A/N: I want to express my thanks to everyone who is following my story and my deepest thanks to all who took time to write a review. I had no idea I would enjoy writing so much more when I have readers who are enjoying my story. Your love of my story is providing me with more enjoyment in the writing of it. Thank you all and I hope you all continue to enjoy my story and please, continue to leave me reviews!
FATED
CHAPTER 2
I wake to someone pounding on the front door. I throw off my covers and notice I'm naked. Usually, I like to sleep in a pajama top and bottoms so I'm startled finding myself with no clothes on. I quickly throw on a t-shirt and a pair of shorts, and drag myself to the front door, rubbing my eyes, hurrying to stop that awful, confounded pounding.
I open the door and find Officer Cullen on the other side, smiling cheerfully while holding a cup of orange juice in his left hand and a bag from Dunkin Donuts in his right. At first, I find it annoying that someone is so cheery and perky in the morning while I have an awful hangover and just want to crawl under my bed and hide. Then I notice he is just as beautiful as he was last night. Dressed in a form-fitting collared, dark gray shirt and light gray pants. His ocher eyes shining radiantly, set below strong, dark brows. His smile makes me notice just how full and perfect his lips are. I lick my lips unintentionally.
"Good morning, Bella." I thought you may need some nourishment to help overcome the effects of last night." He raises both hands to emphasize the drink and food.
"What are you doing here, Officer Cullen?" I'm confused.
"I came to return your car keys to you, as promised."
"Huh?"
Edward frowns. "You don't remember last night, do you?" He raises an eyebrow.
I take a moment trying to remember and then shake my head. "Not all of it."
"I had to carry you to bed last night because you were too drunk to walk and I took your car keys to ensure you would not try to drive anywhere. If you let me come in, I can set this stuff down and give you your keys."
"Oh sure. Please come in." I back away from the door to allow him to enter and follow him over to my couch. He sets the orange juice and Dunkin Donuts bag on the coffee table. He gestures to the bag and juice. "Please, help yourself."
"Thank you," I am starving so I sit down and begin to eat while talking. "Please have a seat," I wave my hand to the couch I am sitting on. He sits down next to me.
Suddenly a thought pops into my mind. "You put me to bed, Officer Cullen?"
"Yes Bella, I did. You fell asleep in my arms so I carried you into the bedroom and laid you on your bed. Please, call me by my first name, Edward."
"I woke up this morning naked. Did you undress me?" My voice rises and becomes shaky with anger.
He raises up both eyebrows and stares at me. He speaks slowly to make sure I understand him clearly. "You woke up when I laid you on the bed last night and insisted on getting undressed for bed, so you took all your clothes off once you were under the covers. I said goodnight to you and then went back out to the car to retrieve Patty and put her in the other bedroom and then left, locking the door behind me."
"Oh," I blush shamefully at the thought of accusing him of undressing me and I lower my head.
He leans his head down slightly to look me in the eyes. "How are you feeling this morning?"
"I've been better," I reply as I realize how horrible I must look. I run a shaky hand briskly through my tangled hair, trying to tame it. As I look around the living room I see books, backpacks, clothes, and even an old pizza box lying on the floor. The kitchen counter is covered in unwashed food bowls and food wrappers that never made it into the trash can. Then I realize he has carried me to my bed so he has seen how messy my bedroom is. It's twice as messy as the living room with more clothes on the floor and wads of crunched up notebook paper that have missed the trash can when I throw them. Oh no! He has seen what a slob I am!
He leans in closer to me, his voice serious, silencing my inner thoughts. "I meant what I said last night. You really do need to be more responsible. It's not safe to be walking around this city drunk. You placed yourself in possible danger last night."
I stare at him for a second, wondering what kind of danger he means. " I usually am very responsible. I only get drunk once in a while." I speak softly, apologetically.
"Once in a while?" His voice rises. "That's once in a while too much!"
"Is everything okay?" Patty comes paddling out of her bedroom and sees Edward talking to me and stops in her tracks.
"Yes, Patty. This is Officer Cullen. He stopped us last night while you were passed out in the back seat and gave us an escort home."
"Oh." Patty freezes, fright written across her face.
"Don't worry Patty. I'm not here to arrest you for underage drinking. I'm not even going to ask you two which irresponsible bar served three underage minors, although I leave the possibility of that question for the future. My concern was to make sure you got home safe last night and now I'm returning the car keys."
There's that authoritative voice back from last night. It really annoys me when he uses that tone. Does he think if he acts authoritative and bossy with me then I will listen to what he orders me to do? If he thinks that, he doesn't know me very well.
Patty breathes a sigh of relief. "Thank you, officer," Patty speaks with a sexy voice while she walks over to Edward in the most seductive walk I have ever seen her do. "I personally promise we will try to be good girls from now on." She bats her eyelashes.
Edward raises an eyebrow at Patty then turns his attention back to me. Patty, realizing she's been dismissed, scowls as she shuffles over to the refrigerator and rummages through it looking for something to drink.
"I want you to promise me you will be more careful in the future and keep yourself safe. Anything could have happened to you last night if I hadn't been there."
"I'll be more careful from now on, Officer Cullen, I promise."
"I'm going to hold you to that, Bella, and I said it's Edward." He leans in closer to me and gently touches a stray piece of hair and tucks it behind my ear. I close my eyes as his touch brings a fuzzy feeling throughout my entire body. My loins begin to ache and my knees go slightly weak. I quickly forget how his authoritative attitude bothers me and think about how sexy he is instead. When I open my eyes, he is staring at my lips. For a moment I think he's going to kiss me.
"Until we meet again, Bella." His voice soft and alluring.
He gets up and walks out the door, closing it behind him. I am unable to speak because his touch has left me weak and shaky. I stare and watch him walk out the door.
I suddenly notice that Patty has been too quiet and I turn my head toward the kitchen, looking for her. There she stands next to the refrigerator, staring at me, a grin plastered on her face.
"Bella, I have never before seen any man have such an effect on you! It looks like he feels the same about you also!"
"Come on," I begin to argue and then realize my attraction to Edward is too obvious to pretend he doesn't affect me. "Do you think so?" My voice crackles and I begin to blush. So much for trying to hide my feelings from Patty. I just hope she doesn't grill me too much about him.
Patty rolls her eyes. "Of course he's interested in you. He couldn't keep his eyes, or his hands, off you! Since I missed all the action last night you need to fill me in, and don't leave out the part about how Officer Fine Ass came into your life!"
A loud laugh escapes my mouth. I can picture Patty calling Edward, Officer Fine Ass, to his face. That would stop him in his tracks when he is on his authoritative, bossy, you better do what I say kick. I snicker again, then I fill Patty in on the events she missed last night.
"He said it's not safe to walk around here at night?" Patty scrunched her eyebrows together and frowned. "What did he mean by that?"
"I don't know." I shrug my shoulders. "He didn't give me any reasons why. He just said it's dangerous and not safe walking around drunk and vulnerable. He repeated it again today!"
"It's probably a cop thing. Cops always think their towns are dangerous because they like to think they are the big macho men who keep everyone safe. He was probably trying to impress you."
"Maybe." Something inside me tells me I should trust Edward's warning.
Patty takes some aspirin and goes back to bed as I set up the coffee pot and start it perking and then jump in the shower. I let the warm water flow down my body, warming my skin and relaxing my muscles. As I am scrubbing my body with a sudsy bar of soap, I think about Patty's nickname for Edward and picture him walking out the door. "Hmm. He really does have a nice ass," I mumble to myself. A little tingle runs down my spine. I just may have finally found someone who does do something for me. Just when I was beginning to think there was something wrong with me.
The college's library is the biggest library in the county. On the bottom floor, the reception's desk, where the librarian sits, is located just inside the front doors. In the middle of the library, rows of tables and chairs are lined up next to each other. Computers are scattered throughout the library on several tables. The rest of the library's bottom floor consists of shelves, loaded with books.
The librarian, Ms. Fray, looks like what you would think of when you visualize a typical librarian. An old spinster woman who never smiles and shushes everyone constantly. She is a skinny, frail looking thing with thinning, gray hair that she keeps pinned up in a bun in the back of her head. She has thin, black framed glasses with a chain to secure them to her neck. She wears collared, eyelet blouses under old, gray cardigans and gray slacks and plain black flat shoes. She must have a bunch of outfits that look all the same because I always see her in the same outfit. When you first enter the library, she loves to pull her glasses off and stare at you with her intimidating scowl. She keeps everyone quiet, or at least using a low voice, because of that scowl.
I walk into the library and turn my head so I don't have to make eye contact with Ms. Fray, walking past her to the tables and chairs. The smell of parchment and dusty books fills my nostrils. After setting my backpack on one of the tables, I take a seat and look around. There are four other people sitting at the tables reading and a few more walking around the bookshelves. It's practically empty in the library compared to weekdays.
I take out my Spanish book and begin studying. After an hour of reading, I place the book into my backpack and give my neck and my arms a good, long stretch. I get up out of my chair, grab my backpack, throw it over my shoulder, and walk up the stairs to the second floor. At the top of the stairs, I walk straight to the back of the library where there is a little room with candy and soda dispensers, next to the restrooms. I notice no other people on this floor. I purchase a bottle of water from the soda machine and then browse the snacks in the snack machine. I punch in C5 to get my usual, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. I realize every time I get a snack at this machine, I spend 5 minutes looking at all the snacks just to settle for my usual. I am getting too predictable in my boring, structured life. I like structure, and having routines does help keep me organized, but sometimes I wish something exciting would happen in my life.
There is a bulletin board in the snack room where people pin up ads for used textbooks for sale. I browse through the pin-ups while eating my peanut butter cups. I see an add for the English Literature book I need for next semester so I pull out a piece of notebook paper from my backpack and a pen and write down the person's phone number and place it in my pocket. I throw my Reese's wrapper in the trash can and then walk down the long middle aisle toward the stairs at the front of the building.
As I walk past the autobiography section, I see at the other end of the aisle, two policemen standing close, facing each other in what looks like the beginning of a heated argument. Their jaws are clenched tight, brows knitted together, one has a deadly stare, the other has his fist clenched. I can not hear what they were saying. I pause for a moment, trying to get a better look at the tall man, and when he turns slightly more toward me, I see that it is Edward. I lose all thought of what I am doing and suddenly find myself standing quietly, staring at the two.
Edward begins to walk away. The other officer grabs his arm, stopping him in his tracks. Edward turns around to face the officer, then quickly swings his arm around and brings it down fast, breaking free of him. They are so engrossed in their conversation they don't notice me. Then Edward does something odd. He stops talking and leans his head back to turn his nose up high in the air and sniffs. Two long sniffs and then I see a smile cross his lips. He speaks loud enough so I can hear him. "Hello, Bella. Are you feeling better?"
I am speechless, standing frozen in place, trying to understand how he knows I'm here when he never turned his head in my direction. The other officer walks away and Edward walks toward me, smiling. My heart beats faster as he nears me.
"Officer Cullen..."
"Edward," he corrects me as he stares at me with those intense eyes.
"Edward", I correct myself. "What are you doing at the college library? Did someone call for the police?" I blush under his steady stare. My mind is racing a mile a minute. I tell myself to calm down before I start stammering and sounding like an idiot.
He stops just a foot or two from me. "I'm not here on police business, Bella. I am here to talk to Officer Tabers. I may help him teach some of his Criminal Justice classes this semester." His voice is warm and deep. "Do you take any of the Criminal Justice or Self-defense classes, Bella?"
"I'm taking Self Defense 100 starting next Monday. Are you teaching that class?"
"Hmm. I don't know about that one yet. I will have to see about that." Edward gives a thoughtful stare then settles his sparkling, beautiful eyes down upon me once more. Every time he looks at me, I get goosebumps. Sometimes I worry I'm going to actually drool.
"Bella!" I hear my name being called from the staircase. I look over and see Jacob coming up the stairs. He trots up the rest of the stairs and jogs up to Edward and I. He comes up close to me, between Edward and I with his back to Edward, ignoring his presence. "I didn't know you were coming to the library today. I would have hitched a ride with you." It's obvious Jacob is snubbing Edward and making the conversation uncomfortable for me, but Edward seems like he keeps his cool in awkward situations.
"I got sick of sitting cooped up at home and needed a new space to study. It was a last minute decision. I didn't think to call you to see if you wanted to come with me. Sorry, Jacob."
"That's okay. What are you going to do now?"
I look at Edward hoping he will jump in and take me away.
"I'm sorry Bella but I have to get back to the precinct. Hopefully, I will see you next Monday in Self Defense class, if not before then." Our eyes momentarily meet before he walks away.
"Is he teaching one of your classes, Bella?"
"He may be, Jacob. He's not sure yet."
"Hmfp." Jacob watches Edward walk away with a scowl on his face. I laugh and then grab Jacob's arm and pull him along. Come on grouchy, let's go get something to eat at the cafeteria.
The next week goes relatively uneventful. I cannot stop myself from thinking about Edward each day, hoping I will run into him, but as the week passes, I do not see him.
I'm sitting in Creative Writing class, watching the clock count down with anticipation, wondering if Edward will be teaching my next class. On one hand, I'm excited about the possibility of seeing him again, but I also have trepidation from thinking about him watching me...no...teaching me, how to perform physical movements when I am so clumsy and non-athletic. I most likely am going to fall and not be able to perform the moves. How embarrassing. Once he sees how awkward I am he will not want to even look at me again.
The teacher signals the end of class and everyone gets up and leaves. I take a deep breath, gathering my courage, and slowly gather my books, placing them in my backpack and walk out the door. I am walking down the hall with butterflies building up in my belly. I take one last deep breath a few feet from the gym door and walk in.
I see everyone standing in a line but I cannot see past them to see who the instructor is. I lower my head and make my way to the line of people and stand at the end. I'm too nervous to look up to see if Edward is standing in front of everyone. My stomach is getting butterflies and goosebumps are popping up on my arms in anticipation. After a few seconds, I force myself to look up. Standing in front of everyone is... not Edward. My heart sinks as I unintentionally let out a sigh. He is not teaching today's class, I guess. I'm disappointed.
"Welcome everyone to Self Defense 100. I am Officer Tabers of the Troy Police Department. I will be teaching you some basic moves in order to defend yourself using physical force. I am co-teaching this class with my coworker Officer Cullen. He is currently running a few minutes late."
At the mention of Edward's name, I snap my head up, straighten my back, and pull my shoulders back, perfecting my posture. So he is teaching this class! My heart picks up a beat.
"Self Defense is defined as a countermeasure that involves defending the health and well-being of oneself from harm," Officer Tabers explains.
What is he saying? I have no idea. I did not hear a word after Edward's name. I can only hear my heart beating at this moment.
"We will be teaching you several moves...Here comes Officer Cullen now."
I tell myself not to turn around and look too anxious to see him so I keep myself facing front, listening for his footsteps behind me. I can feel him getting closer.
Officer Tabers waits quietly for Edward to walk up to and stand beside him. "Everyone this is Officer Cullen. We will be teaching this class together."
I see he is just as gorgeous as ever. His tousled reddish-brown hair is shiny and beautiful. His uniform outlines his muscles perfectly. He looks majestic.
Suddenly everyone is moving. I panic. I wasn't paying attention and don't know what my teacher said to do! I am looking around at everyone trying to figure out what is happening. A guy walks up to me. He is 5' 11" lanky, with some muscles in his arms. He has straight dirty blonde hair, that is styled flat and ends above his shoulders. He is dressed in dark jeans and a white t-shirt, a gold chain hanging from his neck. He looks like he has a cocky, disapproving expression on his face, but that could just be my imagination. I know I tend to be self-conscious and think people don't like me right away.
"Do you want to be partners?" he says in a monotone, dry voice.
I look around again and realize everyone is pairing up. "Sure." I don't even know his name, but I don't care. My head is concentrating upon Edward too much to make idle chit chat anyway. My partner stands next to me. I face front hoping I didn't miss the teacher describe what we are supposed to be doing.
"I will be telling you what to do while Officer Cullen walks around helping you get into the correct positions," Says Officer Tabers.
My stomach butterflies come back thinking about Edward coming around helping us get into positions. I truly hope I don't do anything to embarrass myself. Please don't let me embarrass myself.
"Now that everyone is facing me, standing next to their partners, I want you to now face your partner. You should be standing approximately three feet apart. Your feet placed hip-width apart. Those of you facing toward the door will be the victims. Those of you facing the windows will be the attackers. The first thing you need to do when in a position where you are going to be attacked, is to demonstrate that you are not an easy target. You will do that by shouting loudly. So the attacker will grab their partners wrist and the partner will shout loudly Back Off. As loud as you can."
Great, I have to be attacked first. There goes my anxiety rising again. My partner isn't helping my anxiety by not smiling or talking. He is just staring at me like a guard dog.
"I want the attackers to reach out and grab your partner's left wrist, taking a step toward them, and the victims to shout as loud as they can to back off. Start now!"
My partner grabs my wrist so quickly and aggressively that I gasp. It doesn't hurt, but it does surprise me. His face cold as a statue. "Back off," I manage to breathe out, not loud at all but at least it wasn't a whisper. My partner rolls his eyes at me and then let's go of my wrist.
"That does two things. It shows them you will not be an easy target, and it gets people's attention for help. Next step, now that the attacker is distracted, is to simply move your hand all around like you are playing keep away. Many people make the mistake of trying to pull out of someone's grasp, but if they are stronger than you, that won't work. If you twist your hand around, it will break the contact. After you have broken contact, take both your hands and push on the attacker's chest as hard as you can, pushing him back. This should give you enough time to run away. I want you to try the exercise again, adding the extra moves, now."
I'm not even sure I can remember all the instructions, but my partner doesn't look like he is going to give me time to think about it. He grabs my left wrist and holds it in an iron grip that hurts. I look at him shocked. I see a smirk on his face. Now I'm pissed and begin to wriggle my hand and wrist around as fierce as I can. He tightens his grip on my wrist causing more pain. I fight harder, determined to break free and am pleasantly surprised to find I wiggle out of his grip. I shove him back with a push on the chest with the palms of my hands. I push hard, but only move his one foot back a couple inches, which he quickly places back into position. I rub my sore wrist while staring at him with disgust.
I suddenly feel a warm hand on my back and turn my head to look behind me.
"Hi, Bella. How are you today?" Edward asks in a deep, heart-melting voice.
I take a second to breathe in his deep, manly scent. No other man has ever smelled like him. It's intoxicating. I then look up into his sparkling ocher eyes and smile. I have to remind myself to breathe.
"I'm good. I'm glad to see you're teaching this class." My voice comes out a bit deep and raspy. Why do I allow myself to be so affected by this man?
"You are? I am glad I am teaching it also." The sweetest smile crosses his lips.
I imagine what it would be like to run my lips across that sweet smile.
"I am looking forward to being able to see you on the days you have this class."
"I'm looking forward to seeing you too, Edward." We share an intense moment, our eyes staring deep into each other's souls.
"Everyone did very well. Now I want you to practice that a couple more times then we will switch and give the victims a chance to attack and vice versa," Officer Tabers announces.
I give Edward a pleading look hoping he will catch on that I do not want him to watch me doing these exercises for fear of embarrassment. He must have caught on because he quickly walks to the other side of the class.
When I turn back toward my partner, he is watching Edward walk away with a scowl firmly planted on his face. What is his problem?
We practice two more times, each time my partner grabs my wrist harder and tries to hold it firm, and each time I fight as hard as I can to break free and succeed. I'm not about to let this jerk get the best of me.
'When the teacher announces it is time to switch roles, I grab my partners wrist. He pushes his hand down fast and breaks out of my grip immediately. He steps up too close into my face and screams back off so intense that a drop of spit flies out of his mouth and onto my upper lip. The next thing I know, I'm flying backward, with a crushing pain in my chest. I hit the floor so hard I let out a loud gasp of air.
Edward races to my side. "Are you hurt, Bella?"
"I'm okay. I just need to catch my breath." I lay there in shock staring up at my partner. He looks down at me with satisfaction and pride written on his face.
I watch that look get knocked off his face as I see him suddenly fall to the floor face down, with Edward on top of him. Edward's hand is pinning my partner's head to the floor, his knee planted firmly in his back. His other hand is pulling the guy's arm back behind him. Edward's face is taught and red with anger. His eyes are red! I'm not sure if it's the gymnasium's lights making them look that way. I can see his teeth clench between tight lips as he whispers to my partner. I swear I think I see a slight puff of steam come out of Edward's mouth. Whatever he is whispering causes a terrified look on the guy's face. A warm feeling comes over me at the thought of Edward protecting me, standing up for me. I don't like violence, but I am hurt, and the guy did it on purpose, so I don't feel sorry for him.
Officer Tabers comes over and grabs Edward's arm, trying to pull him off the guy. Officer Tabers then whispers into Edward's ear for several minutes, until Edward releases the guy. Officer Tabers helps the guy stand up and walks him out of the classroom by the arm. Edward keeps his head down, not facing anyone, and then quickly walks out the side door that exits to the outside. While the other students look around wondering what they should do, I pick myself up off the floor and rush out the door, following Edward, trying to not think about the pain in my back and neck.
"Edward! Edward!" He keeps walking at a fast pace, so I run to catch up to him and grab him by his arm. "Edward stop!"
He stops and turns around to face me.
"Thank you for defending me," I gasp out, catching my breath.
"Bella. You shouldn't be around me. I'm a bad person. I'm no good for you."
"But you were defending me. He deserved it."
"It's not just about what happened today. You need to stay away from me so you can lead a normal, safe life." He begins to walk away from me.
"Wait! I'm glad you defended me. That guy was a jerk and wanted to hurt me." I begin to trot after him. "Please don't walk away so fast I can't keep up." Edward continues walking. "Edward. I'm hurt!" I yell in a high pitched, pain-filled voice.
Edward stops dead in his tracks, turns around, and in a flash he is by my side. "He hurt you? I'll kill...What hurts? Tell me. Where did he hurt you?" Edward begins checking my arms, wrists, neck.
"Ouch!" I cry when Edward pushes lightly on my neck.
"You're neck? He hurt your neck?"
"And my back."
In one graceful motion, Edward picks me up in his arms, cradling me and walks to the parking lot.
"Where are we going?" I ask.
"To the hospital. You need to get checked out."
"Edward, I am not going to the hospital! I am fine! Seriously, I don't need the hospital. My back and neck are just a little sore."
Edward stops walking and looks at me. "Are you sure, Bella?"
"Yes, Edward. I am sure. I just need to rest."
"I'm taking you home to take care of you. Then I'm going to deal with that guy later."
Edward gently places me in the passenger seat of my truck and shuts the door. As he is walking in front of the truck to get to the driver's side, he stops walking and looks like he is contemplating something. After a few seconds, he pulls out his phone and calls someone. After a quick conversation, he then gets in the truck, starts it, and pulls away.
"I'm really angry at myself for losing my temper like that. I thought I had good control of my temper, until you came along."
"Wait. So you're blaming me because you have a bad temper? You didn't even hurt that guy."
"You don't understand Bella, I cannot lose my temper. I am very dangerous when I lose my temper. I could have seriously hurt him. I almost did! I can't let that happen. I was furious when I saw what he did to you. Furious enough to almost lose control."
"What would have happened if you lost control?" Now I'm intrigued, hoping to find out some of the mysteries that surround this man.
"Nothing good." I see Edward's hands clench on the steering wheel.
After a period of long silence and Edward looking like he is concentrating, he speaks in a soft tone. "I don't know why I can't stop thinking about you. I can't leave you alone."
"Then don't leave me alone, Edward." I slide myself over on the bench truck seat, closer to Edward.
"My world's too dangerous for you Bella. You are better off without me." His voice is soft, almost apologetic.
"I'm not some innocent breakable thing like you think I am." Edward gives me a sideways glance, calling my bluff.
When we get to my apartment, Edward pulls the truck up to the curb and parks, then turns in his seat to face me. "I want to stay and take care of you, but I'm not someone you should be around, Bella. There is too much danger around me and I don't want you to become a part of that. I don't want you getting hurt."
"Don't you think that is something that should be up to me to decide?"
Edward gets out of the truck and opens up the passenger door for me. "Do you need help getting out, Bella?"
"No. I've got it." I'm pissed off and my voice is sharp. I get out of the truck and we start a slow walk up the long flight of stairs leading to my apartment. I am silent with anger and hurt. If my back wasn't hurting as much I would stomp up the stairs. I'm looking down, watching where I'm walking. When I look up, I see a man waiting on my porch. When he sees me, he walks down the stairs to meet me.
"Bella, are you alright?"
"Dad? I'm fine dad. What are you doing here?"
Charlie looks at Edward.
"Hello, Mr. Swan. I'm Officer Cullen." Edward reaches out and shakes Charlie's hand.
"Thank you for taking care of my Bella, Officer Cullen. I'm glad you had the school call me to let me know she was hurt."
I turn to Edward with fury in my eyes. "You had the school call my dad?!" I let out an exasperated sigh.
"Come on Bella, let's get you inside. Officer Cullen said you hurt your back and neck, is that right?"
I turn to face Charlie. "Dad, really I'm fine. I'm just a little sore. There was no need for you to come here." Then I turn to face Edward again. "You didn't have to send for my dad, Edward!"
"I didn't want you home alone. You need someone to look after you for a day or two to make sure you are okay, especially since you refused to go to the hospital."
"Bella," Charlie interjects. "Maybe you should go get checked out."
"Really dad, I'm fine. I just need to rest for a couple of days."
Charlie takes my arm and leads me the rest of the way up the path.
"I hope you are feeling better soon Bella," Edward calls to me as he walks back down the path and walks down the sidewalk toward the school.
When Charlie and I reach the door, he holds it open for me to enter, I turn back to watch Edward walking away and then step inside, broken-hearted.