Hey Guys! SO SORRY this update took so long! It was finished for a while, but I totally forgot to put it up! I've been working on my other stories lately, and it slipped my mind! Another update will be up shortly as I'm almost finished the next chapter Hope your summer is amazing.
Love xox
BELLA POV
I woke up with a shooting pain in my face, I groaned.
"She's awake!" I heard someone whisper loudly. It sounded like Alice.
"Shhh!" Another voice said. Emmett this time.
"Someone get Edward." I heard Alice say. I opened my eyes. It was too bright. "Bella!" Alice said quietly. I tried to smile, but it hurt. That was confusing.
"Where am I?" I asked, not taking in my surroundings.
"Your house, sweetie." Alice told me. Another pain shot through my whole head.
"What the hell is wrong with my head?" I asked. I saw Edward come into the room, and tried to smile again, but it didn't work. He grinned in a relieved sort of way.
"Well...we're guessing you fell or hit a tree or something, but you have a huge gash on your cheek." Alice told me. I brought my hand up to my face, and sure enough felt a large gauze bandage. "And you also have a concussion from hitting your head on a rock, or so my Dad thinks so." She said. Edward sat down beside me on my bed. I sat up with great effort and rested the uninjured side of my face on his warm back.
"I'm tired." I said.
"That's surprising, since you've been asleep for nearly two days." Edward said.
"Seriously?" I asked, incredulous. He nodded.
"Do you remember what happened?" Emmett asked me. I searched my memory. Almost nothing came up.
"I remember a forest. And Edward. And James Benna. And something about Atlantis." I said, groaning. "How drunk was I?"
"Well, you were pretty wrecked. James took you to a forest and like tried to take advantage of you, but you kneed him in the groin so he left and called you a bitch. Then, you speed dialed Edward and he came to save you. Then Edward kicked the crap out of James." Alice chirped. "That's what we've figured out so far."
"Wow." I said. I hugged Edward from behind, just because he was there, and warm, and secure.
JASPER POV
I walked through the halls at school angrily. All people were talking about was Bella.
"Did you hear what happened to Bella Swan?" They said.
"Big gash across her face!" They murmured to each other.
"James Benna." They accused.
"Did you see Edward's face?" They asked each other. They asked me questions as well, but I didn't want to answer them. Yes, she was resting, yes she was okay, yes we were worried. James Benna was at school as well, and only his closest group of friends hung out with him anymore. Everyone liked Bella, and people who didn't like her, liked Edward, so naturally, everyone was livid with James. He was, for the first time in his spoiled little life, an outcast. Nobody said anything to him in the halls, people just stared, shook their heads, and glared. His face was bruised and pummeled by Edward, and his arm in a sling.
EDWARD POV
"Edward, I'm going to have a scar forever." Bella muttered as we watched a movie together in the living room, the day after she had woken up.
"It'll fade." I reassured her.
"I'll be ugly."
"Never." I told her. She tucked her face into my chest, and didn't say anything for a long time. The movie ended, and I carried Bella, now asleep, up to her bedroom. There were dark circles under her eyes from lack of sleep and the concussion, and the side of her face where the gash was was bruised and covered in a bandage. I kissed her forehead, and sighed.
THREE DAYS LATER
"I'm ready." She told me. She was dressed in her sweatpants and an old blue and yellow soccer jersey of mine with my name on the back.
"You still have that?" I asked, incredulously. She nodded.
"It's so comfy and silky." She said. She pulled her hair up into a messy bun, there were pieces of hair falling around her face.
"Are you sure you want to go?" I asked her. Bella was convinced she could go to school now. No one could change her mind. I didn't think it was a good idea, since she was still getting over the concussion, and was still supposed to be in bed, but Carlisle said if she didn't do gym, it should be fine.
"Yes, I'm sure." She said, taking a deep breath. I followed her out to my Volvo, which had been parked in her driveway for almost a week now. 10 minutes later, we were in the parking lot of the school. I looked at her, one side of her face still bandaged, and her hair messy. She was still my beautiful Bella, and I wasn't going to leave her side today, especially when James still had the nerve to show up at school. She took another deep breath, smiled a small, painful smile at me, and squeezed my hand. We climbed out of the car and walked closely side by side into the school. Everyone was quiet as we walked by, mostly because I gave anyone who stared murderous looks. But some people we knew well approached us to talk. Angela Weber, one of the only nice girls in this whole school, ran up looking worried.
"Bella!" She exclaimed. "How are you?"
"I'm fine thanks, Ange." Bella smiled slightly.
"I'm so glad to see you!" Angela said. She smiled tentatively up at me as well. Bella looked up too.
"Edward, stop scaring everyone. You look like you just stubbed your toe." She said. I couldn't help chuckle.
"Sorry." I said. Angela grinned.
ANGELA POV
I watched Bella and Edward walk into the school, and uttered a sigh of relief. Bella looked weak and tired, and the left side of her face was bandaged in gauze. She was dressed in comfortable clothes, and had Edward by her side of course. His gorgeous face looked like he could kill someone. No one dared approach him with that look on his face. But I knew Edward well enough to know that he was only trying to protect Bella from annoying students who would gape and ask stupid questions. I ran over to them.
"Bella!" I said. "How are you?"
"I'm fine thanks, Ange." Bella smiled slightly, looking pained.
"I'm so glad to see you!" I said, smiling. I looked up at Edward, and so did Bella.
"Edward, stop scaring everyone. You look like you just stubbed your toe." She said. I giggled.
"Sorry." He said, and I smiled. Edward really was a nice guy. Bella smiled again with effort, and I waved as I watched them walk away. Bella's shirt was one of Edward's old jersey's, with the word 'Cullen' printed across the back. I smiled. Everyone knew they made an amazing couple. Everyone except them.
BELLA POV
We walked through the halls, and I waved at people who smiled at me. People approached me all day, daring to challenge Edward's murderous stare. Mike kept apologizing profusely, telling me it was his fault, since it had been his party. He was getting kind of annoying. Jessica gave me this sort of strange, contemptuous sneer all day, I couldn't figure out what that meant. When I stumbled in the halls, Edward caught me around the waist before I could fall, which was often, as the concussion I had made me even more clumsy.
Lunch was an interesting event. We sat at our usual table with Alice, Jasper, Angela, Ben, Mike, Tyler, Eric, Edward and I. Rosalie and Emmett were off camping together. We were chatting lazily, me leaning into Edward's side and picking at my food, while I watched Angela try to get Ben to watch her siblings with her after school. Just then, James Benna walked into the cafeteria. I watched him pay for his food, and I saw Edward's eyes follow him as well. He was accompanied by Samuel Bryce, his best friend. I got a sick feeling in my stomach as I watched him make his way over to our table. Edward wrapped his arm tightly around my middle, and I leaned as far as I could into him. Mike stood up, and crossed his arms. James reached us. I looked at him, his features, that had always seemed so attractive before, were now bruised and cut. I guessed Edward had done that. I felt like vomiting as he opened his mouth to talk.
"What are you doing here?" Tyler defended me.
"Cool it. I'm here to apologize." He said slickly.
"Nice face." Edward spat at him. The whole cafeteria was now watching us. Even the ladies behind the food counter were silent. James glared. He looked at me, and his eyes darted down to Edward's arm placed protectively around me. He sneered.
"I'm sorry." He said in a slimy voice. I didn't say anything.
"Go away." Mike said.
EDWARD POV
"Why?" James asked, looking smug. I clenched my fists, and stood up, shoving Bella gently over into Jasper's side. I walked over to where James was standing, and dragged him by the collar of his shirt over to a corner of the cafeteria. He ripped himself out of my grasp, and started to talk.
"If you ever," I began, cutting him off. "Come near Bella again, I will personally make sure you stop breathing." I said, my voice low. He stopped talking, and looked at me apprehensively. "You understand?" I asked, my fists itching to collide with his skin. He nodded, a sour look on his face. I glared at him, and turned away, going back to our table, and sighing as Bella, soft and warm, leaned into my side. I pulled out my music sheets from my bag, and started making notes all over them in disgruntlement, trying to figure out the newest melody I had to put into my portfolio for the end of this semester. Bella peered at what I was doing. She leaned against my forearm, and chewed on her apple.
ANGELA POV
I watched Bella's face as Edward talked to James, she looked scared, and then relieved when he made his way back over, looking angry. He sat down without saying a word, and pulled out his sheets of music. He put his head in his hands, and started crossing things out and making notes everywhere. I smiled. Edward literally was a genius. The page was crowded with music notes and intense melodies. Bella looked over his shoulder, taking a bite out of her apple, and looked at what he was doing. She smiled at him, and leaned lazily against his arm.
BELLA POV
Finally, it was the end of the day, and Edward pulled me to the Volvo, sighing as we got inside. I frowned at him.
"What's wrong?" I asked. He shrugged.
"I just hate him. You have no idea how much I hate him." He said, breathing deeply. I rubbed his shoulder, and felt the tension in it release.
"Are you okay?" I asked. He nodded, smiling a small smile. I sat back, satisfied. We drove for a while, and I noticed he was headed towards his house. "Where are we going?"
"I need some advice." He said quietly. I nodded, knowingly. Edward was in a music mood. He was always like this, moody and quiet, always looking like he was concentrating on something. I hadn't seen him like this for a while, and was glad to know he was inspired again. He hardly ever showed anyone his music, or played it for anyone, even for me. But sometimes he would ask my opinion on something new, and it was always brilliant. We pulled into his driveway, and he opened my door for me, offering me his hand. I took it, and pulled myself out of the car, following him up to the porch. Esme smiled at me as we took our jackets off in the entrance hall, and headed upstairs, Edward watching me cautiously, making sure I didn't trip. I rolled my eyes. We reached his room, and he didn't say anything as I sat down on the comfortable bed. He searched his room for a good ten minutes, organizing papers, which I noticed were a little more abundant than usual. I smiled as he sighed, and picked up his guitar and portable piano keyboard, for musings on the go, and placed them on the bed.
"You have to give me honest advice." He said, with a straight face, " These are for my portfolio."
"Always do." I said. He smiled slightly. He played the Ghostbuster's theme quickly on the piano, loosening himself up. I laughed as he asked me 'who I was gonna call'. He finished with that, and peered at some more crumpled papers, the set them down again. He picked up his gleaming guitar and an old pick, and took a deep breath.
"Okay, ready?" He asked me. I nodded, settling myself against the pillows. He started to strum the opening chords of a calming, acoustic melody. It sounded a teeny bit sad, but not quite. He started to sing, and I closed my eyes, smiling and relaxing. Edward's voice was like honey and velvet, perfect and tortured, but at the same time unique and beautiful. It always made me want to close my eyes and soak it up.
Well based on your smile
I'm betting all of this
Might be over soon
But your bound to win
Cause if I'm betting against you
I think I'd rather lose
But this is all that I have
He sang beautifully, still strumming gently. I smiled at the line about betting, and he did too, closing his eyes as well.
So please
Take what's left of this heart and use Please use only what you really need You know I only have so little So please Mend your broken heart and leave
His voice hit the notes beautifully, holding them for different lengths and sending shivers down my spine. His voice was soft and smooth.
I know it's not your style I can tell by the way that you move It's real, real soon But I'm on your side And I don't want to be your regret I'd rather be your cocoon But this is all that you have So please Let me take what's left of your heart and I will use I swear I'll use only what I need I know you only have so little So please Let me mend my broken heart and You said this was all you had And it's all I need But blah blah blah Because it fell apart and I guess it's all you knew And all I have But now we have Only confused hearts and I guess all we have Is really all we need
I listened carefully, as I knew the song was coming to an end, and enjoyed the slow melody he was playing and singing, relishing in the pureness of his voice.
So please Let's take these broken hearts and use Let's use only what we really need You know we only have so little So please Take these broken hearts and leave
I grinned as his voice sang the last words, and he finished with a slow, guitar melody, his fingers caressing the soft wood, looking down and concentrating. The room was silent, reverberating echoes of his music bouncing off the well amplified walls. He looked up at me, and his face looked so nervous.
"What did you think?" He asked quietly. I sat up, and stroked his face once.
"It was beautiful. I really, really loved it." I said. He smiled.
"Really?" He asked. I nodded. "I can tell you worked really hard." I said. "I can't tell you how nice that was. Your voice makes me want to sit in a hammock and swing, or cry, or so something for dying children in Africa." I told him. He chuckled, and sat back against the bed with me.
"Thank you." He said. I leaned against his shoulder and he stroked the smooth wood of his Guitar. After a while, I noticed a pulsing pain in my head.
"Edward, my head hurts." I said.
"I know, beautiful. Let's get you home." He said. Lifting me to my feet. I followed him out the door and down the stairs, and then into the cold interior of his car. He turned the heat on, and rubbed his hands together. "You alright?" He asked me. I nodded, and he began to drive in companionable silence. We reached my house in a matter of minutes, and he stopped the engine, waving at Charlie who had peered out of the window. I looked at him, he didn't have that familiar brightness in his eyes today, and his shoulders slumped. I touched his shoulder once more, and sighed.
"Are you sure you're okay?" I asked gently. He nodded.
"Sure." He murmured.
"You're making me worried." I told him, and he made an effort to smile at me.
"I'm fine." He said, and touched my bandaged face, placing a piece of hair behind my ear.
"Just try not to think about James, kay?"
"Okay." He agreed softly, smiling a small smile as I opened the door and got out of the car.
"Bye, I'll see you tomorrow?" I asked. He nodded.
"Bye, Bells." He said, my name rolling off his tongue felt so natural. I walked cautiously up to my front door, keeping my balance, and turned around, waving at Edward, he waved back and pulled out of the driveway, disappearing out of view down the street. I opened the door and walked in, giving my dad a sideways squeeze, and then heading up to my room. I pulled on some sweatpants, and fell down onto my bed, deciding to take a nap, since it was still only about 5:30, and I was exhausted.
An hour later, a shrill sound called me out of sleep. I groaned, and opened my eyes, they felt heavy. I picked up the phone that lay on my bedside table and answered groggily.
"Hello?"
"Hey...Is this Bella?" Asked a slightly familiar voice. I sat up.
"Umm, yeah. Who is this?" I asked, curious.
"It's Carlos. You know...from the hospital." He said awkwardly.
"Oh. Oh...hey!" I said, trying to make myself sound less tired.
"Hi." he said, sounding like he was smiling.
"What's up?" I asked him.
"Well I was wondering if you wanted to go for coffee with me tomorrow? Like after you get off school." He asked. I was thrilled of course, but then what would he say about my face? I touched it lightly, and sighed.
"I'd love too Carlos, but there's just this thing..." I started.
"What thing?" He asked.
"Well I kind of have a bandage on like one whole side of my face." I explained.
"Oh...well I don't mind. I mean, if you're feeling well enough. "Really?" I asked.
"Well ya. What happened?" He asked.
"It's a long story, can I explain tomorrow?" I said, chuckling.
"Of course." He said, chuckling as well.
Review? Thank you!