Chapter 11: Needed Space
Bella's P.O.V.
I turned my head and my face met a soft cushion. A strange scent filled my senses, it permeated every part of me. The smell was very musky and manly. I groggily reached out with my hands, feeling the fabric of the blankets and sheets. This most definitely wasn't my; my bed wasn't this big, and the bed spread felt new and unused. Rolling onto my back and forcing my eyes open. My ceiling wasn't this high either, I don't have huge windows in my room with a great view of the forest. Looking down at the gray bed spread, I reached up and lifted up the blanket.
I was wearing clothes, but these weren't my clothes. A too large long sleeve and over sized black sweats. Slowly sitting up and finally coming to the conclusion that I have no memory of being put into this room.
"Kale?" was the first thing that came to mind and out of my mouth.
Heavy foot steps greeted my answer, they trudged loudly and grew closer and closer to the bedroom. I watched the door open and Kale's body filled the door frame as he stepped inside the room and slammed the door shut. I slowly accessed his appearance, watching him very closely.
"Are you okay?" he finally asked.
"Well yea. Why are you asking me that?" I said confusedly.
"Do you remember anything from earlier?"
A burning blush fled up to my cheeks and I nodded my head sheepishly, "we kissed."
"Anything else?" he pushed.
"After that no. I just assumed that we hung out and I...for some strange reason stayed the night," I explained.
Kale's whole posture suddenly fell apart and he released a sigh of relief.
"Why are you acting like that?" I asked, "did something else happen?"
He placed his hands on his face and laughed loudly and he then dropped them, "I'm just happy you stayed," he replied.
"Why?"
"Calm down Bella. There was a snowstorm last night, it was bad weather to take you home," he stated.
"How long was I out?" I mumbled and placed my hand on my forehead.
"Not long, but it's already morning."
I then heard Kale move closer, his steps hard and strong. I looked up in time to see him sit on the bed. His back faced me, but his head turned slightly and looking directly at my face.
"Did you put these clothes on me?" I asked I gripped the collar of the long sleeve to make a point.
"Yea...sorry, but you fell asleep, so I thought you would be more comfortable in looser clothes. I wasn't looking if that makes you more comfortable," he said firmly.
"Uh...sure," and I could feel the blush work its way up to my cheeks, "why did you even bother to change my clothes anyways?"
He didn't even reply, but he continued to stare directly into my eyes. His eyes were dark, basically black, I couldn't see his pupils. I watched with keen interest as he clenched his jaw and the frowned adorning his face grew deeper. The taunt muscles left exposed from his flannel were tense, the muscles in his arms clenched tightly, and his hands were tightly gripping the fabric of the blanket. He combed his hair back, practically exposing his face.
"What's your problem?" I blurted out.
"Nothing."
"Nothing?"
He nodded and he finally broke the intense stare between us. But I reached out and grabbed his arm and gave him an assuring squeeze. He glanced down at my hand and stilled.
"Bella what are you doing?" he asked tensely.
"I need to go home."
"Yea you should."
"Can you-"
"I called Jacob from your cell and he will be here in an hour," Kale stated and moved of the bed and away from me.
I watched from the window as Jacob parked the familiar motorcycle into the house's driveway. Sighing and dropping the pillow from my lap and stood up from the couch.
"He came here pretty fast," Kale said from behind me.
"Yup."
"Here," Kale said and jutted out a backpack in my direction, "it has your clothes, I washed them well you were still sleeping," he explained.
"Thanks Kale," I replied and grabbed the backpack from his hand.
"Bells, I'm here," Jake said out of nowhere.
"In here!" I shouted back.
His heavy foot steps grew closer and closer and he soon was in the living room. I watched him walk into the living room and stop when he saw Kale standing next to me.
"Thanks for calling," Jacob mumbled.
"Why did you stay the night anyways?" Jacob asked.
"There was a snowstorm light last.." I said questionably.
"There was. But did you have to wear his clothes," Jacob whined.
Looking down and plucking the collar of Kale's sweater, it smelled strongly of him, "I guess, but it's kinda comfortable," I said.
Jacob snorted, "sure, you could have borrowed my clothes."
I shrugged,"I guess, but I wasn't here. Plus after what you said yesterday, you're lucky I'm even here now," I snapped.
"Now many times do I have to apologize Bella," Jacob replied annoyed.
"When I feel it's right."
"That makes no-"
"It does Jake! I need healing...damn...I need time! I've been in pain for months!" I cried out softly.
"Well how am I suppose to know that you're hurting," Jacob argued.
"I have my reasons for not saying anything. I just need the time for myself," I mumbled.
"It's been 7 months! How much more time do you need!?" he shouted.
I stood up and grabbed Kale's backpack and holding my hand out, "can I have my keys?" I asked angrily.
Jake's face scrunched up, but he reluctantly pulled my keys out from his pocket and dropped them into the palm of my hand. My hand curled into a fist and I strolled out of the dingy garage. I could see my truck parked at the end of the drive way and I couldn't be more happier to see that piece of junk. Unlocking the door and climbing into the truck, and slamming the door shut. Starting the car and hearing the loud pop when the truck roared to life.
I clambered into my bedroom and dropped everything by the door and plopping myself on to my bed. Grabbing my blanket and burying myself and shoving my face into my pillow and finally dozing off.
"Bells..." a rough shake rolled through me, "wake up," an all to familiar voice says.
Warm hands dropped to my arm and the shaking continued, "wake up. Your friend is here."
Bringing my hands to my face and roughly rubbing my face until I was up, "what friend?" I croaked out.
"Kale, he's downstairs," Charlie said.
"Serious?"
"Yea, he was asking for you. Just get up, you've been out for hours," Charlie said, this time using his 'parenting' voice.
"Fine, just let me wake up in peace," I mumbled.
Charlie chuckled and patted my shoulder before leaving, "hurry up Bells."
Five minutes later I was waltzing down the stairs and saw Kale and Charlie engaged in a lively conversation. The last stair creaked, making my presence known to the whole neighborhood. I cringed when the conversation stopped and both my dad's and Kale's eyes were on me.
"Took you long enough," Charlie joked.
I nodded as I stepped into the small living room and stared mostly at Kale. He looked quite comfortable seated in the love seat, his long legs stretched out, his hands pressed into his lap, and a relaxed expression etched itself into his features.
"Hey," I mumbled awkwardly.
"Hey Bella. I just dropped by to make sure you got home alright," he said coolly.
"Uh...thanks," I said.
"Well I'm going to make a quick trip to the store. You guys need anything?" Charlie suddenly asked.
"No sir, but thanks."
"Bells?"
"I'm fine dad," I mumbled.
"Alright, I'll be back in a few," he said and grabbed his keys and jacket from the kitchen table.
"Bye," I grumbled once he shuts the front door and was already pounding down the porch steps.
I beeline toward the couch Kale was situated on and seated myself next to him. The love seat was a relatively decent size, but with Kale's huge body sitting on it, made the love seat seem smaller than what it actually was. My body was burning, not because he was here, but because I think I was getting sick again.
"Is your neck sore?" Kale asked.
I frowned, "I'm not sure, but why are you asking?"
"Just curious."
I finally looked at him and raised my eyebrows, "okay."
He looked like hell washed over him, his eyes seemed to be sunken in, he looked more pale and something else I couldn't put my finger on. I hesitantly, but bravely reached up and pressed my hand against his forehead. Flinching away when my hand came into contact with his skin...he was...cold. It felt similar to when my hands would be exposed to cold weather or shoving my hand into a freezer.
"Your cold," I pointed out.
Kale's P.O.V
Why did I even come here? After just drinking her blood only 24 hours ago and my body was screaming for more already. Her body was too warm and way too close for comfort. Plus with my scent and her's lingering off the clothes I gave her earlier drove me fucking crazy. My fingers started to twitch annoyingly and my fangs were already bursting from my gums. My gaze dropped to her neck and I groaned to loudly, her whole neck exposed.
"Kale? Are you alright?" she said, but her voice was a distant sound, my blood lust was already upon me.
Don't move! Just take deep breaths and try to calm down my conscience echoed through out my head. Following the instruction carefully, my breathing slow and my senses slowed down, and I was able to think clearly. Her hand was then on my bicep, warm and comforting.
"Are you okay?" she asked yet again.
Looking at her straight in the eye and nodding my head slowly, "sorry..." I mumbled hoarsely.
"You scared me. Why does that always happen when you're around me?" she asked, hints of curiosity clear in her tone.
"I get a lot of small anxiety attacks. Perks from moving around a lot," I lied, but part of it was true.
"Oh, that makes sense. Do you need space?"
"Let's just stop avoiding what happened yesterday," I said harshly, knowing the subject change was dramatic, but true.
"About that..." Bella started.
"About what?"
"The kiss was random and it did make me forget..." she trailed off.
There goes that look again! Every time I mention Edward, she gets this distant look on her face. She's completely frozen in memories and unnecessary sadness plague her thoughts. Her eyes widen, her body stills, and tears welt up in her eyes. This time they were unrelenting, tears were falling like streams down her cheeks, her brown eyes pained and watery. This was exactly the reason I kissed her so suddenly last time. She truly loved Edward, but it pained her at the mere mentioning of his name.
"Bella," I said cautiously and cupping her face between my hands, "Bella, Bella...shh," I whispered and pulled her closer to me.
A sob broke from her and her whole body was shaking and convulsing uncontrollably. The sound of her heart and the blood rushing through her veins intensified. Her arms wrapped around my midsection and her head buried deeply into my chest.
"Did she cry about Edward again?" Charlie asked, his eyes glancing over at Bella's sleeping form.
"Yup. When you left," I said.
"I'm sorry you saw that, but I'm glad you were here for her," he said and took sip of his beer.
"No problem sir."
"She's been having a hard time lately, ever since that Cullen character broke up with her, she hasn't been the same," he explained, then took another sip of his beer, this time longer, "it took a toll on her."
"It did?" I asked, my curiosity peaking up.
"Yup, but she's doing somewhat fine. Ever since she started hanging out with her friend Jacob and you. She's got some color back in her cheeks," Charlie said and smiled.
"That's good."
"You're a pretty decent kid. I was pretty skeptical when I first met you, but you're a decent kid. Better than Edward. You know,once Bella started actually hanging around you, she wouldn't shut up about you. She probably likes you Kale," Charlie said sheepishly.
I frowned, but my gut twisted at his words, and my stomach fluttered at the thought of it.
"Really?" I asked, pretending to be dumb founded, but deep down I knew it was probably true.
"Yep! You better head out, it's pass curfew for you kid," Charlie said and patted my shoulder roughly.
I grabbed my keys and moved toward the door, but stopping and turning. I looked at Bella and smiled lightly. Peeking into the hallway and making sure Charlie wasn't in the garage or still in the kitchen. I stepped closer to the couch Bella was sleeping on, I leaned over and reached out. Reaching out and placing my hand on her cheek, leaning forward some more and pressing my lips against her forehead. I then tugged a throw blanket over her body and moved to the door.
