Chapter 13

BPOV

I sat with Edward for the longest time. Just the two of us together. Masen still had not returned from the library and I'll be honest, I was starting to worry. He wasn't one to stay out late unless he had a real reason to. Part of me wanted to g loom for him, and part of me wanted to stay right where I was, wrapped in Edward's arms.

I hoped I wasn't dreaming because if I was, when I woke up, I knew it would hurt a lot more than before, I knew I would be I so much pain. I leaned my head onto his shoulder and closed my eyes. I felt so young again, so free, like nothing was wrong with the world.

Just then, the front door opened. My eyes shot open to see who it was. Masen stood their, looking cold and damp. I hadn't even realized it was raining.

"Where have you been, the library must have closed hours ago." I said quietly, moving to stand.

"It was closed when I got there so I just went to the park." He shrugged, dripping water onto the floor. The closer I got to him, the more pitiful he looked. His eyes were red, his cheeks flushed. He had been crying, I realized.

"Masen, what happened while you were gone, what's wrong?" I demanded, grabbing his shoulders.

"Nothing happened. I just needed to clear my head." He whispered. I pulled him to my chest, ignoring the wet fabric.

"I mean it Masen, tell me what's wrong, I'm your mother, you can trust me." I begged him, holding tight. He rested his chin on the top of my head and sighed.

"Really, it's nothing for you to worry about. I'm tired, I think I'll go to bed now." He said while trying to pull away from me.

"Honey please I hate to see you so upset, the only way I can fix the problem is if you tell me. You have to tell me what's wrong." I clutched the front of his jacket with all the will I had, I wouldn't let him escape me without knowing what was really going on.

"Just let go, there's nothing to say." He pushed my hands away and left for his room, dripping the entire way. I covered my mouth with my hands trying my hardest not to cry.

"Bella," Edward placed a warm, comforting hand on my shoulder. I hadn't heard him get up.

"Something's wrong Edward. I know something happened, what am I supposed to do. I can't just stand by and watch."

"I know something's wrong. He's just not feeling approachable right now, you'll get him back Bella, he'll be better soon." He smiled at me and kissed my forehead. I prayed that he was right.

Of course he wasn't. Days came and went and Masen still didn't get better. He just sat in his room for hours at a time. He wouldn't talk to me no matter how much I prodded. I felt like I was watching his destruction, like something on the inside was consuming him and I couldn't stop it, I couldn't stop whatever was hurting him so badly. I had never felt so helpless.

The computer was starting to gather dust, he hadn't touched it in over a week. That was beyond strange.

"You finally visit every site in the universe?" I said lightly one day. He just shrugged and laid his head back down on his pillow. I sighed deeply and sat down on the end of the bed.

"Won't you tell me what's wrong Masen? I care about you. Edward and Jasper both care about you. We just want you to get better. We want to help you." I rubbed his arm softly.

"Why does something always have to be wrong? Maybe I'm just feeling lazy." He wouldn't turn to face me. I kissed his cheek.

"I see the sass is slowly starting to return. I missed it." I smiled slightly.

"There's nothing wrong mom, I'm just not feeling well, I need a little rest."

"Lying in your bed for a week constitutes a problem. I've seen you sick before Masen Swan and this isn't it. You're a lot meaner when you're sick."

"Maybe I'm trying to change that." He whispered.

"Change what?"

"Maybe I'm trying to change my attitude."

"What's wrong with your attitude?"

"You don't know how it feels to be hated by everyone you meet." Now that caught me. Masen could be an asshole, that was a well known fact. But no one could ever hate him completely you are hun, you know how to spice up life. Other people are just pricks."

"You don't know how it feels to be hated by everyone you meet." Now that caught me. Masen could be an asshole, that was a well known fact. But no one could ever hate him completely, he had a certain charm that usually won people over.

"Who hates you?" I demanded.

"Everyone. Sometimes I think even you do. I'm the root of all your problems."

"What the hell? Masen, you're my son. You've never caused me problems and I honestly don't think you ever will. I love you. I've always loved you."

"I broke you and Edward up."

"No, Edward's family broke us up. You were just the one that finally motivated me to leave him, to get away from people that would never love me. That doesn't mean that they won't ever love you though."

"Mom, they hate me and you know it. They wish I was never born so their perfect image wouldn't be tarnished."

"Hun, I'm gonna be honest. Edward's family doesn't like you because you came from me, from the union they never approved of. That's not your fault at all. You're a wonderful guy and they'll never be able to see that because of me. When people don't like you hun, it's because they've always been jealous of you." I leaned kissed his cheek again. "You're special and you're my son. I'm proud of you. If I hated you, you would have been out this house along time ago." I smiled and pinched his cheek. He actually seemed relieved. "And what about Jasper? He doesn't hate you at all. You know he's quite fond of you. I think this whole Edward ting has thrown you off your game a little bit."

"Maybe you're right, maybe I'm just overreacting to things. I just need to take a couple deep breaths and relax." He smiled slightly and hugged himself.

"Exactly. Don't worry, we're in this together. Now, I am going to make something for us to eat. Any request?"

"Yeah, for you not to cook, I'll call for take out." he laughed lightly but it was enough for me. My heart swelled at the sound. I had gotten to hear his voice and goodness did it sound good.

"Fine, you go ahead and call. I'm gonna head into the kitchen. Just holler if you need anything." I sighed contentedly and left his room. How could Masen think that anyone hated him? I told him every day that I loved him, that I would do anything for him. Had Edward's family affected him that much or had I just failed as a parent. That must have been what happened, I had to have failed my son. I had left him open to Esme's harsh word's and criticisms. I'd forgotten that he was just a child.

Someone knocked at the door and I stood went to answer it, my mind still far away.

"Hello Bella." I groaned. Carlisle stood at the door.

"Are you all ever going to leave me alone?" I asked half-heartedly. Carlisle smiled wistfully and walked into my home.

"I don't mean to be rude but what do you want Carlisle?"

"Not to fight you, that's for sure. I honestly just want to talk to you Bella. I've just never had the time to come over here by myself."

"So you bring Esme and let her treat me like a dog. Thank you for that." I could here Masen talking on the phone in the other room.

"Edward told me that Masen was sick, I hope he's gotten better." Carlisle commented.

"Not sick, depressed. Your family has made both of our lives incredibly difficult." I crossed my arms and sat down on the couch. "Does Esme even know you're here? Seems like she'd rather kill you herself."

"You're probably right about that so no, she doesn't know I'm here right now. Edward doesn't even know I'm here." He sat down next to me and sighed. "Things have gotten quite complicated lately, I'm afraid the stress is tearing our family apart."

"Well that isn't my fault, if they stay away from Masen, they won't have to deal with any of this. This is hurting him."

"I believe it. Genius or not, he's still a child." Carlisle shook his head. "I'm not sure how I can help you Bella. I want to be able to help but I don't if there's a way for you to get out of this unscathed."

"You know Esme won't just let me go. I hold the key to destroying her reputation. She thinks I'm ruining her son's future. I don't want anyone to get that impression because it isn't true. I do love Edward, I do, but I would never want to take away his future, I care about him too much. Why doesn't anyone understand that?"

"Esme does understand that you love him. She just can't see past your social status. I really don't understand her way of thinking myself. Personally, I don't like Tanya very much."

"I thought you saw the good in everyone."

"There's no good to see in her."

"That can't be true Carlisle. Alice and Rosalie like her don't they?"

"No, they just want Edward to stay away form you."

"But why, what have I done to deserve this treatment? I don't understand how they could hate me so much."

"Bella, when you left Edward, he lost himself. For months, he wouldn't even leave his room, we had to force him to eat. He was so despondent. He loved you, he still loves you. I guess Esme just can't handle that dedication to someone other than her who isn't wealthy. And someone without manners seems to upset her even more."

"You mean Masen."

"Yes I mean Masen. I really don't mind his attitude, I find it quite amusing." He smiled happily.

"I just want everyone to get along and Masen to be happy. I don't know if we can all coexist together and not hurt him." I tugged at my shirt.

"I wish I knew what to tell you. I really wish I did." He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. I wondered if all Masen men did that. Edward and Masen did it too. I leaned back into the couch and thought.

"So, whose side are you on?" I asked him.

"I'm Switzerland. Whatever happens happens. However, I am hoping that both you and Edward end up happy. I think you're the only one who can teach him how to grow up and stand up to his mom."

"Yeah right, Edward's a pansy. He isn't going to stand up to anything." Masen came walking out of his room for the first time in days, laptop in his hands. I beamed at him, he seemed better. "I ordered food so you don't kill us all." He nodded to Carlisle and leaned on the arm of the couch.

"Now for the real reason I'm here. Masen, my wife will be over soon enough. She wants to invite you to come over, we're having a small social function and she wants you to be on your best behavior." Carlisle shrugged.

"So in other words, I'll be setting your house on fire and dancing on the ashes with Esme's head on a stick."

"That image will forever be engraved in my head." Carlisle couldn't help but grin. At least Masen had found one other person to add to his growing group of frined. Someone who was just as will to accept him as I was.