Run Away With Me

Edward needed to return his rented car (he hadn't trusted his jeep to make it to Washington), but luckily the closest office was in Port Angeles, not Forks, so there was less of a chance of running into someone who knew him. We would meet there and then drive together in my car back to Texas. I would finish out the school year but then instead of going home to Charlie, I would tell him I was spending the summer traveling. And then I would never come back. Maybe I could still talk to him occasionally, but he could never meet Edward again.

Human reflexes and human vulnerability notwithstanding, Edward still drove like a maniac. He beat me to the rental agency easily, and was already finished with the paperwork when I pulled up.

"You ready?" I asked nervously, glancing around the office to make sure there were no familiar faces.

"I was born ready," he responded teasingly, happiness lighting his beautiful eyes. He effortlessly hefted his bag to his shoulder and followed me as a hustled out the door.

"Better let me drive slowpoke. I want to get there before Christmas break," he said leading me around to the passenger side and opening my door. I quickly shove my keys into his hand. Hurry, hurry, hurry. He opened the trunk and tossed his duffel bag in. He put his sunglasses on. He slid smoothly into the driver's seat. Go go go. Just as he leaned out to pull his door shut, a shrill voice cut through the cold air.

"Edward?" the voice trilled. I glanced frantically around. Who was here? Just drive. Drive drive drive.

"Ok, I'm ready, let's go. We need to go, c'mon, could be a storm coming," I babbled. Edward looked at me oddly for a second and then climbed back out of the car, looking around casually for the source of the voice calling his name, probably expecting it to be someone from the rental agency letting him know he had forgotten something. I followed him helplessly out of the car, panic rising to my throat.

"Edward! Bella!" I half-turned to see Jennifer McCall from Forks High hurrying toward us, her high heeled boots slowing her down. I waved dismissively, and pulled Edward back towards the car. "Hey Jennifer, good to see you, sorry we can't stay, we're in a hurry," I yelled over my shoulder.

Edward halted and looked at me in confusion, but not suspicion. He trusted me. "Who is that? How does she know our names?"

"She's a girl I knew in high school. I don't know, I think there's a picture of us on facebook, she must have seen it. Or maybe my dad mentioned it. Come on, we need to go." He let me pull him back toward the vehicle, but I wasn't fast enough.

"Edward!" Jennifer exclaimed breathily, hurrying toward us. "I'm so glad I ran into you, I'm planning a reunion party for Christmas, and there isn't a single picture of you in the yearbook to put in the slide show."

Edward's brow furrowed and he looked quickly back and forth between us. "I think you've mistaken me for someone else—"

" I can't believe you guys are still together. You guys were so cute in high school. Can I take a picture of you now? I can't believe it, Bella Swan and Edward Cullen!"

Oh fuck me. Fuck fuck fuck. As soon as Jennifer said the word 'Cullen' Edward's confusion transformed to anger. He stalked toward me dangerously, menacingly, looking more like a vampire than he ever had, and for the first time since I met him, I was afraid. I opened my mouth to explain, but nothing came out. I involuntarily fell back a step, pressing my back against the car. He loomed over me and grasped both my wrists tightly in his hands.

"Why the fuck is she calling me Edward Cullen? Who are you?" he hissed, his green eyes boring into me.

"Wait, Edward, I can explain. Yes, we went to high school together, but I couldn't tell you—"

"You knew me in high school? The whole time . . . you've known . . . my memory . . . my name . . ." He was so angry he was shaking and he couldn't form complete sentences.

"Um, well, we actually kind of . . . dated in high school, but you have to listen to me there's a lot more—"

His grip tightened painfully on my wrists and he closed his eyes. "Why would I listen to you?" he whispered. He opened his eyes slightly and I could see the betrayal there. "Stay away from me."

Jennifer was still standing several yards away, her mouth hanging open in shock as she watched our exchange.

"Jennifer," he grated out, releasing me. "Would you mind giving me a ride?"

"Umm, yeah sure," she replied, her eyes darting back and forth between us rapidly, "Where are you going?"

"Forks. I'm going back to Forks."