Fifth chapter - disaster

There must have been around thirty rounds of gun fire, Edward had pulled me under the table and had his arms around me, protecting me. Due to fact I was so scared, I ended up hiding my face in his chest, my arms around him, under his suit jacket. I was clinging to a complete stranger, but it felt as though I had known his for ages.

"I won't let anyone hurt you," he said, holding me closer. I felt safe here, right here, with a stranger. Even after the gun fire stopped, I still clung to him. He didn't even try to push me away, but I did feel him move. He lifted the table cloth, to look at the scene. He cradled me, and pushed the table aside and carried me out of the gymnasium.

The cold air nipped at my exposed skin, and Edward didn't seem to be omitting any body heat at all.

"Oh god, I thought she was dead!" I heard Charlie gasp; I felt his warm hand touch my arm.

"Thank you Edward. Can I ask a favour of you?" Charlie asked him, and Edward shifted me in his arms.

"Of course, Mr Swan," Edward's voice was just so husky and just hearing it was a pleasure.

"We managed to get the people that did it, and Dr Cullen is at the hospital sorting out casualties and the rest of your family has gone home..." Charlie didn't get chance to finish his sentence when Edward interrupted him.

"I'll take her home," Charlie passed Edward the keys to the house. Charlie kissed my forehead and left.

"We're complete strangers," I stated as Edward put me into his shiny silver Volvo.

"I know Bella, but Charlie needs me to keep you safe." Edward stated, "Plus you'll get to know me, I start at the high school...well it should've have been tomorrow, but obviously after this, I don't know." He closed my door and walked around the car. He got in his side of the Volvo and started the car up. The drive back to mine was short so we didn't have much conversation time. Edward walked me to the door, and unlocked the door before passing me the keys. I stepped into my house and nervously, blushing looked back. "Goodnight Edward Cullen, my saviour." I said, hiding behind the door.

"Goodnight Isabella Swan," he said smiling; he turned around and walked to his car. He looked back, and he saw me watching him. He was so special; he'd captured my heart by his heroic actions. It was clique but he had saved me, a complete stranger. I owed this guy big time. He looked down as if he knew what I was thinking. I slowly closed to door; slow enough to watch him drive away.

My first meeting with Edward Cullen was disastrous, yet still so special. I was getting my hopes up and I knew that I was never going to be good enough for someone like Edward. A few days had passed since the shooting and I wasn't suffering from any form of post traumatic stress, I was fine. I hadn't seen Edward since that night, and Charlie was at the station trying to do his job. Jacob and his dad had left on unavoidable family business, so I didn't have anyone. I just mooched around the house.

After my fifth day of no school and no friends, I decided it was time to get out of the house. It was an unusual sunny day, so I walked into town with all of 20 dollars and 75 cents. There wasn't much in Forks; most of the stores were in Port Angeles. So, I just wandered around, heading towards the cinema. As I turned the corner to take a shortcut, the atmosphere changed. I thought about turning back, but I looked back to see that two guys were following me, my heart race increased and I began walking faster. In my panic, I went the wrong way, and I was suddenly lost. One of them grabbed me, and pushed me up against a wall, my heart pounding so hard in my chest. There was alcohol on his breath, and it was strong that I almost threw up my mouth.

There was a screeching of tyres and at that moment I truly believed it was all over for me. Everything happened so fast, Edward punched the guy that held me to the wall square in the jaw, causing him to top all over and screaming in pain before passing out, the other ran away scared. I was a shaking nervous wreck and like that night Edward scooped me up in his arms and carried me to his car.

"You just attract danger don't you?" He said, trying to lighten the mood as he practically threw me into the passenger seat and sped away from the scene.

"Hey it isn't my fault!" I exclaimed.

How had he known where I was? How did he know I needed help? Was he following me?

"I saw you go down that alley, and when you didn't come out the other end..." He suddenly shut up, and then mumbled something to himself. I looked at him, my eyebrow raised, had he just...? No, he couldn't have, it was physically impossible.

"I'll take you to the police station." He said, his jaw locked and teeth clenched. I wanted to object, and to tell him to take me home, but something in his posture and the way he was breathing warned me not to push him. Edward's driving was frantic, and it scared me. I pressed my palms against the dashboard, when he hit the brakes at the lights to stop myself from being jolted forward.

"We can't be friends." Edward said bluntly, he wasn't looking at me, but one of his hands was on my arm, pulling me back into my seat. I looked at him, astounded by what he'd said, I barely knew the guy and he barely knew me. He put both hands on the steering wheel. He dropped me off at the police station, and refused to talk to me. He sped away, almost hitting another car.