Soleil

6. INCOMPLETE CONVERSATION

It was just a one-worded question that she read on the torn piece of notebook paper.

How?

But "how" what? It left too many questions. And his recent attitude to her didn't elicit Bella to feel inclined to investigate Edward's "how?" any further. She let him shield her in P.E. and participated when obligated on the volleyball court. The only part of the class that her memory retained was her epic failure to serve the ball when it was her turn.

The day blurred after Gym. Essentially, she survived a school day only to revisit the next school day with no breaks between the monotony of it.

The distinction of this day for Bella was that the slick roads once covered in snow hardened into ice. Due to living in Phoenix, her experience in driving in such conditions was non-existent. She did survive the drive to school though. Once she parked and exited her truck, she learned why. Snow chains were wrapped around her tires and she knew her father was the one who put them there. Bella's throat suddenly felt tight. A different tightness then she was used to when fighting herself to speak her mind. She was standing by the back corner of the truck, struggling to fight back the sudden wave of emotion evoked by the snow chains when she heard an odd sound.

"Bella!" Edward called two cars down from Bella as he sprinted towards her. But that was not the odd sound that had caught Bella's attention. It was a high-pitched screech, and it was quickly becoming painfully loud. In the moment, there was a clearness to Bella's vision as the few seconds left of her life flashed by. Edward Newton looked at her in horror as he rushed over to her, a foolish attempt. But he was not the only face that stood out to her. Another face reflected similar terror as the dark blue van skidded towards her. But just as soon as she noticed Mike's face in the distance, it disappeared. She did not have time to close her eyes to shield her vision from the impact.

Bella could hardly comprehend what the hell just happened. What did she know? She was alive and the unavoidable collision, likely- no, most definitely- to result in her death, was miraculously avoided. Someone had saved her, as best as they could. Because she still whacked her head on the ice covered pavement. Trying to sort out what the hell had happened in her disjointed thoughts, Bella heard a low, frantic voice in her ears. "Bella? Are you alright?" She immediately recognized its owner as Mike Cullen. Bella stifled a groan and required herself to be grateful.

"I'm fine."

"Be careful," he warned as Bella struggled. "I think you hit your head pretty hard."

"No shit," Bella growled as she became more aware of a throbbing ache centered above her left ear.

"That's what I thought." His voice irked Bella, sounding like he was suppressing a laugh.

"How in the…" She trailed off, trying to get her bearings. "How did you get over here so fast?" She wasn't sure she really wanted to know but didn't put up a fight against asking the question.

"I was standing right next to you, Bella," Mike said, his tone absurdly serious. Then a crowd amassed around them. Unsettled by another forced encounter with Mike, Bella tried to get up, but Mike's cold hand pushed her shoulder down.

"Just stay put for now."

"Pass. It's cold," she complained with another attempt to get up. But he kept her shoulder pinned to the ground. Despite the chaos around them, she was concerned no one else offered to step in to take care of her.

"No, I wasn't." Bella's eyebrows furrowed. He wasn't what? What was he saying? Had she missed a line?

"I saw you," flowed naturally out of her mouth.

"Bella, I was standing with you, and I pulled you out of the way." Bella acknowledged Mike's eyes were attempting to communicate something crucial.

"Ok," she caved in but still his blue eyes blazed.

"Please, Bella."

"Why?" Bella demanded. It was an incomplete question…just like Edward's "How?".

"Trust me," he pleaded.

"Whatever." She was not interested in knowing anyways.

"Fine," he snapped, abruptly exasperated.

"Fine," she repeated heatedly, confused by this incomplete conversation.

In the midst of being forced to ride in the ambulance to the hospital, Bella's gaze kept catching Edward's golden eyes in the crowd of concerned students and teachers. For once the bastard seemed concerned. Sincere. A little too late, Bella huffed to herself as she was whisked away in the ambulance.

Next update coming on Fri-yay 4.2.21. A return to Edward's POV. & boy does he have some thoughts. ~pixelephant