Chapter 9

Sunday passed with only the beat of the steady rain against the windows and roofs of Forks, Washington. It was a lazy Sunday that found most in doors and enjoying TV or for the students who had school the next day, doing some last minute homework.

With the knowledge that he would see Hermione, Emmett was unsure how he felt about school on Monday. Unlike most in Forks, Emmett had spent his lazy Sunday, in a particularly sunny part of Washington. He'd driven three hours to escape the prying mind of Edward Cullen to think about the newest Hermione development.

He wasn't completely sure if this could be added to the list of odd things about Hermione Granger, so he kept it off for now. But as he rotated the information in his head he couldn't think of a single thing to think about it.

So he knew the reason behind the PTSD. He thought it would give him more clues about who she was, but all it did was draw a blank. Emmett couldn't help but think Hermione had kept more for him than she revealed.

Being tortured was a very significant event in anyone's life, but Emmett still had more questions than answers. He didn't know if she was taken against her will, if it had happened at her school. Even thought Hermione was being honest with him Emmett still felt like there was something he didn't know about.

Hermione was purposely keeping something away from him. Whatever it was, would make the things Hermione revealed to him come together to form a completely picture. It was hidden in all the answers she'd given him Saturday, a subliminal text that he could read. It was diving him insane. It was there but he couldn't find it.

On Monday morning while he was traveling down the hall toward English, he realized one thing: he felt closer to her now. Regardless of all the uncertainties, Hermione had opened up to him and let him in. Though she was taking baby steps, she'd shared an intimate secret with him, one that she didn't want anyone to know The thought created a soft smile to dance across his lips. For some unfathomable reason this made him happy, elated actually.

Entering English Emmett was surprised to see Hermione not in her usual seat. Emmett's now dark eyes flickered between the empty seat and the clock, the beginning of class was growing closer. When the bell finally rang and Hermione had yet to show up Emmett grew worried.

The teacher called roll and skipped over Hermione's name, making a small note where her name was usually called before moving to the next name. Emmett's brows were knotted together in worry by the end of the class. Had Hermione not come to school today? Emmett skipped the lunch line and spent the hour worrying over his missing friend.

Bella had questioned Emmett on Hermione's whereabouts, but all he could offer was a weak shrug. She too became worried.

Emmett was glad when the school day ended, and went directly to Hermione's house but found the windows dark and cold. No one was home. Had she left town? Would she have told him if she was?

As day turned to night Emmett wondered why he was so jumpy, nervous that he hadn't seen her in 48 hours. They had spent plenty of weekends apart. Angry with himself he attempted to ignore his nerves. He kept himself busy by doing his homework. Emmett took the time to actually look for the answers instead of just reciting them from memory. But that didn't take long, and he was back to worrying about Hermione.

Emmett readily accepted that he was attracted to Hermione. She was mysterious, and it made him want to get close to her. But he was not yet ready to admit that his attraction to her was not fueled purely by curiosity. The extent of his worry bothered him greatly. Though he claimed he didn't have feelings for Rosalie, he felt he was betraying her. She was supposed to be his soul mate. He was supposed to be the one loyal to their relationship. He shouldn't have these feelings for Hermione.

The next day in English Emmett release a breath that he hadn't been aware he was holding for the last two days. Sitting in her usual seat was Hermione Granger, with a large volume propped open on her desk.

There was no one in the class but them, Emmett had decided it was best to show up early, and make a quick exit if she was not present. He slid down the isle toward his seat with inhuman speed, not making a sound.

Number 10, Hermione marked as she laid the large book open on her desk when it became encased in Emmett's shadow.

10. Inhuman speed.

"Where were you yesterday?"

Placing her book marker inside the book, exactly in the middle, Hermione shut the volume.

"I went to see my therapist in Seattle."

This settled Emmett's nerves some, and all thought of berating her for her unaccounted disappearance evaporated from his mind. Placing his notebook on his desk, he slid into the seat and allowed himself to relax. Emmett hoped that Hermione wouldn't notice the state of his notebook.

He'd been clutching the three-ringed binder so tightly he'd bent the spine and crunched the rings. It was unlike Emmett to be so anxious.

"You don't usually go on Monday, do you?"

Emmett had not once remembered Hermione being absent from school. She was usually the first one there. At lunch one day she explained to him that her parents went into work early and had to drop her off. Once he was comfortably situated at the largest of the small desks in the room, dark eyes feel on almond brown.

Number 11, Hermione checked, changing eye color. Once she realized she was openly staring she blushed hotly.

"Sorry, no. I usually see her on Sundays. But last Sunday was such a mess, we rescheduled. I'm sorry if I caused any worry."

He shrugged his shoulders attempting to fringe ease, but Hermione could tell by the way the muscles in his shoulders relaxed that Emmett had indeed been worried about her. But she let the subject slide as people started to filter into the class.

It did not escape Hermione's notice that Emmett sat a little bit closer during class discussion.