These updates just keep getting faster and faster. To be fair I didn't want to leave you hanging off that little cliff I left for you guys in the last chapter so here you are :P ...

Chapter Eleven

Monday.

Tuesday.

"I don't feel well."

Wednesday.

"Maybe we should call a doctor?"

Thursday.

"How are you feeling?"

Friday.

"She can go back in next week."

Saturday.

"Dinner's ready."

"Not hungry."

Sunday.

The phone goes unanswered.

Monday.

"Just one more day."

Tuesday.

"'M tired."

Wednesday.

"Are you okay?"

Thursday.

"Bella, enough is enough. You're either now well enough to back to school or you let me call a doctor, what's it gonna be?"

It was getting colder. I could see that from clouds rolling in.

"Bella."

Yet the sun was still shining through the window, fighting against the looming grey clouds overhead. But it was clear to see a storm was heading this way.

"BELLA!"

I jumped and turned to see Charlie stood next to his armchair where I sat, curled in a ball staring out the window. I hadn't sat in this chair for ages. I couldn't remember the last time I had sat in this chair. When Vicki and I used to come and visit Charlie, and I had a nightmare or just couldn't sleep or just wanted to spend time with my dad while he watched the game of T.V. he'd let me sit on his lap and cuddle with him. I had always been a daddy's girl.

Charlie's mouth seemed to be moving but I couldn't hear what he was saying.

"What?" I mumbled.

He heaved a huge sigh and rubbed his hand roughly over his face. When he spoke his voice seemed restrained, as though he was willing himself not to raise his voice. "I said you are going to school tomorrow. You're taking advantage of being "ill". You're better now and you're going to school."

I frowned. "What time is it?"

Charlie looked confused at my question. "It's four o'clock." He said as though it were obvious.

I glanced out the window again. Nothing had changed much in the past minute, the sun was still battling against the clouds and winning. Though it looked fairly low in the sky. "In the morning?"

Charlie stared. "No, Bella. In the afternoon."

I stared back at him. "School's finished, dad."

"I know."

"Well, then I can't go."

Charlie shook his head looking as bewildered as I felt. "Tomorrow, Bella. You're going to school tomorrow." He said slowly.

"What day is it?"

"Thursday."

"Oh." I murmured. I guess that made more sense. "Ok." I turned back to the window.

"That's it? You're not going to argue?"

I shook my head. He must have stood and stared at me for a long while because after what felt like at least five minutes I felt Charlie sit down on the arm of the chair and I looked back round and up at him.

"Bella," he said gruffly, clearing his throat. "Is…uh…is everything okay…with you?"

I nodded and turned away again.

"You know you can talk to me, about anything…don't you?" He sounded unsure.

I nodded again. Lying was okay when you were doing it to keep from hurting someone's feelings.

"You haven't been yourself lately. These past couple of weeks you've hardly said a word." I could feel him staring into the back of my head. "Bella, you'd tell me if something was wrong, wouldn't you?" His voice was soft and gentle. "'Cause you're kinda worrying me, kiddo."

I couldn't remember the last time he had called me that. He stroked my hair and I turned to face him with a nod. "I'm fine." I lied.

Charlie kissed the top of my head and wrapped an arm around my shoulders.

I don't know what came over me. My arms were suddenly wrapped tight around his waist, my face buried in his chest.

He slid down into the chair next to me and hugged me closer to him.

"Bella," he said, softly, into my hair. "You promise you're okay?"

I couldn't bring myself to say the words so I nodded again.

"I love you, kiddo, you know that, right?"

I nodded. "I love you, too, dad."

And I felt like I was seven years old again, sitting in this armchair with my dad. He even switched on the T.V. to watch football.

I think I fell asleep. I was woken from the first peaceful, nightmare-less nap I'd had in a long time by Sue's shrill voice.

"What are you doing?"

I opened my eyes groggily and found that Charlie had apparently fallen asleep too and was grimacing apologetically.

"I asked you to talk to her over an hour ago, your dinner's sitting stone cold on the kitchen table."

"Sorry, honey," Charlie mumbled, extracting his arm from around my shoulders. "I'll heat it up in the microwave."

"It's no good heated up, it's going to be ruined now." She stormed out of the living room, Charlie following her, apologising.

I yawned and stretched before lifting myself from the chair and heading slowly to my bedroom. I wasn't hungry. I'd probably throw up anything I ate, anyway. I climbed into bed and prepared for a restless night.

*FT*

I stumbled as I ran through the trees, tripping over roots, gasping for air, whimpering in terror.

Someone was chasing me. I could hear their feet pounding on the forest floor behind me and I tried to push myself harder.

I fell.

They were getting closer.

I struggled to get up but a hand grabbed at my ankle and I screamed.

I kicked and thrashed and screamed, trying to get away when I turned and saw him.

He was laughing, greeting me with a cold smile and something in his eyes that had always been there when he wanted to play.

"Bella."

I gasped and looked up.

Edward was here. He was here.

"Edward!" I cried, reaching for him. "Edward, help."

He stood there, watching.

"Edward, please," I sobbed, "please help me. He won't let go. He won't leave me alone."

"I'll leave you alone, Bella." He said, his voice distanced and emotionless.

"No! Please! Edward, help me!"

"I can't. You're not worth it."

I was reaching for him, my hand outstretched.

"Please!" I begged, my heart pounding so hard in my chest I was scared it was going to break.

He was backing away.

"No," I screamed, "No, Edward! Please! I need you!"

But he had already turned his back.

"I can't, Bella. You're not worth saving." He disappeared through the trees.

I was pulled backwards by my feet and thrown onto my back.

He loomed above me with his horrible smile and eyes filled with something that made me want to be sick.

"It's play time, Bella boo." He smiled.

"EDWARD!"

My eyes snapped open and I sat bolt upright looking around, backing myself into the far corner of my bed so my back was against the wall. I faced the door, my knees pulled up to my chest and I wrapped my cover around me.

I was shaking and sobbing as I stared wide-eyed at the door, my heart thumping against my ribs, hammering in my ears. I tried to wipe the wetness from my face but sobs wracked my body and I hugged myself tighter, curling into a tight ball, never taking my eyes off the door.

It was the same nightmare I'd had every night for the past two weeks and yet it still had me sobbing and trembling, curled up in the corner of my bed, night after night. And there was nothing I could do to make the nightmares go away.

I hated myself as I tried to take deep breaths, praying to god that Charlie or Seth wouldn't hear me. But a part of me hoped they would. Because I was too fucking scared to reach over and turn my lamp on.

I tried pushing myself backwards with my feet, attempting to push my back further into the wall but it was futile. I couldn't get closer if I tried and my back was aching because of it.

I tried to swallow down the quiet sobs and ended up covering my mouth with my trembling hands to stop the barely above a whisper of a noise, but it was too loud in my ears and in the silence of the room. Years of practise meant I was able to put a stop to the sobs quickly but the tears still streamed silently from my eyes.

I pulled my duvet tighter around me for extra security but I didn't feel safe. Far from it. I hadn't felt safe since…since Edward had left.

I was glad he was gone. I didn't need him. I didn't fucking want him. I was mad as hell at him and if he ever came back I'd have to kill him.

I'd kill him for putting me through this. I'd kill him for bringing back the nightmares I hadn't had since I first saw him in his English classroom. I'd kill him for taking away the safety I felt just knowing he was in the same fucking town as me.

I hate him.

I crave him.

I need him.

He's gone.

He's not coming back.

A sob ripped from my chest and I buried my mouth into my duvet, keeping my eyes of the door. I rocked myself backwards and forwards, my eyes darting to the door, to my phone on my desk, back to the door again, working up the courage.

I lunged, grabbed my phone, snatched the shirt from the floor and scrambled back to the corner of my bed, my back pressed against the wall and covers wrapped tightly around me.

I fumbled with my phone, biting my lip to hold in more sobs, glancing up at the door frequently, then I found what I was looking for and my heart broke and pieced back together at the same time.

Edward smiled at me from my phone and I felt my body start to relax as I clutched his shirt tightly to me, holding it up to my face, inhaling deeply. Slowly, I stopped trembling and I slid further down into bed, keeping my legs curled up to my chest. I never took my eyes from Edward's.

I sniffled. I blinked and a tear rolled down my cheek. I muffled a sob into his shirt.

Fuck. I miss you.

*FT*

I stared up at my ceiling as I listened to the sounds of everyone in the house waking, showering, eating, talking, laughing. When I heard Sue leave for work and Charlie shortly after I decided it was time I had better get up.

I'd been awake for the past five hours and it was a fucking struggle but I did it.

I glanced out the window as I headed to the bathroom. The sun was still fighting.

I yawned and tried not to wince when I saw my reflection in the bathroom mirror. I tried to ignore the purple shadows under my reddened, dead looking eyes. My skin looked pale and sallow and my hair hung limply. I looked away and began to brush my teeth.

Seth was waiting for me in the kitchen, sat at the table, grinning at his phone. But his smile disappeared when he saw me and a frown took its place. I watched him as he looked me up and down, taking in my overlarge grey hoodie – the hood pulled up, the sleeves reaching my knuckles – shorts and Uggs. He took in my make-up-less face, my arms folded across my chest.

Yes, Seth. I look like shit. Surprised?

"C'mon." I murmured and turned to head out. He didn't say anything but I heard him following me to the truck.

"Are you okay?" He asked softly as I started the truck and pulled off the drive.

"Of course." I muttered. My voice sounded lifeless. Real fucking convincing, Bella.

"You don't look well. Maybe you really are sick."

"I'm fine, Seth, just leave it alone." That sounded harsh. He was just worried. "Please." I softened.

I saw him nod out the corner of my eye but he kept stealing glances at me throughout the drive to school when he thought I wasn't looking.

"We have a new English teacher," he said quietly. "Cullen was a jerk but at least he was good. She's awful."

I stiffened. I needed to respond. To say something. Do something. A strangled noise from the back of my throat reached my lips. It didn't sound anything like the "Mmhmm" I had intended but Seth seemed satisfied.

"She said Cullen had gone to Chicago for a job interview. I don't get why he would go for a job interview right at the beginning of the year. I mean, I know we've been back at school for nearly a couple of months now but it's really random-"

"Seth," my voice still sounded strangled and forced though this time there was a hint of desperation. My knuckles were turning white I was gripping the wheel so hard. "I'm about to be living through the hell that is high school, I don't need to hear about…okay?"

"…okay." He murmured and turned to look out the window.

Fuck. I miss you.

Bastard.

As I pulled into school I could see Rosalie, Emmett and Riley all stood leaning against one of the benches right outside. I cringed when I noticed that they had all seen the truck. Brilliant. Just what I needed.

I mumbled a goodbye to Seth and we both headed in different directions. Him to his girlfriend and me to the sea of bloodthirsty sharks.

"Bella!" Rose cried rushing to meet me. She threw her arms around me and I awkwardly patted her back. "Where have you been?"

"Sick." I muttered as we walked closer to the guys.

"Why didn't you answer your phone? We all tried calling you."

I shrugged, "Tonsillitis."

Riley arched an eyebrow, "So you couldn't text?"

I shrugged again and sat down on top of the bench next to Emmett. Bad idea. He leaned in and sniffed.

"I smell bullshit." He grinned.

I scowled at him and hopped down from the bench, moving past Riley. He grabbed my forearm.

"Where are you going?" He demanded.

"Class." I shoved him out of my way and walked off without looking back. I could feel three pairs of eyes on me as I walked away and I couldn't have cared less. I wasn't in the mood to deal with a hyped up Rosalie, an irritating Emmett or Riley's fucking interrogating.

I really fucking hoped they got the message because I really was in the fucking mood today. Not one little bit.

Apparently people just weren't understanding. I had just sat down in my first lesson and pulled out all my books only to have Ms Cope come knocking at the door.

"I'm here to collect Isabella Swan. Mr Greene would like a word with her."

My teacher grunted his assent and I heaved a huge fucking sigh as I packed up all my things. I had been back for five minutes, what the hell was I meant to have done in that amount of time, considering my first lesson hadn't even officially started yet.

I skipped school. That's what I had done.

I didn't have a fucking doctor's note and therefore I was being punished, with a fucking after school to catch up on missed work. Because it would have been much too lenient on me to get notes from my classmates.

This day was shaping up to be one of my worst.

My lessons were shit. All my teachers seemed to think much the same way Mr Greene had about the whole situation and decided – for my own benefit, of course, otherwise how would I learn? – to call on me knowing I didn't have a fucking clue what they were talking about. I hadn't been here for two fucking weeks. Not only that but I was exactly paying attention. I was too focussed on the big gaping hole in my chest that made it so hard to breathe.

Fuck. I miss you.

Lunch wasn't much better.

Riley sat next to me and placed his arm on the back of my chair. What was his fucking problem? Why couldn't he just leave me alone.

"What's the matter with you?" Rose asked as she sat herself opposite me.

"After school detention."

She gaped. "How did you manage that? You just got back."

"Ditching." I mumbled.

"I thought you were sick." Riley said with a suspicious frown.

Seriously, fuck off.

"I was." I snapped. "I didn't have a fucking doctor's note."

"Well, surely you could get Charlie to talk to Greene." He said.

I shook my head. "It's easier to just have the detention."

"Well me and Em have football after school. I'll be here by the time you're finished. Maybe we could do something after. Jessica Stanley is having a party tonight."

I sighed heavily and was thankfully saved by Emmett.

"Uh, dude, I'm not at football after school."

"What? Why?"

"That new English teacher is a fucking bitch, that's why."

"Yeah!" Rose piped in. "She's tried to make us do this, like, six page essay on a book we haven't even studied. We tried to tell her that that's not what Cullen had us reading but she wasn't having any of it."

I tensed.

"What's that got to do with football?"

"I didn't finish it." Emmett grumbled. "She's making do the rest after school."

"You're telling me I have to deal with Newton whining like a bitch about Jessica by myself?" Riley groaned.

Emmett snickered through a mouthful of food, "Yeah. Have fun, dude." He swallowed then said, "We got no chance of winning the game, anyway. Not without Cullen."

Fucking hell. I thought I was going to throw up. Or cry. Or both. Shit.

Rosalie arched a brow, "What do you mean?"

"He was helping Coach coach us. He actually knew what he was talking about. Coach fucking stinks."

"Hey, Bella, you okay?" I looked up from my food to see Rose frowning at me in concern as I wrapped my arms around myself tightly.

I nodded, "Just not hungry. I'm gonna find Seth, I need to ask him something."

"Okay."

I stood and all but ran out of the cafeteria. I didn't have a clue where I was going but my feet carried me round to the back of the gym. I pulled out a cigarette with trembling hands and sucked in a breath, letting the smoke fill my lungs.

I slid to the ground and let my head fall back to the wall behind me, my eyes squeezed shut.

When I opened them the the sun was hidden behind a blanket grey cloudy that appeared all watery and blurred. I sniffed, wiping the tears from my face.

Why did it have to hurt so fucking much?

Why couldn't I catch a fucking break?

I just wanted someone to fucking stay. No. I just wanted him to stay. Just him. No one else. I didn't need anyone else. Was that so much to ask?

When the bell rang I flicked the cigarette to the ground, stood on shaky legs while brushing the wetness from my eyes and headed to English.

I didn't make it that far.

I ended up in the girls bathroom, puking my lunch up in one of the cubicles.

Looked like I wasn't gonna be able to stomach it.

*FT*

"Bella! Wait up."

I kept walking. "I'm not in the mood, Riley."

He caught me and spun me round.

I had just served my after school. Emmett was right, the new English teacher was a fucking bitch. Mr Greene had apparently decided that me catching up on all my classes meant doing an essay for her on a book that I had never heard of, let alone read. Who the fuck has a name like Miss Jane, anyway?

Not only had I sat there, staring blankly at the essay question for an hour, but I had to listen to nattering on the phone to her friend or some shit about fucking Edward. "I think he got a job in Chicago", "my boss says he has family there, apparently he was homesick or something and wanted to work closer to home", "Forks didn't suit well with him".

I was gripping my pen so hard to stop my hand from shaking it left imprints in my palm. It wasn't Forks he had a problem with, bitch, and he hates his fucking family. You don't know shit.

To top it off, the sun had lost. It was fucking raining. Not only that but there was thunder in the distance that was clearly heading this way.

"Hey, c'mon, I wanna talk to you." Riley said, pleadingly.

"I don't wanna talk, Riley, I want to go home." That was a lie. I didn't want to go back home. I didn't want to deal with the angry-mob-with-pitchforks that were my "family". I didn't know what would be waiting for me. I texted Charlie telling him I had an afterschool but he hadn't replied.

"Bella, just come out with me tonight. Come to Jessica's. It will be like homecoming. You didn't think you would have fun then, either."

My hands clenched to fists. I didn't want to talk about homecoming. I didn't want to remember that look in Edward's eyes. The look that had been telling me I was never going to see him again. The look I didn't understand until it was too late.

You're beautiful tonight. You're beautiful always. Forever. Remember that.

I blinked back the tears in my eyes and swallowed the lump in my throat that was my fucking heart.

"I didn't have fun at homecoming, Riley. I don't want to talk about homecoming. I want to go home."

I tried to open the door to my truck but he wouldn't let me leave. Riley shut the door and spun me back round to face him.

"Don't fucking manhandle me, Riley," I shoved him away from me.

But he put his hands on my shoulders and pushed me so my back was against my truck. "Yes you did. You went with me, we had a good time, we fucking danced, Bella." He was smiling.

I shook my head. "I don't. Want. To talk about. Homecoming." I gritted through my teeth. "I don't want to go to Jessica's and I don't want to be with you, Riley. Accept that."

He frowned. "What do you mean?"

"I mean I don't want to be with you. I don't want to go anywhere with you. I don't want to date you."

He became angry. "It's that "E" guy, isn't it?" Riley growled, "You're fucking him, aren't you?"

I winced. I shook my head.

"Who is he, Bella? Huh? Do I know him?" He was towering over me, his voice getting louder as the thunder rumbled in the distance and the rain poured down.

"R-Riley, just leave it alone, it doesn't mat-"

"Tell me, Bella!" He shouted. He slammed his fist into the truck over my shoulder and I gasped, tears blurring my vision.

"You're scaring me, Riley. Move out the way." My voice shook despite my attempt at trying to shake it off. This was Riley. He wouldn't hurt me. Would he?

"FUCKING TELL ME!" His face was an inch from mine, I couldn't get away, I couldn't move, I was trapped.

"Hey!" A voice called in the distance.

Riley looked up, distracted. I took my chance.

My knee slammed up and connected with his crotch. He howled and doubled over, cupping himself. I yanked open the door and it smacked him in the head, sending him toppling to the ground with a groan.

I jumped into the truck, hearing somebody calling my name but I didn't stop. I pulled out of the lot as fast as I fucking could my tyres screeching on the wet concrete.

My windscreen wipers were flying full speed as the rain hammered down getting heavier and heavier the further I drove.

My heart was pounding, my chest heaving, my entire body trembling as I sobbed.

I knew that voice. I knew the voice that had saved me. I knew the voice that had called my name but I didn't want to hear it. I couldn't. Not now. Not when the owner of that voice had seen me in that position. Trapped and vulnerable and so fucking scared.

So I ran. I was running. I was running from him.

I skidded my truck to a screeching halt and jumped out. I sprinted from the parking lot to the beach with one place in mind.

But I could still hear him. I could hear him over the thunder and lighting and the roaring of the waves and beating rain as it poured down on me.

I felt his hand wrap around my arm.

"NO!" I screamed over the deafening weather, throwing myself around to face him.

Fuck. He was here. He was really here, stood in front of me, soaked to the bone, his green eyes pained, his hair dripping.

Fuck. I miss you.

"NO!" I shouted. "NO. YOU DON'T TOUCH ME. YOU DON'T GET TO TOUCH ME."

"Bella-" he tried to shout over the storm but I wouldn't let him.

"NO." I sobbed. "NO. NO. NO. NO. NO" I shook my head, backing away.

"Please-"

I couldn't seem to stop my head from shaking back and forth, my heart breaking, swelling, thumping, breathing. The rain mingled with the tears on my face.

"Why are you here?" I shouted.

"I needed to see you," he yelled back.

"You were gone."

"I know. I'm sorry." He sounded so broken. But it was nothing. It was nothing compared to what he did to me.

"You're sorry?" I laughed incredulously, I sounded fucking hysterical. "YOU'RE SORRY?"

"Bella-"

I turned and ran. But I didn't know why. Why was I running? I wanted him back, right?

But he hurt me. He hurt me so fucking bad.

He grabbed my arm again.

"I TOLD YOU EVERYTHING." I screamed. I hit him. "I TOLD YOU FUCKING EVERYTHING." I hit him again. And again, slapping him, pounding my fists into his chest. "I OPENED UP TO YOU, I TOLD YOU MY DARKEST FUCKING SECRETS AND YOU THREW IT ALL BACK IN MY FACE." He struggled to restrain my hands to keep me from hitting him. "YOU FUCKING JUDGED ME. YOU LEFT. YOU FUCKING LEFT. You left." I broke. I shoved away from him, wrapping my arms around myself. Trying to protect myself from the wind, the rain, the thunder, from him.

He shook his head, tears in his eyes. "Never, Bella," he yelled over the howling wind. "I never judged you. Never. I wouldn't ever-"

"YES YOU DID-"

"NO!" He roared, "NO, BELLA.-"

"THEN WHY?" I screamed, "WHY DID YOU LEAVE? I TRUSTED YOU AND YOU LEFT JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE." I sobbed.

"I LEFT FOR YOU. I LEFT FOR YOU, BELLA." He stepped closer until he was hardly an inch away from me. "I SAW YOU AT HOMECOMING WITH RILEY AND YOUR FRIENDS. YOU LOOKED SO FUCKING HAPPY AND CAREFREE AND LIKE A FUCKING TEENAGER. I WAS TAKING THAT AWAY FROM YOU."

I shook my head furiously, "No. Don't you DARE turn this around on me. Even if that were true why would you fucking leave?"

"BECAUSE I CARE ABOUT YOU, BELLA." Edward yelled. I stared, through my tears, through the rain, through his tears. "YOUR HAPPINESS WAS MORE FUCKING IMPORTANT TO ME THAN MINE."

I didn't know what to say.

"I L- CARE ABOUT YOU SO FUCKING MUCH, BELLA. I THOUGHT I WAS HURTING YOU, HURTING YOUR CHANCES OF HAVING A NORMAL LIFE AND I COULDN'T LIVE WITH MYSELF KNOWING IT WAS ME THAT WAS HURTING YOU. I NEVER WANT TO HURT YOU. I COULDN'T FUCKING STAND IT." He took my face in his hands, gently but firmly, as though trying to shake some sense into me.

"WHY ARE YOU HERE?" I shouted over the thunder but my voice was weakening, my resolve was weakening. My hands went to his wrists to pull his own away from me, but as soon as they were gone and I had backed away I wanted them back, I wanted him to hold me. It was the first fucking contact I'd had with him in two weeks and I just pushed him away. "WHY DID YOU COME BACK, WHY NOW?"

"I WAS BROUGHT TO MY FUCKING SENSES, OKAY?." He shouted to be heard. "I REALISED I NEED YOU AS MUCH AS YOU NEED ME." He shook his head. "I NEED YOU, BELLA. I NEED YOU SO FUCKING BAD."

He needed me. He needed me. He needed me like I needed him.

"YOU…YOU DON'T H-HATE ME?"

He stared before he got angry. "HOW COULD YOU FUCKING SAY THAT, BELLA? OF COURSE I DON'T HATE YOU. HOW COULD I HATE YOU? I'VE NEVER FELT ABOUT ANYONE THE WAY I FEEL ABOUT YOU."

I stared as the tears I thought had ceased began again, streaming down my face. He cared about me. He really cared. He hadn't left because of everything I told him, he wasn't repulsed or disgusted or freaked the fuck out. He didn't hate me. He left for me because he wanted me to be happy. And in that moment I didn't care that he had left, I didn't care, I just wanted him to hold me, I wanted to be back in his arms. I wanted to feel safe for the first time in weeks.

"Edward," I sobbed. My voice was barely above a whimper but he heard me.

I threw myself at him as he lunged to pull me into his arms. My mouth was on his, my hands in his hair, holding him to me, making sure he didn't get away. His arms were wrapped around my waist, holding me to him as my legs wrapped around his waist.

"Bella," he breathed between kisses. "God, Bella. I'm sorry. I'm so fucking sorry. I'm here, baby."

I sobbed into his neck as he kissed down mine, his hand in my hair, cradling my head.

"I'm here," he murmured continuously as he walked, carrying me through the storm, to the place we could be together.

"Fuck," he muttered when we got there.

"In my pocket." I breathed into his ear before burying my face back into the crook of his neck.

I felt his hand slide into the back pocket of my shorts and pull out the key. He unlocked the door and stepped inside, taking us into the warmth, into the dry. He carried me to the chair and sat me down, crouching down in front of me because my arms were still wrapped around his neck, not letting go. He kissed from my temple, down the side of my face, my neck as his hands unzipped my hoodie and pulled it from my body.

I shuddered when I suddenly realised how fucking freezing I was. He kissed by bare shoulder, pulling off my shirt and unfastening my bra, throwing it to the floor with the rest of my clothes. My shorts and panties soon followed as did Edward's clothes, as drenched as my own.

Then he lifted me back into his arms, my legs again wrapped around his waist, as we lifted the canopy for us to crawl under then lifted the duvet. He placed me gently in bed and moved to lay beside me before pulling the covers over us both.

Our legs tangled together and I buried myself into his chest, shivering as his arms pulled me close and tight, our bodies flush, sure never to let go.

I breathed in his scent, revelling in the feeling of safety, of security, of fucking bliss.

I sniffled and he kissed the top of my head.

"Don't do that again," I whispered, the thunder now seeming far away and distant rather than right outside the door of the hideaway.

His arms tightened around me, "Never, I promise."

"I can't deal with that, Edward." I breathed, "Not after everything else, I can't…I…" I shuddered.

He turned on his side and lowered himself so his eyes were level with mine. He stroked a tear from my cheek, his eyes pained. "Shhh," he soothed, pressing a kiss to my forehead. "I won't hurt you like that, again, Bella. I can't. I won't. Fuck, I never meant to, I just wanted you to be happy. I thought you could never be happy with me holding you back. I just...fuck-" he shook his head a crease between in his brows. His pain and anguish and self-loathing was so fucking strong I could almost taste it.

"Shhh." I kissed the wrinkle between his eyebrows before my eyes closed and I rested my forehead against his. His hands was still smoothing small circles into my cheek with his thumb while his other was clutched in one of mine.

I felt his lips press tenderly to the skin below my eyes. "You look so tired," he breathed.

"I am." I whispered back. "Haven't been sleeping."

"Me neither." The tip of nose stroked up and down my own. His fingertips traced softly over my features.

"What happened in Chicago?" I asked, my breathing evening out.

"Not much. I moped."

I opened my eyes, "Didn't you have an interview?"

"Oh, that." He rolled his eyes, "It was more of a chance for my father to moan and groan and whine about my career choice and try to convince me to change my mind rather than an interview. But aside from that I mostly spent my days, wallowing in self-pity in a hotel room just thinking, fuck, I miss you."

My eyes widened.

"What he asked?"

I just pressed my lips to his, running my fingers through his hair as he hummed into the kiss.

"Wait…" I asked, "so the interview wasn't at another school, it was with your father?"

Edward nodded his head, "I told Richard – Mr Greene, whatever – that I had an interview, I guess he would have assumed it was for a position at a school."

"Are you going to get your old job back at Forks?"

He frowned, "My old job? It still is my job."

"What?"

"I didn't quit, Bella. I just had an "interview"."

"Oh," I mumbled before closing my eyes again. "Good. Because your replacement is shit."

Edward chuckled, "Really?"

"Mmhmm. Even Seth said you were better and he think's you're a jerk. To be fair to him, though, it's because I painted a pretty bad picture, telling him you always picked on me and confiscated my phone."

Edward stiffened.

I opened my eyes. "What?"

"Have you spoken to Seth?"

I frowned, "About what?"

"About me?"

"Yeah, I just told you-"

Edward shook his head, "I mean recently."

"Well, it was only this morning that he called you a jerk but preferred you to "Miss Jane"."

Edward stared…"Bella,"

"Yes?"

"You know I said I was brought to my senses?"

I nodded.

"Well it was actually somebody who brought me to my senses."

"Okay…" I said slowly, not understanding where this was going.

Edward emerald orbs were searching my face for something until he decided that he couldn't find it and said, "Bella…Seth brought me to my senses."

I frowned, "Huh?"

He smoothed some hair away from my face and murmured, "Seth called me. He got my number off your cell and called me."

"What?! Why? How?" I gasped.

"He's a smart kid, I always thought so, he figured out we were seeing each other." He watched me carefully, seeing the million and one questions in my eyes. "Maybe you should talk to him about that but…he called me to defend you. He was yelling at me down the phone giving me what for and he said…" Edward swallowed thickly, a frown marring his beautiful face, anguish in his eyes. "…he said I had broken you. I asked him what he meant, I didn't think you would be hurting, Bella, if I had known the hurt I was going to cause you I never would have-"

"Shhh," I placed a finger over his lips, "it's okay."

He was still frowning but he nodded. "He told me everything, Bella. He said you had hardly spoken a word for over a week, that you hadn't been to school. He said you'd been having nightmares," fuck, I didn't know he had heard me, "and I told him I left because I wanted you to be happy." Edward laughed through his nose a little, "He calmed down a little after that. He's very protective of you, you know, he loves you." He kissed my temple. "When he told me everything I realised you were coping with everything as badly as I was. I booked the first flight out and got here as fast as I could. I drove to school straight from the airport. I didn't think you were going to be there and I knew I couldn't just knock on your front door. I had just told Mr Greene I was back and then I saw you and Riley." He frowned.

Fuck.

"Bella, what was going on?"

I sighed and supressed a shudder, curling closer to Edward and he tightened his arms around me in response. "He was angry. He wanted me to go to a party with him, I said no, told him I didn't want to date him and he got mad." I ran my fingers over Edward's pecs. "He saw the note you put in my locker, or rather he saw that I had a note from "E" but didn't know the content. He got real jealous, real quick and he got mad." I snuggled impossibly closer.

Edward was silent for a long while and I looked up to see his eyes squinted shut. When he spoke it was clear he was trying to keep his anger at bay. "Did he hurt you?"

I shook my head furiously, "No, he didn't lay a hand on me. I swear." I snorted, "I kneed him in the balls though."

"That's my girl," I could hear the smile in his voice as he kissed the top of my head. His voice was more serious when he said, "Bella, if he ever scares you or gets too close for comfort or…anything…promise me you'll tell me."

I nodded slowly, "I promise."

Edward leaned over and kissed my mouth firmly, but so fucking tenderly like I was the most precious fucking thing in the world.

It was silent for a while after that but never uncomfortable. We were both content to just be in each other's arms listening to the storm rage outside while we were warm, and dry and safe.

I was nearly asleep when Edward spoke again, with amusement in his voice.

"I never liked you anyway?" He asked, referring to the soaked tank top he had peeled off me earlier.

I shrugged one of my shoulders sheepishly, blushing.

"God, I missed you," Edward grinned kissing both my cheeks.

Then he kissed the tip of my nose. I crinkled it. He chuckled.

I was seconds away from sleep when he kissed my lips so softly, like feathers brushing across my mouth, and he whispered something in my ear.

But I was too far gone to hear what it was.

All I knew was that I could sleep. The nightmares weren't coming back. I was safe.

And there it is! I know they weren't kept apart very long, well technically it was two weeks :P but I just couldn't bring myself to do it.

I hope you're all happy that they're back together. Some more talking will need to be done between the two of them but we'll save that for later chapters.

I would just like to say, I updated pretty quick and Eddie and Belly are back together...I think that calls for some...I don't know...

Reviews! ;)

Bella's clothes can once again be found on my blog.