Chapter Four: Runaway

I rushed through making dinner. Tonight I was a little preoccupied so I just fixed some grilled cheese and salad. Edward went home, to 'eat' and finish homework. He had rushed back though, and watched me toss the salad. We sat in silence. I could feel his pain, it reigned through the house. Charlie's car pulled in and Edward wrapped me in a hug, kissed the top of my head, and hurried off to my room, like he always did. Charlie took off his wet wind-breaker and gun belt. He peeled off his work boots and soaked socks with out a word. He shuffled in and sat at the table.

"What's going on, Bells? You look upset." He inquired before he dug into his sandwich.

"Um…" I started, and then he cut me off.

"Did that Edward break up with you?"

"No! No, no. It's just that Alice has decided to go on a trip and I'm going to miss her," I tried to force a smile; it just wasn't coming out today.

"Oh, I'm so sorry," He said, There was a hint of disappointment in his voice. It wasn't that Charlie didn't like Edward; he liked all of the Cullen's. Charlie just didn't like to see me so wrapped up in a guy, not that I was wrapped up in him. I was just truly in love with him.

We ate the rest of the meal in silence only exchanging words when he commented on the cooking or making small talk. I cleaned up the dished. I sighed as I let the warm water run over my aching hands. I turned the faucet off and sat down at the table when the phone rang. I stood up and raced towards the phone.

"Hello?" I said.

"Hey Bella, this is Jacob and uh… is Charlie there? I'm calling for my dad."

"Oh yeah, here he is Jacob."

Dad came over and took the phone. I looked at the clock 9 O' clock.

"Dad," I whispered, "Im going to go do homework and go to bed. Ok?"

"Yeah Bells, Good night"

"Love you," I said sincerely

"Love you too," Charlie replied and kissed me on my forehead.

I sauntered up the steps and into the bathroom and locked the door with a sigh. I stripped down and stepped into the nuke warm water. The warm water faded away quickly and I rushed to get dressed. Ratty, gray sweats and an old t-shirt that I got at the local convent store for a dollar was standard attire, but tonight I put on a pair of flannel pants and a warm, zipped up hooded sweat shirt. I turned the vent off and walked to my room, slamming the door loudly. I didn't see Edward as I looked around the room. The window was closed so he had obviously been here and then…

"Boo!" He said in a low voice as he grabbed me in a bear hug, or was it a vampire hug?

"Oh my fricken god, what the hell are you scaring me like that for?" I asked. Thank god I didn't scream, or else Charlie would have come up to investigate the screaming.

"Ah. I just wanted to surprise you, change it up a little bit"

"Did Emmett give you lessons?" I asked sarcastically as I sat down at the desk chair, he settled in lying across my bed. He took up the whole bed.

"No. Now why don't you check your email, I'm sure Renee is worried that maybe you fell down a couple flights of steps or are being chased by hunting vampires."

"Well, I don't want to but… just for you Edward"

"Thank you, love." He said in his sweet melodic voice

There surprisingly was only one short email from my mom:

Dear Bells,

Everything is pretty good down here in Jacksonville. How are you doing? Charlie and Edward? Phil is doing really well at baseball; you should come down this summer and watch him one day. Just call and I have a ticket waiting for you.

With Love,

Renee

I hit reply and tried to be as vague as possible when I realized something. Hiding my shock from Edward, my genius mind concocted this:

Dear Renee,

Forks is going, well, wet. I'm doing okay. I really needed the summer to unwind from the fall. Charlie is doing well; Harry Clearwater has been taking him out to fish on the nice weekends. Edward is doing great! Alice has decided to go on an over seas student abroad trip. Im not one for baseball, though I may have to take you up, just to come and visit.

Lots of Love,

Bella

I clicked send and turned off the monitor. It felt like someone was watching me with intense eyes, and of course someone was, but I could never get used to the feeling. I turned around and stared right back, but I lost by blinking, twice.

"Why are you here? Why aren't you with Alice?"

"She left right after telling you, it needed to be that way…" He slowly trailed off, "Just could you please not talk about Alice, she wouldn't want it."

"Of course lets just," I started, "So, I bet Emmett gets a kick out of you staying here every night."

"Actually, everyone does. They have theories," He slurred theories to make it sound as long as possible. It was so charming and sexy. It made my heart warm, and spread a smile across my face.

"Theories, huh, care to share any?" I asked, looking innocently up at his eyes, his beautiful, topaz eyes.

"Not to night, Love, go to sleep. I'll be here when you wake up."

Then, a sweet, soft melody whispered into my ear. I drifted into a sullen sleep. There was a lot of tossing and turning. I drifted into a deep sleep with out a dream. And then, all of a sudden, I heard a quick rush of air and then woke up. I looked around but nothing had changed. The window was still closed, the door shut… Crap, Edward, he was gone. I sat up and pulled on a fleece sweatshirt and my boots. I gave the door a shove and tip toed down the steps, glancing at the clock, I thought 2:30, good I got time.