AN: Who's ready for some Edward/Bella interaction?

Thanks to Jasperbells for beta-ing this chapter. And huge thank you's also go to team jazper, Lister1777, sujari6, babylopez2008, Solar571, and april666king for reviewing.

I can't believe this fic now has over 60 reviews! You guys make me want to keep writing- so thank you!

Enjoy...

Bella

I haven't left my room all day. I told Charlie this morning that I was sick. He didn't seem to want to question it, so he called the school on my behalf to let them know I wouldn't be in for the day.

I'm just so tired…

… of everything.

I haven't been looking forward to today. This is one anniversary that I don't want to be a part of, but also one that will stay with me for the rest of my life. Today is exactly one month since the death of my mom.

I think I'm allowed to grieve for her in my own way, so if that means that I need to take the day off from school then so be it.

It actually surprises me how quickly this month has passed. I guess I spent the first half of it in some sort of denial anyway… or maybe it was shock, I don't know. I was so consumed by my thoughts of nothingness that I wouldn't have realised what day it was. I spent my time trying to block everything out so it wouldn't add to the pain I was feeling- that I'm still feeling. I know that it isn't going to go away overnight.

I'm physically and emotionally exhausted. My body is still trying to heal itself after my period of prolonged food deprivation. I think I've put on a couple of pounds though at least, so I'm starting to look better. I wouldn't say I'm healthy yet. The bags under my eyes are a huge giveaway.

When I look in the mirror, I don't like who I see staring back at me. She looks lost… and almost lifeless. Her eyes are a dull shade of white, and her hair has lost its natural volume and shine. Her skin is pale, and maybe even a little grey. She doesn't smile anymore.

I know that everything takes time and that I just have to be patient. The pain that I felt at the loss of my mother seems to have lessened, although there are times when I feel I can't cope with it. I would never admit that to anyone though. Who would I talk to about it anyway?

Charlie? He has difficulties as it is with trying to talk about things.

Alice? I don't think I would get a word in when she starts to talk. Besides, I'm not sure if I'm ready for her to know just yet. I don't want to have to deal with the sympathy, or the pity.

There's always Esme.

Talking to her last night made me feel so much better, like some sort of weight had been lifted by uttering that one simple sentence. Now someone else knows that I've lost my mom, and I don't feel guilty for burdening her with that information.

Instead, I instantly felt better than I had done in a long time. But then Edward… what if he overheard? Could that be why he decided to apologise? He didn't exactly want to be around me, and that hurt. It still does.

Why have I let Edward make me feel so… rejected? I can only assume that the way he makes me feel has added to the chagrin I'm experiencing today.

When I first saw him, I didn't know what to think. I immediately felt embarrassed though. What if he had seen more than he was letting on? He got me so angry when he denied that he'd even met me before. He must have said it to cover up something, and what if that something was that fact that I was trying to ease my pain the only way I knew how? If that's true, then I guess I should thank him for keeping it a secret from the rest of his family.

But there's something else, something that I wish I could deny and forget about. I don't think I can even explain it properly. You could say it felt like some kind of pull. When I took my first step away from him, it was like my heart was telling me to stop and to turn back around.

I mean, what the hell?

And when it was just me and him in the kitchen… I could feel myself becoming anxious. It didn't make sense at the time so I just shrugged it off. But now that I have the time to think about it, there's something about him that makes me nervous… a good kind of nervous though, if that's possible.

Urgh, I need to stop thinking about him.

I need something to do. I obviously didn't think through having the day off school. It's just left with me with time to think and that's not what I want.

I wonder… Esme said I was welcome any time. Would she be okay with me turning up? Everyone else should be at school or work, so it'll just be me and her.

Before I can change my mind, I get up from my desk chair, grab my keys and leave the house. Charlie got round to getting a key cut for me, so now I can come and go as I like. I don't think he wants another repeat of my breaking and entering.

If Esme isn't in, then I'll just go for a drive and explore the area- anything to not be stuck in that house and staring at the same four walls all day.

Edward

There's not much to do when my siblings are at school. At least I'll be joining them on Monday, although I'm not sure how to feel about that. School is monotonous when you have to repeat it over and over. I probably know more about the subjects than the actual teachers do. But it gives me something to do, but I'm still apprehensive about starting.

Bella will be there.

I left her quickly yesterday evening. There was only so long I could stay in the same room as her. I think she must have wanted to continue her conversation with Esme anyway. I noticed that her heartbeats slowed down the longer I left her alone. I must make her anxious.

I've decided to stay away from her, as far away as possible. Her scent is too tempting, and when she blushes…

Even now, when she's nowhere near me, she can make me loose it. I can feel the venom collecting in my mouth at the thought of the colour of her blush.

Beautiful.

What- did I seriously just think that?

There must be something wrong with me… she's human. I hate that her scent has so much power over me. She's only a girl yet I feel so weak around her. Jeez… I thought I was the one with supernatural abilities.

I go over to my piano. Playing will get her off my mind, I hope. There's a certain melody that's been going around in my head over the past couple of days. It became more pronounced last night, like I could hear the beginning of it clearly. Now's the time to get it down onto a music sheet, while there's no one else around.

Except- it's not just me anymore. I can hear the roaring of an ancient engine in the distance, coming from the top of our driveway I think. I've heard that noise before.

Bella.

What is she doing here?

Shouldn't she be in school?

Why didn't Alice see this?

What should I do?

I can't call anybody. They're all in lessons, or at work. Esme is volunteering down at the library. She won't be back for another hour.

Before the truck gets to the house, it stops abruptly. It sounds like the engine has stalled or something.

"Crap," I hear Bella mutter from where she is.

It sounds like she might need some help. Should I?

Bella

"Crap."

What did I do? I thought that Jacob guy just rebuilt the engine. Did I stall it? No, I don't think so. I double pumped the clutch like I was told to.

I take the keys out of the ignition and get out of the cab to take a look at the engine, not that I know what I'm looking for.

I close the door behind me and look up.

Edward.

I didn't hear him approach me. Where did he come from?

"Uh, I'm sorry…" I say, looking down at my shoes. Here come those nerves again.

I take a deep breath and look up.

Why is he just staring at me?

"My truck-" I add.

"I thought I heard it," he cuts in.

How is that possible? I knew it was loud. Where did he come from?

"Um… right."

He inches closer towards me but we're still a few metres apart. A part of me wants him to be even closer than he is. The distance is too much, so I take a step forward, mirroring his actions.

He grimaces. He actually looks like he might be in pain.

Am I that repulsive?

"I'll just call my dad," I tell him quietly, "and get him to pick me up… I'm sorry I bothered you."

"I can take a look, if you want me to?"

I'm taken back by his offer. I didn't expect him to be polite to me.

"You really don't have to. I've already interrupted enough of your day."

"It's no problem. Get in and steer while I push."

I do as I'm told slowly, so I don't make an idiot of myself.

Edward pushes my truck down the rest of the driveway. I peer at him through the mirror. It looks like he's doing it effortlessly.

He stops pushing so I apply the break. Putting on the handbrake, I get out and join him again. He pops the hood of the truck to take a look at the engine.

I can only seem to manage staring at him while he works. It doesn't take him long to figure out the problem.

"Your spark plugs need a clean. This one here is clogged up with oil. It should be fine after that."

"Uh, okay. Thanks."

"You look like I just spoke in another language," he says with a smile.

Is he joking with me?

His mood swings are giving me whiplash.

"Sorry, I don't speak Car and Driver," I say bluntly. It feels like he's making fun of me.

He doesn't say anything, walking back in to the house instead.

I watch him leave. Urgh, what have I done? He was helping me. Now I really will have to call Charlie to come and get me.

I take out my phone from my pocket and scroll down to find his number. As I'm about to press send Edward reappears with what looks like a nail file in his hand.

He quietly gets back to work. I watch him as he removes a part of the engine and puts the nail file through it.

"What are you doing?" I ask, confused.

"Cleaning out your spark plug," he states.

Right.

"So," he begins, "what are you doing here?"

"Um, I was hoping that Esme was in."

"Oh. She won't be back for another hour or so. She volunteers down at the library on Friday afternoons," he informs me.

"Right," I'll remember that in future, not that I can see myself doing this again.

Edward places the spark plug back into place.

"Try the engine now," he tells me.

I open the truck door and lean over to turn the key in the ignition. I think I hear Edward say something, but I choose to ignore it. Whatever it was is quickly drowned out by the roar of my truck's engine.

"You did it," I smile at him. I'm half tempted to give him a hug, but somehow I don't think he'd like that.

He closes the truck's hood as I turn off the engine.

"Thank you," I tell him sincerely.

"No problem."

"Uh, I'll just… come back another time," I say as I turn back to the door of my truck.

"You could wait," he tells me. "I don't mind."

"I don't want to interrupt anymore of your day."

"You wouldn't be."

I take a look at him. It genuinely seems like he wants me to stay. I can't find it in myself to say no to him.

I nod my agreement.

He walks away from me so I follow him in to the house. It still amazes me how big and beautiful this place is. It looks even bigger during daylight hours.

I take my jacket off. Edward immediately appears behind me to help.

I can feel a blush appear on my cheeks. I'm glad he can't see.

I hear him take a deep breath.

He places my jacket on the chair beside the door.

"Would you like something to drink?" he asks me quietly.

"No, thank you."

He walks around me so that he's now facing me.

"What would you like to do then, Bella?"

Edward

Why did I ask her to come in again?

Oh yeah, that's why- I'm a masochist.

I find myself slowly adjusting to her scent though. I still get the odd urge to pounce on her, mainly when she blushes… or breathes, or speaks.

So, all the time then.

And now we're stood facing each other. All we seem to be able to do is stare.

Someone needs to break this silence.

I take a step back and say, "Make yourself at home."

I need a little breathing space.

She opens her mouth to speak as I turn away from her. I don't hear her say anything so I keep walking away.

I look down and notice that my hands and clenched into fists. I also notice that I need to wash the dirt and oil off from Bella's truck. I make my way into the kitchen.

As I finish washing my hands, I hear the tinkle of my piano and the beginning bars of Clare de Lune being played. The sound draws me towards it. It can only be one person.

I didn't know she played.

I stand in the door way, listening to the piece play out. She seems lost in concentration so she doesn't notice me. I don't want to interrupt either.

As she reaches the end, she looks up and locks eyes with mine. She immediately jumps up.

"I'm sorry," she blurts out. She looks a little upset, like she's been caught doing something she shouldn't.

"It's alright," I reassure her, walking closer.

What are you doing, Edward?

I take a seat on the piano bench next to where Bella stands.

"Sit," I tell her.

She immediately does so.

I can hear the thrumming beat of her heart increase with each breath. I look up from the keys and notice that she isn't breathing.

"Breathe, Bella."

She seems shocked, as if she hadn't realised what she was doing.

She nods as starts to breathe normally, bringing down her heart rate.

I feel better as I hear it decrease.

Bella looks at me. I realise that it must be because I've been staring at her. I can't take my eyes away from her exposed neck. I can literally see her pulse underneath her skin. I can hear the gushing of her blood in her veins. I can smell her scent all around me.

It's too much.

Before I realise what I'm doing, I feel myself lean in towards her, her neck in my line of sight.

AN: Oh dear! Will he or won't he?

Let me know your thoughts with a review, or let me know if you want to see something happen. I might be able to work your suggestions in.

Thank you for reading!

Until next time...

Oh, by the way- I've just started reading Emancipation Proclamation. I would seriously recommend it. http : / kharizzmatik-ep . blogspot . com / 2009 / 08 / prologue . html (Just remove all the spaces)