Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight
I want to give special thanks to my new editor, Brightmidnight23. This chapter is dedicated to Darth Viper and Grumpu84 for all of their reviews. Thanks to everyone who reviewed, I really appreciate it!
Chapter 10 – GoneEPOV
"Hey Bella, how was your nap?" Alice asked Bella happily. Jasper waved at her.
"Ah, sleeping beauty awakes. Do you know you actually spoke while you were sleeping? You said Edwards name so many times… What were you dreaming about?" Luke raised his eyebrows suggestively at Bella. Jasper elbowed Luke in the ribs and I growled in response, although I did slightly enjoy it when Bella was uncomfortable.
Sure enough, I saw a light blush creep onto her face. "Let's just go get my drink. Okay?" She hurried towards the entrance of the store. But, like whenever she hurried, she tripped. I saw her hurtling to the ground and instantly caught her warm body in my arms just a few inches from the concrete. I gave her a sly look. She was just too adorable when she blushed or tripped.
"Thanks" Bella whispered. She walked towards the store and began to open the door. I was about to follow when I noticed that when Bella had stumbled, something had fallen out of her pocket, a piece of crumpled paper.
"Hey Bella, What's this?" I asked, holding it up. Bella looked like a deer caught in the headlights. I don't know why but she just froze, completely horrified.
"Oh, are you overprotective of Bella's garbage now, too, Edward?" Luke interrupted and snatched the small crinkled paper from my hand. I growled menacingly. Luke had been bothering me the entire trip. "Because you know, we could set up a ninja guard or something in case the evil recycling men come and try to take her old soda cans away…"
"Oh, that's nothing, Edward. Just and old receipt that I left in my jeans." Bella told me, trying to sound convincing. Luke handed her the folded scrap and Bella stuffed it gratefully into her pocket and sighed. Now I was very curious as to what it was, possibly something embarrassing.
"Just a receipt?" I asked staring deep into her eyes. I knew my eyes were smoldering. She would tell me what it was if I dazzled her. Bella began to stutter as her heart rate increased dramatically. Then for a second she looked frightened.
"Edward! Stop being an idiot. Can't a girl get some privacy?" Alice nudged me hard in my side. By that time Bella had recovered from her dazed state and was glaring at me.
"Edward, how dare you dazzle me to get answers!" She demanded in a slightly raspy voice. Bella was absolutely furious and … scared? She was shaking slightly and I knew immediately that I had to calm her down; after all she was under an immense amount of stress with this whole ordeal, I certainly didn't need to add to it.
"I was just curious. I'm sorry, love." I breathed into her face. I gave her one of her favorite crooked smiles and stroked her cheek tenderly. I could always figure out what the paper was later. Bella relaxed after a moment and sighed. She shook her head and muttered something darkly about irresistible vampire abilities.
"Let's just go get my drink," she said unsteadily.
"Of course." I told her asI took her hand and led her into the store.
The store was filled to the brim with human food and Jasper had to practically restrain Alice from buying everything she saw. Luke, too, was very interested in the snacks and saw it fit to ask Bella 'What does this taste like?' or 'Is this any good?' every few seconds, pointing at various items on the shelves. He was extremely irritating. After a few minutes Bella brought only a coke to the counter.
"Are you sure you don't want anything else? You might get hungry, it's a long drive." I asked her.
"No, I'm sure," She said, a little distracted. I bought the soda and held the door open for her to leave the store. I put my arm around her waist and led her through the small parking lot. She didn't even notice when we arrived at the car. In fact, she barely noticed anything around her. She was acting very strange, like she was exceedingly worried.
"Are you okay Bella?" I was concerned about her. She seemed even more fragile lately, if possible. Maybe the whole England thing was just too much for her. Bella spun around and looked into my eyes.
"You know that I love you Edward?" She said, ignoring my question.
"I love you too, Bella." I told her. I was somewhat confused, she was worrying me even more by the second.
"But you know? You know you mean everything to me right?" She asked intensely.
"Yes, I know. And you mean everything to me, Bella." I replied sincerely.
"Good." She nodded, satisfied.
"Bella, please tell me. Is everything okay?" I needed to know what she was thinking so badly, that it hurt. Why was she so worried? Did she think Chris would get her? Was she just nervous about leaving her life behind? And why did she ask if I knew that she loved me? Of course she loved me. She probably loved me as much as I loved her, if that was even possible.
"Yes, everything's okay now." She said quietly with a weary smile.
She stepped into the car and we drove off with the BMW and Mercedes in tow. Bella made sure that she stayed awake for the rest of the ride. She put noticeable effort into keeping her eyes wide opened and occasionally would chat with Alice, Luke, or me whenever her eyelids started to droop. It was obviously important to her that she wouldn't fall asleep again, so I only suggested she rest a few times before giving up. The trip was relatively uneventful, save for Luke's attempt to pick up several dangerous hitchhikers from the highway, which he found hilarious. We reached Idaho shortly. After a few hours, Bella's stomach grumbled loudly. Luke went into hysterics and Alice slapped him. I realized Bella hadn't eaten in a long time.
"Bella, love, you need to eat something." I insisted. She nodded.
"We can stop somewhere soon." She said. Bella reached into the front compartment and took out a map of Idaho. She scanned the map and some of the advertisements on the back. Bella looked up abruptly "How about Jack's Bar and Grill?" She suggested as it appeared in the distance. I raised my eyebrows in surprise. Bella always hated going anywhere with a bar. She denounced them as sleazy and too loud.
"It's the only place to eat for hundreds of miles." She explained with a sigh. I nodded and Alice called the others to tell them we were stopping.
Jack's Bar and Grill was kind of sleazy and was way too loud. There was some sort of band playing terrible music. When we walked in I immediately wrapped my arm around Bella's waist. I did not like what anyone in the bar was thinking about us. My entire family followed us inside warily, except for Luke, Alice and Emmett, who actually looked thrilled to be here.
"Just order up front here and then take a seat and we'll serve ya." A too friendly blond woman said.
Bella ordered the grilled chicken and then insisted that we sit at one of the front, right tables by the stage. I didn't understand why she wanted to sit there; it was right by the stairs to the stage and the speakers, from which one of the band members kept babbling about karoke night or something. I looked around at my family and the Neilans, just to make sure everyone was doing okay. I couldn't help but feel that this whole thing was my fault. Rosalie was scolding Emmett for charming an 'ignorant human girl,' to which I growled menacingly in reply. Alice and Jasper were gazing at each other lovingly, obviously happy to be together after all the time in separate vehicles. Esme was talking to Diane and Sara animatedly, and Carlisle and John were in deep discussion. They all seemed to be fine, but obviously the ordeal was affecting Bella differently. I looked at my angel, who was fidgeting nervously in her seat. She stood up to stretch and take her sweater off. Then, in a rather exuberant movement her sweater was flung out to the center of stage.
"Bella, I'll - " I began.
"No Edward, I'll get it." She said hurriedly. Before I could interject Bella had raced up the few stairs onto the stage, surprisingly without tripping. She picked up her sweater.
"Ahh we've got a volunteer! What's your name sweetheart?" A man who seemed to be some sort of V.J. asked Bella.
For the second time today, Bella froze. She was obviously stunned, they thought she was volunteering for something. I wanted to rush onto the stage and save her but a second later she spoke.
"B-Bella Swan." She stuttered. She looked around the room panicked and then her eyes fell on me and her expression turned to determination and resolve.
"So Bella, what will you be singing for us, tonight?" He asked her eagerly.
Bella hesitated for a moment."'I will always love you' by Whitney Houston." She told him.
The man nodded and the band started to play the music. My family and I stared up at her in shock. Then, Bella began to do the most amazing thing. She began to sing.
If I
Should stay
I would only be in your way
So I'll go
But I know
I'll think of you every step of
the way
Bella's voice was angelic, I never knew she could sing like this. I was a little confused though at her choice of song. This song meant goodbye if I wasn't mistaken. That she was leaving me for my own good, but that she would miss me.
And I...
Will always
Love you, oohh
Will always
Love you
You
My darling you
Mmm-mm
Bella sang the song just as well as Whitney herself, she was so full of passion, like she was willing me to understand.
Bittersweet
Memories
That is all I'm taking with me
So good-bye
Please don't cry
We both know I'm not what you
You need
And I...
Will always love you
I...
Will always love you
You, ooh
Bella eyes locked with mine. Her expression was so serious that it shook me.
I hope
life treats you kind
And I hope
you have all you've dreamed of
And I wish you joy
and happiness
But above all this
I wish you love
At the last part she smiled wearily, as if assuring me that she wanted me to be happy. What did this mean? What was going on? Bella obviously wanted to convey the message that I should move on but why? How? And did she really think I could love anyone other than her? Impossible.
And I...
Will always love you
I...
Will always love you
I, I will always love
You...
You
Darling I love you
I'll always
I'll always
Love
You…
The room boomed with applause, Bella had a magnificent voice. How could I have not known this about her until now? I watched as my angel handed the man the microphone and whispered so only vampires could hear, "I'll always love you." With those last words, Bella disappeared behind the red curtain.
For a second I was still with shock and confusion. Where did Bella go?Then, it all clicked inside my head, like pieces of a puzzle fitting together. Chris. Jack's Bar and Grill. The song. It all made sense. Oh my G-d, Bella was going to sacrifice herself for me and my family's welfare. She really was trying to give me a message. Oh my G-d.
"No!" I yelled. I ran onto the stage, barely keeping human speed. I felt my family following behind me. I slid behind the red curtain, half expecting to see Bella jump out and say 'surprise', but the room was completely empty.
"No! No! No!" I yelled again. My family was panicking, too.
"Did you see anything, Alice?" Carlisle asked Alice quietly.
"No… I can't. I can't see anything with her, there's a block." She said, her voice barely above a whisper. If she were human she would have been crying.
I ran out the backstage door, forgoing human pretenses and sniffed the air for her scent. I caught a faint whiff and followed it, but it only seemed to fade more and more. I ran hundreds of miles at top speed, but it was useless. Bella was gone. My family caught up with me a few minutes later. I was in the middle of some field.
"She's gone." I said simply. "She's gone." I sank to my knees and erupted into dry sobs.
Author's note: So I hope you guys like it, even though I know some of you were rooting for Edward to find out and interfere. What's gonna happen next? Will Bella be ok? Will Edward find her? I'm not gonna set any review limits because I got such a great response last chapter, but if I don't get any comments on this one then I'll have to start setting them again. Remember, reviews aren't food for my ego, it's my inspiration and motivation to continue. I need your feedback, to let me know how I'm doing and if I should continue. Questions, comments, anonymous reviews and constructive criticism are all welcome. Thanks a lot.