Important! While this is based on my life and the events that have taken place involving me, this is a Fanfiction and there will be fiction in the story. Enjoy!

Last time:

"Um, I don't know, Alice. Where are they going?" I ask, my voice on edge. Alice follows the direction I'm looking and shrugs.

"That's where Edward goes to smoke. Maybe they are doing that. Anyway, I was thinking about doing the movie night again." She bounces right back to what she wants to do, Edward and Jasper forgotten.

"I'll ask Renee." I shrug, finally looking at Alice. When I do, I see her sad face when I say Renee's name.

"I can't believe they are getting a divorce." She groans, her voice sad.

"I know, neither can I." I admit.

"How are you feeling about it?" she asks in a small voice. I tell her that I honestly don't know. "Mom said that Renee has been calling her and asking for advice. Mom - who we both know knows everything - doesn't even know what to say to her. Do you think Renee will be okay?" Alice asks and I shrug just as the bell rings. We both say goodbye to each other and head off in opposite directions towards the school.

Chapter eighteen.

Now:

"Hey, Alice. Do you know where Edward is?" I ask, sitting down opposite her at the table. Edward had missed last period and he has yet to make an appearance.

"Umm, no. Sorry, Isabella. Here comes Jasper, ask him."

"Ask me what?" He bites into a chocolate bar and sits down on the chair backwards, making Alice roll her eyes.

"Do you know where my brother is?" she asks after giving him a small kiss on his cheek.

"Um, no, sorry. I'm sure he'll turn up." He tries to assure us. I nod and open my juice, taking a small sip. Alice and Jasper keep the conversation flowing with little input from me. I can't stop wondering where Edward could be. He never said that he wouldn't be coming to lunch. In fact, he asked us to save him a seat.

When I saw him second period, he seemed okay and was smiling widely at everyone. He never said he was going anywhere for lunch. He could have told someone where he was going. It's so irresponsible for him to not tell anyone where he was going.

I pause in my train of thought with wide eyes. Why am I worried about where he is? Unlike me, he doesn't only have three friends. He could be with Tyler, or Eric, or even Emmett. I swallow hard at that thought. Maybe all of this was a set-up? Maybe Emmett was in this from the beginning? I wouldn't put it past him. I hardly know Edward; how do I know that this whole 'friendship' thing is legit?

"Iz, don't worry. I'm sure Edward is fine," Jasper drawls. I nod and bite my bottom lip, almost drawing blood.

"Isabella, Edward always does this. He will turn up." Alice puts her hand over mine and I nod again, thinking everything over. I don't have many friends, so I need to make sure that the ones I do have are okay. What if Edward has been mugged and is in an alley somewhere? What would I do if he has run away and I never see him again? I have so few friends, and I need them to be okay. He has to be okay.

"Do you think we should look for him?" I can hear the blood pounding behind my ears as the panic builds up within me.

"Isabella," Alice sighs. "He's fine." I nod and sit back in my chair, my eyes fixed on the door. He doesn't show up. The bell rings and I head to Biology, the one class where Edward sits next to me. I hope he turns up for this lesson and if he doesn't, I am going to look for him.

I walk out of the lunch room with Alice and Jasper trailing behind me. I can see the looks people are shooting at me as I push past them all, just trying to get to class. Please, Edward. Please be there.

I get to the class room and my heart sinks when I don't see him anywhere. Why am I so worried about him? I don't understand why, but I just need to know that he is okay. I need to see his face and know that nothing has happened to him. I have been worried about Edward and Jasper since they beat up Emmett. What if he wants revenge? What if he wants to hurt them like they hurt him?

I sit in my seat with a sigh and get slowly my book out, whispers sounding all around me. I know I probably look like a mess right now - worry written all over my face and my eyes frantic. I pull on my ponytail and bite my lip, praying to God that Edward walks through that door.

God must have heard me because Edward comes stumbling in not one minute later. His hair is wildly out of control and his eyes are red rimmed. He sways as he walks over to our table; his face lighting up when he sees me.

"Hey, Bells." Edward smirks and sits down next to me. I immediately pinch my nose and glare at him in disbelief and disgust. So, that's where he has been!

"What the hell, Edward?" I hiss out, my voice sounding nasally because of the hold on my nose.

"What?" He smirks at me.

"It's…" I check the clock "…just after two and you are in school. What do you think you are doing?" I finally let go of my nose, but the smell still hits me.

"Your point?" he huffs, looking towards the front of the room.

"You're stoned!" I whisper-yell, hoping the teacher doesn't hear and kicks Edward out. Edward smirks again and shrugs, leaning back in his chair.

"Well done. Ten points to Bella." He laughs; throwing his head back and making everyone look over in our direction.

"We need to get out of here," I hiss, trying to think of a way to get Edward home.

"No, we don't. I'm fine, Bella. Jesus." He shakes his head in disbelief. I shake my head as well and then shrug. If he doesn't want to leave, I can't make him do anything. I open my book and grab my pen, writing down everything that is on the board. Mr. Banner talks about something to do with the reproductive system, but my mind is elsewhere.

What has Edward taken? I can smell the weed on him, but has he taken something else with that? Who gave it to him? Why does he feel the need to take drugs? Has someone said something to him? Is it me? Does he need to be high to be around me now? Does he finally realize that I'm not someone he wants to be associated with?

"You have pretty hair," he whispers under his breath, laughing to himself softly. His hand comes out and grabs my long ponytail, twirling it around his fingers. I lean away from him, taking my hair out of his grasp and I put it over my shoulder so he can't reach it.

"Why did you do that?" he asks, almost sounding hurt. I choose to ignore him. I can't believe he would take drugs and then come to class! How irresponsible is he? I knew that he did drugs, but I haven't seen him stoned other than Christmas; but I got drunk with him, so I don't really remember all of it.

"Bella,"he whispers, leaning on the table and trying to see my face. "Bella, Bella, Bella, Bella," he repeats, folding his arms on the table and leaning his head on them so he can still see me. He keeps saying my name and I finally look at him, not even trying to hide my disgust with him.

"What, Edward?" My voice is hard as I finally meet his eyes. The emerald green is now mossy and red rimmed. They are glazed over and I can see questions swimming behind them.

"I'm so fucking sorry," he slurs, his eyes burning into mine.

"What for?" My voice is hard and he realizes this, too.

"For this." He gestures to himself and I shrug. "Don't act like you don't care because I know you do," he groans and buries his face in his folded arms, shielding his face from me. I sigh and put my hand up, hoping to catch Mr. Banner's attention. He sees me and asks what I want.

"Can I go to the nurse, please? I don't feel too good." He raises his eye brow but nods anyway, looking from me to Edward.

"Take him with you. He looks like he needs something, too." Edward grabs his bag and walks out the room, not looking at me. I sigh and pack away my things, trailing behind Edward. I can hear what everyone is saying in the room as I leave, but I ignore it all.

Closing the door as I leave, I see Edward leaning up against the wall next to the door, one leg bent, supporting him and his arms crossed. He looks like the ultimate bad boy standing there like that, all gruff with this morning's stubble. All he needs is a leather jacket over his shoulder and a cigarette hanging out of him mouth to complete the picture.

"Please fucking talk to me, Bella. Shit!" he groans and pushes off of the wall as I walk past him. His hand grabs mine and he turns me around to face him.

"What do you want me to say, Edward? Hmm? That it's okay for you to get stoned and that I will support you with your habit? Because I won't, I won't watch you kill yourself!" I growl and pull my hand out of his grasp. I stomp down the hall and I can hear his footsteps behind me.

"Why are you so angry with me?" He jogs so that he is in front of me and walks backwards, his eyes trying to meet mine. I look to the floor, not wanting to look at him.

"Can we not talk about this?" I sigh.

"No, Bella. Fucking talk to me." He puts his hands on my shoulders, stopping me from moving forward.

"You really want to know?" I ask and he nods. "I think that if you have a nice life, why ruin it with drugs and other things that can kill you. I have been worried sick about you all day because you didn't tell anyone where you were going," I hiss, the anger almost seeping out of me. "I think that if you have a good body, like you do, why ruin it with things like drugs? I hate that you take drugs to make yourself feel better. You should live in my world for a day and realize how hard it is for someone who isn't worshipped," I finish and blow my bangs out of my face.

I look to see Edward smirking at me and I feel my face flush with anger. When he sees my reaction, he full out laughs; throwing his head back and putting his hands on his stomach.

"How is this funny? Hmm? Tell me how this is funny?" I hit him lightly on the chest, not being able to help myself.

"It's just….your face," he blurts out between fits of laughter. I huff and roll my eyes, trying to fight off the small smile creeping onto my face. I can't help it; seeing Edward so carefree and happy is nice. I wish I could laugh out loud like he is doing.

"It's not funny." I can't help the giggle that leaves my mouth and he smiles at me.

"Sorry, Bella." He laughs and I shake my head at him.

"Will you let me take you home now?" I blurt then blush when I realize what I said.

"I'll let you take me anywhere." He winks and I shake my head, going towards the front entrance of the school. He follows after me and towards his car.

We arrive at his car and I bite my lips, a frown forming on my face. How am I going to get him home? I mean, I can drive, but I haven't driven in a few months. Charlie used to let me drive his car every weekend, but that stopped a few months back - around the time that he stopped coming home for dinner and when Renee began to get sad. Sure, it wasn't as bad as it is now, but it was still horrible.

"Give me your keys." I hold my hand out and he raises his brow.

"You can't drive." He smirks and I just wiggle my fingers, motioning for the keys. He eyes me, but puts the keys in my hand anyway. I unlock the car and slide into the driver's seat. He gets in the passenger seat and watches me as I start the car and pull out of the parking lot.

The drive is quiet, mostly Edward humming and looking at me as I drive. I bite my lip and make sure I keep to the speed limits, not wanting to get in trouble, or damage Edward's car. I think he loves his Volvo more than he loves anything else. If I damaged it, I think our friendship would go out the window as quick as it started.

We arrive at the Cullens' and Edward arches a brow at me in question.

"What the fuck are we doing here?"

"This is where you live, Edward." I smirk, still looking out the windshield. I don't look over at him but I can see him shaking his head out of the corner of my eye.

"Yeah, but Esme is going to go fucking nuts." I scan the front of the house and glance over at him.

"There aren't any cars here and I can't see anyone in the house. I would say you're safe." I smile and park the car, taking out the keys and climbing out. He follows and sways up to the house after me. I unlock the door and hand him his keys, saying a quick 'goodbye'.

"Where the fuck are you going?" he asks as I turn to go down the porch steps.

"Home?" It comes out as a question when I look back at him.

"Come in for a bit. Please?" I nod and go into to the house. He closes the door after me. I stand awkwardly and he gestures for me to go into the living room. I go and sit on the love seat, waiting for him to sit down. He sways unsteadily before falling onto the seat next to me. I try to put as much space between us as possible, but it doesn't seem to work on the small loveseat.

He leans back and rests the side of his face on the back of the loveseat, looking at me. I also lean back and match his pose, looking at him.

"Why do you take drugs, Edward?" I'm almost afraid of his answer, but I can't help but ask it.

"Why do you think so little of yourself?" he shoots back. I smile slightly.

"Touché." He laughs lightly.

"You're a sweet girl, Bella. You should be more confident." He nods his head as he says it and I feel my face flush.

"Thank you, Edward."

"For what?" His eyes cloud with confusion and I put my hand on his hand that is resting on the seat between us.

"For being nice to me."

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