CPOV
I woke up just as I was being placed in a hospital bed. My eyes snapped open as I saw Edward's face over mine. I took in a surprised gasp and I winced from the pain. It felt like my lungs were on fire and were about to explode any second. I looked around the room to see Alice, Dr. Cullen, Edward, Jasper, and a very teary eyed Bella.
"Cory, are you okay?" Bella cried pushing past Edward so that she could hold my hand. I took in a breath to answer but it hurt so I just settled for nodding my head.
Dr. Cullen came on the other side and lifted my shirt to look at my ribs.
"There not broken, your lungs are just raw, that's good. Well Cory whenever you want you can go but before you do come to my office."
"I- I'm ready now." I wheezed as I sat up holding back any signs that I was uncomfortable.
Dr. Cullen nodded and asked if I wanted a wheelchair I told him no but Edward helped me along as Bella refused to let go of my hands. I followed Dr. Cullen to his office, Alice and Jasper right behind me. I was waiting eagerly for him to open the door so I could find comfort in the chair that was right in front of Dr. Cullen's desk, but when I walked in I was shocked.
Dr. Cullen's desk was pushed into the back corner, there wasn't a chair, but a three person couch, and the book case was missing, in it's place was a large filing cabinet.
"Wow, you changed it." I gawked looking around the room. I heard the door click behind me when Dr. Cullen spoke.
"What do you mean I changed it? Changed what?"
"Your office."
"Cory, my office has been like this for the two years we have lived in Forks." I laughed expecting some one to yell 'gotchya', but when I looked at the faces of Dr. Cullen, Bella, and Edward; they were all looking at me like I was a dog with three heads and riding a skateboard. I turned around to look at Alice and Jasper who were looking at me with concern. That's when I looked past them to where the wall of picture frames were, or at least where I thought they had been. Instead all of them were replaced with pictures of the Cullen's but Dustin was still there.
"What happened to the pictures?"
"What pictures."
"The other one's, your family wasn't here before."
"Cory yes they were. Are you sure your alright."
I walked past them and up to the picture touching each one until I hit Dustin's I lingered there till I felt Dr. Cullen come up behind me.
"Handsome isn't he? That's my nephew. He is coming to live with us soon."
"He was your patient, and you said he was dead." I turned and looked up at Dr. Cullen. His eyes were hard and confused. Mine I knew were panicked. Was I going insane?
"Cory a-"
"Yes I'm fine, I was just confused. When can I go home?"
"Right now, I just wanted you to come in here so I could get you this." He handed me a packet with four blue colored pills. "Take one at a time, every four hours. Once you're done them your lungs will feel a lot better."
I nodded weakly. "Guy's can we not tell Charlie? I don't want him to put me on suicide watch."
"Don't worry Cory, just make sure that you don't do or even think of these things again, you don't know how many people you would hurt." I just nodded at Dr. Cullen's remark and walked though the door Bella and Edward following.
Edward drove us home and gave Bella a quick kiss goodbye when we arrived. I walked ahead into the house. I walked over to the stairs silently when Bella's hand stopped me.
"Cory, we need to talk." She said, here eyes tearing up again.
"Nothing to talk about." I said pulling from her grasp. I felt her watch me all the way up the stairs once I got to the top she spoke again.
"Can I get you something at least? I just want you to be happy…" she said quietly. I knew I should have said what came out of my mouth after that; but I couldn't help it.
"If you really wanted me to be happy, you would have let me drown." My voice was cold and monotone. I didn't bother to look at her as I proceeded to my room, the sound of her sobbing floating up the stairs.
I shut the door and curled myself into a ball under the covers. I suddenly felt the stab of pain, not mine, but Bella's. How could I have said that to her? Even if that's how I felt, I shouldn't have told her she should have left me to die. If I were she I would have saved me too. I sat up against the wall and smashed the back of my head against it a couple times hoping that my thought's would coincidentally juggle into place. This is what I came up with.
One, I had my moment of weakness, now was time to be strong. If Bella was magically able to find and save me before I drowned, obviously that's God's way of telling me he won't let me off easily. That when I die, I have to suffer. I can't take the easy way out.
And two, I was going insane. I had seen Dustin's photo and imagined it all to help me cope.
I looked at the clock and saw the time. It was almost lunch; Charlie would be home from his fishing trip soon. I really didn't want to be awake when he got up. I looked all over for the pill bottles then I started laughing somewhat hysterically. I had dreamed up Dr. Cullen giving me the pills. I lay back on my bed and tried to fall asleep but couldn't. I opened my eyes and noticed something was missing from the rocking chair. The hoodie that saved me, it was gone. I flipped over to my back and slapped myself in the forehead a couple time's hoping to wake up from this parallel universe, but it never happened.
"Note to self, ask Bella for a straightjacket for our birthday." I said as I felt the tiredness finally wash over me.
BPOV
The ride home was uncomfortably silent. Cory was sitting in the back of Edward's Volvo her head tilted back against the seat eyes closed. I stared out the window. Flashes of Cory's scared face blew through my mind. I must be a terrible person. I just let a bunch of vampire's make my sister think she's crazy.
A silent tear fell down my face. I wiped it away quickly hoping Edward wouldn't see but he did. His hand flew to my face as he took his eyes off the road to stoke my face.
I kissed Edward goodbye, he said he would be back soon he just needed to talk to Carslie.
I turned and saw Cory enter the house so I ran after her, and finally reached her when she got to the stairs.
"Cory, we need to talk." I said grabbing her wrist. She turned slowly to look at me. Her face was empty; her eyes seemed hollow.
"Nothing to talk about." she said pulling from my grasp.
"Can I get you something at least? I just want you to be happy…" I said quietly once she got to the top step. Her next words blew me away.
"If you really wanted me to be happy, you would have let me drown." She replied, her voice void of any emotion. I let my jaw drop as she continued to the bedroom. I couldn't fight the tears anymore. I let myself drop to my knees as I cried.
I must have been crying for ten minutes when I felt cold arms pull me close. I sobbed into Edward's chest.
"I'm the worst person in the world!" I cried louder. Edward's hands firmly but gently pushed me backwards so that he could look into my eyes.
"Isabella, you are far from worst."
"Yea right, I traded in my sisters sanity because one vampire lovers her unconditionally, I am so awesome." I said through my tears sarcastically.
"Trust me, she will be happy again."
"And how can you be so sure of that?"
"Alice." He said tapping his forehead.
I chuckled as Edward lifted me from the ground and carried me to the couch.
"Tell me about him." I said after my tears stopped.
"What do you want to know?"
"Everything anything. I just need reassurance that I'm not making a horrible mistake. Start from how you knew him at school."
"Well, he moved to Alaska, instantly popular, his parent's wanted him to be a doctor, so he studied hard for that. That's all I knew really at first. Then he started shadowing Carslie, and Carslie took a liking to him. I thought he was insane for bringing a human into our home, for dinner nonetheless. He didn't even find it strange that none of us ate any of the food.
'I wasn't a big fan of him needless to say, until Carslie told me to show him around. When I brought him to my room he gawked at my CD collection. He knew every band and every song word for word too. He was an excellent musician. His parents had him in piano lessons since he was young, and he had self taught him everything else.
'We became friends I guess. He was quite, accident-prone though, not ungraceful, just always in the wrong place at the wrong time.
One day at school he was walking with one of his friend's, a girl. And she ended up tripping and skinning her knee. My family and I were close by at the time. We were knocked back by the scent, but Jasper ended up going crazy and rushed towards the girl.
Dustin saw Jasper, and got one of the kids passing by to take off with the girl. Dustin stood his ground blocking the view of the girls as Jasper sprinted towards him. Once Dustin was knocked to the ground breaking his arm. We were out of the daze and restraining Jasper.
I asked him if he was all right and instead of answering he asked if that looked like they were just having a fight nothing suspicious. I looked at him stunned for a moment.
'You knew? Why the hell would you put yourself into that?'
'I figured I would help keep it a secret so you wouldn't have to leave. I also figured the worst I could get was a little banged up because I wasn't the one bleeding, only the one in the way.'
'You are the dumbest smart person I have ever encountered.'
'Yes I am.'
After that we were pretty close, I always felt, indebted to him for risking himself for our family. When I asked him how he found out he just replied he was studying to be a doctor, it was fairly easy to fit two and two together.
He's a good guy Bella. Everything will be fine. Trust him, if not for him then for me."
CPOV
I had stayed home that week. I didn't need an excuse; my 'swim' Saturday night left me with a cold. Bella had left me to my self for most of the week, for that I was glad, I still hadn't apologized I know I should but I wasn't brave enough. On about Wednesday, I had called around to a music shop in Port Angles and sold all of my instruments. I got $8886.58 for my five guitars, piano and violin. I sold my stereo for about $200 and all my CD's and any type of musical equipment, I gave to a used music store. I had made it a point that now the only music I would hear would be the sounds of silence.
"Cory, Cory it's Monday. Are you coming to school?" I felt a warm hand on my forehead as I opened my eyes. Bella was smiling down at me.
"Morning…" I yawned sitting up I looked at the clock it was almost time to leave. I had a shower the night before just incase I decided to go. I'm glad I did.
"I think I will." Bella nodded and said she would wait for me downstairs.
"Hey Bell's?"
"Hmm?"
"I'm sorry."
"For what?" she asked her eyes curious.
"For what I said last Sunday. I'm sorry I shouldn't have."
"Don't worry about it." She smiled as she headed downstairs. I could hear her talking to herself. 'Don't trip, don't trip!"
I looked out the window and didn't see Charlie's cruiser in the driveway. That was happiness in itself. Charlie and I never got along during my summers with Bella here. I know he was bombarding Bella with questions too, trying to understand what was with the newfound depression of one of his teenage daughters. I pulled on a pair of black sweat pants a t-shirt and a plain black zippered hoodie. Another thing I cut out of my newfound silent world, band logos. I slid my black sweatbands onto my wrist and combed through my hair quickly. Bella was in the kitchen with a granola bar for me in hand.
"Ready?" she smiled brightly, but behind her eyes there was a little fear. I smiled back at her and watched the fear melt away.
History class ended quickly and I decided to skip Music Theory yet again. No one knew about my hand and I planned to keep it that way. So for an hour and a half, I sat outside at the tables waiting for lunch to come.
"You look like a drowned rat." Mike said as I entered the lunch line at the cafeteria. It was pouring rain and yet I had just been out there for an hour and a half totally oblivious of the weather.
"Gee thanks Mike, nice to see you too." I said as I pushed my tray down the counter pulling things onto my tray.
"Why didn't you come to class?" I was thrown off by Mike's tone, his eyes seemed possessive and angry. I eyed him carefully before reaching the cashier. I quickly paid for my lunch and then walked off, Mike right on my heels.
"Cory why have you been skipping."
"It's none of your business Mike."
I turned walking off again. The side of the tray was on top of my forearm so I wouldn't have to hold it with my weak hand. I felt jerked back by my arm nearly spilling my drink.
"Uh yes it is Cory, your part of our group, if your just not going to show, the group suffers." His grip was tight on my arm, hurt almost.
"Music is not apart of my life any more Mike, you have Tyler and Eric, you did fine before I moved here I'm sure you can continue on." I said sarcastically yanking myself free from his grip. When I did though I ran into someone and almost dropped my tray; would have actually, if the person didn't catch it.
"Sorry." I muttered not looking up, but holding my hands out for the tray.
"It's alright, don't mention it." He placed the tray back in my hands as I looked up, the recognition that had been triggered by the sound of his voice cause me to look up. My mouth hung open as I stared into his face.
It can't be possible that I dreamed up his exact voice too can it? I felt my hands grow weak and the tray fell to the ground with a large bang that snapped me out of my trance.
"Is the food that bad here?" he chuckled bending down to pick up what I had dropped. I stayed silent and just bent down slowly to clean up also, never taking my eyes off of his face.
After he put everything back onto the tray he stood and so did I.
"I'm Dustin, Dustin Ryder." He flashed a smile at me. I felt like an idiot I know, but I couldn't react. It was as if time slowed that very minute until it came to a complete stop as I looked up into his angelic face.
I don't know how long I stood there staring at him, thinking that if I blinked I would wake up and realize that he was in fact a figment of my imagination, that I was in fact going insane.
"Oh hey Edward, Bella." I turned around to see them standing behind me, smiling friendly.
"Hey Dustin, I see you met my sister Cory." Bella said as she nudged me in the side. That woke me up; my ribs were still tender from Saturday.
"Sort of." He said trying to look bashful.
"Hi," I replied, finally finding my voice. Quickly I turned until his voice stopped me.
"Where are you going?" I turned around and averted my eyes as to be careful to not get myself locked in a state that would require padded walls.
"Lunch, remember I dropped mine."
"That's okay, you can have mine, I'm not hungry anyways." I sighed in defeat and turned to walk back. Dustin walked over to the Cullen table with Edward and Bella waited for me to slowly catch up.
"Cory? You okay?"
No.
"Yes. I'm fine."
"Alright," Bella took my hand and pulled me over to the Cullen table.
"Cory your back!" Alice danced out of her seat and wrapped her arms around me.
"Hey Alice."
I sat in between Alice and Dustin, to tell you the truth, even though there was minimal proximity between my imaginary savior and myself, I felt at ease. Not just because of the weird feeling I felt sitting beside him, but the fact that I wasn't able to become captivated as easily by his heavenly face; then if I was sitting across from him with no where else to look.
"Here, have whatever you want." Dustin whispered in my ear. I turned so fast startled by the closeness of his voice, that I whacked my forehead into his.
It was unreal and very unexpected, that a human skull would hurt that much, a brick wall maybe. I could feel myself spinning as spot's blurred my vision.
"Oh god Cory? Cory are you okay?" I shook my head a few times trying to see straight again but it only made me less coherent. Next thing I knew I was being carried off in hard cold arms.
"It's not a concussion."
"Good, how long do you think she will be out for."
"Hard to say, I don't think much longer though. I'll be in my office, call me when she wakes."
I could faintly hear the voices whispering. I heard a door close and all was quiet, I was suddenly very aware of the throbbing coming from my head. I let a groan escape my lips and seconds later an icepack was on my forehead.
I lifted my hand up to the pack, but what I found wasn't an icepack. My eyes snapped open and I could see Dustin staring down at me. His deep blue eyes were dark with worry; while he held his hand over the bruise. I sat up quickly and felt the familiar spinning rush back.
"Whoa, lie down before you pass out again." he placed his hands firmly on each shoulder pushing me back down onto the bed.
"Are you alright?" he asked me, as he eyed my expression.
"I wish people would stop asking me that." I groaned, unable to hide the flood of anger that suddenly sprouted.
"Why? Are you asked that a lot?"
"Lately? Frequently."
"Fine, a more appropriate question then. How are you feeling."
"Dizzy, disoriented, and sore." Dustin laughed lightly before I heard what sounded like a pill bottle.
"Here is some Advil." Dustin put two pills in my right hand and then reached for a glass of water. I sat up slowly and Dustin handed me the glass.
"DAMN IT!" I screamed. The moment Dustin let go of the glass in my hand, I couldn't grab it. My grip wasn't tight enough and the glass dropped.
I waited for the soaking wet feeling to come but it didn't.
"Good reflexes."
"Sorry, I should have remembered." Dustin eyed me like he was waiting for an outburst. I felt it coming to, but I suppressed it.
"What do you mean 'should have remembered'?"
"There are no secrets in the Cullen household."
I closed my eyes and let out a breath; trying to calm the anger.
"Come on I'll help-" Dustin said quietly bringing the glass towards my lips.
"No! I can do it myself!"
"Alright, I was just-"
"No." I glared. I put the pills in my left hand and reached for the glass with my right and took a big gulp of water. I handed the glass hastily back to Dustin when I heard a knock on the door.
"Are you alright?" I let out a sigh
"Yes Dr. Cullen, I'm fine."
"You should call me Carslie, I see you often enough. I though Bella was the clumsy one." Carslie laughed; the smile reaching his eyes. He took out a flashlight for my eyes to follow.
"Can I leave?" I asked quickly once Carslie put the light back in his pocket.
"Bella asked for us to keep you here until schools out. Then she's coming here to get you. Till then just rest." Carslie smiled softly before stepping back out of the room closing the door behind him,
"What time is it?"
"12:47" Dustin said glancing at the clock.
"Great," I leaned back against the headboard closing my eyes again.
"You know when people ask you if you're alright it's just a genuine question. They want to know how you are getting by."
"It's an act of pity and it's disgusting." I kept my voice as flat and emotionless as humanly possible.
"Cory…" I felt ice on my hand making my eyes flash down. Dustin had taken my hand in both of his holding it on his lap. He was sitting on the bed cross-legged. Quickly I pulled my hand away as my body shivered involuntarily.
"Sorry, poor circulation."
"That's impossible. To be that cold you would have to be a corps." I eyed him suspiciously as an unreadable emotion flashed in his eyes. He held out his hand and flexed his fingers a few times.
"There, feel. Not as cold right?" I hesitantly stuck my finger to the top of his hand, expecting the familiar ice, but the temperature had changed dramatically, he wasn't warm, but he was no where near the ice it was seconds ago. Confused and thinking that it was just nerves in the finger that I used which made him seem warmer, I uncurled my fingers to place them all on the top of his hands.
So quickly, I had to shake my head to make certain that I didn't dream it, Dustin had flipped his hands so that he held onto mine tightly. Startled by the fact that I couldn't pull from his grip, I looked up.
"It is not an act of pity. People are worried about you; they care about you. That's why they ask."
"Well they shouldn't! All it does is bring my thoughts back to how pathetic I'm turning. I have news for you. I don't need people worrying about me I can hold my own, with or with out my hands; and one day with or without my legs. I don't need anyone." I looked away flustered, still attempting to pry my hands out of his iron grip. He moved so that he held both my hands in one of his as he shifted to sit beside me.
He used his hand to grab my chin forcing my eyes to meet his.
"Your existence is not pathetic. Nor will you ever be pathetic. But I can't help to think that you have been trying very hard for years to drill these ideas into your head that you are better off alone, when in reality it's what your scared of the most."
I was blown back by the twist in this conversation. With newfound strength I ripped my hands from his and pulled my face free of his hand.
"You don't know what you're talking about."
"Really? Because your expression said I hit home."
"Get out."
"Cory I-"
"Get out or I will."
"Cor-" quickly I stood and sped towards the door. Two quickly. I ended up staggering to the left and almost fell over. Dustin was quick to catch me though and pulled me back to the bed.
"You stay, I'll leave. I'm sorry though." He looked down at me earnestly and it took all I had to look away before his eyes pulled me in deeper.
I didn't hear or see him leave. The only indication that he had left was the click of the door behind him.
I dropped my head in my hands with frustration.
He had hit home, too close to home to be exact. Hell he hit a home run and it broke through my window.
It's true. I always, purposely cut my self off from people from the moment I learned about my disease. Except for Bella. She was unavoidable, but as for everyone else, figured that if they didn't get close, they wouldn't get hurt. I wouldn't get hurt.
Just to have some… outsider tell me what I was doing, it just angered me. I can't explain why exactly, it was like he was breaking through the walls it took ten long hard years for me to break. And that was something harder to cope with.
A/N: i will try to get the next chapter up quicker! thank you to all my readers!