A/N- So this isn't too great of a chapter. Mostly a filler, next one should be tons better. I know the song doesn't work too well, but it's all I could find. If you have any song suggestions for me for any type of realtionship/problem I could probably use them. So, please tell me. Sorry about the wait, volleyball has kept me swamped. But, it's over in about two and a half weeks so after then I should be posting more often. I'm disappointed to say that the ammount of reviews for the last chapter has gone down a fair ammount from the first. Now, chapter three...

Chapter Three – I'm Only Me When I'm With You

"I'm Only Me When I'm With You" by Taylor Swift

To say that Charlie was freaking out was an understatement. He'd waited to freak out on me until the morning after I got home. But, that didn't make it any less scary. He was so easy going normally, and seeing him this torn up was really killing me.

"Bella, what do you want me to do? What did I ever do wrong to make you want to do this? Did I spend too much time at the station? What did I do wrong, Bells?" he asked, his voice begging, the closest to tears I'd ever seen him.

"D-Dad," I stuttered, trying not to cry. "I d-didn't mean to do this t-to you. I just wasn't happy anymore."

He looked at me tiredly, looking like he was about to say something, but the phone's blaring ring burst through our silence. He jumped up and answered it.

"Hello?" he answered.

I bit my lower lip, hoping that my eyes weren't beginning to tear. I didn't need Charlie to start babying me again because he thought my emotions were too fragile. I was about to sneak up the stairs to my room, when Charlie called for me.

"Bells," he said when I walked into the kitchen, "phone's for you. Don't be too long."

I took the phone and nodded, "Hello?"

"Hello, Bella," a velvet voice greeted me.

"Edward?" I asked, shocked. Why was Edward calling me?

"Yes, it's me. I was wondering how you were doing."

"Um, fine, I guess. Near death experiences aren't exactly new for me. You?"

He chuckled softly, "I'm quite fine. I was wondering if I could stop by after school today?"

I looked towards the living room, the ESPN theme already playing. "That'd be wonderful."

"I'll be there. Well, I have to go. See you later," he hung up.

I placed the phone back on the charger and headed up the stairs to my room. I powered on the old computer to check my email. Renee was probably panicking that I hadn't sent her an email in almost five days. Sure enough, in my inbox were at least a dozen messages. I quickly read through them and typed out a long enough response to get her off my back for now. How long could I keep something this big from her? We'd never really kept secrects from each other before.

I looked at the pile of homework on my desk and decided I couldn't put it off much longer. I busied myself the rest of the day working on my assignments that I'd missed. I was just finishing up my math problems when the doorbell rang. I looked up at the clock; sure enough it was Edward at the door.

While Charlie answered the door, I pulled a brush through my hair and tied to fix my post-studying hair.

"Bells, there's a boy here," Charlie called up the stairs, his voice slightly disapproving.

I sighed and went to the kitchen, where, sure enough, Edward Cullen sat still looking like a Greek god in one of the mismatched kitchen chairs. He looked up at me and smiled a dazzling crooked grin. I felt a small blush rise in my cheeks.

"Hello." he said smoothly.

"Hi," I replied, almost breathless. I was all too aware of Charlie in the other room.

"How was your day?" he asked.

"Fairly boring, until now." I smiled.

And it was like the hospital again. We just started talking and couldn't stop. I didn't stop talking to Edward while I made us all dinner, and we barely realized Charlie was sitting at the table eating with us. I blushed when Edward complimented my cooking, and Charlie seemed to like Edward decently.

All too soon, Edward was saying he had a curfew to make. Charlie was already in the living room, another game on. How many games could be on in one day?

"Will you come back tomorrow?" I asked.

"If you want me to," he almost whispered. He stroked my cheek again, like he had that first day in the hospital.

"I do," I blushed, "It's so boring here."

"Then I'll come back everyday." his crooked grin seemingly plastered to his face.

"I'd like that." I said, half flirting with him.

"So would I." it seemed like he was flirting with me, too. "But, I do have to go now."

I leaned a little closer to him and hugged him shortly. I waved as he sped away in his silver Volvo.

I was glad Charlie fell asleep in front of the TV; I didn't want to have to deal with all the jokes he'd make.

This routine continued through the rest of my time at home. Edward was the highlight of my boring days, the only interest in the boring monotony that had become my life.

Charlie began going back to work after a couple days, but came home for lunch and called every half an hour or so. After a couple days it was obvious that he liked Edward a lot, a ton more than he liked Mike at least.

Before I knew it, it was Sunday night and Edward was starting to hint that he had to leave soon.

"Will you be going to school tomorrow?" he asked, almost nervous.

"Yes, I'm dying of boredom here," I laughed. The smile faded off my face as a thought occurred to me. "Will you be there with me?"

"What do you mean?" he asked.

I couldn't look into his eyes any longer. I looked down, picking at the hem of my shirt, "I don't think I could go through a whole day of school without someone helping me. People are going to hate me, I need someone to keep me strong."

He hesitated just long enough to make my blush go crazy. "Of course, I'll be by your side every moment I can."

I smiled. "Thank you so much."

"You're welcome," He said smiling. "But, I do have to go, now. Carlisle and Esme haven't been seeing too much of me lately."

"I'm sorry I've been keeping you away form your family, you should have said something." I said apologetically.

"I'm not complaining," he smirked.

I blushed, again. I really hated that I had absolutely no control over my over reactive cheeks. He almost seemed to find it amusing that he could make me blush so easily.

"See you in the morning." he stood up, hugged me, and passed out the door.

"See you," I said, though by now with the speed he drove, he was long gone.

I said goodnight to Charlie and went up the stairs to my room. I got ready for bed, and attempted to sleep. But, with Edward gone, my fears had returned.

By now, it was much more than common knowledge about me, it was already the deepest gossip there was at the moment, the deepest it would be for a very long time. I had seen the innermost workings of the popular crowd and I knew how fast Jessica could come up with a whole new version of the story.

How she could spin the truth so easily, I'd never know. I'd once turned to her when I was friends with her for every story that flew around the school. Now, she'd be telling my story to Lauren most likely.

Tomorrow I would face stares, whispers, glares, and much more than I knew I wanted to ever imagine. But, as soon as I thought of Edward, I was instantly relaxed. There was no way I could not feel instantly better when I thought of him. I was relying on him too much, but I couldn't help it. If there was anything that could help me live through tomorrow, it was him.

- - -

The cafeteria was the same as it always was. If anything, the constant babble of voices seemed louder. I walked towards my usual table. Only Jessica, Mike, and Lauren were seated there. I sat down next to Mike, smiling at him. He smirked and put his arm around Lauren.

I realized I wasn't welcome here and made my way across the cafeteria, my feet dragging like bricks. Edward was alone at the table I sat down at. He smiled and I could feel one creeping onto the corners of my face. I reached out for his hand, and he disappeared. I was left alone, Lauren and Mike suddenly surrounding me, mocking me.

- - -

I barely got any sleep the whole night. I awoke far too early in the morning and knew that I hadn't fallen asleep until the early morning. Once I had, dreams so much like memories had haunted me. I lay in bed for a few minutes after I woke up.

It's now or never.

A/N- Next chapter will be Bella's first day back at school. What will happen (I know, but you don't)? Please, please, please review, it really does make my day.