Disclaimer: I do not own any products, services, or copyright materials. Just having fun.
A/N-Same old stuff-Excuse any of my mistakes, PLEASE REVIEW and COMMENT seriously it makes me motivated to write! Thank you for your continued support. Enjoy.
BPOV-
Jake looked at me strangely when I began to laugh, not just laugh, hysterically laugh. I mean the relief that flooded my body was evident. I laughed until I cried so much so that Jacob started laughing too.
"What's so funny?" he managed to get out before he was choked again with another hearty laugh.
"It's from the Tanya." I tried to stay between breaths. "An invitation" I began again and I couldn't help burst out the last part. "To a sleepover." I lost it all over.
"A vampire sleepover?" Jake tried to be angry but the irony was too much for him. He belted out a laugh so hard the car shook.
We sat there for an unknown amount of time laughing, making jokes, pulling ourselves together only to start over again. I needed this. I needed some time with Jake to just blow off steam. It helped me relieve some of the tension.
I didn't realize how late it had gotten until I heard a tap on the window of the car. I assumed it was Charlie but instead Edward staring at me, his face was masked but his eyes were hard.
I rolled down the window and smiled at him.
"Hi" I said shyly.
Edward didn't reply instantly instead he looked at me strangely for a moment. He seemed out of sorts, not himself. Finally after what seemed like an eternity he spoke with an even clipped tone.
"Can I talk to you please?" It was more of a polite command than a question.
"Sure" I said unsure of why he was upset.
"Alone." He demanded pulling open the car door. I could see the restraint he was using to keep from damaging Jakes car. He was definitely angry.
I sighed. I knew where this was going and apparently Jacob did as well.
"Don't let him make you feel guilty" he clinched his perfect teeth "We didn't do anything wrong."
"I know Jake and he does too, I'm sure this isn't about you." I stared directly at Edward when I answered. I stepped from the car and Edward closed it with a loud pop.
I turned back toward the car and leaned inside. "I'll see you tomorrow right?" I asked expectantly.
"Yep I'll be here on time." He promised starting the engine. He glared one more time at Edward before peeling out of the driveway; his car coughing a thick black cloud of smoke.
"Contemptuous mutt" Edward swore under his breath as he stared displeased.
"You're doing it again" I muttered.
"Doing what?" he huffed.
"Sulking" I accused.
"I am not sulking. I just find my girlfriend cozied up with her enamored pubescent playmate more than I can handle this evening" he condemned.
"Well gee Edward; I'm sorry our laughing together bothered you. I'm sure next time Jake and I can think of something else to annoy you." I ground my teeth.
"That's just the point Bella! There shouldn't be a next time!" he argued fisting his stone hands.
"Edward, you have to learn to trust Jacob like I have to trust you with Tanya!"
"Tanya? What do you mean? There isn't anything going on between me and Tanya" he said anxiously.
"Exactly, just like nothing is going on with me and Jake!"
"So I'm supposed to just ignore you two meeting up in the middle of the night?" He pressed.
"Yes…Just like I have to wonder why Tanya answered your phone!" I countered. "Is something going on between you two?" I tossed out knowing that there wasn't but hoping he would see how ridiculous he sounded.
He seemed caught off guard for a moment. "NO…of course not...she lost hers...Asked if she could borrow mine until she got it replaced."
"And Jake brought my coat home." I tried to keep the irritation from my voice.
He reached for me and I entered his arms. "I'm sorry Bella. I am overreacting to an extent. I don't trust Jacob...not in the least but you I do trust. My greatest fear is losing you. That threat seems more and more possible every time I see you two together."
He looked down at me and kissed my forehead. "You are my world, my everything. The sound of your heart is the most significant sound in my world. I don't know what I would become without you. "
"You won't ever have to find out." I promised.
"If that is true than say yes Bella. Please. Marry me." He whispered in my ear.
"We've been through this Edward" I said shivering not only from his closeness but also the falling temperature. I had almost forgotten we were outside. "I can't, not yet. I'm not ready."
His rigid posture deflated briefly. "I wish I knew why you continue to refuse me perhaps if I understood could cure you of your misgivings." He murmured holding me closer. "Come on let's get you inside before you catch pneumonia. I really don't think I could stand it if I had to see you hooked up to any more machines, I've had enough of that torture to last my eternity.
Charlie was long asleep as we slipped inside. Edward waited patiently as I finished my nighttime routines and tucked me into bed like a child. He rubbed my hair for a long time as I leaned on my blanket neatly spread over his chest.
"Bella love" He started.
"Yes" I murmured sleepily.
"What was so urgent that you needed to speak to me about…" he began.
I thought for a moment. Should I tell him? No. Tanya and her sisters were the only ones in the house. Edward had even said that they were trying to make up for the way they had acted previously. Alice was so excited she was actually having a sleepover she couldn't contain herself. Why would I want to worry anyone? Besides I was beginning to worry about Edward. He was looking unhealthy, even for a vampire. Too much stress not enough feeding. His eyes still showed deep dark tinted rings. I felt bad for him.
"Chemistry notes" I yawned. I forgot mine." I lied.
He nodded quietly. "Bella love" he asked again nervously.
"Hmmm" I mumbled.
"I need to tell you something" he stumbled almost choking, his voice sticking on the last words." Something I've needed to tell you for a long time. Something important". It didn't even sound like him, his words lacked their usual confidence.
"Hmm?" I opened my eyes sluggishly.
"Bella, um, well, I don't know how to... this is so much harder than I thought." He argued with himself.
"Can you tell me in the morning?" I pleaded.
I heard him sigh in an odd mixture of relief and frustration "Yes I suppose so" he whispered and kissed my head as I heard his sweet voice begin to hum
Xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxxoxoxoxooxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The next day was torture. I was awoken bitterly in my sleep by a shrill sound of the smoke detector. The first thought that entered my head was that Victoria was burning down my house that is until I heard the clanking of pans and Charlie swearing loudly.
I searched for Edward in my room but was he had vanished. I tried to think if I had heard him leave but I didn't the last thing I remembered was Edward awakening me from a bad dream followed by him coaxing me to take medication. I still feeling a little warm as I headed downstairs but missing school at this point wasn't much of an option. My attendance was almost a county matter now, especially after the recent nurse's visit. I was probation. The only reason I was still eligible for graduation was Edward and Alice helping me catch up in my classes so quickly.
I reached the kitchen where the smell of burnt bacon made my nose curl. Charlie turned and gave me a half smile. "I tried." He offered.
"You didn't have to do that" I stared at him grateful.
"You do so much around here, I kind of think sometimes that you forget who is the parent." He sighed. "Sometimes I think I forget too." He seemed embarrassed.
"I don't mind Dad, really but Thanks" I reassured him and he just gave me a wink.
"I have to work a double tonight, so I probably won't be home until Sunday." He frowned. "If you need anything call the station or Billy." He ordered.
"When do you go back to Spokane again?" I asked knowing that he had to return in order for them to evaluate his performance. His never made it the first time.
"Well thankfully the convention is over but I have to go rehash a bunch of bull with the head honchos. It's Friday after next. Do you think you can stay out of trouble while I'm gone this time?" he scolded.
"I think so" I promised. He gave me a look but let it drop.
I fixed a bowl of oatmeal before going upstairs to dress. I almost had a heart attack when I found Edward sitting on my bed.
"God you scared me!" I grabbed my heart. I wasn't used to him coming back in daylight hours with Charlie still here.
Edward looked solemnly at his hands.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
"Last night, you were having a bad dream…you were hot, feverish. I went to get you something, I was worried." He frowned. "I found these."
He held up a bottle. One that I hadn't seen in a long time.
"They're nothing." I tried to ignore him embarrassed.
"I took them to Carlisle; he told me that they were for …"
"You had no right!" I sputtered in shock.
"I had every right!" He shouted without raising his voice." Why else would you need Anti –depressant pills dated a week after I left?"
"I'm not discussing this with you." I grabbed the bottle violently from his hands.
"Why didn't you just tell me?"
"Because it's none of your business; I hardly took them, I don't take them now. "
"You don't get it do you?" he blurted. "I don't like you keeping secrets from me!"
"I don't"
"You do…Jacob, these pills, whatever it is you think you're hiding from me now. I know there something I'm not sure what but I can feel it in here." He beat on his chest.
"Bella" Charlie voice vibrated upstairs. "You're going to be late!" He yelled.
"Crap...Edward."
"I know" he sighed. "You have to go."
"You aren't coming?" I pouted.
"No. It happens to be senior skip day remember?" he smiled. "Besides the weather is supposed be nice."
" Can we talk later? Charlie won't be home."
"Jacob?" he scowled.
"I will try to be finished by eight." I promised.
He nodded, kissed me briefly and headed out the window.
School was the same misery that it always offered without Edward…without anyone really. Alice wasn't around either nor were Angela or Jessica. No one from our senior class really except those who actually enjoyed coming to school or those of us who were in desperate need to make up time and classes in order to graduate…like Mike.
He followed me everywhere in between classes, stalked me practically. He sat at the same table at lunch and we did make polite conversation about work but I didn't feel comfortable. I didn't trust Mike and for good reason. When school was out I walked out to find my tires slashed.
"Looks like you got an enemy Swan" he clucked as he entered Jessica car. "Better luck next time!"
I threw a book at him but he was already gone. I didn't know how I'd replace them. My shifts at Newtons were increasingly far and between these days. I really don't think it had anything to do with Mike. His parents remained cordial and always tried to accommodate me in any way they could but I think the store itself was suffering from cutbacks and with Mike's medical bills it was hard for them to pay anyone more than a few hours a week. They were trying to split up shifts in order to keep from letting go any of the employees but that didn't help my college fund. Asking Edward was out of the question. Maybe Jake could find me a set. I would ask him this evening.
I was grateful to get a ride home with Mrs. Cope. She ranted about the vandalism these days. Youth with too much time on their hands. I was glad the ride was a short one.
I checked the mail, cleaned up the kitchen from Charlie's breakfast attempt and started reading a little on my history project. I had gotten the idea from Edward that I might talk to Jasper about his time in the civil war. I thought it was brilliant and was actually excited at the prospect.
Jake rang the doorbell precisely an hour late.
"You told me you would be on time!" I accused.
"Something came up. Pack business. I brought you something though." He held up a box that used to be in the shape of a square but now was dented in the side.
"The package from my mom" I smiled looking forward to something good happening for once today.
I laid it on the kitchen table and tore it open.
I screamed almost immediately as the snake coiled from the box.
Jake jumped in front of me, knocking the chair into the table. He grabbed the snake and took it outside. I'm not sure what he did with it. When he returned I was sobbing and shaking. He helped me to the couch.
"Bella what the hell was that?" he asked confused.
I poured the entire story to him starting from the beginning, Edward, Tanya, Everything. He listened patiently and nodded his head.
"I'm here to help Bella." He promised. I don't know whose doing this to you but I will find out."
He pulled me close and wiped the tears from my eyes.
"I'll protect you"
I hugged him tightly. I felt so much better finally sharing my secret; Knowing that I wouldn't have to fight this alone.
"Bella as much as I hate to say this" Jake gritted his teeth. "You really need to tell Edward. He needs to know what's been going on. You can't hide this from him forever."
"Don't bother." Edward snapped from the doorway. The furry in his black orbs was undeniable. I had never seen them so dark.
He looked between us, at our embrace, and for once I could read his mind.
"Wait Edward" I begged pushing Jacob away from me as he headed toward his car. "Edward please" I sobbed. "Please talk to me, it's not, I didn't …talk to me….stop please.
Edward turned a look at me the look I'd never seen masked on his face. It held disappointment, betrayal and worst yet disgust.
"Isabella" he said my name so stiffly so despondent I felt my blood run cold. "If I stop now I will kill him."
I watched helplessly as his tail lights glowed in the Twilight and knew that Edward would never forgive me. We were over. There was nothing I could say or do that would change his mind. That night while Jacob slept downstairs on the couch, I kept replaying the events in my head like a movie rewinding always hoping for a different ending but never getting one. Finally I couldn't stand it anymore, I went opened the drawer and rambled through it until I found what I was looking for, the bottle of pills Edward stole from me earlier. I took the medicine inside and blissfully awaited the numbness of my thoughts.
A/N -Thanks again for reading. Again sorry for any and all mistakes. Your thoughts are appreciated so please review. It's starting to get more interesting now. Next up a sleepover with Alice…and Tanya. Fun ahead! Do you guys want an EPOV? I didn't know if you wanted the story to run like Til I see you again... or not. Let me know. All Bella or a mix EPOV. I really would like to hear your thoughts on the story so far. Thanks for reading.
Ali