TW: depression and physical violence
TWENTY-EIGHT
Friday afternoon
(One month later)
The month passes by in a blur and Edward doesn't focus on much. He didn't go home for the holidays, despite what he promised Esme. He doesn't want her to see him like this.
His thoughts are too overpowering to filter out. Bella's face doesn't leave his mind, how angry she looked at her party, how her voice wavered when she told him to leave. Most days, he flits between intense overwhelm and feeling absolutely nothing all at.
In short, he feels like total shit.
It usually takes Leah coming into his room in the mornings to drag him into the shower, forcing him to down a coffee and picking out his clothes for that day. He is grateful for her friendship. He feels a little less alone when she is around.
He hasn't gone to any of his classes this month. He emailed the teachers, telling them that he didn't feel very well. It was true, he didn't feel great. It just wasn't a typical kind of illness. He felt like the sickness was coming from somewhere deep within.
"You need to go in today, you can't stay moping about in bed." Leah said this morning. Edward was almost completely hidden by his duvet.
"I'll go next week."
"No, you're going today. It's only an hour, Edward. I promise I'll leave you be for the weekend."
He knew she was lying, but he also knew it wasn't wise to argue with Leah.
He finds himself standing outside of his Friday afternoon seminar. His eyes are hazy with unease and apprehension. He hopes that no-one notices the stubble that is building along his jaw.
He is so unaware of his surroundings that he almost doesn't notice Jacob approaching him, furiously, shoving Edward into the wall behind him. His head smacks against the bricks and winces.
"Looks like you and I need to have a little chat, Cullen."
"Jake, let's take this somewhere priva-"
Jacob's laugh is haunting. "Why's that? So you can try and snog me? Oh, wait, you only like doing that to people's girlfriends."
An audible gasp sounds from the crowd that has gathered around them.
"It was just a misunderstanding…"
"A fucking misunderstanding, Cullen? What did you do, trip and fall onto her lips? Cut the bullshit."
"I just read the situation wrong. It was completely my fault."
Jacob growls before cracking his fist across Edward's cheek, and he almost sees stars as the ground cushions his fall. He feels a shoe collide with his stomach.
"Too fucking right. I knew you were a creep, Cullen. Stay the fuck away from Bella and me, otherwise, I definitely won't let you walk away next time."
Jacob storms off, leaving Edward in the middle of the concerned students. Murmurs swirl above him, but no one tries to help him up.
He wishes the ground would envelope him completely.
In the seminar, Edward cannot ignore the way his face begins to swell. His mouth tastes like iron. His head throbs.
Hands up if you want to be added to the 'I Hate Jacob' club - I'm certainly the president!
Also, if you haven't seen, I posted the first chapter of a new story 'Lessons for You' - if you're interested in some pure lemony goodness, please check it out :D
Let me know what you think!