The Desire Box
Chapter 3: Sick
Class went fast for Bella, all her worrying about Edward and if he burned down her house down. Oh, she would kill him if he did. She gathered her things and ran out of her class as the bell rang. She didn't feel like taking Lauren's ridicules, but before she made it to the front door, someone grabbed her.
"Oh, lookie what I caught," a voice hissed in her ear.
"Let me go, Mike!"
"I got her, Laury," Mike called over his shoulder.
Bella heard Lauren high pitch laugh. "Good job, Honey," she said to Mike.
"Let. Me. Go." Bella yelled.
Lauren, Mike and a few of their friends laughed.
"No one," Lauren stated, her eyes blazing, "and I mean no one ever ignores me!" Lauren stepped closer to Bella. "No one..." she hissed, snapping her fingers. Mike's grip tightened on Bella. She grunted in pain.
In the blink of an eye, Mike let out a grunt and fell to the floor with a sickening crunch. Gasps erupted throughout the hall.
"She said to let her go!" Edward said standing in front of Bella, fist in the air.
"Jerk! I'm going to-"
"Going to what – hurt me? Think again! No one hurts my girl!" Edward defended.
Bella covered her red face. When did I become 'his girl'?
"Mike, enough. Lets go," Lauren commanded.
"What? I want to fight him," Mike whined.
"Now!" Lauren grunted. Mike groaned and followed Lauren. "This isn't over, Bella! It has only begun."
Bella sighed. Edward abruptly grabbed her shoulders. "Are you okay? Are you hurt?"
Bella looked into Edward's emerald green eyes. "No, I'm fine, thanks to you."
"Glad to help."
Edward put his arm around Bella shoulders, but she shrugged it off. "You are in my personal space, buddy," Bella said, slowly moving away from Edward.
"You can be in my personal space anytime," Edward commented.
"I'd rather not!"
"I want to be near you," Edward whined.
"Two feet is close enough," Bella said, crossing her arms over her chest.
Edward made to hug Bella, but she ran ahead. "Last one home is a rotten egg!" Bella yelled over her shoulder.
"What? Hey, no fair, you got a head start! Cheater!" Edward chased after her. He smiled to himself knowing Bella was beginning to trust him. She was one special girl.
---
"Edward! I'm leaving for school!" Bella yelled through the house the next morning. She was about to walk out the door Edward came running down the stairs.
"Are you sure you are going to okay? I don't like that guy from yesterday," he stated, seriously.
"I'll be fine," Bella dismissed it with a small wave of her hand. "No need to worry." Bella gripped the door handle.
"Wait! I need a kiss first!"
"No," Bella answered flatly, turning towards him.
Edward whined. "What? Why not?"
"'Cause, I don't want to give you a kiss," Bella retorted.
"That's mean! I'll be a good boy," Edward said giving her the puppy-dog pout with big eyes.
"You're supposed to be a good boy anyways!"
"Please?"
"Edward, if you keep holding me up, I'm going to be-" Bella's words were cut off by Edward's lips. His lips pressed gently against hers. Her mind screamed to pull away, but her body didn't – couldn't move an inch. Finally when she had to inhale, she pulled away. Smack! Her hand collided with Edward's right cheek. It was silent. Bella turned on her heels and flung the door open, leaving a smirking Edward behind.
Oh man, I can't believe he just did that! The nerve of that jerk! a red Bella thought, gripping her books closer to her body. Doesn't he understand 'personal space' at all! Why me? Bella was ripped from her thoughts as she heard the bell ring in the distance. Crap! She was only a block away! I'm going to kill him when I get home. She thought as she broke into a run.
"I... made... it," she panted, entering English.
"Now please take your seat, Miss Swan," Mrs. Edgecombe said, pushing her glasses up.
"I'm sorry," Bella said. Mrs. Edgecombe didn't reply, she just turned to write on the white board. Bella took the signal that the conversation was over and headed to her seat. Lauren, looking extra snobby, clicked her tongue as Bella passed her. Checking Mrs. Edgecombe's back was turned, Lauren turned to Bella.
"Your little boy toy isn't here to help you today, Bella. I'd watch your back if you know what's good for you," Lauren hissed. Bella didn't let it show, but deep down it scared her. Lauren had the whole school laced around her finger and Bella had no one, except Edward, who wasn't at school. Bella quickly turned her head away from Lauren, watching Mrs. Edgecombe write on the board.
By lunch, Bella was glancing over her shoulder every other second. Food didn't look good, well cafeteria food never looked good to Bella, but still. Facing Edward or facing Lauren? Bella weighed her options. In the end, Bella picked the obvious choice. She dumped her untouched tray and walked to the nurse's office.
"Mrs. Friend?" she asked knocking on the doorframe.
"Oh, Bella, can I help you with something?" a woman asked, turning to Bella. Mrs. Friend was short and stocky woman, with a graying hair and a kind, wrinkled smile.
"Uh, I'm not feeling so hot," Bella mumbled walking up to her. "I think I need to go home."
"Come here, let me check," Mrs. Friend motioned for Bella to come closer. She held out an old, shriveled hand and felt Bella's forehead. "Hm, you feel fine."
"But I'm not," Bella insisted. "I think I need to rest."
"Alright, you can lie down here-"
"-at home," Bella quickly added.
Mrs. Friend looked at Bella and nodded. "Okay, dearie. Let me just write you a slip to excuse you for the rest of the day."
Bella nodded gratefully.
After a minute, Mrs. Friend handed Bella a small piece of paper and nodded to the door. "You better get going."
"Thank you," Bella thanked her and walked out of the nurse's office.
"I hope you feel better, dear," Mrs. Friend mumbled, turning back to her paper work.
Bella pushed the door open. "Edward, I'm home."
Edward came running out of the kitchen. "What are you doing here so early?"
"Uh, not feeling good," Bella fibbed.
Edward gasped. "Are you okay? What hurts?"
Bella quickly caught a glimpse of his worried look. "Um, my stomach. I think I have the stomach flu."
"Oh no! You better get to bed!" In one quick movement, Edward scooped Bella off her feet and carried her, bridal style, up to her room.
"Edward, you don't need to-"
"Shh, you're sick. You need to save your energy," Edward said, smiling down at her. Bella blushed. "Oh, you look warm," Edward added, seeing her red face.
Edward gently set Bella on her bed and tucked her in. "Do you want anything? Hungry? Thirsty?"
"I'm fine," Bella said looking away from Edward. It felt wrong to lie to Edward since he was willing to be at her beck and call. Bella's not used to being cared for; she is usually home alone for long periods of time without anyone. Now that someone is willing to be there for her it was so odd.
"If you need anyone, just call me," Edward said. She closed her eyes, listening for Edward's exiting footsteps, but it was silent. She felt pressure on her forehead. Edward lips slowly left her skin.. "Get well soon, my princess," he whispered, causing her face to redden even more. She heard the soft click of the door as it closed. Again Edward had snuck a kiss and again, deep down inside, Bella enjoyed it.
-EC4prez