Chapter 10

I woke up when I heard a familiar voice. At first it sounded sort of like gibberish, a mash of random syllables, but as I slowly regained consciousness, my mind heard actual words, my name among them.

Cracking first one eye open and then the other, I saw Edward slumped over, asleep, on the the arm chair, arms crossed over his chest. A lock of his hair had fallen into his face over one eye and I had the strangest urge to brush it away. Giving myself a mental shake to clear my head, I looked to the doorway to see my father, talking with Esme and Carlisle, Edward and Alice's parents. I could see through the glass window in the door that it was dark outside. I discreetly pulled out my phone to check the time - it was just past eight o'clock. Last I remembered, it was about five and I had just finished my homework. When my father turned his gaze towards me, I quickly shut my eyes and pretended to be asleep, but it was too late.

"I saw that, Bella. Get up, we're going home."

Dammit. Opening my eyes, I scowled as I sat upright.

"We'll just leave you two talk," Esme said, as she and pulled Carlisle into the kitchen.

"Good luck," He mouthed to me as his wife pulled him away.

"C'mon, Bella, let's go home."

"What's the rush I sleep over here all the time." I yawned, stretching my neck and shoulders.

"You left your mother at home, alone. Good news is, she's still waiting for you." He gave me a pointed look.

"She's still there?" I was genuinely shocked. I had thought she would have left by now. Turns out I had underestimated her resolve to ruin my life.

"Yes, now come home." With that, he walked outside.

Sighing, I got up, gathering my things and slinging my backpack over one shoulder.

Alice came down the stairs the at same exact moment, phone to her ear.

"Hey," I said.

She mouthed 'hey' back, giving me a wave, along with something that was something along the lines of "talk tomorrow".

I nodded and giving me a wave goodbye, she headed into the kitchen.

I exhaled loudly, already dreading going home.

As I walked past the armchair where Edward was sleeping, I felt something wrap itself around my wrist.

I jumped, eyes darting to my arm, half afraid to see what it was. I relaxed when I saw it was Edward's hand. I hadn't notice him wake up.

I looked down at him curiously.

"You good?" he asked quietly, his green eyes searching my brown ones. He nodded his head towards the open door.

I didn't respond for a moment, frozen in shock.

"Uh...yeah." I eventually stuttered.

His strange action unnerved me. I didn't know what to make of it and thus said the first thing on my mind.

"You can..uh...let go now," I said awkwardly.

"Right." He blinked, breaking out of the trance and dropping my wrist.

Without saying another word, I picked up my backpack and walked as casually as I could out the door.

Not even two minutes later I was walking into my house.

My mother was sitting on the recliner, one leg crossed over the other, her hands folded in her lap. She looked so out of place it was kind of funny.

My father was standing in between me and her, arms crossed over his chest. Now, I could see he was still wearing his uniform, gun and all. He had probably come over to the Cullen's house to get me directly after work and hadn't had time to change.

"I made some tea," my mother gestured in front of her to the small coffee table in the living room where a kettle and two teacups sat.

"I don't like tea." I lied.

"Bella." My dad warned.

"Well at least sit down." Who was she to tell me to sit down in my own house? I obliged, however, plopping down as far away from her as possible; which happened to be on the loveseat.

"What are you doing here?" I cut to the chase.

She looked at my father once before turning back to me. "I was serious before. I do want to be in your life now. From now on, whether you want me here or not, I'm here."

"You can't actually be okay with this?" I looked at my father incredulously.

"She is your mother." He shrugged. "And it'll be good for you to have a female influence in your life."

I snorted. "And you expect her to be the best influence on me?"

"Bella-" he warned.

"Charlie, it's alright." She interrupted him and turned to me. "Bella, I know I haven't been the best role model, but I'm going to be around more and try to make up for the past."

As she started telling me how we were going to be like real mother and daughter from now on, I zoned out, my thoughts drawn elsewhere. The house next door, to be exact.

Why had Edward asked me if I was okay? Did he care? Did I care if he cared? I felt a warm fuzzy feeling spreading in my stomach and as soon as I recognized what it was, I squashed it down.

No! Don't you freaking dare have feelings for him, Bella. He's the devil. He's the asshole-by-day, manwhore-by-night next door. He's your best friend's brother. You will absolutely, under no circumstances fall for him.

I repeated it like a mantra in my head. It was all mind over matter right?

I will not fall for Edward. I will not fall for Edward. I will not fall for Edward.

A/N

I'd really appreciate it if you guys would check out my new one shot Pinky Swear. It's a Rosalie/Emmett story that's super cheesy but I had the idea so I thought 'why not?' and wrote it :)