My heart pounded as I suddenly recalled all of the previous clues he had given me, intentionally or not. He'd actually approached Charlie in the store! He must've known I'd ask, must've done everything he had to lure me out, to make me discover who he was without him having to tell me. Not to mention all of the clues in our conversations, all of the clues had been there I'd just taken forever to put them together.
'Oh god he must think i'm a total idiot.' I thought to myself, cringing as I pictured him waiting for the stupid American girl to put the puzzle pieces he'd practically lined up perfectly for her, together.
I blinked once, not quite sure how to process the information I'd discovered. Surely it couldn't be him. Why would he be interested in me of all people? He was surrounded by the most beautiful women, both human and vampire; all of whom would happily do as he pleased.
My screen flashed and I realised I'd been sat in stunned silence, gaping at the screen for about 10 minutes.
Unknown: Isabella, are you alright?
BellaSwan: It's just Bella. I hate my first name.
It was all I could think of to say, I couldn't acknowledge why i'd been absent for so long. Or could I? Didn't he want me to find out on my own? Isn't that why he'd made it so easy, so obvious? All I knew was that I didn't want to give this up just yet. I didn't want to shatter the illusion with his real identity. I knew, but he didn't need to know that. At the moment he was still just my friend, my affectionate, caring friend and I was happy to keep him that way for a while at least.
Unknown: Isabella is a beautiful name.
I blinked as I was suddenly transported back to Volterra and the castle where a dark, beautiful vampire had whispered my name and caressed my jaw with such loving gentleness that i'd fought not to lean into his touch. That moment had softened the previous hatred I had felt toward my first name, I couldn't quite muster the same contempt for it anymore, not when he'd made it sound so beautiful.
BellaSwan: Ok, but you're the only one allowed to use it. Even my Mother doesn't, unless she's angry with me.
Unknown: How could anyone possibly be angry with you?
BellaSwan: People seem to manage it. Apparently i'm not very likeable.
Unknown: What isn't there to like?
BellaSwan: According to my Mother I'm disorganised and untidy. It drives her crazy.
Unknown: Is that all? That's what maids are for. Perhaps I should educate her on the wonders of hired help?
I couldn't help but laugh aloud and shake my head at that before I typed my response.
BellaSwan: We weren't exactly privileged as I was growing up. Mom was the maid.
Unknown: Ah I see. Forgive me, I seem to have misspoken. I didn't mean to upset you.
BellaSwan: I'm not upset, you made me laugh. Out loud. I hope Charlie didn't hear.
Unknown: I wish I was there to have been witness to it.
BellaSwan: You're not outside then?
I hit enter whilst I still had the nerve within me to do so and waited nervously for his reply. I didn't know which answer I was hoping for more.
Unknown: No dearest, I am not. I'm currently In a hotel room in Seattle.
'The Volturi are in Seattle.' I heard Carlisle say in my head as he had done weeks ago when the Cullen's had decided to wash their hands of any involvement with me.
BellaSwan: I suppose at least IM-ing saves you the trouble of coming over here every time you wanted to drop off a letter.
Unknown: It wasn't a trouble, it was a pleasure. I miss doing so. Watching you fall asleep clutching my gift to you is a moment I will keep with me until I part from this world.
BellaSwan: I don't understand. Why me?
Unknown: You captivated me. It was difficult to be parted from you and so I began my correspondence. I never dared to hope you would want to respond.
BellaSwan: Oh.
Unknown: You still struggle with being complimented I see. We shall have to work on that.
Unknown: Are you tired? Do you wish to go to sleep?
I glanced down at the clock in the corner of the screen and did a double take when I saw that it displayed '03:41AM'.
BellaSwan: Wow, time sure flies…
Unknown: When you are having fun?
BellaSwan: Are you fishing for compliments?
Unknown: I have no idea to what you are referring, dear one.
BellaSwan: Of course you don't. You are right though, I do need to get some sleep. I'm sorry I neglected writing to you for so long. It was nice to talk with you, goodnight.
Unknown: Goodnight Isabella.
I forced myself to log off and shut the computer. I knew that I could have stayed talking to him all night and that was dangerous. I could already feel myself holding a whole host of emotions toward this man that I just wasn't ready to confront yet. Especially not now that I knew who he was.
As I reclined in bed I pulled the duvet up to my chin and tried to ignore the computer as it sat, glaring at me accusingly from its place at my desk. Defiantly I tried to close my eyes and sleep, but all my brain wanted to do was go and get the computer and continue my intriguing conversation with him. As such it wouldn't be quiet, for all the stillness in the room my mind was screaming at me so loudly I may as well have been in a busy european market place; the noise was deafening.
I squeezed my eyes together tightly, trying to hold onto the last shred of my control before, almost without my permission or realisation, my eyes were open again and rested upon the closed lid of my laptop.
"Fine!" I whispered to myself as I threw back the covers and darted across the room to the computer. I thought that maybe if I did it quick enough it wouldn't feel like weakness to succumb to myself, like maybe I hadn't left the bed at all.
I snorted at my self denial as the loading screen appeared again, the bottom of the computer was still warm from its recent use and I hugged it to me tightly. As my IM screen flashed up I felt disappointment slowly swamp my stomach like ice water as the minutes ticked by and no IM window appeared. Of course he would have left as soon as I did… What else would he stay around for?
I felt foolish, what an eager little human I was. Rushing back to the computer the moment I missed speaking to him.
Wait.
Missed speaking to him?
'Or just missed him.' My traitorous mind supplied my deepest darkest thought without my permission.
I leant back and repeatedly banged my head against the wall. "Stupid, stupid, stupid!" I whispered harshly in time with my skull colliding against the brick.
"Stop that. There's no need to self harm just because you're missing me." A voice startled me so much that I jumped and the laptop fell to the floor with a thud, as I gaped at the intruder who stood next to the window that had previously been closed.
AN: I just wanted to address a review that suggested I get a beta. I have had this suggestion before and thought I would let you all know that I am aware my stories have grammatical and spelling errors, but I have never been interested in getting a Beta. I like to get my chapters out to you as quickly as possible and waiting around for someone else to find time to correct my mistakes has never appealed to me for that very reason. I hope you understand and don't find the mistakes too distracting. I proof read as best I can but sometimes miss things.