Chapter 18

We had managed to forego Alice's desire to shop for a completely new wardrobe. Much to her distress but much to my delight. Edward's and my departure happened quickly, and we were already two hours away from the Cullens household.

I had been so lost in thought that I didn't even think to question where we were going. You would think I'd be a lot more cautious traveling with a vampire. Stealing a glance at Edward, his eyes were on the road. Neither of us had spoken since we left. I know my reasoning, but I would think that Edward would try and further this budding friendship along.

"Everything alright Edward? Do you need to stop?" The last thing I wanted was to be alone in a car with a hungry vampire. No matter how well intentioned.

Edward sighed in defeat and pulled over to the side of the road. "I really hate to leave you here, but it's not like I can bring you with me and I do not think there's any place near by. So..."

"I'll be fine Edward. Besides, there's not much choice. I'll lock the door, now just go." I smile gently and what I hope to be reassuringly. Edward is obviously in a state of indecision still yet walks away in resignation.

"If you even think you are in any kind of danger, start the car and get out of here. I'll find you." And then he broke into a run.

Straightening back into my seat I notice a sign a few feet in front of Edward's Volvo. 'Mountain Home, 50 miles.' Ten minutes had passed and there's still no sign of Edward. To try and pass the time faster I even started counting down the seconds.

Finally I just got out of the car and started walking a little bit. With nothing else to keep me preoccupied I started thinking about what I am really doing. Leaving on this road trip with someone who is supposed to just be a friend. This could be odd especially since said friend wants something more I think.

But on the other hand, as much as I feel like I need to keep myself distant from the Cullens, it's hard to ignore how genuine they've all been. And if I kept up my stone wall forever and it turned out that they really were who they claim to be then that would be the greatest regret and mistake ever. Should I take a chance? Even if that might mean falling straight over the edge?

I wish there was some sort of magic eight ball that could give me the perfect answer. Edward seems so right. Like as dorky as it sounds, I could easily see us having a forever together. But in my situation I can't afford to be so naïve.

"Bella!"

I turned around hearing the yelling. Edward is slowly pulling up in his car completely panicked. If he wasn't so serious I probably would have laughed out right at him.

"What's wrong Edward?" I opened the car and plopped myself down in the passenger seat.

"Are you serious? When I came back and found you were no where in sight I almost had a heart attack."

"A heart attack? Very funny."

"Dammit Bella I was worried someone got to you." Edward's hands were in a vice grip around the steering wheel. If he were human I really would worry about a heart attack being the issue. As selfish as it is, it was kind of nice that he was so worried about me.

"You're right. I'm sorry, I was just tired of waiting by myself in the car."

He briefly looked at me and then sighed with resignation.

((AN: I hate when authors update short chapters. And now I'm being a hypocrite by doing the same thing. But here's my excuse/explanation:

I have no internet until who knows when, that is why my updates have been sparse and sporadic. Though I have to accredit some of it to laziness. :( Hope you liked this little taste of a chapter!))