CHAPTER EIGHT

"HA! And that is what you get for picturing me fucking an old guy." Edward taunted.

I quickly recovered from any astonishing thoughts.

"You are so…annoying." I grabbed his plate of chicken and noodles and carried it over to my couch. "Just for that, you don't get to eat anything!"

He came over to my television room and plopped down on my recliner. "You're going to take food away from a homeless person?"

"You're not homeless. For the next however many hours, you are a guest. I'm only taking food away from a guest. The offense has been severely downgraded. Misdemeanor to domestic disturbance." I stuck my tongue out at him.

I started to dig into the chicken.

"You don't need to be so sensitive, Bella. If it would really make you feel better…I guess I could consider a relationship with you." He said it like he was overtaxed just thinking about it.

"You guess you could consider it?" I snapped. "You would be lucky to get a girl like me….which you never could because I am like way too good for you."

"Yeah…so good that you would take a hungry man's meal away from him and then proceed to eat it right in front of him. How is that speech looking when you finally meet the man upstairs?"

"First of all, you forfeited your meal when you had a meltdown over something that didn't even happen. Secondly…I don't have a man living upstairs. You're the only man who has ever been here aside from my family."

Edward smacked himself in the face, "No…man upstairs…it's another term for the big J.C….God?"

"Oh…oooohhh." What a ditz. I began laughing as it reminded me of Lauren at the restaurant this morning.

"Who the fuck is S.P?" I screamed and the about died in a fit of giggles.

"Am I missing something?" Edward asked confused.

"Oh, it's nothing…just my…friends…ex-friends..." I replied through breathes.

"Ex?" he queried.

And that sobered me right up. I had ex-friends. The only friends I had were now my ex-friends. I was officially friendless, by my definition, by Google's definition, I was officially alone.

"Bella, what's wrong?"

I got up from the couch and handed him back his plate, "The food…it was really good."

"Thanks."

I grabbed my purse and keys. "You'll be good here? I…I…just need to go do something."

I didn't wait for a response; I just walked out to my garage and got into my car. I wasn't one for running upstairs and throwing myself on a bed and having a good cry but I felt sad. Jessica and Lauren weren't the greatest of friends but they were at least something. A couple of years ago when I first moved out to this house, I didn't have anyone and I spent the better part of two years just lying around my house. Then I met Jessica at a boutique and she introduced me to Lauren and I finally felt happy with my life.

And now, I was back to being alone.

I didn't know where to go. I didn't even have Horizons to waste my time at. I just sat in the garage in my car. Normally when I was down I would just go patrolling for men but even that seemed silly now.

A little time had passed and I watched as Edward walked out the door into my garage and slide into my passenger seat.

"You have pants." I noted.

"Yeah, dryer finally finished."

"Good."

It was oddly quite sitting in the car. I could barely make out the sounds of the rain falling outside.

"What happened, Bella? What did you mean, ex-friends?"

I bit on my perfectly manicured finger nail. "I…made a scene this morning and I yelled at them over something stupid…I don't know what I was thinking. I should have just dropped it but something went wrong and I just…went off."

"What did you fight over?" he asked quietly.

I sighed, "You're just going to get mad at me."

"I won't get mad. I promise."

"Lauren, she said something about how her dad gives money to charities because they're great tax write-offs. I told her what you told me about blindly giving money to charities without knowing how much actually goes to the cause." I mumbled.

"And?"

Once again just thinking over her words this morning made my blood boil.

"And that bitch actually said to me that the charities were lucky to get anything at all and if there wasn't tax write-offs then she and her father wouldn't give a cent. That people in need were pathetic. I mean I know I'm a bitch but really? REALLY? She fucking pissed me off." I growled.

"So you…yelled at her?"

"You're goddamn right I did." I yelled.

"What did you say?"

"I said…I said…there was a banana…so I said…" I stuttered.

"Bella, what did you say?" Edward asked louder. "What did you say?"

"I slammed the banana from off my plate down in front of her and told her that it's because of assholes like her and her father that poor people don't get a whole a banana and that if she hadn't won the lottery, she would be only entitled to half that banana." I wringed my hands, "I may have called her a disgusting piece of shit and told her that she will have to explain being a bitch to the big S.P….or something like that."

Edward sat back in the seat, "You told her that?"

"It wasn't my finest moment. I probably won't be invited back to the St. Regis anytime soon."

"Finest moment? That was fucking awesome! Do you even realize how proud I am of you. I mean…I don't mean to sound condescending but, Bella this is amazing."

"Amazing? I didn't do anything. I just yelled at my only friends. I made an ass out of myself and now I have no more social life. I don't have anything or anyone except some stupid ass brother and bat shit crazy grandfather. My dad…hell my dad is so M.I.A. I practically don't even have a dad. I have everything I could ever want and yet nothing at all."

"You have me."

I scoffed. "No offense but you're practically a stranger."

"How does any friend start out? When you met Jessica, she was a stranger but then you spent time with her and eventually she became a friend."

I sighed, "But this is different."

"Because I'm homeless?" he asked directly.

"Because you're a guy. I don't do friendships, relationships…not with guys. I don't want anything complicated. I don't ever go down that path…I have reasons…stupid reasons but they're my reasons."

"And you're not going to tell me those reasons…are you?"

"I don't need anyone making me feel stupider then I already am."

"I don't think you're stupid at all."

I looked out my driver's window to my garage and thought of all the times I had opportunity for more but never took it and it was a really stupid reason. I didn't ever involve myself with someone because I did it out of spite.

"You're so unhappy Bella and yet you have everything at your disposal. I mean…if you could do anything, go anywhere in the world…what would you do? Where would you go?"

"Yale." I whispered.

"The school?" He asked confused.

"Yes, the school. You know I was smart enough to get in once upon a time." I snapped.

Edward held up his hands. "I…I was just wondering why you didn't go."

"Because I couldn't afford it."

He laughed ironically.

"I'm not joking, dumbass."

"I just…don't get that…" he started to shake his head.

"My father said that I didn't meet the criteria. He saw me as a bad investment and so on my eighteenth birthday he bought me this house and paid for the moving van and my life has been uphill ever since, can't you tell?"

"Jesus, Bella."

I waved him off, "Whatever. You know what? Fuck Yale. Fuck Yale! I change my mind. If I could go anywhere, I'd go to Oxford. I would get out of this country and far away from my family. I'd go and eat scones and drink tea."

"Fuck Yale." He agreed. "And…I hope you get to Oxford."

I laughed. "Not likely but thanks anyway."

"Well…" Edward was interrupted by my door bell ringing.

"Were you expecting someone?" He asked.

"No." I replied thinking through anyone who would be ringing my door at this time. It was almost nine o'clock and I never had guests. I started to get out of the car and so did Edward. It was incredibly dark in my garage so we made our way slowly over to the house door. I could hear the doorbell ring again. I went to the video surveillance and intercom.

"Hello?" I asked.

"Bella? Bella…I…Lauren gave me your address…it's me Jimmy."

That bitch, Lauren!

"Do you know him?" Edward asked.

I stared a little harder at the video for any sign of recognition but unfortunately there was none.

"Well?" Edward pressed.

"I don't know…maybe…I might have slept with him once."

"Might have? Geez…"

"Hey, no judging, I'm sure you've had plenty of rumbles…in the trash or wherever the fuck."

"You don't need to be mean Bella…I was just…"

I gave him a look.

Edward pressed the intercom button, "Uh…hi Jimmy?"

He turned to me, "What's his last name?"

"How the hell should I know? What do I look like, a bookkeeper?"

He rolled his eyes and sighed turning back to the intercom, "This is Bella's…friend. Is there something we can help you with?"

"Yeah, I want to talk to Bella, open the door, friend of Bella's." Jimmy spit.

"Real charmer." Edward said back to me. "Should I open the door?"

"NO! I didn't want people knowing where I live. Make him go away."

Edward shook his head, "Look, she doesn't want to see you…I wish you well."

"You wish him well?" I asked.

"What else am I supposed to say to the man?"

A loud banging came upon the door, "Bella. I just want to talk. Come on."

I scrambled over to the stairs and hid behind a banister. Edward shook his head and went to the door.

"No." I whispered desperately.

Edward opened the door just enough to encounter the man. "Look bro, I don't know who you are but this isn't Bella's house. This is my house and I will call the cops if you don't vacate immediately."

"I just want to see Bella."

"I don't know how to make myself clearer. She doesn't want to see you. She doesn't want to talk to you and if you harass her, I will know. Do not fuck with me." Edward growled before slamming the door and locking it.

I breathed a sigh of relief and started to walk down the stairs.

"Thank you." I said softly.

"No problem…it's what friends do."

I shook my head. "I can't be friends with you…I…no offense but…I just can't."

I turned away and began to walk back upstairs to my room. It was a little early but I was exhausted. Mentally, physically, I was just plain exhausted. I closed my door and locked it, hating myself a little more. It's not that I didn't want to be friends with Edward, it's just if I became friends with him, what if he wanted more. I could never give him more. Girls and guys weren't meant to be friends without romance trying to creep inside.

I always knew Edward was dangerous for me because for the first time I could actually picture something with him. I, Isabella Swan was picturing something more with a homeless person. What was the matter with me? I had gone from a social life to a social outcast and now I was picturing Edward and me together.

That shit had to stop.

Once more the storm lulled me to sleep and it wasn't until early in the morning hours when I was awaken.

"Shh….it's okay. It's okay."

"Edward?"

I felt his fingers gently glide down my face. I was practically paralyzed. What was he doing in my room? I should push him off and yell at him to get the fuck out of my house.

"You're not alone, Bella. I'm here for you." I could feel his hot breath so close to my face. He pulled me up and into a mighty kiss and suddenly there were no more thoughts. My body acted on instinct and I wanted more. I needed more.

"More." I whimpered.

His hand went down my side and he pulled the covers off. I practically launched myself at him but he took control and forced me back down into the bed and climbed on top of me.

He was completely bare and his body looked better than what I remembered of it from my kitchen this morning. His perfect muscles. His perfect "V."

"Wait…just be patient. I want to this to last." He barked looking into my eyes. I nodded and allowed him to set the pace but I opened my legs and let him settle there while he made me wait.

With a single finger he moved it up and down my already slick entrance. No panties to get in our way. I struggled against him wanting him to move. "Come on, just fuck me already!" I yelled.

"Fuck you? You want me…a homeless dude to fuck you? I may be homeless and dirty but I'm not going to fuck a dirty bitch."

It was like a bucket of ice water being dumped all over me.

I wanted to yell…or hit him but I couldn't disagree with his words. I was a dirty bitch. I was hoe. I couldn't even remember a guy that I slept with.

"Stop crying. You don't want to be a pathetic dirty bitch. That's the worst." He jested getting out of my bed.

"Edward…" I tried.

"Awe…Edward." He mocked.

My doorbell started ringing again. Non-stop.

"Better answer that Bella but I'm not going to take care of your trash anymore."

I woke up in a sweat and looked around my room. It was bright out and the sun was shining and there was no sign of Edward. It was all a dream…just a dream. The doorbell still wouldn't quit and it was followed by a loud banging noise.

I climbed out of bed and threw on a robe still incredibly disturbed by minds nocturnal activities. I looked over at the clock at it was past nine. I hurried down the stairs looking for any sign of Edward but so far nothing.

The banging continued. "Bella. Open the door…I'm going to call the police."

It was Michael.

"What in the hell?" I yelled when I opened the door.

"Jesus. Finally." He pushed his way in. "I've been standing out there for over ten minutes."

"No. Not ten whole minutes. What do you want?"

"I guess what they say is true. Don't ever wake a sleeping dragon." He started to walk toward my kitchen but I quickly cut him off worried that Edward was in there cooking or something.

"Michael, I don't have time for you today. Please go."

"You're acting weird…really weird." He pushed past me and I cringed trying to keep up but there was no sign of Edward in the kitchen either. "I was being a good brother coming by and checking on you. I thought you had died or something."

"Why would you think that?" I snapped.

"The inactivity on your credit cards the past week. There was only one explanation for something catastrophic as that. Death. But, you're not so…what's been up sis?"

I could see that the kitchen was spotless. No sign of the late lunch that Edward had cooked. The pots and pans were all washed and put away and the counters were wiped clean. There was no sign that Edward had ever been here.

"Hello, Jell-O." Michael announced after he opened my fridge.

"Hey, that's mine." I was relieved to see the Jell-O because then it meant that yesterday actually happened and it all wasn't a nightmare.

"Damn, this Jell-O is the shit. Where did you buy this?" Standing in a suit and tie in my kitchen eating Jell-O like a five-year old, I wanted to smack him. He was eating my Jell-O.

"I didn't buy it. A…fri…someone made it. Look, I want to get back to my beauty sleep so can you move this along."

"Fine. Geez, such a brat." He threw his spoon into the sink with the bowl of finished Jell-O. "That's what I get for caring."

"By the way, Michael…I'm going to be making a large purchase. I need another car." I thought back to what Edward told me about my Mercedes down at Horizons and since I had Mr. Pocketbook standing here, I thought it would be a wise time to bring it up.

"What kind of car? You're not getting a Lamborghini."

"I don't know…a Toyota…Lexus? Is that a far enough of a downgrade?"

"Why the hell would you need a Toyota?" he shook his head at my apparent absurdity.

"What do you care? I need a different car and I hear…Toyota's are…nice." It tasted nasty just saying those words.

"If you're not going to tell me what it's for, then I'm allocating that kind of money for you to run around and play Bella the bum."

"That is so incredibly pompous. You're such an asshole, Michael." I knew I sounded like a hypocrite, I had called Edward horrible names many times before but hearing it out of my brother's mouth made it uncalled for. I stormed over to my front door and held it open while I waited for him to mosey on out.

"I'll tell dad you said hi."

I slammed the door. He just said that last bit to rub in the fact that he was dad's favorite. Dad at least talked to Michael. I just don't even know where it all went wrong. I used to be the apple of my dad's eye and ever since my mother passed he was always so distant. What did I do wrong? She died of cancer, that wasn't my fault.

I walked around looking for any sign of Edward but there was still none.

"Edward?" I called out. I looked in the garage and around the whole house but it was like he was never even there. Just the remnants of the groceries he ordered were left.

This was a good thing. He got the hint. I didn't need him in my life and I didn't want him. He should have just moved on but he could have at least left a note. A thank you would have been at least sufficient for putting his ass up.

It was a terrible thing those next couple of days. I had nowhere to go. No one to talk to. Shopping didn't even sound good to me. I spent the next night fretting over the dreams I may encounter and thinking over the words that nightmare Edward said to me. I wasn't denying it, I was a dirty bitch. I couldn't even remember Jimmy. I racked my brain and nothing came. How could I have possibly slept with so many men that I wouldn't even remember one?

Monday night plagued me until I finally got up and decided to start writing down all the guys I had slept with. Most of which I remembered their names but some I had given monikers to so my list topped off at twenty-two. Twenty-two! One less than my age. It was like one senseless fuck for every year I was alive and then what if I had forgotten others like Jimmy? How many more could they're have been.

On Wednesday I was making an appointment for my gyno A.S.A.P. I wanted the full work up and if everything came out okay, then I would swear off men forever. I had a laptop full of pictures of Senor Cullen to help me fly solo for a while anyway.

Even when Tuesday rolled around I didn't know if I really even wanted to go back to Horizons. I wasn't friends with Jessica and Lauren and I doubt I would ever see those two again but I still wanted to make good on my bet.

With my Mercedes still here, I drove down to the overly cheery yellow building. I felt nauseated just thinking of having to go back in there. But when I finally did make it in, Edward wasn't there. He wasn't there on Tuesday. He wasn't there on Thursday and since I was a social pariah I even went in on Saturday and still he wasn't there in his kitchen.

His kitchen but my sink. I smiled lamely thinking about it.

But I did my job. I handed out food and stood in my spot on the line.

"Thank you…for coming in all three days. I can't tell you how much your help means to me." Alice pulled me out of my thoughts while I was still on the line Saturday night. "I know you feel more comfortable here but I really need help with clean up and serving…if you can manage. I have to go and start the reading corner in a couple."

"No…it's fine. Whatever you need." I replied.

"Thank you." She started to walk off, "There's a tray over there filled with dishes of extra Jell-O. Just walk around and people usually hold up there hand if they want more."

Jell-O. Damn you Jell-O!

I sighed and went to grab the tray. I did what I was told and walked around handing out Jell-O. I tried to keep the contact minimal, never really looking at a person but over them.

"Is it good?" I heard someone say to me and it was the first time someone had spoken to me other than the polite "thank you."

I looked over and it was Edward. Sitting at a table with the rest of the homeless people.

"Have you tried it? The Jell-O. Was it good?"

I just stood there staring at him. I had asked him to stay away from me and that's what he had done but now I was just furious. I don't know if it was because of all those nights I had played over and over the dirty bitch dream but I was angry because he had just up and left without even saying goodbye.

"Why don't you try it?" I turned over my tray and all the Jell-O went flying down onto Edward's shirt, pants and floor. I dropped the tray to the ground and didn't even notice what scene I had just caused. Like I told you, this soup kitchen was nothing if not a soap opera.

Days of Our Homelessness.

AN: I have been reading all the different thoughts on people are trying to guess what Edward's deal is and some are close but still no one has got it yet. Which is completely fine especially if you want the story to just unfold as is and learn that way. All will be reveled. I promise. So many great reviews, I am so honored! I wanted to take this minute and say that I was also honored that Twifanfictionrecs has nominated Mistakes from My Past for best completed story in the month of May. If you read it and would like to vote for me please head over to their website and vote. Website is found at twifanfictionrecs. com and I would be greatly thankful for any votes. Thank you again for reading and reviewing and I hope that you are enjoying this story.