Sorry for the horribly late update. One word: GCE's. I think that will suffice for an excuse and you wont come after me with pitch forks. The song for this chapter is All at once-The Fray.
Just to be clear, Edwards parents are not Esme and Carlisle. I know I said otherwise at first but this is now. His last name is Masen not Cullen.
Enjoy.
Epov:
There I was staring at Bella who was up on stage singing a song for me. Telling me about herself, opening up. I had to admire her nerve; I'd never be able to do that.
But the fact that she was opening up made me uncomfortable.
I was scared of what would happen if I stayed. Would I open up to her? If yes would we be friends?
I didn't want that to happen though I couldn't help but notice that in some corner of my mind I wanted that to happen.
I did the only thing I could do then, I ran.
I texted Jasper that I was going home, happy that we hadn't carpooled or I'd have to get a cab.
I drove home without really paying attention to anything, driving came a second nature to me and I didn't really need to concentrate on what I was doing.
Before I knew it I was outside my house, unlocking the door, calling a hurried goodnight to my mother and father who were in the living room and going straight to my room.
I lay on my bed for a long time staring up at the ceiling, just thinking.
I hated running out on Bella like that but I was freaking out and who knows what I would have said to her if I had stayed.
I needed to get this situation under control, I could not, would not be her friend.
She was a good person and she didn't need a cynic like me around her.
She was kind too, I saw her at one of my support group meetings that I was forced to go to.
She was thankfully too far to recognize me but I knew it was her, she was shouting something about not being scared of a pixie and I recognized her voice.
She was with a friend so I knew she was there to support her.
She was an amazing person which was all the more reason for me to stay away from her; I didn't want to taint her happiness.
I don't think I got much sleep that night and with the resolve of keeping to myself I went to school, picked Jasper up on the way there and tried to ignore his talk about how great Alice Brandon is and his inquiries of why I left so abruptly.
I parked in an empty place and got out.
We were early and there was some time before school started so I leaned back against my car and tried not to look around for Bella.
I was starting to pay attention to what Jasper was saying when a shout of "Group Hug" made us turn around.
There was Alice hugging or rather squeezing the living daylights out of Bella and Emmet's girlfriend Rosalie.
My resolve crumbled as I couldn't help but stare at her, she looked like she had fallen recently and had a bump on her head.
I noted that she was very fragile and that made me turn to jasper and strike up a random conversation with him. This did not go unnoticed by him and though he raised his eyebrow at me he mercifully didn't comment.
I dreaded lunch and purposely went late but I saw her sitting there reading a book.
It was favorite and by the look of it had been read and re-read many times.
I stared at her all through lunch feeling that the very intensity of my stare would inform her of my presence but she was too immersed in the book.
She caught me looking and blushed; I had to stop myself from leaning in and stroking her cheek.
I led her to biology and she thanked me for holding the door open for her. I wanted to hear her voice again but I didn't know what to say.
When we were seated at our table however she was the one to speak.
Turning towards me she looked me right in the eyes before saying "What the hell is wrong with you?"
I found it hard to think straight with her looking at me like that. She was angry I think I say some hurt in her eyes too, or was it disappointment?
"Bella I cant be a good friend to you. It's better if we just avoid each other and pretend that yesterday night never happened"
This did not make her happy. She grew livid.
"Don't you think that it is up to me to decide whether you are a good friend or not?"
I had to admit she had a point there but I couldn't back down now, I was adamant.
"Listen to me…." But she didn't let me complete.
"No Edward you listen to me if you don't want anything to do with me then fine, I'll back off. But I won't have you sit there and make pessimistic remarks about how you are not good for me."
"Swan, Masen" We both looked up and saw Mr. Banner glaring at us from the front of the classroom.
We were so wrapped up in our conversation that we didn't realize how loud we were.
"I don't care how important your little tête-à-tête is, you come here to study, Principals office both of you."
I didn't want Bella to get into trouble because of me. "But..."
He wasn't having any arguments about this. "Now!"
We picked up our bags and went outside without another word.
I headed straight for the parking lot forgetting that Bella was even there when she suddenly said "Where are you going?"
"Home" I said without turning around.
She stepped in front of me. "Do you want to be my friend? Tell me, without any sarcastic remarks, without anything, what you really want. I thought that you understood me, Alice and Rose are great but they don't really get me. It gets lonesome after awhile with no one to really talk to. I could use a friend."
She was looking at my face searching for an answer. I don't think she found it and when I didn't answer her she turned away with a sigh.
I don't know whether it was what she said or the way she said it but I wanted to comfort her, to tell her that I could be better for her. I didn't know if I was ready for her friendship but I couldn't leave her alone at any rate.
She came in Alice's car; this fact did not seem to occur to her yet.
"Let me drive you home"
"I can walk"
"Don't be silly it's too far to walk."
"I don't care I'll hitchhike."
The image of some faceless menacing stranger picking her up on the side of the road made me reach out and grab her arm. I could feel an electricity run through me and let go quickly.
"Bella please let me drive you"
"Fine"
Well that was easy. I thought I'd have to stand there arguing with her for her consent.
I walked her to my car and held the door open for her. "I can open the door for my self." Contempt laced every word.
I got in. "I was being a gentleman, its how I was raised." I started the car and drove in the direction of her house.
"Well next time save your gentlemanly act for someone else."
"Who says it's an act?"
"Chivalry's dead."
"Are you always this unyielding to appreciate other people's attributes"
"Are you always so used to false praise for your non-existent attributes?"
"Do you always turn this blind eyed to all the positive things in life?"
"Edward keep your eyes on the road!"
I turned away from her, I didn't mean to fight with her but she looked so adorable when she was indignant that I couldn't help but provoke her.
"Why are you going so fast?"
I looked at the speed-o-meter. 108mph.
"This is fast?"
"Slow down." I chuckled.
"There is no one else on the road Bella I don't think we have the chance of running over anyone. Calm down."
"I'll calm down when you slam us against a tree and get us killed."
I slowed down because she was in earnest.
I stopped in front of the chiefs house and waited for her to get out while wishing that I had more time with her.
"How do you know where I live?"
"I doubt that there is anyone in town who doesn't know where the chief of police's house is."
She rolled her eyes at me. I suddenly got an idea. I leaned in just a bit, and said "I'll see you tomorrow then?"
The effect was instant her eyes grew unfocussed and she looked dazed. Shaking her head slightly, as if to clear her thoughts she got out of the car and walked away without a backward glance.
