Disclaimer: I hate these things! They are a constant reminder that I don't own Twilight.

Chapter 10 BPOV

The past two months haven't been the greatest. After that faithful day in the hallway neither Edward nor the Cullen's or the Hales ever looked my way again.

At times, I couldn't help myself and I would peek through my hair during Bio or lunch. I watched from day to day as his eyes would turn form the cold, hard gold to a flat, black coal and then start over again. Sometimes his bored demeanor would slip and his agony was apparent.

For me the days were miserable. Even though he would sit a foot away every day, but I continued to watch him silently.

We had finally switched to the Basketball unit in gym, which was very convenient for me. I took out all my anger and frustrations on the court. Every bottled up emotion was released during that period (though, now everybody was weary of me when I entered the room). Even though it was a great outlet for my anger, I felt even worse after. Once all of the irrational anger towards him was out of the way, I realized that it wasn't his fault.

It was mine. I wasn't interesting, beautiful, or mysterious like him. I was boring and plain. My heart lurched at the realization.

I tried to get by in school without anyone noticing my depressed state and for the most part I succeeded.

Mike was very pleased with obvious coolness between Edward and I, and he was more persistent than ever. Jessica glared at me when she thought I wasn't looking.

They were all oblivious to my depression. Only Angela could see through my pretences. As much as I assured her I was fine, she was constantly worrying about me.

Like Angela, Charlie was also anxious. He and Renée have been talking about sending me back to Phoenix, but I refused. I felt like if I left, the things that happened between Edward and I wouldn't seem real. He wouldn't seem real.

I couldn't let that happen.

A small nagging voice in the back of my head said that Edward cared for me, but I ignored it. I wouldn't dare let myself hope.

The nights were the worst. The dreams not only came at night, but haunted me throughout the day.

We were sitting together in a meadow, smiling happily at each other. I glanced down at his hand entwined with mine and sighed contently. Then, he was gone. I looked up, panicked. There he was, at the other end of the meadow, walking away.

"Edward!" I cried. He didn't look back.

"Please don't leave!" I ran after him, but I never caught up.

Every time I would wake up crying. It was there then I'd realize how dependant I was on him and how pathetic that was

This morning was much the same. I reluctantly drove to school, exhausted. Last night I had endured the worst of the nightmares because this time Edward disappeared altogether.

My truck roared to stop as I parked my truck as far away from his silver Volvo as possible. As I stumbled out of my truck, I dropped my keys into a puddle.

"Great," I muttered. I sighed and bent down to pick them up but a white hand flashed out and grabbed it before I could. What? It couldn't be.

I looked up, shocked, to see Edward smiling pleasantly, and holding my keys in the air. His stunning eyes were a stunning topaz. There was a fierce determination in them that made my stomach churn and my legs turn to jell-o. It was the same look I saw before he kissed me so long ago.

"Bella," he breathed, his cool breath fanning my face. His voice was so familiar and comforting, like I've been hearing it for a lifetime instead of a few days.

We stood there for what seemed like forever drinking each other in. My eyes traced every line of his divine face, trying to burn the image into my memory. I didn't know if I'd ever get this chance again. Or if my mind conjured up some sort of memory—a day dream of some sort.

After a while, he slowly took my hand in his, put my keys in them, and closed them gently. With that, he smiled half heartedly before walking away.

As I saw him disappear, reality slowly crawled back in. That didn't just happen. Did it? No, it couldn't have. Edward had been ignoring me for the past two months. Why would he just stop?

I looked down at the hand that was clutching my keys. I opened it slowly and found keys wrapped in a crumpled piece of paper. I slipped the keys into my pocket and curiously opened the paper.

Dear Bella,

I am so very sorry. There is no excuse for the way I have been acting. Please know that had no intention of hurting you. I thought I was doing what was best, but clearly, I was wrong. If there were any possible way I could explain everything to you, I would without a second thought. Unfortunately, that is not the case.

All I am asking is for you to forgive me. After school today, I will be at the small trail besides your house. I'm asking you to come and meet with me. I hope I can have the chance to properly apologize. If you should choose not to come, I completely understand and I will leave you alone forever. Please consider it.

Sincerely,

Edward

I read the note repeatedly but my brain couldn't seem to process it.

It didn't make sense. Why would Edward want to see me all of a sudden? And why in secret?

I thought back to what he had said that day…one of the worst and best days of my life. As much as I tried, I couldn't manage to forget anything about him or that faithful day.

"Bella it's for the best, trust me. You don't want to get involved with someone like me, and I would just be a waste of your time," he had said.

"It was a mistake to get involved with each other. I think the best thing to do would be to forget everything that happened between us."

"You…regret it?"

"No. I don't regret it…but I don't think it was the best idea."

Did he really mean what he had said? Or was he just trying to let me down easy like I had originally thought?

"I'm sorry," he had said. "It's for the best."

It's for the best.

Did he really think that ignoring me was the best? Why? What was he hiding? I was back to square one—trying to figure out what his secret was. I had so many questions. And all of them could be answered, only if I went to meet him.

Should I go? That was the big question.

-

By lunch time I wasn't sure this morning actually happened. It didn't seem likely. Watching pigs grow wings and fly away was more likely. But there was still that note, that unforgettable piece of evidence.

Lunch was the same as it had been for the past two months. He didn't even glance my way. That did not help me confirm the reality of this morning.

I walked to biology with Angela just like any other day. And just like any other day Edward was already there looking board and as gorgeous as ever. I took my seat by him and—as always—ignored him.

To my dismay, the rest of the period was similar to the others of the past month. Occasionally, I would peak through my hair, but he never took notice. If it wasn't for the note I still clutched every so often in my pocket, I would be absolutely certain that this morning was just a figment of my imagination.

As the bell rang I gathered my books and headed toward the exit. Of course, me being the klutz I am, the toe of my boot caught at the doorstep and I dropped all of my books.

A few people passing started giggling. My face burned as I bent down to pick them up, but someone was already there holding my books in a neat pile. Edward. Of course.

He was smiling pleasantly at me. My blush deepened and his smile grew.

"Thank you," I said in a small voice, taking my books from him.

"You're welcome," he said in his warm velvet voice before he walked away.

I loved the way he looked at me. Like I was the only person in the world, no matter how corny that sounded. It was surreal.

The rest of the day sped by. I still hadn't made my decision yet.

Part of me wanted to say that today didn't happen. That the past two month should prove that. But there was hard evidence—like the note—that I couldn't ignore.

I rubbed my forming headache as I drove home. What if it was a dream? What if he didn't show up? Then I would just be walking around like a lost idiot.

When I reached the house, I still hadn't made up my mind. I hastily threw open the door and tossed my backpack on the floor. I paced back in forth in thought.

I hadn't noticed myself walking back towards the door, reaching for the doorknob. Like my subconscious was telling me to go.

I'll go, I decided. I took a big breath before stepping outside.

I walked slowly through the front yard toward the thick forest looking for the thin trail. I spotted it only a few feet from my yard.

I wonder why I didn't notice that before, I thought absently. I followed the path carefully, memorizing landmarks just in case I needed to find my way back.

A snapped twig here, a clump of leaves there…

The trail came to a stop at a small turf. It was shaped like a crooked oval with a fallen tree in the middle. The moss covered the trunk like a blanket. The canopy above let no sun pass through it, and the ferns were knee-high and tickled me through my jeans. I stepped over them sat on the soft trunk.

The trail has ended, and he's not here, I thought, my eyes beginning to sting with moisture. I looked down and buried my head in my hands.

"Bella?"

I snapped my head up to see Edward's beautiful face looking at me anxiously. He was standing by the opposite end of the trunk.

"Edward?"

"Bella," he sighed in relief. I stood up slowly and walked toward him. His angelic face was filled relief and happiness, but there was a small hint of fear and concern in them as well.

When I reached him, he did something unexpected. He took me in his strong arms and hugged me tightly to his cold, hard chest. I froze on contact, not knowing how to react, before I melted against him. Too soon for my liking, he pulled away. I looked up at him confusedly. He just smiled, led me to the trunk, and sat down.

He tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear that was blowing in the wind. "I'm glad you came."

I looked down and saw our intertwined hands and blushed. I heard a low chuckle, too low. I wasn't sure I heard it at all. We stood there for a minute, an awkward silence beginning to take over.

"Why did you bring me here?" I finally asked.

I met his eyes briefly before looking away. The way his eyes penetrated me almost had me hypnotized.

"Didn't you read the note?" he teased. His face then dropped all amusement and became serious. "I owe you a proper apology and an explanation."

A shock passed through me at the sudden tension.

"And you couldn't do this at school?" I giggled trying to ease it a little.

He smiled at the effort before he turned solemn. "I had to do it somewhere where my family couldn't find out."

"They don't like me?" I asked, slightly hurt.

"It's not that. They just think it would be a better idea if I stayed away from you, but I can't do that anymore." His tone was fierce at the end. I looked away from his face trying to gather my thoughts.

Why would his family want him to stay away from me? I thought back, back to when he still spoke to me, before he started to ignore me, back to the conversation in the hospital.

"Does this have to do with these big secret that you're hiding?" I finally asked.

His hands tightened around mine roughly and I winced. He must have noticed because he let go, giving me an apologetic look. "Maybe," he said with difficulty.

The silence was like a heavy blanket looming over us. I turned to look at him.

"I don't care," I declared.

He looked at me like I had sprouted an extra head.

"What?" he asked, mystified.

"It doesn't matter to me," I clarified.

"Bella, I'm dangerous." His voice was almost pleading.

"I know," I said, slightly irked. So he was trying this again. "You made that pretty clear the last time we spoke. If you wanted to hurt me, you would have done that by now."

This made him angry. "How could you not care? What if I'm not human? What if I'm a monster?" His voice grew quiet at the end and his face was full anguish.

"You're not a monster," I disagreed. "As for not being human…I suspected as much."

"And yet, you're still here," he said incredulously.

"Yes, I'm an idiot," I mumbled the last part.

He must have heard me because he started chuckling. I glared up at him playfully, making him laugh harder. His laughter was contagious and I found myself soon laughing with him.

When his laughter faded out I looked up to see him looking at me.

"Bella, this is wrong. I shouldn't be even be here."

"I don't want you to leave," I mumbled pathetically.

"That's exactly why I should."

"I don't care what you are. It's too late, were both in too deep," I stated firmly.

His smile was small, and didn't reach his eyes, but still there.

"You have nothing to worry about. I'm generally a selfish creature and I crave your company to much to make myself leave."

I just smiled and he seemed annoyed by my reaction.

"You know we still haven't established what you are," I said after a few blissful moments of silence. I was almost sad to break it.

"I thought it didn't matter," he said teasingly, playing with my fingers.

"I know, but still…" I bit my lip, praying he wouldn't be angry.

"I'm not sure how you will take it," he muttered, letting go of my hand.

"It's okay, you don't have to tell me yet—or at all if you want," I said trying to hide the disappointment in my voice.

"Now what kind of relationship would we have if I lied to you?" I knew he was just teasing but I couldn't help but flush at the mention of the word relationship.

He lifted my chin with his fingers. With his other hand he ran his fingers across my cheek. My face felt like it was on fire.

"You blush is lovely." Is it possible to turn permanently red? I was beginning to hyperventilate. I tried to unscramble my thoughts. What were we talking about?

I shut my eyes so he'd stop dazzling me, and I could think properly.

"Are you ever going to tell me?" I recalled. I felt him put his hands down. I didn't have to open my eyes to know that he was not pleased.

I opened my eyes to find him looking down at his hands. His angel face was distressed.

"Edward I trust you," I said, hoping to soothe him. "I want you to be able to trust me with anything. You don't have to tell me now, until then we could refer to it as your 'special problem'." He cracked a smile. "But when you are ready I won't run or leave like you think I would."

"My special problem?" he mused after a moment.

I giggled and nodded, thrilled that he was going along with this.

His eyes turned solemn once more. "I don't deserve your trust," he mumbled.

I sighed, frustrated. I did something bold and daring—well, for me at least. I moved closer to him and wrapped my arms around him, leaning my head against his cold chest. He froze for tiniest second before wrapping his arms around me and pressing his face into my hair.

I wasn't sure how long we had stayed like that, but the sun soon began to set. Charlie would be home soon.

"You have to go," he murmured, as if reading my mind.

"Yes," I said reluctantly.

He pulled away and smiled before his face became nervous. I tensed.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"Bella, would you mind if I tried something?" he asked timidly.

"Try wh-" He cut me off.

His lips were on mine.

It wasn't like the first time, rough and desperate. It was softer and slow. This time I didn't hesitate, I kissed him back. His cold smooth lips moved against mine gently. My face was scarlet, spreading from the tips of my ears to my neck. My arms came up by their own accord and buried my fingers in his bronze, silky hair.

Too soon, he untangled my arms gently but with irresistible force and pulled away. I felt extremely lightheaded and couldn't form coherent thoughts. I slowly opened my eyes, not realizing they were closed, to see him.

He was beaming; his glorious face was joyful and victorious. He took my breath away. I had forgotten how to breathe.

"Breathe, Bella," he chuckled, kissing my forehead.

"You should go. Your father will be here any minute," He said after a moment. I nodded.

We stood up and he took my hands in his bringing them to his lips. I blushed.

"I'll be here tomorrow," he said, kissing my palms.

Then he disappeared. I was left there, stunned before I assumed it was part of his 'special problem'.

I turned around and walked back up the trail with a smile on my face. As I reached the end of the trail I heard Charlie's cruiser pull up.

"Hey kid where did you go?" Charlie asked when he saw me emerge from the forest.

"Just went for a walk," I lied casually.

"Okay," he said, eyeing me suspiciously.

"I haven't started dinner, I'm sorry. I'll do it right now," I said and rushed into the house, hoping he wouldn't notice the goofy smile on my face.

After dinner I went to bed and started my nightly routine. As I tucked my self in I thought about today. Soon I fell into a blissful sleep with a golden eyed angel appearing in my dreams.

I finally got the chapter up! yay!

Thank you for your patience, You guys are awsome!!

I'd like to thank my beta Meepisms for helping me this chapter and many others!-applause-

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Midnight Fangs