Chapter 8

Edward's POV

To love, or not to love: that is the question.

The movie was alright, it's been a long time since I'd been to a cinema. I had forgotten the sticky floor, the dim emergency light, the constant chatter of people; but it was all worth it. Bella seemed to be studying me during the entire movie, I pretended not to notice. I wasn't sure if I was going to have a good time, not because of Bella but because of her friends. They seemed intrigued when Bella showed up with me. I could tell the girls were thrilled, the boys not so much.

After the movie we went to a burger shop. I ordered the house special, but I couldn't tell what was special about it. It seemed to be like another burger, but the boys were devouring it, maybe they were starving or maybe they lack taste buds. I didn't want to be rude, so I ate the entire burger. Bella seemed to hate the food too, she barely touched her burger. I have to make sure she eats more. I thought we were leaving early, but Bella's friends have other plans in mind. They are absorbed with each other's mouths. It's a gross spectacle to witness.

Bella starts talking this time, I can tell she's not enjoying the show either. We decide to go out and wait for the others; we sit down on the sidewalk. For a moment I thought I saw Elena behind some bushes. But I know that is not possible, she's dead. We used to go out at night and walked in the park holding hands. A shiver passes by my neck every time that I remember her; it's like if I could still feel her touch on my skin. A moment later I noticed that I'm really not alone, Bella is by my side and she's looking at me bewildered. I just smiled at her and start talking about today's assembly. I tell her that in my previous school there weren't as many students as in Forks High School. It still hurts to talk about my past and Bella seems to have noticed it because she starts talking about music. She doesn't have a favorite group; she seems to enjoy music in general. I tell her that I play the piano and that I write melodies as well. Bella's cell phone rings at the beat of a popular song; I've heard it before but I don't know its name.

Things don't sound good between Bella and the mysterious caller. Panic has taken her smile away. I can hear someone shouting at the other end of the phone, but I'm not sure if it's a man or a woman. Finally the call ends and I ask Bella if everything is alright; she says her mom wants her to get home right now. From what Bella says her parents sound like they are strict with her. I will never complain about my parents again.

She offers to ask Eric to drive me home, but after what I've heard over the phone, I can't let her go like that. She's shaken and it's late, besides I don't want to stay with her friends. She seems reluctant to accept any help, so I tell her that she would be helping me to learn all the shortcuts in town.

Bella goes inside the restaurant and says good-bye to her friends; I stand behind her and nod. We are heading home now. I'm not used to sitting in the passenger seat and Bella's driving skills make me questioned my sanity. I should have taken control and volunteered to drive. I tell Bella my address and she looks amazed, but doesn't say a word.

I decide to remain silent until we reach my house. I don't want to end up wrapped around a tree. We finally get to my house. I tell Bella I will follow her to her house, she doesn't seem happy with the idea but I give her no choice. I run to my car and drive up behind Bella's truck. I've never worried for someone like I worried about Bella; her health, her driving. I've barely known her, but something is pulling me toward her.

We finally reach her house and I get out of my car to open her door. My mother has taught me that chivalry is a man's way of showing concern and respect. I noticed that Bella doesn't live that far from me, so I offer to pick her up on my way to school. Instantly Bella's face goes pale, I can tell I caught her out of her element. I add that we could help the environment if we only use one car. She seems to relax a bit, but she's not convinced. Then I tell her that she can save some money and I could learn some shortcuts to save gas; she agrees. Bella locks her truck and something inside me tells me that I shouldn't do what I'm about to do, but I can't help myself.

I hold Bella by her waist and turn her around to face me. She smells of jasmine and cherries, it's so inviting. I can't help it anymore. I've been attracted to her as a child is attracted to candy. I kiss her on her forehead then on her cheek and finally I kiss her on the lips. I slide my hand through her hair and across her back. Her skin is soft. I don't want to let go of her. We're standing so close to each other that I can feel her heart beating fast like the wings of a hummingbird. I don't want her to faint so I release her. She seems to be unable to speak and I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing. Maybe she is disgusted, maybe she expected more or maybe she is ecstatic. I choose to think it's the last one.

I head home thinking of Bella, she's bewitched me and I'm more than willing to be under her spell. I didn't think it was possible for me to love again, but here I am another victim of cupid. I get home and find Alice in the living room, the white in her eyes has been replaced with tormented red. She's been crying. As soon as she sees me, she runs to pull me into a hug and rest her head on my chest. Her breathing is uneven; I soothed her rubbing her back trying to comfort her. She finally speaks and I wish she hadn't. The room twists around me as I hear the words: "Grandma's dead". The world crumbles around me and we both collapse to the floor.

A/N: Thank you for reading and reviewing. I'm glad to know that you're enjoying my story.

Thanks to my friend Chase Corin for being the beta of this chapter.