1Disclaimer: Hey guys! I just got through with my first week of school. And let me tell you my klutz jean is out in full force. In the five days I have spent there I have managed to trip over three binders a, chair leg, and more times then I can count over my own feet. And there was that fateful locker incident. I was talking to my friend Carolyn and I didn't notice that someone was opening their locker. So being the clueless person I am I ran right into it. Oh yes I am going to die the very second I go to college. Either I'll starve to death from lack of money or just walk in front of the bus. And I am so not joking. If it weren't for the quick reflexes of my father, brother, and friends I would have been run over by like twenty cars right by now. I always forget to look as I cross the street. I mean it's not like I don't have nine lives like a cat. I don't own Twilight.

Sorry I have been neglecting my story responsibility. My school gives you homework on the first day. And then it gets worse. I will still be updating but it might take me a while. I have A LOT of homework to get through.

Chapter 9

Love, Or Something Like It

My eyes flew open and I was sitting in an instant. Shock waves ran through my body as the needles that had been hooked up to keep me from waking flew out as I sat up.

Needles pulled out of my body. And I ripped the tube that had been in my nose viciously out. Just then Edward came in. He took one look at me and shook his head. I was currently wrapped up in a blanket.

Which I kicked off. Thankfully I still had my sweats on. I wasn't in one of those papery hospital gowns without a back. If I had been I would have about died of utter embarrassment.

Edward who had been staring at me blankly for a moment suddenly walked forward. Wrapping the blanket around my shoulders.

I looked up at him. My bottom lip sticking out, "What are you doing?" I asked wrinkling my nose. Being near him gave me the longing-ness to kiss him. Just to see if it had changed since I started kissing Henry. That was a feeling I didn't like.

A feeling that would no doubt get me into trouble.

He looked at me with angry eyes. They weren't black but clouding over, "Isabella you may have no sense of self preservation but no matter what you think of me I will not let you die. Although you are making it harder and harder for me to protect you."

"Where the hell is Charlie. And where is a pay phone? I need to call mom." the tears I had let fall so freely were now threatening to brim over yet again. There was no way I was going to make it without crying.

"Bella Charlie's stable. There's a better chance he'll live. But don't call your mother yet. You need to rest." Edward looked concerned. But his concern was getting on my nerves.

I looked at him bitterly, "Screw that Edward. My father just got shot he keeps muttering about red eyes and orange hair. Know anyone who fits that description?"

He looked at me with wide eyes, "I just assumed-"

I interrupted him. Somehow his cluelessness made me furious, "You assumed wrong. The red piece of paper I so discreetly tore up and threw at you yeah that was from her. And now I'm screwed Edward. I am so utterly screwed Edward."

I jumped up and ran to the phone that was up on one of the walls of the room. I dialed the numbers that had memorized a month ago. But it wasn't my mothers number I was calling. I would save the hell for last.

No I was calling my boyfriend I needed him. For reasons I couldn't understand I needed him more then I could describe. But it wasn't just need . . . I wanted him. I wanted him to be with me. I wanted him to take me in his arms and tell me everything was going to be okay. As Edward always had. I wanted him to reassure me.

I wanted and needed him.

Bad.

The phone rang for the longest time. I was aware of Edward staring hard at my back. A sickly feeling bubbled up in my stomach. He had to be there. If he wasn't I could just end it right now. I needed him in the same way I needed Edward. He had to pick up the phone.

"Hello," and there was his voice.

The tears that had built up over the few minutes I had been awake came dangerously close to spilling over, "Henry," I said letting out the breath I had been holding in flew out. I tried to make my voice sweet.

But it didn't fool him, "Bella what's wrong?" he sounded so worried I loved that he cared, "What the matter?"

I took a deep shaky breath and raggedly let it out, "I need you to come to the hospital, Henry. And I need you to come fast. Please don't ask question just please get here. I'm not hurt but I need you to come quickly. I need you here."

There was a short silence, "I'll be in there in three minutes."

"Thank you Henry," Then there was a click. And I heard the blessed sound of the blaring dial tone.

I wiped my eyes and slowly turned around. I winced once I heard Edward's ragged breath and saw his darker then black eyes he was leaning against my bed and his knuckles were white a he clutched the metal bars, I was surprised they didn't snap under the pressure. This was not going to be a fun conversation and I wasn't prepared to fight with him yet.

"You need that worthless human to be here for you Isabella? Are you that desperate?" he looked furious and I wanted to slap him.

Henry wasn't worthless.

But apparently a fight was what I needed, "Don't," I said so harshly, "Just don't go there Edward. You made a choice and I made mine. And instead of acting like a four year old deal with it. Go find yourself a new human. One that's pretty and graceful one that can dance. And one that's worth changing into a vampire." I didn't yell just talked calmly. My self esteem had been raised since I broken up with Edward. And most of that had to do with Henry.

"I made a decision? No Isabella you made a decision. You are to stubborn to see that I am protecting you. I can't see you become a monster-"

I almost screamed my head off. I hated that word, "If you could think that I could become a monster. That you truly are a monster. Then let me tell you Edward we weren't doing what I thought we were doing. If you could think that anyone in your family is a monster. Then you don't deserve your family and you certainly don't deserve me." and with that I turn and stormed out of the room. Leaving a speechless Edward gapping behind me.

I ran down the flight of stairs quickly before he could think about catching up with me. I was too tired to fight with him. All I wanted was Henry.

I flew out of the stair well, out the lobby, and into the parking lot. It was pitch black outside, probably after midnight past Henry's curfew on week nights. And still he had agreed to come.

Just because I had asked him to.

I looked out in the parking lot where currently a red Jeep was flying into a parking spot. It didn't park on one entirely just took about three before the driver burst out of the drivers seat door.

Henry.

We stood there for a moment and looked at each other. Just staring into each others eyes. For a moment I saw myself the way Edward and Henry saw me. My big brown eyes that were the same color as my hair which fell wispily down my back. Pale skin that seemed to glow with warmth. The glow of the parking lot made me look like an angel because the light left a halo shaped ring around my head shining like gold.

For a moment I realized I truly was beautiful.

And then I ran to him. He walked quickly to me. When I neared close he held out his arms. And I flew into them. Sobbing into his chest. He wrapped his coat around me. Sensing effortlessly how cold I really was the warmth of his body greeting my ice cold skin with a explosion of life and something else.

He kissed the top of my head over and over whispering that everything was going to be okay. I just sobbed and sobbed until there was nothing left. I looked up into his blue eyes and I was aware of three things at once:

Somewhere in that building Edward was watching me.

Somewhere close by Victoria also had her eyes on me.

I leaned in to kiss Henry. It was soft and lovely and I finally figured out the last one:

I loved Henry Pride.

For better or worse I was in love with two men at the same time. Both of whom loved me back. Edward had told me he did on numerous occasions and Henry . . . well I knew he loved me too. It was just the way he looked at me when he thought I wasn't looking. It was just the way he broke every law in the traffic handbook trying to get the hospital. It was just so Henry.

Oh my god I am SO screwed!

okay so Bella is torn. And so am I. I know that Bella is meant to be with Edward but Henry is SO awesome and sweet. And I think that they are close too. And I know I am obsessing too much it's just a fanfic but I am still extremely confused. TELL ME WHAT TO DO!

REVIEW, REVIEW, REVIEW,

Carly ;)