Here it is: Chapter 14!

Thanks to:

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XxBlue-Eyed-BellaxX

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... I won't hold you any more longer, enjoy!


Dusk and Dawn: Chapter 14

Gone

"Take care, Bella", Emily's voice was still in my head. I slowly opened my eyelids to see two green orbs that seemed like they were smiling at me. Edward.

"Hey", he smiled and held my right hand, which wasn't the one broken. His warmth seemed to travel around my body as he flashed a crooked smile.

"Hi", I looked at the clock, right across me: six forty-two P.M. "How long was I asleep?"

He touched the top of my head and lightly glided his fingers through my hair. "About ten hours."

"When did you get here?"

"Shhh", he said as he kissed my forehead, and then sat on the chair beside my bed. "You must be really tired; you can get back to sleep."

"I'm not sleepy", I lifted my head. In fact I had more questions to ask him. I yawned involuntarily and blinked my eyes several times to keep away from the drowsiness.

"Of course you're not. I'll talk this time", he said as I leaned my head back on the pillow.

"I came here about three hours ago, Carlisle told me that you're been sleeping for a long time. Hey, maybe if you just took the Volvo, none of this would have happened", he teased. I expected him to say: I told you so, but instead, he stood up from his chair and looked at his watch.

"W-What about your rehearsals?" I yawned.

"I quit", he simply said. "I needed to visit you."

My eyelids began to feel heavy. "You know, I had a dream about Emily", my voice was in whisper.

"Really", it seemed like he was just playing along. "How is she?"

"She's fine", I looked at him and he just smiled. "You don't believe me? She told me that the pen you had was her birthday gift and that you hid all the other things that reminded you of her." That was something he never told me about.

He just looked at me. "Oookay…" he raised an eyebrow.

"I need to head home and get some things." He kissed my forehead again. "Please get some sleep. I'll be right back, and I know you'll be safe this time." He walked out the door.

An hour later, Jacob and I were alone in the room.

"Jake", I called his attention from looking at the floor. "What was it that you wanted to tell me? The one before I left my house and you said you'd tell me once we're at the hospital."

"You might hate me once I tell you", he said quietly.

"Of course not, you're my best friend."

"That's what it is." He looked at me.

"Huh?"

"I'm just your best friend, nothing more." I wasn't following.

"I'm sorry, I'm not following. Could you try to rephrase?" I replied.

"We've been best friends ever since you came to Forks. It was only about one month ago that I realized I really liked you, but you were in camp. I decided to tell you once you would get back but then I found out about Edward."

I looked at him, still puzzled.

"Don't you get it, Bella?" Jacob said, slightly louder. "I'm in love with you."

I felt time stop and my breathing felt like it paused. The door creaked open and I saw a tall figure standing stiffly. The green color of his eyes were vivid.

"E-Edward?" I stuttered. "How long wer—"

"Long enough", he quickly replied in a low voice and turned towards the hallway.

"Edward, wait!" he had already walked away.

I wanted to run after him so badly, but with my condition, I couldn't think of anything else to do. My eyes were watery and my body started to feel frail and tremulous.

"I'm sorry Bella", Jacob suddenly said, breaking the silence. "This is my entire fault", he looked down.

"It's not, Jake", I replied hazily. "If it's anyone's fault, it's mi—"

"—Don't downplay it, Bella", he said loudly. "It's my fault."

"I'm sorry, Jake", I said. I was still in shock. "I'm sorry I don't feel the same way about you." I felt guilt and sadness. I should have noticed it, but it's just that I've always seen him as a brother.

"Can you ever forgive me?" he said. "I shouldn't have told you that in the first place."

"It's okay, Jake", I smiled at him sincerely. "I just really like you as a brother and I have to admit", I grinned. "I really like Edward. I love him, but I don't really know what's going on with my heart, sometimes, it goes too crazy about him."

I was still completely broken from seeing Edward's expression.

"I understand", he said as he nodded his head. "Hey, let's agree to one thing: if Cullen ever hurts you, I'll beat him up with the new things I've learned from Taekwondo."

"You never took classes in Taekwondo", I looked at him, completely confused.

"I might consider it." He smiled. I tried to hold back the tears, but it was too late, one tear rolled down, eventually leading to more.

I recalled the last conversation I had with Emily; she was right. I wasn't ready to let go of Edward. His face lingered in my head, his perfectly crooked smile and his amazingly captivating green eyes which also seemed to smile at me.

"I need to fix the mess I've made", he stood from his chair. "I'll find him, and I will bring back."

I sat there, staring blankly into space while I felt hot tears pour down my cheeks. It's been about half an hour and there was still no sign of Edward anywhere. I guess Jake never really found him.

The door burst open.

"Edward?" I said frantically.

"I'm sorry, Bella", Jacob said. "I couldn't find him. He probably drove off."

I sniffed and called Alice.

"Hello?" I heard Alice.

"Alice, I'm sorry." I said and I could feel my heart tighten. It was as if every breath I took in made it even harder for my heart to cope with the scenario. It was as if this meant that I would rather die than live without Edward. It was as if my life was useless when I have nothing to live for.

"Are you crying? Bella, what's wrong?" Alice's perky voice was now full of worry.

"Edward", I replied. "Do you know where he might be?"

"What are you talking about? What exactly happened?"

"Jacob told me that he was in love with me. Edward overheard it and now he's gone. I'm sorry. I didn't mean for him to hear it."

"Omigosh", Alice gasped. "He just misunderstood, Bella. And isn't he overreacting? You mean, he just easily stormed out like that? He used to head to this meadow pass the football field in our school. But how are you going to get there? Aren't you in the hospital? How about I call him and talk some sense into my hard-headed brother. I hate it when he immediately jumps into conclusions."

That was the big problem. Not the whole Edward's hard-headedness, which Alice claimed, but the fact that I was still in bed and completely helpless. I couldn't let Jacob go there for me, too.

"No, Alice", I replied. "I don't want him to think that I was that big of a coward to have to be so afraid to talk to him."

"Just call me when he doesn't listen. I'd have to say, Bella, my brother can be such a pain sometimes when it comes to being attentive."

"Thanks, Alice. I'll call you later", I hung up.

I opened my contacts and dialed Edward's number. I wondered why I didn't try calling him in the first place. It rang but then the call was rejected. I called it again, but his phone was turned off.

Carlisle suddenly walked in.

"Bella", he said. "You're awake. Good", he looked around. "Where's Edward?"

"He left to do something", Jacob answered before I could have said anything.

"I see; I'll just need to check the readings", he walked towards one side of my bed and looked at the machines.

"Everything's fine", he smiled. Edward's crooked smile again flashed in my head. "I'm sure you can head home in a few more days", he walked out of the room. "But that is of course for rest. I'm not advising you to immediately head back to camp once you're released."

Everything could have fallen back into place, except for the fact that Edward wouldn't talk to me.

"So, what's you're plan?" Jacob asked.

"I need to get out of this bed", I replied, struggling with the cast on my left arm and right foot.

"Bella", Jacob held my free hand. "You can't get out of bed yet."

"I need to", I replied as Jacob helped me into a wheelchair.

"Do you think you'd be aloud out by all the nurses or guards that'll see you?"

I sighed. I never put that into mind. I took out my phone and tapped in a message for Edward.

Edward, I'm sorry. Please talk to me. I know it's difficult but I know you trust me and I trust that you will also be willing enough to listen to what I have to say.

-Bella

What else could I do? I was helpless. Jacob just helped me back on my bed. I felt so much emotion, so much distress, and so much emptiness that might never be filled again.

I hadn't completely realized that I dozed off until I slightly opened my eyes, enough to just see the clock. They felt heavy and tired from all the crying I did overnight. I looked to my right; it was Edward! I didn't open my eyes, knowing that he might be able to talk to me better. He seemed to stare on my hand which he held in his. He rubbed the surface with his thumb. I kept my eyes in the same state, making sure that he didn't realize I was awake.

His green eyes looked down on my hand. They didn't seem like they were in any better condition that mine. He heaved a sigh before taking his hand away. Did he notice I was awake?

He basically shifted to another position, this time facing his front.

"I'm sorry, Bells", what was he apologizing for. I felt like I was the one who needed to be apologetic. "Maybe I should have stayed and let you work the whole thing out", it seemed like he thought I was still asleep. Now I was worried on whether Alice had talked to him for me.

I missed seeing Edward and being able to talk to him. I missed having to think about him everyday, without having this sort of problem. But I shouldn't cuss about it, because if Edward really did love me, then he'd still want to be with me. Even when love would bring sorrow.

I felt my left arm ache for a few seconds. I couldn't help but have my face looking scrunched and have the rest of my body cringe from the pain. A warm hand had suddenly stoked my forehead, and then my hair. At that moment, I felt that Edward must still have loved me. Or maybe my hopeless romantic side decided to give in to his gesture.

"I—I never stayed long enough to hear what you could have told him in the first place." I understood him now; I understood how it must have felt for him to have to hear a conversation like that. But, his pain was probably much more worse that mine.

He stood from the chair, but I decided not to make any sudden movements. "Goodbye, Bella", he said before kissing my forehead. What? Goodbye?

Why is Edward overreacting? What's gotten him to be so sensitive? Can't wait? The next chapter will be coming out soon!

*And I did kinda think Edward was overreacting...

Okay, now this is an important author's note:

My periodical tests are coming up. So... I may not be able to update for quite some time. But I do really hope that you guys would give me a lot of reviews while I'm temporarily 'offline'

ALL reviews are highly appreciated!

Last Chapter's Answer: There are NO stairs in a storey house.

This Chapter's Question: Some months have thirty-one days. How many months have twenty-eight?

Author's Question: Will anyone beta-read my story? Let me know through PM!

Happy New Year!

So I'd like to end this chapter with one word... REVIEW!

-Kar