A/N:

Hello everyone! I hope you enjoyed the last chapter, because now we are about to enter the more crucial parts of the story. In case you didn't know there have been some changes to the original storyline, and I hope to keep it that way throughout the entirety of this story. Now onto updates, I just got my first job yesterday so I may be updating a bit sporadically over the next few months. But, I promise to update at least once a week or every two weeks. So try to keep a lookout for that. Don't forget to vote on my poll, for the actress that would portray Eli, It should be open until the end of this month! And lastly, thank you for the kind reviews! You guys are the best!

Dessie Out.

After Bella and I had dinner with Charlie, she went on to explain that Edward Cullen had been acting strangely in their one and only class together. Bella was in a foul mood for hours after, which is normal.. At least I think it is. Maybe they both are just hormonal. I don't know. But then she decided to confront him the next day. When she told me this I had to do a double take. Bella, non-confrontational, meek and shy Bella was going to actively ask someone what their problem was. I almost couldn't believe it. She even went to be early so she'd figure out a game plan for how to approach him. I stayed up trying to understand her reasoning but came up empty. This wasn't like her at all. But nonetheless, I went to bed. I was dreading the day to come

The very next day though, her plan fell short. Edward Cullen was nowhere to be seen. Bella seemed down about this and with a frustrated sigh she left the parking lot to go to class early. I followed her a couple minutes after. I was curious, so when first period started I had asked Alice where he was. She told me he had some personal matters to attend to in Alaska. That made me a bit worried. So I asked her to tell him that I hope everything's okay and to see him at school at a later date. She smiled and said she'd pass along the message. The rest of the day was quite normal. I went to classes while talking with Jasper, Emmett, Rose and Alice. They all seemed to differ in regards to their sibling being gone, at least reaction wise.

Jasper was to intent on speaking to me rather than talking about his brother, he seemed like he could care less. Which was fine by me, seeing as how I enjoyed his time and company. I was beginning to feel a little more attached every time we talked that day. Emmett was indifferent, we just talked about how boring the class was and would try to make each other laugh in the middle of class. Em was a funny guy, that's for sure. Rosalie seemed pissed off, especially at Bella. That made me weary. Why is she mad at Bella if Edward just had some personal matters to attend to? And as for Alice, she just seemed to know something that no one else did.

The first day of Edwards's absence went by in a flash. There wasn't a lot that could be done.

…

The next day was pretty much the same for me, but for Bella she grew more impatient. She was really hoping for him to show up, even after I had explained to her why he left. She wasn't going to let this go, damn that stubborn girl. I don't know why she can't just leave stuff alone. I loathe the way she feels that she's owed and answer for every little thing.

…

The next few days sped by, Bella grew to be more impatient for his return and I became more irritated at her behavior. I couldn't believe she wasn't letting go. He would be here whenever his business up there was done. Simple as that. But B was having none of it. She just kept venting to me about it, so much so that I actually got mad and told to shut up and deal with it. That ended up with her storming out of my bedroom and slamming the door. She didn't even speak to me all weekend, which was fine. Seeing how Pat made another appearance and bonded with Charlie…

Yes, you heard right. BONDED, with Charlie. Over a sports game no less. I was ecstatic. Charlie considered him a member of the family. And it was great for both my uncle and Pat. My brother never really had a positive male influence in his life, and Charlie trying to bond with his teenage daughter, let alone find some common ground was difficult. I honestly wanted Bella and her dad to have a decent relationship. Especially when I knew she wasn't happy here. She hated the cold and the rain. She yearned for the heat and dryness of Arizona. I hope that she'd be able to put down some roots here. I wanted her happy but I knew that it would take a miracle of some sort.

…

Finally, the next week was upon us. And Bella was still waiting for Edward to show up, she even went to school earlier than usual. I too decided to tag along seeing as how I wanted to see if he was alright. Considering how he left I would assume the personal matters were pretty severe. I couldn't tell you why I was concerned, only that I was.

I had worn an off white sweater that was a bit baggy on my frame, paired with my dark wash skinny jeans and my converse. I had looked exceptional enough for a Monday morning. Which I was happy about, I was never one to really dress up unless the occasion called for it. But I have grown to put more effort into my overall appearance. Maybe I'm just looking for a significant change. Change goes hand in hand with a lot of different traumas so maybe I'm just doing it to cope? Fuck if I know.

As more cars filed into the lot I noticed the jeep pull in. That was one of the Cullen's cars. The next was a shiny silver Volvo. I knew that would belong to the bronze haired Cullen. The five of them stepped from their cars and just stood around, just like everyone else in the lot. I looked over to my childhood friend, I could tell that she wanted to speak with Edward. I glared at her, not that she'd notice but that's beside the point.

'Isabella Marie, I swear on everything that is good and holy if you start the confrontation right here and now I will not be accountable for dragging your ass in the other direction.' I thought to myself.

I heard someone chuckle and I looked to see that it came from the bronze boy himself. That was fucking weird. Was that a coincidence? I don't even know, but if it was the timing is unreal. My eyes returned to Bella and I could tell by the way she was holding herself that she was going to chicken out. She didn't like the attention so she definitely wouldn't ask him in front of the entire student body, for which I was thankful for. We just stood there waiting for the bell to ring so we could head to our perspective classes. Neither she nor I spoke, although I did see Alice wave to me out of my peripheral vision. I smiled slightly waving back. I was glad that they made an effort to at least say hello or wave at me when they saw me. It warmed my heart that they considered me to be a friend.

After the bell rang, everyone started to head inside in a wave like effect. The newest school day had begun.

~Time Goes On~

School was undoubtedly the same as all of the other days, I spent first period with Alice and was alone for the next two periods. Mike still pestered me, which made me feel more irritated that I thought myself capable of. He still tried to hit on me even when it was blatantly obvious that I wasn't the least bit interested in him. He just seemed like he was never going to back off.

'Maybe I can tell him I'm interested in girls.. It wouldn't be true but if it got him to leave me alone I'd do just about anything.'

I headed to fourth period feeling drained and peeved because of that dumb boy who couldn't take the hint. I walked through the door and sluggishly walked down the aisle to my seat next to Jasper, slumping down into my chair. Jasper, being observant as always turned to look at me with a concerned look on his angelic face. God, he looks so cute when he's concerned.

"Are you alright, Elissa?" He asked, using my first name for the very first time. It was like honey to my ears. I smirked looking at him. Usually I hate when people say my first name but I could get used to him saying it, y'know?

"Yeah, I'm just dandy. I just wish certain people, namely a boy would take a hint." I said.

He seemed to understand exactly what I was saying, and boy, let me tell you, he did not look very happy about it. His face turned into a sharp scowl that could make anyone cower in fear. His eyes darkened for a split second as he was clenching his fist. While doing the latter he snapped his pencil right in two. Splinters flew across the table and I widened my eyes in response. He wasn't even trying all that hard. With my mouth agape I turned to him and to the mess the pencil had made, I did this more than a couple times. I was in complete and utter awe. But the awe was replaced with my curiosity.

'Why is he so angry? It's not that big a deal, right? Maybe it's a friend thing.' I thought trying to rationalize the situation at hand.

'Maybe it's because he LIKES you.' The inner voice snickered.

'Maybe you should SHUT THE FUCK UP INNER VOICE.' I mentally shouted.

I then made a spontaneous decision, I brought my hand to his forearm, gripping lightly in reassurance. He lightly gasped and turned to look at me, surprised by the action. WE stared at each other for a few moment, golden pools meeting the ocean blue. Like a painting of starry night. Every other thing seemed to fall away from us as we continued to stare at one another. In that moment, it was just two beings being connected. I could feel my chest bloom with a warming fire, igniting my belly and making me shiver. But it wasn't from the cold. It was something that I have never experienced before and it almost made my heart ache. Almost.

We looked away, facing the front of the room, but I did not remove my hand from his arm. He didn't seem to mind the touch and he in fact let it remain there for the rest of the class. By the time class let out I had started to grab my things, placing them in my bag. I began to make my way out of the room only to have Jasper standing in front of me almost expectantly. He smirked while holding his left arm, silently asking for me to take it. I was unsure but I suddenly felt a wave of confidence surge through me, I took his arm and we walked out of the classroom. Together. I was surprised at the notion, but I wasn't unhappy about it. We walked through the hallways with people staring at us. The looks they gave would make me want to hide but with Jazz by my side I could care less.

We parted ways as we entered the cafeteria, a nodded goodbye and he shot me the most charming smile. It made me feel weak in the knees. And believe me when I say it never happens. Let me reiterate. It NEVER happens. Not once in my entire life had I ever felt this way, especially because of a guy no less. I walked to my table where everyone sat with their mouths open, they obviously saw Jazz with me on his arm. They couldn't believe it. I could barely believe it myself. But it happened. As soon as I sat down the entire table leapt into me with questions. Most of which were answered with "no comment".

'That was unexpected. But what's more unexpected was how much I liked it'

~Time Goes On~ (Skip to the end of the school day)

I met up with Bella after our final class, she told me that Edward was apparently in a much better mood and even had a civil conversation with her. I was almost astounded. That boy did a full 180 in regards to how he was behaving. That kind of shit will give someone whiplash. Bella and I walked to our own cars, getting ready to head out for the day and finally head home. My hand was on my door handle when I heard a car screeching behind me. I whipped myself around to see Tyler's van heading straight for Bella and had no intention of stopping. In a moment I began to move towards my friend but even I couldn't move that fast. I could hear the van hit something and before I knew it I was moving at full speed, seeing that the van had stopped and collided into something. I jumped up into the bed of the truck yelling my friend's name. I came to look over the other side, my heart hammering against my ribcage. But what I thought happened was not what I came across. Bella was on the ground with Edward hovering over her, his hand denting the side of the car.

I looked at the situation in shock before he quickly moved away from the scene and jumped down to take his place, I looked over my best friend, checking for injuries. My blood still pumped making me unable to hear as I grabbed her shoulders. I could feel wetness on my cheeks but I was far more concerned with my friend than I was with myself. Bella kept trying to get through to me but I held onto her shoulders, still crying. I could vaguely hear someone saying to call an ambulance. Darkness clouded my vision.

That was the second time I blacked out.

…..

My consciousness came back to me, although I wasn't in the parking lot at the school anymore, I was in the hospital standing next to Bella as Charlie was trying to get my attention.

"Eli! ELI! ELISSA!" He somewhat shouted.

I looked to him alarmed, he was worried but breathed a sigh of relief when I came back to my senses. Bella was also looking at me in an extremely worried manner. I gave her a once over, there were no scratches or bruises, she looked alright. At least she did externally. I rushed forward, enveloping her into a bone crushing hug as I began to cry once more. I almost lost her. I almost lost my best friend. She could have been killed. She tried to soothe me but I couldn't help but cry tears of joy. I was happy she was alive and okay. I started to breathe calmly, I realized she was stroking my back in a caring manner, trying to soothe me.

Once I was collected I let her go to look at her.

"What happened?" I asked in a small voice.

"I almost got hit by the van-"She began but I interrupted her.

"After that, I mean after that. Once I was with you." I clarified.

"You kept mumbling something I couldn't understand. You were there but you weren't there at the same time. You were on like autopilot mode or something. You didn't even speak when the ambulance came, you still moved and got in to ride with me." She explained.

I sighed, not liking the fact that I basically blacked out for a long-ish period of time. She was being checked out by a nurse until I tall man with blond hair in a doctor's coat arrived. He introduced himself as Doctor Cullen. My eyes widened at that. He looks so young, and he adopted all of those teenagers. This man is a saint, plus he is attractive. He went on to ask some routine questions about Bella and even told her to come back in if there was any problems. I had thought that this would be the end of this little nightmare. But I was wrong. Bella just had to bring up the fact that Edward had saved her. Now the young doctor looked a bit worried. But he still managed to put on a smile and bade us goodbye.

Bella was finally able to leave but we heard a conversation between three of the Cullen's. The father, Edward and Rosalie. Bella and I looked on to see that the conversation was beginning to take a heated turn. It probably would've gone full scale had Dr. Cullen not mentioned we were standing about five to ten feet away. The nice doctor led a very pissed off looking Rosalie away from myself and Bella. Which left Edward to some to speak to us, well I mean Bella in this case. I'm not in the right mind to be speaking much at the moment. Bella started into him about what she saw while Edward tried to tell her she was wrong.

"Aren't you going to thank me? Get it over with?" He asked.

Bella said an insincere thank you before he realized something.

"You're not going to let this go are you?" He asked, frustrated.

"NO, not until you tell me the truth." She said.

"Well, I hope you enjoy disappointment." He said as he turned around to leave.

I sprung forward. "Thank you!" I said shakily. He turned to look at me. "Thank you for saving her. I don't know what I would've done if I had lost her so thank you." I sobbed out, still very emotional.

'I can't lose her, I've already lost so much. If she had died I don't know if I would have the strength to continue on. I can't lose anyone else.' I thought.

He looked shocked and before Bella or I could say anything else he was gone. She looked at me with a shocked expression, probably wondering why I was being like this but I didn't really care. She was alive and that's all that mattered.

Today was the day I almost lost another loved one.. I won't let someone else I love die. You'd best believe that…