Chapter eight
"Do you like my little toy?" the man chuckles, making the cloth of his banda blow outwards. He strokes the trigger of his gun, and waves it near my head.
"No? How about you?" He grins, shifting the gun and placing it in between Edward's eyes.
Edward stays quiet, but his adam's apple bobs belying his fear. The man chuckles a sadistic laugh and uses his thumb to click the safety off the gun. My eyes grow wide at the reality of the situation and my weak legs stumble to work at a incomprehensible speed.
"No!" I shout, trying to get him to miss.
Just as I do, he turns the gun my way, and pulls the trigger with a defying bang.
"Bella! Shhh...It's okay, It's okay." Leah soothes, stroking my hair, trying to calm me.
My heavy breathing is all I can hear, and the sheen of sweat is all I can feel. I know Leah is beside me, probably worried about me, but I am still lost between reality and my subconscious.
It was so real. That could have happened, I could have been dead. My life over just like that.
I draw in another unsteady breath, and open my eyes only to feel a tear roll down from my cheek.
"Bella?" Leah says worried. She puts her hand on my cheek and uses her thumb to wipe away the dampness left behind.
"I'm fine." I choke out. I'm not lying really, I'm nearly fine. I just need a minute alone to collect myself, and get those evil eyes out of my mind.
She nods like she doesn't believe me, but is willing to placate me. "Okay. Do you need anything?" she asks me sympathetically.
"No." I shake my head. Before she gets up I put my hand on her forearm and stop her. "Thank you, Leah," I tell her sincerely.
She smiles a genuine smile, and puts her hand on top of mine. "That's what sisters are for." She shrugs, as if her actions are as simple as that. She leaves, shutting the door behind her, and I am once again left with my thoughts, as I try to calm myself down.
It's times like this when Leah truly showed her innerself. She was just my sister and not dating my mortal enemy Edward Cullen.
The Edward Cullen who risked his life for my own yesterday.
I shake my head, and turn in bed so I can roll over onto my side and look down at my stained flooring. I just don't understand why he would do such a noble thing. It doesn't add up. I've done nothing but treat him like crap. Then again he's done the same to me. Either way, it just doesn't make sense.
Through my confusion, I am nothing but grateful that he did save me. Who knows what could have occured last night? I hope he knows I am in his debt. Well, I sort of hope he knows. A part of me hopes he's terrible again all the time so things can return to "normal". At least I know how to deal with him then. Although I did hug him, which is very much out of my comfort zone. Edward and I don't...touch.
But, those were extraordinarily stressful circumstances. Nobody behaves normally in traumatic situations.
Touching him wasn't that bad...just weird.
Like being forced into hugging a family member you've never met before in your life.
I felt better than I did before when I woke up from that horrid nightmare. But now I have to face another kind of nightmare: The doom of high school. Sighing, I drag my body out of my warm cocoon of covers, and take the risk of going for a shower this earlier in the morning.
If it isn't Leah in there it will be dad.
Thankfully, the bathroom is empty when I open the door. It's either too early for dad, or too early for Leah, either way, I'm claiming the bathroom for this morning.
The warm water turns my mind to mush, and I can't think of anything but music as I hum along to the familiar notes of a Lady Gaga's tunes. Most people don't understand my fascination with her music. But it's not just her music. It's here as a person. She is so inspiring to someone like me, who has her life all planned out.
"Bella, I know you had a rough night and everything, but beauty takes time, and you're wasting mine!" Leah's tone turns harsher towards the end, back towards her normal tone I'm used to.
"Be out in a minute," I shout, and finish rinsing my hair.
I dry off, and head to my room to dress. A pair of jeans and a sweater will suffice really. Not really caring, I put on a pair jeans, and my thick, blue knitted sweater. I put on my boots, as the ground is now a ice rink thanks to the frozen over snow. I do my make up pretty simply, just a thin line of eyeliner, mascara and lip balm.
I just don't feel like putting in the effort when I'm just going school.
I go downstairs and hear the teapot whistle and see mom sitting on her chair, going through the mail. When she spots me slowly approaching, she abandons her letters and pulls me into her arms. I know she's only doing it because of last's night's events, but I don't dare say anything. I just let her have her moment.
"How are you this morning, sweetheart?" She asks me. She rubs my back as she awaits my answer.
"I'm fine, mom, just hungry." I shrug, and on cue my stomach rumbles.
Mom lets out a little chuckle before patting my back and walking over to the fridge.
"Take a seat, honey, I'll make you and your sister something for when she gets out of the shower. What are you hungry for?" she asks
I take a seat on one of the wooden chairs.
"Eggs and toast?"
"Of course, sweetie," she smiles.
Soon Leah comes down stairs, her hair a little damp, but she is ready for the day, looking as radiant as ever with her russet skin, and jet black hair.
"Hmm, do I detect the smell of egg in the air?" taking a seat beside me. She seems in a... good mood.
"I'm cooking breakfast for you two, since you have never been up so early at the same time." Mum muses, and she reaches for some plates in the upper cupboard.
It's true that Leah and I never wake up at the same time. Our sleeping patterns are never in sync. I guess it's my fault for waking her up. I have no doubt in my mind that I was either crying or screaming out loud. Mom, on the other hand, could sleep through a war and not even notice.
"Thanks, mom," I tell her, when she sets the plate down in front of me. Leah thanks her as well.
We eat in silence, but I can tell there is something on Mom's mind. She keeps giving me these little looks. She wants to say something, but she is holding back. Leah seems to be trying to eat as quickly as possible, and she keeps looking at her phone. I'm just enjoying my food and looking out of the window at the forest surrounding the house.
"Bella, Jasper's pulling up in five. Hurry and finish so we can go," she announces, her chair scraping across the tiled floor as she runs up the stairs with loud thuds left behind as a trail.
"Bella?" Mom finally speaks up, just as I make a move to put my plate in the sink.
"Yes?" I answer her a little wary of what she is going to say.
"Your father told me what happened last night and that Edward was there to save you, but I think it would be for the best if you...well, if you stop working at the shopping market," she says.
"W-What? Mom, that's ridiculous!" I stutter, standing to my feet. "I know you're worried about me, but I'm going to be fine. This is Forks, Mom! The odds of something like that happening twice are miniscule! And you know we could use the extra money." I point out, gesturing to the letter on the table.
She sighs."At what expense?"
"Mom, I'm sorry, but I'm an adult, and as long as I'm living here and able, I'm going to be working as well."
Just as I finish, the sound of Jasper's horn breaks through the air.
"I'll see you after work, Mom." I tell her, and walk out of the kitchen over to the doorway to put my coat on and pick up my back pack.
Leah's footsteps barreling down the steps are close behind me. We both leave at the same time, and approach the car parked in the driveway. I sigh, hugging my coat closer to me, when the car door opens and I barely see anything before I am engulfed in a pair of arms.
"Bella, oh my god, I'm so glad your safe. Why didn't you answer your phone last night?" Jasper questions me, as he caresses my face with both of my hands.
"I'm sorry, I kind of just...collapsed last night. My dad took me down the station to give a recorded statement."
Jasper sighs, and unexpectedly leans down and kisses me briefly on the lips. He looks truly relieved that I am safe and sound.
"I was so worried." He says, shaking his head.
"Well, I'm fine now. No worries," I tell him. Letting out a breath of cold air, I smile and give him a peck on the lips as well.
He truly is a great boyfriend to me, I'm so lucky to have someone as dear as him.
"You're sure you want to go to school today?" he asks me, taking my hand to walk with me over to the car. I'm grateful for the extra support on the slippery ground.
"Eh, I can't just hide away because of what happened," I point out and he nods in understanding.
I let go of Jasper's hand and walk around to the passenger seat, all the while holding onto the frame of the car for support. I don't slip and make it inside the warm and safe car without a scratch. Leah and Edward are sitting in the back, each in their own little worlds and looking out of their separate windows.
"Morning Bella." Edward speaks up from the back. Leah and Jasper both look at him with surprised and confused looks on their faces, like they can't quite believe it.
I didn't quite expect such a warm welcoming, but I make the right choice and decide to be just as nice back.
"Good morning Edward," I reply back, and I recieve much the same looks from both of them.
Their mouths slightly open as they look between us, a million questions behind their eyes. I sink into my seat, wishing they would just leave it and drive to school. God must be on my side, as Jasper pushes his foot down on the accelerator.
However, my luck is short lived.
"Am I missing something here or did you two actually exchange greetings like normal people?" Leah questions, disbelief in her tone.
"Can't I say hello to someone?" Edward snaps at her in a bored tone, sinking into his seat.
"Don't be rude. I was just asking a question, and of course you can say hello to people, but when that someone is Bella, it's a little bit fishy," she argues back. Jasper and I both share a side look of concern at the increase of anger in their tone.
"Really Leah? After what we went through last night, you're judging me for saying hello to her?" he shouts in sarcasm.
"I'm not, I was just asking!" she nearly screams.
He fake laughs. "Yeah. Okay," he rolls his eyes.
We all fall into silence. The drive to school is spent with everyone stuck in the car full of pent up tension. I feel like I started something and feel terrible if they're fighting because of me. I mean, I overheard the whole thing, and didn't say anything. The worst part is that I don't know who I agree with, my sister or my mortal enemy- I mean- Edward.
A/N
I know you want more Edward action, but dont worry, It's coming. I wonder what school and Work will be like with their minds now opening up and seeing reality.
What did you make of Leah and Edwards argument? Were you happy or glad about it?
See ya next time guys!
I hate Edward Cullen...JOKES!
#Edited
