A/N- Please read! I hope you enjoy this chapter. And don't forget to review when you are done!

CHAPTER 21: IS HE? WOULD HE?

Bella's Pov

English with Jacob was just as strange as the day before. He sat next to me, of course, in the corner of the classroom; however, this time he kept all forms of conversation absent. I tried my best to ignore the fact that he was trying to play "hard to get" while choosing the seat next to me, obviously looking for my attention. All the anger and hostility began boiling inside my head from Jakes poor demeanor. I slammed my fist down hard on my notebook, secretly imagining Jake's forehead and not a poor piece of paper.

"Don't forget your essays are due, see you tomorrow," my teacher dismissed the class.

"Bella?"

I hesitated while I finnished packing my bag before I turned to face Jake standing sheepishly behind me. I met his gaze and after another long pause I turned away from him for he continued to stare at me without speaking.

"Bella," he called again.

"What?" I asked, turning to face him once more. My voice was painted in obvious annoyance.

Jake opened his mouth, about to say something, and then shut it with a loud snap.

"What, Jake?" I asked much more calmly.

"Forget it," he said, turning towards the door.

I didn't call him back. I didn't feel bad about being mean to him, and he sure as hell didn't desurve my pity. However, no matter how hard I tried to convince myself that I didn't give a damn about Jake anymore, I couldn't help but feel guilt swell in my heart as I walked pass the cafateria to meet Edward. Arriving at our usual spot, I noticed he wasn't leaning against the brick wall like he usually did at this hour. Infact, Edward wasn't anywhere in sight though I knew he was here because, like every other day, we got dressed and came to school together.

Sighing loudly with annoyance, I settled myself against the wall and waited patiently for him to show up. As I sat there, thinking about Jake and the last disturbed expression that arranged his face, I tried to clear my mind by analyzing the students that continued to walk past me. Looking around, my eyes suddenly landed upon the bronze hair and leather jacket I knew all too well. Edward... talking to a girl with large curly hair across the campus. It was Jessica, the girl he supposedly couldn't stand. The girl that has had a crush on him sense his senior year back in high school.

I froze, confused as to why he was keeping me waiting on purpose.

But there was also something else tugging at the back of my mind. A feeling that made my stomach clench and my hands dampen. A feeling that had my knawing on the inside of my cheek and caused my heart to accelerate. Is Edward chea--? No! I couldn't utter the word, not even in my mind. Plus, Edward would never do that to me, right? He wouldn't. But why was he ignoring me then? Ignoring the fact that I was standing here in the cold and rain waiting for him? Why was he conversing with Jessica Stanley instead of comming to meet me? And why Jessica?

Suddenly, Edward's eyes flashed to mine. A look of pure bewilderment crossed his face. I watched him wave to Jessica and then turn to jog his way towards me. I didn't know how to react. I flinched, turned left, and then right. Finally I decided I shouldn't try to run away from him, considering we were now living together, and so I just stood there like an utter fool.

"Bella!" Edward yelled to me, mere feet away. He was wearing that crooked smile I loved so much.

I frowned. The suspicion was still tugging at the back of my mind. I could hardly look at him.

"Sorry for making you wait. Jessica was just asking me about our History project." Edward's voice was smooth and calm. Completely innocent.

"Isn't your project due next week?" I asked, my eyes still on the ground.

"Yes. But I'm guessing she wanted to get a head start."

I didn't say anything.

And neither did he.

"Ready to go?" he asked, offering me his hand.

I nodded, took his hand and allowed him to lead the way towards his Volvo.

"Do you want to maybe go to dinner or see a movie tonight?" I asked Edward as we walked through his front door. We didn't talk much during the ride home, and so I thought I should make conversation.

"I'm sorry, love. I have to work tonight."

"Oh... OK." I turned to head towards the stairs.

"Why don't we go tomorrow night?" Edward continued.

"Sure."

"Bella," Edward called. "What's wrong?" He obviously noticing my distantness.

"Hm?" I asked, pretending to be completely bewildered.

"Are you upset about Jessica?" He asked.

'Duh!' I wanted to yell, but instead I landed on, "Who?"

Edward raised an eyebrow, studding me through his thick eyelashes. "Jessica Stanley. I was talking to her about the project."

"Why would I be upset, Edward?" I asked.

I could feel the mockery on my face and taste the sarcasm as it rolled off my tongue. Surely Edward knew I was upset. He chose to converse with Jessica and leave me waiting in the rain.

"You tell me," he argued.

I could feel a chain of hurtful words ready themselves in my throat. I opened my mouth... and then shut it without a word. Now wasn't the time for an argument.

"What?" Edward asked.

"You're going to be late," I said, after a moment of hesitation.

--

I spent two hours writing a rough draft of my essay, but that wasn't enough to keep me occupied. My mind was filled with images of Edward and Jessica. Edward dressed in his nurses outfit, between Jessica's legs. The thought had my stomach turning. I got up quickly from his bed and headed down stairs. As I entered the living room, I saw Emmett seated on the floor, his legs out in front of him while he stretched.

"Hi," I said.

Emmett turned to look at me, his smile fading as his eyes landed on my face.

"What's up?" he asked, obviously concerned.

"Nothing. What's up with you?"

"I'm just getting ready to go for a run. Wanna join me?"

"No," I scuffed. "I can't even walk without tripping. Imagine what would happen to me if I ran?"

"True," Emmett laughed.

"So," he began again as the room filled with silence, "are you hungry? I can make you something before I leave."

I was instantly shocked to hear that Emmett would be able to make something edible, but I hid my amusement by saying, "no thanks. I'll make myself something."

Emmett left after a few minutes of small talk, and I headed back up stairs. I wasn't hungry... at all.

--

As I was finished typing my essay on Edward's laptop, I head the front door open and then shut. It had to be Edward because Emmett arrived home from his jog an hour ago. Glancing at the time, I saw it was 11:30 pm. Edward was late... again.

"Hey, love. What are you still doing up?" Edward asked me as he entered the room.

My eyes followed over his every move; the way he shrugged out of his leather jacket and loosened the buttons on his shirt.

"I had an essay to write," I answered.

"You're still typing it?" He asked, amused, as he laid down in front of me.

My eyes played along the way his shirt grew tight over his perfect pecks, and then sagged loosely at his waist. Edward's jeans lay low on his hips, his black boxer briefs barely visible from beneath his shirt.

"Why are you late?" I asked, my eyes still on his boxer briefs.

"They needed more help."

"Again?"

Edward turned to look at me. His face was serious as his dark green eyes burned into mine. He was studding my face, trying to read my mind.

"Is there something wrong, Bella?" he asked. Edward's voice was barely a whisper.

"Should there be?" I asked, mocking his tone of voice.

Edward sat up and crawled slowly towards me. As soon as he was close enough, he sat back onto his heels and cupped my face in between his hands.

"If there is something on your mind, please tell me," he said. "I'm here for you. I love you."

"Then why did you make me wait in the rain for you?!" The words spilled from my mouth like poison. I was instantly upset with myself for uttering what I tried my best not to say. I didn't want to argue, I didn't want him to know just how angry I was.

"What?" he asked. Edward's face hardened. He was upset and confused.

"Why did you leave me there... waiting for you so that you can talk to Jessica?" My voice was beginning to shake.

"Bella I... Jessica wanted to ask me a question. That's all. I'm sorry I made you wait."

"It's not her, Edward," I said after a moment.

"Then what is it?"

I couldn't say it. I didn't want to say it.

"Tell me, Bella."

"Is there... someone else?" I said this with my eyes closed. I couldn't look at him, see his expression.

"Why would you ask me that?" Edward's voice was low and pained. It made my body tremble. I hated hurting him.

"Just answer the question--"

"No, Bella!" He yelled.

My eyes flashed open, landing on his pained face.

"Of course there is no one else! How can you ask me that?"

"I'm sorry," I began to cry. "I just... I don't know what's come over me. I'm just so confused all the time."

"What are you confused about? Do you feel like you can't trust me?"

"No. It's just. I've been having nightmare... about you leaving me for someone else."

Edward pulled me into his arms.

"I could never do anything to hurt you," he breathed into my hair. "Never."

"I know. I'm sorry."

"You have nothing to be sorry about, love."

Edward cupped my face into his hands once more so that he could gaze into my eyes. He didn't say anything. Instead, he just stared at me, and continued to wipe the tears from my cheeks with his thumbs. And then after a moment, he kissed me. Softly. His lips brushed against mine, just savoring the feel of my lips against his. And then he kissed me harder. His mouth opened and his tongue darted out, tasting me. I parted my lips as well, allowing him entrance into my mouth. My essay was soon forgotten as Edward and I tangled ourselves in each others arms. And that was how we spent the rest of our night. Just kissing and cuddling. Soon, I fell asleep; from the soft sounds of Edward's humming voice and the feel of Edward's fingers playing along the side of my neck.

A/N- School has been very busy, like always, but I will try to update as soon as I can.

I hope you all enjoy this chapter.

-PuppetStrings19