Chapter 20

BPOV

I glanced at the clump of blue material in the envelope, then decided I should read the letter before I worry about it.

I held on to the letter and envelope while making my way to the couch. Alice and Rose sat down on either side of me, scooting close to see what the note was about.

I opened it up and slowly read the contents, able to see my friends reading over my shoulder as well.

Bella,

It's been awhile since I've gotten to see you up close, and I am excited to see you've grown into an even more tempting woman. I will forever be grateful to my brother for finding you for me. I haven't been able to get you off of my mind since High School. Even the tramps in collage can't compare to what your body could do for me. I'm looking forward to finally getting from you what I tried so hard to accomplish during school. I do not like to be denied, and I will not be. I finally decided it time to give you back an article of clothing that I still kept hold of from our adventure many years ago. I return them with the promise of obtaining another pair from you. You owe me now, remember that.

See you soon,

James

I heard gasps come from both Rose and Alice as they finished reading as their arms wrapped around me tighter. I dumped the contents of the envelope out and saw the blue material fall onto my lap. I picked it up to see what it was, although I was pretty sure I already knew. As I held it up I confirmed my own suspicions, it was the navy blue underwear I wore the night of the party that led up to James' first attempt on me.

I don't know how long I sat on the couch in silence. I dropped the bottoms almost as soon as I recognized them, but I didn't move other than that. The girls stayed with me, holding onto me, and luckily not asking questions. I had told them the gist of what happened with him before, so I knew I wouldn't have to explain that again.

After some time had past, I felt Alice tug on my arm and tell me we should go to bed. I got up with their help and went into Alice and my room. I laid on the bed, still in my day clothes, not feeling up to stripping at the moment. Even though there weren't any guys here, and I would be getting dressed again right after, I couldn't bring myself to willingly take my clothes off. I laid there for a bit just thinking over the letter, and having flashbacks of my junior year, and his attacks at me.

After awhile of not being able to fall into a slumber, and silently crying, I glanced over at Alice, noticing that she was still awake. I silently pleaded to her with my eyes. She gave me a sad smile and waved me over. "Oh come here, sweetie" she said, and patted the spot on her bed next to her. I laid down with her under the covers as she wrapped an arm around me and started playing with my hair in a comforting manner. After laying there for a little while, I finally fell asleep, though it was anything but peaceful. My nightmares never woke me, but they were vivid and felt brand new again.

The next morning I awoke to the sound of the alarm clock, though I realized it wasn't where I was normally used to seeing it. I vaguely heard an "Oh thank god" come from behind me.

I looked over and saw Alice next to me in the bed. She looked worse for the wear. I sat up to get a better look at her. She looked like she had been through a fight. Her hair was all over the place, she looked like she hadn't slept at all. I glanced down to see she had bruises on her arm, and something that looked like a bite mark on her forearm.

I looked back at her face and asked her what happened to her. I didn't remember seeing any of that on her the day before.

"You happened!" She exclaimed. "You were screaming and yelling half the night, which got annoying, but I understood, and you wouldn't wake up when I tried, regardless of how much I jostled you, or how loud I got. Then you proceeded to thrash and try to fight back. If you think my arms are bad, you should see my legs. I'm going to have to wear pants, and put make-up on my arms for weeks after the abuse I got during the night."

I felt so bad that I had done all of that to her. I had no idea my dream was going to be so vivid I took it out on her. I could feel the warm tears starting to fall down my cheeks while I kept my eyes on her arms.

"Oh hun, it's fine. I'm sorry, I was just giving you a hard time. Bruises show easy on me, you didn't really hurt me, and it gives me a good reason to go shop for more pants. You can never have too many perfect jeans." She said, starting to laugh a little.

I couldn't help but laugh a little at her attempt at cheering me up.

"I bit you," I stated quietly, glancing at her forearm.

"That's nothing to worry about either. You should see some of the marks Jasper leaves on me. We just try to keep those in places most people wouldn't encounter on me. I'll be fine, no worries, I promise." She reassured me.

I finally got in the bathroom to take a quick shower, then dressed for school.

The boys came over to our apartment to escort us to school. As I walked out, I saw Jasper looking at Alice's arms. I noticed Edward glancing at them, then over to me. He had the letter in his hand.

He walked straight over to me and pulled me into the tightest hold he has ever unleashed on me, lavishing small kisses on the crown of my head.

"How are you love?" He asked.

"I'll be fine. I don't want to think about it right now, but at least I know why the teacher's assistant looked so familiar. I should have figured it out sooner. He was at the party with the rest of us. He is about a year older than James, but they were in the same grade. I'm surprised he would still be here. It would only make sense I guess that he would tell James about seeing me. He was always trying to help him get to me. He was usually the lookout. I suppose he never really gave up that job." I replied.

"Are you okay going to classes today, I can stay home with you if you'd like?" He stated.

"No, I've already missed classes over this. I'm not going to give him the upper hand. I've worked too hard to be at this school, I won't ruin that now, not over this. I will be fine, plus, I have you and Em to keep me safe, right." I informed him, giving him a small smile.

He nodded, then grabbed our bags and kept an arm around my waist as we all filed out of the apartment.

Being in the math course with Edward and Emmett was a whole new experience. I had gotten used to Emmett's protection of me during my earlier years of college, but the combined forces of them was taking it to a whole new level. When we entered, they both had a hold of me, Edward's arm still wrapped around my waist, and Em's arm secure around my elbow. They led me up to the top row and sat me between the two of them. With our placement they were able to see everyone in the room, not allowing anyone to sneak up on us. Any time a guy would come near us, or glance at me, they would collectively give them fatal looks. I was starting to expect to see guys just drop dead on the stairs during class.

It was nice being in Edward's class though. He seemed to understand the material better than I did, so he was able to explain it to me, and help me out with it.

The rest of the day went by pretty uneventful. I could feel a small case of paranoia start to come on though. I always felt like there was someone staring at me, or following behind me. I'm sure I looked this side of special as I kept snapping my head one way and the other to make sure no one was behind me, or after me.

When I got home, I saw my duffel, full, and resting by the end of the couch. Rose came out of her room and I looked back at the duffel then at her questioningly.

"Alice packed your overnight bag with enough clothes to last you a week or so. She talked to Edward and they agreed that you should stay with him for awhile. They said this way you can sleep better, Edward and Emmett can keep you safe, since we know that this guy knows where you live, and also so Alice doesn't get beaten up anymore. You know, I'm glad you finally hit her. With all her hyper spells and over enthusiasm about everything, I've had to stop myself from doing it a few times. I'm happy that in the end, she got hers." Rose said, laughing at the last part.

"So I guess I have no say huh? Not that I mind staying with Edward and Emmett, I just don't want to put anyone out."

"You're fine, you aren't putting anyone out. Edward had one request though if you are going to stay there for awhile. He said something about leaving you're Edgar Allen Poe book here, because he didn't need another mark from it. " She explained.

"Okay, and he wouldn't have had a mark if he didn't sneak up on unsuspecting people, even if they are in his bed." I stated with mock irritation.

Shortly after our interaction Edward came by and I grab my bag and we left to go back to his house. I found out on the way there that Jasper was going to be staying with the girls while I was at Edward's. That way they weren't completely alone, since creepy assistant guy knows our address.

Edward took me by his house so I could drop off my stuff and clean up, then he took me out on another date. We went out to dinner and to see a show. It was a nice escape.

I slept much better that night, being safe in Edward's arms. At least I didn't have to worry about injuring him too badly.

When I awoke the next morning, I noticed the bed was empty. I looked around, and turned off the alarm clock. I heard noises out in the main part of the apartment and climbed out of bed to make my way out there.

When I walked out of the bedroom door, I thought I was going to pass out. I was in complete shock. I walked out to the sight of Edward setting the table and Emmett by the stove cooking. I shook my head to try and wake myself up, but when I opened my eyes, nothing had changed.

"Good morning sleepy head. We thought we would make breakfast before school today." Edward told me, as he walked over to pull me into a hug and give me a small kiss.

I looked back over to Emmett to see what he was making. All I could see was two aerosol cans near him. One I could tell by the label was Pam. The other, which was a bit bigger with a tan label, I didn't recognize. I saw him shake it, flip it upside down and spray it into the pan that was on the stove.

"Em, what are you making, are you cooking, whip cream?" I asked, still completely puzzled.

"No, silly," He said as he grabbed the can and turned toward me, displaying it so I could see that label. "It's 'Pancake Batter in a Can', it's awesome, and easy." He explained, looking so proud of himself.

"Pancake in a can? Really? How the hell does that work?" I asked, still in a bit of shock. I walked over to the pan and sure enough, there was a pancake in it.

Still in disbelief, and a little unsure if the things would even be any good, we sat down to the table, with plates full of canned pancakes. I very timidly cut a small piece off of one, and ate it. Holy shit it was good.

After devouring my pancakes, I took a shower and headed to Edward's room to get ready while waiting for him.