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Disclaimer: Nope. Twilight's not mine.
Chapter 11
I tried to think this through logically. Maybe it's just a joke? I decided to reply, even though my brain was screaming at me to shut my phone off forever and go hide in a corner for several years. "Who is this?"
The answering text was too quick. They had been waiting. "patience bella. u'll find out soon enough." Before I could respond, there was another. "looks like u have a guest. don't worry, i'll be watching. ;)"
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. I was so afraid, I couldn't even move. Whoever this was knew me. They knew my name, they knew my phone number, and they knew where I lived. They were watching me right now. I was terrified.
I was in such a daze, I hadn't even noticed Alice had let Edward in. He came and sat down next to me, smiling, but the smile quickly washed away once he noticed my face. "Bella?! What's the matter?" Alice anxiously glanced up at me in response to his question.
Wordlessly, I handed him my phone. I couldn't be trusted to speak.
I watched as Edward's face darkened as he read over the texts. "Who is this?" he said icily, with a thunderous undertone to his voice. He handed the phone to Alice who was bouncing in her seat, eager to be in on the current events.
Finally finding my voice, I murmured "I don't know."
Before even taking note of what was happening, I was in Edward's arms, him holding me in a tight hug. It was nothing like hugging Mike; This was actually pleasant. Despite the current situation, I felt myself blush. "It'll be okay Bella." he muttered softly.
It was only then that I realized there were tears in my eyes.
"I'm scared." I whispered, embarrassed to admit it.
"It's okay. Everything will be okay." he repeated soothingly. I tried to believe his words, I really did, but as soon as he pulled away and I caught glimpses of his and Alice's faces, I knew it was a lie. They were just as scared as I was. This was not just me being paranoid anymore; This was real.
"Who could this be?" Alice asked, her face ghostly pale, and her eyes swimming in horror.
"I don't know." I said thickly. "So many people asked for my number at Mike's…"
"Newton." Edward growled. "Could this have been him? I know he's upset that you don't return his feelings." He had said the last word laced with disgust.
I was shaking my head before he had finished. "Mike gave me his number. This number says 'unknown'." I pointed out.
"Disposable phone." he said simply. "I can't think of anyone else." he added.
"It's possible." I said. I really hated the fact that Mike was a suspect, but what Edward had implied was quite true.
"We have to call the cops." he said gravely.
"No! No cops!" I responded quickly. I looked up at his surprised expression only now realizing that I had just made myself out to seem like some sort of drug lord. "My dad's a cop, and cops talk to other cops. I don't want him worrying about me." I answered his unasked question.
"Fine. No cops then." he said, clearly unhappy with this.
"Thank you." I replied, relieved Charlie wouldn't have to spend each night awake, wondering if I was okay.
"I'm staying here tonight." he said abruptly. "I'll sleep on the couch."
"Oh, no, Edward, really, you don't have to do that." I replied. His generosity had proved to be unmatched once again.
"Yes, I really do." he answered with worried eyes.
I was about to argue some more, when Alice cut me off. "Bella, be reasonable please."
I crossed my arms and pouted, but otherwise admitted defeat. Edward laughed at my childish antics before mussing up my hair and dragging himself to his feet. He pulled out his phone and began dialling numbers lightening fast. My curiosity got the better of me, and I was no longer able to hold up my pouting facade. "Whatcha' doin'?" I asked, resting my chin on the couch armrest.
He smiled slightly at my swift change in attitude and put a finger to his lips in a 'shush' motion. I pretended to zip my lips while I waited for him to finish.
"Hi, Emmett? We have a bit of a situation, and I was wondering if you could come visit your sister and Bella while I go get a few of my belongings?"
"That's not really necessary…" I interjected, but he darted down so we were face-to-face and stuck his finger on my lips.
"I'll explain later. Yes. Yes. Thank you." He hung up.
"Now Bella, please don't be difficult." I glared at him, but otherwise kept my mouth shut. "Thank you." he added, removing his finger and straightening himself out once he realized I was planning on cooperating. "I'll leave once Emmett gets here, which should be in about ten minutes. I promise I'll be quick."
I rolled my eyes at him. "Edward, if it's only going to be ten minutes, then just leave now. We'll be fine." I sounded at lot more brave than I felt.
He shook his head. "'I'll be watching.'" he quoted softly. "I'm not leaving you and Alice here alone."
He was right of course, but I still felt unnecessarily fussed over. He noticed my stubborn expression and added "I'm cautious. Get used to it." Hmm… 'get used to it', eh? Well, at least that means he's planning on sticking around for awhile.
"Thanks Edward." I said, finally realizing there was nothing I could do to change his mind. Almost as stubborn as I am.
"For what?" he asked, from where he was hovering at the door.
"You know what." I said darkly. "For staying! For being a good person! For…well…you know!"
He laughed. "I guess I do know. And you're welcome. It's no trouble at all, really Bella, so stop worrying about me. You should be worrying about you." I knew he was right again, but I still felt my forehead crinkle at the thought of him giving up his bed to sleep on our couch. He was too good.
There was a knock, and tensely, he answered it. "Hey Emmett," he said. "I'll be back in a few." Edward glanced quickly at me before moving swiftly out the door.
"So what's this all about?" Emmett asked while entering, for once his face serious.
Alice sighed and got up from the spot she had been frozen in for the past several minutes. "It seems Bella here has made an enemy." she said, before launching into the whole story.
After she was finished, Emmett rushed over to me and enveloped me in his huge arms. He let go suddenly, and I would have fallen to the floor if he hadn't caught me. "Sorry." he mumbled, looking very upset.
"Don't worry about me Emmett!" I said, trying to cheer him up. "I'm tough!" To accentuate this, I tried showing him my 'muscles', but instead almost fell over again in the process. His booming laughter chased his worries away, and soon we all had joined him.
"Oh Bella," he cried, wiping away his tears of laughter. "What would I do without you? Who would I laugh at?" I mock punched him in the arm, but smiled anyways.
Edward returned then, pyjama-clad, with a blanket and pillow under his arm. "You sure you can handle this Edward?" Emmett asked, pausing at the door. His worry had returned, although it was not quite as pronounced as before.
He attempted to make light of the situation. "Sleeping? Sure I can."
Emmett 'pounded it' with Edward, gave Alice and I each a hug, and then made his way out the door. "You make sure you take care of my baby sister and my source of humour!" he called on his way out.
"Will do!" Edward responded, grinning, while closing the door behind him.
Edward threw his stuff down on the couch as Alice stretched and declared that she was going to bed. I sat in the chair watching Edward as he made his 'bed'. "Honestly. You don't have to do this." I said, deciding I would try once more to see if he would save himself the trouble. I took once glance at his expression and decided to rework my statement. "I can take the couch you know, and you can go sleep in my bed."
He looked seriously offended. "Bella. I am sleeping on the couch. I will be fine. Stop worrying about me." Then, he kissed the top of my head and whispered "Goodnight." before crawling onto the couch.
I stood there dazed for a moment before whispering "Goodnight," and silently flicking off all the lights until I made it to my room. I felt safe.
Aww, so fluffy! Hahah. Chapter title is Hush Hush by Natalie Portman's Shaved Head. (Awesome band!)