Chapter 13 – Searching

When they were gone, I looked at him, "What is with you? It's like you want to fight everyone this week." He sighed, "I know. I'm sorry." "Don't apologize to me. Apologize to Emmett. Why did you get mad at him when he compared me to Rosalie?" "Because you are nothing like Rosalie." I folded my arms, "Edward, Emmett loves her and honestly, I see that comparison soon." He looked at me, "So you agree with him? That I baby you?" I shook my head and smiled, "No, you just like to take care of everything." He sighed, "That is true." I sat on the couch and closed my eyes, flinching. Too much of my weight went on my bad arm. "Are you all right?" I smiled and looked up, "Just want to take care of everything." He laughed, "I just hate seeing you in pain." I sighed, "The aspirin should kick in soon. I'm glad Alice was here. I want to change into something else before Charlie sees this." Edward's eyes trailed down my arm, as if he could see through the fabric, "Bella, why did you break your promise?" I looked at him, "Umm, it was…. I just…. I don't….." I couldn't let him know the real reason. "Bella?" He placed strand of my hair behind my ear, "You were supposed to be keeping yourself out of danger and I find you riding motorcycles." I shook my head, "I guess I was being rebellious. I was at a point of thinking why did I need to keep my promise if you didn't care." "Bella, you shouldn't have done that. You should have kept yourself as safe as possible, knowing the truth about the world around you."

I looked at him, "I know. Like I said, it was a rebellious thing. Honestly, now I ride my motorcycle because I enjoy it. It's really fun." "Then don't you think you should take the safety precautions that go along with driving a motorcycle, like a helmet?" I half-smiled, "That would be smart." Edward chuckled and that surprised me. I looked at him in confusion. "I was just wondering, what is with you and owning old and decrepit vehicles? Your truck is literally half my age and I don't even want to know how old that bike is." My mouth fell out in surprise and the corners of my mouth turned up, "That's not funny. Actually, I got those bikes from the junk yard and Jacob fixed them up. As for my truck, leave it alone." "Hmm, so you gave Jacob a motorcycle? Nice." I rolled my eyes, "The bike was his fee. He rebuilt them and taught me how to ride mine; I thought it was fair he got one of the bikes for his payment. Not like he would have turned it down anyway." Edward looked at me, "Why do you think that?" I bit my lip, "Well, he was a little enthusiastic when I said I would be spending more time with him." Edward stared at me, "Well, he always had feelings for you. Since he saw you at the prom." I sighed, "Yea and you weren't pleasant towards him then, either." He shrugged, "I didn't like the thoughts he was having about you. They were too inappropriate."

I shook my head and sighed, "Some things never change." He smiled. "Edward?" "Yes?" I stared into his eyes, "Next time you see Jacob, could you not be so hostile towards him?" He sighed, "That will be hard." "I know, but still, I really hate it when you two argue. I'm afraid it's going to turn into a fight and I don't want either of you hurt." I looked down at my hands, waiting for his "no." His pale hand rested on mine. "Bella, we are natural enemies and nothing can change that. The animosity is rooted too deep." I looked up and into his eyes, "I know that. I just thought I'd ask. I know how anxious Jacob and his friends are for a fight, especially with your family. I don't want to see you two breaking the treaty because of….." I trailed off and looked away. Edward's cool hand held my face and I looked at him, "Is it that important to you?" I nodded, "I would never forgive myself if your family had to leave your favorite place because…." Edward leaned closer to me, "All right. I'll try…. hard to not fight with Jacob." I half-smiled, "Thank you." Edward stared into my eyes, neither of us moving. I realize that we were moving closer to each other. I could feel his cool breath on my face. I looked down and my eyes focused on his lips. I remembered how my lips molded to his. His lips were hard, but they were so gentle against mine. My blood pulsed through my veins as Edward moved closer to me. The tip of his nose was on mine. I wanted this, for so long, but I was scared. I thought of my dream. Alice represented Edward and Emily represented Jacob. In this moment, I was able to interpret it. I had to choose a path and when I did, I couldn't go back. But I wasn't ready to decide.

I bit my lip, "Please, don't….. do this. Not now. I can't." Edward moved back and I saw the pain in his eyes. I had to maintain my composure. I couldn't let him see this pained me too. He blinked, "I understand. Alice is coming back." I sighed, "Ok. I'll see you tomorrow." He got up from the couch and went for the door. Alice was there, of course. She looked at him and smiled. Their lips moved so quickly and their voices were hushed. I looked away, feeling horrible. I wanted Edward to kiss me again, but it would have made things more complicated. Alice came in, smiling. I saw she had a makeup box under her arm. I pointed at it, "What is that for?" She giggles, "I'm painting your toe nails. Then I could do your hair for school tomorrow." Groaning, held my head, "What have I done?" Edward stared at us, as Alice got everything ready for our slumber party. He didn't move near me for the rest of the time he was here. Alice stared off, then she blinked. "Charlie will be here in five minutes. Bella, you should change." I walked past Edward and went upstairs. I changed into a long sleeve pajama top that Alice brought. I was putting my other top away. Turning around, I bumped into something and it almost knocked me down, until two cool hands caught me.

I looked up into smoldering golden eyes. His hands held my arms securely as he looked down at me. "I'm sorry," he sighed, "I just wanted to say good bye before I left." I blinked, "Oh." We stared at each other for a long moment; neither one of us blinking. I heard Charlie's car parking in front of the house. Edward looked out my window, "I'll see you tomorrow." My body froze as he kissed my forehead. His hand held my cheek and I closed my eyes. I opened my eyes and he was gone. I looked out the window, with the knowing that I wouldn't see him. It reminded me of the day he left, but this time, my heart didn't ache. I went downstairs to endure my slumber party with Alice.

School was entirely boring. I wore Alice's selections for me. She styled my hair, so that I covered the bruises on my neck. I groaned a few times in the night, because I leaned on my bad arm. During the night, Alice kept her eyes open for the vampire in the area. At school, Edward monitored her visions, trying to stay on top of what was going on. "Bella?" I looked up, "Yes Angela?" "How is your Shakespeare project coming along?" I looked at Alice, "Great. We're almost done." Alice smiled, "How is yours?" Angela sighed, "I am having so much trouble with it. Mike isn't much help." Mike made a face, "Shakespeare is hard to interpret." "No, he's not. Reading Shakespeare is about reading between the lines." Edward finally joined the conversation and he recommended several websites for Mike and Angela to check out for their project. Leaving school, it was raining so badly, I could hardly see across the parking lot. Alice walked with me and Edward was behind us. She took out her phone and had it to her ear before it rang.

"Emmett, did you find anything?" She was silent for a moment, "No, keep with the treaty line. Let them handle it on their side." She rolled her eyes, "I know, Emmett, but we cannot break the treaty. We're here now and that's what's important. Where's Jasper?" The three of us stood underneath the awning of Building 2. "Keep him calm. We don't want him to get reckless." I looked at her and Edward held my shoulder, "Emmett may be a lot of things, but he's not stupid. He knows what is at stake here." Alice talked on the phone for another minute, "Okay, I will join you tonight." My eyes widened. Alice hung up the phone, "Whoever this person is, he keeps running across the treaty line." I looked down, "Like he knows exactly where it is." Alice and Edward shared a loaded glance. "I won't leave her alone tonight, Alice." I looked up at Edward, as he stared at Alice. "Bella, it's necessary. I'm not risking another attack." I closed my eyes, "Charlie's not going to be happy about this." "He won't see me," Edward reassured me. I looked at him, "Maybe I should let Sam know that you know."

Alice sighed, "I think that would be wise. They should know things will be covered on our side." Alice's eyes iced over. "Alice?" "She's having a vision." Edward and I stood together, watching Alice. Soon she blinked and sighed, "This vampire is smart. He went over the line right before Emmett and Jasper got to him. The odd thing is I cannot see him when he's on their side. I'm going to go and see what I can find out. Edward, you are to stay at Bella's house until I call you."