AN: 'Like the Angel – Rise Against.' Yeah, random, I know. I hadn't listened to them in forever and then my iPod randomly landed on it and parts of the song just kind of seem to fit (at least part of the chorus…). Gah, just go with it. I'm getting lazy with song picking.
Thanks for the reviews once again! ALMOST beat Chapter 2 for most amount of reviews…almost. To the anonymous reviewer who said heroin cannot be snorted…it can, I totally looked up, I swear. And yes, I realize you're not supposed to get involved in a relationship in rehab…but what kind of story would it be if they didn't? I'm pretty sure I mentioned it in the last chapter but I guess it wasn't clear. But don't worry; it's not going to be all easy peasy with Edward and Bella… that would just be dull and no one wants that…I sure don't…on with the story!
EPOV
Saying that I was embarrassed to be puking my guts out in front of Bella would be the understatement of the decade, perhaps even longer. I did not know what made me ask her to stay. Actually, that's not true, I didn't want to be parted form her, as pathetic as that sounds for only knowing the person for a day. Secretly, I think it was because I needed her there with me. Her presence alone gave off so much comfort, like an angel. No, not like…she was an angel. The moments I felt like I was about to die during the duration of my detox I would simply look at Bella or hear her speak and I would feel extraordinarily better.
I would say that was around the time it hit me; I was in deep. Normally, in any other situation, this would elate me but knowing that Bella and I would be nothing more than friends here brought me back to my now common depressing state. I take back what I said about liking this place more…my original hate towards PRC? It was back.
Bella, to my extreme pleasure, had stayed with me through the majority of it. I didn't quite understand why she took care of me. Of course, I was more than happy but why would she want to spend her time looking at a sick and repulsive me? Personally, that doesn't sound like a way to spend one's weekend; though, I know I'd do it in a heartbeat for Bella.
Withdrawal was an awful experience to go through, to say the least, and had I known that I would have to go through it before I started using, I might have considered not trying heroin in the first place. That didn't mean, however, that I wanted to quit now. No, my need for the drug was stronger than ever at that moment and it felt like I was going to go insane from the yearning.
It was now Tuesday morning and I was currently lying on my back in bed. Sad, maybe, but I was more than nervous to move an inch in the chance my stomach objected. Not that there was much to purge, I had hardly eaten anything in the past three days and my body was starting to realize it.
I slowly moved my legs over the side of the bed to sit up and sat there waiting for any sign of nausea. My spirits automatically lifted when I concluded that I felt good…not great…but good. I'd take that. I was just grateful my period of nausea was over. All that remained was a dull ache in my forehead and in my back from laying in bed for so long. I knew that I was basically recuperated and would be able to venture out into the rest of the building today. After three days in my room, I was starting to hate the scenery around me.
Just then a quiet knock came from my door. I stood up, again moving slowly, to answer it. However, I stopped myself at the last second as I looked down to find I was half-naked; that would be a whole new level of embarrassment.
"Just a moment," I attempted to say, my voice still extremely hoarse. I scrounged my closet looking for something decent to wear until I remembered the clothes Alice had bought me on Saturday. Although without my knowledge or approval, I couldn't have been happier for the new clothes from Alice right then. So I might have wanted to impress Bella. Looking through the bags I found a dark green button-up shirt and jeans and decided on them. I had no idea if it looked okay or not but if Alice bought them they must be fine.
I couldn't help the smile that spread across my face as I opened the door to reveal Bella standing in the corridor. A blush immediately formed on her delicate cheeks.
"Hi, Edward," she said quietly. How I loved hearing her say my name.
"Hello," was my genius response.
"Are you feeling any better?" she bit her lip in what I assumed was nervousness, though I couldn't for the better of me understand why she would be nervous.
"Much better," I smiled, then remembering that if it wasn't for her I probably wouldn't be feeling this good at the moment. "Thank you for, you know, um…" Great, now I was the one nervous. I was doing so well, "taking care of me and everything. It means a lot, Bella. Honestly, I don't know how well I'd be right now if it weren't for your excellent nursing skills."
She grinned, most likely at my rambling, "It was nothing. I didn't mind."
"Well, thank you. I just hope it doesn't happen again anytime soon," I laughed, though internally I was dreading the next time I might have to go through that. "Have you had breakfast yet?"
"No, I was just coming to see if you were up to eating anything today," she answered.
"I believe I am. Care to join me in the cafeteria?" I asked nervously.
To my relief, she smiled and nodded.
We walked into the cafeteria to find Alice and Jasper already seated. Alice noticed us right away.
"Edward! How are you feeling?" Alice asked.
"Immensely better, Alice, thank you," I replied.
"We weren't sure you were going to make it!" she joked but I had to agree with her, I did feel like I was going to die not too long ago.
"Neither did I…" I couldn't continue this conversation when I smelled the most glorious smell. Food. "Excuse me," I rushed to the front of the room and loaded a tray up with every type of food there.
When I came back I began not so elegantly shoveling the food into my face.
"Whoa, pace yourself, man," Jasper laughed. I looked over to Alice and Bella who also seemed to be suppressing laughter.
"Sorry," I grinned sheepishly, "I have eaten basically nothing the past few days; I'm starving."
Bella smiled a perfect smile, "It's okay, we understand."
It was back to 'school' today for me to my dislike. One of the good things that had come from being sick was having Mike-free time. Now, it was back to my Mike-filled days. Come back, nausea.
After a day of tutoring and avoiding Mike, all the while trying to fight back my desperate need for heroin, my day improved that much more with a pleasant visit to Dr. Reid's office. I took that time to add to my growing list of positive things from being sick: a day off from being interrogated by Dr. Reid.
I was sitting down outside of his office for no more than a minute when his door opened showing Bella. I automatically stood up, grinning like a lovesick idiot. No, not love…that can't possibly be it. It is just good to see my friend, is all. Yeah, sure.
"Watch out for him today, there's something up with him. He seems too happy," she whispered as she walked by. I nodded my head in acknowledgment even though I was aware that she was already gone.
I walked into his office to find Dr. Reid sitting at his grand desk. I most definitely did not miss the smug look on his face, as I sat down in front of him.
"Edward, it is good to see you again. You're feeling better I take it?" No, I'm feeling awful but I just missed you too much, I thought sarcastically.
"Yes, thank you," I replied politely. As much as I could dislike someone, my mother has always taught me to be polite. I was thinking about making an exception today.
He nodded his head in understanding and a short silence followed. Awkward. I knew for a fact that we were not going to get along in the next six months. I wondered if it was too late to request a different doctor…
"That's good to hear. How are you liking it here so far?"
"It's fine, the people have been nothing but nice to me, I've even managed to make a few friends," I figured I'd humour him today and reply with sentences longer than four words. He looked at me again for a second then looked down muttering what sounded like 'I've noticed'. What?I shrugged it off.
The meeting continued somewhat along those lines. The doctor asking meaningless questions and myself replying with meaningless answers; at least I hoped they were meaningless.
After the grueling half hour, I speedily made my way out of the confining office to look for Bella, Alice, and Jasper. I found the three in the TV room, Alice and Jasper daringly close to one another on one couch and Bella looking slightly uncomfortable on another. I flopped ungracefully onto the couch Bella was sitting on, with a deep sigh.
"How was your meeting?" she grinned knowingly.
"Please tell me you dislike Dr. Reid as much as I do," I said exasperatedly.
Bella let out a small laugh, "Oh you have no idea. You start to slowly go insane by the second month of meetings. Thankfully, though, after that month you only have to put up with him every other day."
That definitely perked my interest and I sat up straighter, "Seriously?" I asked, not even bothering to hide my excitement.
"Oh, come on, it can't be that bad," Alice put in. I looked at her like she was insane.
"You're kidding me, right?"
"Well no, me and Juliet get along just fine," Alice sniffed.
Once again, I stared at her as if she had some sort of disorder until Bella added stiffly, "Alice and her doctor are on a first name basis." I could tell by the way she spoke that Bella was a bit jealous. Wait—
"She has a different doctor?!" I pointed at Alice accusingly who stuck her tongue out at me.
"Why yes Edward, I do. So does Jasper here," she said innocently, poking Jasper in the chest who also grinned. "Is something the matter?"
"No," I narrowed my eyes at her, not about to let Alice get satisfaction out of my jealousy.
"Don't worry, Dr. Reid bothers me as well," Bella patted my hand. …I believe she just successfully stopped my heart. "He comes off rather arrogant, don't you think?" she continued as if she didn't just put me into cardiac arrest.
"Most definitely…I want a different doctor," I mumbled the last part, coming out more as a whine.
"Believe me, I tried and I was unsuccessful. You're stuck with him. He does have your best interest in heart though, Edward, he's really just trying to help…however annoying he goes about doing it," Bella added.
I found myself once again unashamedly staring at Bella as she mumbled profanities about the doctor. She was just overwhelmingly beautiful in every way. I was caught staring when she turned to me with a blush crawling up her neck. Our eyes once again seemed to be locked with one another's.
"Ahem," Alice cleared her throat. Both of our eyes snapped to the little form with her hands on her hips in front of us.
"Yes?" Bella asked nonchalantly.
Alice rolled her eyes, though a smirk was playing on her lips.
"We're going to dinner. Are you two coming or would you like us to leave you so you can continue staring at each other all evening?" she asked bluntly. It was my turn to blush.
I cleared my throat nervously, "No no, we're—we're coming," I stuttered. What is wrong with me? I stood up quickly and headed to the cafeteria, Jasper following me.
"I am so glad you came, you're definitely making things here more amusing," he laughed.
I growled lightly, "Shut it." This did not come across as threatening to Jasper like I had hoped. I sighed and continued walking as Alice skipped in front of us, Bella joining me on my other side. She looked just as embarrassed as I was. Good, I thought, at least I'm not the only one.
AN: …I don't even know about this chapter…I guess you can say it was a filler? Of some sort? Well, I had to follow up on Edward getting all sick. But yes, I realize it was probably utterly boring. I'll make the next chapter better, I promise (and much longer; I know this chapter was uber short). Am I particularly happy with this chapter? No, not really but I wouldn't post it if I thought it was downright awful. At least I hope it's not.
I hope to have the next chapter up within the week…though I haven't started writing yet. It'll probably be next weekend, but you never know. Sadly, I must go work on my French project. Hmph.
Thanks and review maybe?