Chapter 13 – Impressions (Edward's POV)

"What lies beyond an appearance, is usually the truth."

"It really rains all the time. You weren't kidding," Blair says as she looks around at the wet foliage that surrounds us.

"How else did you think we survived here for so long?" I asked amused as Blair wrinkles her nose as water drips onto the hood of her beige jacket.

"Is that seriously the high school? God. It looks the place we can expect to see Nate's dad in soon enough," Blair stops herself quickly, obviously she's said something inappropriate, only I have no idea who Nate's dad is. She smiles apologetically, and I can't help but smile back. Blair is adorable, I decide. She's so unlike Bella. I can't read either of their minds, but Blair is so readable. I know exactly what she's feeling, which is a good thing as she feels so much.

"What?" Blair asks frowning.

I smile but don't respond. Instead I reach out my arm and tuck her into me. She seems surprised by the gesture but doesn't resist. To be honest, I'm surprised how at eases I feel. In a couple of minutes Bella will exit the school and I'll see her for the first time in seven months. I am slightly nervous about what I might see, but if she's ok it means we can all move on. And even though I will miss Bella, I'm starting to believe that I'm actually moving towards were I was meant to be.

"Ew," Blair exclaims suddenly, "who the hell wears a bright pink coat? Attention whore much?" Blair has noticed Jessica.

I laugh, "That's Jessica. She's always chasing the spotlight."

"You didn't like her?" Blair looks up at me, still under my arm.

"I didn't pay any attention to her, I figure she gave herself enough attention," I tell her.

I can't help but marvel at the ease of the conversation amidst the prospect of a very heavy situation.

"That's her isn't it?" Blair whispers. I follow her gaze, suddenly feeling very still. It crashed into me like a wave and I feel my arm crushing Blair to my side. Blair doesn't make a sound but grips me harder.

Bella wanders out of the building. Same bulky yellow raincoat. Same converse shoes. Long hair immediately soaked by the rain. Skin pale as ever. Mike Newton is at her side, talking to her and she's nodding politely. I can tell she's not interested in the conversation. Her eyes are scanning the parking lot looking for her escape.

As uncomfortable as she looks, she looks ok. Better than ok, she looks strong. She's smiling at Mike Newton, biting her lip as she laughs a polite laugh.

"She's beautiful," Blair whispers, but I ignore her. Bella's pointing to something. She has found her escape from Mike.

I focus and try to listen to Mike's thoughts.

Oh, this guy again…..

What guy?

I realize Bella hasn't found her escape. She's being rescued. Jacob Black makes his way over. Mike quickly excuses himself and disappears before Jacob reaches them. Bella's face lights up. I decide I've seen enough.

"We're done," I say dropping my arm from around Blair and backing away from the school.

"But—," Blair begins.

"We're done!" I say again and take off into the woods, leaving Blair standing alone.

"Everyone see what you appear to be, few experience what you really are."

I reach the house in minutes. We still own it, and all the furniture and our belongings are still there. I'm sure my family plan to return at some point in the distant future. I bounce into the living room and stand near the piano. Immediately my head fills with the sound of Bella's lullaby and I exit the room and head upstairs. I'm trying to process my feelings but I'm not sure what I feel.

Sadness? Relief? Anger? Love?... Love for who?

I was content standing out the front of the school with Blair, I thought seeing Bella would be easier with her by my side. And it was. But seeing Bella with Jacob Black has triggered something in me. I feel the familiar need to protect Bella nibble at me.

"Edward?" Blair's voice echo's throughout the house. It's timid, she's afraid. What is she scared of?

I don't answer but listen to her movements. I hear her sigh and her footsteps get softer as she moves into the living room. I hear the couch creak as she sits down. I even hear her feet scrap softly against the leather as she tucks her legs up on the couch. She must be aware I am here. I wonder why she doesn't come upstairs.

I close my eyes and sit down on the couch in my room, pressing my fingers against my temples. I have to face the reality of what I just learnt. Bella is spending time with a werewolf. A breed of animal feared for their anger and strength. I'm worried about Bella's safety. I can't ignore what else I know. Jacob loves Bella, and somewhere in his mind, he sensed Bella does or could return those feelings.

This is what I wanted. What I thought I wanted. Bella to find happiness and love and to have a life she couldn't have with me. But how can she have that with a werewolf? She is no safer with him.

Time passes and I pull myself off the couch. I need to see Blair and explain my behavior. I reach the bottom of the stairs and see her still sitting on the couch perfectly still. Her eyes meet mine and she smiles at me.

"I just wanted to check you were ok," she whispers, almost as if she is apologizing for being there.

I smile back and walk over to her kneeling down before her.

"I need to explain," I say running my hand across her cheek. She seems surprised by the gesture but merely nods, encouraging me to continue, "I was taken aback by what I saw and felt. The boy she was with, Jacob Black, I was surprised to see her with him."

"You were upset she had found another man?" Blair asks, although her tone suggests she already thinks this to be true.

"I'm not a man Blair, and neither is he," I say.

Blair's eyes widen, "He's a vampire?"

"A werewolf," I say.

"Of course," Blair mutters, "vampires are real, why not werewolves as well?"

"Blair-" I begin.

"Are witches real? Or Santa?" Blair asks and suddenly the intensity of the situation shatters.

I roll my eyes, "is that really what you're focusing on?"

"I have no idea how to react here Edward," Blair says honestly, "I have no idea what I'm doing. What were you hoping to find? That she was ok?"

"I guess," I say not too sure where Blair is going with the conversation.

"Well she looked ok to me. She looked happy," Blair says.

"But she's in danger," I protest.

"Of what? The wolf looked ok to me. He loves her doesn't he? And you heard him think it?" Blair asks.

I nod slowly, "but he could hurt her. Wolves are strong and unpredictable."

"She's always at risk of getting hurt Edward," Blair reasons, "and the reality is what can you do? If you come back only to leave again, she'll be worse off than when you left the first time. In all honesty though, do you think he'd deliberately hurt her?"

Blair's words sink in and I realize that if I can't be the one to look after Bella, Jacob Black may be. He can protect her, and Bella takes extra care for protecting. He can also offer her a future and some resemblance of a normal life. Alice was right, Blair was sent here for me. To help me and to be with me. I am so overcome with this knowledge that I don't answer Blair I just stand, lean over her and kiss her. I put all the passion and care I can into the kiss, wanting her to know that I'm ready. I'm ready to move on and ready to start forever with her.