Chapter 9

EPOV

The angel sat up and stared right at me. Her face held amazement, I suppose, as she studied the features of my face. I stared back and I was even more hypnotized with her deep eyes resting on me. I could just stare at her and feel so privileged to be in her presence.

The girl averted her eyes to take in her surroundings. She started to panic, possibly because the girl didn't know where she was. And even if she does, I'd think she would wonder why she is there. Her panic changed to terror, which just scared me to death. Was she scared of me already? But, who wouldn't be? The girl snapped her head around, which wasn't a good idea. It could really hurt her head causing her more pain.

"Don't move your head much. If you keep moving like that, it's going to hurt more", I blurted before I could stop myself. I involuntarily leaned forward. What's coming over me? She crawled back against the headboard and brought her knees toward her chest. I sudden felling of rejection and hurt immersed me as she finished her actions.

You don't know her, Edward. Don't feel this way. I thought to myself.

Her panic overcame her and she began hyperventilating. It was followed by cries and sobs. She started begging incoherently, but I was able to guess that it was for mercy. The girl fell on the mattress in the fetal position and that's when I couldn't hold myself back. I got up from the chair, a tad unsure, and reached towards her. The small girl whimpered quietly once I lay a hand on her back. I was about to pull away, but I couldn't just watch her cry her eyes off because of fear. I need to expel all possible things that would bring her terror. I felt like I had to. I gently lifted her onto my lap and rubbed her back. She clung onto my shirt to bring herself closer to me. Her body heat radiated off of her, supplying me with this new feeling. It felt right and absolutely delightful. I couldn't ponder on it long; she was still sobbing.

"Shh, It's OK. Nothing is going to happen to you. I won't hurt you", I whispered into her ear. I would never ever hurt her, nor let anyone else do so. The words I spoke to her sounded like a promise and I'll try to my fullest to stay true to my words.

The girl cried until she finally calmed down. She got off of me and I immediately missed her touch. Couldn't she have just stayed in my arms? No, I didn't just think that!

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wet you shirt or break down like that", she mumbled.

I reassured her, telling her it was all right. I couldn't care less about my shirt. I needed to know one thing though.

"What's your name?" I had to know the name of this forlorn, beautiful creature sitting on the guest bed.

"Oh, Um. My name is umm.. Isabella, but I prefer um Bella. And um… what's yours?" Bella answered. Her stutter was absolutely lovely; it placed a small crooked smile on my face. Her name suited her as well. I know that "Bella" in Spanish is beautiful and that's what she was. She was an angel.

"I'm Edward Cullen." Bella apologized for her trespassing, I told her it was fine, but I wondered why she did that so that's what I asked her. I interrupted her before she could explain. It would be much easier to bring my family inside. Their thoughts were very anxious and annoying, anyway. I let my family file in when Bella agreed nervously.

As they came in, Bella's eyes widened. Was she scared? I bet she's intimidated by the six other people in the room. Bella scanned them and stopped at Rosalie. Rosalie looked like she wanted to kill her or severely hurt her, and that was what she was thinking. I eyed her sternly, telling her with my eyes to cool it and behave.

"Hello. You must be the Cullens", Bella whispered. If we had been humans, we wouldn't have heard her, but, us being vampires, we did hear her small, frightened voice. Carlisle introduced everyone, other than me. She already knew me. Bella looked at them once more and rested her vision upon the small kitten. Emmett was cradling it in his arms. He saw Bella look at her.

"She's yours, right? Here." Emmett slowly approached Bella and passed her the kitten. Bella stroked the kitten and she visibly relaxed. She voiced a small "thanks".

"No prob. It's a really cute little kitty" Emmett boomed. 'Cute little kitty'? His thoughts were all around that cat, saying how cute she was and what name he should give her. Well, that's very manly, Emmett. I gave him a face saying I was going to tease him about it later.

It is a cute kitten, Edward!! Emmett's thoughts exclaimed in my ear.

"Bella, can you tell us why you broke into our house?" Carlisle broke the short silence. I looked at Bella, waiting for her explanation.

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

Bella a spoke in sputters, but it didn't seem like she was lying. I could tell, however, that she was hiding something. There was something more to the story, and it wasn't small. How did she get lost anyway? What was she doing wandering the vast forest?

"Sure, that's believable", Rosalie snorted. All of us, beside Bella of course, shot her a warning glance, informing her to calm down. The thing was that she was telling the truth, partially; that much I could infer. Emmett whispered some words that I didn't bother to figure out into Rosalie's ear to calm her.

"Why aren't you at home, dear?" Esme asked in a motherly tone. She was curious, but concerned for Bella. Esme eyed Bella questioningly. All of us were wondering this.

"You see, I don't have one, not anymore. I umm… run… away."

Why would she do that? What happened? Everyone, except Alice, was shocked by her answer. Alice looked so sad and I tried to see what she was thinking about. Before I could, she thought about something and told me to buzz off. I heard my family's thoughts scatter to different possibilities. I for one was totally perplexed as to why she did this? She deserved a good life; was what happened to her absolutely dreadful? I've got to find out. Carlisle quickly composed himself and asked Bella why she ran away. All of us leaned in closer, a human habit of ours. Bella, on the other hand, stiffened and a worried expression came upon her heart shaped face. After a few moments, Bella opened her mouth to speak.

"I had trouble. Umm, I didn't like my life there…" She said it the same way as she did with her last answer. It was true, but there's more to it than that. It sounds complicated, but I'd be able to follow if she'd tell me.

Once Bella had finished, Rosalie started.

"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 had stomped to the foot of the bed and screamed in Bella's face. I looked at her murderously, like when she had looked at Bella. I suppressed a violent growl and kept myself from yelling back.

"I'm sorry! Don't hurt me." Bella's terrified voice struck me to my core and I whipped my head to her with widened eyes. She was back in the fetal position, sucking in deep breaths. I heard Rosalie speed back to her spot, ashamed. I don't want Bella scared because of this. I want to see her like this; it hurt and scared me. I lightly grabbed her wrist, hearing her whimper slightly, and lifted it up a bit.

"Bella? Bella, please look at me." I want to make her feel better. She lifted her head enough to look at me. "Bella, we aren't going to hurt you, okay? I promise." There's the proper promise. I will keep my word. Her pain is my pain. Bella peered at my family uncertainly. They looked back sympathetically. Carlisle began to ask her how her life had been before us, but he was interrupted by Bella's stomach.

Shoot! Of course she'd be hungry. I should have thought of that before interrogating her like this. Stupid, stupid, stupid! "I'm sorry, we should have known that you would be hungry. You came in here for food anyway." I gave her a small crooked smile.

Esme offered to cook something for her. Everyone left with her to help, but I was ordered to keep Bella company. Alice greeted Bella properly and abruptly left. Odd. I heard my family speed downstairs to make a meal for one. We had bought food when Bella was unconscious. I was listening to them panic around the kitchen. I shot a glance at Bella after a couple of moments. I couldn't keep my eyes away from her for a certain amount of time, I found out. I casually took a peek and was just overcome with worry and sorrow. Bella was staring out of the window with this just heart-rending face. Her chocolate eyes seemed to dim, it's life withering. I couldn't take it. What was making her so sad?

"Bella, are you ok?" I asked in a concerned voice. She snapped out of her trance and turned to face me.

"Yeah, …yeah. I'm fine. Why do you ask?" Something about her voice was off. She asked me a question. 'Why did I ask?' I've got to answer…

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

"No, no. I'm okay, really." Liar. She didn't look anywhere near okay just a few seconds ago.

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

"Why do you…care?" she asked tentatively. I'm not going to tell her how I feel, that I just feel protective of her and I really care about her.

"I… uhhh… You know, it's okay; forget it. I apologize. I shouldn't pry like that." I sat back in my chair and pinched the bridge of my nose, frustrated. That wasn't a good answer at all. What was I supposed to say to her? I just met her after she broke into my house, for crying out loud! I'm not going to tell her anything, not now anyway. Bella disagreed about my prying, but she asked me again, why I cared.

I guess that now I was talking about had come.

"Well, let's say that I don't want you to be hurt. I…care for your safety."

"Do you really feel like that way?"

"Yes, I do." I stared into her eyes as I responded. How was she going to react? My answer was given as Bella's emotion changed from curios to alarmed. She completely hates me. I've scared her off.

"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." I can't be in her presence after what I said. I stood and headed to the door, feeling rejected. I completely blew it; it would have been better if I had lied. I was almost to the door when I felt a thin, warm hand wrap around my wrist followed by Bella asking me to wait. Once I had felt Bella grab me, this cool shock ran through my body. I turned my face to be met with doe brown eyes. We gazed into each others eyes completely transfixed.

Bella let me go and stepped away from me, breaking our eye connection.

"I'm sorry, Edward. I didn't mean to do that." I don't want her to be scared anymore and she should really stop apologizing. I sighed as I stepped closer to her and nervously lifted her chin so I could gaze into her eyes.

"I told you to stop apologizing. It's fine." I received a nod. "Now, please sit down. I don't want you to get dizzy." I followed behind her to the bed and I took my place on the chair. We made small talk about the little kitten she had found on her way here. I loved the sound of her voice; it was soft and smooth. Her giggle and smile just made me feel so elated that she was happy. I wish she would stay that way. A small silence followed the short conversation.

"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." This was bound to come. I could hear the thoughts of my family downstairs, but I didn't pay any mind. Bella didn't deserve that outburst from Rosalie.

"Edward, I deserved it anyway after what I did. She has a very rational reason to act like that towards me." She was too harsh anyway, Bella! I was going to object, but Esme knock on the door. Shoot. I let her come in, annoyed. Esme came in and placed the tray atop Bella's lap. The smell of the food wasn't appealing to my sense of smell, but it sure did to Bella's. She took a spoonful of soup. It appeared that the food was really good judging by her face. Bella caught me studying her, but I left to let her finish.

I went to my room, not wanting to talk with my family right now. I turned on the stereo and drowned myself with music. I was overwhelmed with everything that was happening right now. Especially my sudden feelings toward the stranger downstairs. I could hear everyone's thoughts asking me to come downstairs to talk and asking what I was doing. I ignored them, I'll answer later. I just want to be alone right now even though I don't usually act like this. I bet they were all confused, but that's okay right now. Eventually, they let me be and kept doing whatever they were doing. Around twenty minutes later, I heard Bella's slow breathing. She must have finished eating and drifted off to sleep. I got up to get her tray, an excuse I would use to cover up the real reason why I wanted to go in her room. I just wanted to see her angelic face.

I glided downstairs and creaked open the door. Bella was on her side facing the window so I couldn't see her face. I tiptoed to the tray at the opposite side of the bed. I stared at her to see her sleep peacefully. I just wanted to caress her cheek and feel her skin underneath my fingertips. Bella was just so beautiful. I reluctantly went to the door, tray in hand.

"Good night, my Bella", I whispered involuntarily. I silently shut the door, stunned. I didn't just say that. I stiffly went downstairs to the kitchen. There stood my family all of them smiling at me, except Rosalie. I walked around them to wash the tray, but their eyes followed my walking figure. I zoomed in on their thoughts. They were all about Bella and I. Everyone was thinking positively except Rosalie of course. She was going of about how I was endangering the family and I shouldn't like Bella and that... WHOA!

What?! Wait a minute. They think I like Bella, and a lot at that.

"No!" I told them, attempting to convince them that I didn't like Bella.

"Yes! You soooo like Bella, Edward!" she exclaimed, voicing everyone's thoughts with one sentence. She pointed an accusing finger at me. Their smiles grew tenfold with her statement, while Rosalie's glared intensified. She might scare Bella, but she doesn't scare me.

"Alice, I don't like her. I just met her; it is impossible to like someone you've just met so fast."

"Edward, we all know that you like her. Don't deny it", Jasper taunted. He would know considering that he could feel emotions. But, I will prove all of them wrong. They are wrong, I say, WRONG!

"You are placing us in danger, Edward! Like a -"

"I assure you, I don't like Bella that way." I cut Rosalie off before she continued her rant. I turned around to do the dishes, but Esme stopped me.

"I've got it, Edward. It's okay." I left Esme to do the dishes and I took the chance to escape my family. I eyed them skeptically. I don't want to hear them go on about how good we looked together and how pretty she was for me or anything like that. That's what they were thinking about. Bella was very beautiful and flawless. I dashed outside into the forest before any of them could catch me. I ran as fast as I could to the one place where I could be alone with my thoughts.

The place wasn't far, well, at least not to a vampire. I had stumbled upon this meadow when I had gone hunting and I've been coming here ever since. It possessed a magical feel to it, and I never get tired of it. I was in desperate need of this place. I lay down on the lush green grass and closed my eyes. An image of Bella sleeping serenely on the bed immediately popped up and I couldn't shake it off. It's just everything about her was so perfect. I could sense it even if I had just met her. Bella was a sweet and caring person, but something had happened to her. Not only was she sweet and caring, but she was also frightened and fragile. I want to help her, keep her happy and safe. I don't want her to feel scared of anything and I don't want any sort of harm to come to her. She deserved something special and happiness.

I really care about her. Do I really like her? This mysterious angel that had broken into my house; scared, hungry and weak? There's no way, though. But I just feel protective of her. Ugh, this is so frustrating. I've never experienced this before in my existence. It's all alien to me. I thought I would be alone until I was exterminated or the end of time arrived. But, now that Bella's here, there might be an extremely slim chance that that won't happen, according to my family. Slim, because I don't think that any human would even like a monster. It's just that Bella doesn't seem to be that way. I could be wrong though. She could run away in terror, but that's what a normal person would do. I hope she's like that. I don't want to be the danger. There's the protectiveness, again. I can't seem to cease these thoughts.

Do I like Bella, for real? No, I can't. Impossible.

Hey, sorry I haven't updated in a while. School keeps you on your toes and all the teachers decided to announce quizes and tests. So this is Chapter 9. It might be going a bit fast, but keep in mind that there is still Bella and I've still got a lot more to write! I've been brainstorming in my head and I've got some good ideas, I think.

Yeah, Chapter 9. Kinda Ok. It may be a load of crap, but I hope there's some good stuff in there. I'm going to continue Edward's point of view for the next chapter. It won't be that long. I'll have Chapters 10 and 11 coming up by the end of this week, I plan. :D

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