AN: Thanks for all your reviews! Now, I know most of you were confused at the end of the last chapter, but all will be explained in this chapter!
Chapter Three
Edward was so caught up in Bella's injury that it took him three whole minutes before he remembered that he was a vampire with superhuman abilities one of them including running really fast. He gathered Bella up into his arms, the scent of her blood calling him, but he had to ignore it. If Bella was to get to the hospital, survive, and to stay human, he had to ignore it.
"I need some help over here!" Edward exclaimed as he entered the hospital's emergency room. A doctor and a nurse rushed over to him. Bella was placed onto a bed.
"Can you tell me what happened, sir?" The doctor asked.
"There was a shooting at Joe's." He replied. The doctor nodded and motioned to the nurse at the front desk,
"Call neuro, we're going to need their help on this one." The nurse nodded. "Okay let's get this girl into the OR." Edward watched as Bella was wheeled down the corridor, knowing she was in good hands. The only thing he could do know was to wait and think.
How could he not have sensed what Steve was going to do?
Bella was conscious when they wheeled her into the OR, but just barely, she slipped under again before they even put her on anesthetic. When she was unconscious she dreamed of her past.
Three Years Ago…
They were so happy together. Eternal bliss, as some people would call it. To Bella it was the happiest she had ever been. Now if only Edward would change her. She was working on it though.
Breaking him down with every day. Very soon he would give in.
But then Homecoming happened. Alice had persuaded Bella to come over to the house before the dance to primp her out like a Barbie doll, like she did before Prom. Bella knew that she didn't really have a choice, Alice would get her over there some how free will or not.
So she gave in, and within three hours Bella was a walking death trap. This time, both of her feet were in heals. Bella had to be extremely careful.
"It's amazing how I made it down the staircase." She told Edward once she came down, and was presented with a corsage.
"You did well," Edward whispered in her ear. Bella shivered, he still gave her goose bumps. "Besides I'm not going to let you fall." Bella had smiled.
But he did let her fall.
It was halfway though the dance when the band performing decided to use pyrotechnics, and caught the curtain behind them on fire. Everyone started screaming and ran towards the exits. Edward held Bella tight to him so she wouldn't be lost in the stampede.
He got her out safely, and let go of her. Bella stumbled and fell scraping her knee. She got sick immediately, while Edward's eyes widened as he got the scent of her blood. Along with Jasper and Alice.
Alice could control her impulse, and so could Edward, but Jasper moved forward to get at Bella. Edward and Alice had to contain him until someone helped Bella with her wound.
Edward didn't stay with her that night.
The next evening Edward told her that his family was already gone, he would be joining them soon. He had one last thing to take care of.
"It's best if you don't come with us." Edward told her. Bella furrowed her eyebrows.
"What do you mean?" She asked.
"I mean that, Bella, I don't love you anymore. I can't pretend to be something that I'm not. And that's what happens when I'm with you. So good-bye." He said and left.
Bella went spiraling down into her own personal hell. She stayed contained in her body, like a protective shell, depressed and on the edge.
How could he just leave her like that? After everything that they had been through together? How could he?
And then, she started questioning herself. How could she have fallen for him? She knew he was too good to be true, that someone like him could love her, was impossible even in the movies.
Bella went deeper and deeper into her hell. Until it was too late…she attempted something she never thought she could and hated people who did.
Suicide.
It didn't work, and Charlie kicked her out when she was nineteen, to live in a rehab clinic.
Where she met 'Rae, 'Drea, and Tristin, and became instant friends. They told her their stories, and she told them hers. They became each other's support group, to help each other when things got out of control.
At twenty Bella, 'Rae, 'Drea, and Tristin moved out of the rehab clinic into a house not far from Seattle.
Bella got a job at a bookstore where she met Mallory and became friends. Life went on as normal, Tristin got a job at a bar, where they all hung out after work. Where Bella met different guys…including Steve.
Present day…
Bella's eyes flickered open and winced at the pain she felt in her shoulder.
"Bella!" 'Drea exclaimed.
"Welcome back to the land of the living, sweetie." Mallory said. Bella smiled.
"Thanks." She responded hoarsely.
"Here drink this." 'Drea said handing her a cup of water. Bella sipped from the straw and put it down on her table.
"What happened?" She asked.
"You mean you don't remember?" Mallory asked. Bella shook her head.
"Steve shot you at Joe's." 'Drea said.
"And then Edward Cullen saved your life. He rushed you to the hospital where they performed surgery on you." Mallory said.
"Your right shoulder won't be of any use to you for five weeks." 'Drea said.
"Great." Bella said in response. A knock came from the door. Edward stood at the entrance. Mallory and 'Drea looked at each other.
"We'll leave you two alone." 'Drea said and left the room with Mallory following behind her.
"You two play nice now." Mallory said and closed the door behind her.
"Hey." Edward said placing a bouquet of flowers on the table in front of her.
"Thanks they're beautiful." Bella responded glancing at them, and trying to avoid eye contact with him. She remembered a bit of what happened after she had gotten shot. The promise she had made just before she lost consciousness. Having unfinished business to attend to.
"So, I hear I have you to thank, for saving my life." She said.
"No thanks are necessary. I'm just glad you are okay."
"My shoulder is messed up for the next five weeks, but at least I'm alive." Bella joked. Edward smiled.
"Bella, I know you just had a near-death experience, but I have to know were you serious earlier?" Edward asked. Bella froze.
"About what I meant, with having unfinished business to attend to?" She asked trying to clarify.
"Yes that." Edward said.
"I…" Bella searched for the right words. "Don't have an answer for you. To tell you the truth, I thought-"
"That you were going to die?" Edward asked.
"That too. What I was going to say before you interrupted me was…you hurt me three years ago."
"I know, I'm sorry, if there's anything-"
"Let me finish. I still love you, but…I don't want to be hurt again. I don't want to go back to rehab." Bella said, breaking down to cry. Edward sat next to her on the bed holding her.
"Bella, tell me what happened to you, after I left."
Author's Notes: So? You guys still confused? Well…you know the routine. Go review and I'll update soon!