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This is chapter 17.

Chapter 17

Edward's Decision

"Bella..."

Hmm...who's that?

"Bella...it's time to wake up, sweetie..."

The voice...it was different with the last one I heard.

"Bella...if you're not wake up now, you'll miss Edward's session."

Edward?

Oh!

Edward!

My eyes snapped open immediately and I was greeted with Kate's grinning face. I blinked and rubbed my eyes. I looked again and it was still Kate. "Kate? What are you doing here?"

Kate's eyebrows shot up. "What am I doing here? This is my office, Bella and you're sleeping in my office."

Oops!

Oh yeah, I forgot I was sleeping on the couch. I blushed. "Sorry."

Kate smiled. "No, it's alright, Bella. I heard from Margaret that you need your sleep and she said you probably slept on my couch."

I smiled back. "I'm so tired. Sorry."

She chuckled. "Don't worry about that, Bella. Are you feeling better now?"

I took several deep breaths and ran my hand through my hair. "I think so. Thank you for letting me sleep here."

Kate shrugged and walked to her desk while I was sitting on the couch. "No problem, Bella. You need some sleep, by the way. You've been working so hard since you got here two months ago."

I nodded glumly. "I can't believe my time is almost over."

Kate smiled and sat on her chair. "I guess you like this place."

I looked at her. "More than like, Kate. I love this place."

Kate raised her head and smiled again to me. "That's good. I told you before these kids will teach you lots of things."

I smiled slightly. "What will happen to them after they released from this place?" I asked her again. This was the big question I've always wanted to ask Kate since I knew these kids.

Kate sighed. "Well, it's all up to them. They could continue their education and mostly they did."

I swallowed. Suddenly I remember what Carlisle told me about Kate and Garrett meeting in this place. "Is there any chances for them to become a volunteer here?" I asked cautiously.

Kate stopped for a moment and I studied her reaction. She looked surprise and her eyes unfocused for a moment. And then, she cleared her throat and continued to what she's been doing. "Probably."

I nodded mentally. Her answer was a confirmation enough for me. If she willingly talks to me about her past, then she will. But, if she's not, I won't push her.

"Why did you ask, Bella?"

I blinked. "Huh?"

Kate looked at me. "Why did you ask the last question?"

My heart skipped a beat. What should I say? I mostly couldn't tell her I knew her story from Carlisle. "No reason," I answered almost automatically.

Kate and I stared at each other and I began to feel uncomfortable from her gaze. She's not angry, to say the least, but she's curious. She knew I know something.

And then, she nodded slowly. "I just hope you don't believe so easily on what other people say about certain people."

I chuckled darkly from her words. Well, it's ironic. Because all the people in this place have said Edward is dangerous, but he's not. I smiled slightly and grabbed my bag from the floor. "Honestly, Kate, I've heard enough rumors in this place."

I stood from the couch and I could feel Kate's eyes bore to my back. Before I fully got out from her room, I turned around and looked at her. "Don't worry, though. I've never listened to those rumors until now. You can ask Margaret or Edward."

The look from Kate's face was priceless to see.

I smiled grimly. "Thank you for the couch, Kate. I'll see you around."

I turned around and walked out from her room without looking back.

I looked over for Edward all over the place, but I couldn't find him. I was about to spend my time with Margaret when I remember she has her therapy session this afternoon and that left me with no schedule. I sighed. Well, that's great. I fell asleep in Kate's office, left her office with unpleasant impression and now I got nothing to do.

I took a deep breath and then I heard my stomach growled. I grimaced. Yeah, I forgot I missed my lunch. I walked over to the cafeteria and hoping I could have my lunch there. I was lucky when I got there because they still had some food left. I placed my food on my plate and grabbed a glass of water before I walked to a vacant table near the window. I sat on the chair and started to eat my lunch when I heard familiar voice outside.

No, it's not just familiar voice.

It's Edward's voice.

And not just his voice...he's laughing!

I blinked and turned my head to look outside the window.

There...outside the window I saw a scene I've never imagined since I started my volunteer program in this place.

I saw Edward playing soccer with other kids. He looked so carefree and untroubled...and suddenly my heart fluttered. Seeing him like that sending shiver all around my body and my heart felt warm. He ran on the filed, chasing the ball and sometimes hit other kids playfully...his hair was in complete disarray and his T-shirt was half dirty, but I saw something from him.

This is the real Edward.

I gasped when I realized something.

I was indeed fall for him, both the real and disturbed Edward.

I was shaking slightly when I recognized the feeling. The attraction I felt for him, the caring I gave to him...it was all my love for him.

I continued to look at Edward playing soccer when one of the kids caught me staring and nudged Edward. He looked at the boy and then the boy motioned his head to my direction. I quickly looked back to my plate when Edward stared at me.

I really hope he didn't realize I was staring at him.

I started eating my lunch slowly and then I felt someone sat on the chair in front of me. I looked up and saw Edward smirked at me. His eyes glinted and my heart fluttered again in my chest.

"Hey," he said.

I blushed slightly. "Hey."

Silence.

"Um...how are you?"

I raised my eyebrows and chuckled. "Oh, Edward...that was so cute. Come on! Seriously! You asked me like we are just knowing each other."

He grinned sheepishly and ran his hand through his hair. "Sorry...I'm just happy to see you again."

I smiled and began to eat my food again. From the corner of my eye, I could see Edward looked over to the window where the kids continued to play without him.

I swallowed my food and drank my water. "Just play with them, Edward. I'll be fine."

Edward looked at me and I shivered when I saw his eyes. "Sure, Bella. I will play again with them." He leaned over and smiled coyly. "With you."

I went rigid.

Is he kidding me?

"W-what?"

Edward grinned and lay back on the chair. "I will play with them along with you."

I blinked several times and laughed nervously. "Don't be ridiculous. I can't play soccer."

He scoffed. "Like I would believe that. Your dad thought you how to play dart. I don't believe it if you can't play soccer."

I rolled my eyes. "Soccer is a boy thing. I don't understand the rules of the game."

Edward shrugged. "It's simple. Just kick the ball, never let your opponents get the ball and make a goal."

"Uh-huh. See? It will be better if you're the one who play, not me," I said again.

"Please? Just one game," he pleaded with his eyes.

And honestly, who could resist those eyes.

I pursed my lips and looked over to the window. Seriously, I've never played soccer before, but somehow I believed Edward won't let anything happen to me. I looked back to Edward and he still studied my face.

I sighed. "Alright. Just one game, though."

Edward's eyes lit up and he grinned. "Great. So, are you finished?"

I nodded slowly.

"Come on," Edward grabbed my hand and I took my bag quickly. Whoa! Where did he get the energy?

We were half running to the field where other boys were still playing. They stopped playing when they saw the both of us. I could feel my cheeks were getting warmer, mostly when I realized Edward was still holding my hand.

"Hey, Edward. Ready to play again?" the tallest kid asked him.

I didn't quite remember the names of the kids here even though I almost spent my two months here. I recognized their faces, but not their names.

Edward smiled slightly and shrugged. "Yeah. And Bella here...she wants to play too."

I looked at him in disbelief and quickly turned to the smirking boy. "Oh, no...he asked me to play, but I already said no. Look, I think I will just sit there and-"

"Oh, come on, Miss. It will be fun. We won't bite," another kid told me.

I looked over to their faces and I could read hope and excitement. I looked over to Edward who smiled tenderly at me and my heart skipped a beat. I could bet not a single volunteer ever playing along with the kids. And even if Carlisle or Kate will kick me out of this place after catching me with them, it wouldn't be a matter to me. My time was almost up anyway.

I took a deep breath and nodded. "Ok! I'm in."

"Yey!"

"Alright!"

"Come on, Miss."

"Yeah, Bella."

My heart felt warmer when I saw their excitement. I put my bag on the ground and started to walk to the field with Edward. All the kids were gathering now in the middle of the field and one of them held the ball.

"Alright...now, Miss Bella...our game is quite simple. No basic rule, just don' try to hurt anybody and try to make a goal. That's all. You will be with Nathan's team," he pointed to another kid and he nodded to me while I nodded back," and his team is Edward's opponent. Is that okay with you?"

I shrugged. "Sure. Why not?" Opponent or not, I will play with all of them.

"Ok, let's do it."

I followed Nathan and the rest of my team to the other side of the field. "Have you ever play soccer, Miss Bella?" Nathan asked me.

I blinked. "Well...just the basics. I used to play with my dad and my best friend back in my hometown, but it didn't consider as playing soccer."

They all chuckled and then Nathan smiled at me. He was a cute boy with light brown hair and hazel eyes. "That won't be a problem, Miss. This is not World Cup. We're just playing for having fun. So, are you ready?"

I grinned. Seeing them so carefree made me relax a bit. "Count me in."

They all grinned back and we made a strategy on how to make a goal. It was simple, though. I was just told to try to bring the ball and pass it to another kid while he was the one who shoot the goal. Well, let's see how it goes in the field.

After everything was set, I tied my hair into ponytail before we returned to the center and so was Edward's team. He smiled at me while I narrowed my eyes. I knew he was come up with something.

"Ready?"

We stood at our position and then I heard the whistle. I was half running following my other team while one of them passing the ball to one another. When we were getting closer to the opponent's defense area, I ran faster and took the ball before Edward blocked my way.

"Where do you think you're going, honey?"

My heart almost leapt to my throat and then he grinned.

I narrowed my eyes. Oh, no...he won't get that so easily.

I smiled sweetly and then I saw Edward blinked several times. His eyes were unfocused for a moment. Sensing my opportunity, I ran again and knocked him to the ground accidentally. I passed the ball to my team mate as planned and then indeed he made a goal.

I jumped up and down while the other kids in my team laughed. I looked over to Edward who sat on the ground and now I felt guilty. I walked over to him and offered my hand. He looked up and I smiled. "Nice try, dude."

Edward rolled his eyes and took my hand...before he pulled me down with him. I yelped and fell to the ground...on top of him.

Our faces were so close to each other and my heart was beating so fast, I was sure Edward could feel it.

He looked at me tenderly. "What's wrong?"

I blinked. "I...uh...I thought you will make me fall to the ground."

Edward scoffed. "Bella, I'd rather kill myself than to let you fall to the ground."

I blushed. Oh, my...

"Hey, guys...are you going to ogle to each other there or are we continue playing?"

I was sure my face would deep red while Edward chuckled. He helped me get up on my feet and we continued to play. The game ran smoothly and I could see it was very good. We all laughed or teased each other. Sometimes Edward hugged me from behind or tucked my hair behind my ear whenever he got the chance. The other kids ignored our PDA or pretending it never happened; and for that, I was grateful.

The game won by my team and we all felt exhausted, but so happy. I looked over to my watch and realized it was almost 5 pm. My time was almost over. I thanked all the kids for letting me play and hugged them one by one. They all returned my hug and wish for me to play with them again. I smiled sadly. I just nodded.

I watched all of them walked to the main building while Edward still sat on the ground. I looked over to him and sat next to him. He was drenched with sweat and so was I, but I didn't care. He offered me a bottle of water and I gladly took it.

"So, what do you think?" he asked me.

I shrugged. "It was not so bad. I consider playing soccer more often."

Edward grinned. "Told you."

I smiled.

"But, is it true that your time here almost over?"

I nodded slowly and played with the bottle in my hand. "Yeah, next week is my final week." I looked at him. "What about you?"

He smiled glumly. "Same as you."

I furrowed my eyebrows. "What do you mean by that?"

Edward sighed and drank from his bottle. "My therapist said I was qualified to leave this place."

I shivered. I didn't know what to say. Happy, yes...relieved, of course...but, I also felt sad because I won't be able to see him again. And maybe we couldn't have a relationship.

"Are you happy about that?" I asked slowly.

He smiled. "Happy, yes...but also...sad."

"Sad?"

I looked at him, but he was looking to the ground. From the corner of my eyes, I saw a tall figure in the main building and I turned to see Carlisle stood at the window from the main hall. It was obvious he could see us both or maybe he was there all along, watching me playing with the kids. Carlisle smiled slightly and then turned around. He walked out from the main hall until I couldn't see him again.

"Bella?"

I looked over back to Edward. "Yes?"

He looked at me with his beautiful green eyes. "I already made my decision."

I blinked. "What decision?"

He stared deep at me and my heart fluttered again. He didn't remove his gaze from my face when he said, "I will return to Harvard."

Bella plays soccer? Hehe...

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