Disclaimer: Not Stephenie Meyer so I don't own anything

Now stop rubbing it in goes to the darkest corner and cries

Sorry if I took too long to update but here is the latest chapter enjoy

Thanks to everyone who reviewed

Love

Jali


By the time I reached home I was tired, hungry and sleepy. Not bothering with my car I left it in front of the house. My stomach churned and I couldn't deny my hunger anymore. Skipping breakfast and lunch along with dinner was a bad idea. There wasn't much that could be prepared quickly in the kitchen so I opted for a fruit salad. Everything was almost prepared all I needed was something to drink and I'd be ready to eat. I turned towards the fridge but stopped when instead of seeing free space I hit something or someone that felt like a brick. I yelled before falling to the floor and then heard laughter.

"Jeez Bells first you get here at an ungodly hour and then you wake everyone up with your scream." Of course Emmett had to be found in the kitchen.

"Emmett you almost gave me a heart attack. I though you were a stranger. What the hell are you doing here anyway!"

"We came over to see if you were coming back or if you left. Hey can I have some of that." I waved my hand and he began to attack my salad.

"Who are we?" I asked

"Us." I turned to see Jasper, Rose, Edward and a very upset Alice.

"O.K. can one of you tell me how it is that you got in here."

"Bella I think there are more important matters at hand," Alice said. "Tell us where you have been."

"Don't change the topic how did you get in here?"

"The key behind the porch light. Now where have you been?"

"The porch light I don't remember using that key in front of any of you."

"Bella! Stop changing the topic! Talk. Now."

"Well let's see. Where to start? My name is Bella Swan I'm a junior at Forks High my annoying best friends just broke into my house. Good enough."

"No not good enough. Please Bella, tell us where you were." Ugh. Damn Alice and her puppy dog eyes.

"I drove for hours and stopped when I realized I was in California."

"You ended up in California?" This time it was Edward who spoke. His eyes held sadness and it was my fault. Was it my fault? Great idea Bella leave without saying a word.

"I know you guys were worried but things are fine now. There's no need to worry anymore."

"Are you sure? You looked pretty upset when you left."

"Hey you would too if you were in my position. I just needed to clear my head. My little escapade allowed me to figure out what I truly wanted," they kept quiet until I finished.

I want to stay here. I love my mother I do but she's getting married. What I told her is still true she deserves another chance to be happy. You guys weren't there when dad died. Renee deserves this and if it will make her then I'm happy. Besides there's no way I could leave all of you here."

"Bella are you sure? Is this what you really want." I knew what Edward was doing.

"100 positive. Now would you stop. I'm starved and tired. Give me food and then let me go to bed please."

"Oh right you probably want this." Emmett gave me an apologetic look while handing me a half empty bowl.

"Thanks Em. I don't want to make another salad so I'll have milk and cookies instead. You guys chose a room and sleep. What time is it by the way?"

"Three in the morning and we already chose our rooms. Night Bells."

"Night Em." Rose trailed along after giving me a hug.

"Bella, don't ever scare me like that again."

"Jasper are you sure you want to keep her around." I heard his laughter while Alice sent me a death glare.

"Take care of yourself Bella." He gave me a hug but before he let go he whispered in my ear. "He missed you too much. You have him you know." It was my turn to laugh as they both left.

"So what are you going to do tell me to take care of myself or tell me your are disappointed."

"Actually I wanted to see if you let me accompany you to that nice little meal you have prepared."

"Oh your good. Sit eat and enjoy the company."

No words were shared during the midnight snack but it was comforting. We didn't have to say anything well at least not now. I wouldn't know what to say even if we were talking. Hey Edward while I was out I realized I loved you even though I've known you for only a couple a days. Yeah that wouldn't sound insane and weird. Before I knew it we both had finished our milk. Edward helped me clean up before we started to go upstairs.

"Good night Edward."

"Night Bella." I was about to enter my room when I felt to hands on my waist. I turned around and came face to face with Edward. His face was so close and his lips so kissable. Before I knew it he pulled closer and I crashed onto his chest. Edward was holding me so tightly I was almost undone just by his scent.

"Don't ever leave me again." He whispered into my ear.

"Edward I'm sorry." What else could I say.

"I thought I lost you. I thought you chose to live with your mom."

"For a second I was about to but I realized something." He let go enough to look me in the eye. "I can't leave you guys. The thought of never seeing you again upsets me."

"Bella, I can't lose you not you."

My arms wrapped themselves around his neck as I hugged him not wanting them to ever let go. I cried not really sure why. His words had just made me happier than I have felt in a while so why was a crying. Edward cradled me in his arms as he carried me into my room. He placed me softly on my bed bit I didn't want him to leave just yet so I tugged on his neck to keep him there next to me.

"Stay. Please." I pleaded and he did. His arms were firmly holding onto my waist. My eyes were closing but before I drifted to sleep I heard Edward humming a bittersweet melody I'd never heard.

My dream consisted of Edward. We were in a beautiful round meadow surrounded by wild flowers and a river could be heard not far off. We lay on the ground embracing each other happily forgetting about everything around us. Then he said what I wanted to hear.

"I love you Bella." I turned to face him before kissing him with as much passion as I could.

It was a perfect dream but I was woken up by the real thing.

"Bella, Bella time to wake up."

"Five more minutes."

"I don't think we have enough time. Alice is waiting for us downstairs."

"Ugh. I hate evil little pixies. What time is it I feel like I only slept an hour."

"It's 9 and breakfast is served."

"Fine."

Edward left me alone so I could get ready. When I reached the kitchen the smell of banana pancakes hit my nose and my stomach was ready for some protein. I took my place in between Alice and Edward.

"Morning Bella how did you sleep last night?"

"Fine Alice and you?"

"Fine."

I smiled at Edward and he returned it but it didn't reach his eyes. There was something there but I couldn't place it.

"So what's on the agenda today." I asked.

"I was thinking we could go to Port Angeles and watch a movie." Rose quipped.

The drive to Port Angeles was filled with meaningless talk about anything and everything. Artist, authors, dancers, movies, and TV shows. When we finally reached the theater there was a small debate about what movie to watch. After twenty minutes we settled for the latest horror thriller. We sat in the last row waiting for the movie to start with half the concession stand with us.

"Can someone please tell me why it is we are watching a scary movie in the middle of the day surrounded by old people?" Jasper asked.

"Alice said we had to and if you didn't you'd be in the dog house." He snickered at my reply while the rest laughed. Edward however remained quiet. It was as if he was lost in his own mind.

The movie had been running for an hour but I had stopped paying attention about thirty minutes before. Whenever I felt terror rise up in me I would inch closer to Edward but he would just move further away. He was keeping his distance but I didn't know why. Last night he told me he didn't want me to leave him ever again. Yet here he was pushing me away. Did I do something wrong.

During the entire film I tried to stay as still as possible not wanting Edward to shy away. It was incredibly hard to pay attention to the screen when paranoia swept through me and I came to a single conclusion. Edward didn't want me. Not in a romantic idea at least maybe as friends. I am such an idiot. How could I have fallen for him in such a small amount of time. No wonder he was trying to get away from me. This is just ridiculous. If he wanted to be nothing more than friends than I would be his friend.

When the movie ended I had made up my mind. I would offer him nothing but friendship. That's what he wanted right? Alice was jumping up and down rattling on about a great Italian place nearby. Jasper decided it sounded like fun and so we made off towards our new destination. There was nothing I wanted to do at the moment but go under a rock and stay there. This day wasn't turning out to be quite like I wanted it to be.

The restaurant was quaint and dark with fast service however more helpful than I wanted. Jealousy was never a big thing with me but the glances the female staff was throwing at Edward did not help me right now. We were seated in the largest table they had in the corner and were attended to right away.

"Hello my name is James is there anything I could get you to drink." His would lift his eyes from the pad where he wrote our orders and each time he would look at me. There was something about this guy that made me uneasy.

"I'll be right back with your orders." He winked at me before leaving all I could think of doing was turning to look away and I met Edward's gaze. His jaw line was clenched shut and his eyes were filled with anger.

"Wow Bella did you see that guy. He was this close to jumping you in front of all of us." Rose spoke a little to loud causing an old couple to turn their heads in my direction. Of course I got flustered and I felt my checks blush.

"Can we just eat and leave please."

"I think that would be best." Edward interjected.

The rest of the meal we talked and laughed well everyone except Edward who was quiet and spoke only when asked a direct question. James was more than friendly slipping his number into my hand on my way out.

I drove us back to Forks going straight to the Cullen's home. Esme and Carlisle looked relieved when they saw me enter the house.

"Honey are you alright were did you go?" Seeing Esme made me feel extremely guilty. She was my adoptive mother and I couldn't stand it.

"I went on a quick road trip to California but came back early this morning."

"Sweetie it's so good to see you decided to stay."

"Why did everyone think I would leave?"

"She is your mother."

"Exactly. Now can we drop this and do something fun please," I begged.

"Let's play poker."

Four hours and five hundred dollars later we stopped playing once we all lost our money to Edward. Emmett was more than upset about the lose insisting that Edward had cheated. I gave everyone one a quick hug before leaving. When I was outside my car door Edward was standing by the window watching me leave. Something had changed and I didn't know what and how. Maybe staying here had been a bad decision.