Chapter 6

Bella's POV

OW! What happened? I feel like a train whacked me in the head. It is throbbing!

I groaned and turned over. I opened my eyes to see the bronze-haired god before me. I looked at him, for real. I bet the gods sculpted his face. His eyes were a very interesting color. It was a golden and completely alluring. Wait, if he's here then…

I widened my eyes when I figured it out and looked around.

What happened and what's happening?

I was now lying on a bed. It looks familiar. Oh yeah, it's one of the beds in the mansion. I had banged my head on the tree. Just my luck.

Why am I here? In their house?

I sat up completely and moved my gaze back to the man. What were they going to do with me? Fear overcame me; a shiver ran down my spine. This is so not good. I'm in huge trouble! I looked around sharply to look for available exits.

Bad idea. Moving my head rapidly had made me dizzy and made my head pound. I hissed and a pained expression placed itself on my face. I squeezed my eyes shut and moved a hand to my head. There were bandages. Before I could wonder how they got there I heard him.

"Don't move your head much. If you keep moving it like that, it's going to hurt more." I heard a melodic sound come from the god. His voice was... something else. He reached towards me, but I leaned backwards.

I shook off the hypnotizing sound as I scrambled back up against the headboard and wrapped my arms around my knees. They are going to hit me like Charlie did. The care in his voice was just an act. I started hyperventilating.

I looked at him to see hurt and rejection in his eyes. Why would he feel like that? I'm a stranger; he should throw me into the street or call the cops. The emotions are fake anyway. I started to cry, absolutely terrified.

"I'm sorry, really sorry! I won't do it again! Please just let me go and I will never bother you again, I swear! Just don't hurt me," I sobbed, lying down into the fetal position. I closed my eyes, preparing for the worse.

I heard shuffling. I curled in further. I felt a hand on my back and I whimpered. Then I was hoisted up and put on his lap.

He hugged me and started rubbing my back. I kept crying, but I loosened up a bit. I dug my head into his chest and grabbed his shirt to bring myself closer to him.

"Shhh, it's ok. Nothing is going to happen to you. I won't hurt you." I heard him say.

His voice was comforting. I felt safe, protected in his arms. I wanted to be close to him and feel his skin against mine. I don't know why. I didn't know him.

And why is helping me? After the things I did, I should have bruised ribs and broken bones, then tossed off on the side of the street.

But I'm not. I'm here.

I cried myself out and eventually calmed down. I got off of his lap and sat back down on the bed.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wet your shirt or break down like that." I said.

"No, no. It's all right. It's expected. Would you mind telling me what your name is?" He responded.

"Oh, Um. My name is umm.. Isabella, but I prefer um Bella. And um… what's yours?"

'Umm.. Umm…' Stop stuttering, 'Um Bella'!

"I'm Edward Cullen."

It was an old name, but it suited him.

"Edward, umm I'm really sorry for breaking into your house."

"Please stop apologizing. However, would you care to explain why you did so?

"Umm…I guess. Well--"

"Wait, please. May I bring in my family for them to listen?"

I widened my eyes. What was their reaction going to be? Surely, they wouldn't react like Edward here. They'd eat me alive…but they deserve an explanation after the trouble I caused them.

"Yeah, ok" I muttered. As if on cue, six other people filed into the room. They were the people from the picture. They had faces of sympathy and care.

WHY?! They should have murderous feelings towards me. I looked at each of them, wondering what was wrong with them.

I studied the blond model. She had the expression I expected. It looked like she wanted to kill me. She was fuming; it scared me to my bones. If looks could kill, I would've died once she entered the room. I flinched away from her. Her feelings were too murderous.

I noticed something that all of them had. Each and everyone one of them had gold eyes. They were definitely related. But why do the guys have an arm on the shoulder or around the waist of one of the girls? So I had to mess with a weird family. I'm the only girl that can have this happen to her.

"Hello. You must be the Cullens." I whispered, looking down. Somehow, they heard me.

"Yes, we are. And you must be Bella, correct?" asked the blond one with a doctor jacket. I bet he wrapped the bandages around my head.

"Yes", I replied. They have really good hearing to have heard me mutter why name.

"I'm Dr. Carlisle Cullen and this is Esme", he said pointing to the woman he had his arm around. " And these are our children; Alice, Jasper, Emmett and Rosalie."

So Carlisle is the father and Esme is the mother. I guessed correctly. All of them have rare and old names. I examined them again. The short pixie one named Alice waved enthusiastically at me. I kept on and stopped on the big one, Emmett, I think, this time. Right in his arms was my kitten, the one I had rescued.

He saw me eye her. He looked from the kitten to me.

"She's yours, right? Here" he said. He came towards me and handed over my kitten.

I grabbed her and set her down on my lap. I started to stroke her, trying to get her to sleep. Stroking her also helped me calm down.

"Thanks" I muttered.

"No prob. It's a really cute little kitty." Emmett said with a goofy smile.

A small smile grew on my face; it's funny to see a huge guy like Emmett calling a kitten "a cute little kitty". My smile disappeared just as fast as it came.

Emmett backed up, going right next to Rosalie. They were obviously together and so were Jasper and Alice. Rosalie was shooting daggers at Emmett. She really disapproved of his nice behavior towards me.

"Bella, can you tell us why you broke into our house?" asked Carlisle.

Straight to the point, huh?

"Oh... yeah. Well, I um ran out of food and got lost. I was getting hungry and I stumbled on your house. So… I needed food and I was hoping you had some, I guess", I sputtered.

Oh, I'm just so good at explaining things. 'I was hungry…I needed food and I was hoping you had some?' How pathetic did that sound? I bet they were thinking that I was lying and was really attempting to steal some of their stuff.

Rosalie snorted, raising one of her eyebrows.

"Sure, that's believable", she muttered.

"Come on, Rose", Emmett whispered in her ear. Rosalie huffed and looked away.

"Why aren't you at home, dear?" Esme spoke for the first time I had come. Her voice held genuine care which was surprising, to me anyway.

Should I tell them the truth? I could lie and say I was just taking a long walk and accidentally got lost. 'I was just visiting Forks and needed to get my mind off of things?' No, that would be stupid and I suck at lying anyway. They'd see right through me. Mine as well say the truth then.

"You see, I don't have one, not anymore. I umm… ran…away." I mumbled, ducking my head lower while looking out the window.

I should have lied. They are going to take me back for sure. I'm positive; with my luck, they'll tell Charlie the whole story. Tears started forming in my eyes just at the thought. I roughly wiped them away.

I took a glance at their faces. There was shock in all their faces, except Alice. She had sorrow marked in her face.

Carlisle was the first to collect himself. "You ran away from your home. Why would you do that Bella?"

This was a tough question. I really can't tell them this. I can't just say 'My dad beat me and I was tired of being abused'. They would call the cops on Charlie (kind of ironic, him being a cop) and put me in some orphanage. No, I can't have that.

"I had trouble. Umm, I didn't like my life there…." I trailed off.

"That's why?! You didn't like your life there; what kind of a reason is that? Do you expect me to believe that? You ran away because of that? I bet the 'trouble' you had were the cops on trail after you stole something or after you did drugs!!" Rosalie screamed at me from the edge of the bed, tremendously outraged.

I cowered and flinched out of habit and fear. Her words were sharp and fearsome.

"I'm sorry! Don't hurt me." I said automatically, covering my head with my arms and hand. I shut my eyes and started breathing heavily.

I felt a cold hand wrap take my arms away from my head. I let out a small whimper and ducked my head further into my knees.

"Bella? Bella, please look at me."

I lifted my head a tad and moved my eyes to Edward.

"Bella, we aren't going to hurt you, okay? I promise." He voiced, looking straight at my plain brown eyes.

I nodded and glanced at the rest of the Cullens. Their faces held more sympathy and some confusion. Rosalie was completely baffled. She had moved back next to Emmett and was looking down in shame, I'm guessing.

"Bella wha—" Carlisle was cut off by the rumble of my stomach.

All seven pairs of eyes looked at me with their eyebrows raised.

Oookaaay, this is really embarrassing. I cleared my throat as I blushed a brilliant bright red. Of all the times… the tension was so intense and I cut it with the growl of my stomach. An awkward silence followed for a while which just killed me.

Edward cleared his throat as well.

"I'm sorry. We should have known that you would be hungry. You came in here for food anyway." He explained, a small smile playing on his lips.

"I'll just go and whip something up for you Bella. Edward you stay and keep Bella company", Esme motioned for Carlisle, Jasper, Emmett, Rosalie, and Alice to follow her downstairs.

All except Edward and I followed Esme to the kitchen. Alice was the last to leave.

"It's nice to meet you, Bella", she chirped happily. Alice smiled as she pranced to the door and shut it as she left. She's oddly happy, I mean with the horrible situation all of us are in.

Edward probably thought the same by the look of his face. He looks really cute when he's confused.

No, Bella. Stop! I broke into his house. I shouldn't be acting like this. He'd never like someone like me anyway.

That's a depressing thought. I'd never get anyone in my life. No one would ever love or care about me. My life is so messed up; it's too late for it to change for the better. Maybe for the worse.

"Bella, are you ok?"

Edward was looking at me with a sad expression.

"Yeah, …yeah. I'm fine. Why do you ask?"

"It's just you looked so incredibly sorrowful just now."

"No, no I'm okay, really." I lied.

'Incredibly sorrowful'. Who speaks like that from this time?

"You're not that good of a liar, Bella. Please, tell me what upset you."

"Why do you…care?"

"I… uhhh… You know, it's okay, forget it. I apologize. I shouldn't pry like that."

Edward sat back on the chair and pinched the bridge of his nose. He appeared frustrated and troubled. He left me pretty confused and curious, on the other hand.

"No, it's fine, you didn't pry. No worries. Can you… explain, if you don't mind?"

"Well, lets say that I don't want you to be hurt. I… care for your safety." He spoke very flustered.

"Do you really feel that way?"

Edward looked at me and answered, "Yes, I do."

I haven't spoken to someone like this for a while, like in a conversation. Edward had also said he cared for my safety. First of all, he shouldn't feel like that towards me after the break-in and he doesn't know me at all. I just met him!

I must have looked really 'weirded' out because Edward instantly widened his eyes with one look of my expression.

"I'm sorry, Bella. I didn't mean to say that. I don't want to put you on the spot or make you feel so uncomfortable. I'll just go then" Edward stood up and walked towards the door.

I climbed off the bed, careful of my kitty.

"Wait, please" I said, as I grabbed Edward's abnormally pale and cold wrist. I felt an unusual and delightful shock run through me once we came in contact. Our eyes locked.

I let go of his wrist and pulled my gaze away from his beautiful eyes. I took a couple of steps back, feeling awkward. I shouldn't have done that. If he wanted to go he could have gone. But I couldn't let him go having him feel like that and I didn't want him to go.

"I'm sorry Edward. I didn't mean to do that." I said shyly.

I heard a soft sigh come from Edward. He stepped towards me and hesitantly lifted my chin.

"I told you to stop apologizing. It's fine."

I nodded, telling him that I understood.

"Now, please sit down. I don't want you to get dizzy or over-exert yourself." Edward led me back towards the bed. I sat down and placed my kitten on my lap. She was quickly falling asleep.

"How did you find her?" Edward asked once I started petting her.

"Well, I was walking on my way here. There was rustling in the bushes and there she was, all alone. I couldn't leave her there like that so I took her with me. Heh, I had thought she was some cougar."

A melodic chuckle followed my small explanation. I looked up at him, his face full of joy. A wide smile spread across my face and I let out a small giggle.

"So, have you thought of a name for her?" he questioned.

"No, I haven't. Nothing has come to mind. You know, with all the things that have happened."

"That makes sense"

An uneasy silence followed his response. We would take small glances at each other. If we caught each other looking we would avert our eyes to something else.

Finally, Edward broke the silence.

"Listen, Bella. I want to apologize for the way Rosalie behaved towards you. She's not as tolerant about this like the rest of us."

"Edward", I cut him off. "I deserved it anyway after…what I did. She has a very rational reason to act like that towards me."

Edward scooted closer to me, his face determined. Edward opened his mouth to protest against my statement, but there was a knock of the door.

He sighed annoyed and said, "Come in".

Mrs. Cullen entered the room with a tray, which held a bowl of soup, water, and bread. A spoon lay atop a napkin next to the bowl.

"I'm sorry to interrupt, but your food is ready." She said as she approached me.

"Oh, Mrs. Cullen you didn't have to carry that up here. I would have come down to the kitchen."

"Oh, it was no trouble at all. Don't worry. But, please, call me Esme."

She placed the tray on my lap once I moved my kitten beside me. I picked up the spoon and scooped up some of the steaming chicken noodle soup.

"This is delicious, Mrs. Cu— I mean Esme. Thank you very much. I very much appreciate it." I smiled widely at her.

"I'm glad you like it." Esme returned the smile . She shot a quick glance at Edward as she back up to the door and shut it as she left.

Edward was looking at me, almost studying me. I peered at him curiously.

"What?" I inquired.

"No, it's nothing." He rose to his feet. "I'll just leave you to your thoughts. Enjoy your meal, Bella."

"Oh, um. Ok, then." I replied taken aback. I eyed him as he, almost unwillingly, went out of the room.

Of course he would want to leave me. He only stayed because Esme told him too. He made small talk only because he felt pity for me.

I devoured the meal and set it aside. The warm soup had made me tired, so I lied down on the plushy pillows. I gently lifted the kitten and set her down on one of the pillows.I turned over and looked through the window. This day sure was hectic, even more than yesterday. I reminisced over the huge situation I had gotten myself into.

I rested my thoughts on Edward, the mysterious gorgeous I crashed into.

His body, his face, his voice, his laugh; all of them were so perfect. I just didn't know how he felt about me. I know he doesn't like me. No one ever will. If he does like me, as an acquaintance at most, he won't like me after I tell him why I ran away. Yeah, I'm going to tell him some time. Soon, most likely.

Eventually, I was completely exhausted; my energy was totally depleted. I could only think of Edward's face. I was almost asleep when I heard the door open. Someone neared the bed and turned off the lamp. The unknown person picked up the tray full of utensils. He/She walked away to the door and paused.

"Good night, my Bella." I know that voice. The person let some light spill in as the door was opened.

Then, Edward closed the door.

There it is. Chapter six. It is by far the longest chapter I have done. There are about 3,000 words there, people!

On another note, I won't be able to update as often as I would like. School is starting in four days on the 10th of August. This year is supposed to be hectic. It I don't update for a while, don't blame me; blame school and the work given out.

Hey, thanks all of the people that have reviewed for my story. I love the encouragement and feedback.
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