Chapter 18

Bella POV

It quieted almost immediately, the voices that were closest to me cutting out first and, like a tidal wave, the others cut out too. I could feel all of the eyes in the room on me. I looked over to where Alice was beside me with pleading eyes. I guess she understood and started walking forward through the sea of bodies. We stopped after a minute and I felt a cold arm wrap around me. I snuggled into him and lifted my head. I hoped I was looking at him, if this situation could get worse, me looking at someone else entirely would be the way to do it.

"I told you they would stare." I whispered.

I heard him sigh and then.

"What are you looking at?" He snapped, I wasn't sure at who until I heard Mike's voice reply, breaking in the middle of his word.

"Sor-ry!"

I was worried about how terrifying Edward looked in this moment to garner such a reaction because everyone in the vicinity started talking again, and conversation spread just as fast as it had ceased.

"I'm thirsty, where are the drinks, or can I go get something from the kitchen?" I asked Edward.

"Alice set some out but if you want something different you know Esme keeps just about everything in the kitchen for you." He responded.

"I'll take whatever's easiest."

"Ok," he started walking, steering me alongside him. I knew his house just as well as I did my own but with so many people here I would rather have him with me, well I would always rather be with him than alone anytime.

We had gotten something to drink, tea for us both, to keep up their pretence he got something for himself. We had talked with a few people, it was awkward, people were trying to act like everything was fine, that nothing had changed and it strained the conversation. I was right, in my assumptions outside, for the most part people were trying me like I couldn't do a thing. Some talked to Edward about me while I was standing right beside him, like I wasn't even there, like I wasn't capable of forming words or something. It had been about 30 minutes since I came downstairs and I had to use the restroom.

"Edward, where are we, in the house I mean?"

"The living room, close to the kitchen, why?"

"I have to use the bathroom, I need to know where to go."

"Someone's in the downstairs one, you want to go upstairs would you rather wait?"

"Upstairs."

"Do you need any help?"

"No I think I can get to the bathroom ok." I responded angrily, this had been exactly what I was referring to earlier. I could do things on my own. I started walking in the direction of where the stairs should be and soon found the railing. I walked up the stairs stumbling up them slightly. I soon found the bathroom upstairs, it took me more time than usual, having accidently left my cane in Alice's room.

I went to head downstairs but as I reached the bottom I stopped dead, realising that I would now have no idea how to get back to Edward, even if he was in the same spot I would have a hard time finding which if the people was my Greek god. I also wasn't totally sure if I wanted to find him. I was perfectly able to get up the stairs on my own. He needed to realize that I could do things just fine on my own. I must have looked lost because soon I felt a cold hand on my shoulder.

"Bella?"

"Rose?"

"You ok, you looked upset?"

Out of all of the Cullen's Rose seemed to think I was most capable.

"I went to the restroom, upstairs, the one downstairs was occupied, and now I'm not sure where Edward is or if I really want to find him, I'm angry with him."

"Oh, I understand, you want to come with me, I've been in the other room with Emmett and Jazz."

"Sure, I wouldn't be imposing, would I?"

"Of course not, all of the humans were messing with Jazz, I didn't really feel like being stared at, and Em just wanted to be with me." She whispered to me.

I nodded and she led me by looping her arm with mine.

"You said you were going to get a magazine and you come back with our little sister!" Em remarked as soon as we walked in the room.

"She's angry at Edward, I offered our company." She told them.

"Oh, I didn't think it was possible for golden boy to make you upset, what did he do?" Emmett asked.

I took a deep breath before responding. "He treats me like I'm a porcelain doll. He is way too over helpful, it makes me feel like he thinks I can't do things just because I can't see. He asked me if I needed help going to the bathroom, the bathroom, I know your house pretty well, as well as I do my own. I can get around, I mean, was I nervous about getting around here tonight with so many people here? Yes. Did I stumble a little bit because I left my cane in Alice's room? Yes. Did I get a little scared when I didn't know how to find Edward at the bottom of the stairs? Yes. But I am perfectly capable of doing everyday tasks on my own! If I stumble he rushes at me, asking if I'm ok. If I look the wrong way he tells me with so much sadness it makes me feel bad for putting it in his voice. I can't deal with it anymore, I'm not a toddler, I'm 18. I love him, I love him so much and I don't want to tell him all this because he'll get upset with himself, I don't want to do that to him." I wasn't sure if I was sad or angry, I don't think even Jasper could make out my emotions at this point.

"Bella," Rose said.

"Yeah?"

"I think you just did."

Edward POV

"He treats me like I'm a porcelain doll. He is way too over helpful, it makes me feel like he thinks I can't do things just because I can't see. He asked me if I needed help going to the bathroom, the bathroom, I know your house pretty well, as well as I do my own. I can get around, I mean, was I nervous about getting around here tonight with so many people here? Yes. Did I stumble a little bit because I left my cane in Alice's room? Yes. Did I get a little scared when I didn't know how to find Edward at the bottom of the stairs? Yes. But I am perfectly capable of doing everyday tasks on my own! If I stumble he rushes at me, asking if I'm ok. If I look the wrong way he tells me with so much sadness it makes me feel bad for putting it in his voice. I can't deal with it anymore, I'm not a toddler, I'm 18. I love him, I love him so much and I don't want to tell him all this because he'll get upset with himself, I don't want to do that to him."

I wanted to go and find Bella, she had been gone for a while. It took me a minute to find her as there were so many other scents in the house but I found her in a room with my older siblings. I didn't mean to eavesdrop but with my heightened senses and mind reading it was pretty much a given. I hated that I made her feel that way. I loved her more than I had ever thought it possible to love another being. I just wanted her to be ok, I wasn't trying to be overbearing. I just stood silently outside of the door as Rose informed Bella of my location. I heard her curse under her breath, I knew she had to be upset for she rarely ever cursed, only when she was very angry, worried, or excited. I saw through my siblings thoughts that she was just standing there, staring in the direction of the door. Suddenly I heard Alice's thoughts screaming at me from somewhere in the house.

You need to go in there and talk to her NOW or she will think you are mad at her! Trust me you don't want that. She will call Charlie, he will be too drunk to drive but will come anyway when he here's how upset his daughter is, long story short they flip off of the road and Bella gets hurt.

I rushed into the room, Bella must have heard me come in because she immediately started apologising.

"Bella, love it's alright, I understand, let's go up to my room and talk." I told her, taking her into my arms.

So hi, I just wanted to ask you if you haven't yet answered last chapter's questions. It would be very helpful. And if you have reviewed and answered them I wanted to thank you for doing so. Also thank you for reading my story and please review!