Over 70 reviews in one day. W-o-w. Okay, so I obviously need to clear up some things:

Does he (Edward) not love Bella? Yes, of course Edward loves Bella.

Did you get the name Kelsey from the Metro Station? As much as I love the song, no, I didn't. Honestly, it was just a random name.

Do you think you could put in some more Carlisle/Bella talks like the one in the last chapter? You'll have to wait and see. :)

WHEN IS EDWARD GOING TO TELL BELLA WHAT TE QUERIO MEANS?!? When I planned it.

Does this guy NEVER get a break? WHY WONT THEY KISS!$#!&^$&$%^ Edward does get a break, and Bella, too, soon. As for the kiss…you'll have to wait for it. I have it all planned out. :)

What's going to happen now? Read the chapter!

Why did you kill Kelsey??!!?? A common question I got asked often – even on MySpace – and I'll tell you all the same thing. Technically, the cancer killed her, but from me, like I said, I have it all planned out!

So what's going to happen to the two "lovebirds"? Another common question. Read!

So why did Edward get mad when Bella said I love you? I got this a couple of times, too. Edward was happy because he thought Bella actually said it and meant it. But when Bella asked if that was the magic word, Edward got mad/sad 'cause he thinks she'll never feel that way about him.

Okay, another amazing boost on my ego from SimoneCullen-x and so many others it'll take me forever to mention. And here are the countries you all are from: USA, India, Belgium, Canada, Mexico, England, New Zealand, and finally, Australia. Love to all of you from around the world! Thank you again for most of you saying my story is better than Twilight!!!!!!!!!

Missing Piece of the Puzzle

Chapter 22: Talks

B.P.O.V.

You know that feeling you get when someone you care about has someone they care about die? And you just don't know how to say or act? Yeah, I'm there right now.

You can't just say sorry. Sorry. What good would it do? You can't say everything will be okay and things happen for a reason. Someone freakin' died! Of course that's never okay! And Edward hasn't said anything to me or about the Kelsey girl. Who is she? Why was she staying at the hospital? Was she a patient's mother? No, that can't be. Edward pointed to a little girl in the drawings. Does that mean he's in love with a child? No, Edward would never fall in love with a minor. Hell, I can't even get him to fall in love with me. But who could blame him?

After the elderly nurse walked out, Edward stayed staring blankly in space. His face expressed no emotion what so ever. The relief and joy that were once in his shinning eyes died away, like blowing out a flame. I called him many times, even shaking him. He met my eyes for a split second and I remember gasping. Edward's green eyes were full of sorrow and disbelief…and anger. His lips were pressed together in a firm line, eyes were moist around the rim and bloodshot red, but he hasn't shed a tear. Much less a word. He walked out of the building with such a hurry, as if too many vivid memories were taunting him there. Now, he's driving too much over the speed limit, hands clamped on the steering wheel, knuckles a ghostly white and his face morphed into a cage, holding anything he's feeling in.

I nervously licked my lips as I fumbled with my locket that was tucked under my shirt. "E-Edward?"

He didn't move. Glaring out the windshield, he pressed harder on the gas petal.

"Um…" I tried to some up with something. "I'm not ready to die yet." I teased. He slightly winced at the word 'die'.

Scared for him, I fell back onto my seat. I let my hand drop from the heart-shaped locket and looked straight ahead, arms lapped over my chest. "You have to talk sometime."

Edward kept quiet.

Okay… "Who's Kelsey?" He winced again. Ouch.

It was my turn to glare at the road ahead. "She's the one that died, wasn't she?"

With my head set, my eyes wandered to look at him. Edward's eyebrows were knitted together, hard and angry.

"I'm guessing she's the person you wanted to introduce me to?" I asked.

His face hardened even more, if that's possible.

"Why was she staying at the hospital?" I questioned, trying to get words out of his statue.

His eyes, which were still red around the edges, blinked. Nothing else changed.

I groaned in frustration and unlocked my arms. Staring at him angrily, I spoke harshly. "You know, you're always telling me talking would make a person feel better. In the beginning, I didn't want to, but I still did. For you. You're always saying I can't let sadness and things out of my control run my life. You said this morning I shouldn't want to end my life for every little bad thing that happens. Do you know how hard that is? Not being able to cause pain on myself to forget about what's going on around me? Because let me tell you, its hell!" My voice was mean, hard, determined. Good, that's what he needs.

"I haven't touched a sharp object in over a week. For you. I've been strong, at least trying to be, for you. I've done better in school and stayed away from the gang – for you. And it's not easy! I should be with them; I deserve to be with them; I'm supposed to be with them! But I'm not. I'm here – with you."

"You shouldn't be anywhere around those girls." He growled. Well lookey here, he speaks. "Except…maybe Sarah. But you still don't know why she got shot."

"She took away Karina's drugs! She was helping her." I insisted.

Edward gripped the wheel harder. "You still shouldn't be with them!"

"Yes, I should. I'm one of them – I'm part of them! Just because I'm living with you and I've changed drastically – more than should be possible – over the last four months doesn't mean I'm not like them. I am them! I'm part of that gang, like it or not. It's my place; it's where I should be. All of us. We all need to be there. But we didn't decide to join. It was beyond our control. Each of us was ashamed of our past – of who we are. We came together to find ways to cope, even if it is avoiding obstacles needed to be confronted. Drugs, anorexia, cutting ourselves – they're all signs of help. I never knew that." I shook my head. "I didn't know we were going on about it the wrong way. But it's too late. That's who we are – who I am. Whether I like it or not, it's always going to be a part of me."

"After all the crap we've done to ourselves, we deserve to be in that horrible gang. And now, because I was starting high school – scared, alone – I don't have a way out. None of us have a way out. The only exit for the living hell that is our gang will probably leave us dead." I spat out the truth that I've been holding in for so long.

Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes. "There, I said it." I opened my eyes and looked at Edward's face. "I feel better – knowing that you now know the truth….Don't you want to feel better? I know you've done so much for me – I'm thankful, I really am. Without you, I don't know what would've happened to me; I would've never found myself. The part of me I lost so long ago; the happy one – but please. Can you do just one, only one, thing for me right now? Talk."

Silence.

Edward's expression didn't change as he spoke gratingly. "You are not one of them. Never were, never will be. End-of-discussion."

I sighed impatiently. "Edward, that's not what I was talking about, and you know it." I settled down and reviewed him. He wasn't that same Edward that helped me through my miserable life. This time, I talked softly, "What happened to you back there?"

Shaking his head, he laughed bitterly. "Nothing happened to me….But I can't say the same for Kelsey."

"Who's Kelsey?"

Quiet.

"Edward? Can you tell me who Kelsey is? You obviously wanted me to meet her…"

"This little girl," he said roughly. "She had cancer. Actually, I met her when I was taking a walk in the hospital when Nurse Bernie was going to help you with the bath. I found her and her mom walking in the hall. I talked to Kelsey and she gave me the bandana that covered her head. After that, when I wasn't with you and you were still taking residence in the hospital, I would go to her room and check on her. Her mom, too. Poor Ms. Jameson – she couldn't get a night's rest if it saved her life. She needed more money for Kelsey, so I asked my father for cash. I gave it to Ms. Jameson – she wasn't married – and she was going to use it for another one of Kelsey's surgery. Well, it was a blood transfusion. Doctors – not my father; he didn't specialize in cancer – said she had a month tops. So, I even donated blood. Luckily, we were the same blood type. Her surgery was scheduled for tomorrow…" Edward's eyes, which were looking past the road, in a dream filled with memories, blinked and he was back to the present. He looked as if he just got slapped in the face. Edward's eyes were full of sorrow again.

"But…I guess it's too late for that." He furrowed his eyebrows and focused back on the road.

"Wow…" I whispered under my breath. That was far from what I was expecting. Trying to control my thoughts in a range that made sense, I noticed the path we were taking.

More aware of my surroundings outside the Volvo, I sat up straight. "Edward," I said cautiously, looking out my window, "where are we going?"

"To Alice and Rosalie's place." Edward said, never casting his gaze upon me. "Rose is in class right now, but Alice should be there. You need to stay with her. I…" He licked his lips as his thumb tapped the wheel. "I just need time to think on my own right now."

"Oh…" I looked at my lap. "Alright then," I murmured, doubting he'd heard me. "But why did you give me her bandana to sleep with?"

Edward smiled a bit. "You were the one who chose to sleep with it. I merely gave it to you because…you and Kelsey are similar. Alike. You're both going through a rough time since childhood, and you're both fighting something difficult. If she has the will to be happy and elated when she's going through cancer, I figured you'd be happier while trying to stop hurting yourself and getting your life back to normal."

This time, I stayed quiet.

"But she has cancer; I'm only being a stupid idiot by cutting myself. She has a terrible sickness, I'm stupid. She doesn't have a cure; I have you and my pills. Our situations are completely different!" I managed to clear up after a short while.

Edward shook his head and said nothing more until I felt the car go to an easy stop. "We're here." He mused as I gaze at the huge campus. Even when I first came here yesterday to get ready for Halloween – it felt like so long ago instead of only last night – I was dumbfounded by its size.

Edward turned his keys in the ignition and the soft purr of the Volvo ceased. "Do you want me to walk you up, or do you remember your way?"

Still gawking at the building, I nodded. "I think I remember."

"If not, you still have your phone with you, right?" He asked urgently.

I nodded again, watching a guy with long hair jump over the water fountain – which was located in the center of the green grass (it's a big difference here in Seattle than back at Forks) – while riding his skateboard.

I looked back at Edward as he stared intently at his dangling keys. I chewed on the corner of my lip. "Well, see you later...?"

He nodded once. "Later."

Without hugging him, I opened the door – he always opens the door for me; he must be really upset as I suspected – and closed it shut behind me. As soon as I took a step on the pavement, Edward's car sped off. When I turned around quickly, the roar of his engine was slowly falling behind and he was no where in sight. My eyebrows puckered together with worry, I turned around and faced the large campus.

As I described earlier, there was a big, circular patch of green grass with a nice big water fountain in the center, clear water spewing from the mouth of it. Outside the round circle was flat, leveled cement. Tall trees were surrounding each end of the cement as it stretch out to the left and right for walking to near by classes. Black benches were spotted in different areas, each seemingly in perfectly place. All around, even sitting on the thick edge of the water fountain, were college students. None of them had back packs since it was Saturday, but you could see most working on papers or studying. Behind the beautiful water fountain was a tall, light brown building – it seemed as if it were a hotel. That was where all the dorms were hidden in – tucked under the beauty of the building. They even had a revolving door in the center of the first floor, where the 'lobby' was at. (I call it a lobby since it looks like one from a fancy hotel, but, really, it's just filled with couches and tables for students to study or hang out.) To the left and right of the main entrance were two clear doors, accessible for entrance, as well.

And the best part: boys. I know, I know, I really – really, really, really, - like Edward. But, hey, I'm just looking. You know when you get to high school and you wonder where all the good-looking males are at? Well, here they are. No wonder Em, Jazz and Edward come here. This is where they belong. They were all different – like the cliques you see in middle and high school. Jocks, emo, Goths, nerds, preps – only this time they were all scattered, mingling with different 'groups' of people. It was insane!

Smiling to myself, and temporarily forgetting Kelsey's death and Edward's anguish, I made my way to the revolving door. So I like how it always spins and get's me dizzy – who doesn't? A got a couple of glances from people as I passed by, but they looked for only about less than a second before turning their attention to something better. Pushing the moving door, I found myself in the huge building. Walking around some tables on the right side of the room, I spotted the elevators. Stumbling over the same couch I stumbled on, on Halloween night, I finally got to the elevators. I pushed the button with an arrow pointing up and waited patiently. With my thoughts going back to Edward, my stomach started feeling queasy.

I heard a ding and the double doors automatically opened. Nobody was in there, so I walked in and pushed the button with the number seven on it. It lit up and the doors closed. The beautiful sound of an orchestra playing echoed through the four, tight walls that were covered in detailed wallpaper. Stepping out of the elevator, I tried to think back on Alice and Rose's room number. Once I had it down for sure, I walked down the halls, my head searching for the correct room. I remembered it was to my left side, so it should be…right about…here!

I smiled, and right when I was about to knock, the door flung open. A smiling Alice waved back at me from the other side. "Hi, Bella," She chirped lively. "Thought you'd be here today," She back away, holding the door wide open, a brightening smile on her crowning face.

Stunned, I sauntered into their massive room. "Hey, Alice," I turned around in time to watch her close the door. I laughed breathlessly, shaking my head twice. "I don't think I can get used to that." My smile showed I was pulling her leg.

Alice smiled back, her perfect teeth glistening in the light, what now seemed dull, room. "Oh, you will."

My smile fell to a tiny grin when I turned around and examined their room. "Wow, it's so wide, open, you know?" (Twilight movie)

With her arms crossed over her chest, the little pixie came up next to me. "Yup, we did a lot of decorating in our freshmen year. My mom helped us a lot." She smiled at the bright walls and colorful bedding.

Oh, right, Esme – that's Alice's…mom. I thought Edward said Alice preferred to go by his cousin? So why was she calling Esme her mother?

Awkward and unsure of what to say to that, I came up with, "Cool."

Alice nodded. "Look, Bella, don't worry, Edward will be fine." She assured, her petite hand resting on my shoulder.

I sighed and shook my head. "How do you know that?"

She grinned brightly and pointed to her temple. Feeling incredibly stupid, I rolled my eyes, laughed once and nodded. "Right."

Her melodic laugh joined mine as she went to go sit on the chair by their desk. I sat on her bed. "Rose is in class right now, but I bet you already knew that." Alice informed me.

I smiled. "Yes, Edward told me."

"I know."

"Can I ask you something?"

"Go for it."

I licked my lips and tried to make my question sound right. "When you see the future or get your…visions, how does it look like?" I asked, regretting it as soon as it escaped my lips.

Alice thought about it. "Hmm…I thought you'd ask me something like that." I blushed. "When I see my visions, it's kind of blurry around the edges. It's also very hard to hear – it's as if the people in it are whispering. Also, you can't see very much. I'm only able to make out what's happening, not the surroundings."

"Oh," I nodded. "And how do you get them?"

She thought about it for a minute. "Okay, well, for example, imagine it's the day before Christmas. You're obviously going to wonder which presents you'll receive. So, all of the sudden, you watch your own hands unwrapping a gift. Then – tada! – you see what they got you. The only thing is I never get to see whose it from."

"Oh," I repeated. "That seems pretty cool." As I pondered about Edward, the door opened.

"Ugh! Two papers, one assignment, and a Power Point slideshow all due tomorrow. To top it off, Emmett's coming over tonight and I bet he's goin- Oh, hi, Bella!" Rosalie's amazing figure stepped through the door, beaming at me while her pink back pack was slouched over her thin shoulder.

"Hey, Rose,"

She threw her bag by Alice and hugged me. I hugged back. "What brings you here?" Rosalie questioned.

"Edward said he needs time to think." I shrugged and looked at the beading on the bed.

"Oh, okay." She seemed confused. "So are you feeling better?"

My head snapped back. I almost forgot about being ill. I guess worrying about Sarah then Edward kept my mind off it and my sickness…evaporated it or something. "Actually, I am."

Rose and Alice smiled. "That's good." They said in unison and laughed together. It was like a violin and a cello playing together. The violin with the melody – it could go either way, they both have beautiful voices – while the other is the cello that plays the background harmony.

Alice's phone rang:

Doctor, Doctor! I've got an emergency!

It seems I'm head over heels of a case of-

"Hello?" Alice answered her phone.

She nodded. "Got it," Alice looked at me. "She'll be right out."

"Me?" I inquired. Why would anyone want to pick me up? I just got here.

Alice got up. "Come on, Bella. My dad's waiting for you outside."

I stayed seated, with eyes wide open. "What?" I demanded, bewildered.

"What does he want?" Rosalie asked, her perfectly aligned eyebrows pulled together at the center with wonder.

Alice pulled me up and smiled. "It's for Bella to find out, and you to stay out of."

Rosalie scoffed.

I laughed and followed Alice out the door. "He's waiting for you in the parking lot." Alice alleged.

Nervous about what was going on, I nodded.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Walking past the vast water fountain, I searched for Dr. Cullen. There he was, a scarf draped around his neck, and wearing a soft blue sweater. Blood poured into my pale cheeks as I neared him and his sleek back car. I've never seen him without a white doctor's coat on.

"Hello, Isabella." He smiled.

My blush became more pronounced. "Hi, Dr. Cullen." I practically whispered.

He glided to the other side of the car and opened the passenger door for me – like father like son. My blushed brightened as I murmured thanks and slid in. He gently closed the door and jogged to his side. Once he was in, he turned on the car and pulled out of the parking lot.

"Umm, Dr. Cullen?" I asked shyly.

Still looking through the rearview mirror, he replied, "Yes?"

Fumbling with my fingers, I asked my question out loud. "Well, I was just wondering, why are you picking me up?"

Dr. Cullen smiled calmly. "Edward called me after he dropped you off. He let me know you were staying here and to bring you these." Doctor Cullen reached into his pocket, still driving, and pulled out a familiar looking bottle.

I gasped. "My pills! I forgot to take them today. How could I've forgotten?" I smacked myself on the forehead and grabbed the white bottle from Dr. Cullen's sculpted hand. Wow, really like father, really like son. Hmm….That's where Edward got his good looks from. Okay, Bella, no need to go there.

Dr. Cullen chuckled. "Don't worry; people forget things. It happens. What's important is that you're glad you have them now and disremembered by accident when you received a phone call. Though I don't know who it was from – Edward wouldn't inform me – I understand it was a true accident."

Surprised by his understanding, I was speechless. "Yeah, thanks." I popped open the container and dropped two pills onto my open hand. Without needing water, they slipped down my throat.

But they got stuck.

"Did they get caught in your throat?" Dr. Cullen asked, a gleaming smile on his angelic face.

I nodded. He laughed freely.

"Alice used to make the same face when she was younger and got pills stuck in her throat." Dr. Cullen chuckled once more before handing me a water bottle. "There you go. That should help the medication go down your esophagus easier – more gently."

I put the mouth of the bottle to my own pair of lips, and chugged most of it down. After I wiped my mouth with my long sleeve – I still refuse to wear short sleeved shirts that reveal my scars – Dr. Cullen spoke.

"You seem thirsty, since when have you eaten a meal?" He quizzed.

I thought back. "Since breakfast…I believe."

Dr. Cullen suddenly made a sharp U turn and my head made contact with the window. "Oh!" He jumped, slightly looking at me. "Sorry about that. Reach over and get my white first-Aid container, please." He requested.

Glaring at him and rubbing my head, I got his stupid container.

"Thank you; now please take out a band-aid." He ordered. "Okay," He turned more carefully to the left. "Please peel it open."

Without asking questions, I grabbed the two tiny flaps and tried to separate them. Ugh, come on. You stupid paper, tear already!

"Ow!" I yelped and starting sucking my finger. I took it out and examined my new paper cut. A single small ounce of blood was dripping from it. "Great," I muttered.

Dr. Cullen seemed amused by this. "Alice was right: you were going to get a paper cut after you banged your head on the window. You can tear the whole thing now and use the band-aid for your cut."

Muttering about doctors and physics under my breath, I finally was able to uncover the orange brownish band-aid and wrapped it around my index finger.

There was an awkward silence in the car. "Erm, you can turn up the radio, if you like." Dr. Cullen suggested.

Wearily, I pushed a button.

I like big butts and I can not lie!

No other brother can't deny, when a-

I pushed another button.

Trust me, I'm a doctor!

I know what I'm doing.

I-

I bit my lip to hide a giggle and pushed another button.

You PMS like a bitch

I would know.

I turned off the radio and settled back into my seat. Dr. Culled cleared his throat.

"I-"

"Do-"

We spoke at the same time.

"You-"

"You-"

Again.

He smiled generously and told me to go first.

"Well, um, Edward told me about Alice's childhood." Dr. Cullen's smile stayed put, put his hands gripped the steering wheel harder. If he gets anymore like Edward, I'll scream. "And I just wanted you to know, I no longer want to end my life. I'm not like your brother Luke; you can stop pretending to not hate me and stop acting like you really care about me. You care about Edward and Alice."

Dr. Cullen sighed heavily. "Isabella, I don't hate you – I never did. At first, you resembled my brother, yes, but I never compared you two. I more or less…disliked you because I was…" He uncertainly looked at me. I nodded, letting him know it was fine for him to continue. "Well, at first I didn't like you because I was concerned about Edward."

"He's so bright and intelligent – he deserves someone bright and intelligent, as well. Now, don't go thinking you aren't bright, you are. Very. But I was expecting someone older and wiser. You tried to commit suicide! I thought he was making a terrible decision by getting involved with someone like you. But now, you've change. Well, not really. You were always the person you are now; it was just hidden – as if you had a disguise. But Isabella, I was wrong, and I am sorry. I can see where Edward is coming from and…and I think I just might get used to you two together…"

I was a fish. My mouth opened and closed, but no words seemed to appear.

"I…um, Dr. Cullen…"

"Please, call me Carlisle." He grinned.

He pulled up to a fast food drive-through. I wasn't paying attention.

I gulped. "Carlisle…thank you? I-I don't know what to say. But let me assure you, Edward and I aren't a thing."

He rolled down the window and smirked at me. "Yet."

End of Chapter

Yes, it's late: sorry! Yes, it's crappy: really sorry! Better things will happen: Yay! Please review, I think it'll help me write.

Love, Mayface!