Chapter Eleven
Bella
When I got in Charlie was watching football, and sitting in the chair opposite was Jake.
"You have a good time with Alice?" Charlie asked.
"Yes thanks".
Jake looked over at me, "Can I speak to you Bells?"
"OK I'm going to get a drink and a sandwich. You can come and talk while I make it".
He followed me into the kitchen and shut the door. "Bells what are you doing?"
"Making supper Jake".
"You know what I'm talking about. You weren't at the Cullens".
"How do you know? Have you been following me?"
"No, I don't need to. You reek of leech, but not one I know. Who were you with? Aren't the Cullens dangerous enough for you?"
"They haven't done anything to me Jake and neither has my other friend".
"Who is?" He asked.
"I'm not telling you, its none of your business Jake".
"Your safety is my concern Bella. I love you, you know that, and I always will. I don't want you putting yourself in danger. What is it with the leeches anyway? It's not as if they're even alive Bella. They can't give you warmth and true love, a home and a family. Don't you want a family Bella? Children of your own, grandchildren for Charlie?"
"Jake, back off. I'm not discussing this with you. I don't love you Jake".
"You would if you let yourself Bella. We could be so good together. Why wont you give me a chance Bella? What are you so afraid of? Are you scared you might fall in love with me if you gave me a chance? What is it they've got to give you that I can't? I can protect you as well. I can give you my heart, a warm beating one that's yours if you give the word. Is it the money Bella? Is it that they can give you fancy cars, plush houses, expensive clothes?".
"Right that's it Jake. I'm going to bed and I'd be very grateful if you didn't come back. You and I have nothing more to say to each other".
"Bells I'm sorry, that was out of order".
"Yes it was Jake and I've had it with you. That was below the belt, and I'm through".
I took my supper upstairs, shutting the door firmly and sitting on my bed still fuming.
I heard a noise and looked round, it was very faint and I didn't recognise it. Suddenly there was a knock on my door.
"Who is it?"
The door opened and Jake stood there.
"I thought I made myself very clear Jake"
"One of your new friends give you this?" he snapped
His face was black and he threw something at me. Being the great catch I am, I missed and it hit me above the eye. I felt a trickle over my eyebrow and knew it had cut me.
"Great" I snapped as he came in all apologies. "Jake get away from me".
I pushed him but it was hardly worth the effort. He didn't move an inch, just grabbed my hands and dragged me into the bathroom.
"Everything OK?" Charlie shouted from downstairs.
"Yeah Bella just tripped and banged her head. I'm bathing it for her."
I fumed as he bathed it with cold water. "It'll be fine, just a little cut. You should have caught it".
"Oh I'm sorry I missed, Jake, what a fool I am. So sorry". I hissed as I stormed past him and back into my room.
As Jake followed me he suddenly got catapulted through the air and out of the open window. I turned to see the Major standing there, eyes black and hard. He came over to me and took my face in his hands turning it slightly to look at the cut which was bleeding again. I stood very still as he put a finger to it and took it away a single drop of blood, very red against his pale skin. He looked at it then rubbed it between his fingers.
"If he ever spills another drop of your blood I will kill him" he said very calmly.
"I'll be back Bella" and he followed Jake out of the window.
I waited for the sound of a fight but the night was silent so I picked up the cell phone which was the thing Jake had thrown at me. The text on it read,
Is he being a pain?
Now I knew why Jake had been so angry and I had to smile. It seemed I had my own Guardian Angel. I put a plaster over the cut on my forehead certain it would produce a really good bruise and got showered and ready for bed. As I turned off my computer there was a tap at the window and I looked to see Edward sitting on the sill. I groaned, would I get no peace this evening?
I opened the window "Yes?"
"I want to talk to you Bella, can I come in"
"No. Go away".
He saw the plaster "What happened?"
"I fell".
"Yeah, how come you smell of wet dog?"
"I fell over one".
"Don't be funny Bella".
"I wasn't. What did you want to say only I'm really tired Edward".
"I don't know what I did Bella, but couldn't we start again?"
"No Edward. It's no good. Go home".
He pushed the window right up and stepped in.
"Bella I love you, don't send me away please".
I backed away. "Edward I've just had Jake pledge his undying love for me, so I'm all out of sympathy". "Where is he now?"
"He left by the window".
"Good. You shouldn't have him in here. Wolves are dangerous". Really just remind me who it was who put me in the hospital?"
"I'm not like the nomads. I just want you to be happy".
"Then go home Edward, I'm tired and I've got a headache".
"Let me help you get to sleep".
He took me in his arms, ignoring my attempts to get out of the embrace, pulled me to the bed and held me tight, humming, "Do you remember how I used to sing you to sleep?"
"No and I don't want you doing it now Edward. Let me go".
He ignored me and I struggled harder. "Edward you're hurting me".
I heard an icy voice from the foot of the bed.
"Bella has asked you more than once to let her go. Don't make her ask again Edward Cullen".
Edwards arms dropped as he looked at the figure standing there.
"What are you doing here? Bella get out now".
He stood crouched protectively in front of me. I sighed and tried to get past him.
"Edward just go away".
"Bella you're in danger".
"Only from you. Now get out of my way".
I pushed his arm from round me and walked over to where Jasper stood.
"Are you OK Bella?"
I nodded "Yes I'm fine".
He took my hand and turned my arm to look at the red marks where I'd struggled to free myself of Edwards grip.
"These had better be the last marks you ever put on her Cullen. If I see another I'll be coming for you too". Edward looked stunned, "Bella you're seeing him?"
I nodded, "Yes. So I suggest you go now. I tried to warn you to leave me alone".
"You have no idea what you are doing. Bella please don't do this".
"Jealous Cullen?"
"Fuck you".
"Sorry, you're just not my type.. Edward".
Bella
Edward finally left when he heard Charlie coming up the stairs.
"I'll see you at school" he hissed as he jumped from the window.
When he'd gone Charlie knocked on my door.
"You all right Bells? I didn't hear Jake leave".
"He was in a hurry Dad but he said to say goodbye".
"Oh, he must have left while I was asleep on the couch. I take it things didn't go too well?"
"No Dad, I'm not interested in Jake".
"Oh well you're probably too young to get involved with anyone. Think of college rather than boys".
"I have no intention of thinking about boys any more Dad".
"Good to hear Bells. By the way I'm on late tomorrow so you might want to invite Alice over to keep you company, she could stay".
"I'll organise something".
"Make sure you do. I don't like the idea of you here on your own. There have been several disappearances in Seattle and one in Port Angeles. Druggies mostly, but still you can't be too careful".
"OK Dad I'll ring you tomorrow evening. Nite"
When he'd gone into the bathroom and turned the shower on I turned to my one remaining guest.
"Are you responsible for the people who disappeared?"
"Some" he answered, "Does that scare you?"
I thought about that then smiled, "Why do you ask questions you already know the answer to?"
He smiled in return and it lit up his face, he was so beautiful when he allowed himself to relax.
"Maybe I just like to hear your voice".
"Don't tell me, it fascinates you".
"Everything about you fascinates me Bella. I should leave now so you can sleep".
I hated the thought of him out in the rain but I didn't know what to say.
"I'll text you in the morning and don't worry about the Cullen boy or Jake. I'll be watching them".
I nodded, and he was gone. Suddenly the room seemed very empty, very cold and I wished I'd asked him to stay, at least for a little while. I climbed into bed and closed my eyes but I was too wound up to sleep. I knew what was coming tomorrow. A lecture from Edward followed by another, unless I was very lucky, from Jake. Neither of them understood that I wanted to see the major. No, I needed to see him. It was like a craving, not a silly crush that we've all had at one time, all oohs and aahs as we saw the boy we thought was so hot. This was a craving deep within, an itch I just couldn't scratch.