Hey, everyone! Sorry, I'm a little late posting. It's been a crazy work week and I just haven't had much time. Also, not for nothing, but I've officially run out of back up chapters, so I'm posting chapters as I'm finishing them. In other words, please be patient with me! I'm doing my best to make sure I get these out to you in a somewhat timely manner as well as making sure they're proofread. Again, so sorry if there are still a few mistakes, I'm actually terrible at editing my stuff. Anyways, here's chapter 24! Please enjoy!
"I'm going to ask my dad to let me spend the night with Angela."
Edward sighs, closing his eyes in the process as if searching deep within himself for the patience to continue the debate. While, in the moment it upset me, later I might be more inclined to see how many times our banter had circled back around to this same subject.
"Look, if this is too much for you—"
"Bella." Before I can even think about finishing such a petty and passive-aggressive statement, Edward cuts me off. "You know why I can't let you go."
"Can't or won't?" Throwing myself onto the bed with force, I groan loud enough for Charlie to hear me downstairs, but he confuses my annoyance at Edward for frustration with homework.
It's the first night Edward's even been in my room while he's awake, but instead of basking in the excitement that came with the thrill of getting caught, we bickered quietly back and forth as this unknown threat dangled above our heads like a sharpened guillotine, waiting to fall at any moment.
Calmly, Edward replies, "I can't, love."
I only notice the bouncing of my knee when it causes the entire floor to shudder underneath the force. I have to slam my fist over my leg to keep it still. "I get it, you want to keep me safe." My voice trembles with urgency. "But can't you pretend for just one second, that your instinct to protect me is exactly how I feel about Angela?"
Something about what I've said seems to have clawed its way under his marbled skin. To anyone else, he may seem undisturbed as he lounges carelessly in my rocking chair, but I can pick out the rigidness in his shoulders and the sharp angles in his jaw.
"Damnit, Bella, you're not listening to me!" It's the loudest his voice has gotten since he's been here, but still too quiet for Charlie's ears downstairs.
Rising from my spot on the bed, I begin to pace across the floor, finding comfort somehow in the rhythmic creaking as I walk over the loose floorboard every third step.
"Neither are you, Edward!" It's easier to assert myself around him as I pace. "Angela's like family. I have to make sure she's alright."
"She'll be alright as long as you don't get her involved."
Pausing my steps to glare down at him, I grit through my teeth, "She's already involved. That woman, whoever she was, saw the entire school at that party last weekend!"
"Exactly, Bella." Edward rises from his seat and once he towers over me with those darkened eyes, I can almost feel my resolve beginning to dissipate as tears fill my eyes. "The entire school was there— meaning, we can't assume Angela is in imminent danger."
Defeat washes over me and the tears spill over, but anxiety continues to churn my stomach nearly making me gag. "If it were me," I start in an almost soundless whisper, "would you take that chance?"
He sighs deeply, bringing his left hand up to pinch the bridge of his nose. I know he hears the desperation in my voice. I know he knows the severity of the situation. What he doesn't know is I'd find a way with or without his help. One way is just significantly easier than the other.
"It's not if, Bella, it is!" The muscles in his arms contract as he clenches and unclenches his fists. "Your life's on the line here!"
"Please." There are goosebumps rising over my arms and I've started shivering. Weirdly, I don't feel any chill in the air. I only feel my heart pounding heavily, but steady.
Edward growls deep within his chest, so gruff and carnivorous. It's a sound I've never heard before. "I won't let you out of my sight."
"Then come with me," I reason with him. "You can keep watch outside where Angela won't see you."
He closes his eyes again and grits his teeth. "This is not a good idea."
Ignoring him, I turn away and wipe the tears from my cheeks. Walking back and forth from the closet to my dresser, I fill my school bag with handfuls of clothes, not bothering to keep track of what's being thrown in.
"You're not taking no for an answer, are you?"
Too focused on the task at hand, I reply without facing him. "You can meet me out front in ten minutes. Or don't. Regardless, I'm leaving."
Edward stays quiet after that. In fact, he doesn't say a word at all as I fill my bag with the normal sleepover essentials. It's not until I finally turn around that I find his abnormal silence is due to his departure.
Finding myself alone in the room, I feel my eyes sting with more tears, but force myself to forget how angry he must be at me. I can't think about that now. I have to focus on Angela.
"She needs me," I say quietly to myself. "She needs me, so I'll be there."
Deeming my speedy packing sufficient, I throw the bag over my shoulder and race down the steps, not waiting until I've reached the bottom to call for Charlie.
"Yeah, that'll be a large pizza with—"
"Dad!" I don't realize I've caught him while on the phone until I see him eyeing me questioningly as he covers the receiver with his hand.
"Hang on a sec...yeah, Bells, what's up?"
Pushing down the guilt of missing dinner with him, I force the words out of my mouth before I second guess them. "Can I spend the night at Angela's?"
"It's a school night Bella." I try to keep my composure when I see him internally observing my jittery hands "I'm just about to order pizza, anyway. What's got you so worked up?"
"Um…" Lie, Bella. Think of a lie. You've been doing it your whole life, why is it so hard now?
"Bells?"
"I-it's a test!" I stutter. Running a hand nervously through my hair, I work hard to convincingly sell the rest of the excuse. "Midterms are coming up and I need help studying. I'm falling behind as it is. It'd be easier if I just cram all night and ride with her to school in the morning."
"Ah, is it that damn calculus again?" he grumbles. "I was never any good at that either."
"Yeah." Any other time I'd find our shared hatred for mathematics endearing, but for now all I can do is count the seconds ticking by as I wait for him to respond.
"Alright, go ahead," Charlie agrees. "Just for tonight, though."
"Thanks, Dad, see you tomorrow!" I don't stick around to hear him ask me if I need a ride. Instead, I rush out the door and breathe a sigh of relief when I see an idling silver Volvo at the end of the driveway.
As I slide into the passenger seat, I hear Charlie settling into his favorite spot on the sofa.
"Yeah, go ahead and cancel that order," he tells the man over the phone. "There's been a change in plans."
I feel a pang of emotion in my chest, and with Edward staying so angrily silent in the driver's seat, I have no other option but to let the guilt swallow me whole. I suddenly feel hollowed out and filled up with liquid pain. The pain of fighting with Edward, the pain of lying to Angela and Charlie, the pain of taking the one thing away from him I know he wants most in the world. Me.
It fills me up to my chest and then my chin, pulling my whole body under until it spills over in salty tears.
"You don't have to do this." Edward's tone surprises me, as it doesn't match his expression. Eyebrows knit together and a permanent frown etched into his face, his voice is unexpectedly soft and full of concern.
"Of course I do." My own voice must not match my face either, going by Edward's reaction. My eyes are probably red and swollen from crying and my hands shake slightly in my lap. Yet, my voice holds the strength the rest of me seems to be lacking. "What kind of person would I be if I didn't?"
Edward shifts the gear into park in place of responding and it's only then that I realize we've stopped moving. Angela's home brightens up across the street as the porch light flashes on. She waits curiously on the other side of the door and I unbuckle my seatbelt to meet her.
"You'll stay nearby?" I ask, already knowing his answer, but needing to hear the words.
"I'll be right outside," he confirms. "Go."
"Okay."
Pushing myself out of the car, I cross the street and force myself to smile as Angela opens the door.
"Is everything okay?" She immediately invites me in and I'm relieved I don't have to ask.
"Yeah, of course," I lie again. "Why wouldn't it be?"
Angela snickers, shuffling towards the stairs and motioning for me to follow. "Well, you normally call, for one."
I try to make myself laugh with her, hoping it doesn't sound strained. "I wanted to surprise you. You know, I miss you."
"Aw, that's cute." She opens the door to her bedroom and we both climb into her bed side to side, facing each other. The motion is so natural, I'd almost forgotten how long it's been since we've slept together. It used to be something we did every weekend. Now, it seems we hardly see each other.
"You and Edward didn't have a fight, right?" Angela turns away only to take her glasses off and place them on her nightstand. "It's okay, if you did, I'm just wondering why you're here."
The difference between Angela and Charlie is that she knows me way better than he or really anyone else does. Lying to Angela is a lot harder than lying to Charlie.
"What, your best friend can't spontaneously spend the night?" It's a pitiful attempt at deflecting the question, but it seems Angela's too good for that.
"Oh, c'mon, B." She rolls her eyes at me and I can hear her ask herself why I'm avoiding the subject. "It's just me. You can tell me, I won't judge."
My eyes flicker to the window behind me, but I center them back on her before she gets curious. I know Edward is somewhere out there listening, so I make sure to choose my words carefully.
"It wasn't really a fight," I tell her, my fingers tapping my thigh nervously. "More of a disagreement—but that's not why I'm here!"
"Oh?" Though her voice sounds amused, I know there's a bit of discontent that comes with the thought of becoming a second to Edward Cullen.
"I really do miss you." It's not a lie, so the line comes easily to me and I know she can hear the sincerity in my words. "I want to spend more time with you."
Angela smiles softly, her pinky clasping mine. "I miss you too, Bella. I know this is all new for you, having a boyfriend and all. I remember when I first started dating Ben. All I wanted to do was…"
"Him?"
We both fall into a fit of giggles and I'm relieved to find that it's a genuine laugh that escapes from me and not a forced one.
"I'll do better," I promise her. "I'm still your best friend."
She rolls her eyes in response. "Yeah, whatever. Tell me what your fight was about."
"It wasn't a fight!"
Angela nudges me playfully under the comforter. "Uh-huh, that's what they all say. What happened?"
Knowing I won't be able to change her mind, I exhale slowly. Again, my eyes flutter to the dark shadows of trees just behind Angela's window and picture a curious Edward huddled up behind the blanket of browning leaves, listening to our conversation.
"It's like we're both fighting for the same reasons," I start, pausing to think of a vague alternative. "But we both have different ideas of fixing it. And trying to find a compromise is next to impossible."
"Ben and I have had fights like that before," she comments, seemingly unbothered by my lack of specifics. "Sometimes there is no compromise. Some things are just black and white."
"In a black and white situation, what would you and Ben do?" I ask curiously.
"Well…" Angela scratches the back of her head as she ponders my question. "In those circumstances someone is always right and the other is wrong. So, ask yourself, B. Are you right or wrong in this fight?"
Staring at her, completely oblivious to the imminent danger that looms just ahead, I feel my heart rate speed up and the nerves come alive again in my belly. All I can't think about is keeping her safe. Are my decisions putting Edward and his family in danger? How am I supposed to think clearly when the risks are so high?
"I don't know," I say honestly.
Angela nods. She thinks she understands, but she doesn't. Every scenario that comes to her is nothing close to what Edward and I are dealing with. But I could never tell her that. "You'll figure it out."
"I hope so."
"On that note, I'm going to sleep." She pulls the blanket up higher to cover her shoulders. "I'm exhausted."
"I'm actually not tired," I say, sitting up a bit. "Do you mind if I use your laptop to watch a movie or something?"
Shrugging, she yawns, "Sure. Just keep the volume down."
"Sure thing." I get out of bed to grab the laptop from her desk by the window. "Goodnight, Ang."
"'Night, B."
I sign into her Netflix account and mindlessly scroll through categories until I hear her quiet snoring next to me. Once again, rising from the bed, I move toward the window and stare out into the black of night.
Somewhere in this canvas of shadows, is my beautiful vampire boyfriend. Though, I cannot see or hear him, I know he's got a close eye on me. The feelings of guilt and fear still rage through me and though I know there isn't anything I can do to break down the walls I'd begun to build around Angela and my father, there's one relationship I'm capable of salvaging.
With that in mind, I open the window as quietly as I can and whisper through the screen, "I'm sorry." And then close it tight, locking the latches as I do.
I tiptoe down the steps and into the kitchen to make myself a cup of coffee. Angela's parents make a hell of a lot more money that my dad does, so they can afford the expensive coffee. Which means, it's bitter and disgusting.
"Ugh." I physically shudder as the taste lingers too long on the back of my tongue, but it's what I need to stay awake. I need to be ready for anything. Who knows what that woman plans to do and I'll be damned if she gets the jump on me.
Though, after two and a half cups of bitter bean water, nothing can keep my eyes open as the clock reads three in the morning. No matter, how hard I fight sleep, the feeling of weightlessness consumes me before I can reach for more caffeine.
My body floats toward the ceiling and I can't help but be angry at myself. By now, I know I must've already fallen asleep, but I'm still aware enough to know I shouldn't be. I need to be awake, watching over Angela.
Instead, I find myself flying over Angela's house, high enough that I nearly see the entire town of Forks. However, the faint pro to this never ending list of cons is in this state of not quite sleep, and not quite awake, I can finally make out Edward's hidden figure.
I'd been completely wrong, in assuming he'd be hiding in a tree. He'd been camping out in his Volvo just underneath a burnt out street lamp, perfectly out of sight from the neighbors. I should've known better. As much as he is a vampire, he is also just a boy. Why hide in a tree, when you can sit comfortably in a Volvo?
I wonder for a moment if Edward can sense my presence in this form. Whatever this is. He'd called it astral projection once. Is that what I'm doing? Projecting myself?
I feel myself floating toward his familiar car when a flash of red distracts me.
In the tree closest to Angela's window is the woman. I can see her clearly now. She's tall, I can see that even now as she's curled up inside the branches. Probably as tall as Angela. Her hair shimmers like fire against the fall breeze and her eyes a dark red. I realize then, that it had not been Edward's presence that had pulled my attention out to the trees while I was awake.
It had been her. Even subconsciously, I knew she was nearby.
Suddenly, I feel as if I can't breathe. I need to get back in my body. I need to get back in my body!
The woman peers into Angela's window, watching the two of us sleep soundly. Who is she? What does she want? She must have something she needs, otherwise why keep us alive? This vampire is stronger and faster than the two of us put together. What exactly is stopping her?
Then, her red eyes snap up to me. Can she see me? Floating freely in the sky? She must, as her eyes are staring directly into mine. The faint line in her lips turns upward into a smile on her feline-like face.
Edward sits none the wiser in his car. Whatever gift this woman has, it prevents him and his family from seeing her and apparently proved my abilities useless on her.
"Focus," I whisper to myself. "Get back in your body."
I picture myself as a giant balloon, full of helium. I just have to release the pressure and then I'll fall back into place.
"Focus," I say again, but I find myself staring back into a pair of red eyes.
The woman has yet to move from her spot in the tree. She's waiting for me. Waiting to see what I'll do.
I turn my attention back to Edward, golden eyes locked on Angela's home. Everything he'd said tonight and every night before that had been right. I fought him so insistently, believing honestly that his judgment had been clouded.
And that's the moment when the overwhelming truth hits me. It crashes into me like a freight train. It hadn't been Edward's judgment that was swayed. It had been mine.
Angela was safe until I came here. This woman only searched for me. Now that she's found me here, I've made Angela a target too.
It's a black and white scenario. Right and wrong, and hell if I haven't been so wrong in my entire life. I need to fix this. I need to make this right. I need to erase Angela from her radar. No matter the consequences.
Without warning, I'm jolted back into my body so fast, I almost feel motion sick. Angela's alarm is blaring through the small speaker of her phone. It must've been the sound that brought me back.
Angela rises with a small groan to turn off the alarm. "Good morning. Want to go on a run?"
I turn my head toward the window, noting the now empty tree. The woman knows I've seen her. She knows she's got the element of surprise. This is worse than I could have ever imagined.
"Hel-lo? Earth to Bella? Wake up, already!"
I sit up in the bed, turning to face Angela. She senses something's wrong the moment I make eye contact with her.
"What's wrong, B?"
My throat goes dry. My heart pounds in my throat. This is the hardest decision I've ever had to make.
It's black and white, I think to myself. Do what's right.
"Bella." Angela reaches for my hand, the worry evident in her eyes. But, I move my hand before she can take it. "You're starting to scare me. Talk to me!"
A deep breath. Then, "We can't be friends anymore."
