A/N:

Hello my dear readers! I'm sorry it took me so long to update!

Last Tuesday was the release of the final installment in the Mortal Instrument series; City of Heavenly Fire. I got it in the mail that day and I wanted to read it immediately. The beast was 725 pages so I didn't have any time to write this chapter. But I did after I finished it yaay :). The book was amazing and had a fitting ending, so I recommend the series to anybody who likes their fair share of science-fiction ;)

Okay now onto this chapter. It's a filling chapter, but some nice events happen which will also have impact on the future chapters, so I hope you like it.

Disclaimer: Twilight doesn't belong to me in any way ( ). I'm just playing with what the lovely Stephenie Meyer created.

This chapter is unbeta'ed. All mistakes are mine.

Have fun reading! And please review!

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Previously on Stay:

His face slowly came closer, and for a second I thought he was going to kiss me. To a certain extend he did; his lips touched my forehead with care and left a smoldering kiss there. He then moved me so that my head was tucked underneath his chin and my face was buried in his chest. I grabbed hold of his shirt and relaxed.

Would I have minded if he kissed me? Would I have pushed him away? Would I have welcomed it?

One thing I did welcome, and that was the sleep that took me. I felt so safe and sound in Edward's arms. His scent calmed me in a way nothing else could. I couldn't help but think back to his face when he saw me again after I had left him in the meadow to go on my unintended adventure. Was it just friendship or might it have been more?

I sighed contently and fell into a deep and restful slumber.

Chapter 6

BPOV

I woke that night several times, and each time we were in a different position. He had spooned me for most of the night which was surprisingly good. His warm breath on my neck, his arm protectively around my waist and his legs intertwined with mine. Right now we were back at where we started and I was watching his peaceful and sleeping face.

His dark eyelashes feathered on his soft cheeks and a little crease had appeared between his eyebrows. I moved my hand to smooth it out and it did. The arm around my waist tightened a little, but not uncomfortably so.

I had no idea what time it was, but sunlight was coming through the gapes of the blinds. I traced his face with my eyes, welling in the feeling of calm and peace.

I had been surprised to wake up to him, since I had expected my parents to kick him out of my bed once they saw how close we were lying. Every time I woke up, I was happy to find him next to me, sleeping soundly.

I closed my eyes moved one of my arms to lie over his waist and the other to lie flat against his toned stomach. The darkness enveloped me once again and gave me dreams of songs, flowers and guitars.

~Stay~

"Hey, Alice," I greeted one of my best friends. She was standing next to my locker, looking at her phone in a very interested way. Every time I looked around the hallway, I met people's stares and weird looks.

"Hey," she greeted back without looking up.

"Did you have a nice weekend, Bella? Yes, it was amazing up until some point, thanks for asking," I mumbled, and apparently Alice didn't hear me.

I opened my locker and grabbed some books before walking with long strides to my homeroom.

Soon I heard some footsteps running towards me and slowing down once they reached me.

"I heard you were missing," Alice mentioned.

My book bag was slowly slipping off my shoulder, so I readjusted it. I was actually surprised she knew and I wanted to know how but I kept my face uninterested.

"How'd you know?" I reached in my bag and grabbed my wallet, checking whether or not there would be enough money for me to buy lunch. Mom had said that she would stuff twenty dollars in there but I think she forgot. Again.

Damn, I should get a job. I don't want to ask Emmett every time she doesn't give me any money.

"It's all over Facebook and twitter. Some people even made pics with you huddled in a blanket with Edward nearly choking you to death with a hug. It was in the Forks newspaper from this morning too. Here," she shoved her phone in my face and I saw the picture.

"Isabella Swan gets kidnapped" was the headline of the Forks newspaper.

"No, no, no, no. I didn't get fucking kidnapped!" I yelled and half the school population looked at me. I didn't mind attention in particular when it's shared with another person, but more than 50 pairs of eyes directly looking at you is just mentally disturbing.

I clutched my bag close to me and ran outside towards the picnic tables.

After a little while, I felt two arms wrap around me and a voice whispering words at me.

"What's up, little sis?" Emmett asked. "I saw you running away from that pixie like she just told you she killed your hamster," he remarked. It was meant to diffuse the tension, but it didn't work at all.

"Have you seen the headline of the paper from this morning?"

Emmett shook his head and frowned. "No, why?"

Indeed why, Bella. Why would you even ask that? You know Emmett never even comes close to the paper.

"It said that I had gotten kidnapped and Alice told me it was all over Facebook and twitter too. How did they even know?" I didn't want to cry, but I felt a droplet fall on my cheek, so I wiped it away hastily.

Emmett undid his arms from around me and scratched the back of his neck, not meeting my eyes.

"Yeah, that would be my fault," he said guiltily.

"Why? Emmett, what did you do?"

"I might have posted on Facebook and twitter that you were missing and that we could use everyone's help to find you. Also, I might have forgotten to delete the tweet once you turned up again."

I palmed my forehead.

"Well, there's nothing I can do about it now anyway. Let's get back inside," I pulled on Emmett's arm and we split up to go to our separate classes.

I didn't want to think so easy about it. I would've loved to take away everyone's phones and wipe their memories before entering the school, but I knew that it would blow over soon anyway.

~Stay~

After waking up next to Edward that morning, he had rushed to get home, change and have breakfast which resulted in not having enough time to pick me up too. I had reluctantly taken Emmett up on his offer of driving me to school. Strangely enough, neither of my parents had said anything about Edward staying over. We were now sitting in the cafeteria surrounded by our friends; Emmett, Rosalie, Jasper, Alice, Angela and Ben. All of which were couples; yay Edward and me.

"I heard there was some kind of commotion this morning?" Edward asked. He was seated on the chair next to mine, a tray with a slice of pizza, an apple and a bottle of Gatorade in front of him.

"Nothing to worry about," I said and took a bite from my apple. Emmett hadn't brought enough money for the both of us, so I only had enough for an apple.

"Aren't you going to eat anything else?" Edward was holding his slice of pizza in his hand and pointed at me with it.

"My mom didn't give me enough money," I tried to laugh it away but I was sure it must've looked fake.

He brought his slice of pizza towards my mouth and I took a bite from it.

"Thanks," I said through my mouthful. Edward nodded in welcome and took a bite himself before washing it away with some Gatorade. I watched his Adam's apple bob up and down with his swallows. It was surprisingly entertaining. Not to mention it turned be on a little bit.

What? I said only a little bit!

We finished our lunch and the group of friends around us fell into the background as we made easy conversation.

"Hey, did you want to try some more songs in the music room?" Edward asked.

"You mean right now?" I clarified.

"Yeah, why not?"

"Uh, sure," I grabbed my bag and tray, as did Edward.

"Hey, where are you two turtledoves going?" Emmett asked, a smile reaching his eyes.

I rolled my eyes at him. "None of your business, Emmy-bear," Rosalie chuckled at my nickname for him.

"If you're going to make out, don't be ashamed. We've all seen it coming for a while now," Emmett winked at me and Edward, who was emptying his tray into the container.

I flipped my dear brother the bird and moved towards Edward, balancing my tray on both my arms so it wouldn't fall.

"Love you too, sis!" Emmett yelled over the noise of the cafeteria. I felt the eyes of around 60 people bore into my back but ignored it. Instead I let my dare-devilish self overtake me and balanced the tray on one arm so I could flip Emmett the bird one final time.

After emptying the tray, Edward and I walked to the music room, closed the door and he began strumming on his guitar while I took place on the bench behind the piano.

"Titanium?" I asked, smiling to myself. That one song I was pretty proud of. We had made our own version of it, which was way different from the original version.

I turned around on the bench and looked at Edward.

He smiled and nodded at me, so I began my musical adventure with the black and white keys. I sang, and Edward focused on the guitar. At several points Edward would sing too, to let my voice sound stronger.

"You shout it loud
But I can't hear a word you say
I'm talking loud not saying much
I'm criticized but all your bullets ricochet
You shoot me down, but I get up

I'm bulletproof, nothing to lose
Far away, far away
Ricochet, you take your aim
Far away, far away
You shoot me down but I won't fall
I am Titanium
You shoot me down but I won't fall
I am Titanium

Cut me down
But it's you who had offered to fall
Ghost town, haunted love
Raise you voice, sticks and stones may break my bones
I'm talking loud not saying much

I'm bulletproof, nothing to lose
Far away, far away
Ricochet, you take your aim
Far away, far away
You shoot me down but I won't fall
I am Titanium
You shoot me down but I won't fall
I am Titanium
I am Titanium
I am Titanium

Stone-hard, machine gun
Firing at the ones who run
Stone-hard, this bulletproof glass

You shoot me down but I won't fall
I am Titanium
You shoot me down but I won't fall
I am Titanium
You shoot me down but I won't fall
I am Titanium
You shoot me down but I won't fall
I am Titanium
I am Titanium
I am Titanium"
***

We both played the last few notes and were surprised by a round of applause. When I turned around I was met with four people, big smiles on each of their faces. The school's music teacher – Mr. Wright – was clapping enthusiastically together with our biology teacher – Mr. Banner. My brother and his girlfriend were there too. Emmett was whistling and Rosalie delivered a smack to the back of his head. Thanks for that, Rose.

I felt my cheeks heat up and hid my face behind a curtain of my hair.

Emmett ran towards me – which I could hear by his gigantic heavy footsteps – and enveloped me in a bear hug.

Insert his nickname here.

"Sis! That was amazing! Since when can you sing like that?" He pointed an accusing finger at Edward. "And why didn't you tell me she could?"

Edward held his hands in the air, a sign of innocence.

Mr. Wright walked towards us; Edward had come to sit on the other side of the piano bench and had kissed my forehead. I felt little jitters in my stomach when he did that.

"Bella, Edward, that was amazing!" He praised us. "Why don't you apply for the talent show? We only have a few acts and you'd top them all! Do you have any other songs you could perform?" he rushed out.

"We do, but that's beside the point. I don't even know if I want to do it, Mr. Wright," Edward said. I swatted his arm.

"Of course you do, that would look great on your college application!"

"I do, but I didn't think you'd want to. I mean, there will be a crowd," he chuckled and realization hit me.

Did I want to do this? Like Edward said, a few hundred people would be watching me sing and that made me feel very vulnerable. But on the other hand, this would help Edward in the future. Who was I to take that away from him? I knew it sounded good and I'd do anything for Edward to get his music scholarship at Juilliard. Fuck it.

"What do we have to lose? Let's do it, Edward."

"Really?" He looked shocked and surprised.

"Really," I confirmed.

He nodded happily. "Okay, we're in, Mr. Wright,"

"Okay, please give me a three-minute tape of material before Friday. Will you be able to deliver that in time?"

We looked each other in the eye, and nodded.

"I could give you some extra time, if you could need some? I understand this is pretty short notice –"

I interrupted him. "We can make it, don't worry."

"Okay, then. I can't wait to hear what more you got up your sleeve," he walked away and took Mr. Banner away who had stuck around. Emmett and Rose were nowhere to be seen.

I wrapped my arms around Edward.

"O my God! I can't believe I'm doing this!" I exclaimed.

My head was comfortably tucked into the place where his shoulder met his neck and I was gripping his shirt in my fist.

"Are you sure you want this? I can understand if you don't," Edward said.

"I'm sure. A hundred percent," I confirmed.

I let go of my death grip on the back of his shirt.

"Okay, let's beat them all," Edward smiled and kissed my forehead one more time.

At that moment the bell rang, which indicated us to go to our final classes of the day.

We grabbed the stuff we had taken with us and left the music room together.

"Hey, are you still up for ice skating this afternoon?" Edward asked while walking down the hallway.

"I had completely forgotten, but sure! I need to go home to put on some other clothes first though."

"That's okay. Shall I drive you home after school then? I brought my stuff already."

I nodded and we separated to get to our respective classes.

~Stay~

Those last few classes dragged. The clock seemed to be ticking slower than normal and my head felt heavier.

"Hey, Bella," Angela greeted me while in class.

"Hey," I said but kept taking notes.

"So, how are you and Edward?" she asked.

"What do you mean?" I knew damn well what she was talking about.

"Duh. Denial is not only the river that runs through Egypt, you know?" I smiled at Angela's attempt at a joke but kept writing anyways.

"I can't believe you can't see he's into you," Angela grabbed one of my pens and began writing a note. Apparently she figured out that I wasn't planning on replying to her.

He likes you, you know he does. And so do you ;)

I grabbed the note, wrote something, crumpled it and threw it back her way.

No he isn't, Ang. Now, get off my back. I had written.

She got the hint luckily, and backed off.

After the final bell rang, I collected my shit and shoved it into my bag all at once.

"In a hurry?" Angela commented. I loved that girl, but right now I could scratch her eyes out.

"Fuck off," I said and exited the class room.

I went to my locker, went home with Edward, changed clothes and off we were to Port Angeles to go ice skating. We had also packed some snacks for the ride there and were now nibbling and munching on the Twizzlers and Sour Patch Kids I had managed to grab from the cabinet before leaving.

I was looking through Edward's CD's with a Twizzler hanging from my mouth.

"What are you in the mood for? Muse, Kings of Leon, David Guetta or Imagine Dragons?" Edward was pulling a very attractive face after putting a Sour Patch Kid on his tongue.

I wouldn't mind pre-tasting one for him.

Woah, where did that come from?

"Kings of Leon," Edward answered and soon Closer blasted from the speakers. I turned up the volume some more and sang at the top of my lungs. Edward did too. He opened both the front windows and my hair was flying into all directions. Edward had his left hand out the window, tapping the top of the car on the beat.

When the track was over, it moved to Sex on Fire, which was one of our favorite songs. This time, instead of singing we yelled the lyrics. I unbuckled myself and began throwing my head around in the car, losing myself to the music. Edward grabbed the steering wheel in his left hand and intertwined the fingers of his right hand with mine. I was having a blast, enjoying the feel of freedom. Edward brought my hand to his lips and kissed my knuckles. I looked into his eyes and lost myself there. Again.

Yes, I know. You're probably thinking; she loses herself in his eyes often, what a simple girl. No – no, you've apparently never seen Edward Cullen's eyes. Because if you had, you would have known that you can lose yourself in hem 24/7.

"Edward, watch out!" I screamed. A tree came closer and a car behind us horned. He let go of my hand and grabbed the steering wheel in both hands, gripping it tightly. Soon we were back on the road, driving toward our destination, instead of our final destination around that tree.

I held my hand over my beating-way-too-fast heart and buckled myself in again.

"Your beautiful Volvo was almost folded around that tree right there!" I yelled.

"I know, okay! Nothing happened; just go on singing, or whatever. But turn that shit down first!" he snapped.

I knew it was the shock that had Edward act like this, but I was shocked too. I pressed the off button and soon we were alone and silent again. Edward had rolled the windows up again too.

I was matting my hair down by patting it, but seeing from Edward's mess mine must've looked the same, which meant it was unfixable for me.

"Sorry, okay? I was just startled. I didn't mean to snap at you like I did," he reached out for my hand, and I gladly gave it. He rested our hands on the gear stick.

"I know," I said.

"I'm really sorry. I should've been more careful," Edward chuckled. "You're pretty distracting when you're letting yourself that free," he smiled at me and his grin was crooked. I laughed.

We held hands the entire ride to Port Angeles; I liked it, enjoyed it, and loved it.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

A/N:

That was a close one! Please tell me what you think! Reviews are much appreciated!

***: Titanium by David Guetta ft Sia. This particular situation was inspired by the acoustic version performed by Madilyn Bailey. The song doesn't belong to me in any way, I just used it.