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Chapter 5

Since that day I had enjoyed going to the Cullen house every Saturday.

I enjoyed talking to Esme who had proven very caring and also the presence of Carlisle who had talked to me a lot about medical progress while Alice and the others were stuck in traffic. I usually wasn't interested in medicine at all since I hated to go to hospitals, but his enthusiasm and fascination seemed to be contagious. Emmett, the big "Teddy" as I liked to call him in my mind, had told me once to just tell him to shut up because he was sure his dad would bore me to death… but I couldn't. I found it too fascinating to listen to Carlisle go on and on about studies that he has read.

But most of all I enjoyed the little time I got to spend with Edward –which was rather rare since Alice, Jasper or Emmett usually kept their tabs on me.

Of course we still had the project to work on so it was usually Jasper and I sitting together. But there was something about Edward that made me feel so at ease. I couldn't even explain why he made me feel that way, but I guess he was just very likeable with his pleasant voice and his calm nature.

Today was again Saturday and I was currently on my way to the Cullen house, actually, I was almost there. The way to their house was rather a long walk and I usually took my time. I enjoyed walking through the verdant woods which I momentarily went through outside of city limits before their mansion came into view. As soon as I stepped out of the forest a person came into view.

Edward sat on the bottom stair in front of the house, face in his hands. He obviously didn't notice me. I slowly walked over to him –he probably just wanted to be alone but I sat down next to him nonetheless, still oblivious to my presence. –I couldn't really make myself known without scaring him now. Well done Bella, I chastised myself.

I touched his arm gently and he flinched but didn't look up. "Go away, Alice." He mumbled and I blushed lightly. Great, he thinks I'm his sister. I put my hand on his back this time, lightly stroking it.

Edward stiffened a little before actually lifting his gaze. His mouth popped open in a small O as he realized it was me. I pulled my hand away slowly and dropped my gaze to his hands. "I'm sorry, I didn't realize it was you." He murmured quietly and leaned back on the staircase.

'What's wrong?' I asked as he finally looked up to meet my gaze.

"It's nothing." He mumbled, running a hand through his hair.

'I don't mean to pry but if you want to talk –I'm here.' He just stared at me for a moment and I thought that maybe he didn't get what I signed or maybe he just wanted me to leave him alone and I started getting up but then he nodded his head and looked towards the forest again.

"Would you –take a walk with me?" He suddenly asked in a quiet voice, sounding defeated. I nodded but realized he wasn't looking so I touched his arm again and pulled gently as I got up from my seat beside him. He grabbed my hand from his arm and I was about to pull back when he held mine in his and got up, pausing for a second and looking back at the house before leading me into the forest.

We walked in absolute silence but it didn't feel awkward. Edward seemed to be deep in thought as he rubbed small circles on the back of my hand –I was actually a bit freaked because of him holding my hand.

After a while Edward led me to a fallen tree and leaned up against it, slowly letting go of my hand.

"My dad –he told me that we'll have to move again in just a couple of months. It's –I don't want to move again, we've been moving three times in the last year and we just got here! Every time I meet new people and then I have to leave again, it's so –frustrating!" He got louder at the end of his little speech but I was –just shocked. They'd leave? They were my –my friends! Tears came to my eyes at the realization of it. –I didn't want them to leave.

'I'm sorry. I can't imagine how that must feel.' I signed, trying to hide my feelings.

"Oh no, please, don't cry as well." He mumbled, obviously seeing the tears in my eyes. He surprised me by put his arms around me and hugging me to his body. "I hate this, I hate leaving." He admitted. "But we'll stay here for another four months or so. We'll still have time together and we'll only move up to Seattle so we can still stay in touch. You know Alice wouldn't allow us to become strangers." He tried to soothe me and I nodded into his shoulder but couldn't keep the tears in any longer.

They were my hope, they were my light at the end of the tunnel but now they were leaving me behind, leaving me once again alone. I know I had promised myself not to become friends with them but I couldn't stop these feelings any longer. I've been through this hell alone for such a long time and for once I could hope to have someone to cheer me up again. But no more. They were leaving.

"Please Bella, don't be sad." I felt his breath on my ear as he held me closer.

"I know this is not the right time" he said softly "but –would you –would you go out with me? –I mean, I don't know, not really go out –just go to a movie or whatever so we can spend some time together? We barely get to talk because the others keep hording you." He asked nervously. I kept still, frozen until I realized that he grew restless the longer I waited. I nodded into his chest and I felt him relax slowly.

"Thank you." He was obviously relieved I didn't reject him though I couldn't comprehend why. I couldn't understand why he would ask me out at all. Edward asked me –Isabella Swan –on a… date? No, it wasn't a date. He just wanted to hang out with me. I was sure that he couldn't like me in that way. No one would.

"I think we should get back. The others must be waiting for you. They'll worry." I nodded again and stepped away from him, frowning at the loss of his touch. It was weird, he seemed to be the only one who could make me feel that way –make me feel wanted and safe. Of course, somehow they all made me feel wanted but with Edward –it was different. And now he would leave in just a matter of time. He held my hand once again as he led me back towards their house.

Alice had decided that it was not a day for homework since she was also feeling rather sad and needed some cheering up. Therefore she asked Rosalie to join us while we watched some chick flick and painted our toenails. Or rather: they painted toe nails while I just sat there, lost in my own world. I told them not to paint my toe- or fingernails since my father didn't like me wearing any kind of make up or nail polish. Which was a lie, of course. My entire life consisted of lies.

"Are you coming to the Winter Dance next month?" Alice asked, blowing on her nails.

'No. I'm not much of a dancer.' I replied, shrugging. The dance wasn't really something I cared about. I'm not the girly kind of girl anymore that I used to be. Shopping, dancing and things like nail polish I couldn't care less about.

"You don't like dancing?" Rosalie asked incredulously.

'I'm an awkward dancer and my father wouldn't allow me to go anyways. He's very strict when it comes to going out.'

"Well, what about your Mom? She should know how important school dances are." Alice piped in.

Oh, yeah, I thought. They don't know. I looked down for a moment to collect my thoughts. 'My Mom –she's not alive anymore.'

"Oh" both of them said alike. "I'm sorry, Bella." Alice said as she moved over and embraced me in a hug. This day was full of hugs it seemed.

'It's alright. It's been a long time.' Though it still hurts the same, I added in my mind.

AN: Actually, it's really not a date Edward wants to have, you'll hear more about that in the next chapter.
Tell me what you thought about it.
Either Chapter 6 or 7 will be longer than the others and there will be another POV. Who do you think will tell us more? Edward, Alice or maybe even Charlie?