Chapter 24

Okay so I am having a HUGE writer´s block, don´t blame me if this sucks but I just wanted to get it out. I needed to put something up so I can hold off for a month or so. (Unless someone has an idea, or if I get inspirited)

I gulped, and stood up to let Alice, Jasper and Edward in. His hand brushed my arm slightly, sending a shiver down my spine.

God, I love how he makes me feel.

I followed them inside, quickly claiming my chair again. I didn´t want to sit next to one of the Cullens, I was already nervous enough with three of them in my house. I felt like I was going to jump and run within a few seconds.

"Oh Bella, it's so good to see you!" Alice said, almost squealing. I sighed, and looked down.

"I know. Jasper, will you please stop trying to get around my block? It won't work," I said then, getting a little irritated at the feeling. Jasper raised his eyebrow at me, making me shrug.

I noticed Edward and Jasper exchanged something, but I didn't feel like asking what it was.

"How have you been, Bells?" Jasper asked then, his voice soft and smooth. I felt myself calm down a bit, but I also felt guilty for being rude.

"I am fine, thanks. How about you? Why were you at Yale, especially in the middle of the year?" I asked then, trying to be polite and interested.

They started to talk about something with this vampire that kept bugging Alice, making them leave that area. I didn't really listen, I let my mind wander a bit.

I could feel Edward watching me, scrutinizing me, but I didn't look at him. I was afraid he would see I wasn't really comfortable with Alice and Jasper. They kept exchanging knowing glances, looking at me and then at each other. I felt like I was missing something. Then again, I probably was.

I really wish you would share the secret with me, Jake. I searched for the mind of my best friend, ex-husband and confidant. I hoped he would support me.

This is something you have to find out for yourself, Bella. That is necessary.

I felt the life drain out of me, and I knew I needed to hunt soon. I couldn't do it tomorrow, I would have to do it this evening. I needed to train this power, I was using it a lot now but it drained me too much. Maybe if I trained it more it wouldn't go this… fast.

In the time I was off, Alice and Anna started a conversation, as did Jasper and Colin. Edward was watching me intently, as if he was trying to figure out my secret.

I shook my head at him, smiling a bit. He wasn't going to find out. For a moment, I let him in my mind.

You won't find it out unless I want you to. Don't even try to think about it, it's useless.

He smirked at me, and shrugged. "I can always try. I will find out."

"Maybe, but only when I let you," I answered, teasing him a bit. We grinned at each other. For a moment, I felt truly happy to have him back in my life. If he loved me or not, this was bliss.

Alice looked at me for a moment, smiling slightly, before turning back to her conversation.

"You know, Bells, we are going shopping this weekend! I just saw that I am going to look in your closet in a few moments, and I think you need new clothes. The ones you have are old!" Alice said, laughing at me. Jasper grinned at her, throwing an arm around his wife. Edward rolled his eyes.

And I panicked. Shopping. Alice.

That wasn't going to be good, and I knew it. This was going to remind me of my past, not to mention the fact I still hated shopping. Andrea and Alice were the same with that, in fact, they could have been twins. They both had this thing for shopping I couldn't understand. They both cheered up once someone mentioned shopping, and they both wanted to force you into things you'd never buy.

When she saw the look on my face, that was probably not a very nice one, she pouted.

"Aw, don't you like me anymore?" She said in that sweet voice of hers, looking me directly in the eye to see my response.

"Well-" I hesitated, not sure what to say. I didn't know the answer myself.

"Aw, man! Edward, look what you did to her!" Edward and I both stiffened at that, but she ignored it and went on. "I lost my best friend because of you! How could you be so stupid?!" Alice almost yelled at him. She stomped her foot, and stormed out of the house.

Edward and I looked at each other, both astounded, and then nodded at Jasper who excused himself to go after his wife.

After that, we sat a while in silence. It wasn't uncomfortable, we were all thinking about what just happened.

"I think it's better if I leave right now," Edward said softly. I nodded, and walked him to the door.

Without thinking about it, I gave him a small peck on his cheek. He looked up at me in surprise, but smiled then and left without returning the kiss.

I wanted to call him back for another kiss, but then I realized that kiss was already a big accomplishment. I kissed his cheek! And he seemed to be very happy about it. I almost expected him to give me a kiss back, but I remembered that he wanted me to set the pace, so he was letting me doing exactly that.

Still surprised at myself, I returned to the living room. I was a little lost in my thoughts, I guess, because I didn't hear Anna and Colin calling for me. When Anna slapped my arm, I finally looked up. I automatically rubbed the place she had hit me, even though it didn't really hurt I still felt it.

"We're going to a hotel. I think you want some privacy. We will stay here if you want to, but if you don't we'll leave," Anna said softly, looking concerned.

"Do whatever you want, Ann. I don't mind," I replied.

"Then we'll leave to give you some privacy," She said. Both she and Colin left the house, and I was left alone.

Again.

--
--

After that night I was sincerely freaked out. I wanted to run again, but I knew I couldn´t. Everyone would kill me if I would run away now.

Besides, I was going to hurt Edward that way, and I didn´t want that to happen. I could see that he did want to be with me, but I still didn´t believe it. I just had to keep telling myself that he loved me, and maybe I would believe it one day, if he showed me how much he actually loved me.

Jake, what am I going to do? I sent out, wondering if he could give me some advice.

I sat down on the kitchen table, waiting for an answer. Instead, a big wolf walked into the kitchen like it was something that happened every day.

I hold my breath for a moment, a reflex because of the smell. But I reminded myself that it was just Jacob, it wasn´t that bad.

It was bad, but I tried to ignore that.

I don´t know, Bells. I don´t know. But I will be there for you.

Thanks. I need that, I think.

That´s why I am here, after all, Jake replied.

I hopped off the counter, and hugged the big wolf. I closed my eyes, happy that there was someone who supported me, no matter what.

Then I heard the voice.

"No, Bella!"

(EPOV)

Thoughts flooded through my mind when I ran to Bella´s house. I had to talk to her.

I needed to apologize for my sister, she always overreacted. And I could see that Bella didn´t feel comfortable around her anymore.

I understood that she needed time to adjust to me, but to my sister? I didn´t really understand what was going on, and I was going to ask her if she wanted to talk to me about it.

Probably not, knowing how stubborn and unselfish Bella was. She would probably think it would cause me pain, so she would avoid the subject.

When I arrived at Charlie´s land, I stiffened at the smell.

Wolf.

Immediately, I felt worried. Why didn´t Alice tell me about an attack? Oh, right. I remembered that she couldn´t see werewolves.

Was Bella attacked? Did she survive?

I sped to her house, and saw the last thing I expected.

Bella, hopping off the kitchen table, towards the wolf who was sitting like it belonged there.

I leaped into action, horror washing through me.

"No, Bella!"

The next moment, I was on the ground, a shot of pain going through me.

(BPOV)

All I could see was Edward coming over to me, and the next moment he was on the ground. Both Jake and I hadn't moved, yet Edward was thrown at the ground as if someone had done that.

"Edward!" I said, really concerned about him. However, to avoid Jake from getting hurt, I didn't move myself away. I was now standing between them, that way Edward couldn't reach Jake.

I knew what he would think. I knew he would want to kill him.

I just couldn't allow that.

"Go!" I hissed to the big wolf. It hesitated, but then looked at me as if to say, "Be careful."

I smiled, and nodded.

The wolf left then, running away from the possible danger.

"What just happened? I felt like I was running against a wall?" Edward asked me. He stood up then, looking around.

I shrugged. "I have no idea. I didn't move at all, and neither did -"

"What was the wolf doing here?" Edward growled at me.

"That is none of your business." I snapped at him, stepping away.

I didn't want him to know about Jake. What if he felt threatened? But then I realized he had to know, or he'd hurt the wolf the next time he saw it near me. And I definitely wanted it near me.

"Sorry, maybe it is some of your business. You don't need to know all of the details, but I am asking you not to kill the wolf. He's… He's my friend. I need him," I told him, telling him all I could tell without giving my secret away.

"Friends with wolves…" Edward shook his head, exasperated.

"You're friends with Seth," I reminded him.

"That's different! Seth's half human!"

"So was Jake," I murmured, not looking at Edward.

"What? But… Jacob's dead, isn't he?"

I didn't answer that question.

"Why are you here?" I retorted, changing the subject. I didn't want him to ask questions I couldn't or wouldn't answer.

(EPOV)

She was obviously hiding something. I desperately wanted to know what it was, but I wasn't sure if she'd tell me if I kept asking about it. Pushing the subject might push her away from me, and that was the last thing I wanted.

"I wanted to talk to you about Alice," I said then.

She looked up, her now almost-brown colored eyes locking mine.

I almost saw her as a human again, her brown eyes boring into mine, her brown hair hanging loosely at her back, her posture suddenly vulnerable. She reminded me of human Bella.

"It's okay, Edward, I don't mind-" She started, her beautiful voice sending shivers down my spine when she said my name.

"But I do," I cut her off. I desperately needed her to know what I felt.

"Bella, I love you but like I keep telling you, you need time. And if you need more time without my sister or parents, I understand. If you don't want to see them, please don't. I don't want them chasing you away from me. I wouldn't be able to handle that…" I trailed off, my voice almost breaking at the thought of Bella leaving me again.

"Edward…" Her voice was no more than a whisper when she stepped forward to me.

I wanted to hold her so badly, just hold her in my arms to comfort her, to tell her it was all going to be okay. I wanted to tell her that I loved her and how I saw our future together. I wanted to kiss her, making her mine again. I wanted her to be mine so badly, I was afraid my control might slip.

Bella had no idea what she was asking from me, asking me not to touch her in any way. It was so hard for me sometimes, especially at moments like this. I wanted to be there for her, but I couldn't because she asked me to.

But now she stepped closer, and hugged me tightly. I hesitated, but figured I could hug her back now. I put my arms around her, enjoying the feeling of her body against mine. We fit together like a puzzle, and at this moment it felt like we were a completed puzzle now.

I was surprised she let me hold her for a long time. She didn't let go of me, so I didn't let go of her either. Her breathing was steady, her eyes closed as she hold onto me for dear life.

At that moment, I knew everything was going to be okay.

I hoped you liked it; sorry for the switching of POV's, but I wanted some pieces to be in Bella's POV and other's in Edward's, so sorry if it was a bit annoying.

I don't know when the next update will be. I am quite busy with lots of things right now, including school, so it might take another while.

Tell me what you think of this chapter!