Hello Again! I keep wishing for reviews, but maybe I just haven't given enough time before chapters to get them? Highly possible.. But I am on a roll! I want to keep writing! the suspense of whats going to happen is killing me as well, since I write the story as the character in it. I try not to know whats going to happen either! mwahaha. I have basic ideas. but thats about it. Sorry for any mistakes, because I am sometimes too lazy to repost the chapter after I realize there are a few typos in there, since I never edit. You get how it comes straight out of my fingertips, hense the speed in which you get it. I dont see the point in reposting for like 4 small typos in one chapter. maybe eventually I will! okidoki! I will stop jabbering. Enjoy chapter 6.
Oh yea, and incase ya haven't figured it out, Stephanie Meyer owns all.
Chapter 6
EPOV
I drove away from her house, replaying the nights events in my head. What was she doing out there in this weather? She was told to stay home, and here she was, out in the freezing rain! That girl is so infuriating!
But then I realized, there must be something else to it. Maybe she was running away from something? What could break an angel like her? Wait. Angel? Where did that come from?
But she really was beautiful, even despite how thin she was, and how pale. she had these deep chocolate eyes I could just melt into, and these pouty pink lips. the way she spoke, the way her mind seemed to work, was a strong mystery I wanted to solve.
Most of all though, I wanted to protect her. I felt the need to protect her. Whatever was hurting her, and causing her to hurt herself. Whatever caused that excruciating pain in her eyes, I wanted to protect her from it. I wanted to be the one to keep her safe. If I had a say in it, Bella would never be hurt again.
What am I thinking? I just met her! Hell, I didn't even like her until today. Thats a lie. I liked her from he first time I saw her. whether I chose to admit it or not. When I first gazed into those chocolate brown eyes, I knew there was something about them that would haunt me forever.
Why would she think so little of herself? She apologized for absolutely everything, the most absurd things. Things she had absolutely no need to apologize for.
These thoughts plagued me until I got home. As soon as I was home, I went upstairs to my bedroom, and put on some Debussy, hoping to calm my nerves a little. Why could I not stop thinking about her? She was just a girl.
No she isnt. I knew better than to think that. She wasn't just like every other girl. She was different. She was positively stunning, she had a beautiful heart, and a beautiful mind. However... She also was broken. Maybe I could put the pieces back together?
That was bullshit. I couldn't even put my own pieces back together. I barely could function on a normal human level. How can I help her, if I cant even deal with my own issues? I will have to. I have to help her.
Those were the thoughts that I fell asleep to.
I woke in the morning to that horrible screeching next to my head, and immediately swatted at it until it turned off. I went outside and smoked a cigarette, staring out at the forest around my house. I would be seeing Bella again in a little under an hour.
I quickly got ready, choosing to wear a button down grey T-shirt this time, before I slid my jacket over it. As I made it downstairs, My mother looked up at me with suprise.
"Edward! You're up early! I'm sorry, but breakfast isnt ready yet." Esme said.
"Going out for breakfast." I said to her. "I have to run, I love you mom." I said as I kissed my mother on the cheek and left, going out to my car. I made it to Bella's house a little before I was supposed to be there.
Bella came out minutes later, and made her way over to my car. The dark circles looked worse. She hadnt slept at all last night. It was starting to scare me.
She got into the car a moment later, and buckled herself in, wincing a little at her ribs. "Good morning." I said to her, smiling at her. "You look lovely this morning.", and she really did, Especially when the blush flowed up her cheeks in the most beautiful way. She was wearing some color for once, a royal blue blousse, that was still too big for her, but the color looked lovely against her skin. She was also wearing a pair of loose jeans, and that black hoody. I was starting to think I would have to burn that goddamned hoody eventually. It hid her from view, which I am sure was probably the intent behind it.
"I um.. Thank you." She said, seeming embarressed to be getting a compliment. "Good morning to you too." Then she went silent, staring straight ahead. She looked dead from exhaustion.
"Are you alright..? Did you get any more sleep?" I said, reaching out, wanting to gently pull her face towards me, but deciding against it, and letting my hand drop back to the arm rest in the center.
"I'm fine. No, didn't get much sleep, but I'm okay, I'll manage." She said, giving me a small smile that never reached her eyes. She looked so tired that I had half a mind not to go to school at all, and to just make sure she rested.
"Are you sure you want to go to school today? You don't look very good. If you would like, If you dont want to be here, you could come to my home, and sleep there instead? Im sure my mom wouldn't mind. She would love you." I said, hoping to convince her.
"no no, thats fine, I really should go." She said, looking down at her lap. her face was pale, and she didnt look so good. when she sneezed, thats when I pulled a U-turn. she looked up, shocked. " Where are we going?"
"Back to my place. I'm sorry, but I cannot in good conscience let you go to school like this." I said firmly, hoping she wouldn't argue with me.
"Really.. I'm fine." She said looking at me. I could tell she wasn't.
"please, for me? So I'm not worried all day?" I said, hoping I could use her selfless nature to make her agree.
She looked down, and slowly nodded. "Alright. but you know you don't have to worry about me."
"Too late." I said to her, and grinned a little at my triumph. A couple minutes later, I pulled back into my parking space at my house, and she looked up at my house with wide eyes.
"Wow... Your house is beautiful.." She said with slight awe in her voice. It made me chuckle a little bit.
"It's nicer inside. come on." I said as I got out of the car, and went to her side to open her door. She stepped out slowly, and I took her elbow to help her out. When we got inside, my mother looked up from the table where her, Alice, and Emmett all sat eating their breakfast before school.
"Edward, I thought you were going out for breakfast before school?" She said, before she looked over at Bella. Immediately Esme's eyes filled with worry at seeing her.
"I was. Mom, this is Bella, Bella this is mom. and They are Alice, and Emmett, my sibblings." I said as i motionned to each one in turn for Bella.
"Um.. Its Nice to meet you all.. You have a lovely home..." Bella said quietly. "I'm Sorry for intruding, Mrs. Cullen."
"Nonsence! And call me Esme. You are welcome here any time. Why don't you both sit down and have some breakfast." she said, smiling, the worry never leaving her eyes.
"Yeah! Come sit next to me!" Alice called from her place at the table. She was grinning from ear to ear.
"Alright." Bella said before she slowly sat down beside Alice, and I sat on the other side of her. Emmett was shoveling down eggs and sausage into his mouth, from his mountain full of food as usual.
"Hey. Your the new girl, arent you?" emmett said between bites. "What brings you here with Eddy boy?" I grimaced at the name he gave me.
"I will be right back actually. Mom, could you come with me?" I asked right after she set a plate down infront of Bella to eat, filled with eggs, sausage, bacon, and a couple pancakes. She really loaded up the plate for her.
"Of course honey, Excuse me for a moment, Bella. Dig in, Don't be shy." She gave Bella a warm smile before following me out into the living room.
"So whats going on Edward? Is everything okay?" She asked, concerned lacing her features.
"Hopefully it will be. She is the girl I brought in to see dad last night at the hospital. Dad told her to stay home for a couple days to rest, but she wasn't going to do it. I really think she needs it. For some reason.. I don't feel right about leaving her alone at her house. Her father will be gone for work soon, and she would be left alone... So I brought her here. Is it okay if I miss school today?"
"Oh.. I see. Of course. Alice will bring you your work from school. I can ask her to pick up Bella's as well, if that would make her feel better?" Esme asked, looking even more worried.
"Definately. Thank you mom." I kissed her on the cheek, and hugged her.
"You know I'm proud of you for helping her like this." Esme smiled, and the pride showed in her eyes.
"Its the man you raised me to be." I smiled back at her, before we both went back into the kitchen. Emmett and alice were both already done with their breakfast, and were heading out the door, when Esme caught up with them, and asked them to bring back both of our work. They nodded, and both left.
Bella was sitting there, pushing her food around the plate. it didn't look like she had taken more than one bite of it. Immediately my stomach plumetted. She needed to eat. so I sat down next to her.
Bella looked up at me, putting her fork down. "Is everything alright? Is it really okay?" she asked.
"Of course it is. Now eat up so you can get some sleep." I said, trying to smile. I started eating my own food, hoping it would encourage her to do the same. She smiled a little, then looked down at the food, and slowly took a couple small bites, before continuing to push it around the plate.
"It's delicious. Your mother is an excellent cook." She said before putting the fork back down.
"It tastes even better the more you eat of it." I said, really hoping she would start eating the rest of it.
"I'm sorry.. I'm just not that hungry.. I guess its just because I'm tired." She said quietly, putting down her fork. Before I knew what I was doing I took her hand in mine. It was so cold.
"Please, Bella, you need to eat. You heard my father yesterday." I said, pleading with her to eat the food.
She slowly nodded, though she had a blush in her cheeks again from her hand in mine. she started eating again. She ate almost half of the eggs, and one bite of the pancakes. It was a start I guess.
"I'm full, but it was delicious. Really.." she said, and smiled a little. I nodded a little bit, and took our plates to the kitchen. I wrapped hers up, and put it in the fridge, hoping to persuade her to eat more of it later.
"Alright then. Lets head up stairs. We have a guest room you can sleep in, and I have some pajamas you can wear." I said and she stood up slowly, and followed me up the stairs. she seemed to be winded by the time we made it to the second floor, and this worried me again. I lead her over to the guest room, which had a large king sized bed with a lavender comforter, and lavender pillows. the room even had a plasma TV on the wall, and a stereo. "I'll be right back with some clothes. Why not sit down, and get comfy." I smiled at her, and left to my room to get some clothes. I came back with a pair of drawstring sweatpants, and a white t-shirt. she looked at me, and smiled a little, and took them, going into the ensuite bathroom. she came out a moment later, the clothes so large that they seemed to swallow her. However there was something pleasant about seeing her in my clothes.
She looked down, one of the most lovely blushes covering her cheeks as she stared at the carpet. "You look beautiful. don't worry." I smiled, and she blushed even more.
"Thank you Edward. I guess.. I should go to sleep then..." She said, and stared at the bed. though there was something in her eyes when she said this. Fear? why would she be afraid of sleeping. I know she said she had trouble sleeping... but to be afraid of it?
"Okay. I will be back in to check on you in a little bit. my room is just down the hall if you need anything. I will leave the door open so you know which one it is." I said, and smiled, walking out of the room, and to my own. I put on some music, and sat down on my black leather couch before pulling out a book. I wanted to make sure if she needed me, she could find me.
Almost exactly an hour later, the screaming started. I bolted up from the couch, and into the guest room, to see her in there screaming in her sleep, crying, and shaking. I went over to her, and sat down beside her, pulling her into my lap to try and wake her. "Bella. Wake up, Bella. Its just a dream!" I was horrified. What could cause someone to have nightmares like this?
She finally opened her eyes, and was shaking, her eyes bloodshot from crying, and her skin paler than before.
"Shh... Its okay. I'm right here." I said, holding her to my chest as she kept crying, hopefully letting some of it out, soaking through my shirt. She was still freezing, so I pulled her up closer, cradeling her against my chest.
"I'm so sorry.. I'm so sorry.. I didn't mean to disturb you.. You dont have to do this.. I'm sorry.. I understand if you think I'm crazy..." She said through labored breathes, crying.
"shh.. Its okay.. You have nothing to apologize for, and you are not crazy." I said softly, rubbing soothing circles into her back, hoping to calm her down. She was slowly starting to calm down when I noticed how hot her forehead was in comparison to the rest of her body. her hands were freezing, but she was definately running a temp. She needed rest, and I would do my damnest to give it to her.
"I'm sorry.." She said, finally sniffling and sitting up a little bit, her eyes glazed.
"No need to apologize" I said in my most soothing voice possible. "Would you like me to stay? Do you think it would help you sleep?" She looked startled at first by my suggestion, but then she thought about it a bit, chewing on her bottom lip.
"Alright, Thank you... You don't have to do this you know..." She said, staring down at the blankets.
"I will do anything it takes to help you." I said, and I meant anything. I meant it more than she could possibly know. I felt my heart reaching out to her, to this broken girl. I don't know if I ever could leave her again at this point.
We both laid down, and I held her to me, stroking her hair, and trying to help her fall back asleep. It seemed to be working, and she muttered a small "Thank you" before she fell asleep.
After two hours of watching her sleep, relief flooded through me, she had made it past the first hour,and even the second. Maybe this really was helping. So I let myself fall asleep too.
I woke quite awhile later, 7 hours later according to the alarm clock on the bedside table. She was still fast asleep, her breathing steady. She looked like an angel when she slept. I figured, as much as I didn't want to leave her, I should go downstairs and get some dinner for her. I slowly left the room, shutting the door behind me, and padded downstairs. Only Esme was still downstairs. Alice and Emmett were at the Hales house today.
"How is she? Poor dear looked like she could use some sleep..." Esme inquired softly.
"She's up there sleeping now. I just wanted to get some dinner for her. Is that okay?"
"Of course its okay, Edward. Don't be silly. Is she okay though? I heard screaming earlier." She asked worry again in her face. She appeared to already be thinking of Bella as one of her own.
"Yeah.. She gets really bad nightmares I think... So I decided to stay with her.. And it seemed to help." I said as I put some food on two plates for the two of us. Meatloaf with mashed potatoes and gravy and green beans. Even rolls on the side. I then made two glasses of chocolate milk, and put them on a tray. I was about to go upstairs with it, when I heard the screaming again. Esme looked alarmed, and I put the tray down, and bolted back up there. I got into the room again, and saw Bella had woken up from it, and was crying again, but trying to hide it.
"Bella, are you okay? I just went downstairs to get some dinner... " I said, looking at her, worried to death. No wonder she never slept. She didn't get a moment of peace... except when...
"Yeah... I'm fine.. I actually feel really rested... I am sorry to have disturbed you again..." She then looked at the clock, and looked shocked. "Oh wow.. I really slept for more than nine hours?" she said, completely shocked. "Thats more sleep than I have had in the last ten days combined. Thank you Edward.." She smiled, and I had to admit, she did look significantly better. she had a little color in her cheeks, and the circles had faded a little bit. not all the way, but atleast they were lighter.
"I'm glad I could help. think you are up to going downstairs for dinner..?"
Suddenly her eyes bugged out, and she looked terrified, and glanced at the clock again, seeming to fully register the time. "Oh no! Charlie! His dinner! Its past his dinner time! He wont have his dinner! I have to go! Right now!" she said, getting up quickly, and grabbing her clothes, and running into the bathroom to change. I just stared at her, shocked. This was not what I was expecting.
"Why not have some dinner first. Another half an hour wont matter, will it?" I said, not sure I beleived she would eat when she got home.
"No, I have to go now. Thank you though, and I am so sorry to be leaving like this, but I have to." she said, and she looked ready to cry as she ran out of the room. She almost fell down the stairs, but I caught her, and followed her.
"Alright, I will give you a ride then." I said, as we passed my mother, who looked worried, and a little shocked.
"Is everything alright dear?" Esme asked.
"Yes, everything is fine, I am just late getting home, and my dad will be really worried, and he has to have his dinner." Bella said to my mother. "Thank you so much for having me, and I am sorry I couldn't stay longer." she said and my mother nodded, and gave me a look that said "I'm worried' all over it. I nodded to her, agreeing with her.
I brought her to my car, and then drove her home. the car ride was silent, and she looked nervous. As soonas she got there, she gave me a look and sighed, and gave me a smile that did not reach her eyes. "Thank you so much for everything today. I will see you tomorrow at school, okay?" I nodded, still a little dumbstruck as she got out of the car, and ran into her house. I heard some yelling as I pulled away, my brows furroughing. Something was not right there.