For Your Eyes Only

Chapter Five - When They Went Home

I hardly spoke a word on the journey home.

I wasn't sure if Rose had noticed or not, but she seemed perfectly happy when we reached my house and was asking my opinion about an outfit she'd bought for the infamous party tonight. I nodded along enthusiastically, but kept automatically glancing at Edward who was looking at us both in apparent amusement. He rolled his eyes a lot, calling Rose what sounded suspiciously like a bimbo and I frowned towards him, resisting a smile. I didn't particularly mind that Rose was being so self-indulgent at this point (I was fed up with the attention being on me actually), but it was a little tiring after a while.

"I hate to say it, Bells," she began after cutting the engine, "but word's got around about the crash. Most of the school know."

A groan escaped my lips.

"Sorry, I couldn't really do anything about it."

"I know. It's not your fault." I stared ahead for a moment, making patterns out of the stains on the car's windscreen. A sudden thought popped into my head. "Hey, what happened to my truck, anyway?"

"I'm not sure," she frowned. "I'll find out for you."

"Thanks."

My hand moved to the door handle and I slowly stepped outside. Rose followed me to the front of the house and, after a quick look around, I saw that Edward was reluctantly following us, seeming a little uncomfortable. He was constantly fidgeting with his hands, an action that must have been infuriating for him, considering his touch was non-existent.

"Are you sure you'll be alright on your own?" Rose asked, lingering while I fumbled for my keys.

"I'll call you if anything's wrong," I assured her.

"You were supposed to call me last time and that never happened."

I ignored her and quickly opened the door. I walked inside and waited for Edward to hover in too. He was a little hesitant as always but eventually did so, still looking awkward and dawdling. Despite this, he glanced around, taking in his surroundings. It was a little weird to think that he was looking at my things but I tried my best to focus on Rose.

"Have a great time tonight," I said to her. "Don't get too drunk."

She laughed. "I can't make any promises. Although Emmett's not coming along now so I probably won't stay too long."

"Why isn't he going?"

"Oh, he got grounded," she replied quietly.

"What for?"

"You don't wanna know," she muttered, grinning a little.

"That's right, I actually don't," I laughed. "Anyway, thanks again, Rose and enjoy yourself. I'll speak to you over the weekend."

"Will do," she smiled. "And I hope it goes well with Charlie."

Slowly closing the door behind me, I let out a long breath and turned around to face Edward, surprised to find that I actually couldn't see him. I rushed forwards, looking around in the kitchen and up the stairs. Turning desperately towards the lounge, I sighed in relief, finding him there by the cabinet.

"God, don't disappear like that!" I cried, running a hand through my hair.

His head turned towards me. "Oh, sorry. I just wanted to have a look around."

I could feel my face flushing. "Feel free but some things are private, you know. Bear that in mind."

He seemed to ignore my reply because he pointed towards a framed photograph, making me wince. "Is that you?"

"Maybe."

"How old were you there?"

I sighed, sitting down on the sofa. "I was seven."

He seemed to be squinting, taking a closer look. "Are you with your mother and father?"

It was becoming uncomfortable for me so I just gave a tight nod, standing up and heading back towards the kitchen for some water. His voice found me, though, and it made me shiver as usual.

"Where are they now?" he asked. "I get the impression that you live here on your own..."

"Edward," I said, my voice sounding strangely firm. "I don't want to talk about this."

He nodded and, after a pause, asked, "Who's Charlie, then?"

"Do you have to ask so many questions?" I snapped, whirling around to face him.

"You asked me a lot of questions earlier," he replied. "Surely I can do the same."

"No," I frowned. "No you can't. I'm the one doing you a favour here... you can't push me around with personal questions! I barely even know you! You're a ghost, for God's sake! This... this is just crazy!"

His eyes widened at my sudden outburst and my face began heating up, probably growing pink. I took a long sip of my water and, after taking a deep breath, sat down in the lounge again. We were silent for a long time and the only sound I could hear was the steady ticking of the clock. I counted exactly one hundred seconds before he spoke.

"Sorry, Bella."

"Thank you," I replied quietly.

"How's your head, now?" he asked, clearly making an attempt to change the subject. I was grateful.

"It's fine, actually," I replied honestly. "Hasn't been bothering me at all."

A crooked smile crept onto his lips and I took a long look at him. I could actually see that he seemed a lot happier now, if that was really possible. Perhaps happy wasn't the right word... hopeful was more accurate. It was subtle, but his eyes seemed to sparkle a bit more now, something that made my stomach feel light.

"So what are your plans for today?"

His question took me by surprise. "I'm... er, I'm going to see somebody."

"Charlie?"

"Yeah. He's my father but I always call him that out of habit."

He didn't ask any more questions and I was suddenly feeling an urge to tell him more. It was easier talking about Charlie but when it came to Mom, it was physically impossible and quite painful.

I remained silent, debating to myself, as he continued to look around him. He seemed fascinated by all the photographs and also, oddly enough, the pillows on the sofa. After a few minutes, I decided to tell him. He'd revealed a lot of personal details about himself to me, so I kind of felt obliged to do the same.

I honestly believed it would make me feel better, too.

"He's in rehab at the moment for an addiction to alcohol," I explained in a rush. "I visit him every Friday night to see how he's doing."

"Oh," was Edward's reply and, from the look on his face, it was clear that what I had told him was the last thing he expected. "I'm sorry to hear that, Bella."

"Thanks." I paused. "He's doing well, though."

"How long has he been there? If you don't mind me asking," he quickly added.

"Just over a year. He might be out soon, though. It depends."

He frowned. "And you've been here on your own all that time?" I nodded. "How have you coped?"

"I just get on with it. And Rose comes around every now and then." I added with a shrug. After a moment's pause, I murmured, "I guess I've got you now, too. For company, y'know. That's all."

He smiled, his eyes softening. "You have."

For once, I wasn't feeling cold around him; a warm glow was spreading through my body, mostly focusing in my chest. Despite this, I managed to continue talking. "You were on your own too, though. You must know what it's like."

"Well I wasn't technically on my own," he replied quietly. "I was with my mother."

"Hmm," I murmured, unwilling to carry on any further. I was sure there was a lot he was keeping from me, but that wasn't my business. "Anyway, I'm getting something to eat." I stood up, heading towards the kitchen. "Um, is there anything you'd like me to do for you? Shall I put the TV on?"

He looked helpless for a brief moment but then nodded halfheartedly. "Yeah, that actually sounds... great."

I flicked on a random channel and he stared at the screen silently. I wished there was more I could do, but I really was trying my best.

Edward was strangely mute for the rest of the afternoon, quietly watching the television. I was curious about what he was thinking, but at the same time really didn't want to know.

The clock gradually crept towards five and, half an hour before, I was fully dressed, wearing my usual clothes when it came to this time of the week. I had on my black jeans and checked shirt, as well as a necklace Charlie had given me a few years ago; it was actually a locket with a picture of us both inside from my sixteenth birthday party. I always have it on as some kind of symbol and it makes me feel closer to him.

Slipping on my sneakers, I could feel Edward's eyes on me and eventually looked up to see him staring, a strange expression on his face.

"Is something wrong?" I asked.

He blinked, snapping out of his trance. "No. No, you just... you look... nice."

It was my turn to oggle. Clearing my throat awkwardly, I muttered, "Oh. Well, er... thank you."

He smiled briefly, turning his attention back towards the TV.

"I shouldn't be too long," I told him, reaching for my coat.

"Are you getting a taxi?"

"Yeah, seeing as my truck has mysteriously disappeared."

"It's probably at a garage somewhere," he pondered. "Although it's likely that the police took it away."

"Fantastic," I muttered. "Anyway, I'll be back in about an hour." There was the sound of a horn beeping from outside. "Ooh, that's good timing."

He smiled. "Do you... um, well do you want me to come with you?"

I thought about this for a moment. "No offence or anything, Edward, but I'd rather go on my own. It's something that's really personal to me."

He nodded. "That's fine. I understand. I'll just..." He raised his arms in uncertainty. "I'll just sit here for the time."

"If you're really bored you could go to the school party," I suggested.

He visibly shuddered. "Certainly not. I'd rather gouge my eyes out with a knife."

I blinked at his disturbing image. "Oh. Alright then."

A smirk played on his lips. "Sorry, that's disgusting."

"Yes," I grinned. There was another horn from outside. "Anyway, I'll see you later." I paused by the door, my hand on the knob. "Sorry."

"It's no problem. Have a nice time."

That was highly unlikely but I thanked him anyway. When I was making my way towards the taxi, I thought of how surreal my life had suddenly become. I had just been talking to a ghost... teasing him, even.

And I'd liked it.

The taxi drove off and I sighed, glancing back towards the house. I swear I could see Edward watching me in the window and I contemplated giving him a small wave.

Then I thought against it, wondering what the driver would think. Waving to thin air is probably filed under insanity.

The visit with Charlie went well, but it was mostly exhausting.

Of course the first thing he spotted was the great big cut and stitches on my forehead and he immediately demanded an explanation of how that happened. After telling him all about that, he gave me a rather long lecture about careful driving and I had to just nod along, trying to look interested.

I was supposed to be there to find out about him but he was there revolving the conversation around me.

Eventually, I managed to find out how he was doing and he seemed positive. He'd had a good week, apparently, and even the workers around us thought he'd be leaving soon. He hadn't touched a drop of alcohol for over six months now.

I was so proud of him. I couldn't even begin to imagine how difficult it all was.

Walking back through the door, I reached in my pocket for the key. It took a lot of time to find the actual hole, mainly because it was so dark, but when I'd eventually managed to do so, I stumbled inside, flicking on a few lights along the way.

"Edward?" I called.

I waited for a few moments but there was no reply. The silence in the house was quite eerie; all I could hear again was the irritating sound of the clock.

"Edward?" I repeated, louder this time. I took off my coat and walked into the lounge, not seeing him there. The TV was still on, though, and I frowned, looking in all the other rooms. I explored the kitchen, the bathroom, all the bedrooms, the basement.

Everywhere.

He was nowhere to be seen.

My heart began pounding and I yelled out once more, purely out of desperation. I looked in all the rooms once more just to check, but it was a waste of time. I even resorted to checking the back garden and around the front with my torch.

Despite all my efforts, it soon became clear that he had well and truly disappeared, and I felt terribly scared.

"Edward!"