Chapter 5- Nearly

When you are a Cullen, you can do anything. No one actually pays much attention. I could skip as much classes as I wanted to, and I would still get perfect grades. Not that I cared.

So what was it that I was worried about, after all? Edward. Of course.

He had only been out hunting, preparing for the next time he met Bella. If you'd asked me, I might have said that he overdid it a little. But no one cares, do they?

I saw him running away in one of my visions, even if I couldn't find another reason why. However, that vision became unsure and hazy when I replayed it. I was worried and irritated to a dangerous point, but I thought about regular things so I could hide it from Edward, yet not sound like I was actually hiding something.

So I just sat on the top step at the edge of the third floor. I got up when I heard footsteps, looked out to the river, and waited for him. It was cold when Carlisle and Edward returned, cold enough to make me feel it.

As I'd expected, Edward sat on a rock facing the river and pondered something while Carlisle went to dress for his early shift at the hospital. Then he reluctantly nodded. He was going to leave us again. I waited for the vision that would tell me that he would come up. When it did, I sat back down on the top step.

You're leaving again, I accused him in my mind as he appeared.

He sighed and nodded.

I can't see where you're going this time.

"I don't know where I'm going yet," Edward whispered. I felt a searing hot wave of disappointment wash through me.

I want you to stay.

He shook his head.

Maybe Jazz and I could come with you?

"They'll need you all the more, if I'm not here to watch out for them. And think of Esme. Would you take half her family away in one blow?"

Darn it- time to take the offense.

You're going to make her so sad.

"I know. That's why you have to stay."

Clinging on to the last hope I had, I nearly shouted in my head. That's not the same as having you here, and you know it.

"Yes, but I have to do what's right."

There are many right ways, and many wrong ways, though, aren't there?

Then I was thrust into one of my visions again, with Edward alongside me, watching the vision swirl around and around in my mind, like clothes in a washer.

Edward was mixed with many, many hazy, imprecise forms. Then, suddenly, his skin was glittering, as bright as diamonds under the sun. He was in a small, open meadow. Then, suddenly, all went dark, and I gradually reclaimed my sight.

"I didn't catch any of that," he said, annoyed.

Me either. Your future is shifting around so much I can't keep up with any of it. I think, though…

I stopped in the middle of my thoughts and flipped through a recollection of all the visions I'd had concerning Edward. They were all alike in some way. They were all blurry, and it hurt my eyes to see them.

"I think something is changing, though," I said aloud. "Your life seems to be at crossroads."

Edward laughed grimly. "You do realize that you sound like a bogus gypsy at a carnival now, right?"

I stuck out my tongue out at him.

"Today is all right, though, isn't it?" His voice suddenly turned rough and apprehensive.

"I don't see you killing anyone today," I assured him.

"Thanks, Alice," he said.

I stood up, my back as straight as a ramrod and then darted down the stairs. Miss you. Really.

It was an extremely quiet ride to school. Jasper knew that I was upset about something, but he understood not to ask, because if I had wanted to tell him, I would have told him already.

Emmett and Rosalie were having another one of their moments. One look at Edward's face told me all I needed to know. He was feeling left out and grumpy again. I tried not to look at Edward, and I didn't want to face Jasper, so I just stared out the window.

When we arrived, the others went to class, and I stayed behind with Edward. He was leaning against the car, waiting. I didn't have to ask to know who he was waiting for. Sheesh… I didn't even know why he was waiting. Wasn't he running away from this girl in the first place?

He was gazing in Bella's direction again. This time, he had a slight smile on his face and the look in his eyes told me that he was probably choosing whether or not he should go up and talk to her. In the end, he must have thought that was wrong, so he stayed where he was. It was probably for the better.

I smiled, staring at his new confused expression, trying to make out what he was confused of, when I was thrust into another vision.

A truck- no- a van… Tyler's van… skidding on ice, wildly out of control… and headed straight for…

"NO!" I gasped. In my vision, I saw Bella, crushed, on the floor, her blood gushing out of her body and Edward at her side, drinking her blood, exposing us for what we were.

Edward's head instantly snapped towards me. He scanned my thoughts, and immediately jumped into action mode.

Suddenly, my vision started to shift.

I watched in shock and horror as Edward launched himself across the lot, throwing himself between the skidding van and Bella. He caught her around the waist and yanked her out of the way of the speeding van. My mouth opened in shock, even with the little of time I had to soak up his actions in my vision.

I heard her head crack in the collision. Edward seemed to start to freeze in horror but he didn't have time to ascertain her condition. Then Tyler's van seemed to curve around Bella's truck and went for them again, as if Bella was a magnet and the van was pulled towards it.

Edward swore. I hoped no one else heard him. Esme would have been disappointed in him.

He dropped Bella and caught the van before it crushed the girl. Then he shoved it away from himself for an instant, and scooped Bella out of harm's way. I looked around frantically, hoping that no one had eyes quick enough to see that.

I looked for Jasper, Emmett and Rosalie. The look in Rosalie's eyes… It shouted murder. Rosalie was in a blind, white-hot, searing rage. Edward would have much explaining to do.

I just stood there in silence as the rescue team arrived and strapped Bella to the gurney. Edward managed to ride in the front.

I was sure they would be fine, so I began to walk to class. Then Chief Swan arrived and when he saw Bella, he started to go into hysterics. I winced. Poor, poor Charlie.

I turned from the crowd of accumulating people and walked away, wallowing in my worries.