It was completely clear now.
I was crazy and I always had been.
I was making up stories from fairy tales and myths to stop myself breaking down. Jacob told me all the stories, from the canoes to the Cold Ones, each of them getting me more and more involved in them. I was hanging on his every word. It was odd, when he started speaking about the vampires, he was judging my every reaction. I was practically brimming with excitement but he was looking at me like…well, I was crazy. Of course, I was, but I didn't need other people knowing that. They were bound to find out sooner or later anyway.
As expected, the Cold Ones got me really interested. They sounded just like Edward, exactly like Edward. Enough strength to stop a truck? I think so. The treaty was quite interesting as well. I liked the way that two enemies could live in peace, with being only a drive away. Jacob seemed to carefully avoid this subject. I didn't know why.
"Bella?" His eyes were tense, he seemed to be very tense these days.
I grinned. "They were great, Jake. Thanks." He smiled and we walked back along the beach.
"I'm glad things are back to normal, Bella."
"Me too."
I couldn't remember normal.
He looked out to the sea.
I collapsed…
…And opened my eyes…
The science lab again, but this time…This time they were blood typing. I felt my stomach summersault. Mr Banner grabbed Mike's hand and went through the procedure of pulling out the needle. I lay my face on the table top and noticed Edward wasn't there. I frowned and then felt very, very, very sick. Mr Banner came over and said something to me.
"I know my blood type…" My words were slurred.
I didn't hear what happened next but somehow, Mike ended up taking me with his arm around my waist. I would have told him to get off but I was in no state to.
When we were out of Mr Banner's view I sat down on the pavement.
"Wow, you're green, Bella." Mike said. I ignored him.
"Bella?" My saviour! What took him so long? "What's wrong – is she hurt?" He knelt down beside me, eyes worried.
"I think she fainted. I don't know what happened; she didn't even stick her finger." Shut up, Mike!
"Bella." This was getting embarrassing. "Can you hear me?"
"No." I groaned. "Go away."
He laughed a magical laugh.
"I was taking her to the nurse but she wouldn't go any further." Mike defended.
"I'll take her. You can go back to class." Yes Mike, go back to class.
"No, I'm supposed to do it."
And suddenly I was off the ground, speeding away.
"Put me down!"
"Hey!" Mike called after us but we were too far away for him to do anything.
"You look awful." He grinned.
"Put me back on the sidewalk." I groaned. He held me gingerly away from his arms and I knew why. Him being so cold and all.
"So, you faint at the sight of blood." He smiled. I didn't answer, I was concentrating on not throwing up in my sleep. He continued. "And not even your own blood."
The air got warm, telling me we were inside and someone gasped.
"She fainted in Biology." He explained. I opened my eyes and he carried me into the nurse's office, lying me down on the bed. The nurse looked up.
"She's just a little faint. They're blood typing in Biology."
"There's always one." I heard a muffled snicker.
The nurse looked at me. "Just lie down for a minuet, honey; it'll pass."
"I know." I sighed.
"Does this happen a lot?"
"Sometimes." Edward coughed to hide another laugh and the nurse got it wrong.
"You can go back to class now."
"I'm supposed to stay with her." He said it with such authority and control she didn't press it further.
"I'll just go and get some ice for your forehead, dear." She bustled out of the room.
"You were right." I moaned.
"I usually am – but about what in particular this time?"
"Ditching is healthy."
"You scared me for a minute there." He confessed, like it was the worst thing ever. "I thought Newton was dragging your body off to bury it in the woods."
"Ha ha."
"Honestly – I've seen corpses with better colour than you. I was concerned that I might have to avenge your murder."
"Poor Mike. I'll bet he's mad."
"He absolutely loathes me." He said cheerfully.
"You can't know that."
"I saw his face – I could tell." I'm sure you have other ways Edward…
"How did you see me? I thought you were ditching."
"I was in my car, listening to a CD." That was very human for a vampire. The nurse walked in with a cold compress in her hand.
"Here you go, dear. You're looking better."
"I think I'm fine." I said, sitting up. Ms. Cope, the receptionist stuck her head in.
"We've got another one." She warned. I handed the compress back to the nurse.
Mike staggered in through the door, supporting another boy who was in our Biology class, Lee Stephens. We drew back to the wall to make room.
"Oh no," He muttered. "Go out to the office, Bella."
I just looked up at him. Why? Oh, then I smelt it.
"Trust me – go."
I spun around and dashed out of the door before it shut. He was close behind me.
"You actually listened to me." He looked stunned.
"I smelled the blood." I said, wrinkling her nose.
"People can't smell blood."
"Well, I can – that's what makes me sick. It smells like rust…and salt." He stared at me in utter amazement.
"What?" I asked.
"It's nothing." Mike walked in.
"You look better."
"Just keep your hand in your pocket." I warned.
"It's not bleeding anymore. Are you going back to class?"
"Are you kidding? I'd just have to turn around and come back."
"Yeah, I guess…So are you going this weekend?" To the beach?" His eyes flashed towards Edward with hatred. He was just staring into space, but I was sure he was listening intently.
"Sure, I said I was in."
"We're meeting at my dad's store, at ten."
"I'll be there."
"I'll see you in gym, then."
"See you."
Mike looked at me, made a slight pout and walked off.
"Gym." Urgh.
"I can take care of that." He moved towards my side. He spoke in her ear. "Go sit down and look pale."
Anything for that voice. I did as I was told as he walked over to the front desk.
"Ms. Cope?"
"Yes?"
"Bella has gym next hour and I don't think she feels well enough. Actually I was thinking I should take her home now. Do you think you could excuse her from class?"
"Do you need to be excused, too, Edward?"
"No, I have Mrs. Goff, she won't mind."
"Okay, it's all taken care of. You feel better, Bella."
I nodded weakly as he walked back.
"Can you walk, or do you want me to carry you again?" He said sarcastically, his back to Ms. Cope.
"I'll walk."
He held the door for me, smiling politely, eyes mocking.
"Thanks." I said as he followed me out. "It's almost worth getting sick to miss Gym."
"Anytime." He squinted in the rain, looking forward.
"So, are you going? This Saturday, I mean?"
"Where exactly are you going?" He was expressionless.
"Down to La Push, to First Beach." I looked at him. His eyes narrowed.
"I don't really think I was invited." He glanced down at me from the corner of his eye and smiled wryly. That explained a lot. I must have got him from the stories if he wasn't even allowed on their land in my dreams.
"I'm inviting you." Was I?
"Let's you and I not push Mike any further this week. We don't want him to snap." His eyes danced.
"Mike-schmike." I walked towards my truck, the truck that still sat in my drive. Something caught my jacket and pulled me back. Edward…
"Where do you think you're going?"
"I'm going home."
"Didn't you hear me promise to take you back safely home? Do you think I'm going to let you drive in your condition?"
"What condition? And what about my truck?"
"I'll have Alice drop it off after school." He pulled me towards the sliver Volvo.
"Let go!" He ignored me. To be perfectly truthful, I didn't want him to.
He let me go by the passenger door.
"You're so pushy!"
"It's open."
"I am perfectly capable of driving myself home!" I was fuming outside. The rain had got harder. He slid the automatic window down and leant across the seat.
"Get in, Bella."
I didn't answer. I was guessing my chances of beating a vampire in a race to my truck.
"I'll just drag you back." He threatened. I gave up easily and got in.
"This is completely unnecessary." Yes, it was, but I liked it…He turned the heater up and the music down. I couldn't stop myself. "Clair de Lune?"
"You know Debussy?" He looked a lot more shocked than me. I mean, if I did make him up, it was only right I gave him my choice in music right?
"Not well. My mother plays a lot of classical music around the house – I only know my favourites."
"It's one of my favourites, too." It was too good to be true. I sat in my thoughts as he did too, listening to the music dance around us.
The dream changed.
I was out shopping with Angela and Jessica. I instantly knew I was dreaming because this would never, ever happen. More specifically, we were in a shop with lots of dresses. They were both holding one and were standing in the queue for the changing rooms. I was standing, waiting with nothing in my hands, just a messenger bag on my back. They obviously were shopping for the school dance. It's odd how my mind had a calendar of events that came in order.
They came out of the shop, talking about some gossip or other. I told them I needed to get some books for school and I left them, making my way downtown. I wandered the streets, looking for a shop that looked big enough for some sort of decent reading. Nothing yet. I turned left and there were some men walking – well, it was more of a strut really – and laughing, attracting my attention for a millisecond. The 'leader' saw me looking and called me over. I ignored them and kept walking. When they turned back to follow me I got worried, but I could loose them because I was quite far ahead. I took a few back alleys, not the smartest move but they got me where I needed to go – or at least I thought they did. Two of the men were behind me and there were three in front, each were coming closer and closer. I was being herded. I tried desperately hard to remember how to fight back. Running wasn't an option, I'd just trip. Screaming, that was good, it would get a lot of attention. I'd kick the first in the shin, crotch and stomach and then use the same technique on the others.
A car screeched around the corner, headlights blazing and I could see that it was going to hit me. I looked around, even the thugs seemed shocked. Maybe this wasn't one of theirs. To our shock, it fish-tailed around and the passenger door swung open.
A voice growled at me from inside. It was amazing how I was just encased in safety and how all my troubles just left, then and there. I didn't hesitate. Why would I? Amazingly handsome vampire who I had practically fallen in love with or a gang of thieving idiots?
He was tense, his hands clenched the steering wheel and his knuckles were turning white against his marble skin. His jaw was clenched too.
He was pissed.
I was scared.
I felt my lips move but I couldn't hear the sound. I saw his lips move too but I couldn't hear his angelic voice either. I scowled but it didn't show on my face of worry. He looked livid.
The loud purr of the engine told me how fast we were going but I really didn't care. Sleep would be the only time I'd get to see Edward so I just faced him, drinking in everything about him, no matter how angry he looked. But why couldn't I hear him now?
We pulled up by some restaurants and I saw Jessica and Angela coming out of an Italian restaurant. I didn't ask how he knew where they were, must be a vampire thing.
He told me that he was taking me to dinner but I still couldn't hear his voice. At the moment, however, I didn't care, him taking me to dinner would be just as good. We got out of his silver Volvo and went over to talk to them.
Jessica and Angela's eyes opened wide as they saw me with Edward. I told them what happened and then Edward said I should eat. I still could hear his voice but I knew what was happening. Angela said something about already eating and then Edward said something about how I really needed to eat. They left soon enough. I turned to Edward and told him I wasn't hungry. Then his voice broke through. The amazing angelic voice I had missed for so long.
"Humour me."
My eyes fluttered open and I cursed. Hospital again and in that private room. I was really getting sick of the mint green walls that just stared back at me and how they were so familiar and the fact that I couldn't place them no matter how hard I tried. I exhaled angrily. The whole room was annoying me because I could see a sunny day through the pale blinds, the oh so rare thing of Forks. I was alone in the room which was just fine. My craziness was getting worse by the minute. I mean, come one, I was agitating myself with the colour green. I sat up.
A copy of Pride and Prejudice sat on the table by my bed. I was glad for something to do before I had to talk to people. Great, now I was pulling myself into seclusion.
I was always a fast reader and I was practically a third of the way into the book when Dr. Jones came in with Charlie. The sun was setting and they both looked shocked. I stared back at them both, slowly closing the book. There was nothing wrong was there?
"Bella?" Charlie was the first to speak.
"Yes?" I raised my eyebrows.
"Thank god!" He hid his face in his hand and his frame shook. I could tell it was bad.
I looked over to Dr. Jones, calmly. "Could you tell me why I'm sitting in a hospital bed, again, please?"
"Oh, well, um," he was stuttering. "You're meant to be in a coma. As in you were in-"
"A coma!" I suddenly felt shattered. "How?"
"Well Bells," Charlie recovered and stepped in. "You collapsed on the beach, Jacob drove you to the hospital, again, and well, here you are. It seems to be becoming a recurring thing. I'll go and call him now. He's anxious to see you." Charlie pulled out his cell phone and walked out of the room. I turned back to my doctor.
"How long have I been in said coma?"
"Oh, um, about three days." It wasn't that long.
"And you knew it was a coma because…?"
"You had all the symptoms and you were unconscious up until now." He was slowly regaining control. I had to admit, it did sound a lot like a coma.
"What now?"
"Well, we obviously can't send you home straight away now, after all this. We'll need to check on you, so I'd say we might let you go on Sunday. We'll have to see how you do." I wasn't missing all the repeating.
I groaned out loud without meaning to. "Are you okay?" Dr. Jones pulled out a stethoscope and walked towards me.
"Yes, I'm fine. I just don't think I'll be able to stand being here all week with nothing to do."
He laughed a throaty laugh as the ice cold stethoscope touched where my heart was. It reminded me of something I missed…
"There doesn't appear to be anything wrong as such, but we will have to check up on you every hour today. It's not normal for someone to wake up like there was nothing wrong." When was my life normal?
Charlie came back in at this point. "Jacob's on his way now, Bella."
I nodded. Dr. Jones left after looking at a few machines and writing something down on the clip board at the end of the bed. If I had been out for three days, it was Tuesday. I looked at Charlie. He held a coffee and a paper. "What's the time?"
"Oh, um." He looked at his watch, careful not to spill the coffee. "It's about five."
I nodded again and pulled the covers up higher. I could hear rain starting up outside. Sun in Forks was always too good to be true. Charlie went to sit in the foam chair by my bed. I closed my eyes.
Edward was always hidden behind my eyelids. His un-tidy bronze hair, blowing in the wind. His muscled arms, his marble skin, his cool lips…
Yes, I was crazy. I was falling in love with a dream. A wonderful, amazing dream that I couldn't get enough of. I knew I was mental and I knew I should do something about it, but quite honestly I was a lot happier just pretending to be normal. My mind would often go back to the dream in this very room. The shock of finding out I had jumped off a cliff had made me make up an angel. A vampire angel, yes, but that was the beauty of it all.
Beautiful yet deadly.
Reluctantly, I opened my eyes, knowing I should sleep but something wouldn't let me. Charlie was sitting, reading the paper. I looked up by the window that looked into the rest of the hospital.
I thought I saw a small girl with short, inky-black hair walk down the hall but by the time I finished blinking, she had gone.
I sunk back into dreams of Edward, where I knew I would be safe.
My last thought was that I knew I was in love.
A/N: My internet broke today and I've had nothing to do but type. This thing was about nine pages long and so was the other one but I won't post it unless I get more than ten reviews today/tonight. The next chapter does have an Edward POV but it focuses on Alice more.
Review and I see a cookie in your future.
Emma
PS: Yes, I spell humour with a 'u' because I'm British.
