Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners.
Rediscovering the swan
Chapter 10
Bella
He saved my life.
I can't believe it. Edward saved my life.
I must be in some kind of strange alternate universe or maybe I'm in a super realistic dream because Edward Cullen hated me!
I've been a stone cold bitch to him since day one. I mean, a real bitch. I'm talking about Rosalie to the fifth fucking power.
I'd be lying through my teeth if I said my severe attraction to him had nothing to do with me acting like a utter bitch to him. A week ago I would have been in total denial. But today, I'm not afraid to admit it to myself.
I, Bella Swan hated Edward Cullen because he's the hottest guy I've ever seen in my life and I want to kiss him and let him do dirty dirty things to me.
Okay, now that I've said it out loud in my head, it sounds kind of stupid.
But I was terrible to him. In his eyes, I probably deserved to be crushed by that van.
Yet, he still risked his life to safe mine.
Mine.
I adjusted my glasses and gazed into the brilliant green eyes of my hero. I mean, what do I say to him? Some how, a phrase likethank you didn't seem sufficient in this situation. What I really wanted to do was kiss him until I couldn't breathe again. But that's a no no. The idea of kissing me probably repulsed him.
So what now?
I was completely clueless. But that was partly due to the fact that he still hovered above me. His face was dangerous close to mine. His sweet breath wafting over me; assaulting my senses.
Mm, Spearmint.
My chest rose and fell rapidly, my heart beat staccato and my body was fucking vibrating. It wasn't from fear. It was from him. The fear of almost dying wore off the moment I became aware of his proximity. And if I'm being honest, death didn't scare me. I can't even count how many times I contemplated turning on the car in the garage and lying underneath it. It seemed like a harmless enough death. But getting crushed by a spinning van was much too horrific for me. Not to mention painful as hell.
"Bella? Are you okay?"
His brows furrowed and his eyes searched mine. He's worried. I thought. He's worried about me.
I wasn't aware that he had his arms around me, until he tightened them. I swallowed thickly.I was okay. More than okay in his arms. My hero. I felt oddly safe in his presence. Almost like, for the first time in my life someone was protecting me.
His expression grew more concerned at my lack of response.
"Bella?"
"I'm fine"
"Are you sure?"
"Yes"
Satisfied with my response. His tense body visibly relaxed - bringing his face and chest closer to mine. He turned his head to the side, where my hair tumbled over my shoulders and murmured Thank god under his breath. Even though we both had our coats on, I could still feel the heat of his body. Every point where our body's touched was hyper alert. He inhaled sharply. My eyes closed on their on accord. The moment seemed oddly intimate and if I'm being honest;it was comforting. Very comforting.
My eyes snapped opened when he froze. As if realizing he cross some kind of line; he sprung off of me like he'd been scorched. He sat beside me and gazed at me warily. I tried to hide the sudden feeling of discontent and loss at the distance. It was irrational but I felt it nonetheless.
When I snapped out of our strange little bubble; I became aware of the happenings around me. Raising up on my fore arms I noticed there was a flurry of activity. I heard someone scream and there was a lot of movement. Not in our direction but a couple of car's over, near my murdered Chevy. I found that odd. Shouldn't people be running over to us? I mean we did dodge that dumb ass shaggadelic van that belonged to that greasy haired motherfucker Eric Yorkie .
Wait a minute, Eric Yorkie?
I quickly moved to a sitting position as my eyes widened in realization.
Oh shit! Eric was the dumb motherfucker doing donuts in the middle of the parking lot. Eric was the dumb motherfucker that destroyed my truck. Eric was the dumb motherfucker that almost killed me.
As if to confirm my thoughts, I spotted Eric's girlfriend Bree Tanner and Principal Davis with a crowd of people behind them - surrounding Eric's slumped form in the van.
"Oh my god, Eric!" Bree cried
"Is he dead?"a short boy asked
"He's unconscious!"Principal Davis answered.
"Get him out of the van!"someone shouted.
"Don't move him! Wait for the paramedics!"
"This is so fucked up" I stated, placing the palm of my hand on my forehead
My eyes shifted to my destroyed truck. The van was crashed right through it. Shards of broken glass and pieces of metal surrounded what's left of the ancient vehicle. I shuddered as I thought of what would have happen if Edward was a second too slow.
Suddenly masses of students ran out of the school and I spotted two police cruiser's pulling into the parking lot. None of them were Charlie's. But he shouldn't be too far behind. I groaned loudly.
"What's wrong?" Edward asked a bit frantic
"Nothing. I just have to get out of here"
Before Charlie arrives.
I moved to get up. But Edward quickly pushed my shoulders down, halting me. I gazed at his hand on my shoulders, incredulously.
"I don't think that's such a good idea. Maybe you should what for the EMT's"
I rolled my eyes at his apprehensiveness. I mean it was flattering but frankly it was starting to get on my fucking nerves. I wasn't use to people telling me what I should and shouldn't do. I made my own decisions and right now I'm resolved to leave.
"I'm not going to fall out and faint if that's what you think. I know that the whole blood typing fiasco kind of ruined your perception of me. But I'm not some fragile little girl."
He frowned. "I'm well aware of that Bella. But something serious just happened. You almost got hit by a van. I think waiting for the EMT's would be wise. I mean, what if you have a head injury or something"
Now I was pissed. I didn't like being patronized.
I quickly stood up much to his displeasure and placed my hands on my hips.
"Don't you think I would know if I had a head injury. In case you forgot, you pushed me out of the way"
He also stood; sporting the most attractive scowled on his face.
"Yeah, I know. But you could still have an head injury. Jesus Bella! I fucking tackled you!"
Is it pathetic that my mind went straight to the gutter at that statement?
Yeah, tackle me Edward. Tackle me good.
"It's not the first time" I replied, thinking about the time he knocked me over in the school hall.
He opened his mouth to respond then closed it. I crossed my arms feeling smug as hell.
No come back motherfucker?
One for Swan. Zero for Cullen.
He sighed in exasperation, running a hand through his hair.
"Ugh!Why do you have to be so difficult? Just let the EMT..."
"I didn't hit my fucking head. Damn it! Let it go" I snapped.
"Fine" He crossed his arms angrily.
"Fine"
Just as I was about to walk away; I caught sight of Charlie's very distinctive police cruiser with the bright orange stripe on the side followed by the ambulance.
My head snapped toward Edward, who was already looking at me. I glared menacingly at him.
"This is all your fucking fault"
The ER was swamped with students. Which is ridicules since only three students were involved in the accident. Eric, Edward and I. Every one else excluding Bree Tanner and Ben Cheney were only playing the concern friend of Eric's role, for a free day from school. Em, Rose and Alice wanted to accompany Edward and I but Charlie and Edward's dad – who's a doctor at the hospital, told them to stay at school since they were going to be there anyway.
Truth be told, I would have rather stayed in school too. I was perfectly fine. But someone told my dad and the fucking paramedics that I hit my head. The bastard. So I had the humiliating honor of being escorted into the ambulance in a damn stretcher, wearing one of those neck brace thingys – in front of the whole school.
When we arrived at Fork's Medical Center, Eric and I were immediately sent for X-rays. After the X-rays were done, a nurse escorting us to a large examining room. I hopped up on one of examining tables and Eric sat on the one beside mine. Charlie step out with the nurse to look for the doctor while I tried my damnest to ignore Eric's incessant apologies. It was fucking annoying. Ever since he awoke in the ambulance, it was all I've been hearing. 'Bella I'm sorry... I'm such a fucking ass...I hereby give you the right to kick me in the nuts any time you wish. Edward chuckled at that one.
Speaking of Edward; I haven't seen him since we entered the hospital. I wonder if his doctor dad decided to let him go home. The lucky fucker. I wish I could go home, now.
I hated Hospitals.
I spent the majority of my childhood in the damn hospital. I've had everything from casts, slings,a brace and stitches. It wasn't easy being a clumsy child of a scatterbrained mother.
I unzipped my coat and place it beside me – still ignoring Eric. When suddenly the door opened. Charlie walked in with a middle-aged blond blue eyed man in a white coat, holding a clipboard.
I gaped. Holy fuck! This doc is hot.
I think I'll call him hot-doc.
I watched as Eric gulped and shrunk back from Charlie's murderous glare, before turning my attention back to hot-doc.
"Hello Isabella. I'm doctor Cullen" He greeted,smiling a familiar smile.
Holy fuck! Hot-doc is Edward's pops.
I gazed at him incredulously. I knew that Edward's dad was a doctor. I just didn't expect him to be so fucking hot. I mean how the fuck is everyone in your immediate family good-looking?
These Cullen's had some good genes.
"Um..hello. Dr. Cullen"
"I've heard so much about you. I'm sorry that our first meeting had to be under these circumstances"
"Yeah, well shi...i mean, stuff happens"
I chewed my lip in embarrassment. Charlie frowned at my almost slip.
"Okay, your X-ray looks fine" he said looking at his clipboard "But it says here that you hit your head. How are you feeling?"
"Fucking Edward" I grumbled to myself.
"Isabella!"Charlie scolded
"Yes, my son did mention it"
Oh fuck! Hot doc heard me say fuck.
My face flushed in embarrassment. This family's going ban me from entering their house before the day is over.
"Sorry" I apologized meekly
Doctor Cullen chuckled humorously."Don't worry, Isabella. I go through the same with my son and daughter. Just learn to tone it down a bit"
I nodded, chewing my lip.
"So how are you feeling?" He asked again, retrieving a small flashlight thingy from his breast pocket.
"Good"
He flashed the light in both my eyes."No dizziness? Or trouble with your eyesight?
"Besides the obvious. None"
His fingers probed lightly along my skull. "No pain? Or tenderness?"
"Nope" I replied popping the 'P'
He stepped back and wrote something on the clipboard. When he finished, he gazed at me with that 'Edward smile'. Well technically it's his smile since he's older but I saw it on Edward first. So...yeah.
"Alright Isabella. You're free to go. But if you experience any kind of dizziness, nausea or trouble with your eyesight – besides the obvious" he smiled. "Be sure to come right back."
I nodded as I hopped off the table and grabbed my coat.
"Thank you, Dr Cullen"
"Yeah, thanks Carlisle"Charlie said, shaking his hand.
"No problem Chief." he said. He then turned his attention to Eric. "You Mr. Yorkie, will have to stay. You've had quite a concussion"
Charlie's face redden in fury at the mention of Eric. "You can kiss that license goodbye and you better pray that those test, all come out negative or it's juvie for you pal."
The last thing I saw before we walked out the door was the sheer fear in Eric's eyes.
Something tells me that Eric will be someone's bitch before the month's over.
Edward
When the ambulance brought us to Fork's Medical Center. I subtly slipped away from the EMT's as they pushed Eric and Bella through the ER. I walked to the reception area, which was fairly empty. Only five people sat in the cozy looking seats – watching CNN on a flat screen mounted on the wall. The receptionist; a slight blond - obnoxiously chewing gum, was typing on a computer behind her booth. I smirked. This is going to be so easy.
I leaned against the booth and smiled. When she looked up from the computer, I watched in fascination as her expression morphed from one of annoyance to desire.
"Hi, I'm Edward"
She smiled coquettishly. The gum in her mouth stuck to her top teeth. It looked fucking disgusting
"Hi Edward. I'm Irina"
"Irina." I cooed. "I like that name"
She flipped her straight blond locks and batted her eye lashes. She kind of resembled Tanya with the exception of the boobs. Her's were a lot smaller.
"Thanks. Yours is nice too. Kind of old school though."
I chuckled. "Ouch, that stings"
She gazed at me from under her eye lashes and pursed her lips. I can tell she was giving me her 'sexy look'. But to be honest, she looked kind of...dumb.
"Aw, I'm sorry. I'd be more than happy to make it up to you"
I bet she would. Tanya Denali style, with my cock in her mouth.
"Yeah?"I leaned over the booth closer to her.
She licked her shiny lips suggestively and leaned closer too. "Yeah"
We were about a breath apart when I murmured.
"Carlisle Cullen"
She leaned back with her face contorted. Okay now she looks really dumb.
"Give me the pass to his floor. He's my dad."
Once I retrieved the pass from a very nervous looking receptionist I rode the elevator to the fourth floor – where Carlisle's office was located. I remembered where it was from when Esme, Alice and I came here to meet his colleagues when we first moved here. They all acted like your stereotypical hospital staff. All the doctors thought they were fucking god and all the nurses were sluts.
When I got off the elevator, I spotted Carlisle walking down the corridor – away from me with two other doctors.
"Dad" I called.
He turned abruptly and quickly approached me. "Son. Are you okay?"
"Dad, I told you I was fine on the phone."
He ran his fingers through his hair. "I know, I know"
"Dad, can I hang out in your office for a while?"
"Of course son. I'll be there in a minute. Let me just drop these charts off" he said gesturing to the clipboards in his hands.
"Alright Dad. See you in a bit"
He clapped me on the back and I made my way to his office.
Once inside his office; I took my coat off and sat in a brown leather chair in front of his oak desk. He had a lot of papers laying haphazardly across the desk, a metallic paper weight, a lamp and the black stress ball I brought for him that had the words 'Doctor's suck' on it. I absentmindedly picked up the stress ball, squeeze it a few times before I placed it back down on the desk. With a huff, I stood and walked over to his small library. It was full of medical books but one book caught my eye. It was also a medical textbook but the title was ironically. How to save a life?
I plucked the book from the shelf and sat back in the leather chair. I skimmed through the pages not really reading but thinking. I thought about Bella's awed expression when she acknowledged I saved her. She was so fucking beautiful. All I wanted to do in that moment was kiss her. I thought about the fear I felt when I thought I hurt her; but if I'm being honest, I mostly thought about how incredibly good she felt in my arms. The scent of her hair did things to my body. I inhaled it greedily which caused my dick to instantly harden. I was afraid she felt it, so I quickly sprung off of her. I didn't want her to think I was a fucking perv.
But then she got really defensive when I told her she should wait for the EMT's. I wasn't trying to be controlling or anything. I was fucking concern. I mean, I fucking tackled her like she was one of my teammates instead of a 100 pound girl. I knew all about head injuries from Carlisle. I knew that the effects could be dire later on if you don't see a doctor. And the last thing I wanted was for Bella to be at home doing some mundane task like cooking, then all of a sudden she passed out and her house is on fire. I would never forgive myself if something like that happened. That is exactly why I informed her dad and the paramedics that she may have hit her head. She was so fucking pissed. But my motto is; better safe then sorry.
The door made a creaking sound when Carlisle emerged. I closed the book and place it on his desk. He picked it up on his way to his seat – reading the title before sitting in his chair.
"Interesting pick. Was it informative?" he said shuffling with the papers on his desk.
"Not really" I replied. "You don't happen to have a book on bipolar disorder, by any chance?"
He gazed at me and silently regarded me; placing his finger on his cheek. It unnerved me. Almost like he was trying to read my mind.
I gazed at his certificates on the wall behind him while drumming my fingers on the desk. Then I gazed at the small Bonsai tree on his window sill. I was looking every where but at him. He was making me uncomfortable with his staring.
"Is this about Isabella Swan?" He suddenly asked with an arched eyebrow.
I sighed, raking my fingers through my hair. Sometimes he was too intuitive for his own good.
"How do you do that?
He smirked. "Ancient Chinese secret"
I rolled my eyes. "Ha, Ha"
He got serious."All kidding aside, son. What's this about?"
I huffed, raking my fingers through my hair. "Nothing...everything...This... she drives me crazy, dad. One minute she seems grateful then the next she's biting my frigging head off and I don't just mean the accident" I grabbed the stress ball and stood – pacing the office while squeezing the ball."I mean, I was only concern dad. I knock her out of the way so frigging hard, I'm sure she hit her head. And I remembered what you told me about head injuries. How they can affect you when you least expected"He nodded. "Yeah...so...now she's fucking pissed at me - which is not unusual, except I don't want her piss at me."
I took a deep breath when I finished. It wasn't my intention to spill my guts to him. But I needed to let all that shit out before I exploded. I blame it entirely on the room. It just had the ambiance of a therapy room. The only thing missing was that bed-couch thing.
"So what you're telling me is, you're concern about Isabella's well being and she's giving you a hard time?"
"yeah, i guess."
We sat in silence for a moment before I spoke again. "Dad?"
He gazed at me expectantly.
"Can you please just check her out. You, not some other doctor. I just want to make sure she's alright"
He smiled."Of course son. Of course"
Bella was absent from school the next day which was probably a good thing because the whole school was buzzing about the accident. There were all sorts of rumors circulating and all them centered on her. According to the majority of the students; Bella was suicidal and purposely stood in front of the van. My blood fucking boiled when I heard that shit. And Emmett was absolutely livid. No one mention Eric – who was high as a motherfucking kite on PCP and no one mention the jackass speeding in the blue car. When Emmett and I went to practice after school,we vowed to find the fucker who started that shit.
On Wednesday, Bella was once again a no show. When I asked about it, Alice said her dad thought she should take a break from school since she just went through a traumatic event. Needless to say, I was disappointed. But on a good note, the rumors about Bella had stopped. And we owed that to Rosalie and surprisingly - a tall mousey girl with thick framed glasses named Angela Weber. It seems Angela over heard Jessica Stanley telling a group of people a bunch of bullshit about Bella in one of her classes. She was telling them, how Bella tried to OD on prescripts because she wasn't popular or pretty. Any way, Rosalie cornered the bitch at lunch and slapped the shit out of her – which earned her suspension for a week. Emmett was upset about that but glad that his girl stuck up for his sister. I had practice again, after school. After practice I went home and had dinner with my parents, Alice and Jasper. Surprisingly, my dad didn't grill him. So everyone had a peaceful comfortable dinner. When dinner was done Jasper, Alice and I played Wii Tennis until it was time for him to leave.
On Thursday, Today. Bella returned to school. When I pulled into the school parking lot, I immediately spotted her leaning against Emmett's jeep talking to Angela Weber. Judging from the expression on her face, they were most likely talking about the shit that slut Jessica was spreading about her while she was out.
I parked my car beside the jeep. Our eyes met briefly through the windshield before she gazed at Alice and waved.
Once we were outside the car, Alice enthusiastically pulled Bella into a hug. I waved to Angela before placing my hands inside my pockets. She waved back shyly.
"I'm so glad you're back, Bella." she said "Hi Angela"
"Hi Alice" Angela replied with a soft smile.
"I'm glad to be back. Two days in the house with Charlie was fucking hell."
"Aw. I'm sure Charlie's not that bad" Alice stated, offering the girls a stick of gum before popping one in her mouth.
I tried not to watch Bella as she put the gum in her mouth. Something like that wasn't suppose to look sexy. But seeing her do it was sexy as hell. I'd probably jizz in my pant if Alice had handed her a lollipop.
I'm such a fucking perv.
"Bad? Try overbearing. If Jacob didn't come over I would have lost my mind."
Okay, any excitement I previously felt went down the fucking drain at that statement. That fucking mutt was at her house?
Oh yeah, How could I forget. Her dad was all cool with him and shit. My fist clenched inside of my pockets as a wave of jealousy encompassed me. Fucking mutt.
"He was at your house and you didn't tell me?" Alice accused, hitting Bella on the shoulder. "How could you not tell me?"
"Bella shrugged. "It's wasn't that big of a deal. He heard about what happened. So he came to check on me."
"Aw. That's so sweet. Is Jacob your boyfriend?" Angela asked.
"No" She replied, instantaneously.
"yes" Alice bellowed.
I never wanted to ring my sister's neck more in my fucking life.
"Alice" Bella sighed, running her fingers through her hair."Please don't start this shit again"
"Oh, come on Bella. You and I both know that you and Jacob are inevitable"
"We're just friends, Angela"
"For now" Alice smirked. "You should see this guy Angela, he's such a fox"
He's more like a hound, a slime ball, a douche, a big ass hole.
"No one asked your opinion ass-tard" Alice quipped, glaring at me.
Oh shit I said that out loud?
"Anyway, he's really cool"
Angela smiled."Well, he sounds like a keeper"
"I know right"
I raked my fingers through my hair; gripping the ends tightly. I was uncomfortable with the direction of this conversation. I didn't want to hear this shit. Jacob was not a fucking keeper. Unless being kept consisted of him sleeping in a cage with a bowl of kibble in front of him.
"Where's Emmett?" I suddenly asked, desperate to end their conversation.
Bella gazed at me like she was surprised I was talking to her.
"He's at Rosalie's house." she said offhandedly.
"So why is his jeep here?"
"Because I drove it"she stated matter-of-factly, before turning her attention back to Angela and Alice.
I frowned; Not liking her almost dismissive behavior toward me. I mean, she's always a bitch to me. But today was different. It was as if she was trying to avoid me.
"Oh. I have the notes from Senora Goff's class if you want" Angela stated pulling her backpack from her shoulder, unzipping it and taking some papers out – handing them to Bella
"Thanks Ang. I owe you one. I know I'm going to totally flunk her quiz today" She replied, placing the paper's inside her back pack.
Angela bit her lip. "Well, I kind of already asked her for extension on your behalf"
Bella gazed at her incrediously."you did?"
Angela adjusted her glasses. "Well, yes. You just went through a traumatic event Bella. She'd be a insensitive bitch if she said no"
Bella gaped at her. "Hold up. Did you just say bitch?"
Alice chuckled. "She totally did".
Angela's face reddened as both girls laughed. "Well...making you take a tes,t two days after you almost died would have made her one."
Bella suddenly stopped laughing. Her face grew serious; like hearing that she almost died made it more real to her. And to be honest, me too. I mean, Everyone knew that she could have died. But no one said the words. My self included. But hearing them right now, stirred something deep within me. My stomach twisted. My throat felt thick. I was suddenly overwhelmed with feelings of anxiety and fear. It was irrational since she's safe. But just thinking about what would have happened if I was a second too late. She wouldn't be here right now.
Angela and Alice starting a conversation of their own; completely oblivious to our emotional turmoil.
I can tell Bella and I was on the same wave length, because in that moment our eyes lock. We gazed at each other with an intensity I've never seen before. It was enough to bring me to my knees. We didn't need to speak. We communicated with our eyes. In her eyes; I saw remorse, gratitude and hope. In my eyes; I showed fear, apprehension and hope. We had one thing in common; we both hoped for something. And when her lips pulled into a small timid smile; I knew that what we both hoped for was the same thing.
"How's the head?"
I pushed the notebook to her. She read my words, Glared at me then wrote on the next line – pushing the book back over.
"Fine and dandy. Would you like a copy of my X-ray?"
"No. I've already seen the original."
She gaped at me after she read my words. I chuckled.
"Just kidding"
"Good. That's fucking creepy"
"So just out of curiosity, why is Emmett at Rosalie's house?"
I gazed at Mr. Banner to make sure it was safe before pushing the notebook to her. She tapped her pen on her lips as she read what I wrote. Then she wrote her response on the next line – pushing it back to me.
"Isn't it obvious"
I gazed at her words then at her confused. When she gave me that 'you're a dumb fuck' look and cocked her head to the side; I knew.
"Oh. Well, I guess I can't blame the guy. She's going to be on house arrest all week."
As soon as I wrote the words, I immediately wanted to erase them. But I had a fucking pen and she was already reading them.
"yeah, a week is too fucking long for those rabbits"
I chuckled as I read her word. When I looked up, she was already looking at me. I smiled and had the pleasure of watching her cheeks redden as she smiled back.
I tentatively wrote on the next line; holding my breath as I slid the notebook to her.
"So...friends?"
I watched her facial expressions as she spent an immeasurable about of time reading my simple question. Her brows furrowed. She chewed her lip. My leg was bouncing under the table as I awaited for her response.
Just as I was about to break out in a cold sweat, she wrote her response and slid the notebook back to me.
"Friends."
Ooh, Looks like a new friendship has form. These two are finally getting there. Up next is Tyler wild Halloween party.
Please review. They make me smile :)