Author's Note: I had to include the dreaded green sweater in my story but Edward here likes her sweater. (As he should lol) I know for a fact Bella would look adorable in her sweater, smeyers Edward is insane to not think so.

Chapter 18 – Fainting Spells

Bella hesitated before jogging out of the lunchroom, calling "goodbye" over her shoulder, her heels disappearing before the door even closed. The bell rang a few minutes later, I could see through Mike, she'd made it to class as it tuned. Mr. Banner had his back towards the door, not noticing her late arrival. She sighed with relief, I chuckled to myself, slapping my palm down on the cap I'd snagged from Bella. Looking around the lunchroom, it was completely empty; I sighed and stood, slipping the cap into my pock and headed towards the exit leading to the parking lot.

It was drizzling, I walked slowly to my car, not caring as my clothes soaked through with water. I'd blast the heat in the car to dry them. I slipped in and began playing the CD I'd been listening to recently: Debussy. I leaned back into the seat, allowing my head to fall back on the headrest and listened to the pleasing notes. As each song faded into the next, I began composing my own tune in my head, hearing the notes almost as if I were playing them now. I tapped my fingers on the steering wheel as I imagined the keys.

Suddenly, my mental musing were interrupted by ones of anguish, I snapped my eyes open when I realized who they belonged to.

Fuck, I think she's gonna pass out. Mike thought in panic, What do I do?

I quickly jumped out of my car, nearly ripping the door off it's hinges in the process and made my way towards Mike; who had Bella grasped feebly in his arms as she slid to the concrete. She pressed her face onto it's surface, sighing with relief. I felt a pang of panic, her usually rosey cheeks were chalky and corpse like – I didn't like the image. What had happened?

"Bella?" I called as I approached quickly, still at a human pace, though. Mike looked up in surprise and his face fell, clearly annoyed I'd caught him in this moment of weakness. But I paid him no mind because as I looked over Bella, she'd not even flinched when I shouted her name and my imagination began running wild. All my fears I'd imagined up of leaving her out of my sight were flooding through my mind as I stared at her ghostly white skin. "What happened?" I growled at Mike.

Mike scowled at me for a moment before finally ending his aggravated ramblings he shot silently towards me and thought of what had happened in class. Bella, head on her desk and green in the face. Mr. Banner asking her if she needed to leave and her nodding weakly. Mike, volunteering to take her to the nurse. The blood typing, how ironic, blood made her queasy. I'd had laughed if I wasn't so horrified by her stiff form in from of me, then I froze, sniffing the air and let out a sigh of relief. She wasn't bleeding. Thank God, her blood was tempting enough, but it flowing freely right in front of me? I shivered at the thought.

"I don't know, she fainted, I think." Mike said, still annoyed, "She didn't even prick herself!"

I knelt down and hovered my hand over her back, "Bella?" I asked softly, "Can you hear me?"

"No," She moaned, "Go away."

I laughed with relief, if she was joking, she must not be too bad.

"I was taking her to the nurse." Mike huffed out, "But she wouldn't move anymore."

I shook my head at him, scooping Bella effortlessly into my arms. "I'll take her, you can go back to class." I said dismissively.

I strode quickly in the direction of the nurses, "What are you doing?" Bella asked weakly, "Put me down!"

"I was supposed to take her!" Mike called as he tried to keep up.

I shook my head at Bella as she tried to glare up at me, "You look awful." I grinned, her scowl deepened. "It's okay, Mike, go back to class." I called again over my shoulder, Mike groaned and turned back the way he'd come.

Stupid Cullen. He thought angrily, What does she see him in? H-he's so – intense. Scary, even.

"So you faint at the sight of blood?" I asked smiling, "How terribly ironic." Bella continued to scowl but she couldn't stop a little laugh from escaping her lips.

"Please don't take me in there," She moaned, "I don't want Charlie to be notified."

I stopped, looking down at her, unsure, "Bella," I said slowly, "You should probably lay down for a bit."

"No, I'm fine." She tried to wiggle out of my arms, but I tightened my hold on her.

"Just humor me, okay?" I asked, "You don't have to stay long."

"Fine," She huffed, "but put me down." I reluctantly did as she asked, missing the warmth of her body pressed to mine. I set her down softly, keeping an arm around her waist as she wobbled unsteadily on her feet and opened the door to the front office.

Ms. Cope jumped up, "Oh my!" She gasped, startled. "Bella, dear, are you okay?"

"She fainted in Biology." I said after Bella didn't respond.

Ms. Cope opened the door to the nurse's office, "They're blood typing in Biology." I explained to Mrs. Hammond as she looked up in surprise and I helped Bella onto the bed. As soon as I made sure Bella was sitting steadily, I flung myself quickly to the other side of the room. My body was too excited, too eager by the sudden contact. I swallowed the venom that flowed into my mouth, grinding my teeth at the sickening reaction.

Mrs. Hammond nodded, "There's always one." She smiled at Bella, "Just lie down for a bit, you'll feel better." She left the room to go fetch a ice pack and a cup of water.

Bella groaned after she disappeared, I laughed and she shot me a dirty look. I laughed again, "You really hate being taken care of, don't you?" I asked amused.

I wished she didn't, I liked taking care of her.

She didn't respond for a moment before she groaned out, "You were right." I tilted my head, had she finally realized how dangerous I was? I thought as my stomach dropped. "Ditching is healthy."

"Oh," I sighed. After a moment, Bella's breathing slowed and she relaxed into the bed, I broke the silence quietly. "I thought you were dead and Mike was dragging your body away to hide it. I was about to avenge your death."

"Ha ha." She looked at me from the corner of her eye and then rolled them, smiling slightly.

I wasn't entirely joking, on either notion.

But she didn't need to know that, "Mike loathes me." I smiled.

"You don't make it much easier for him," She sighed, sitting up slightly.

"I suppose I don't."

I heard Mike's annoyed thoughts return and I looked through the door to see him dragging another student into the office, Mrs. Hammond returned then and handed Bella the cup of water. She drank it begrudgingly, when the door opened and she spotted the new patient; Bella jumped up, waving away the ice the nurse was trying to push onto her. "I'm fine, they can take my place." She said happily, making her way for me and tugging on my sleeve as she quickly left the office.

"Good thing you left," I said as I allowed her to pull me along, "you might have fainted again."

She scowled at me but nodded, "I know, I could smell the blood."

I looked at her in alarm, "People can't smell blood." I quirked an eyebrow.

She shrugged, "I can, it smells like rust – and salt." I tilted my head, strange.

Mike reentered the office and watched us darkly, his thoughts still annoyed at me. "You look better." He said rudely, I couldn't stop myself from shooting him a glare. "Are you coming back to class with me?" He asked sullenly.

Bella's eyebrows shot up, "Are you kidding?" She asked laughing dryly, "I'd just end up back here, no way!"

He nodded, "Yeah, I guess so..." He sighed and looked towards me before asking grumpily, "So are you coming to the Spring Dance now?"

"Why would I be going now?" She asked.

"Well..." He nodded towards me and she looked between us, "now that you two are dating..." He trailed off after he bite out the last word.

"I'm not going, Mike." She said sighing in frustration, "I'm still gonna be out of town that day."

Mike looked surprised but pleased, he thought she'd said that as an excuse, he was pleased she at least wouldn't be going with me. Little did he know we'd already made plans to be together this weekend, I wondered vaguely if she was still planning to go to Seattle. I should offer to drive, she didn't like her truck being criticized but I really did doubt if it could make the trip.

"Alright, well, see you in gym..." He left the office finally.

"Merlin," Bella whispered, "These boys are going to be the death of me... and gym!" She groaned flopping in one of the chairs along the wall of the small office.

I felt pleased she didn't want to attend her next class with Mike so I leaned in and whispered, "I can take care of that, look pale." I smirked and she tilted her head before closing her eyes, leaning back in the chair.

I spoke to Ms. Cope once she'd returned from the back room behind the front office, asking if Bella and I could be excused for the day. She still wasn't feeling well and I'd driven her to school, she'd need me to take her home. Ms. Cope was easy to manipulate with just a little bit of charm, she happily obliged my request.

"You feel better, Bella." She called as I returned to Bella's side.

Bella nodded weakly and I chuckled, "Do you need me to carry you?" I asked, knowing her answer.

She jumped up, "No, I can walk." and she strode towards the door with purpose. I shook my head and followed.

As we made our way to my car, she threw her head back as she allowed the soft rain to fall on her face. I smiled at her content expression and glanced at her outfit. Alice had stomped towards me earlier on her way to class, groaning about needing a 'girls day' to fix Bella's wardrobe. Her too big sweater was, maybe to some, not attractive but I rather liked it. The deep green-blue color complimented her creamy skin and dark, chocolaty hair perfectly; the soft, fluffy material just increased my urge to cuddle her.

"You really shouldn't do that, by the way." She said suddenly, peaking at me.

"Do what?" I asked.

"Dazzle people." She said finally, dropping her arms to her side and continuing towards my car.

Dazzle people? Well, she was perspective, I guess you could call it that.

I laughed, "I didn't think you'd notice that." I said as I opened her door and she stepped in.

"Of course I noticed, you've used it on me many times." She gave me a disapproving look, "You're like a veela."

She'd used that term many times, each time she seemed unable to stop herself, probably because of the 'dazzle' I'd muddled her mind with. I slipped into the drivers seat, "Sorry," I said sheepishly, "I sometimes can't stop myself, when I want something – it just happens – What's a veela?"

She looked at me for a moment before replying, "They are magical beings, kinda like Siren's but not fishy – bird-like, really. When angered, they turn into these Harpy looking creatures." She thought for a moment, "They have a mesmerizing allure when in their human-like form and they can cause people to do silly things to try and impress them, men are especially prone to these influences." She laughed and rolled her eyes.

I quirked an eyebrow, "And I remind you of these things?" I asked.

"Yeah, when you dazzle me, it's like I can't think straight and I do stupid things."

I frowned, "We typically use it to catch our pray." I said bitterly.

She nodded, "I'm sorry."

"Why are you sorry?"

"I don't know," She said slowly, "you don't seem to like being a vampire and it makes me sad that you don't like yourself."

I felt my heart tighten. She felt sadness for a creature like me, that gave me a ridiculous amount of comfort. I swallowed, "I – I don't like it, no." I finally said and I couldn't stop myself from adding, "But I guess, I should be glad. If I wasn't here now, I'd have never met you. All the pain and loneliness was worth it if it meant I would meet you one day."

She blinked several times and swallowed thickly, looking away, "Wow," She whispered, "you really know how to take a girls breath away, huh?"

I smiled tightly. I had to learn to cool it on the mate bond intensity and remember that we weren't the same. Probably didn't feel the same. She was human and capable of loving many times over and I had to respect that difference in us. "Sorry, I know – I'm a bit intense sometimes." glancing her way, "I can try and stop if it makes you uncomfortable?"

"No!" She said laughing, "You are intense – but don't stop. I like it." She smiled and grasped my hand that I had resting on my knee.

I looked down at our intertwined fingers, allowing myself to feel comfort in her assurance. I would enjoy this little piece of forever while I had it. I smiled, "Okay, I won't." I started the car, keeping our hands interlocked, "Now, what shall we do with the rest of our day, Ms. Swan?"