All Characters belong to Stephenie Meyer

Edward had not called Sunday night. It seemed as though he was going to respect my wishes after all. As I left my house Monday morning he was no where to be seen.

I prolonged getting to school as long as I could. I had successfully dodged Edward all weekend and hoped to avoid him this morning as well. As I pulled into a parking space my eyes automatically fell upon his silver Volvo, and there he was leaning against the door with his arms crossed across his chest. He was already looking my way, as if he had been waiting for me to arrive. His angelic face was blank and he appeared calm.

I averted my gaze from his taking a few deep breaths. "You made the right decision." I whispered to myself as I grabbed my bag next to me. I carefully kept my eyes away as I hurried to my first class. The bell would be ringing any second and I didn't want to be late. As I walked across the yard I could feel his eyes on me. It took everything I had not to look back.

The morning passed by all too quickly. Before I knew it I was in class with Jessica as she rambled on about some up and coming dance. It was girls' choice and she couldn't seem to figure out who she was going to ask.

"Um, Bella?" She asked turning a light shade of pink.

"Yeah?"

"Were you planning on asking Mike? I mean I was just wondering…if you're not…I was thinking…of asking him."

"I'm not going Jess." I hated dancing, I had two left feet. I could barely walk across a flat floor without tripping; dancing was an extreme sport for me.

"Why not?" She asked confused.

"It's not my thing. You should ask Mike though. You two will have a great time together." I smiled trying to appear cheerful.

She frowned. "Isn't there anyone you want to ask?"

"No." I replied automatically.

She grinned. "Not even Edward?"

I sighed sharply. "Edward and I aren't even friends anymore. You go Jess. Ask Mike and have fun." I smiled hoping the subject was now closed.

"What happened?" She sounded confused and her eyes were deeply curious.

"Nothing."

She got a knowing look in her eyes and smiled apologetically. "It's ok Bella. You're not the first girl Edward Cullen has turned down."

I turned away grimacing. Her words sounded anything but sincere. She almost sounded happy that Edward didn't appear interested in me anymore. I silently wondered if he had shot her down.

Just then the teacher walked in saving me from Jessica's fake condolences. I rolled my eyes as I turned back to look at the teacher. She couldn't be farther from the truth, but I was not going to correct her. She could think what she wanted. It made my life easier.

As the bell rang signaling lunch I slowly gathered my things not sure of what I was going to do. I didn't want to go to lunch. It would be harder for me to avoid Edward there. I decided to go to my truck and wait it out. I could listen to music and rest until biology. If I planned things just right I could get to class just as the bell rang, leaving no time to talk before.

I felt like a coward, avoiding him like this. I just didn't know if I would be able to refuse him to his face. I had a plan. I needed to stick to my plan.

I said a quick goodbye to Jess claiming I forgot something in my truck, and made my way to the parking lot. I slipped inside my truck and turned it on to get the heater running. It was cold and damp. I could feel myself shivering as the heater warmed up. I used my bag as a pillow lying down across the seat.

It was getting warmer, and my body started to relax. I closed my eyes as I waited for time to slip by.

Minutes later a soft tapping against my driver's side window jolted me upright. My eyes were wide with surprise as I looked to see who was there.

My throat felt tight and I tried to swallow. Edward stood on the other side of my door. He was not smiling, but he didn't look upset only concerned. I leaned over and unrolled my window half way.

"Why aren't you at lunch?" He demanded.

I shrugged. "Not hungry." I started rolling my window back up, but he placed his hand in the way stopping me.

"I wanted to talk to you." He muttered softly. His beautiful golden eyes pleaded with me.

Our eyes held for an immeasurable amount of time. I wanted to look away, I tried to look away, but the intensity of his stare held me strong. As my breathing became more ragged he finally broke the contact and looked away.

I gasped for air trying to regulate my breathing again.

"Talk to me Bella. Tell me what you're thinking. Please?" He whispered softly once my breathing was normal again.

I could feel myself on the edge of my control. I closed my eyes trying to keep the burning tears from spilling over.

"I can't." I finally managed to choke out. "I just can't. Please leave me alone." I felt the tears slid silently down my face. I turned away to hide myself from him. I didn't want him to see my cry.

It was quiet for a long time before he finally spoke. "As you wish." He mumbled just above a whisper. I wasn't sure I heard him correctly, but when I turned back towards where he was standing he was gone.

The tears continued to flow down my cheeks like a small river as I leaned over and rolled my window back up. It was done. Edward Cullen was officially out of my life.

Edward was true to his word. He had not spoken to me, or even looked my way since Monday. It was as if I didn't exist. Though, it was what I wanted, it still hurt. I was always acutely aware of him whenever he was around, but I tried hard to hide it.

Mike seemed pleased with the new distance between Edward and me taking full advantage of it. He hovered around me constantly. It was getting annoying. It was now Friday of the following week. Almost two weeks since Edward and I had talked.

I couldn't wait for the weekend so that I would be free from Mike for a few days. He seemed particularly nervous today for some strange reason as he leaned against my lab table before biology. It made me uneasy.

"Do you have plans Saturday?" Mike finally asked after a few minutes of small talk.

"I'm not sure. Why?" I questioned trying to be nice.

"Well there's this dance, and well I didn't know if maybe you wanted to…ask me to go?" He added looking down.

Out of the corner of my eye I noticed Edward tilt his head towards us ever so slightly as if awaiting my response.

I sighed inwardly. I had completely forgotten about the dance. How was I going to get out of this without seeming rude and hurting his feelings?

"I'm not going Mike sorry."

"Why not? Do you have other plans?" He glanced quickly towards Edward then back at me. I blushed slightly at his implication. No, I had no plans with Edward, nor would I ever again.

"No." I insisted. "I'm not feeling well. I plan to rest this weekend." It wasn't a complete lie I was tired. I had been feeling achy and weak, especially today. Rest was exactly what my body needed.

"Feel better Bella." Mike said as he walked away dejectedly.

I closed my eyes rubbing my temples with my index fingers. My head hurt. I felt bad for upsetting Mike. He was really a nice guy, but he needed to learn now that there was no way we were ever going to date.

I opened my eyes again and noticed the teacher wheeling in a TV. Most students cheered quietly at having a movie day. I rested my head on my arms that were on the table in front of me to watch the film.

As soon as the lights went out I became hyper aware of Edward sitting next to me. I glanced his way and noticed him staring at me intently. His eyes roamed over my face and he furrowed his eyebrows.

I turned my head back to the TV and tried to forget who was sitting next to me, to no avail. It took everything I had inside me to keep my focus away from him. I was thankful when the lights were turned back on and the movie was stopped.

I lifted my head from the table and felt a rush of dizziness flow through me. I held onto the edge of the table firmly closing my eyes as the bell rang. I clenched my jaw as I stood slowly trying to shake the feeling.

"Are you alright?" I heard Edward ask. His voice was thick with alarm.

I looked around waiting for everyone to leave before I answered. I shook my head slowly back and forth. "I don't feel so good." I qualified in a soft voice.

He was instantly at my side with his strong hands wrapped around my waist. I leaned into him closing my eyes. Why wasn't this passing? What was wrong with me? My mind went back to the last time this happened to me, and I tried to remember the last time I ate. With everything going on I hadn't been very hungry. I hadn't really eaten in a long time. I cursed myself silently for being so oblivious to my needs. I needed to be more careful.

I looked up at Edward and could see the fear on his face. "I need to go to the hospital."

He nodded once. "Can you walk?"

'No.' I thought mentally, but I didn't want anyone to see him carrying me. "Yes. I should be fine."

He led me slowly to his car and helped me in. I leaned back against the seat willing myself to feel better. It did not take long before we were pulling up to the emergency entrance of the hospital. Edward came to my side of the car and lifted me into his strong arms without asking. My body instinctively curled into him as he swiftly brought me to Doctor Spencer's office. He informed the receptionist of my situation and she immediately got the doctor. Before I knew it I was in a hospital bed hooked up to an IV drip.

Edward had not left my side once. I tried sending him away but he out right refused to leave me. He was being extremely stubborn.

I forced him to leave when the doctor came back in to check on me. I got lectured again about taking care of myself and eating properly. I apologized and promised to do better. He once again urged me to seek treatment, but I refused. It just wasn't worth it. I was not going to get my hopes up and go through that again only to have it fail. He was going to keep me over night. I tired to protest but he insisted. I sighed inwardly; there was no way to keep this from Charlie now.

I fell into a fitful sleep soon after the doctor left. I awoke not feeling rested at all and looked casually around my room. It was dark outside. I must have slept longer than I thought.

I stifled a yawn as I sat up in my bed noticing food on my bedside tray. I reached over to swivel the tray in front of me and gasped. Someone was in my room sitting in the corner chair. They were hidden in the shadows and I couldn't seem to make out their face.

"Hello?" I asked apprehensively.

I watched as the person stirred and got up slowly. As soon as they entered the light my eyes widened in disbelief, before me stood no other than Edward Cullen. He walked silently to the side of my bed and sat down in a chair.

."How are you feeling?" He asked softly.

"Better." I qualified still shocked to see him there.

I stared at him for a brief moment before looking down self-consciously. "Thanks for your help. I mean you didn't have to after everything…" I trailed off feeling guilty for how I had treated him.

"Yes, I did. There is no need to thank me"

I paused before asking my next question. I didn't know how to say it without sounding rude. "Edward, how long have you been here?"

"Since I brought you in." He answered matter-of-factly.

I looked up at him with my mouth open. "Why?" I breathed stunned. He must have been waiting hours!

He reached out and gently grabbed one of my hands holding it securely in his. "I wanted to make sure you were alright." He muttered softly looking down at our hands.

I swallowed hard as tears formed in my eyes. "I'm fine thank you. You can go now—you don't have to stay."

His head snapped up and he looked deep into my eyes. "I want to." He uttered sternly.

Before I could respond he turned his attention to the tray of food at my side. "You need to eat."

He finished bringing the tray to rest in front of me and un-wrapped my utensils handing them to me.

I took them from him silently and began to eat the food in front of me not noticing what I was eating. I kept my eyes on my tray afraid to meet his gaze. As soon as I was done he removed my tray and again took my hand in his rubbing small circles with his thumb into the back of my hand.

Why was he being so nice to me after everything I said to him? He said he wanted to stay—why? He knew by now that I was ok—it was late didn't he need to get home? All I wanted to do was have him hold me, and make me feel safe again but I resisted the urge. It hurt to be so close to him yet so far away.

I tried to keep my face hidden from him behind my hair, but trader tears slid down my face revealing my emotions. Wordlessly, he reached out with his free hand and tucked my hair behind my ear. He smiled warmly as he wiped my tears away with his fingers.

Holding my gaze he got up from his chair and sat down next to me on the bed and pulled me to his chest. I remained stiff at first, but soon relaxed against him giving into my selfish desires. I cried for a long time and he simply held me close rubbing my back. Soon my cries turned to sniffles as my eye lids became too heavy for me to keep open.

That night I fell asleep in Edward's arms and felt a peace come over me I had never experienced before.