Chapter 6 – Accident

I watched as Alice and Rosalie left the room. I was disappointed. Hearing Alice mention the library had charged my hopes – being with her for longer had made me feel content, albeit temporarily… Rosalie had appeared, and had pretty much destroyed any hope of me spending more time with her sister.

I packed away my notes, when something on the table caught my eye. I looked closer and realised it was a small piece of paper, folded in two. My hands reached out for it. Written on the top was my name, in clear pen craft. I picked up the paper and unfolded it, my heart pulsating at a quicker rate. I recognised the writing immediately, it was mine – the poem I had written about Alice was now staring back up at me. I drew a brisk intake of breath as my eyes scanned the page.

I reached the bottom, and stopped. The small paragraph at the bottom wasn't my writing, it was the same style that was on the front of the paper; Alice's handwriting. I started to read:

Bella,

You're poem has me immersed. I find I am engrossed and preoccupied with your words – perhaps I could monopolise you after class; I am keen to read more of your poetry.

Ax

I folded the paper back, and placed it in my pocket. Okay, so she had received that faithful page when I copied her my notes. And she had read it, and commented on it.

I felt my cheeks burn slightly; her words were complimentary, but would she have felt the same if she knew the poem was about her? Had she suggested the library because she wanted to talk to me about the poem? Did she suspect it was about her? Why had she left the paper on the desk? Had she left it intentionally or by mistake?

So many questions, my head was still reeling with them when I got home.

"Everything okay Bells" Charlie asked when I entered the kitchen and poured myself a glass of water.

"Sure" I replied, before I started to cut the vegetables for dinner. If Charlie had his way, we'd be having take-out every night.

"You're settling in okay"? he asked as he folded away the newspaper he had been reading. "Making lots of new friends?"

Charlie, it would seem, was in an inquisitive mood this evening. I continued to chop.

"Yes – a few" I answered. I wasn't really in a talkative mood; I was too busy thinking about Alice, and what Rosalie wanted to talk to her about, in private…

"Mike called for you". Charlie's voice broke my thoughts, "think he's keen on you" he continued. So does Alice…a small voice echoed in my subconscious. "He seems pretty decent…." Charlie continued.

"Yeah, dad, he is – but not in that way" – my reply was a little sharp, and I looked at back at him to make amends, "Mike is just a friend" I finished. Unfortunately I had continued to chop at the vegetables without paying much attention, before I realised, the knife had sliced my hand…

"Ouch".

Charlie jumped up and took my hand.

"Jeeze Bells, be careful! Are you okay?"

I looked at the paddy flesh on the palm of my hand which was now covered in a deep claret… applying pressure, Charlie wrapped it in a towel but the blood continued to pump…

"Okay, I think that needs stitches" he continued.

I groaned. "Dad, it's just a small cut… I don't need stitches" but as he moved away the towel, I realised I did.

"Let's get you to the hospital Bells, hopefully Dr Cullen can stitch you up".

"Dr Cullen?" I asked.

"Yup, grab your coat and keep that towel wrapped around your hand".

I nodded.

Dr Cullen.

Alice's adoptive father.

I had wondered what he was like, and now it looked like I was about to find out.

Charlie walked towards his car, one arm around my shoulders.

Opening my door he looked down at me with a smile, "The things you resort to Bella, just to get out of talking to your old man about boys".

I merely replied with an "Mm". If only he knew.

Thanks to everyone for the reviews – apologies if some chapters are shorter than others, often I use some as "introductory fillers" before getting to the meat of the story. More to come, I promise! ES.