Chapter 14

BPOV

"Alice, do you have clothes I could change into? Jake texted and we're going on a walk in about half an hour."

She was lying on her bed with Jasper and they were watching a movie on her pink plasma screen TV.

The second I finished my sentence she leapt up, beaming. I didn't ask her to dress me very often.

"Watch out, Bella. Soon she'll think you want her as a permanent personal stylist," Jasper chuckled and winced slightly as he felt his soul mate hit him playfully on the arm.

She grabbed my arm and skipped towards her closet. After five minutes of searching through a rack labelled "Bella's Clothes", she handed me a pair of Skinny Jeans, a white t-shirt and an Abercrombie hoodie in navy blue. I changed and motioned to leave but found her blocking my way.

"Your hair," she stated with no explanation.

"What about it?" I asked

"Let me fix it, please?" she pouted and I nodded reluctantly.

I was pushed into a chair in front of a large dressing table and I felt a brush being tugged through my knotted hair. I closed my eyes and just let her get to work. I felt hot straighteners being pulled through my hair. She finally patted my arm gently and I opened my eyes and stared in the mirror.

I looked exactly the same. In my reflection, I could see Alice beaming over my shoulder and I couldn't bring myself to criticise her work.

"Thanks, Alice," I muttered and her grin widened.

I checked my watch and realised that Jake wouldn't be here for about fifteen minutes. I decided to go downstairs and see if I could find Edward.

I descended down the staircase and knew where I would be able to find him. The piano was playing the unfamiliar tune that I had been humming to myself sometimes. It was truly beautiful.

I entered the room containing the grand piano and sat next to the beautiful man on the piano stool. His eyes were closed and tightened every so often with emotion. His fingers flew effortlessly over the keys with impossible complexity and speed.

After a few moments, the music slowed and gradually came to a stop. Edward sighed and then opened his eyes.

"Hi, Bella, ready for your date?" he had difficulty saying the last word.

I nodded.

"Why are you crying?" he whispered, wiping my cheek.

I hadn't noticed the wetness around my eyes until now.

"I don't know!" I smiled, "I think it was the music you were just playing – it was beautiful."

He smiled sadly then stood up, grabbing my hand to slowly pull me into a hug. I melted against his cold chest and wrapped my arms around his waist. His fingers roamed up and down my spine; his cold cheek was pressed into my hair.

The doorbell rang several times, as if someone was pressing the bell impatiently. Edwards sighed and detangled himself from my arms. I felt myself pout but quickly neutralised my expression before he would notice.

He paced towards the door and pulled open the door. I was still stood by the piano so was unable to see who was calling round.

"Bella, it's your boyfriend," Edward called and winked at me, grinning. I couldn't help but notice that the smile didn't quite reach his eyes.

I scowled playfully and skipped over to greet Jake. Even if I was about to break up with him, I could at least be nice. I hugged him cautiously and then kissed him lightly on the cheek. I pulled back and saw a triumphant smile on his face; it was directed at Edward.

I frowned slightly and looked at my feet.

Everyone was silent. I decided to steal a glance at Edward and Jake. Both were glaring at each other. I could almost feel the hate radiating from them.

"So," I decided to break the uncomfortable quiet, "Shall we head off, Jake?"

"Sure, Babe." I hated it when he called me that. I forced a smile and he slipped an arm round my waist and looked at Edward once again as if to say 'Yeah, I've got it'.

"See you tomorrow Alice!" I called up the stairs. Jacob began to tug at me impatiently.

Edward was looking murderous. It was funny to see so much hate on his face. It was even present when he glanced at me; that hurt.

"Edward," I nodded at him before allowing Jake to tow me towards his car.

I heard the front door slam violently.

I made my way over to the passenger seat of Jake's Rabbit and sat down, buckling my seatbelt.

I gazed out of my window at the beautiful, white house and heard the engine roar to life.

"Where are we going?" I asked.

"Just a place I like to go sometimes, it's a nice place to take a walk."

That left me with no clues whatsoever.

EPOV

Why did I let myself get so angry at the dog? I felt myself scowling at Bella. I've probably scared her off for good now!

AARGH! Why am I such a freaking idiot? You'd think that after being alive for over a century, I'd know how to treat a girl that I loved! Clearly, age does not mean wisdom.

I decided to go and sit back at the piano and channel my anguish into music. My keys randomly fingered the ivory keys, forming themselves into a sad melody. I was finding it impossible to play anything that could be considered happy.

I guess I was just going to have to come to terms with the fact that Bella would never love me. Never again would she see me as anything more than a friend. I would finally get option one. The safest path for her.

It was strange that I now wished that option one wasn't an option at all. I didn't want her not to love me, I wanted anything but that!

BPOV

Jake finally pulled up on the end of a trail. We hadn't been driving for very long.

"Come on, Bells" he said before ducking his head so he could clamber out the vehicle.

I undid the buckle, climbed out and jogged towards where he was standing. He took my hand, interlocking our fingers and dragged me towards the trees. I allowed myself to be pulled along behind him.

Of course, I managed to trip over several times but he just smiled and muttered things like "Typical Bella".

We had been walking for a while, and I felt like I had butterflies the size of pigeons inside my stomach. My legs were shaking and I felt slightly nauseous. I couldn't back out though. I had to do this.

I stopped in my tracks and took a deep breath.

"Jake, I need to tell you someth-" I was stopped by a long finger being pushed against my lips.

He took a deep breath and began to speak himself.

"Look, Bella. Before you say anything there's something I need to tell you. Something important."