A/N

This one is a little longer ... a whole lot deeper, for E and B anyways.

I've answered this question before, but it's still one of the most asked questions, so ... no, no plans for an EPOV. I promise, you'll find out all you need to know about him.

Enjoy!

By the time I shove my way through the jeering crowd, I'm too late.

I don't know Edward's opponent —nor do I want to— but he's already on his back, clutching his throat, struggling to breath. I whimper, watching Edward crouch over the kid, looking as intimidating as ever.

I need to get closer.

"Think you had a shot, huh?" Edward snarls. "Fucking pussy."

I watch, wide-eyed, as Edward stands, swaying a little on his feet, taking a staggered step back. No one cares enough to notice his struggle, all eyes on the gasping boy at his feet as he looks up at the sky, flat on his back, red-faced and trying to regulate his breathing.

Moving forward, my feet tentative, I reach out to touch Edward's shoulder at the same time a teacher runs out of the school, shouting at the crowd, breaking it up. People scatter as Edward spins to face me, body rigid, defensive.

"What do you want now?"

I don't answer him, keeping my face passive even though I want to snap right back at him. This isn't about me, or my grievances. "Come with me." Hoping I've left no room for argument, I walk away, heading in the direction of my car, praying he's following.

Hoping that he feels the same pull.

Opening the driver's door, I look up before I get in, hiding my surprise.

He followed.

Wordlessly, I motion with my head for him to get in. He does, slowly lowering himself into my car, jaw clenched tight.

I know people are watching, still scattered around the school grounds. I pay them no attention as I lower myself into the car and start the engine.

We're both silent as I drive. I know where I'm taking him, not that he asks -he doesn't even move.

My eyes can't help but find him every now and again; his hood still covering most of his head, but his straight nose, pouty lips and that cluster of hair that falls over his forehead are all visible. He's rigid in his seat, hands in fists on his knees -bruised knuckles and all.

He's too beautiful for the darkness that consumes him.

Turning off the road, I drive down a dirt track for a couple of minutes before pulling over. We sit there, the silence deafening. If the roles were reversed, I'd be worried.

It doesn't even look as though Edward cares.

Eventually, I sigh and reach for the handle. "Come on."

The air hits me, brisk and chilling; the slight breeze cutting through my clothing, making me wrap my arms around my torso as I walk ahead, smiling gently when I hear his door close.

He keeps his distance, following silently a few feet behind, resigned.

I hear the water before I see it, the trees thick, creating a woodland cocoon around us. I could find my way here with my eyes closed. This has been my thinking spot since the moment I could drive and decided to explore more of the surrounding wilderness.

Coming to a stop, I look down into the flow of water, like marbled glass a few feet below. My cheeks ache in the cold, my ears straining to listen.

He's close, I know he is, but he's silent. The leaves rustle, thick and dying, clinging to the trees with their last breath, some losing their fight and falling to the ground, swirling around us in the air before coming to rest at our feet.

I know the ground is wet, but I sit anyway, wrapping my arms around my knees, staring into the gentle flow of the stream.

I watch him in my periphery as he lowers himself carefully to the floor, close enough to reach out and touch, but far enough to maintain an emotional barrier.

Now that we're here, I don't know what to do, what to say. I'm a little out of my depth. I always am where Edward is concerned. Like always, I acted before I thought anything through.

"Throat punch, huh?"

I keep my eyes facing forward, but I can see Edward's head turn in my direction.

He shrugs. "Sometimes cheap shots are your only choice."

"Because you're hurt?" I turn my head towards him, resting my cheek against my bent knee. He doesn't answer, watching me closely. "Are you going to tell me what happened?"

Silence.

I sigh, turning back to the water.

"I used to come out here a lot," I continue. "To think ... to clear my head. It's calming." I chuckle quietly. "I haven't always been such a ..."

"Bitch?" he offers. I scowl, narrowing my eyes at him.

"I guess." I decide not to let him get to me. He's pushing, pressing my buttons. "After mom left" —his reaction cuts me off, a quick snap of his head in my direction, brows furrowed. I choose to ignore it and carry on— "I guess I withdrew from the world, feeling unwanted by the woman who was supposed to love me above all else ... I used to come here for hours. I'd just ... sit here, and think about everything. What I did wrong, what mistakes I must have made to make her hate me that much." I sigh, pulling at a few strands of grass by my sneaker. "As I got older, I'd come here whenever I felt that I needed to think. Whenever I needed to escape school or home ... it became a sanctuary of sorts."

A twig snaps across the river, drawing both of our attention. We watch, rapt, as a lone deer stalks into the clearing, looking straight at us, it's eyes wide —terrified.

"Why are you telling me this?" Edward asks eventually, his voice low so as not to startle the deer.

I shrug. "I don't know."

"You should hate me for what I did."

"I mean, I don't like you ... but 'hate' is such a strong word. At some points I thought I hated you, but in reality, I was so frustrated, I was livid, and I'm irrational when I'm like that."

"You're being very rational now."

I chuckle. "It's this place" —I wave a hand to our surroundings— "it makes me ... think, rather than act."

He nods; the deer walks away and we both watch it go, disappearing back into the thick foliage across the water.

"I don't like you much either," he tells me.

Turning my face back towards his, I smile softly. "I know."

—-

A/N

Jemster23 keeps me insane. The girls on Facebook slip me the 'good' medication -it makes me see things.

Thanks for reading!