All things related to Twilight belong to Stephenie Meyer.

Epov

When I came down on Tuesday morning Tanya was already gone.

"Rosalie took her to school already honey. Breakfast?" Mom pulled a chair out and poured some coffee into my mug. It had a picture of Van Gogh's skull with a cigarette. I was a little embarrassed when mom took the mug out when we had guests over but to be honest I loved that cup. We got it when we went to Amsterdam when I was in fifth grade. We visited the Van Gogh museum there and I fell in love with that piece. Dad found it hilarious. He bought a print and hung it up in his office. Tanya dragged mom out of the museum after an hour wanting her to take photos Of her in front of the big Amsterdam letters. Dad and I stayed and spend hours wandering through the gallery. I've been using the cup ever since. If that makes me corny then so be it. Thinking of my dad's office made me think of the hospital which brought me back to thinking about Bella. I hadn't stopped thinking about her since that first day in class when I royally fucked up. But then at the hospital, it seemed like that didn't bother her. I don't know. I'm still reeling from the information I got sitting in on a part of her visit with dad. Though I didn't learn much. I already knew she must have some issues with her leg. What I guess shed some light on her situation was that it probably stemmed from an accident. At least that's what I think. She talked about scars and progress. And pain. It baffled me when she said she was in pain. You wouldn't notice it when you watched her. And I have watched her. I felt like a creep but I couldn't stop. Every time I tried to concentrate on something else I found my eyes drawn back to her. When dad just had to make a joke about her going without pants I couldn't stop my eyes from straying to her legs. She was wearing loose-fitting Adidas sweatpants. They looked comfortable but I doubted that she was. Noticing her blush at his words brought back the memory of the other times I'd seen her blush. I was fond of the sight. It made her glow. She looked so exhausted most of the time that that little sign of energy was enticing. It made me wonder what a genuine smile would look like or how her laugh sounded.

On my way to school, I took advantage of the chance to listen to my music without being ridiculed. Freddie was still blasting in my ears when I drove into the school parking lot. My excitement for the first class of the day drowned out my worry about my grades in that class. I'd never thought that I would look forward most to history. My excitement was replaced by concern when I saw her already sitting at our desk. She was leaning back in her chair her arms crossed in front of her. Eyes closed. There were bags under them her mouth pressed in a tight line. She didn't just look exhausted she looked faint, wary, and on the verge of collapsing. I slid in behind her not wanting to disturb her moment of rest. I took the opportunity to watch her. Her fingers were stroking a ring. Spinning it around her finger. It was a silver broad ring. It had something inscribed that I couldn't read. Before I could lean in closer Mr. Yorkie came into the classroom. Bella's eyes flew open at the sound of his Keys hitting the desk. She caught my eye and without my permission, my mouth turned into a smile when her eyes locked with mine. God, those eyes were intoxicating. To my delight, she reciprocated my smile with a small one of her own before leaning forward and laying her chin on her hand. I was convinced she had focused her attention on the lesson so I pretended to do the same. About ten minutes before the bell I noticed faint snoring coming from her. She had fallen asleep! Trying to be discreet to not bring attention to Mr. Yorkie I turned to her. Her eyes were closed again her mouth slightly opened. Her head had tipped to the side a little leaning into her hand. I wanted to stroke the hair back from her face and just let her sleep. But I also didn't want the cruelty of the bell to wake her so I put my hand close to her elbow and tapped my finger against it. I knew I couldn't whisper for her to wake up. She wouldn't hear me. She didn't stir. Thinking carefully of my next course of action I moved my hand a little further so it was at her hand that lay on the table behind her elbow. I stroked my finger over the back of her hand again ignoring the hum that went through me at the contact. Couldn't she feel that? Still no reaction. Other than a small sigh she didn't move. With a glance at the clock, I knew I had to act quickly or my efforts would have been for nothing. Hoping this wouldn't backfire I turned over her hand and laced her fingers with mine squeezing gently. As a precaution, I was ready to catch her head if her arm gave out at the startle. Her reaction was immediate but not what I expected. Her hand gripped mine as of in reflex and her head shot up quickly locking eyes with me. She looked a little startled but to my relief not scared. Her eyes became impossibly warm for a split second. The color turns into a rich liquid dark chocolate before turning confused. She broke the stare and glanced around probably trying to figure out what had happened.

"I'm sorry you fell asleep. I didn't want the bell to wake you." I explained in a hushed tone when she turned back to me so she could hear me. She surprised me again with a small smile.

"Thanks." She mumbled giving me that beautiful blush. Then noticed our hands were still interwoven. She looked at them then back to me. I didn't move my hand away. I didn't want to. I was waiting for her reaction. The longer she took still looking at me the bigger my doubt got. Then I saw something change in her gaze and her thump slowly moved over mine. I had to swallow. That simple touch set my nerve endings on fire. The hum intensified and I could sense my ears turning red. What was happening to me? After a few moments, her thump stopped moving. I didn't know what to do so I slowly extracted my hand without breaking her gaze. I could see the confusion from earlier returning then it quickly changed to rejection followed by embarrassment when she turned her face away and moved her hands under the table. Shit! You idiot. Now she thinks she made you uncomfortable. Quick. Fix it. As fate would have it the dreaded bell rang before I could do anything. I was still trying to figure out what to do or say to her when she packed up her stuff and left the classroom. I'd never seen her move so fast and she had her head hidden the whole time so I couldn't see her face.

I didn't catch her again until after my last class when I walked out of the school building. She was leaning against the wall next to the doors talking on her phone. I guess her other ear must be damaged too because I could make out what the other person was saying from where I stoop a couple of feet away.

"Bells, I'm so sorry. They called me in last minute. I can't get away. I don't know what to do! Should I send somebody to pick you up? Or would that be too much? I don't know what I'm supposed to do! I can't tell you to wait because I don't know how long this is gonna take... I..." The man was clearly distraught. I guessed it was Charlie. Bella had a pained expression n her face. She took a deep breath.

"Dad..." I could still hear him talking. "Dad." She repeated. It was silent on the other end. "It's ok." Whatever it was. It was clearly not ok.

"I'll find a way. Maybe I'll just go sit in the school and do some homework." I grimaced. That would be hard to do. The cleaning crew was here after school. It was already pretty late.

"Or I'll catch a ride with someone." She deliberately seemed to want to come off as unbothered. It didn't work. And Charlie was suddenly frantic at her simple statement.

"No bells! No. I swore I wouldn't let you get into the car of just any of those kids! And certainly not without me knowing..."

"Dad..." She had her eyes closed now. Her palm pressed to her forehead.

"Baby, please. I'll figure something out. You don't have to do this. I promised." He pleaded. I was astonished at the agony I detected in his voice. What could be so horrible about catching a ride home from school? He knew me. Maybe I could help. "Hey, Bella? I couldn't help but overhear you need a ride?" I didn't give myself time to second guess myself before asking her. She startled whipping around to me and losing her balance against the wall in the process. I reached out to steady her and caught her right arm keeping her upright. We locked eyes and again I seemed to be intoxicated. But she quickly averted her gaze and stepped away leaning back against the wall. Shit.

"Bells? Who is that?" I heard Charlie ask. Bella answered quickly but with a slightly quivering voice.

"Edward. Edward Cullen? Dr. Cullen's son." "Yeah, I know him. Good kid. Responsible." Well I didn't think he would still think that if he knew what I was up to last month in La Push but what the eye doesn't see the heart cannot grieve over. Bella didn't comment on her father's musings so I continued.

"I can take you. No problem." I offered. Thinking that would help me out with my earlier reaction. She didn't look up at me and didn't say anything either.

"Bells? What do you want to do? I'm so sorry I'm putting you in this situation. I can call someone to pick you up so you have a little time to prepare or you go with Edward. He has a save car. He knows the roads well. It's pretty dry right now...whatever you decide. Just tell me what you need." I was confused by his ongoing assurance but ignored it for the time being. Focusing on her verdict. Already getting excited at the prospect of driving her home. In my car. She didn't move but gave a quiet.

"I'll drive with Edward." She'll drive with Edward. Ha!

"Ok, you keep your phone on you and call me when you need too. I can talk to you till your home ok?"

"Ok." She replied.

"I love you Bells. I'm proud of you." She ended the call and put the phone in her jacket pocket lifting her backpack over her shoulder and taking her cane.

"Lead the way." She said. She still hadn't looked up but I wasn't gonna dwell on that so I led her to my car. Taking pride in her walking next to me. I opened the door for her and watched how struggled to get in. When I closed my door and started the car she got out of the stupor she had been in and almost screeched at me.

"Seatbelt!" I recoiled like she had slapped me looking into her wide terrified eyes.

"I know I always start the car first and then buckle myself..." I mumbled while doing just that. The crazed look in her eyes vanished and I could just make out the huge blush that started to appear when she bowed her head to conceal her face. My excitement now a little dimmed and me a lot confused I drove out of the parking lot. What the hell was going on? Had I missed something? At the first traffic light, I looked at her again. She was mumbling something under her breath her head still bowed. She was gripping her cane with one hand and a the door handle with the other so tight that her knuckles went white. Focusing back on the road I continued driving. Should I stop and ask her what's wrong? No, surely she would tell me...right? All of that went out the window when I next chanced a glance in her direction. She was visibly shaking but what scared me to death was that she had lifted her head. She was looking straight ahead now and the look in her eyes chilled me to the core. The terrified look from before was nothing compared to the anguish, horror and I could see now. The mumbling had also stopped, replaced by a heartbreaking whimper. Without thinking I pushed the brakes. We both were pushed forward and a scream from Bella pierced my ears. But the thing was she didn't stop screaming once the car stopped moving. Her eyes were still fixed to the front but I don't think she was seeing anything. She wasn't here and she didn't blink. I scrambled out of the car and ran to her side pulling the door open and trying to shake out of wherever she was stuck. I gently took her by the shoulders but she just kept screaming. Right now I was glad that the roads in Forks were so deserted. I threw caution to the wind and took her face in my hands forcing her to look at me. My hands were shaking and the adrenaline pumped through my veins. She saw right through me not focusing on my face.

"Bella. Bella!" I called, my voice breaking. The screaming stopped like it had caught in her throat her mouth still open. She seemed to register that the car had stopped and her door was open because she flung herself out of her seat and with me not prepared to catch her she landed next to me on the asphalt with a thud. That must have hurt her but with an agility that I didn't expect from her she crawled away from the car towards the side of the road. I went after her but quickly remembered it was probably best to call someone who could help her. I considered calling dad but then changed my mind and called her dad. I fished for her phone in her backpack and pressed the recall. He answered after two rings.

"Bells? Everything ok?" He immediately sounded worried. I hated to make I'm right. I was back to crouching in front of her. She had made it to a tree and was huddled up against it rocking back and forth and mumbling no over and over.

"Chief Swan? It's Edward. I hate to call you but something happened with Bella. She had some kind of episode in the car? We are now on the side of the road. I...I don't know what to do Sir? What should I do?" I heard a muffled fuck before he gave me a bunch of instructions before saying someone named Jake would come and get her and hanging up. I sat down next to her and tried to sooth her as much as I could. I wished I knew what was freaking her out so much. Maybe then I could help her? I decided to just keep talking to her. She didn't calm down one bit before I could hear the rumbling of a motor. A red truck came to a stop behind my car and a tall man bolted out of the car and ran over to us. He looked familiar.

"Bells? Bells!" He slithered to a stop and had his hands on her face in a second. His eyes looked frantic in his worry. Unlike with me, she seemed to see him when he locked eyes with her. A dam broke and she began to sob. Tears streaming down her face.

"Jakey..." It was a quiet sound but because we were sitting so close I could make out the words. He nodded while unsuccessfully wiping the continuing tears from her cheeks.

"Yeah Bells, I'm here. It's ok." His voice shook and his eyes were watery too.

"It was so hot...and the smoke. I can't breathe!" she chocked moving her hands to claw at her throat.

"No, no. You're here. In Forks remember? Take a deep breath for me, sweetheart." He pulled something out of his pocket and coaxed her mouth open. Putting a bottle of water to her mouth she swallowed the pill without question. He put his hands on hers linking them together and rubbing her knuckles.

"Now try to breathe. What do you hear? What do you smell? What do you see? What do you taste? Concentrate on that ok? And remember to keep breathing." He paused after every question and breathed with her. I guess I was still in shock because I just kept staring at them. Reeling from everything that happened in the past thirty minutes. After a while, Bella's breathing became more controlled. She still had her eyes locked on Jake. I don't think she even knew I was still here.

When she eventually closed her eyes she slumped forward leaning into him. He wrapped his arms around her holding her tight. After a while, he turned his head to look at me through red-rimmed eyes.

"Hey man. Sorry, I'm Jake. You're Edward?" I just nodded.

"Quick thinking calling Charlie. You did well. Look I'm can't explain anything to you. It's not my place but... just know it wasn't your fault ok? She'll be okay." He looked back at her.

"Eventually." He mumbled. I don't think he meant for me to hear that. After a few minutes, he effortlessly picked her up and carried her to his car. She didn't stir. He must have given her something powerful. Placing her in the passenger seat he buckled her in pushed some strands of her hair out of her face and closed the door. the gesture was impossibly tender.

"Well, I should go. Don't want her to wake up in my car." He said with a humorless chuckle. He almost seemed as shaken up as I was. Again I nodded.

"Go home man." He clapped me on the shoulder and got into the truck driving away. I was left standing on the side of the road with my car still running, the doors open and my thoughts going a mile a minute.

Reviews are greatly appreciated!