Chapter 21

Your eyes, they shine so bright/ I want to save that light/ I can't escape this now/ Unless you show me how –Demons by Imagine Dragons.

Edward's POV

Ever since I met Bella I've been worried about her. I feel the need to protect her, to make her feel safe. She seems to have improved but lately she has me concerned. She's been acting odd. I thought it was because of what happened with Emmett but it's something else. I talked to Angela and she told me that Bella sometimes looked lost. I talked to Bella about it and she said that everything was fine. I wish she would tell me the truth, I want to help her but it's hard if she doesn't want my help and that's hard to accept. It makes me feel like she doesn't trust in me, like if I were an outsider. I don't know what else to do.

I thought about talking to her parents but they are never around and I don't want to make things worse between Bella and them. Today is our second month anniversary, and I have a surprise for Bella. I know I promised I wouldn't give her any more jewelry from grandma Masen but this ring doesn't count. It belonged to my grandma but it was transferred to my mom and she gave it to me a year ago. It's not an engagement ring; it's more like a promise ring. It would be my promise to her. In some years I hope that Bella accepts me as her husband. Nothing would make me happier. I want to be there for her all my life. It's hard not knowing what's on her mind, she's evasive and always find a way to skip my questions. I talked to Alice about it and she told me I should just let Bella seek for my help, I shouldn't interfere if she doesn't want me to.

I'm meeting Bella at her house because I promised to help her study and her parents won't be around which is a plus. I park my car in the usual place in front of Bella's house. I take out my backpack, some flowers I've got for her; the ring is in my jacket. I knock the doorbell and wait for my girlfriend to appear. When she opens the door I can't help but notice how beautiful she looks, she has some make-up on, she doesn't need it, but she looks amazing. "Happy anniversary" I say and kiss her gently on the lips. I give her the flowers and she proceeds to put them in water.

Her eyes are usually glistening and full of life, today they're puffy and a cast of red is on them, I know now the reason of the make-up. She's been crying and she tried to hide it. I have to ask her what's going on, as expected she answers with a question. "Bella, I know you. There's something that's bothering you and I can see that. The fact that you're avoiding my question just emphasizes what I've said."

"Nothing's going on, I'm fine." She's chewing her lip, I know something's going on when she chews her lip.

"Bella, come on. What is it? I can't help you if you don't tell me what's wrong." I hold her by the waist and pull her close to me. She insists that everything's fine. I let go of her, just like Alice told me to. If she doesn't want to talk I won't force her. I go out the door and head to my car.

"Edward, please wait. What are you doing? Don't go please!" I have to be strong. I want to turn around and hold her close and make her feel better, but I won't. She needs to know that her reluctance to talk to me is something I won't take anymore. I start the engine. If we're moving on she has to open up to me. "If you're not going to talk to me, I don't see why I should stay." That sounds harsh but it's the truth. I'm not really planning to go away. I just want to calm down and I want her to do the same so we can talk.

I can't stand watching her cry, I feel bad for doing that to her but it's for our own good. After some minutes she goes to her house and closes the door behind her. Strong. I need to be strong. Just hand in there some minutes. I close my eyes and start breathing evenly. My phone rings and it's Alice. Before I can speak, Alice's voice reverberates from the speaker. "Edward! Where are you? You need to come home soon." "I'm outside of Bella's house. What happened?"

"It's Emmett and dad again. They're arguing and I think it's serious this time. Emmett is threatening to leave the house Edward, you have to hurry." I know things are not good between them. That's the reason why Emmett was reluctant to leave France, he didn't want to live with dad anymore. He finally agreed to come because mom begged him to. I don't want to leave Bella in this state but I can't let things escalate at home. I don't want any of them doing something they'll regret later. "Ok, I'm on my way. Don't let any of them out of the house. I should be there in a couple of minutes."

I'm taking a short cut to my house. I've only taking it once and I hated it, there's no pavement and the road is uneven but it's the fastest way to get home. I know something is not good. The ground is slippery because it rained the entire night. I try to avoid the roots from the trees and the rocks spread on the road but it's hard. The car is jogging and it's getting hard to control it, coming ahead lays a big rock I turn the wheel to the right and end losing control of the car. I hit the break and nothing happens, the car is tumbling down now. Panic is spreading down my spine. I have to stop the car from getting to the river. But I can't, this is out of my control.

Everything happens so fast. Through the window I see branches, rocks and mud. Then I don't see individual objects anymore, it's blurry and I just see colors, followed by the faces of my family and Bella. Then I don't see anything, I don't feel anything. I guess I should be in pain but I'm not. All I feel is peace and freedom.

A/N: I'm touched by your reviews, favorites and follows, I appreciate each one dearly. The story was selected as a featured story and I'm overwhelmed by it. This inspires me to write more. Eva.

Disclaimer: I do not own the lyrics of the song Demons, it is property of Chasing Dragons. No copyright infringement is intended.