Dark Elixir
By MoneyTunes10
Chapter Eleven
Esme's face lit up in excitement when she saw her son in the doorway; she was beaming at him, "Edward! I didn't know you were going to come back tonight. Come have dinner with us, I've missed you so much."
"Let me guess, Alice kicked you out for moping around her house." Emmett laughed while Edward simply shook his head at his brother.
"Good to have you back," Carlisle smiled at his son.
"Yeah, it's good to be back." Edward was still looking at Bella as she dropped her gaze. Riley, who was seated next to Emmett, had to turn around to look at Edward. Annoyance flared within him when he saw the look that Edward was giving Bella. It was one of total consumption…well she wasn't Edward's anymore…she was with Riley.
Esme stood to get a plate for Edward but he motioned to her to remain seated as he walked to the kitchen. He shrugged off his leather jacket and left it on a barstool near the island in the kitchen before walking back into the dinning room.
Edward made a great show of ignoring the seat closest to him, which would have place him next to Riley. Instead he walked around the table and placed his plate next to Bella. She had yet to make a sound but she did glance nervously at Riley, who was seated across from her. She was now seated between Esme and Edward but it was the proximity to the latter that made her heart beat furiously…surprisingly, that ache that was a constant presence had disappeared when Edward walked in…
"Hi Edward," Riley didn't want to make a scene in front of Edward's parents and he hoped that Edward was on the same page.
"Hey," Edward didn't even look at Riley as he began placing food on his plate.
The conversations picked up again as Edward finally settled down to eat, only Bella and Edward remained quiet. He was eating heartily while Bella pushed her food around her plate. She kept glancing at Riley, who was currently speaking to Carlisle.
She was waiting…it was terrifying to think that at any moment Edward would lunge across the table and start beating Riley.
She was momentarily distracted from her thoughts when Edward reached near her to grab a roll. She sighed and breathed in deeply, greedily gulping down his scent. It had been too long since she smelled his distinct scent.
Bella peeked from under her lashes at him. He was sitting on her right, so it was impossible to be discreet; she first took in his dark grey t-shirt that clung to his body in just the right way...when she finally looked at him, he was staring ahead with a smirk on his face…he knew she was looking at him.
"You were gone."
The Cullens were used to that particular tone that Bella used to address Edward. It reeked of a deep, ancient longing that only lovers used to address one another. Riley, on the other hand, was new to this intense yet private dynamic between Edward and Bella. This was not how they acted in school…
Edward's smirk widened when he saw Riley stiffen as he was torn between paying attention to what Carlisle was saying to him and eavesdropping on what Bella was saying to Edward.
He turned slowly to her, "yeah, I had to do something and I needed time to myself."
"Oh…what did you have to do?"
"I'll show you some other time ok?" Edward's gaze was tender and his voice held unspoken promises.
She nodded before leaning closer to him, "you okay?" Her voice was so soft, caring, as if needing for him to be well.
"I'm better now…"
Edward dropped his fork and wrapped his right hand around his ribcage, absentmindedly rubbing. He slipped his left hand under the table into Bella's lap, palm up. This request was familiar to the two of them…she knew what he wanted…what she needed.
She switched her fork to her left hand and shifted her right hand under the table, entwining their fingers.
Edward couldn't help but notice the sigh of relief that she breathed out once their hands were connected. A ghost of a smile graced her lips as she began to eat more heartily. Bella kept peeking at Edward after every few bites…he, on the other hand, was blatantly staring at her; it had been too long since he observed her without interruption.
Riley could not for the life of him stop his leg from bouncing under the table; it was a nervous habit he developed as a child when he was mad. He could not school his features from the distaste at the display of affection between his girlfriend and Edward. He could see their arms touching and that they had unconsciously scooted their chairs closer together. Not even his conversation with Carlisle could distract him…
"I'm sorry but I have to leave, I'm not feeling well!" Riley's exclamation seemed out of place in the pleasant atmosphere that settled in the room…but it had the desired effect.
Bella never thought anything of the bubble that she and Edward naturally created when they were at home. The other Cullens were accustomed to them being in their own world but Riley was new to this; worst of all, he was her boyfriend and she was excluding him. She started to pull her hands from Edward but her clamped his hands tighter, effectively trapping her. His head swiveled to Riley and the sharp glare he sent Riley's direction was returned with full force.
Esme stood, "Oh, I'm sorry you're not feeling well. Are you sure you have to go? Are you fine to drive?" Esme walked around the table to look closely at Riley as Carlisle stood. He sighed softly because he was aware of the looks Riley gave Bella and Edward throughout the meal. Riley had no way of knowing that this was normal for the two of them; he only knew that his girlfriend was across the table acting like only she and Edward existed. Carlisle was well aware of how teenage boys could let their feels cloud their judgment and it was fortunate that this didn't end worse. Riley was taking himself away from the situation, hopefully to cool down and then talk to Bella. He could not say the same for his son; Edward's deathly glower sent a clear message.
"I'll walk you out." Carlisle put a hand on Riley's shoulder and sent a look in Edward's direct. His message was clear…behave.
Esme chimed in, no doubt to break the tension, "well let me at least pack dessert for you." She hurried into the kitchen to get a slice of lemon meringue pie ready for Riley's abrupt departure…shaking her head the entire time…teenagers were such a passionate breed.
Emmett looked wary when he noticed that Bella wanted to go to Riley… of course Emmett understood that Edward was most likely interfering. He thought that they were probably holding hands under the table; they did this since they were little. No wonder Riley looked pissed. He shook his head at his brother…when it came to Bella, all bets were off …Edward would never think about the consequences of his actions. He was well aware of this fact due to all the fights that he either broke up or joined because of Edward's need to isolate Bella from other males.
Esme walked in with dessert ready for Riley as he walked towards the foyer with Carlisle. She followed the pair noticing Riley's glances over his shoulder. Bella was still sitting at the table frowning at Edward. When she caught Riley's eye there was hurt written all over his face; she had no intentions of hurting Riley and she needed to make sure he knew that before he left. She pulled hard against Edward's grasp, freeing herself from his hold.
Bella's chair scarped loudly as she leapt up and walked towards the front door, where Riley had just walked through. Edward followed closely with a scowl on his face…Emmett, knowing more about the situation than his parents, made sure to follow his brother.
Bella ran past Carlisle and Esme as they stood on the porch watching Riley walk towards his car. She felt the night air nip at her, stealing her heat as she ran to Riley.
"Riley…"
He stopped walking but didn't turn around… "Riley, please talk to me…"
"And tell you what Bella, that I couldn't remain sitting there watching my girlfriend fawn over a prick who was obsessed with her."
"I'm so sorry Riley, I never meant to hurt you…it's just…I donno…when Edward and I are together, it's just hard to not be in our own world…he hadn't been home in a while…" Bella let out a frustrated sigh; she was so angry with herself for hurting Riley. "I'm sorry…there's no excuse."
She walked closer and gently touched his back prompting Riley to slowly turn around…he saw the remorse in her eyes and he couldn't help but pull her into his arms. He slowly leaned down to place a chaste kiss on her lips but Bella parted her lips and quickly sucked his bottom lip. She pulled him closer before he released her and gave her a small kiss on her nose.
When Riley looked up, he saw Edward standing a few feet from them while the rest of his family remained on the porch. Edward's face was blank; there was no anger…just stone staring back at the two of them. His eyes were shrouded in the darkness and although he had no emotion displayed, his presence was still menacing.
"I know what you were doing Edward." Riley kept his voice low so as not to carry to the rest of the Cullens but his accusation was heard by both Edward and Bella.
Bella's eyes widened as she turned to look at Edward… "Riley…" He didn't know what he was asking for…Edward should not be taunted…
"Oh, and what is that Riley?"
"Yeah…play dumb; just remember that she wants to be with me. She's my girlfriend not yours…"
"You may be her present Riley but I will be her future."
Riley stepped towards Edward but Emmett was already down the stairs placing his arm around Edward, "hey guys, dinner's getting cold and I'm sure Riley would like to get home and rest."
Emmett's voice held a warning; Carlisle and Esme were standing there watching the exchange and although they could not hear anything, they could read body language.
Bella removed herself from Riley's embrace and stepped closer to Edward and Emmett. Riley looked sullen for a moment but cleared his face as he drove away. He hated leaving Bella with Edward…
Bella didn't have much of an appetite once they returned to the table. She felt uneasy… Edward's detached façade threw her off…
His surprising calm troubled her for the rest of the night…while she was showering…while she was talking to Riley on the phone…
She just kept coming back to that face…the unreadable eyes…
She could always read his eyes and it scared her that she couldn't do that tonight…like a piece of her was missing or defective…
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As if life could not send enough surprises in Bella's direction, when she got to school, she learned that a new family moved into town and it was her turn to do the student orientation. She was still disturbed by the events with Edward that she didn't know if she would end up rambling the entire time.
She was waiting in the school's administrative offices for the new student and her parents to finish talking to the headmaster before helping the student for the day. She was biting her bottom lip and thinking about the drama that her life had descended into, so she didn't hear the group of people walk up to her until Headmaster Greene tapped her on her shoulder.
He chuckled as Bella stood up with a start; she was blushing at her aloof state while Headmaster Greene made the introductions.
The new student, Tanya Denali, was stunning…on the level of Rosalie Hale stunning. She would fit right into this school…
Her mother, Carmen, was a short plump woman with a pleasant smile while her father, Eleazar, was taller with a stern countenance. They looked nothing like their daughter whose strawberry blond hair was straightened and hung neatly down her back. She was so graceful and her shiny hair swung with every step she took, that Bella couldn't help but feel plain next to Tanya.
After her parents bid their farewells and left, Bella and Tanya took some time to look at her schedule. She only had one class with Bella but the rest of her schedule looked fairly easy to navigate through. Bella had to make sure that Tanya got to her classes without trouble and she had to show her any of the buildings pertinent to her schedule. Bella agreed to meet Tanya outside each of her classes and walk with her to her next one.
They did this routine for the entire day and always ended up chatting between classes as Bella took Tanya to her next one; so much so that Bella would find herself running to her class to avoid the late bell.
Bella learned a lot about Tanya; like the fact that she had two older siblings. Kate, her oldest sister, was married with a child on the way and living in Alaska, while her other sister, Irina, attended the University of Pennsylvania. Tanya was the youngest of the three girls and this was the first time she moved in her entire life. She was nervous about being the new person at school but she was happy that Bella was the one doing her orientation.
The two of them got along well; she may have been just as beautiful as Rosalie, but she did not share Rose's aptitude for exclusion. Tanya was fun to be around; at lunch she regaled Bella and her friends with stories about growing up in Alaska. It was in the midst of another laughing fit that Alice walked over and introduced herself to Tanya. Soon Alice had Tanya walking with her to introduce her to the rest of her friends. Bella watched with a sinking heart as Tanya shook Edward's hand…would history repeat itself? Even though she was with Riley now, there was still a part of her that didn't want Edward to go out with beautiful girls like Tanya. Yes they were fitting for him, in that their beauty matched his, but Bella always witnessed his self-destructive tendencies when he was with girls like that. The worst part was that she really liked Tanya…she was no Lauren or Jessica…she was genuine and beautiful…a dangerous combination…
Bella was relieved as she noticed that Edward only seemed polite to Tanya, not his usual determined self when he wanted to go out with a girl. She knew that predatory gaze he would use to unnerve the girls he was interested it. It uncoiled anticipation in them and made their panties wet…thankfully he didn't seem affected by Tanya's beauty like the other boys in school.
When the final bell rang, Bella met Tanya at her locker before she took her to the library, the gym, and the music wing of the school. Bella learned that Tanya played the piano, so it was natural for her to take her to the music wing. Bella also shared that Edward played the piano; leaving Tanya pleasantly surprised. There was something about Edward Cullen... he was obviously attractive but there was so much more to him. He was heartbroken…Tanya could recognize the signs anywhere; she was an expert in broken hearts…
She was also intrigued as to why Bella lived with the Cullens but she didn't pry, Bella was a sweet girl and she wanted to be her friend.
::::
As the days went by, Tanya got along well with the people from the two different groups that she hung out with at school. Sometimes she sat with Bella and her friends, other times she sat with Edward and his friends.
It was never Tanya's aim to befriend Edward, it sort of just happened. Alice had a tendency to drag Tanya into her plans, so she usually showed up to all of Alice's activities. Inevitably Edward would be there…alone. She saw herself in him, that aching loneliness even when surrounded by people. He tried to cover it up with fake laughs, smiles or even blank facial features but she could see it. It surprised her, at first, because she heard about his reputation around school. His past was one of sordid affairs and his recent breakup from one, Lauren Mallory, was one of the hot topics. She was even more surprised that he went out with someone like Lauren…
It was only when she learned the full story about his history pertaining to sweet Bella Swan that it all fit. Bella was currently dating Riley and looked happy as far as Tanya could tell. She understood at that time, why Edward was in the state that he was.
It was under a drunken haze that Tanya opened the doors of friendship with Edward. She was sitting on the porch of Alice's home, despite the chill. Looking into the woods, reminiscing about her past, she remained in pain, one that would never leave…
The door opened spilling light onto the darkened porch…
Edward sat next to her, he was silent as he handed her a drink. Hers was long gone; he did not comment on the tears that marred her beautiful face or the way she hiccupped her thanks for the drink.
They sat for a while in the silence as they heard their friends' laughter filter from inside…
"I can see past the façade Edward."
He didn't speak but looked at Tanya who turned to look at him. She shifted until she was sitting cross-legged before him.
"You're hurting just like me. That's why I can tell, but don't worry," her voice dropped into a whisper, "I think you've got them fooled."
Edward took a swing of his drink, neither confirming nor denying Tanya's words.
"You still have a chance with her you know, she doesn't love Riley…I can tell." Tanya was looking back into the darken lands surrounding the Brandon home. Edward was staring at her intently…
"You don't know anything…"
Tanya's humorless laugh filled the night, "believe me Edward, I can tell…"
Edward knew that Tanya spent time with Bella outside of school. She would be telling Alice and Rose about the bonfires she would go to in La Push with Bella and Riley. She would even talk fondly of Jacob and his friends, so he knew she saw Riley's interaction with Bella away from school, but there was more to Tanya…more than anyone else saw. He could see it now, the crippling agony that she hid behind her mask of beauty. She was vulnerable, scarred and hurt from her past…she was allowing him to see that now.
"What happened to you?" The nightly breeze took his words and sent them into the world but he knew that she heard them.
Tanya's glassy eyes turned to Edward…could she? Would she tell him? Gut herself out again and expose her scarred flesh…if it meant that he would not suffer and that eventually Riley would be saved from the same fate?
"I was in love once…" she chuckled silently, "actually I'm still in love…he was older so we had to hide it but that didn't lessen the feelings I had.
He was…is… my soul, my heart but he couldn't have loved me as much as I loved him. There were always little signs…some I saw but ignored and others I just missed…
Garrett was my all… but then he met my oldest sister…" She took a sip from her drink.
"It wasn't love at first sight for them but it actually developed slowly, he would forgo our plans to meet with a friend for coffee… one that he could go out with public with, not like me who he had to hide.
Then one day, he broke up with me. He was honest and sorry but he told me that he found someone else…I thought that my heart would never heal…it was only the beginning…little did he know that the 'someone else' was my sister.
He had no idea that Kate and I were related…not until that Christmas.
Kate brought her new boyfriend home for Christmas and I nearly collapsed when Garrett walked into the room.
I know what it feels like to have to pretend to be happy when all you want to do is cry and scream…to pretend that their sickening happiness isn't eating you from the inside out…
I was losing weight so fast that my mom and dad thought I had an eating disorder…
I lashed out at Kate for no reason…she still doesn't know about me and Garrett…
I made her wedding a living nightmare but I couldn't help it; I was hurting…burning alive…and I wanted to take as many people as I could down with me…
The man I loved married my sister in a summer wedding…" She took another drink, "Six months later, they announced that they were expecting their first child…
I've never told anyone why we moved here, but it was for me…my parents didn't know what else to do for me so they decided that a fresh start would be best…they left their friends, switched jobs…all for me…
It's helped, I'm not one hundred percent but I'm getting there…I've realized that he was never mine to have…he was always Kate's…they were meant for each other…
I'm telling you this because you and Bella are meant to be. I don't want Riley to end up like me…jaded, scarred…I don't think you've given up on her…I mean I see the way you two look at each other. You may be waiting it out but if you wait too long, more people may get hurt…make her see…"
Edward enveloped Tanya in a crushing hug. She had been the first to confirm what he had been telling Bella…he thought that maybe it was only him seeing it, but she was an outsider looking in and she had seen it. Tanya had opened herself to him, as difficult as it was for her…she understood…the pain that came with watching the one you loved with someone else.
Was this what he had been doing to Bella all this time?
He couldn't let his mind wander down that path. He used his thumb to wipe the tears from her cheeks and pulled her up, "Come on, let's go in…we need a pick-me-up."
That was the first night that a true friendship began between Tanya and Edward. Soon she was coming over to the Cullen home and although Bella knew that Tanya was her friend and she was friends with Edward, something was bothering her about their friendship. Bella couldn't put her finger on it…the nagging in her mind never ceased when she saw Tanya and Edward laughing together. He hadn't laughed like that in a while, not since she began dating Riley…
She knew for a fact that there was nothing romantic between them but still… her eyes always wandered over to the pair whenever they were talking quietly to each other…her heart constricted when Edward would tenderly draw Tanya out of her daydream. He would rub her back silently as if he understood where Tanya's mind had wandered to.
Bella had been privy to Tanya's sometimes long lost look; the vacant stare…the way she wrapped her hand around her body as if holding herself together…afraid that she was going to fall apart…the pain from wherever her mind was would linger for the entire day. Bella always did her best to draw Tanya from her musings but she could never cheer her up like Edward could.
It wasn't until she came home one day and heard Edward's piano that she figured out what was happening. She walked towards the music… quietly… not wanting to startle Edward. It had been so long since he played and she was ecstatic that he was playing again. She walked into the piano room but abruptly halted when at the scene before her. It was more intimate than anything she had caught Lauren and Edward doing...
Edward sat at his piano playing while Tanya was curved into his side…her head was on his shoulder…strawberry blond spilling on his back as her long hair was splayed behind the both of them. Her shoulders were shaking with tears as she leaned even more into Edward.
He was playing the piano to console her…
He was playing for her…not for Bella but for Tanya…he only played for Bella…
This was worst than Tanya and Edward dating…
The scene before her, twisted tortuously in her brain, etching itself into her. She thought that though he slept with all those girls, that she was special…only she held a special place in his heart…one that one else could reach.
Ahh…but that was where she erred…she thought no one else could reach there but Tanya had proven her wrong…
She had been replaced…
Bella backed out of the room, unable to fully understand what was happening in her.
She felt removed from existence…
But didn't Edward know that she needed him? He couldn't leave her, he'd saved her…
She was lightheaded, disconnected, thrown to the mercy of this storm, battling the waves of pain but unable to stay above water…she needed him…
Her limbs felt tired…her legs began to shake…she needed him…
She had no voice to scream for help with…no energy to keep her body afloat…lost and without her anchor…she needed him…
Tears streamed down her face…her heart thundered…her head pounded…
She stumbled not noticing the stairs…her hands shot out to brace for impact…
Did she fall? She couldn't even tell…her physical pain paled next to the anguish that engulfed her.
She did fall…she was slumped on the stairs but she couldn't move… she needed him…
She used her hands in an effort to push her torso up… they shook with exertion…her body had literally given up on her… looking down at the clean white carpet, she noticed a spot of red that seemed to appear from above…
What?
Her mind failed to comprehend what was happening…she smelled the rust…the iron…
Edward! Her mind screamed for him…her body battled unconsciousness…her entire being needed him…
"Bella!"
Someone was playing a cruel joke on her…first she could hear nothing but rushing air, then all the sound came back…slamming her and causing her to wince…
Strong arms grabbed her…flipped her over…cradled her…she felt disjointed…
"Get me some tissue! There's blood pouring out of her nose!"
She heard his voice…his voice…it had always been her anchor in the storm…it was the first voice that broke through the haze after her parents' death…he had come to save her again…
"Edward…" her voice sounded so scared, "I need you…please don't leave me…save me…"