Disclaimer: All characters belong to Stephenie Meyer.

In Six Months I Lost My Mind But Found My Heart

Chapter Eleven: So Close

13th February

4 Months 2 Weeks & 6 Days Left

Bella's POV

Alice had left Edward and me alone together. It's safe to say that I was petrified. We were friends but...I wanted more. I find him hard to resist, especially when he tried to kiss me. I would have kissed him if he was sober. But I guess that's the problem, he wouldn't want to kiss me when he was sober. He would only do it if he was drunk.

When I went to see him in the music department and gave him a hug I never wanted to let go. He smelled so good and I felt safe in his arms. Things here are really starting to suck. I can't help think that I'm wasting my time by even thinking about him this way since he has told me he's not going to date anyone. There's no point, we'll just be friends.

I guess that's good but not brilliant. Then again I should just be happy that we are anything to each other. So anyway, Alice left us home alone. At first we just sort of sat at the kitchen table eating dinner awkwardly not speaking then after we cleaned up we sat in silence for about five minutes then decided that we would watch a movie.

That was probably the worst idea I had. We ended up sitting in the dark, alone, on the couch with a few centimetres between us, and it turns out we were watching a horror movie. About an hour and a half there was a really gruesome bit which I freaked out at and practically leapt on him. He yelped and winced which was odd, Edward noticed that I was frowning at him after that.

"Can I try something?" I asked apprehensively. Edward nodded slowly. I still had my arms wrapped round his chest but lightly increased the pressure causing him to wince again. He was in pain that much was obvious.

"I need to go to the bathroom." Edward excused himself and practically ran up the stairs before I had a chance to even speak to him. Turning off the television and turning on some lights I headed up stairs after him.

"Edward?" I called, trying to find him. The door to his room was open slightly so I stuck my head round it and sucked in a breath with what I saw. He had lifted up his shirt and was softly pressing against the purple and blue bruises littered across his chest.

"What happened to you?" I asked walking straight in to the room. Edward dropped his shirt and smiled innocently like nothing was wrong. "Don't try that. I saw the bruises and I know you're in pain, so tell me. What happened?" He sighed but eventually realised it was pointless to argue with me.

"I just got in a few fights. It's nothing Bella, I promise." I walked up to him and held the end of his shirt.

"May I?" He opened his mouth to refuse but just nodded. I undid the buttons on his shirt and slowly slid it off his shoulders where it fell to the ground.

I hadn't looked at his chest yet, instead my eyes were locked with his. He doesn't like to show weakness so this was a big step for him. I put my hand out, still not looking where, and lightly pressed against his cold chest, just like before he winced. Glancing down I noticed he had old and fresh bruises. They were easy to differentiate between at the fresh ones were a dark purple and blue colour whereas the old ones were slightly yellowing against his pale skin.

"Does it hurt?" The question came out as a whisper. I have no idea why I suddenly felt the need to talk quietly.

"Only slightly."

"How long have you had these?" This time I was inspecting him, they were mostly on his front, very few on his back.

"A while." I could see I wasn't going to get much cooperation from him here.

"How about a real answer Edward?"

"Why do you care?" He snapped. I looked back into his eyes slightly hurt by his irritation. I just wanted to check if he was okay, these looked bloody sore. He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "You know what; I'm just going to go." I reached out and grabbed his arms to stop him.

"I care because I like you." Who knows where the confidence came from to say that? He paused immediately and looked quickly into my eyes.

"I like you too." My heart was racing; I wouldn't be surprised if he could hear it. "We're good friends." Then it died in my chest. He literally just broke it right there and then. I didn't know what to say so just nodded.

"I'll go get you some ice, perhaps to just help the bruising." He nodded so I left the room. It allowed me time to just recuperate.

Edward's POV

I can't believe I just told her I liked her. That was probably the most foolish thing I could have ever done at that moment. Thank God I added in the friends part or I truly would have freaked her out. I could never admit to her that she means more to me than just a friend. Maybe that was how things were to begin with but not now.

I'm falling fast and it's scary. This shouldn't be happening. I've had great control over my feelings for years. No one has been able to penetrate through the walls that protected my heart. Except her. She's worming her way in there and I can't help but let her.

To be honest I never wanted Bella to know about the bruises I had received. It makes me look pathetic and I couldn't stand that. I don't know, maybe it's my ego that's just worried; I don't want to appear weak in front of her.

Bella came back in to the room and joined me on the bed where I had sat down. She had an ice pack wrapped in a dishcloth so it wasn't too cold to hold. I sat there looking at her as she inspected the bruises to see which were the worst then held the icepack against them. Knowing me I wouldn't be able to hold it there very long, it was bloody freezing.

I was watching her with curiosity, why can't we be anything more? What don't I have that she wants? What could I give to her to show that I like her and that I really care about her? She's so kind and caring that I can't help be awed by her presence.

Without any warning she reached up with her other hand and brushed my hair away from my face. After realising what she did she blushed.

"Sorry Edward, that bit of hair was annoying me."

"It's okay." It was better than okay, just to have her feel comfortable enough to do that to me is amazing.

"So who gave you these?"

"Just a bunch of guys. Their girlfriends like me but they're not so keen, I wonder why?" She smirked but shook her head.

"In that case you deserved these bruises." I smirked but nodded. She was right, I did. Well maybe not all of them. I had stopped flirting with those girls this week but still got given almighty bruises.

"You don't want to talk about it do you?" She could read me like a book but I could never read her. I was a mess, not knowing what to expect next, not knowing what she was going to say next.

"Not really no." She nodded and smiled softly. Does she have to do that? It completely shuts down all coherent thoughts.

"Okay. But just one more question, please?" How could I deny her anything?

"Go ahead."

"Does Alice know about these?" I shook my head and sighed.

"I don't want her knowing either. She would completely freak out and I don't want that. I can take care of myself and I already know how to get even."

"Why not just leave it, if you try to get even then they'll just keep doing it." She said softly, trying not to push my limits.

"I stopped flirting with their girlfriends last week. So image my surprise when they found me on Monday and decided I hadn't learnt my lesson yet. They won't stop until I fight back but four against one is rather hard." She nodded and licked her lips before biting the bottom one.

"Okay, I guess that makes sense." She licked her lips again and just out of instinct I did the same. I wanted her, it didn't help that she had her hand on my chest either, granted the ice was kinda keeping things at bay but I still had the desire to kiss her senseless.

Bella moved the icepack to another bruise, breaking me out of my trance. I shivered due to the cold; yeah it was definitely keeping things at bay.

"Sorry about the cold, I promise it will help though."

"It's okay. So what are you doing tomorrow?"

"What do you mean?" She asked confused.

"Well it is Valentine's day. What no hot date?"

"Definitely not. Who would ask me out?" Me.

"Lots of guys. Come on Bella don't play innocent, guys like you its obvious."

"No I think you're mistaking me for Lauren or Jessica." What was she talking about? They are nothing compared to her.

"No definitely not. You're beautiful, they're not." She blushed under my gaze but she had no reason to. Everything I said was true. How could she even doubt me?

"So what are you doing tomorrow?" I allowed her to change the subject but had intentions to return there later.

"Well there is the Valentine's Day ball your school is holding. I was invited to that."

"By?"

"Jessica." But I want to go with you.

"Oh, I didn't know you two were getting close." She was looking at my bruises again, avoiding eye contact.

"We're not exactly. She just wanted me to go. Are you going?" Please say yes.

"Does Alice know about this ball?" I nodded; my sister was the one that practically forced me to go. "Then yeah, I'll be going. I promised her she could dress me up and make me look pretty." She smiled but there was a slight hint of dread on her face. My sister can do that.

"Are you going with anyone?" If you say no then I'll take you.

"I think Alice has set me with Jacob." That rat bastar- "What would you usually do back home?" Her question broke my thought.

"Eh...there is usually a big party then after we would head back to our house and have drinks and play cards. Every year Emmett tries to get us to play strip poker but since its three guys and two girls we never play. If there is a ball or event when you're there believe me when I say that you'll be rigged into playing." She laughed but shook her head.

"I don't think that will happen. I'll save everyone's eyes from burning by keeping my clothes on thank you." I chuckled, she has to be kidding. God only knows what I would do to see her in her underwear again. If we keep going like this I'm going to have to go for another cold shower.

Bella licked her lips, that's driving me insane and is going to lead to me self-destruction. I moved the ice and hands off of my chest and leant closer to her. I reached my hand up and brushed her hair away from her face. This was it, no going back, I'll kiss her.

"Edward..." She breathed out hoarsely. Slowly I leant closer, just anticipating brushing my lips against hers.

I was less than a centimetre away and could feel her breath against my skin. Just as I leant forward to kiss her the main door shut downstairs and she turned her head. My caught the very edge of hers before we looked at each other, knowing that Alice was downstairs.

"I better go see her." Bella whispered. I nodded and let her walk away from me. The second the door closed I groaned inwardly.

Why didn't I kiss her?!

Little did I know Bella was on the other side of the door thinking the exact same thing.