So sorry it took so long to write. School +the anount of thought for me to write something this long a long time to publish

Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight or any of the characters. Stephanie Meyer does.

Bella POV

I woke up in a cold sweat, as usual. My dreams were of my mother, and Charlie, but this time it was different. This time, following me, but never bothering to help, was Edward Cullen, who stood at the top of the stairs behind Charlie, looking mildly curious. I screamed to him, but when I asked for help, he only smirked.

Rolling out of bed, I got dressed quickly and headed downstairs to fix breakfast. My stomach growled hungrily as the smell of pancakes drifted up, but now that Charlie had become informed of my eating, he was on red alert and would probably do a full inventory of the pantry every afternoon. When Charlie came downstairs, he said nothing as I set the plate down in front of him. He didn't seem as drunk today, which should be a good thing for someone. But for me, I preferred him when he was far from sober, and his hits were less accurate. He was also less creative when he was finding ways to hurt me.

As I brought over a pitcher of orange juice, he held out his leg, making me trip and spill it all over myself, and probably get a new patch of bruises on my back. He chuckled to himself, and turned back to eating. Getting up, I ignored my clothes and got him a glass of milk instead. I didn't leave the room. That was one of his unannounced rules. You never leave the room until Charlie is satisfied.

When he nodded slightly, I knew he was telling me to leave.

I ran upstairs to my room and changed my orange splattered shirt into the only one I had left.

"BELLA!" Charlie thundered. "GET DOWN HERE!" Jumping, I sprinted down the stairs and skidded to a stop in the kitchen. "I expect that wall to be clean by the time I get home." I followed his pointing finger to gaze at the wall, and suppressed a gasp. Charlie had taken all of the condiments he could possibly find and painted the wall with them, smearing everything together. "Now, if I find even a speck of food, you will be in for it." He looked at me, scrutinizing. "Maybe I should give you a taste of what should happen if I do find something." He walked up to me and punched me in the stomach, knocking the air out of me and making me knock over the kitchen table.

He walked out the door then, still chuckling. Once he was gone, I let out a muttered stream of profanities and got to my feet, righting the table. I pulled the sponge out from the sink and got to work on the wall. After about ten minutes of working on the same spot, I gave up and pulled a bucket of white paint and a roller out of the closet. I took a damp rag and wiped the extra off, then started applying a fresh coat of paint to the wall. By the time it was done, it was past nine o clock, and I was going to be late for sure.

Stuffing everything back into the closet, I threw on a thin hoodie and set off for school. It was very foggy out, and I barely even noticed the silver Volvo sitting in the driveway. I was taken aback for a millisecond. Why in the hell was he here? Pulling myself together, I walked right past him and down the sidewalk. I heard a car door slam shut behind me.

"Bella, wait!" Edward called.

I wheeled around. "What?!"

"I've come to apologize for yesterday, and to offer you a ride," he said, his voice pleading.

I rolled my eyes. "Thanks, but no thanks." His car did look warm, and it was chilly outside today. And hey, it's a free ride, even if it is with one of the most annoying people on the face of the earth. Maybe I should take it...

I refocused on his now disappointed face, measuring his expression as I said. "Well, maybe just this once, if you don't mind..." He gazed up at me, a tiny spark of hope flaring. Then he smiled, and walked over to take my bag from me. I followed him wordlessly over to his car, and into the passenger seat. I didn't dare show any emotion. No need for him to get the wrong idea.

When we set off, I heard music in the background, a tune that hadn't reached my ears since I was eight. Claire de lune...

I had begun to hyperventilate when Edward stopped the car. "Bella! What's wrong?"

I couldn't speak. "M-m- mom..." I gasped, struggling to form words. He took my face between his hands, staring me in the eyes as comprehension formed on his face.

He seemed to be internally debating something until he hesitantly pulled me to his chest. I stiffened for a minute, then relaxed as his wonderful scent calmed me down.

"Shhhhhhh..." he murmured. We sat like that until my breathing slowly came back to normal. Then he released me. I scooted back to my seat and looked down, finally becoming embarrassed over the scene I had just had.

"Sorry about that. My mom used to play that for me around the house before she died. It just brought back some memories."

"It's fine, Bella,"he said gently. We looked at each other for about a half a minute, until Edward's perfect voice broke the silence. "So, are you ready to go to school now?"

I nodded.

Edward was starting the car when I noticed the time. "Holy crow! We're gonna be late!"

"Not on my watch," Edward said, a smile starting. Suddenly the car shot off, the speedometer rising to 125 miles,

I tried to keep my stomach in check as we swerved through traffic. "Even if you do drive this fast, how in the heck-" I paused as we narrowly missed a truck, "do you expect to arrive in the parking lot in less than two minutes?!"

"Like this," he replied as we made a final swerve into Forks High, in a space twenty feet from the door. I unbuckled my seat belt and was just stepping out of the car when he arrived at my door, backpack in hand. Holy crow, that was fast!

We both ran over to the door, Edward keeping in perfect pace with me. We went our separate ways to our classes. I burst through the door just as the bell rang.

"Please sit down, Miss Swan," the teacher said irritably. I blushed and sat down at my seat in the back of the room. I listened to th the teacher drone on and on until the nasally bell rang and I walked out of the classroom. To my surprise, Edward was waiting for me right outside the door.

"Hi Edward," I mumbled, blushing and giving him on of my rare smiles.

His eyes lit up, and he smiled crookedly back. "Hi, Bella."

I began to walk to class, and he fell into step beside me. "Will you sit with me at lunch today?"

I was going to point out that I would've sat with him anyway, but I kept my mouth shut about that. It would just scream that I liked him. Which I did. But I couldn't afford a boyfriend right now. Scratch that. I can't afford a boyfriend ever. And since when had I considered him a candidate for boyfriend?

But there was no danger in that happening, right? I mean, I'm ugly. I'm repulsive. I'm a skinny, pale emo kid with with some serious problems. I'm surprised that the mirror in the bathroom hasn't shattered yet. I chuckled under my breath at the thought of me looking in the mirror at myself and it cracking. Then I realized that I still hadn't answered him.

I looked up at Edward. "Sorry. I blanked out for a minute. Sure, I love to."

He smiled at me, and stopped at the door of my classroom. "Well, I guess that I'll see you then?" I said.

"Yes."

"Umm... bye."

I heard him chuckle. "Bye, Bella."

I turned around and walked to my chair. The twin bitches sat behind me, and began to gossip loudly.

"Oh my Gosh! Did you see Edward and Bella!"

"I know! Why the heck was he hanging out with her? She's ugly, and completely unworthy of being in his presence."

"He's like a god. It's only a matter of time before he notices me."

"Hey! I've got first dibs!"

They squabbled like that for the rest of class, until I felt like asking the person in front of me to please knock me out. I was practically jumping out of my seat when the bell rang. I ran out of the door and straight into Edward Cullen. He caught the tops of my arms and steadied me.

"Hi," I said, swaying slightly. I felt like I had ran into a brick wall.

"Hi," he said, chuckling.

We set of to my next class with a comfortable silence. When we reached the door, his face was torn, as if debating something. Then he slowly reached out and wordlessly stroked the side of my face. Then he was gone. I could feel Lauren's gaze burning into my back as I sat down. While Ms. Perkins lectured us about sentences, I thought about how quickly my perspective about him had changed over 24 hours. Yesterday I was damning him to hell. Today, I almost actually liked him. And that was saying something. I didn't like anyone. Or I didn't let them get close enough to actually have any feelings about them. And Edward was extremely close. If it was any other boy, I would've told them to buzz off by now. Why I didn't do that to Edward, I had no idea. It was impossible. His burning gold eyes and the way they hypnotized ,(heehee. that rhymes.) the way he was so caring and understanding. I couldn't turn away.

But every time I spent time with him he was in danger of Charlie. He killed his own wife. He would have no problem killing Edward. I want to distance myself, but also I can't. It's not even been a day, and I already feel like he is my life vest, keeping my head above the waters of Charlie's hate. But I can swim. I must swim. For Edward's sake, and for everyone else's.

The bell rang, and I climbed stiffly out of my seat. I wasn't even surprised when Edward was leaning against the wall by the door.

"Hi," I said.

He smiled. "Hello." Gesturing in the direction of the cafeteria, "Shall we?"

We walked side by side to the doors, and straight to the line. I hesitated. I had no money, and I wasn't allowed to eat. Edward stopped and looked down at me questioningly.

"I- I'm not hungry." I tried to look convincing, but he must have seen right through it. Sighing and picking up a tray, he began to load it with food.

"You're not buying all that for me?!" I said in disbelief. He didn't answer. Instead, he payed for the food, sat down at an empty table, and gestured at the tray when I sat across from him. "Eat."

I held my own. "I'm really not hungry." I stated. But my stomach grumbled loudly, and he shot me a look that clearly said, do you really think me that much of an idiot?

"Thanks," I mumbled as I grudgingly reached across to pick up an apple.

Turning the apple over in my hands, I tried to think of something to say. "Umm... well, thanks for driving me this morning,"

"You're welcome."

"Why did you do it?" I blurted before I realized what I was saying. He said that he was sorry about yesterday, but maybe there was something more... I needed to know.

"I want to be your friend, Bella," he said softly, looking down at the tray, then up at me through his eyelashes.

I didn't know what to say. I couldn't let him do that, though. He would be in too much danger, "Edward, no... "

"Please, Bella." He took my hands. "Let me help you."

"I can't."

"Why?" He asked softly.

"It's too complicated. Edward, I can't." I repeated. I didn't think I could bear to see him laying in a pool of blood on the floor, his face twisted into a grimace. I shuddered slightly at the thought. No. Edward, and all these people I had spared would live, live and prosper...

"No. No." I shook my head, turning the apple over in my hands.

"Why?" He asked again softly.

"I have to take care of Charlie," I said, trying to make my reply at least partially true so that he would believe me. "I can't possibly do anything after school."

"Well, it doesn't have to be after school. Can't we be friends here?"

I hesitated, trying to find something wrong with the idea. The only way any of the Cullens could get hurt was if Charlie came to school specifically seeking me out and saw me directly talking to one of them. "Maybe that would be okay..."

His eyes lit up like they had when I had taken the ride he'd offered me. "Okay. An at school relationship only."

"Yep." Pulling my hands away. (I hadn't even realized that I had kept them there! Gosh, I'm losing it...) I gathered up my books and walked to Biology. To my surprise, Edward didn't say goodbye at the door. Instead he followed me right in and sat down at my table just as the bell rang. I shot him a questioning look. "This is my next class, too." He whispered as Mr. Banner began to talk about the stages of cell dividing and handing out slides and microscopes.

Edward pulled out a sheet of paper and inserted the slide under the lense. "Ladies first?' He gestured at the eyepiece. I took a fleeting glance. "Anaphase."

He looked as well, and agreed. "Anaphase." He wrote it down in beautiful handwriting.

It went on like that for the rest of class, until Mr. Banner came over to check on our progress. He glanced down at our paper and nodded approvingly.

The bell rang, and Edward and I walked to gym. He stopped just outside the door, and stroked my face with his ice cold hand, just as he had this morning. Then he walked away to his next class.

We were doing volleyball in gym. Somehow, I managed to fall, hit Jessica in the face with the ball and punch Mike Newton in the nose all at the same time. By the time class was over, I could feel my face practically boiling with heat. Once again, Edward was waiting for me.

We walked to his car together, and as I got in, I realized something. Charlie might be home. If he saw me with him, both Edward and I would be dead. Edward saw me stiffen suddenly.

"Is everything okay?"

How do I make Charlie sound like a normal father while still telling him that he wasn't allowed to be seen? "Well, uhm, Charlie doesn't exactly want me to hang around with boys... can you drop me off about a block away?"

His brow furrowed for a second, then smoothed out. "Sure," he said, his voice and face betraying no emotions.

Edward was in deep thought on the way back to my house. His forehead was wrinkled, and he didn't seem to be paying attention to the road; both facts made me nervous; one, I really didn't want to get into a car crash, and two, I was afraid that I had said too much. When he stopped around the corner from my house, he turned and looked at me, his gold eyes probing. "You know, you can tell me anything, right?"

Yeah, sure. I thought sarcastically. Easier said then done there, buddy. "Um, yeah, sure." I said hastily and got out of the car. "Thanks!" I called as I walked away. The engine idled behind me until I was out of sight, then I could hear it zooming around the block away from me.

When I walked inside, to my relief, it was empty. I dropped my backpack off up in my room and pulled out the bloody knife from under my mattress. Staring at it, I thought about Edward, my mixed feelings for him, Charlie, and what might happen if he was discovered. Ugh. It's too COMPLICATED! I need a cut just so that I don't have to think anymore. I sliced a long, deep line from my wrist to my elbow. I felt the familiar sensation of the stinging pain, and the wonderfulness of the clarity of everything. I flashed one of my rare grins; cutting always put me in a good mood. Never mind, I'm never in a good mood. Let's just say it made me feel slightly better. Though blood was still gushing from my arm, I stood up and went downstairs. Wrapping it in paper towels, I washed my hands and began to make Charlie's roast beef. While it was cooking, I went over and felt the wall I had painted this morning. To my relief, it was dry.

The front door burst open just as I set Charlie's plate down on the table. He shoved his belt and coat into my arms, sat down, and began eating. To my relief, after thoroughly inspecting the wall he grunted, but didn't beat the shit out of me. Instead, he shoved me into the wall as he made his way to the living room to watch the football game. My hip was rebruised, but at least it wasn't as bad as it could've been. By the time the dishes were done and Charlie had made his way upstairs, the feeling from my cut had faded slightly and was beginning to get replaced by the oh- so- familiar stinging sensation. Slowly my mind began to fill with all of the confusion of the day.

Frustrated again, I collapsed on my bloodstained mattress and fell into a restless sleep.

So, waddaya think? I know that it's kind of a filler, but I did focus on making that chapters longer, as you can see. I couldn't help laughing as I saw Edward and Bella swerving through traffic, narrowly missing car, and Bella looking slightly green. I just thought it was funny, so I put it in the story. Thanks so much for being patient! LOVE you guys! Hands out gift baskets filled with all sorts of twilight goodies (t- shirts, cullen crest, EDWARD HIMSELF!)