A/N- Hiii! Holy crow... the reviews were so amazing last chap! Seriously... by far the highest for this story so far! They were more then double the average Plus loads more people have this on faves now- I think its 70 now? But yeah.. thats so lovely. Thank you so much!!
So hope this update is okay, I got it updated as soon as possible, in 5 days again! I could have been quicker, I wanted to be... but college like I said is crazy at the moment and it's my priority really :)
But yeah this is split POV's again.. Edward's being his talk with Luke and Bella's POV being her talking to Alice.
Next chap might include a time jump.. to nearer the date of the wedding, that is- if Edward and Tanya get that far. ;) Pleeeease review again, and I'll update ASAP... again. :)
Previously…
"Hello Edward" he said slowly and cautiously.
Acting as if he's the good guy… of course.
"…Luke" I barely grumbled in response, before I turned to step around him.
He stopped me though by grabbing hold of my sleeve forcefully, bringing me to a stop.
Sighing I turned to face him again and his expression was the complete opposite of what I had seen just a second ago- his black eyes were glaring at me, his whole expression hateful.
This time, he didn't speak in such a friendly tone, instead opting to growl out the words- "I need to talk to you now, it's about Bella"
A Thousand Miles
Chapter 11: Confrontations and suspicions
Edward's point of view:
When I heard the last word he spoke- the name of my best friend – my eyes immediately widened, my head snapping up to show him that I was listening.
"…What about her?" I asked him, my mind instantly thinking of the worst possible situations- had something happened?!
Was she okay? Did he know something about her I didn't?
Whatever the problem, I knew it couldn't be good from his expression, still the same as before.
It must have been something for him to track me to the airport… I doubt it's just a coincidence.
"I don't think here is the best place to talk about this" he mumbled, sending pointed looks at the mass of people manuvering their way in between us, bumping shoulders as they passed.
"Well where do you suggest? Because I have a flight that leaves soon and-" I began asking him, only to be cut off.
His voice was now more urgent as he spoke- "This won't take long, don't worry you'll still make your goddamn flight" he informed me, somehow managing to make himself sound like he was belittling me at the same time.
I glanced over at the check-in desk, there was still 15 minutes left until closing… I suppose I could easily make it on time, if I kept the conversation short that is…
"Fine" I agreed my voice low.
We walked a couple of minutes just to a quiet part of the terminal where it was less likely that anyone would listen in.
I noticed that his expression seemed to soften when he looked at a young family passing us, but it was the complete opposite when he looked at me.
I knew by now that my expression most definitely matched his.
"I want to tell you the reason why I called you to come here, in the first place" he began to explain, pausing momentarily.
"Okay" I urged him on, desperate to know the situation and if Bella was okay, but also aware of the time passing…
"I did it because I love her you know." He sighed, not looking at me by this point. He spoke again- "I hated seeing her upset when she told me she missed you, but I should have thought it through…" he trailed off.
"I don't get what you mean" I mumbled, now confused as to where he was heading with this conversation.
Although he wasn't look in my direction I could still see that he looked like he was debating with himself… as if he was unsure whether to say anymore.
I sighed, taking the moment glancing over to the check-in desk across the airport in panic knowing I didn't have much time left. As I debated whether to run for it now I considered both options- firstly I wanted to know what the problem was with Bella… but secondly I promised Tanya that I would be on this flight, so should I try my luck finding out what the problem was?
But there and again if he took much longer and I didn't make the flight, Tanya would definitely be angry when I call her to tell her I won't be back until tomorrow, instead of tonight.
And I knew she had one heck of a temper, admittedly it would be worse then ever, because it would be deserved.
Hell hath no fury like Tanya scorned.
"Look could you just spit it out please? I don't have all day…" I groaned, now feeling even more impatient.
By this point he was looking down at the floor, but after I spoke his head snapped up only for me to see he was wearing a completely different expression. He still looked murderously angry, but he also looked… contemplative?
"Can I ask you a question?" he asked his voice low.
I nodded, "okay" I agreed, despite my reluctance to do so.
He took a deep breath, "how much does Bella… mean to you?" he asked me slowly, still seeming hesitant to talk at all.
"She's my best ever friend" I replied shrugging, not feeling the need to explain anymore to him- no need to tell him that for years she had been my life, and she would always be a big part of it… hopefully.
He didn't look happy with my answer, "and that's all?" he asked, his voice accusing.
"Yes" I nodded, surprised that I wanted to tell him 'no' … I knew she was so much more.
"Does she mean more to you then anyone?" he asked, still reeling off the questions.
What is he trying to get to?
"Well no, my fiancée Tanya means the most to me, shes my life" I replied, again feeling surprised- because this time, I felt a bizarre tugging, nervous feeling… the kind you feel when you're lying through your teeth, and don't want to get caught.
He looked as if he was observing my reaction; his eyes were narrowed as he watched me.
I had never hated this guy so much, there was something weird about him, I couldn't put my finger on it…
"Well you need to get your priorities straight then" he suddenly mumbled,
"What do you mean?" I asked him, surprised that this conversation was changing yet again.
"What I mean is… the way you are acting with Bella and Tanya isn't fair. I know the story okay? …I know that when Tanya come along that you acted like Bella didn't matter anymore, and now for this weekend you've act as if Tanya doesn't matter?" he asked me, his expression calculating and smug.
I knew I had to defend myself, I couldn't let him win this argument- "You can't blame me for this weekend, you're the one that rang me asking me to come in the first place!" I argued back, my voice raising a couple of volumes, a couple of people passing by turned to look at us quickly, seeming confused at the sitation.
Once they had passed, dragging their luggage behind them, Luke spoke again- "Yes I did" he agreed, nodding slowly, "but… I just didn't realise how close you two are…" he said, laughing at himself bitterly.
Hold on, he's jealous? …That's what this is all about?!
"Look, we're not that close, we're best friends that's all…" I replied, shaking my head, trying to convince him, and myself.
"It didn't seem that way," he argued, "look here's the deal okay? You stay away from her you hear me? She's not yours for the taking anymore" he told me, his pose all rigid, his eyes murderous.
Was he seriously asking me to stay away from Bella…?
He couldn't be… I couldn't.
I wouldn't.
"I'm not going to stay away from her," I informed him, my voice now low but as menacing as I could manage.
After all, the mere thought of having to do what he's asking of me is impossible, I would rather kill him now then do that.
"Oh but you're going to," he said, taking a step closer, his eyes still narrow, "I take it your well acquainted your fiancées father Richard Denali?" he asked me, now seeming smug.
… As smug as if he knew just how much that man hated me.
Hold on… how could he know that?
"Yes, how do you know him?" I asked him warily, my voice quieter now.
"He's a family friend" he replied shrugging, the smugness still etched on his expression.
I didn't know what to reply, so I kept silent.
"What a shame it would be if he found out your carelessness towards his daughter…" he murmured to himself.
I continued to glare at him, not afraid of his lame-ass threats.
He smiled slightly though it was fake, "just leave her alone, please? Stop messing about with her" he said, his voice now slightly softer, showing the love he had for Bella buried underneath his hate for me.
Yet again I didn't say anything; I couldn't find the words to say.
"See you soon Edward, by the way… you had better run fast if you want to get your flight back to Tanya" he told me smugly, smiling a lot less fake then before.
And with that he walked off briskly, hitting my shoulder as he went, I didn't chase after him, to be honest I was more then glad to see him gone.
…I knew by now for certain that there is definitely something wrong with him- and I knew in that moment that it would be my duty - for Bella's sake - to find out what it was.
But now I had consider what he meant by me and Bella being so close, and by me not treating Bella and Tanya right.
But as I stood in the crowded terminal knowing that time was passing… I had never felt so torn, I didn't know whether to stay or leave.
…Should I go to who means the most to me whoever out of Bella and Tanya that is?
When did life get so complicated?
Bella's point of view:
Alice and I entered the apartment alone; I noticed that because we weren't speaking- that it seemed eerily quiet… and that the apartment itself looked empty, and plainer then before.
We had barely spoken on the journey back, I was lucky that Alice knows me too well, because it's as if she knew I wouldn't want to talk. So she kept up conversation with Jasper whilst I stayed in the back admittedly wallowing in my own misery.
…Thinking back to when we drove away from the airport at the time I felt a mixture of emotions, such as sadness that he was gone after I'd only had such a short space of time with him. Although, I also felt happiness because of the recognition that he is my friend again and that he never had to discover the reason for my distance. However I also felt regret… because of how I ignored him before, and also because he'll never know the truth.
… And I don't know if I'll ever truly believe in my heart of hearts that my decision not to tell him was the right one.
However needless of whether it was or wasn't I know that time goes on… and in a couple of hours I can see if I can salvage something of my relationship with Luke.
Every cloud has a silver lining… right?
Now that we were fully in the apartment Alice decided to attack- the silence was now no longer there, and instead was replaced with her high pitched squeal.
"Okay, Bella, tell me everything! …Don't you dare skip around the details this time!" she exclaimed pulling me by the hand until we were sitting on the sofa in the centre of the room.
Ah, the famous sofa.
I sighed, pulling and twisting on the ends of my hair with my fingers. "Really Alice…" I replied, my voice sounding whiny, "please listen to me when I say that there's nothing to tell… well, nothing interesting anyway," I said shrugging, putting on a fake smile as I spoke- hoping she would buy my comments and leave it at that.
Unfortunately she saw right through it, and instead raised her eyebrows, "Are you kidding me Bella?" she asked, her tone incredulous, "You and Edward are my best friends… I don't think I've ever been so desperate to hear the latest gossip! …To me this is bigger news then Obama getting elected or that time that Serena admitted that she killed that guy on gossip girl!"
I rolled my eyes at the last part of her sentence- it wasn't exactly a compliment having your best friend compare your life to a TV show after all.
I'm not saying that it's not a great show, because it is, but still…
"Bella!" she groaned loudly interrupting my brief entertainment related thoughts, I glanced at her expression- yep… she was most definitely irritated with me now.
"What…?" I replied moaning, feeling irritated myself; I grabbed onto one of the sofa cushions placing it on my lap- just in case.
"I'm dying of impatience here!" she whined, her voice louder then before.
"Fine, I'll tell you the gist of it" I grumbled admitting defeat, it not like I even had a chance at winning against her anyway. "On Friday – the day that Edward got here – I-I told Luke the truth," I admitted, looking down at my lap and the red cushion placed there.
She gasped loudly, "you told him what?" she shrieked, seeming surprised.
Ha… so apparently psychics don't know everything; she seemed awfully surprised about this after all.
I nodded, biting my bottom lip, "I found out that it was Luke who asked Edward to come here and it was because I told Luke that Edward and I had a fight, and Luke wanted us to become friends again. Well anyway, I felt so guilty that I had lied to Luke about the real reason of Edward and me not talking. So to ease this guilt I went to his apartment and told him the real reason" I explained to her, speaking quickly hoping she wouldn't catch it all.
Of course being her, she heard it all- "So… you actually told your boyfriend that you love someone else?!" she asked, seeming completely shell-shocked by all of this.
I nodded again, "I know it sounds like an insane idea, but I felt like I couldn't keep it a secret from him, like it's not right for him to love me if he doesn't know that I don't fully love him in return"
She nodded, now clearly thinking it all through- all the information I told her that is. "Right, I understand your idea I really do… but I don't get it, Luke's a really nice guy so why did you throw that away?" she said quietly, seeming disappointed by that, it was no secret that she was supportive of my relationship with Luke after all.
"But I didn't though…" I argued back, feeling the need to defend myself slightly.
She blinked as if understanding was dawning on her, "Didn't react badly when you told him then?" she asked me, her hazel eyes wide.
…She catches on quick.
"Not really no, he seemed more in shock… and really calm, I'm meeting him in a couple of hours to talk things through" I told her shrugging slightly.
"…And will you stay with him, if you can?" she asked me, her eyes now less wide and instead more thoughtful again.
"Yes" I replied without hesitation.
"And are you really sure that's the best choice?" she asked warily,
"… Yes" I replied- my voice less sure this time though.
Her expression was now confusing, I couldn't understand what she was thinking at all.
I would love to be a mind reader in moments like this.
"What…?" I asked quietly, worried of what she was going to say.
She snapped out of her trance, blinking a couple of times before focusing and speaking again- "Okay I have two issues with this Bella, first I don't really understand Luke's reaction… I mean you admitted that you love someone else and one day later he's okay with it? That just seems a bit weird…" she murmured, her voice growing quieter.
"He's understanding that's all, I think he reacted perfectly" I defended him, feeling the intense need to.
"If you insist…" she sighed, looking at me disapprovingly.
"I do, now… the second thing?" I asked her, my tone coming out harsher then I intended.
"Well after seeing things this afternoon I am now even more convinced that both you and Edward are not making the right decisions" she replied.
"Edward…?" I asked her, sounding and feeling confused- she said his name right? … And she said that he isn't making the right decisions?!
Did I hear her right?
"Yeah," she nodded confirming my thoughts somehow, "it's just… he's just so blind to the truth! Because he doesn't see that you love him, and because he can't see that he loves you back" she explained, staring into my eyes the whole time.
I couldn't agree, though I wished I could.
She's the one who's blind, although I would give anything for her to be right.
"Alice, for the thousandth time, he doesn't…" I argued, my voice coming out weak- I clutched the cushion closer to my chest feeling pain there.
"He does, did you not see him at the airport just an hour ago? He looked heartbroken to let you go, the way he was looking at you… it's not the way a friend looks at a friend" she insisted, edging closer to me on the sofa.
"Alice, please don't…" I begged her, shaking my head. I let my hair frame my face so she wouldn't see.
"But Bella I know what I saw…" she sighed, her voice now weaker as well.
But still, I hated how she had to keep insisting on this! Why does she want to put false hope in my mind?
And so, I argued, snapping my head up to look at her- "But you didn't, Alice! Please just understand this because I now do… he will never love me! He's getting married in a month- he loves her! End of story okay?" I told her, leaving no room for argument.
"Okay, fine" she said, looking away from me, her voice now detached.
I felt guilty for arguing with her suddenly; she was just trying to help right?
"Sorry Alice I didn't mean to yell… I just need to let it all out. To convince myself that what I believe is right, I don't want to have false hope…" I mumbled, my words incoherent and barely making sense even to me.
"I know" she replied softly and soothingly, she reached over and took hold of my hand holding it gently.
It was silent for a while, I didn't look up at her, and she didn't look at me.
"Are you going to his wedding?" she asked quietly after a while, her voice gentler then before.
I swallowed hard, taking a moment before replied- "Yeah I am" I said quietly, but firmly.
She raised her eyebrows surprised; "Will you be okay with it though?" she asked softly, finally turning to look at me again.
"Hopefully yeah" I sighed, unable to be as certain as the last time I spoke.
She didn't say any more on the matter though I could tell she was having one of her 'moments' as she stared right ahead of her, her eyes unblinking and instead focused on something.
…Something that I wasn't sure that I wanted to know or not.
I excused myself, knowing that this conversation was over for now, I made my way into my bedroom lying across my bed.
I let my eyes flutter closed thinking about everything, knowing that although I'm not entirely certain on my decision – my decision to never let Edward know the truth. To watch him marry Tanya and then find happiness for himself – and even if I was never convinced it was the right choice… that it was my only choice.
If I just manage to convince that to myself, things will be okay eventually… I know it.
Feeling tired and headachy due to all the thoughts going through my mind, I turned to my nightstand and set my alarm for two hours from now.
So that I could awake, and then go and see Luke, and hopefully find some of this happiness I want.
However as I drifted, I dreamed…
And as always I only dreamt of Edward.
So I know that the way Luke acted is confusing and I know that some people wanted him to tell Edward the truth... but that's all on purpose all the mentions of him being reluctant was showing that he's unsure as well but yeah.. all will be revealed very soon I promise. Hope it was okay though. :)
And yay the wedding and all the big events leading up to are now very soon. Its so tempting to mention what happens... but yeah. :)
Please review! Because all your reviews were so brilliant and lovely last time, so why not again? :) :) Thanks for reading!
