Daylight

BellaPOV

Chapter 25

I grabbed a few school books I had lying on my car floor as he slammed the door shut and unlocked the front door.

''Bella, what are you doing?''

''I'm sorry, Edward, but there's no time to get out of here, they'll see the car.'' I ran, faster than anyone could see, and pulled Edward in through the door as the car pulled up.

The hallway was tidy, wooden flooring, red carpet running up the stairs, the doors leading away from the hall were all closed obscuring my view of them. There was a bloodstain on the wall, a big one. There were exactly two pictures, one of Edward, one of Alice, from when they were around four.

''The school rang them, said you didn't go to school today, they cut their trip short.'' At least that was what I got from their conversation.

''I'm sorry.'' His face was drained of color, like he had just witnessed a murder.

''God, no, I'm sorry.'' I muttered. The door jingled and opened slightly.

Edward's dad looked like him, only much, much older; he had a bear belly and a week's scruff on his face. His green eyes resembled Edward's, but were bloodshot.

He looked angry, furious even, his eyes trailed on Edward, until his eyes drifted to me, and his expression softened. He smiled at me, sending an unpleasant shiver down my spine.

''Mr and Mr's Masen,'' I said politely. ''I'm Bella Cullen, we were just doing our Biology project.'' I held up my books, proof. ''I was just going-''

''Oh, what a shame.'' His mother smiled at me, her hair greying at the roots and her features papery. ''It was nice to meet you Bella, we'd invite you for dinner but we just got back, maybe next time?'' She smiled at me too, her lips reluctantly pulling up.

I nodded. ''Sorry for taking up your driveway, if I knew you would be back I wouldn't have.''

''Oh, that's fine.'' Was the only thing his mother said, then they stared at me and though it felt wrong to not say goodbye to Edward, but I had to. I left with them staring after me, and then I got into my car and drove around the corner, my fingers falling over the keys of my phone as I texted Jasper with an update, and to keep Alice away.

I could hear some of their conversation as I ran back to their house.

''Is this what you do when we're not here? Have girls over? Did she stay here last night? God, Edward that is so irresponsible. We had you before we were ready and look how that turned out.'' I jumped up to the tree and in his bedroom window that squeaked slightly. ''If you got that bitch pregnant I'm not paying to get that taken care of.''

I sat on his bed, basking in the scent of him and praying he didn't respond; that wouldn't make things easier.

''Mom-'' he began in protest.

A sharp slap erupted throughout the house and I almost fell off his damn bed. I couldn't handle this. This wasn't right, how could I sit here while his mother slapped him? What if anything worse happened? I couldn't handle that. I just couldn't.

''Your father will sort you out,'' she huffed. ''I'll make dinner, honey.''

I think this woman was bipolar.

''She was a pretty young thing, huh?'' his dad chuckled, Edward was silent, but his breathing could be heard even if I was a mile away. ''Nice, out of your league. Don't tell me you thought she'd like you?'' he snorted. ''Hear that, Liz? He thought he had a shot.'' His voice rose and turned on a cruel laughing edge. ''Where's your sister?''

''Alice is out, she'll be back later.'' Edward said calmly.

''WHAT!'' he roared, I winced. ''You weren't allowed to leave this house, you know that, or have little slut's over, she only wants you to do her homework for her, and what do you get, huh?'' I clenched my eyes shut. I knew what he meant. He would do my homework and I would pay him…

''Don't talk about her like that.'' Edward gritted out.

I froze, I think time did, I swear the clock I could hear in the kitchen stopped ticking. The next minute I heard skin hit skin and Edward's gasp of pain. ''You disgust me.'' left his father's lips before a door slammed.

It seemed too quiet for the house after what just happened in the moments that followed. Edward slowly climbed the stairs. I stood and waited at his door, tense.

Once he walked in and turned on the light, I glanced at his face, to confirm his father had punched him in the face and not somewhere else, and then I flung myself at him. I was careful though, so I didn't crush him. He was so tall when my arms were wrapped around him I held on so tight I had to stand on my tiptoes, but he held me to him for support.

We swayed slightly, my chin resting on his shoulder, I began to speak, hoping I didn't let out any dry sobs. ''Please.'' I choked out, not able to continue.

''Please what?'' He asked. ''Bella, this mightn't help you, but please breathe.'' I could hear the worry in his voice.

''Please come home with me. Don't stay here. I don't care about your fucking reasons, Edward, your parents are horrible people.''

''I know.'' He agreed. ''Did you hear what they said about you? I'm sorry, that was so bad, you should have never met them.''

''It's fine, Edward, the only thing what bothers me is that they hit you.''

''Oh, this is nothing.'' He dismissed.

''That worries me.'' I admitted. ''I'm scared as hell Edward, for you and for Alice, what will they do to you later?''

''I don't know, but I'll just have to face it.'' He sighed, and we were so close it felt like I did too.

''You don't have to, you can come home with me.'' I repeated myself. ''Why stay? You know only pain is waiting, why would you do that to yourself?''

''Bella, I don't care about me, only you and Alice.''

''That also worries me.'' I pointed out. ''self-preservation, care about yourself. I don't like this.''

''You don't have to.''

''But I do, and I don't.''

''You don't need to worry.'' He pulled me impossibly closer and took in a deep breath, as if cherishing this moment.

''I have to worry.'' I whispered, a single sob breaking free, which made me feel like a delicate, useless , stupid girl. I decided to just say it. ''I have to worry about you, because I've never loved anyone like I've loved you. Like I love you.''

''Bella?''' he asked, and then seemed to realize he had asked again and continued before I answered. ''Let's just get out of here.''

''Really?'' I said in disbelief, I really thought I wouldn't crack him.

''Bella?'' he asked, purposely that time.

''Yes?''

He didn't say another word, but instead leaned back and kissed me. Nothing in this world was perfect but at least for now everything was right.

Review please! Thank you! How do you feel about Edward's parents? I wanted to hit them…gur….see you all Monday! ;)xxx

-BATTM