Since August 24th I haven't been receiving proper stats. I don't know how many people are actually into my little story here so I'm not quite sure if I will continue. I'm going to see how this group of updates go over and then we'll go from there. x

All rights go to their respective parties.

Bella.

I didn't know what else to do other than stare at him. Had he always been that scrawny? Esme placed her hands on his face, she looked hurt. I wanted to say something, this wasn't right. Because of me Edward had had to leave his own home, his family. They had told me it was better, that they wanted me to feel safe here but I wasn't their family.

He was.

His head had turned in my direction and stopped. I tried to meet his gaze, there was so much I was bubbling to say. He took a few steps back towards the door and I bolted forward at him. I wouldn't be having that.

They all seemed surprised when I grabbed onto Edward's arm. I looked up at him and I could see the difference in the way he stood their. He was tense and reserved, his eyes searching, avoiding me. Maybe I wasn't the only victim here.

I had gotten myself worked up now, I felt like the shittiest person. My blood was boiling. I think Esme was talking to me but I couldn't hear more than a mumble, my thoughts were out of control. Instead of calming down or taking a breath I acted on my emotions.

I pushed Edward towards the door, my hands still on him. He was still so tense. Maybe he didn't like to be touched, maybe I was making him uncomfortable. He has n idea what I want. I flew away from him, putting my hands t my sides.

I seemed to startle everyone with my fast acting but I couldn't really help that. I knew what it was like to be touched and made uncomfortable. It had been my life for several years. I met Edward's gaze, he was now staring at me intently. I wanted him to know I was sorry.

"Bella-"

"Take me somewhere Edward." The words sounded so harsh, so commanding. He nodded his head. Maybe he figured I was going to lay into him. I didn't want to have to explain myself just yet to esme and Carlisle so I changed my actions to fit my words.

Edward gesture to the door while Esme made protest, saying we could all sit down and talk later, that maybe we shouldn't go alone. I just shook my head at her. I had no idea what she thought was going to happen. Did she think I was going to beat him up in some dark alley?

I just gave her what I thought was a sincere look as I walked down the front steps behind Edward. Always the gentlemen, he opened the door to his small, speedy silver to me. I slid in and buckled up while waiting for him to get in.

The drive was as quiet as the dead. Neither of us had spoken since we had left the mansion and I had no idea where we were headed but I wasn't going to ask. Edward seemed even more tense now. It could be the enclosed space and having to sit next to the person that had fucked up his life. I looked down at my hands. Is that how he saw me now? Did he hate me?

"Is this alright?" I looked up, too upset with myself to be frightened at his voice. We were in front of a little diner. I couldn't see what it was called. Check that, I didn't care. I nodded my head and he shut off the engine. Before he could make it around to my side I got out of the car and closed the door. It seemed to bother him that I got out without his help.

Maybe I should've let him help. Why can't I think of other people's feelings?

He held the door for me and I let him, I even offered the best smile I could to him which was more of a grimace than anything. He got us a table in the back and I just followed behind him trying to be polite.

I wasn't thinking of his feelings because I saw him as a bad person. But could he be a good person who made a mistake. His family defended him and I had never accused him. They thought he could never do that. They were wrong, anyone could do anything. Everyone is capable of doing something bad.

I was next to a table, Edward was on the other side of a chair, his hands on the back of it. I had accused this kind gentle creature of wanting to hurt me. Maybe I hadn't said it out right but i had hit him, I had gotten him kicked out. It was my fault for how he was feeling. Was I here to chew him out or was was I here to apologize?

"You were drunk." Maybe I should've been clearer. He was staring at me again, the intensity of the stare made me want to squirm. He gestured to the seat. I sat, he pushed me in towards the table before walking around to sit himself. A waiter walked by but Edward brushed him off and sent him scurrying away from us.

"Yes, I was. Would you believe that I was so drunk that I forgot you were sleeping in the spare room?" Would I? After all I had seen many nights where Alec would sleep on the bed oblivious to my presence. I nodded my head without giving it any other thought.

"I'm sorry Edward."

"You had every right. I made you uncomfortable and th-"

"No. Edward I'm sorry. I acted on instinct. You made a mistake and I did too." I winced. That was the second time I had interrupted him, he was being so nice. I couldn't even let him finish.

"I would never do anything like that. Ever." He was leaning across the table, looking me in the eyes. I wanted to trust him. He opened his mouth to say something else but then he snapped it shut. I waited, leaning farther across the table like him. I didn't want to say something and interrupt him again. "Bella... My mother, she went through something like you did." My brow furrowed. His mother? My eyes must have been the size of saucers.

"Esme?" My voice was squeaky. All I had to do was look at his face to realize how much pain he was in. I wanted to slap myself. His mother was abused, possibly raped and I had thought he was going to hurt me. I had made him feel like a monster. "Edward, will you tell me more?"

He didn't look up, he didn't move a muscle he just kept his eyes on the table cloth in front of him."So Esme helps people because she's been in the position herself..."

"She didn't have anyone but me. We were alone, no one accepted us. Esme doesn't want anyone to ever have to go through what she did alone." His brow was knit, his eyes sharp. He looked like he was concentrating on every word he spoke.

"She wasn't alone if you were with her." I was trying to console him, I think. I thought I was doing a pretty good job because he had a small smile on his face.

"I was a little shit of a child. What could I have done for her?" Well maybe I wasn't helping out. He brought his head up and gave me a frown. "I'm sorry. Did you know... You remind me of her, my mom, that's why I didn't want to be around you. It makes me so mad to see people beaten down and helpless. You're bold like her, you took care of yourself."

He moved the subject for a reason obviously. It was nice in a way, not having to talk about myself. It was kind of nice to hear someone else talk about their troubles, even if I couldn't do anything about it.

"Edward what's your last name."

"Cullen. When mom met Carlisle I was already nine. It'd been 3 years since she had left my father but when she married Carlisle I begged her to let me change my name. She said it was important to keep it, to change the meaning on the name. But i didn't want to be a Masen and I didn't want to make my dad's soiled name a good one. He wasn't good enough for it. I knew if I carried his name I would carry the shame my entire life. Esme and Carlisle let me change it and that was that. I've never regretted it."

Getting a little backstory in here. I think it works.

Thoughts?