CHAPTER 19 – STRONGER

Honorary Title - Stay Away

Trust me when I say just a few more weeks
Don't move
Resist temptation
Or do you see fit, just choose

Separate yourself from what compels you to relinquish us
Push your way on to me, entirely
Stay away from me, stay away from me now
Less you gonna see, less you gonna see me out

HAPPY HOLIDAYS! I am definitely feeling the CHRISTMAS SPIRIT and hope you all are. Can't do much but I guess this is my present to all of you as it's longer. Enjoy this chapter, I know I did…

After the bell rang, we threw our rubbish in the bins before trailing out of the cafeteria. Angela and Ben waved to me as they headed towards Calculus which then left me with Mike.

Great.

After he had put his tray away he turned to me with a wide grin then clapped his hands together before saying, "Let's get going"

"Lead the way" I offered a tight lipped smile as I was trying to be friendly to him but also being careful so that I did not sound too eager as I didn't want to only confuse him further.

As we made our way to Biology, the awkward silence lengthened, slowly building up the tension and when I glanced at him, I could read his calculating expression, which was very similar to when he was about to ask me to the dance.

Fear crept up on me and I picked up the speed a little but he caught on and matched my pace.

"So…I asked Jessica to the dance…" he announced and I felt relieved that this was all he was going to say. "…and she said yes" he added but it didn't sound like he was excited, instead his graven tone made him sound confused by it all.

I was still dwelling on the relief that he wasn't going to ask me on another date so I sounded very ecstatic when I practically shouted, "That's wonderful". Maybe he would then comprehend that I was not the girl for him and maybe Jessica would realise that I was of no threat to her because all I wanted was some peace.

I had hoped for a more relaxed expression but Mike's mood seemed to have worsened as his forehead creased and he shoved his fists into his pocket so I tried again, "I'm really happy for you two"

He looked at me like I was insane before saying, "Thanks?" although it sounded more like a question. "Are you sure you're not going to be in town for the dance?" he asked when we reached the classroom and I wasn't sure I should praise his diligence or be annoyed by it.

Placing a hand on my hip, I glared at him when seething, "Why do you ask that?"

His eyes narrowed and I followed his line of sight to my lab table where my lab partner sat staring at us with hardened eyes and a clenched jaw.

Did he think that I refused him so that I could go with Edward Cullen?

"No reason" Mike huffed before giving up and quickly shuffling to his seat.

That boy…

If only he knew…

The thought of his expression if he found out brought an evil smirk on my face as I walked into the classroom but then paused when remembering who I'd be sitting next to for the hour.

He looked up at me with curious eyes as I stood frozen, next to our table not feeling ready to sit down yet.

Would he question me about the game yesterday? Would he try and talk to me again? Would he voice the questions that were plaguing him? Would he do anything…?

I found that I hope he would…

"Afternoon class" Mr. Banner brought me out of my reverie and I blushed realising I'd been staring at him so I hastily sat in my seat and began to take what was needed out of my bag while trying to act unaware of him staring at me now.

Mr Banner walked over to our table and I glanced up at him, "Bella have you got the homework for me?" he aksed and I berated myself.

I'd been so occupied with mike, I'd forgotten to stop by my locker, "I do but I left it in my locker. Can I quickly go get it?" feeling guilty for not being prepared.

"That's fine" happy o know that he wasn't too upset about it.

I set my bag down to the floor and rushed out of the room, my heart ached once again as I left his side but I ignored the pain and continued down the deserted hallways.

When turning the corner, I slowed down as I found Rosalie and Emmett striding casually to their next lesson. They both turned to me with the sound of my footsteps.

The one named Rosalie looked me up and down as if sizing me while Emmett had an amused smile on his lips and in return I pretended to be oblivious to their suspicions and smiling at them as I walked past them and rushed to my locker.

They didn't linger and watch me as I could hear their hushed steps disappear further into the hallway.

Having them gone, I returned to task at hand and swiftly opened my locker and removed my green folder which had my assignment before locking it again and rushing back to the classroom.

Mr. Banner had already set the class on a task so all the students whipped their heads up at me when I entered, disrupting their concentration.

Blocking out their stares, I walked to the teacher's desk and calmly handed it to him earning a whispered, "Thank you". The assigned work hadn't taken long at all so I wasn't really bothered by the fact that I had to do it for homework. "After your practical yesterday, I'd like you to write up the stages of mitosis in great detail" he informed me of the work and I nodded ready to go back and start it.

Edward had been watching me but when I turned he pretended to be concentrating on the work so I did the same and sat down ignoring him.

As I opened my notebook, I took out my pen, the teacher spoke up again.

"You can use your books if you want" Mr. Banner added and I scoffed at that. The task was already unchallenging and would be quiet boring but I continued with the charade by smiling and nodding.

Edward remained quiet.

I really should not let it get to me because I knew that it was better this way. Maybe it was better that Edward was ignoring me because it seemed that I didn't have the strength to do that. I should be thankful because he was actually doing both of us a favour.

Still…as much as I wanted to believe that, it still hurt.

"Bella…"

He had called me…I should ignore him like he was ignoring me but – b-but…

…I liked how he'd sighed my name. I liked it too much.

Not able to fight it, I whipped my head around to meet his eyes and our gazes locked again today – a new conflict playing about in the piercing gold of his eyes. My eyes caught the movement of his fingers which twitched to the table but he slowly balled them up into fists.

"D-do you…" he broke the silence with his soft words but paused. I could tell he was somewhat distracted but I couldn't understand why that was, "Do you need the book?" he finally managed to say and my eyes flickered down to the Biology textbook and I couldn't help but feel slightly insulted.

Is that what he had called me for?

I couldn't help but be slightly annoyed at this as I murmured "I'm alright" with disappointment lacing my tone but then questioned myself.

What had I hoped for?

Shaking away the crazed ideas that filtered through my thoughts, I looked away from him and made a move to turn back to my work but he stopped me when he sighed my name again.

"Bella…" this time he sounded almost wistful.

Even though I had the intention to be cautious with him, I couldn't help but tease him as I looked at him again and sighed his name as he did with mine "Edward…"

What I had not anticipated was the beauty of the crooked smile that broke out and I had to bite back the gasp as I watched his face light up. His golden eyes seemed to gleam and he looked relaxed for the first time in the days that I have known him.

Beautiful…

No words were spoken as I continued to watch him with awe. Something was happening and it was not good.

I could not let this happen – I would not let it.

Edward was first to regain his composure as his face returned to being expressionless and I frowned wanting to see him smile again.

After a few more seconds of him watching me, the all too familiar calculating expression on his face, I waited for him to say something. Anything.

His eyes narrowed slightly as a thought had crossed his mind and he parted his lips, hesitant at first before speaking. "You're a really good tennis player" he commented and I realised what he was doing.

He was relying on my words as he couldn't rely on my thoughts.

Carefully choosing my words, I smirked as I replied, "I could say the same thing"

We fell back into the silence and I decided to stick with what I had thought of earlier. I needed to fight it – whatever it was.

With this final thought, I turned back to the work ignoring his weary sigh as I began to write out everything I knew about the stages of mitosis, welcoming the distraction as the work helped in fighting back the feeling that seemed to roam through me as I felt his eyes on me.

Nearing the end, I heard him call my name again, "Bella?"

"Edward?" I did the same thing with a small smile on my lips.

Through the make-shift curtain of my free falling tresses, I saw him move his balled up fist from the top of the table to his knee.

Again I was met with silence so I looked up at him questioningly with a hitched eyebrow. He stared into my eyes and that seemed to decide something for him as he shook his head with a low grunt and then muttered, "Nothing". This internal battle with himself worried me so I kept my gaze on him but he looked away and looked down at his work.

Giving up, I turned back to my work and forced myself to concentrate but was disrupted when I heard his soft whisper, "It was nothing"

-XxxxX-

We'd been silent through the rest of the lesson and no other words were shared.

It was different from yesterday and I felt like I was so far away from him, which I knew should be where I was supposed to be but I also knew that it wasn't where wanted to be.

When the bell rang, it hurt more as he'd shot of his seat and raced out of the room.

Mike had waited for me as I packed things up and we were now walking towards Gym. He was talking about how the waves would be awesome on Saturday but I was not really listening because my mind was wandering back to Edward.

We finally reached the gym and Mike said bye but I'm not sure as to whether I said it back as I was still stumbling in a daze.

"Hey Bella" Angela waved when she saw me and I waved back while walking towards her.

I took out my clothes and started to change when Angela spoke again, "So Coach Clapp isn't feeling well" she informed me, "Mrs. Williams the Social Studies teacher is going to do the lesson"

After we were both dressed, we walked out of the changing rooms and into court. I wasn't able to help myself as my eyes searched the room as I tried to seek out where he was but could not find him. However, I did find Alice and Emmett who were sat on the bleachers; both of them were stealing glances at me.

"Excuse me class" the short, grey haired woman squeaked but everyone else continued to talk, ignoring her presence.

Angela leaned in next to me before whispering softly, "That's Ms. Williams". I could detect an underlying sympathetic tone within her words.

I looked back at the tiny woman and watched as she desperately looked around the room wanting everyone to listen, "Your teacher isn't here so I will be filling in for him" she muttered but I could see how everyone was simply ignoring her. "We'll be playing volleyball today" she announced a little louder but still no reaction as the humans continued to talk. My anger was slowly rising. "And whoever doesn't participate, gets an after school detention" she added which subdued the chatters.

"Go Miss Williams" Angela whispered and I silently agreed with a nod.

Even she seemed proud of herself and I could see she had gained some confidence with this as she continued, "Teams of four children" she clapped her hands.

The rest stood up begrudgingly from the bleachers and began to set up the court but I remained sat down while my eyes scanned the room once more but I still couldn't find him.

Did he decide to go home early? Was he okay? Was it because of me?

"You okay?" Angela asked and I looked at her in surprise before quickly nodding and sidetracking her by going to the storage and helping out by grabbing a duffel full of volleyballs.

As I turned to leave the storage room, I fell into…"Edward?", I gasped in surprise and couldn't help myself as my eyes trailed up his form, dressed in the simple v-neck grey shirt that emphasised his taut muscles, along with a pair of black tracksuit bottoms.

"Bella" he gave a small smile as he breathed out my name while staring down at me.

I couldn't believe just how…elated I was to see him. I found that I was actually glad to know that he was back and he was okay.

"Bella?" this time it was Angela who called my name pulling me away from the locked stares.

It was then I realised just how close we were but also the fact that his arms were still holding me steady. Regaining my conscious, I moved away from his body feeling my cheeks heat up as I cast my eyes down and shuffled out of the room to a suspicious Angela.

"Did I interrupt something?" she teased and I pushed her gently so that I could walk ahead of her. Once I was out of the room, I s set down the duffel bag so everyone could take a ball.

Tyler and Mike casually made their way towards us, "How would you two lovely ladies like to join us?" Tyler asked in a cool manner.

I felt too tired to put up a fight plus I felt sorry for Miss Williams so I shrugged my shoulder before asking, "Why not?"

Angela bent down to grab a ball and we took one of the free courts but I felt a cold shiver tremble through my spine as I turned to the cold eyes that were glaring at me.

"You know what?" they all froze turning to me with questioning eyes "Why don't I swap with Jessica?" I asked and watched as Jessica's eyebrows rose at this.

"You sure?" she asked but I could see the hope and happiness it brought to her as she glanced at Mike.

I knew that this meant a lot to her so I nodded, "Yeah" I smiled at her encouragingly ignoring how Lauren narrowed her eyes at me as if I had an ulterior motive.

"Who are you gonna go with?" Angela asked.

"With us" a tinkling voice interrupted us and I turned to where Alice was. "We need another player" she piped up surprising the audience that was watching the interaction.

I chanced a fleeting glance at the other two Cullens. Emmett seemed calm by this but Edward was infuriated? annoyed?

Did she invite me so they can catch me out again? Did they want to see me play like I did again?

"Y-you really don-"

"Nonsense" she gripped my wrist tightly and pulled me along with her so I could only offer an awkward wave to them before stumbling along with Alice.

Once we reached the other two, an awkward silence fell upon us and I tried to remain calm while checking that my shield was still intact.

"Hey Bella" Emmett greeted me, breaking the silence with a wide grin spreading across his face making me feel more at ease.

I peeked up at Edward who was determined to not look at me so I gave up and turned to a cheerful Emmett, "Good afternoon Emmett" I smiled back, amused by his friendly demeanour. You really should not judge a book by it's cover.

"I never got a chance to welcome you to the school so…welcome" he added.

I felt nothing but kindness radiating from him so I relaxed some more as I smiled in gratitude, "Thank you" but still could not help but imagine what all three would do to me when they found out what I was and that I was being sought after by the Volturi.

When the silence filled us again, Alice was the one to break it this time, "Shall we get the game going?" and I nodded in reply. The sooner we got this over and done with, the sooner I can leave and maybe that will relieve Edward from my presence.

So we made our way towards the empty court on the far end.

"Edward and Bella against me and Emmett" Alice added with a teasing smirk sent towards Edward who glared back at her and I looked between them in question.

"You guys first" I heard Emmett say before I caught the flash of white heading towards me with the use of my peripheral vision. Acting on my quick reflexes acted up and my arms stretched out and caught the ball between my fingers.

Once it was done, I berated myself when I caught their even more suspicious stares.

Of course it had been a test!

"Let's play then" I smiled and threw the ball casually over to Edward without looking at him but I knew he would catch it.

Once the ball was served onto the other team, Alice jumped up in a graceful manner before tapping it back gently so it headed towards me. I stretched my right arm to hit it back casually as I knew I had to control myself this time in order to remain under the radar.

It was Emmett's turn and he reached up to hit over with a bit more impact and Edward was quick to hit it back. Alice did the same thing as before but this time I put more of an effort as I jumped to get it accidentally bumping into Edward in the process but he balanced me quickly before we turned to the game.

Even then he hadn't looked at me…

"So Bella, how are you finding Forks?" Emmett asked and I could tell he wasn't one for silences.

"It's good" I replied calmly as I waited for the ball to be hit towards me.

"I saw your game yesterday"

Not knowing what I could say, I murmured, "Oh…"

"You were really good" he praised me but like Edward, I could hear the accusatory tone in his words so I continued with my charade.

"Thank you." I hit the ball back casually before adding, "I thought Edward was really good too" looking at him and he turned to me as he hit the ball back. When the ball came towards me, I turned back to the game ignoring him like he was ignoring me.

I do wish one of us would be strong enough to stay way.

We continued on with the game like this in silence – all our moves were controlled and fixed as we were all careful to not reveal our true selves.

Soon enough the bell rang, freeing us from the game and I was last to catch the ball. "Thanks for the game" I replied in appreciation.

"It's fine. It was actually fun" Alice was trying to end this on good terms. She then gave Edward a meaningful look before turning to Emmett and grabbing her hand like she'd done to me, "Come on Emmett, we have to go change" she sent him a look too and he nodded in understanding before waving to me with a smile and then followed after Alice, evidently leaving me and Edward alone.

"Thank you for having me" I curtsied but after that second I realised what I had done so I straightened up with wide eyes.

I am so mortified!

Edward's brows were furrowed and he was caught between amusement and confusion, "It was quite alright" he answered and bowed his head slightly making me smile.

Feeling less embarrassed, I took a step back, "Have a good evening Edward"

"You too Ms Marie" he replied and walked past me after bowing his head towards me again.

Still I remained frozen even as I tried to will myself to move.

"Bella?", my numb muscles finally freed themselves as I whipped around to face a curious Angela. "Shall we go now?" she asked and I dumbly nodded allowing her to pull me along.

-XxxxX-

Thankfully, Angela hadn't asked any questions while we were in the changing rooms which was good because I wasn't even sure if I would have even been able to answer them.

Now as we walked out of the gym, making our way towards the parking lot, I was happy that she was talking about Saturday's plans.

"You should come. You can surf if you want" Angela continued to pursue my presence in La Push beach this weekend.

I knew I was wavering but I still fought back for a relaxed night at the cabin or in the lake as I excused myself, "I don't even have a surfboard"

"That's okay" she smiled at me, "Mike's parents own a sportswear shop so he brings the surfboards for us" she seemed to have an answer for everything.

From my peripheral vision, I caught Edward's eye from across the parking lot, knowing that he was listening in on our conversation because the crease on his forehead gave him away. With a cheerful smile, I looked back at Angela and shrugged my shoulders, "I don't kn-" my words were interrupted when I caught sight of the bewildered Tyler in the blue van that was heading directly for us.

My eyes first found Edward's wide ones as he gaped at me with a horror stricken expression but then broke out of this trance when hearing Ben shout out Angela's name so I quickly acted on my natural instincts as I reached out and pushed her out of the way before crouching and placing my palms out so that I could use my telekinetic energy as well as pushing out my defensive shield to steer the van away from me in less than a second.

But that split second was enough for all the Cullens to turn to me with gaping expressions apart from Edward Cullen who was not standing with them anymore.

He was next to me.

Oh no…

A/N: This is the perfect moment for a DUN DUN DUN…Whatever will happen now? Will she finally leave like she should have?

But for now...we have some responses to the last chapter...

Sakura Crystals – This chapter is drawing us closer to the truth of Bella's identity…Hope you're excited…Thank you for reading and reviewing this little fanfic of mine.

Multi-Fandom-Lover123 –I don't mind replying to new readers so welcome. Thanks for the love to this Bella...was kinda worried about how she'd be perceived but I'm glad you're loving her. I wanted both Bella and Edward to be a little bit less serious than in the books and movies. I too am a Hunger games fan and I wondered if anyone would pick up on that sentence – glad you did. Hope you liked this update.

IzzyPure – I did enjoy writing about their little challenge. Mike isn't one of my fav characters either. As you've read the picture, you should know that what she is will be revealed very soon...so don't you point that finger at me…(*smirk*).

Your questions made me LAUGH. Regarding your other questions – Billy is paralyzed and I think Jacob is the one who carried him onto the seat f the truck… I don't know how he pees – maybe Jake helps with that too (awkward…)

I'd like to advice you to go to bed early but then I'd be a hypocrite. I barely sleep these days – I think I'm also nocturnal – I prefer the night anyway. How dark is that? Anyway thanks for reviewing and making me laugh. I hope this chapter has you gripping your seat.

142 – I don't want Jacob to be interfering with Bella and Edward so don't worry about him.

Valentine Rain – I love Tennyson too – got the collection for my birthday. Thank you for the appreciation shown to the songs. Hope you enjoyed this update and thanks for reading and reviewing like you always do.

vampire claire18 – Thanks for favoring me as an author. Such an honor and I am thankful that you're reviewing. Hope I'll continue typing up magic for you.

Twilight Rocker – I will be putting up more pictures and I will inform you when I do. Thank you for reading and reviewing.

Holidai –Thank you for the appreciation for my Edward Bella and Angela. Happy that you're enjoying the story and reviewing. Means a lot to me.

A/N: I'll be flying out to see my family tomorrow so I won't be able to update until after the New Years so at least we'll start 2013 with a BANG. Have a great Christmas and New Years.

Until next time…

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU ALL!