7

Bella and I just stood there in the doorway staring at our siblings while they stared back at us. I wasn't really sure what to say. I'm sure Esme was pissed to hell about us skipping our afternoon classes but I don't regret it. I looked over at Bella. She seemed to be having a staring contest with Carlisle. After a few moments, he turned away, muttering under his breath.

"Well, Edward," said Esme, standing up. "Would you like to explain why you skipped your afternoon classes?"

"No," I replied, earning myself another glare from Esme.

"Bella, how about you?" asked Carlisle, glaring at her. "We've had this discussion before. You can't just leave school whenever you want, no matter how boring the lessons are."

"Prick," muttered Esme. I bit my cheek to stop from laughing.

"Lauren," said Bella, simply. Carlisle rolled his eyes and shared a look with his brothers, who looked more understanding now.

"Is that little bitch messing with you again?" asked Emmett, standing up. Bella simply nodded her head.

"Fucking little bitch just won't stop until you hurt her," muttered Emmett, shaking his head.

"Exactly what happened?" asked Esme, looking around at all of us.

"Lauren, threw a coke in her face," I explained, when Bella said nothing.

"Why did she throw a coke in your face, Bella?" asked Esme.

"It doesn't matter," muttered Bella, heading to the dressing room. "Pretty boy, go change. We have training to do."

"Bella, stop," ordered Carlisle. Bella just ignored him as she kept going. "Isabella Marie Cullen, fucking stop right now."

Bella stopped but didn't turn around. I looked around at everyone. Carlisle, Emmett, and Jasper seemed to be having a silent argument. Esme seemed just as confused as I was about what was going on. A moment later, Jasper through his hands up and shook his head.

"Fine," mumbled Jasper, "but you know what is going to happen."

"I know," muttered Carlisle. He turned back to the rest of us. "Bella, look at me."

"No," muttered Bella.

"Bella, look at me," ordered Carlisle.

Bella slowly turned around so she was facing him but she kept her face to the ground. Carlisle went over and stood in front of her. He leaned down and started whispering to her. She shook her head several times until he gabbed her head and forced it still.

"DON'T FUCKING TOCH ME!" screamed Bella, pushing him off of her. Her face was full of rage. "I'M NOT GOING AND YOU CAN'T MAKE ME."

"I'm just trying to help you, goddamn it," yelled Carlisle.

"You can't," hissed Bella. "No one can help me. Don't you fucking get it, Car. "

"You won't let us," he snapped at her.

"I won't go back there," she muttered, shaking her head. She took several steps back and looked over at me. "Let's get out of here."

"Bella-"

"Please, Edward," whispered Bella. There was something in her eyes that told me that she needed me to go with her.

"Ok," I said.

I ran over and grabbed her hand as we ran out the back door of the gym. I heard everyone yelling at us to stop as we jumped on the back of Bella's bike and took off. I kept my arms tightly wrapped around Bella's waist as Bella drove us out of Forks. I wasn't sure where she was taking me this time or why she needed me to go with her but right now, I didn't care. All that mattered was Bella needed someone and that person was me, at least for now.

Bella turned onto a dirt road and drove for a while longer before she stopped the bike. I climbed off and held out my hand to her. She didn't hesitate at all about taking it and this time she didn't let go when she got off. She led me through a small cluster of trees before she stopped.

We were standing on the top of some cliffs that over looked the ocean. You could see the rocky bottom as the waves crashed against them with a loud smack. Bella just stood there for several minutes and watched the waves roll over the sharp rocks.

"Have you ever thought about just ending it all?" asked Bella.

"No," I answered honestly. "Have you?"

"Everyday for seven hundred and nine days," muttered Bella. She stepped closer to the edge but clutched my hand tighter in hers. "It would be so easy to just jump and let the water wash my pain away."

"You can't do that," I said, pulling on her hand. She stepped back but didn't look at me.

"Why can't I?" she asked as a tear slipped down her face. She fell to her knees, pulling me down with her. "Why can't I go where it doesn't hurt anymore?"

"Because I need you to stay here and teach me how not to fight like a girl," I whispered. She tried to laugh but she just started sobbing instead. I pulled her into my lap and wrapped my arms around her. "It's ok, Bella."

"It's not ok," she cried. "Nothing is ok."

I didn't know what to say so I just held her in my arms and rocked her while she cried. She clutched at the front of my shirt while she cried harder and harder. Sometimes she would stop crying for several minutes but her grip on my shirt never loosened. Then she would scream out and start crying again. I felt so helpless holding her. I wanted to ask her what was going on but I could tell that she wouldn't tell me if I did. Right now, all she needed was for me to hold her, so I did.

Bella and I sat on the side of those cliffs well after the sun went down. She started shivering so I stood up with her in my arms and carried her back through the woods to her bike. I set her on her feet and climbed on. She didn't say anything as she handed me her key and climbed on behind me.

"Where do you want me to take you?" I whispered.

"I don't care," she murmured, wrapping her arms around my waist and laying her head on my back. "Just not back to the gym."

"Ok," I whispered.

I started her bike and headed back the way we came. A few minutes later, I pulled her bike back onto the highway and back to Forks. I didn't know where else to go so I took her back to mine and Esme's apartment. I parked her bike next to Esme's car and we climbed off. Bella was so cold she could barely walk so I swept her into my arms. She started to protest but stopped and laid her head on my chest and started to cry again.

I carried her up the stairs to mine and Esme's apartment. I couldn't unlock the door and hold Bella at the same time so I just kicked the door several times. A few moments later, Esme pulled the door open. She took one look at crying girl in my arms and stepped out of the way. I just walked past Esme and carried Bella into my room.

"Esme, make her some hot chocolate," I yelled.

"Ok," said Esme from behind me.

"Don't let her call them," whispered Bella, looking me in the eye. "Please?"

"Ok," I whispered. I laid her on the bed. Bella just flopped over like a rag doll. I went out into the kitchen and found Esme with the phone I her hand. I snatched it away. "You can't call them, Esme."

"Edward, I have to," said Esme. "Look, I can tell there is something going on with that girl but I have to call her brothers and let them know that she is ok. They are worried sick about her."

"Fine, but she's staying here tonight, Esme," I whispered. Esme started to protest but I stopped her. "She scared, Esme, and right now, she needs me."

"Ok, Edward," whispered Esme. "I'll do what I can to stop them from rushing over here but I can't promise anything."

"Thank you," I whispered.

I went back into my room and found Bella curled up in the corner of my room. She had her knees pulled up to her chest and her arms were wrapped around them. Her eyes were wide and full of fear. I slowly went over and knelt in front of her. She looked up at me and let a tear fall from her eye.

"Are they coming for me?" she whispered.

"Probably," I whispered. I lifted her into my arms and carried her over to the bed. "You'll be more comfortable here."

"They want to send me away again," whispered Bella.

"I won't let them send you away, Bella," I whispered.

"Why not?" asked Bella. "You don't know me and I don't like you."

"Because you are my friend," I said. "And you do like me or you wouldn't be here with me right now."

"Suppose so," She shivered.

"Still cold?" I asked.

"Freezing," she muttered.

I slid off the bed and pulled off her boots. I laid her back on the bed and covered her with the blanket. Her skin was like ice. I climbed up on the bed and laid down next to her. Bella scooted so that she was laying right next to me. I slipped an arm under her shoulders and pulled her a little closer.

"Is that better?" I asked, rubbing her back.

"Yes," she whispered.

Bella slipped one of her arms out of the blanket and gripped my shirt in her hand again. It was almost like she was afraid that I would disappear if she let go. I rolled onto my side and wrapped my other arm around her. Slowly, Bella's breathing slowed and she drifted off to sleep. A few minutes later, I heard the front door of the apartment open.

"Where is she?" asked Carlisle.

"She's in Edward's room," said Esme. A moment later, Carlisle, Emmett, and Jasper stepped into the doorway of my room.

"She's asleep," I whispered. "I don't know what the deal is with you guys but right now, she wants to be here."

"You don't know shit about her," whispered Carlisle. Jasper looked from me to Bella and back to me.

"Car, let her stay," whispered Jasper. Carlisle snapped his head to Jasper. "Look at her. When was the last time she looked that peaceful when she slept."

"He's right," whispered Emmett. "Besides, it's not like we don't know where she is."

"Fine," muttered Carlisle.

"Look, you guys are welcome to stay here for the night," said Esme. "The couch fold out and I have a guest room. Let her sleep and then we can talk this through together in the morning, ok?"

"Ok, Esme," whispered Carlisle, immediately relaxing as Esme placed her hand on his arm. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," whispered Esme. "Now, let's let them sleep."

"Ok, but the door stays open," whispered Carlisle, looking back at me. "I don't trust you, kid."

"Well, I don't much trust you right now, either," I whispered.

"Edward…don't leave me…" whimpered Bella, clutching onto me. "Please…"

"I'm not leaving you," I whispered.

Esme pulled Carlisle out of my doorway. Jasper and Emmett just looked at each other as they followed them. I pulled Bella closer to me. She sighed and snuggled closer to me. All I really knew in this moment was that Bella was the first real friend I had ever had and I would do everything I could to make her ok. I just hoped it would be enough because something told me that my life would never be that same again.