A/N: Finally here! Thank you for all your amazing reviews! You guys are awesome and reviews do make me really happy!
This one took longer than I wanted it to, but I was away visiting my aunt for a week without access to a computer and I've been sick the last couple of days. It keeps getting worse :(
On that note I would like to say a couple of things. First, it make take a while for me to update. Unfortunately I have a life which tends to get in the way and as much as Twilight and fanfiction are a part of it, my family, school and work come first. Complaining (not in a constructive criticism kind of way) about how long I update does not encourage me to write. Either way, as long as school is out I'm trying to update every two weeks. And second, yes, I use a lot of out of Twilight, I need it in order to lead the story where I want it to. I try to get as far from it as I can but there's a lot that I need from it.
I just needed to get that out of the way, it was not meant for everyone but needed to be said.
On a more joyfull subject, thanks to my amazing beta Katiushabb. She forced me to finish this today and I needed it. Love you, blondie ;)
People, please check out our co-written fanfic "Have You Seen Her?", it really is funny and we would really appreciate your opinion. You can find it either in my profile or hers (and while you're in there browse her really cool one shots).
So, enjoy and review!!!
Disclaimer: Unfortunately, all things Twilight belong to an awesome lady called Stephenie Meyer.
The atmosphere when we arrived at school was different. It took a while to notice because I was deeply distracted by the fact Bella was with me, but when I saw her wince as we stepped into the building I looked around to see what was it that upset her. People kept glancing our way and talking to each other as if sharing secrets.
I tried to ask her what was wrong, but before I knew it we were in front of my classroom door.
"I'll see you at lunch," she said smiling lightly at me, distracting herself from the people around her for a moment.
I smiled back at her unable to utter a word and made my way to class.
As I sat down Mike came to pester me.
"Dude, is it true you went out with the Swan girl last night?" He said excitedly.
"I got lost in Port Angeles and she helped me find my way back, that's all." I wasn't about to have a heart to heart with Mike Newton.
"Rumour has it you two made out in the back of her truck." He said with a wink.
"Honestly, that girl's a freak, but if I could get close enough I sure would go for it." He was starting to piss me off.
"Mike, you may want to go find your seat before my fist starts connecting with your face." I said through gritted teeth.
"Wow, calm down, dude." He said stepping away from me and holding his hands up.
I spent the rest of the class listening to the ridiculous things people were saying. Teenagers had a wide imagination. Sex, drugs and street fights were among the mix of rumours spread through the school.
I caught up with Alice in History who had by now found out the source of all the gossip.
Jessica and Lauren.
"I could just snap their little necks. I swear I didn't say anything to them, Edward, they just overheard my conversation with you and Bella yesterday and started asking questions. When I didn't reply to any of them they just started making their own assumptions."
"I know, Ali, don't worry. I know it's not your fault. It's just... things are complicated enough as they are."
"I know. But trust me, Edward, it will all work out." She said smiling sweetly at me with such conviction it was hard not to believer her.
"I really wish you were right." I was skeptical.
For the next 20 minutes she rambled on about the different ways in which she would get back at them. Alice also had quite an imagination.
Finally, the bell for lunch rang and I made my way to the cafeteria. Alice walked next to me and as we reached the door she smiled knowingly and skidded away to sit with the rest of our family which were now lacking the company of certain unwanted people.
I looked up to see her smiling at me from her usual table, a tray full of food in front of her. I smiled back at her as I made my way to the table feeling many eyes on me. I could feel Jessica and Lauren's glares burning on the back of my neck but I didn't care.
"Hungry?" I asked sarcastically as I reached her.
"Half is for you, of course." I just shook my head at that and sat down.
I started picking on my food and stealing glances at her, she just stared at me the entire time.
"What does human food taste like to you?" I asked curiously.
"Horrid." She said smiling widely. "I don't really remember what it used to taste like, just the smell of it now it's not very pleasant."
There was a pause in our exchange in which her facial expression changed. She broke eye contact with me and started mindlessly playing with an apple from the tray; her eyes looked hurt.
I was about to ask her what was wrong but she beat me to it.
"Something you said to Alice last night... well, it bothers me."
"You were listening in..?" I shouldn't have been surprised but realization hit me of all that Alice and I had talked about. "How much did you hear exactly?"
She looked down. "All of it." I felt my face warm up thinking back to my words and if she could blush I'm sure she would have too.
"What was it that bothered you?"
"Do you truly believe that you care more for me than I do for you?" She looked up then with glassy eyes.
"I... I do." I confessed as I looked down and stared at the remaining food on the tray waiting for the horrid silence to be broken.
Finally she spoke, voice velvet soft. "You're wrong." And my heart leaped at her words.
"How would you know?" I whispered. I wanted so bad to believe her but it was hard to.
"What makes you think I don't? How would you know?" I finally looked up to see a flash of anger in her eyes, like she felt betrayed that I did not trust her statement.
"Well..." She stared at me patiently, waiting for me to elaborate.
"I... Honestly, it's hard for me to read you. And it's usually easy for me to read people, but it's like you change your mind from one second to the next, you're here but it feels you're always saying goodbye."
"Maybe you're right," she whispered. And there was the anguish again, surfacing as she confirmed my fear. "But that's exactly why you're wrong, though."
"What do you mean?" I questioned.
"Don't you see? That's what proves me right. I care the most, because if I can do it" -she shook her head, seeming to struggle with the thought- "if leaving is the right thing to do, then I'll hurt myself to keep from hurting you, to keep you safe."
"You won't hurt me, you know?" I ached to reach my hand to hold hers but I knew she would just pull back.
"I really wish you were right," she whispered, shame written all over her face.
Silence fell between us until suddenly her mood shifted again. "I have another question for you."
"Shoot."
"Do you really need to go to Seattle this Saturday, or was that just an excuse to get out of saying no to all your admirers?" The corner of her mouth lifted while she spoke the last few words.
I made a face at the memory. "You know, I haven't forgiven you for the Shelly incident yet."
"Oh, she would have found a chance to ask you without me, she seemed very determined - I just really wanted to watch your face," she chuckled. "But, back to the matter at hand, are you resolved on going to Seattle, or do you mind if we do something different?"
"I'm open to alternatives, as long as your truck is not involved in them." I smiled mockingly at her.
"No problem."
"So, where are we going?"
"The weather will be nice, so I'll be staying out of the public eye... and you can stay with me if you'd like to."
"And you'll show me what you meant, about the sun?"
"Yes. Have you told your family about the trip yet?"
"I told Carlisle and Esme, and of course Alice knows."
"Of course," she smiled. "Time for class." She stood and we walked to class together.
A/N: I think we have some beautiful chapters coming. What did you think?
So, my birthday is next Tuesday (the 23rd). Same as Dakota Fanning. I wish I was Dakotta Fanning. Born in an English-speaking country. A recognized actress at 15. Spending time close to Edward... I mean Robert Pattinson.
Ok, enough rambling.
You know what would make a great birthday present? I think you do. Just press that beautifull green button! Go ahead! I know you want to.