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Chapter 17: Stay With Me

BPOV

I tried to dodge the fist that came at me, but it was impossible. He'd hit me in the head every time, no matter how hard I struggled. I had been so stupid to try and go to the bathroom alone. And now, my worst fear was happening. I struggled again. Feeling like my head was going to pop if I didn't try to do something. I tried dodging to the right, but he still made contact with my head. I whimpered at the pain that shot through me praying that it would stop.

"Bella." I heard a strong voice through my panic, but it was so far away. I couldn't tell if I'd imagined it or if it was real. But then I heard it again. "Bella!" There were hands on me now as well. Did my attacker know me? I tried to wrench myself from the strong grip on my shoulders, but it didn't do any good.

"Bella, it's okay. Wake up." The voice was as firm as I slowly opened my eyes, realizing that I had been asleep and the attacker had been nothing but a dream. I was safe.

"Edward?" I whispered. Closing my eyes because trying to focus made my head hurt too much. Unfortunately, the headache hadn't gone away with my dream.

"I'm right here Bella. You're okay. You need to take some medicine though. You're all clammy and shaking. I think you need to see a doctor." Edward placed a hand against my forehead.

"No!" I whispered. "Don't make me go to the doctor. That's the last thing I want to do." I pleaded. I hated going to the doctor. They always pulled out needles and instruments of torture and expected you to like them. I mean who does that? "I'm fine, really. I just need to get some rest and I'll be fine in the morning." I mumbled.

"Bella, you need to take something. Do you have any Benadryl in your purse?" I nodded. I always carried some, just in case. Edward didn't say anything else so I snuggled back into the pillow I'd been laying on. I could feel Edward shifting and moving, but I was too tired to ask what he was doing.

"Bella, I need you to chew this." I felt something touch my lips. I frowned before I realized it was a pill. I figured a pill was better than going to the doctor so I opened my mouth to take it. The familiar taste of grape flavored Benadryl filled my tongue. I sighed in relief, knowing that would stop my reaction and eventually my headache.

"Just hold on Bella, we are almost back home." Edward soothed, whispering in my ear. He placed his arm around me and the other stroked my hair. It felt good and I felt so protected and safe in Edward's arms.

EPOV

I glanced down at Bella nervously. She wasn't doing very well. I'd been very proud of myself when she'd agreed to lay down in my lap because that meant I had an excuse to get even closer, but after a while, I'd noticed she was covered in a think sheen of sweat and was mumbling and turning in her sleep. Every now and then she'd whimper and it would send a pang of sadnessthrough my heart.

I knew something was wrong, but I wasn't sure what to do. I had hoped that more sleep would help her, but it looked as if she was only going to get worse. I knew a bit about allergic reactions, because my mom was allergic to bees however I'd never had to put that knowledge into usebefore now. I was worried I was going to screw up, but I wanted—no, needed— to take care of her. It was the least I could do after she had diligently looked after me and my knee.

I was thankful we were now only a half hour away from home and I tried to keep her calm as she slept. I alternated between rubbing her back and her hair. It seemed to help calm the whimpering and some of the shaking. We pulled into the parking lot outside of the training room and Bella was still sound asleep. I didn't want to wake her, so I carefully gathered her up in my arms and called out to Coach Clearwater.

"Bella's not feeling so well. I'm going to drive her over to her dorm and I'll come back for my gear later."

"You sure you're okay to take her?" Coach looked at Bella concerned. "Maybe she needs to see a doctor."

I shook my head. "I think she just needs some rest right now, but I'll call the health center if she gets any worse." I assured him.

"Alright, you're a good guy Edward." He clapped a hand on my back and gestured that I should go ahead. I carried Bella carefully to my car and laid her across the backseat. She didn't stir, notonce. I even rummaged around in the trunk, and found a blanket to drape over her, so she wouldn't get too cold. She looked so frail and thin lying against the dark seats of my Volvo, but I knew she was probably safer with me than anyone else at the moment.

I contemplated calling Billy. They seemed to have a good relationship and he even called her Bells, which made me think that they've known each other for a while. He might want to look over her, but I didn't have his phone number but Bella might have it in her cell.

I closed the back door and hopped in on the driver's side and started the car. I put the heat on low for Bella's sake and headed back to our dorm. I tried to park as close as I could to the dorm, but there weren't many options. I was tempted to pull up into one of the handicap spaces, but it was sure the moment I did, some cop would be all too happy to give the President's son a ticket, no matter the reason.

I sighed as I picked Bella up again and walked through the myriad of cars to the dorm. She still didn't stir and I checked to make sure she was still breathing. I made it to the elevator, but then I couldn't remember what dorm number she was and I didn't want to wake her just to ask. I also didn't want to let her out of my sight and I wasn't sure Bella had ever mentioned what her relationship with her roommate was like and I was hesitant to leave her with anyone.

I passed Bella's floor and continued up to my room and made quick work of the door. I walked over to my bed and pulled back the covers and tucked her in. I stared at her for a moment in the semi darkness. Her hair was splayed out on my pillow making her look angelic as she breathed quietly. She looked perfect under my covers and I suddenly wished she would never leave.

"Hey man!" The door banged open and Emmett barged in. "That was an insane win!" He boomed.

"Shut. Up. Emmett." I hissed. I pointed to where Bella was asleep under my covers.

"Oh sorry bro, I didn't know. Jeez, is Izzy alright?" Emmett squinted in the dim light. "She looks like a vampire."

"I know, Em. I think she had an allergic reaction to the peanut butter on the bus."

"Oh man, she needs to go to the health center." Emmett ran his hand through his curly hair. "You remember when mom got bitten that one time?" I nodded remembering clearly. Dad had to rush her to the emergency room. But Mom had hives and tons of itching. All Bella had was a headache.

"I'd take her, but she was adamant about not going to the doctor. I gave her some Benadryl though."

"Well, that's probably why she's knocked out."

"Yeah, that and the game was pretty stressful for her too." I added.

"You seem to know a lot about Izzy." Emmett crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah, well...look do you think you could crash at Mike's tonight? I don't want to have to move her again and I want to keep an eye on her in case I do need to take her to the health center."

"Of course, bro." Emmett nodded and grabbed some sweatpants and a T-shirt before grabbing his keys. "Call me if you need me. And she better be okay when I get back in the morning. Don't hurt my Izzy, okay?" Emmett gave me a stern look before heading out the door.

I rolled my eyes at his comment. As if I'd ever hurt Bella, maybe several weeks ago but not now. Watching Emmett get fresh clothes reminded me that I needed to change as well. I probably reeked to high heaven and I knew that would be an unpleasant smell to wake up to for both Bella and I. I checked on Bella, making sure she was still okay and hadn't gotten any worse before I headed to the ensuite bathroom.

My mind raced as I quickly showered. I was plagued with thoughts of the sleeping girl just a fewfeet away on the other side of the door. Bella had brought out a side of me that I hadn't seen in a long time. A caring side that was so different than the tough and aggressive demeanor that I often wore out on the field. Emmett always joked about me being a softie on the inside, but I'd always brushed him off. Turns out he'd been right. Well, at least where Bella was concerned I was.

Bella was thankfully still asleep as I padded over to Emmett's bed. I was close enough so that if she needed anything I'd be right there, but also not too close to freak her out. I knew she was still adamant about the whole staying away from each other because it's-against-the-rules thing, but frankly I didn't really care. We were graduating this year and I wasn't planning on playing football professionally. But I respected the fact that her career could be potentially riding on this internship. But there really had to be some way around it. If I had to wait until the end of the season then I would, but I was determined to be with Bella.

I pulled back the covers and glanced back at her. I had only meant to see if she was okay, but I found myself walking over to her to tuck her hair behind her ear. I leaned down and kissed her forehead, my lips grazing her soft skin. Her eyes fluttered open. I blinked in surprise, freezing in place. Bella looked at me sleepily. "Edward?" She whispered.

"Yes. Do you need anything?"

"No," her response was so soft I was starting to wonder if she was even really awake or justtalking in her sleep.

"Okay, well of you need anything, I'll be right over there, okay?" I turned to Emmett side, when I felt her hand grasp mine.

"Can you just...hold me, please?" She whispered, her eyes staring into mine. "Stay with me?"

She didn't have to ask twice. I climbed in next to her and held her under the covers. She fit so perfectly in my arms. I wished I could stay this way forever.

"Thank you."

Those were the last words I heard, before I started drifting off; the stress of the game and Bella crashing into me at full force.

Hello, hello! Hope you enjoyed this chapter and the softer side of Edward. Any thoughts about Edward's POV? Do you like protectiveward or is he still assward? Let me know what you think!

-Marie