Thank you for reviewing. This chapter carries on from the last one.
Chapter twenty-eight.
Edward's POV. (Still on the recap)
Although I didn't know Bella much, although we only spoke in this public park, although I knew how troubled she was, somehow I always listened to her.
And I listened to her pleas too.
"Why is he here?" I asked her as I got up.
"Just go please", she whispered, "before he sees you."
With a resigned sigh, I patted Bella awkwardly on the head and ran the other direction to which I came which led to crowd of trees.
Then I stopped and turned around. Ducking behind a tree, I watched as the small figure approached closer and closer. Striding with authority.
It was James.
His face held a grimace, his nose turned upwards. His fists were clenched and his eyes held fury. I glanced over to Bella, she had stopped swinging altogether. She looked frozen in place. Her eyes were open, never blinking. She looked frozen in time. Frozen in fear.
"Where the fuck is it?" hissed James from a distance. Bella looked confused. She stood up from her swing, playing with her glove on her hand. I winced at his voice as I noticed Bella did too.
She took a step back, her eyes widened and her lips parted slightly. James strided closer, his eyes were narrowed as he glowered at Bella.
"Where's what?" asked Bella timidly.
"You went into my room and you took it, I want it back", snapped James. He stopped, a meter away from Bella, staring down at her. I gripped the trunk of the tree to stop myself from going over there and…
"Give it back NOW!" roared James, taking another step closer.
"I don't know what you're talking about", whispered Bella in a terrified and strained voice, "I didn't take anything, I swear!"
"Don't be a bitch about this", scoffed James, rolling his eyes, "what are you doing here anyway? God, you're such a loner, Bella."
"Go away", she sighed, turning around but staring at the ground. Her nose was red and her chest was heaving now. I could see she was about to have another one of her breakdowns. I wanted so much to go over there and help her. So hold and tell her that it was ok, that she shouldn't cry. But James was still present and he didn't look too bothered about the fact that his little sister was about to cry.
"That's not very nice", laughed James, sitting down on one of the swings. He reached forwards and pulled Bella back, "look at me when I'm talking to you! Honestly, I try to teach you manners but you end up being a thieve."
"I didn't steal anything", hissed Bella, as the liquid in her eyes finally spilt over from anger, "can't you just leave me alone? Why do you have to be such an annoying bastard all the time?"
"Say that again", threatened James with venom in his voice. He stood up, towering over Bella as he glared down at her. She kept her eyes on her ground, biting her bottom lip and sighing regretfully.
"I…I didn't steal anything", whispered Bella, she took a step back to get away from James, "please…just leave me alone, James. You don't like me and I don't like you so let's just stay out of each other's faces."
James cocked his head to the side. He looked almost thoughtful until a wry smile appeared on his lips. Bella looked up at him, still nibbling softly on her lips.
"Tell me Bella, why do you have a pocket knife in your room?" mused James, smiling triumphantly. I expected Bella to look confused but instead she looked…caught.
And very angry.
"I…I don't! What are you talking about?" asked Bella. But her face had already given her away. And I was shocked. She had a pocketknife in her room?
At first, I was only surprised. Then I became worried. Bella felt insecure most of her life, she didn't trust many people. Home wasn't a good place for her. A place where she wasn't happy. Did she…could she…I mean, she wouldn't cut herself, would she?
James' cold chuckle brought me back to reality. He stopped laughing and narrowed his eyes once more. "I know you've got it. If you don't give it to me right now, I'll tell mum and dad about your little weapon."
"What weapon?" asked Bella, through her teeth. Her tiny fists were tightened and her face looked flush. The tears that rolled down her cheek looked lifeless. Wasted.
But the next thing that happened was something that surprised me the most. As Bella continued to look James in the eye bravely, I could she was she slowly slipping. About to fall off any minute. She couldn't hold up her boldness, and her wobbly lips proved that. James looked more murderous than I could even imagine. The pure hatred expression on his face, the fuming anger that radiated off of him and the cold piercing eyes…
WHACK!
"It's going to be back in my room before eight o'clock tonight", he hissed down, his chin up and his breathing ragged, "and, be a good girl and don't tell mummy about this. Or else."
And he strode away.
Bella's POV. (Current moment)
Edward looked deep in thought. Then he winced and closed his eyes. I couldn't imagine what he was thinking. Because I didn't want him to be remembering what I was remembering. The Christmas that I hated the most. Even though I hated most Christmases, the one after m fourteenth birthday was unforgettable.
"I'll sort it out", he said suddenly, his tone was expressionless. I looked up at Edward and he helped me put on my coat and slipped his black leather jacket on.
"Sort what out?" I asked in confusion. Edward smiled faintly down at me. He bent down and brushed his lips against mine. His cool delicious smell got to me and our lips pressed against eachother. His arms were wrapped around me and his hands dug into my back pocket and he held me closer. I had no idea what we were talking about before.
My arms flew up to secure around his neck and to hold him close to me. The feel of his body pressing against mine made me moan softly into his mouth.
Until I flinched away from pain.
"Are you alright?" asked Edward with concern in his voice as I grimaced. He pulled away from me. I rubbed my stomach gently.
"I'm fine", I said quickly, "It just…hurt a bit."
"Still?" said Edward, taking my hand away and replacing his own on my stomach. His hand gently smooth around small circles on my abdomen, flushing the pain away.
"It hurts when I apply pressure sometimes"; I explained to him, "it's better now. Thanks."
"Let's get you home", he whispered, pressing his lips against mine once more before we left.
--
To say that I was ok was an understatement. To say that I was nervous was just a joke. To say that I was trembling with horrified thoughts was just about right.
Having Edward with me made everything better. But after everything that had happened that day, having Edward with me made me scared.
I didn't understand what Edward was doing. James had already caught us together. He already had pictures and he already threatened to tell my parents. Surely that meant that Edward and I should be more careful now. Surely it meant that we couldn't have secret meeting anymore and we had sneak around even more cautiously.
So why was he driving me home?
"Stop shaking", chuckled Edward as he parked his car in front of my house. MY HOUSE! I played about with my nails as the feeling in my stomach twisted and twirled more. What was the point of this?
I would get in more trouble if James saw him. Never mind trouble, James' reaction probably wouldn't be all hugs and kisses.
"Thanks for the ride, you better go", I said quickly to Edward as I turned around and opened the door. I got out hurried and closed the door only to realise that Edward had gotten out too.
"I'm coming in", he said firmly, "So don't bother arguing Bella."
With a resigned sigh and a trembling feeling I began to walk up towards the front door. Edward followed, linking his arms with mine. I had to admit, the feeling that he was there with me made me feel better. I always hated walking through the front door. It meant hat Edward wouldn't be with me and something bad was going to happen. The words and threats that were thrown at me were horrible and I would be crying. But having Edward with me, holding my hand it gave me a lifetime worth of assurances.
I opened the door and smiled up at Edward.
The house was silent, mostly because my parents weren't home. I was guessing that James was probably back because his coat was on the hook in the hallway.
"Stop looking so guilty", whispered Edward rubbing my arm soothingly, "come on Bella…calm down a little."
I nodded but I didn't understand how I should be calming down. What if my parents came home? Had James shown them the pictures?
What would happen when they'd see it? A nineteen-year-old guy had been sneaking into my room and giving me rides to school everyday and now he was in their house. I couldn't bear to even imagine the punishments.
"You need to drink some water", sighed Edward leading me towards the kitchen. I was surprised he even knew where it was. He opened the fridge and took out a bottle of cold water.
"What if my parents come home?" I whispered to him urgently. He opened a couple of cupboards before finding the one with the glasses, and then paused.
"Well…you can formally introduce me as your boyfriend", he said simply, then poured the water into the glasses before handing it over to me.
I had no idea how Edward could be so calm about this.
I took a sip of the water. "I told them you're just a friend. That's what I said when my mother asked me."
Edward poured himself some water and drained it down in one.
"Friendships develop, Bella", he answered, shrugging and refilling his glass, "and that's exactly what happened isn't it? We were friends, now we're more."
"And the pictures?" I said as my voice rose higher.
"James hadn't shown it to them, has he?" he asked raising an eyebrow.
"I don't know", I sighed, running out of arguments on my side. Edward put down his glasses and walked over to me. He was acting as if it all was fine. As if we weren't about to be crucified if James came down or if my parents walked through the door.
"I don't want to hide anymore", whispered Edward in my ear. His breath was hitting the skin of my neck, making me shiver. "I love you Bella and I'm tired of trying to hide that fact."
So, who wants James dead? Anyone...?
Reviews are appreciated.
Thanks for reading.
xXx
