SM owns it all. Just having some fun with it…
My eyes are clenched tight, my ears are ringing and my throat is dry. All that runs through my head is the fact that he didn't leave. He heard all the nurse's ramblings.
I never could decide which beside manner I preferred from nurses. There were those that were very businesslike. Not necessarily mean, just direct, doing their job. Just a smile when we would catch each other's eyes.
Then there were the ones that were very motherly and tending to dot on you and chat you up in hopes to making you feel better through conversation. When I was younger I always wanted the talkative ones. I was young and scared, especially when my mother was not allowed to stay with me. I looked for my hand to be held hoping it would give me some comfort during the pain. As I got older and grew to detest being touched, I found myself hoping to get those nurses that just came in and out with minimal contact. It ended faster and there was no pity involved. Well, at least not the type that was voiced to me.
Great. I can ramble in my thoughts when I'm nervous too. Aren't I just a peach?
Suddenly I feel trembling fingers softly grazing my cheek.
"I'm sorry. I panicked and forgot that you wanted to avoid the nurse earlier. I'm so, so sorry, Isabella," Edward whispers as I feel his fingers ghosting over my cheek. As he keeps whispering sorry in what seems a mantra, I begin to feel his fingers grazing my cheek with more pressure with each sorry.
I want to say something to him, but I just don't know what to say. Also, I am a little shocked at the fact that I didn't flinch. What's wrong with me? That's usually my thing. Rose whines, Mom overreacts, Jasper snores…and I flinch when touched.
Even though I know I should respond somehow, I can't help just taking a moment to enjoy someone's touch that doesn't make me recoil first.
"Isabella?" I hear Edward's agonized plea. Huh, must have zoned out there for a bit. It just sounds wrong for him to have that pain over me no less. Despite my desire to hide, I find myself opening my eyes to find his intense green eyes pleading with mine. Wow, his eyes are…..Just so very green.
"And yours are chocolate brown," he replies as his lips slightly curve into a smile.
My cheeks begin their familiar burn as I moan," Awesome. My filter has sprung a leak." I hear his chuckle as I struggle to sit up. I can't stay here and play with green eyes. I have to get out. Although part of me knows there really is no point in fleeing. Jasper is right outside ready to give me the third degree but even worse, Mom's been called.
"Are you sure you should be sitting up? You still look a little green. "
I ignore his protests and keep moving. Despite his disapproval of me getting up, he still gently grabs my elbow to assist me in sitting up. Again, I notice his touch doesn't elicit the usual response. Instead I start to notice warmth on my skin spreading with his touch. Oh that's trouble right there. Could become very addicting.
"I don't want to seem rude, Edward, but why are you still here?" Wow, still came off a bit bitchy.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I was just worried and then everything happened fast with the nurse just pushing me aside, I kinda froze. Then I remembered you didn't want to come here and I just felt awful and wanted to.."
I felt myself start to smile at his cute ramblings and with what I was sure now was a nervous habit of pulling hair. But I couldn't let this go on.
"It's fine. That came out wrong earlier. I appreciate what you did for me, but I would have thought you would have left by now. I mean, why stay?" I ended with a whisper looking at my shoes. I was confused. But then confusion led to embarrassment again. He heard her ramblings. My eyes shot up to his as my ever-present blush got deeper. He knew something was wrong with me.
"I would never tell any one what I heard. I didn't really understand most of it. You don't have to explain it either." He whispered back to me, green eyes boring into mine. Filter getting really faulty.
Despite his sincere vow, I felt so very exposed. "I'm glad to have your permission not to explain," I responded harshly. His pained look made me instantly feel bad. I really wasn't like this. But I didn't know what to do with him. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. I'm just not feeling well and my mother being called makes me feel like I'm five again."
"No I understand. I guess I should go. I just wanted to apologize for brining you here, for staying. This is all my fault," he started pacing and pulling at his hair. He looked so cute, I found myself not being able to stop the giggles. Well that instantly stopped him. A slow grin morphed into a very cute lopsided smile. This boy is way dangerous with a smile like that.
We just stared at each other for a bit with silly smiles and matching blushes coloring our cheeks. What is it with this boy? I find myself just wanting to feel his fingers on my flaming cheeks.
"If you are done making goo-goo eyes at her, I think you can get your ass out before you can do any more damage." Jasper's hostile remark quickly broke our moment. I turned to find him looking at Edward murderously.
"Jasper! Don't be an ass! I think I have enough people, " I begin as I move to stand to in front of him. Unfortunately, I finish neither my move nor my thought as my vision starts to fade. I hear my name called in the distance and then feel the warmth of Edward. Hmmm, Edward.
I feel a gentle pressure as a wet cloth is being placed on my forehead. I must have fainted again. I really don't want to open my eyes to see what I find this time. With the softness surrounding me, I know I am in my own bed. Wow, home. Why don't I remember getting home?
"I knew this was a mistake. I should have just kept her home. It was working before." Someone complained. Mom? Great.
"I think you are overacting Renee. I am sure today was just a fluke. She probably forgot to eat enough or to take something. Give her a, " I heard my father try to reason. Sometimes I really loved him.
"No. I bet she did one if not both of those things. That right there is the reason why not to let her be unsupervised. She can't do this on her own. It's best for her to be home. We just got her well, but I'm not going to let her make herself sick again."
"I think we need to let her try on her own"
"Yes. Because it worked so well so far."
The angry whispers continue. I can't decide if I want to waste my energy in trying to jump into this fire. It never seems to be put out. But I don't think I have a choice. Either I fight for my freedom while I have dad on my side or I become Rapunzel locked away in a tower.
"I really do hate it when you talk like my opinion is nothing", I remark in what I hope to be a snarky tone. Oh, so close.
"Bella! I was so worried. Don't worry, you can stay home. I am sure we can find a tutor," and my mother begins. This is not what I want. I have a chance for a normal high school experience. She must have finally lost her mind to think I won't jump at the chance. The woman is MAD. Mad I tell you.
"No, school it is. So, what's for dinner" I figure it doesn't hurt to change the subject. A girl can dream she can trick an overbearing mother the subject is closed.
"No? I don't think so." Time to go ten rounds. I start to sit up despite her hands pushing me down. I am so tired of being told what to do.
"Mother! I am not giving up a chance to go to school like any normal teenager. I will be going to school. Don't doubt that!"
Well at least in my head I say that. Reality has me sounding weak as I struggle to sit up. Instead I say to a very angry Mrs. Swan, "Mother, I don't want to fight. Just want to eat. I need to rest so I can be ready for tomorrow."
"Renee. Leave it. She's hungry so let's get her fed," my father tells her as he helps me up after moving my mother aside. She glares at us both and storms out. I look up to see him smile a sad smile at me.
"You weren't careful. Don't lose this chance by forgetting what your body needs. Not smart, Belly." Dad could always reprimand me without making me want to grab a two by four to swing with. I just nod my head and it's over. Quick and easy. I know this is not the case with my mother, but I will just deal with her later. I am quite hungry.
Dinner could not be over quick enough. Mother wouldn't stop fussing, I was purposely ignoring her and Rose was upset as usual getting little to no attention that she wanted. Dad just watched TV interjecting only if absolutely necessary. Jasper kept calling me, but I really didn't want to deal with him either. I'll see him tomorrow, after he's cooled off. A knock at my door brings me out of my mind wandering.
"I brought you your pills. I thought with the day you had, you need something to help."
"Mom. I am more than capable to getting my pills"
"Just let me do this. It makes me feel better."
Being the sucker I am to make people happy. As I finish taking my pills, I try to get ready for the fight that's sure to come. But instead, she just kisses my head, quickly says good night and leaves. It can't possibly be that easy. I almost want to say something, but I really don't want to fight with her. I know she does all of it out of love. It can't be easy having a sick child.
Besides, I am too focused on planning my next day. I want to prove to her and myself that I can do just fine without her constant hovering. And maybe, only maybe of course, there might be a tiny little part of me that is hoping to have a better day with green eyes tomorrow. Despite the arguments against becoming friends with this boy, I want a chance to start over.
But it wasn't until I woke up the next day feeling groggy, that I suspect foul play. When I look out the window and then to my nightstand, my stomach drops. Half the day is long gone. MOTHER!
AN: A friend told me, the first and last semester of Grad school is the hardest. While I first agreed, I now think the last is really the hardest. I am seriously starting to count down the days until May. But I did runaway from it all for a bit to put this out. Hopefully you'll like.