A/N: Chapter 10

My eyes widened as I realized what he meant.

He continued on as if he hadn't seen my reaction to his words, "I was trying to lure you out so I could…" he shook his head in anger, "I can't believe I had even thought of that. I'm so sorry Bella."

I nodded still a bit shocked. I knew he wouldn't hurt me, I've always felt safe around him. "What made you change your mind?" I asked.

"When I realized what was happening in your house that night. When your mom had yelled at you for trying to go outside you went upstairs and cried. But you didn't cry because you didn't get your way but because your mom had yelled at you. And then when your parents got in a fight that night I thought it was a perfect time to get you but when I saw you…I just couldn't."

I slowly wrapped my arms around his middle and rested my head on his chest, "I've always felt safe around you. And I still don't know why. But don't worry about the whole you wanted to eat me thing," I felt his chest rumble as he chuckled, "I really don't care about it. The past is the past. And as for the retards at school well I guess I can ignore them."

I barely noticed when he had wrapped his arms around me. I did notice when he had laid his chin on my head though. I pulled my head away from his chest and looked up at him, my chin against his chest, "So…wanna go hiking?"

He smiled down at me, "Hmm, I don't know if I can stay at your pace."

I smacked him lightly, "Just because you can run super fast doesn't mean I'm that slow."

He chuckled, "Okay let's go hiking. Get ready."

I had never liked hiking but when I went with Edward that feeling changed. The first time I had gone hiking I had went with mom and dad.

(Flashback)(6 years ago)

"Are we almost there yet?" I asked. We had been hiking for a long time.

"Almost sweetie," Mommy said.

I started slowing down a bit. I looked to my left to see a pretty butterfly on a flower. I walked towards it slowly and bent down to get it. It flew away. I started chasing it right away. I wanted to see its pretty colors.

I froze in my tracks when I heard a heavy breathing. I could see the huge shadow covering my small one. Slowly I turned around to face what was behind me. My eyes widened as I saw the humongous hungry bear in front of me. It was even drooling.

Scared out of my mind I screamed as loud as I could. The bear didn't seem to like that; it got on all fours and roared. I decided it was time to make a run for it. I ran but it was catching up to me. I ran faster but when I looked back to see if he was behind me I fell down on my hands and knees.

I yelled in surprise. I looked at my foot to see it had gotten stuck in a root from a tree. I looked up to see the bear running right at me. I tugged at my foot trying desperately to get it out. "Edward!" I always cried for him when I was in trouble.

I screamed when the bear jumped on top of me. It was just about to rip my throat out when a blur threw it off me. I sat up to see Edward battling the bear. It tried to bite him and scratch him but made no effect on him. Edward was growling at it as it roared.

Finally Edward grabbed its head and snapped it. The bear fell back with a loud thud. I looked at the bear and then at Edward. He was still looking at the bear, he was breathing heavily from the fight. I tried to get my foot loose again but it didn't budge.

"Edward?" I said in a tiny voice.

He finally looked at me; he looked at me alarmed like he was scared I was going to get mad at him or something.

"Can you help me get my foot out?" I hiccupped. I had been crying when the bear started chasing me but didn't realize it 'til now.

He slowly walked towards me and ripped the root out of the ground. I wiggled my foot in relief and stood up. I checked my palms for any blood but there wasn't any they were just scraped. I looked up at Edward before I wrapped my arms around him.

"Thank you. I thought it was going to eat me," I hiccupped again.

"You're not scared of me?"

I pulled away surprised, "Why would I be scared of you?"

"I just killed a bear in front of you Bella."

I looked at the bear then back at him, "I know. It's not like it was human or something. Plus it was going to eat me. I'll never be scared of you Edward."

(End Flashback)

Edward and I were already on the trail. I could stay out late tonight if I wanted because it was Friday and tomorrow there's no school. I was trying my hardest to avoid Alice. If she found me we would go on another shopping spree like she always did on my birthday. I love Alice and all but I hate shopping. We were half way up the trail when I passed by some trees that were closing something off. I stopped and pushed the branches aside.

I stopped in awe at the view in front of me. It was a small meadow surrounded by trees. Light shimmered through the open spaces from the trees making the meadow look magical. Quietly I stepped through and stood in the light. I turned around amazed by the whole thing and stopped when I noticed Edward was at the opening–where I had came from–and stared at me.

"Isn't it beautiful?" I asked.

He slowly stepped towards me, he was hesitant to answer me, "It is."

He wasn't going to say that. I could tell, but I wasn't going to get into an argument about what he was really going to say.

I sat down on the grass and felt it run through my fingers. It was extremely soft like it was fake but of course it wasn't. Edward sat down next to me and watched me. I looked up at him and smiled. He smiled back lightly.

"Edward?"

"Hmm?"

"What's wrong? I feel like you want to tell me something but your holding it back."

He looked away from me and into the path we walked through. I followed his gaze but looked back when he turned to look at me.

"Nothings wrong. I just have a lot on my mind."

"Like what?"

He looked down at his lap before meeting my eyes, "Bella," he paused, "its better if I tell you at home."

I nodded, "I think we should make this our special place. I'm pretty sure we're the only ones that know about it. It'll be like when I was little. Except it's a meadow instead of the woods."

He smiled and nodded, "I agree. For now on this is our meadow."

I crossed my legs Indian style and looked out into the trees.

"So other than the rumors, how's school?" he asked.

"Boring. It was fun when you guys taught me all the stuff I needed to know but when these teachers teach it's absolutely boring."

"You interested in anyone?"

That's a new one. I thought it over, "No, not really. Most of the guys at school are jerks or there just clingy."

"You'll find someone eventually."

"I guess." I didn't really like talking about me having a relationship. I mean my real parents didn't exactly have the best marriage–okay that's an understatement they had a horrible relationship. My step parents had a great relationship but they had forever to be together. I'm human I don't have forever to be with someone.

I only have a short time. What if I end up like my real mom? I shuddered at the thought, "What are you thinking?" Edward asked.

It got annoying after seven years to hear the same question all the time, "I was just remembering my old mom."

"Do you like it here with us?"

I chuckled lightly, "If I didn't I would have left a long time ago."

I unfolded my legs and stood up, "Ready to get back?"

"Sure. Let's go," he got up and led the way out of here.

It was quiet on our way home. When we got there I went straight to my room and collapsed on my bed. "I'm bushed."

I expected Edward to laugh but he was quiet; too quiet. I sat up to look at him. He had a serious look on his face, "What's wrong?"

"I need to tell you something."

"Oh, right," I crossed my leg and sat down to listen to him, "What is it?"

He was quiet for a while, "Bella, I'm…leaving."

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