Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns all things Twilight and The Avett Brothers own The Perfect Space title.
Please go listen to that song if you haven't already done so...it's just...sigh...so great...and it describes these two fantastically.
(Link on my profile)
To the amazing SabLuvsLogan...Thank you for everything!
Chapter 12
"Isn't it amazing how no matter how many times we come here, it still manages to suck just as much as that first day?" Edward said as he stepped out of his car and shut the door.
Bella chuckled. "Yeah, I don't think we'll ever get to that point where we can't wait to get here."
"I know. I thought it would be less annoying after a few weeks. But fuck, it's been what? Four weeks now? This is still just as aggravating."
Bella chuckled at how annoyed Edward was as they both walked into the small waiting room of Dr Aro's office. Their bi-weekly appointments had fallen into their routine now so the small office was very familiar. Bella smiled at the receptionist before taking her seat in her usual chair and waiting for her name to be called along with Edward's.
Dr Aro was already waiting in his chair when they walked in and he smiled politely at them.
"Good evening," he said.
Edward and Bella merely smiled at him before sitting down on the leather couch.
"How was your day?" he asked, attempting to make light conversation.
Edward shrugged his shoulders and Bella answered "fine".
"That's good." He waited for them to say anything further and when they didn't he figured he should just start the session. "So I think we should do things a little differently today. This is our seventh session and we've talked a little bit about your past but I was wondering about how you feel now. I want to know if you guys have anything specific you wanted to talk about. Something that's bothering you, something you need to get off your chest, anything really."
Edward didn't say anything and Bella shrugged her shoulders. "Not really," she said.
Dr Aro let out a deep sigh. "Listen," he said before taking a brief pause. "I'm a little worried about how nonchalant the two of you are about all of this. You guys seem...well...I don't want to put words in your mouths or assume anything but...you seem...normal. Like nothing traumatic happened to you and you don't understand why you're here."
"How are we supposed to act?" Edward said curtly while lifting his head to look at Dr Aro.
"I'm not saying you're supposed to act in a specific way, Edward, but you're also not supposed to act so casually...so laid-back. I don't want to tell you how to feel...I want you to tell me that...but Edward you don't ever feel...scared?"
"Of course I'm scared," Edward said.
"What are you afraid of?" Dr Aro asked gently.
Edward hated that he had let those words slip from his mouth but he found himself wanting to answer Dr Aro's question. He was always keeping up a charade for Bella but suddenly Dr Aro's question needed an answer.
"Of...anything...everything..."
"Of it happening again?"
Edward paused before answering. "Yeah. I mean in my head...I know that it probably won't. But...it could. But that's not all I think about...I mean...I don't know. I'm afraid but I don't let it take over my life."
"How do you that? That takes years of practice for some. Everyone is different and people deal with things differently than others but how do you forget something that should be so pressing in your mind?"
"I don't know. I usually think of something else. When I'm in school I focus on my classes, when I'm with Bella I focus on her when I'm at the gym I focus on my workout. If I'm alone in the locker room I sometimes feel like...like I'm being watched but I just quickly get out of there and that's all."
"Where do you feel safest?"
"In Bella's bedroom," Edward blurted.
Bella smiled.
"Why Bella's bedroom?"
"Because we're both there...together. Everything that happened...all the bad stuff...was when we were separated. When we were together we were just...together." Edward gently reached over to grab Bella's hand. "He never bothered us or did anything when the two of us were together...so...when we're in Bella's bedroom I just feel like nothing in the world could take me away from there."
Dr Aro nodded slowly. "Bella? What about you? Where do you feel safest?" he asked.
"Anywhere with Edward," she said, clutching his hand tighter.
Dr Aro nodded with a small smile. "You know that's one of the reasons why you're here, right? Because you only feel safe around Edward."
Bella nodded slowly.
"Bella you have to know Edward can't protect you from everything."
"Yes I can," Edward said, challenging the doctor.
"No, Edward. You can't. And the fact that you think that way won't help Bella in her recovery."
"I know he can't," said Bella. "And that's not the point. I just know that if I'm with him, I'm okay. I don't care what happens as long as I'm near him."
"Bella, that's a heavy toll to place on Edward."
"I don't mind," Edward said, shrugging his shoulders.
Dr Aro ignored Edward's statement and continued. "Anything can happen to Edward..."
"Nothing is going to happen to me," Edward said, interrupting him.
"Edward, the fact that you are here right now proves that false. Bella, it's not good to depend on another person like that."
"I don't depend on him I just...I trust him and he's easy to talk to...I just like having him as a friend. Everyone has friends that they like to be around."
"Okay. So if I asked Edward to leave the room right now, how would you react?"
"I wouldn't care, that's not what I'm saying..."
Bella was trying to explain herself but she realized that it didn't matter what she said. She had admitted to needing Edward's presence and she knew that was a mistake.
"Edward, please step out of the room," Dr Aro said.
"What?" he asked.
"Please... Just go wait outside until I call you back in."
Edward slowly got up and started to head toward the door as Bella watched him with wide eyes. When Edward stepped out the door, Dr Aro turned to Bella.
"How do you feel now?"
"Fine," she said, nervously fidgeting with the hem of her shirt.
"Why the sudden change, Bella? This is what unnerves me. What is it about him that calms you?" he asked.
Bella huffed a low laugh. "He was there...through everything. He was there to comfort me, to hug me, to hold me when I cried. He told me when to close my eyes and cover my ears...he sheltered me from all the...bad that surrounded us. He was there for me...everyday...for four months. When he's not around I just feel...scared."
"Scared of what?"
"Everything."
"Of being kidnapped again?"
"No..." Bella said, shaking her head. "Of having to do something against my will. Of being hurt. Of being alone."
"I understand that, Bella. And I think these are normal reactions and feelings based on what you've been through. And that is why I want to help you. Both of you." Dr Aro let out a deep sigh before giving Bella a small smile and calling Edward back into the room. When Edward took his seat next to Bella, they all sat in silence as Dr Aro thought through the next thing he wanted to say.
"I'm very proud of both of you for today's session. You've admitted to having fears and doubts and that is a big step. I want to thank you for being open with me and I truly hope you don't regret any of it because when I say you can trust me, I really mean it."
Bella and Edward nodded with small smiles.
"However, based on everything I've heard tonight, you have to know what I'm going to say. You are too dependent on each other. You need each other more than two people should and you're not even aware of it – neither of you. What you went through was traumatic. You seem to think that because you had each other it wasn't as traumatic and that's fine...I won't tell you what you should be feeling. But that doesn't change the fact that you need to heal separately."
"But we went through this together," Bella said, immediately protesting his idea. "It only makes sense that we get over it together."
"Bella, if that is the case, you and Edward will never be able to spend a day apart."
"So what?" Edward asked.
"Edward, what happens when you get older and you get married and have children? What happens to Bella then?"
"I'll be over it by then," Bella said.
"Not if you don't start working on it."
"It's only been like a month and a half since we've been back. These things take time...give me...time."
"I know they take time, Bella. That's what I'm saying. You will always postpone this until it gets to the point that you've attached yourself completely to him. You need to work on it now."
"What exactly do you think we need to work on?" Edward asked slowly.
"On doing things on your own. Bella, you need to get some separation from Edward."
"But..." Bella started, suddenly at a loss for words. "I...I don't want separation from him."
Dr Aro's features softened. "I know that," he said softly.
Bella was looking down at her hands, and Edward noticed how frightened she looked. He shot Dr Aro a menacing glare and wrapped his arm her shoulder, pulling her close.
"You're not understanding what I mean by separation. I don't want you to stop seeing each other."
"It sure sounds like that's what you want," spat Edward.
"I want the two of you to slowly start spending time apart. Slowly," Dr Aro said, emphasizing the word. "I don't want you to stop seeing each other." He took a deep breath. "I've been thinking about this, and there are little things you two can do differently. Edward, you said you pick Bella up for school every morning. Maybe Bella you can start driving yourself and you can meet up at school. You can spend lunch together, that's fine but maybe at the end of the day, you two can go your separate ways until the following day at school."
Bella and Edward said nothing.
"You can start off slow. Tomorrow morning, Bella can drive herself to school and that's it. You follow your regular routine as per usual and everyday you'll slowly earn some separation."
Silence.
"Bella, is there a problem with you driving yourself to school? Your father told me he has a truck for you to use whenever you please."
"It's not a problem," she whispered.
"You need to try. You need to learn to spend time with each other because you want to and not because you need to. Bella, if you need Edward for comfort, that is perfectly understandable and I would never want to take that away from you. In fact, it's nice having someone to go to in times of trouble. But if Edward has to leave for a week, you need to be able to say goodbye, I'll miss you, see you when you get back. You're not at that point. You're nowhere near that point."
Bella nodded slowly.
"I want to get you to that point, Bella."
Bella and Edward left Dr Aro's that night in silence. Edward drove her home and neither said a word as they contemplated, for the first time, just how much Dr Aro could do for them.
Edward knew he was being selfish but he wanted Bella to need him. He liked comforting her and if she didn't need him then he would be left all alone. He'd never cared about anyone the way he cared about her and he knew part of that was because he was cared for in return. Edward needed Bella just as much as she needed him and even though he wanted it for both of them to get over the events of the summer, he didn't want to lose Bella in the process.
That night, when Edward climbed through her bedroom window, Bella knew he wouldn't be happy with what she wanted to tell him.
She wanted to try.
When she sat him down on her bed and softly spoke the words that let Edward know she wanted to drive herself to school in the morning, she saw the sadness, the hurt, and the pain flash across his features. She pulled him into a tight hug and assured him it wasn't anything he did but that she needed to see if she could do it for her. And when he nodded slowly, the smile didn't reach his eyes and she felt the tears on the brink of hers but she knew she had to stay strong.
So the following morning, Edward left Bella's house with the same sadness etched across his features and he returned home to shower, get ready, and drive alone to school for the first time since last April. When he pulled into the school parking lot, he desperately searched for Bella's truck but it wasn't there. He sat impatiently in his car, watching the entrance but her truck never came. When his friends came to rap on his window, asking him what he was doing, he got out and stood as they chattered meaninglessly before classes but he hadn't been listening to a single word.
When he saw Bella's truck pull into the parking lot, he realized she was fine and this small task was one small leap that took her away from him. But no matter how much he hated it, he agreed because Bella wanted him to. He was unable to plaster a real smile across his face and Bella knew it but she had to try again. So on Tuesday, she once again drove herself to school and she did the same on Wednesday.
On Thursday, Edward watched as Bella's red abomination of at truck turned into the parking lot and it was loud and it clanked and he watched as she parked it right beside his Volvo and when he looked up to meet her eyes he saw the tears streaming down her face and his heart broke. He ran for the door and yanked it open as she threw her arms around his neck and cried into his shoulder.
"What's wrong?" he asked. Worry laced his voice but he kept on stroking her soft hair while rubbing circles on her back.
"Nothing," she said, between sobs.
"Why are you crying?"
And the truth was, Bella didn't know. She had been fine all morning as she dressed and got ready for the day. She was fine while she ate breakfast with her father. She was fine when she pulled the truck out of the driveway and drove herself to school. And then she turned into the school parking lot and she saw the sadness still plastered on Edward's face and she realized it wasn't worth it.
She had proven to herself that she was capable of this small task – small yet meaningful. She had the guts to tell Edward what she wanted and she followed through with it and now that she knew she was capable, she was making the choice of riding with Edward because she wanted to and not because she needed to – not because she had no other choice.
"I want you to drive me from now on," she said, wiping her face. "I did it, Edward. I drove myself here and I was perfectly fine but I want you to drive me."
And then he understood. He knew exactly what she meant and he realized what it had all been about. She wasn't trying to heal without him – she was trying to heal for him. And that small realization – small yet meaningful – put the grin right back on his face as he hugged her again and they walked together, hand in hand, into school.
During last period, Bella sat on a bench against the gym wall, swinging her badminton racket between her legs, hoping she could get away with not having to play an actual match, when Jessica Stanley approached her.
"Hi Bella," she said.
Bella scrunched her eyebrows. "Hi...Jessica..." she said slowly.
"Are you also trying to get out of playing a game?"
Bella chuckled. "Yeah."
Jessica smiled and sat down next to her.
"So...we never really had a formal introduction. Sorry about that."
"Oh no, it's fine."
"I know you're new to Forks and you probably don't know that many people so if you want we could be friends."
"Oh...um...yeah, sure."
"Maybe we could hang out after school or something? Maybe go to a movie this weekend?"
Bella contemplated that idea and realized she had no reason to say no.
"Yeah...sure...that sounds good."
"Alright...how about tomorrow night?"
"Okay...sure. That sounds good. Just us two?"
"Yeah. It'll give us a chance to get to know each other."
Jessica got up to join her other classmates as Bella was once again left alone on the bench. The whole encounter had happened so quickly that she didn't know what to think. When Alice and Rosalie approached her, begging her to find out what happened, she simply told them the truth and they shrugged their shoulders and played another match.
Edward however, had not been so uncaring.
"You're going to a movie? With Jessica Stanley?" he asked as they stood by their vehicles in the parking lot before heading home.
"Yes," Bella said, nodding.
Edward paused and took a second to think. "No," he said, shaking his head.
"Excuse me?"
"She must have an ulterior motive. Why does she want to go to the movies with you?"
"Hey! Maybe she wants to be my friend!" Bella said, sounding offended.
"Jessica Stanley is one of the most manipulative girls I know. Did she say anything strange?"
"No, Edward."
"Nothing at all?"
Bella laughed. "Look, Edward, I found it weird too but she said we should hang out and we're just going to watch a movie, what's the worst that could happen?"
Edward finally backed down but the idea still wasn't sitting well with him. As he watched Bella leave to drive herself home from school, he headed to Port Angeles to pick up the one thing that would calm his worries.
That night, he lightly knocked on Bella's window with a big smile on his face. She opened the window and noticed him standing there with his arm behind his back.
"What's that?" she asked, pointing behind him.
"A present," he said, smiling.
"You know how I feel about presents."
"Yeah, yeah, whatever." He brought his hand forward then and placed a black cell phone in her palm. "I programmed it with some useful phone numbers...mine...my parents...Alice, Rosalie, Emmett, Jasper...your dad...I even took a picture of myself for an I.D. See?"
Edward flipped the phone open and after hitting a few buttons she saw him grinning in a picture with his hair messily hanging in his face and she laughed.
"Anyway...it's for security. And now I can call you whenever I want without worrying about having to talk to the Chief."
Bella smiled and bit her lip. "What's the other reason you bought me a cell phone?"
"There is no other reason. Everyone should have a cell phone...you included."
Bella took the phone, thanked Edward, and spent the rest of the night fiddling around with it and learning its functions.
The following evening, Jessica came to pick Bella up so they could head to Port Angeles and watch their movie.
"Are you sure you want to go?" Edward asked her while they waiting in Bella's front entrance.
Bella smiled. "Edward," she chastised.
"Okay, okay, fine. I'm sorry. Make sure you call me if there's anything you need. And text me every hour to let me know everything is okay."
"Yes, dad."
Edward smiled. "Alright, so I guess...have fun with Jessica?"
"Yeah...What are you doing tonight?"
"Um...I don't know. I'll probably hang out with Emmett and Jasper if they're not with Alice and Rosalie. I don't know. I'll do something. Don't worry about me."
"The same way you're not worrying about me?"
"Hey. It's my job to worry about you," Edward said, smiling and stroking her cheek.
Bella smiled as her cheeks tinted pink. "This is our first Friday night apart," she said, suddenly realizing what this night entailed.
"I know...it feels weird," Edward said.
"Yeah. It feels really weird."
"If you want to change your mind..."
Bella stared at him with a hand on her hip.
"Come on, Bella. We can sit on the couch, watch movies, order some Chinese food...it'll be warm and comfortable and nice," he said, wrapping his arms around her shoulders.
"Mmm...That does sound appealing," she said, leaning into him. "But, I'm still going."
Edward groaned and let her go. They heard Jessica's car pull into the driveway then and Edward frowned.
"Just keep me posted, okay?"
"I promise I will, Edward."
After hugging Bella goodbye, Edward watched as she got into the car with Jessica before getting into his own car and heading home. When he walked into his room, he realized he had absolutely no idea what to do with himself. He tried to think back to before the summer and what he usually did on Friday nights but he fell short. He couldn't remember what that time was like. Bella had been gone for a mere ten minutes and he already missed her. He sat on his bed with his cell phone in his hand, telling himself to wait at least an hour before texting her. He decided to call Emmett instead.
"Eddwarrrdddd" Emmett answered enthusiastically.
"Hey Em," Edward said with a smile on his face
"What's up?"
"Not much...What are you up to tonight?"
"Nothing really...Alice and Rosalie are getting their faces done or some shit like that so I'll probably just end up chilling with Jazz."
"Mind if I join you guys?" he asked nonchalantly.
Emmett laughed. "Like you have to fucking ask. Of course man."
"Who's place?"
"I really don't know. Come by my house when you can and we'll see from there."
"Alright. Thanks Em," Edward said.
Edward hung up the phone, hopped in the shower, got ready and headed over to Emmett's.
Meanwhile, Bella sat uncomfortably in the front seat of Jessica's car, nervously fidgeting with the strap of her purse as they both talked meaninglessly about school and Forks.
"So Bella, tell me a little bit about yourself," Jessica said.
"Oh...well I don't know...what do you want to know?"
"I don't know...anything...everything. If we're going to be friends we need to know stuff about each other. Right now I don't know anything."
"Okay...well...I'm from Phoenix, I just moved here a couple weeks ago..."
"I know that!"
"Well what do you want to know?"
"Tell me the juicy stuff. Tell me about your first boyfriend or something."
"Oh..." Bella laughed. "I've never had a boyfriend."
"Really?" Jessica asked, seeming genuinely shocked.
"Nope."
"Huh...Are you a virgin?"
Bella turned to look at Jessica. "What?" she asked.
"Are you a virgin?" Jessica repeated.
"I...I..." Bella was at a loss for words as she tried to answer Jessica's question.
"I'll take that as a yes," she said with a small smile. "How far have you gone with a boy then?"
Bella was suddenly very uncomfortable with the turn in conversation. "Um...can we talk about something else?" she asked.
"Like what? This is what girls talk about, Bella. What do you talk about with Alice and Rosalie? Clothes? How boring. I want to know about boys."
Bella rolled her eyes. "I've never had a boyfriend or anything close to one so that will be a very boring conversation. What about you?" Bella asked, feigning interest.
"Well...I've had boyfriends...obviously. I don't have one right now but I did make out with Tyler yesterday...he was alright. Not as good as Mike but better than Eric. Definitely not as good as Edward but I'm assuming you know how great he is," she said with a wink.
Bella's head quickly shot to the left so she could look at Jessica. "What?" she asked.
"Well...you know...Edward is just amazing...God...his hair and his eyes..."
Jessica went on and on about how great of a kisser Edward was and how Eric, Tyler, and even Mike couldn't compare to him. She talked about his lips and his hands and Bella found herself gritting her teeth and clenching her fists at Jessica's words. She didn't want to hear her talk about Edward that way. Bella suddenly got very defensive because Edward was hers. Jessica shouldn't know what his lips felt like.
As Bella sat trying to control her jealousy, Edward was sitting on the couch between Emmett and Jasper in Emmett's basement, playing Halo. Even though Edward was having a good time, he couldn't get Bella out of his mind. He wondered what she was doing, what they were talking about, if Jessica was making her uncomfortable. He'd decided that it'd been long enough and he decided to text her to find out how she was doing.
While Edward was pulling out his cell phone and sending his first text of the evening, Bella was still sitting just as uncomfortably in Jessica's car. When Jessica started describing her kiss with Edward, using vivid imagery and imaginative words, Bella couldn't take it anymore.
"Jess...Edward is actually a really good friend so I'd rather not hear about who he kisses. Thanks."
Jessica's mouth dropped open at Bella's outburst. A mischievous smile appeared across her face as she spoke her next words. "Bella...you've kissed Edward, right?"
"No. Why would you think that?"
"Well...I don't know. I just assumed. I know you're not dating but I figured you would be all over him. I mean you do like him, right? You find him attractive? Who wouldn't?"
"I like him as a friend. And yes he is attractive but no...we haven't kissed...it's not like that for us."
"Is it because he doesn't want to kiss you? Poor girl. Maybe you're just not his type. It took a while before I got him to kiss me. Like forever. Trust me. I asked him on so many dates and he always said no. I didn't care that much because he said no to everyone so don't be offended. Just keep working at it."
Bella was offended at Jessica's remark and the more she talked, the more she regretted her decision to join her. As she seethed next to Jessica, wishing she could come up with an appropriate retort, she received a text from Edward.
Still alive? - E
Bella answered back immediately, thankful for the distraction.
Unfortunately - B
Hah! I told you it wouldn't be fun. What are you guys talking about? - E
How great of a kisser you are - B
Bella, don't listen to anything she says, please - E
Are you denying that you're a good kisser? - B
No I'm a great kisser but I'll let you find out on your own ;) - E
Apparently you have strong hands...I don't know what that means but anyways. I shouldn't have come. You were right - B
Do you want me to come get you? I can be there as soon as possible - E
Nah. We haven't even gotten to the theatre yet. She'll shut up while the movie is playing - B
I wouldn't count on that, Bella. Text me if you want me to come get you, okay? - E
Will do. Have a good night - B
You too. And please don't listen to her - E
"Who are you texting?" Jessica asked.
"No one," Bella muttered.
"It's Edward, isn't it? You're so lucky. I can't believe it. If I were to be kidnapped I'd want it to be with Edward Cullen too."
Bella stared at Jessica then realizing that she really was dumber than she looked.
"Careful what you wish for," Bella said through clenched teeth.
Bella couldn't believe what she had just said and as Jessica tried to explain herself, Bella merely turned her head and stared out the window. She wanted to punch, kick and spit on her all at the same time.
"Well I didn't mean it like that. Obviously I don't want to be kidnapped. But stuck in a basement with Edward for four months doesn't sound all that bad, if you know what I mean. We would entertain each other," she said, winking.
"Jessica, you have no idea what you're talking about," Bella spat.
Jessica saw how angry Bella was getting so she decided to back down.
"You're right, Bella. I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to upset you. I was just saying you were lucky to have Edward with you, that's all."
"I know I was," Bella said firmly.
They continued to drive in silence until they finally pulled into Port Angeles' theatre parking lot. After buying their tickets, Bella made her way to the concession stand to get something to drink.
"Hmm...Should I get popcorn? I really want some but the butter is really fattening. I really don't need the extra calories."
Bella rolled her eyes and ordered a small coke while waiting for Jessica to make up her mind. The boy behind the counter was watching Bella, looking her up and down but Bella failed to notice. After handing her her drink, he winked at her and was about to ask for her name, but Jessica stepped up instead.
"Hi," she purred. "I'll just have a diet 7up please," Jessica said, sloppily biting her lip.
Bella was staring at her as the boy ignored Jessica and continued to watch Bella as he filled a cup with 7up.
As they walked away, Jessica jumped up and down in glee. "He was so cute! I should go ask for his number. Was he checking me out?"
"I really don't know. But yeah he was pretty cute," Bella said.
"Oh, are you into him? I will totally back down if you can get your first kiss from him. He was really cute."
Bella briefly looked over her shoulder again to take another look at the boy behind the counter. He had shaggy brown hair that hung in his bright blue eyes. She had thought he was pretty good looking and as he smiled at her, she smiled back and blushed. But he was all wrong. His hair was too dark and his eyes too blue – they were nothing like the bronze of Edward's hair and the green of his eyes. His smile was also off. It wasn't sweet and genuine like Edward's, and it hadn't instinctively made her smile.
"No it's okay, go ahead. You can ask for his number," Bella said.
They walked into the theatre then and chose their spot as they sat down to watch the movie. It was mediocre at best and contrary to what Bella thought, Jessica did not stop talking. Apparently it didn't matter if the movie wasn't any good, Jessica said as long as there were hot guys it was okay. Bella was starting to think that was the only thing Jessica knew to talk about. Bella chuckled and smiled at everything Jessica said. She added a 'yeah' and 'mmhmm' when needed, but she mostly sat, discreetly texting Edward about her horrible evening.
I'm so bored - B
Aren't you watching a movie? - E
Yes - B
Did she stop talking? - E
Nope - B
I just laughed out loud and Emmett and Jasper want to know why I'm laughing by myself - E
Did you tell them about my unfortunate whereabouts? - B
Yep. They feel sorry for you. - E
They should. Alright, people are staring. I need to put my phone away, I think it's giving off too much light. Distracting from all the...'hot' guys. - B
You don't find the guys hot? - E
Nah. Too many muscles ;) - B
Oh Bella. I miss you. Come home soon - E
As soon as I can – B
As they were leaving the theatre later that night, Jessica ranted and raved about how great the movie was as Bella pretended to have enjoyed it just as much as she had.
"Alright, so where do we go now?" Jessica asked.
"Umm...home?"
"Home? Bella, it's Friday night! Its only 9:00. We can't go home. Let's hang out in Port Angeles a little bit."
"Why?" Bella asked.
She really really really wanted to go home to Edward.
"So we can talk some more. I still don't really know all that much about you."
Bella groaned inwardly. "You know... my dad doesn't want me home too late..."
"Don't worry, Bella. Look I know this bar that doesn't check I.D. down here. It's a little sketchy but don't worry, everyone there is super nice. We'll go have one drink, and then we'll leave. You'll be home by 11. Okay?"
Bella wasn't all that thrilled with the plan but she knew Jessica was the one driving and since she wanted to stay, she had to do what she wanted to do. She realized one drink didn't sound all that bad so she followed Jessica down the darkened streets of Port Angeles until they reached their destination.
"Here we are," Jessica said.
Bella looked around her, not being able to see a bar. "Where?" she asked.
"Down there," Jessica said, pointing to a battered staircase.
Bella squinted her eyes and tried to make out the bar in the darkness. On this particular street, there were hardly any lights and as she stared at the staircase, she desperately tried to find the location of the bar.
"I don't see it," Bella said, nervously.
"Bella, don't worry. I've been here hundreds of times. We just go down those stairs and we turn right and the door is right there."
Jessica grabbed her by the hand then. "Jessica, wait," Bella said.
But Jessica didn't wait. She continued to tug on Bella's hand until they were descending the staircase. Every step Bella took made her heart beat faster. Her breaths were heavy and she gripped Jessica's hand even tighter – not in comfort the way she gripped Edward's, but in pure fear. The twenty stairs that lead down to the bar had felt like a hundred and when they reached the bottom it was completely black.
Bella was suddenly at a loss for breath as she let out a big gust of air before crouching down as she remembered that fateful day. Flashes of her alarm clock being turned off, her train coming late, and the sidewalk being blocked off were invading her mind. She remembered descending the staircase into the subway underground and she remembered the man – the man who chased her down that path until he covered her head and forced her to live in his basement for four months.
She began hyperventilating as she couldn't get enough air to fill her lungs.
"Bella? Bella, are you okay?" Jessica cried.
Bella could hardly hear the words coming out of Jessica's mouth as she remembered everything that led to the events of the summer. The staircase they just climbed down reminded her too much of the staircase leading down to that basement. The darkened hallway smelled of garbage and sewage and she simply clenched her eyes shut, hoping she would simply disappear from the area and find herself back in her bedroom in Edward's tight embrace.
"Bella! Please answer me! Should I call your dad? Shit...where's my cell phone?"
Jessica was frantically looking through her purse to find her phone so she could call someone back in Forks. Bella had heard Jessica say that she was going to call her dad and she immediately knew she didn't want that happen.
Between ragged breaths, she pulled her cell phone from her pocket and said one word and Jessica immediately knew what she had to do.
"Edward," Bella whispered.
Jessica nodded and quickly looked through the phone book to find his number. The second she did, she hit call. Edward picked up on the first ring.
"Please tell me you're home," he said.
"Edward?" Jessica cried.
"Bella?" Edward asked sounding worried.
"Edward, it's Jessica," she said out of breath. She sounded completely panicked and Edward could feel his heart rate picking up. "You need to come get Bella...now."
Ah!
So...no flashback this week...there will be one next week...a little bit about the kidnapper will be revealed...we'll learn his name for starters which I'm pretty sure you can all guess...it's not supposed to be a big surprise.
Review for a teaser to next weeks chapter. I also put up a different teaser on the Fictionators Teaser Monday segment. So check it out if you want to be...teased...more...
And stay tuned...next week is...EDWARD TO THE RESCUE!