1A/N: Thank you for all the awesome reviews. Love you all :D! Like I said, I'm going to try and make this chapter a bit longer than the others.
"But... Alice's visions don't always come true." I said, trying to stay calm. Apparently, I'm not a very good liar at all.
"Yes, but you can't be sure." He tightened his hold on my hand, but very carefully. "Carlisle tried to get him to leave, but he's interested in you." That made me suddenly very happy, in an odd sense. "Until he leaves, I'm going to watch him very carefully. I'll never leave you."
"That's fine with me," I told him, trying to lighten the mood a bit. He laughed lightly and brushed his lips across my wrist.
"And, believe it or not Bella, I actually enjoy saving your life numerous times." He looked at me very intently. After a moment he asked what I was thinking.
"I was wondering if Erik was still going to be staying with you... And if he's going to school anymore. If he was, I wouldn't be able to, right?"
"Bella..." Edward sighed. "We can't make Erik do anything, but we can keep a very close watch on him, like I said. Erik won't leave the school. And I doubt that Charlie would approve of you dropping out."
"So... I'll be going? And he will be, to?" I hoped the answer was yes.
"Yes." I did a small cheer in my mind, but at the same time was scared for the next day. I hated feeling like that.
The next day, Edward never left my side. Not even once. His body pressed firmly against mine and his hand never leaving my waste, we made our way through the halls.
Occasionally, I would see Erik, but only very briefly. Edward was in his mind all day, and he would always know when he was near. He would always turn quickly around when he sensed him. But sometimes, when it was unavoidable, I would pass by him. Edward would always tighten his grip around me so that I could barely breathe, and move much faster than usual. And always, Erik would stare at me... but not as if he was angry, or wanted my blood, but like he was gazing at a famous piece of art. But, of course, he would also keep his distance, and he would shake vigorously, his hands curled into fists.
The week passed quickly, and Edward did nothing but watch over me. Not that I minded. When Saturday came, his eyes were black. It became much more difficult for him to be with me, I could tell. He would freeze when I came to close, and stayed a small distance away from me at all times.
By Sunday, hunting was unescapable.
"Bella..." He said to me, sitting in my room on the old rocking chair in the corner. "Is it all right if I leave you with Emmet and Alice for a while?"
I sat on the far end of my bed, turning the pages of the school books while Edward seemed to be very captivated in what I was doing.
"All right." I never wanted him to leave, but I knew that he had to. "When will you be back?"
"As soon as possible. I promise." He cautiously walked over to my bed, and sat down. I smiled at him before turning back to my school books.
"When will you leave?" I asked, without looking up.
"About an hour."
"And will I go over to your house?"
"Yes, but Erik won't be there. He's hunting with Carlisle. And I'll be watching his mind, as well." I was satisfied with his answer. The past few days, I had talked myself into the thought of Erik as nothing more but an interesting new vampire, and I hadn't felt anything but fear when I had seen him. I had just gotten that confused with other emotions.
An hour later, we pulled up to the Cullen's house. Inside, Emmet and Alice were waiting for me patiently. When I walked in the door, Alice jumped up and rushed over to hug me. A huge grin on her face, she pulled me down onto the couch next to her. Emmet didn't have as much enthusiasm as Alice did, but he smiled warmly.
"Bella!" She said, as if it had been years since we had seen each other. "So good to see you!"
"Where's Rosalie?" I asked, after receiving another large hug from Alice.
"With Carlisle." Edward answered for her, and kneeled down in front of me. "You promise you'll be safe, all right?" He took my hands. I blushed when he did this in front of Emmet and Alice, but they didn't seem to mind.
"Bye." He whispered, and stood up again..
"I love you." I said as he walked out of the door.
Emmet stood up and left towards the kitchen. I was stuck with numerous questions from Alice about how my life was going. I answered them all the best that I could, and after a very long time of this, I made an excuse to quickly get out.
"Alice, I think I'm going to go upstairs and use your bathroom."
"Edward will hate me for it. He told me not to let you leave my sight." She held my arm firmly, but let go after she realized that she couldn't very well follow me in.
"Be quick about it." She let me go, and I ran up the stairs, sighing with relief. Alice was wonderful, but she talked to much.
I had a moment to relax in Edwards room, and I planned on taking full advantage of it. I headed towards the end of the hall, and entered Edwards room. What little sun there was came through the glass wall, and I imagined how gorgeous he would be if he were here right now.
I stood for a moment, enjoying my little fantasy. It was then that I noticed something move slightly in the corner of my eye. I turned my head the other direction to Edward's black leather couch.
On it, was the most beautiful creature I had seen in a long time.
Erik...
