It's nice to be home." I said yawning slightly as I climbed the stairs to go to my room.
When I came back to school, Angela and Jessica had questions and filled me in on all the gossip. I told them about the baseball game with Edward's family and that clumsy me I had fallen severely spraining my ankle and that Carlisle would not let me come back until today.
They seem to deal with that well. Mike and Eric kept getting too close to me for comfort. It was not their fault, I was still wary of guys who were not one of the Cullens. James had made me jumpy and defensive. Alice was a great friend and melded so well in with Jessica and Angela. I was grateful of the presence of someone who I trusted completely. She was able to divert Mike and Eric when they got too close by mentioning Edward and the girls would laugh seeing the look that came over my face.
By lunchtime, I was back into a routine but missed Edward. He and I had a lot of different classes during the day. Alice noticed my gloomy mood and whispered in my ear, "It's almost lunchtime. He will be waiting for you." We giggled as a silly grin came over my face.
As promised, Edward was waiting outside of our class. He quickly took my books from me and slipped his arm around my shoulders. We began to walk to the cafeteria. "I've noticed that Angela keeps laughing with you about something."
I blushed, "I guess that would be the story about last week. I kinda embellished the time I got to spend with you."
He laughed, "So that is why. But Alice had a nice laugh with you too. What was that one about?"
Blushing again, "I was missing you. She understood and reminded that you'd be here to meet me after class. It made me smile."
He laughed again as he pulled me closer and placed a light kiss on my temple. We walked in to the cafeteria side by side and let time slip away as we sat and talked together.
Angela and Alice had joined us when a hand hit my shoulder causing me to jump. Edward had been talking to Jasper and did not see it coming. My mind raced to Victoria, 'She's here to kill me.' I thought. My throat closed off as I looked to see Mike with his hand on my shoulder. I had shrieked when he placed his hand on my shoulder and Edward had whipped around to face me. Mike had quietly come up behind me. It was such a shock that I felt my heart in my chest. Edward could tell I was surprised and scared all at once. Alice was there understanding my fear and surprise. Jasper sent my emotions to Edward who immediately pulled me close and began to hum in my ear. It helped but my chest was tight.
"Its okay, Bella. Just try to calm down." Alice said trying to sooth me.
"Alice, is she okay?" Angela asked. I could see in her glasses that I had paled in color to almost match Edward's skin tone.
"Mike just really spooked her on accident. If she gets too upset her Asthma can act up." Alice said holding my hand. I rested my head on Edward's shoulder. Being close to him helped me calm down but my chest was sore. I felt so tired all of the sudden. I looked to Jasper who nodded. He sent Edward a sensation of the tired feeling that struck me. Alice had seen I would be tired and smiled at me.
"It will be okay, Bella. I'll run you to the nurse and have her call Carlisle and he'll say you need to head home and rest." Edward whispered into my ear.
I nodded my head and felt my eyes ready to close for sleep. "Edward?" I said weakly.
"Yes, Bella." He answered back loud enough for the others to hear us.
"My chest hurts. I'm so tired all of the sudden."
"We need to go to the nurse then and call my father. He'll let us know what to do. Can you walk there, okay?"
"I think so. Alice, Angela, could you get my stuff together please?"
The girls looked to both of us and answered, "Sure, Bella." Edward helped me up and began to walk me calmly to the nurse's office.
Within what felt like moments, Edward was walking me to his car to take me to his house. Esme had already called and said she had a bed ready for me to take a nap in. I sat quietly in the seat next to Edward and felt my eyes close.
When I opened them again, I was in the guest room of Edward's family home. He was curled next to me holding me close and I felt better. I stirred to face him and he smiled. "Feeling better, Bella." He said as he kissed my forehead.
"Yes, I don't feel as tired now. What time is it? How long have I been asleep?"
"It's 4:30. I called Charlie already, told him we were studying for a test in biology and you fell asleep. He just asked that you call him when you woke up."
I blushed, "I can't believe I slept that long."
Carlisle knocked before he came in. "How are you feeling, Bella?"
"Better. I think Mike just spooked me and being as jumpy as I was made it worse. Thank you for letting me come here to rest."
"I told you that you would be welcome and that I would match what the doctors in Sacramento said that you should rest more." He said looking from me to Edward. "Charlie called me to talk about the Asthma. He was concerned about what could happen but I told him that you would be fine. But you do need to head home, Bella. He's feeling very worried and seeing you doing normal things will help him."
"Ok, Thank you, Carlisle." I said as he turned to leave. "He's right, Edward. I do need to go home. There are things there I need to do. Can you take me home?"
"Sure, Bella. Let's get your things from Alice and Angela got your homework so you didn't miss anything." He said placing his arm around my shoulders and held me close.
I felt better once I returned home and I had dinner ready for Charlie and was reading for my English homework when he came in the door. "Hi, Dad."
"Hey, Bells. How was school?"
"Okay, it was nice to see the girls again. But by the end of the day I was so tired. I'm sorry I fell asleep at Edward's."
"It's ok, Bella. He called to let me know what was going on so I was fine. I did speak to Dr. Cullen today about your Asthma though."
"Oh, what did he say?"
"That it only flares up when you get really upset and you will be fine. But I'm your dad of course I am going to worry. I love you, Bella."
"I love you too, Dad. Let's go eat before it gets cold. I got some fish with Harry's spices on it ready." I said standing.
"Sounds good. Did I tell you I missed having you here last week?" he said as we entered the kitchen together.
