Author's Note: Here is the fifth chapter of Complications. Do you think we can get one hundred reviews with this one? ;) Read ahead and tell me what you think!

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight.

Chapter 5

Esme had forbidden Edward to get out of bed the whole weekend until he was all better. He was fine, and she knew that, but everyone knew that she was only doing it because she was worried.

I was with him for most of the weekend. Mostly because he wouldn't let me out of his sight. He insisted that I keep him company. It annoyed the hell out of me. I had things to do other than doing nothing at all.

"Come on, Edward," I whined, grimacing. "I have to study!"

"You always have to study," Edward contradicted me. "You deserve a break. Studying isn't everything, you know."

"Yeah," I said sarcastically. "Say that when I get into an Ivy League."

He grinned. "Bella, you're already working hard enough. Truthfully, I wouldn't be surprised if you got accepted to every one of the colleges that you apply to."

I rolled my eyes. "It's not enough. You know it's my dream to go to an Ivy League. Dartmouth or Brown…"

"And you'll get in," Edward promised. "I swear you will."

I eyed him apprehensively. "Are you going to bribe them into taking me?"

He laughed. "Maybe. We'll see."

"What about you?" I prompted. "Since I'm bored out of my mind, you might as humor me by answering my questions. Have you decided on what to major in yet?"

Edward had never had a real dream. Carlisle was a doctor and Esme was a part-time interior decorator. Emmett wanted to become a lawyer, and Alice wanted to be a famous fashion designer. No surprises there. She loved fashion.

But Edward could never decide. He was different from the others.

He shrugged nonchalantly. "I don't know."

I frowned in disapproval. "Have you even thought of it? We're juniors, Edward. It's time to think about it."

"I am thinking about it," Edward reassured me. "I've been researching a lot as well. I'm still weighing my options."

I smiled. I sensed that he was frightened of making a mistake. I knew him like a book. "Edward. With your brains and talents, you can do anything. What are you so afraid of?"

"Afraid?" Edward pursed his lips. "I don't know if that's the right word. I'm just a bit hesitant. What if I do major in something, and I find out that I don't like it when I'm thirty? By that time, it'll be too late."

"Is that what you're afraid of? You're afraid that you'll make the wrong choice?"

"Aren't you?" he countered. "Are you set on your goal?"

I paused. "I've seen doctors. And I've been seeing Carlisle my entire life. I know what I want to do."

"And you'll make a good one," Edward said softly, brushing away a lock of hair. "I don't have any doubts about that."

I shook my head incredulously. "What about college? You must have a dream college."

"I told you," he said. "I'll go wherever you decide to go."

I frowned. "That's not smart. You have to go someplace you want to go, Edward."

"Do you think I can leave you to fend for yourself in a huge, unfamiliar campus?"

"I can take care of myself," I mumbled.

"Right," he said, smirking. "Tripping and falling on flat ground. That's taking care of yourself."

"I'll manage. Right now, this is about you."

His expression softened. "I know what I'm doing, Bella. I know you're worried about me, but I have plans too. I'm thinking."

"What if I decided to go to a crappy school?" I shot at him. "Would you still follow me?"

"Yes," Edward answered automatically.

I frowned at him.

He sighed. "It doesn't matter, because there's no possibility that you'll go to a crappy school. For one thing, I won't allow it. I will get you into an Ivy League, even if I do have to bribe them."

"Why do you want to follow me?" I wondered. "What makes you think that following me will do you good?"

"Because you'll be there," Edward said simply. "Wherever you are, I can survive. You know I can't live without you, Bella."

"It's high time you tried."

"I can't live without you," he repeated. "Never forget that, Isabella." He smiled slightly, looking down. He took my hand in his and began tracing the lines on my palm.

"Just be there for me," Edward continued. "No matter what happens. Remember what we promised when we were first starting high school? We promised each other that we won't ever drift apart. That no matter what happens, we'll always be there for each other."

"And?"

"And I have no intentions on breaking that promise," he said, looking up again. He looked serious. "No matter what happens."

I sighed. "You don't know what fate has in store for us."

"Fate," he scoffed. "I'll live my own life, thank you very much. No one can decide for me. I'll do whatever I want."

I was silent, watching him curiously. He continued to play with my hand.

"What if I decided to break that promise?" I asked. "What would you do?"

"Are we playing the what-if game again?" He grinned.

"Just answer, Edward."

His smile faded. "Then…I don't know what I would do. I think…I would be more sad than angry. Because that means that we've drifted apart. I'd be losing my best friend."

He set my hand down next to him on the bed gently. "Let me ask you a question now. Don't you want a boyfriend?"

I scrunched up my face in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"You know… A real one. Someone that you'll see all the time…someone that you'll date steadily…someone that you'll look to find comfort in. That kind of a person. Don't you ever want one?"

"Why would I?" I asked, laughing slightly. "I have you."

"I'm not your boyfriend," Edward mumbled, looking slightly put-out about something. "That's the thing. I'm sure there are some things that I won't be able to fill."

"Like what?"

"Like hugging," he said seriously. "And kissing. Having sex. That kind of stuff."

I smiled. "Honestly, Edward, I think I'm still too young for that sort of stuff."

He looked disapproving. "You're not five years old anymore, Bella. While I think about my future, why don't you think about getting yourself someone you love?"

"Would you be happy if I did find someone?" I countered, raising my eyebrows. "Your quality time with me would get stolen by my boyfriend."

"No," he sighed. "I can't argue with you there."

"No?" I asked, confused. "No, what?"

"No, I wouldn't be happy," Edward clarified. "I'd still be losing my friend."

"What if the guy was really nice to me?" I teased. "What if he was really handsome and tall and smart and rich and talented? What if he loved me a lot?"

He stared at me, his lips parting. He moved his lips slightly, as if he was saying something, but there was no sound. It was like he was talking to himself.

"What?"

"Nothing," he said quickly. "I would be happy for you then. And I would probably be a little annoyed, but I would still be glad. Because someone actually took you in."

"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked, my eyes narrowed.

He smiled playfully. "I seriously think no one would be dumb enough to date you."

"What?" I slapped his arm. "What's wrong with me?"

He shrugged. "Nothing in particular."

"Tell me!"

"Well, for one, you're stubborn."

I bit my lip. I couldn't argue with that. "And?"

"And you're too pretty. They would be too afraid to even talk to you. They wouldn't dare."

I rolled my eyes. "Seriously?"

He laughed. "I scared you for a minute there, didn't I? I could see it in your eyes. You're so gullible, Bella."

"Very funny. Then what if no one takes me in? Would you bribe someone to do so?" I snorted at the thought.

"I would take you in myself, of course. I wouldn't leave you alone your entire life, now, would I?"

I raised my eyebrow. "You'd take me in yourself? Really?"

He smiled. "What, you think I can't love you in that way? I'm your friend, but don't forget that I'm a man too. Maybe I'm just resisting to love you that way right now. I can let that emotion run wild if you want."

His expression was teasing, but there was something in his eyes that bothered me. He looked…sincere.

"Stop teasing me," I mumbled. "That's not funny." It unnerved me. What was wrong with him these days? It was probably that girl. The one he liked so much. She was driving him insane.

"I'm not teasing," Edward said innocently. "I'm serious. I would do anything for you. Really." He nodded when I glanced at him dubiously.

"Would you jump down from a building if I asked you to?" I laughed.

"Of course."

"Why would you do that?" I asked, abruptly shocked.

He looked amused now. "Because you told me to."

"I was joking…" I muttered. "That guy must have punched you too hard. I thought it was just a black eye, but apparently not. You're talking nonsense."

He frowned. "I'm fine, Bella. It's not like I had a concussion. I'm perfectly fine, but I'm only in my bed to make Esme happy."

I sighed. "Can't I go home, Edward?"

"No."

"You have Emmett and Alice here. I'll call Rosalie and Jasper as well if you want."

"No. I want you next to me."

"What difference do I make?" I grumbled. "Alice, Em, me; we're all the same."

"No, you're different."

"How?"

"You're different," Edward said. "You just are. There's no reason."

I huffed, frustrated. I raised my voice. "ALICE!"

"No! What are you doing?" He looked furious. "Why are you calling that blabbermouth in here? She'll never shut up."

"I heard that," Alice said as she walked in. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine," Edward said. "Will you convince Esme for me? So I can go play with Bella properly?"

"No way," I said, scrambling to my feet. "I've humored you long enough. Let me go spend some quality time on my own. Alice, you can keep him entertained alone, right?"

"Of course." She grinned evilly.

Edward glowered at me. "I'm going to get even."

I smiled as I walked outside. "I'll call you later. Rest, okay?"

He pouted as Alice began to babble. I could still hear her bubbly, loud voice from the first floor a minute later.

It was always nice to talk to Edward. Our conversations always turned out interesting.

Would he really take me in if no one else would? I wasn't sure if I could believe him. That seemed a bit going overboard, considering we were only friends.

AN: So what did you think? I thought it was sweet of Edward to say that to her. And really, he's being super obvious, but you know our silly heroine. Blind, as always. =) Reviews, please!

Guess what? I'm starting a new story. Yeah, I know what you're going to say. But I've been managing numerous stories all at once for while now, and quite honestly, I can handle it. It doesn't give me too much of a headache, and, no, it doesn't make my head explode, like some of you asked me in a private message. ;) So I'm pretty confident about it. The idea wouldn't leave me alone, and I knew I had to write it down. The title isn't decided yet, but I'll tell you what it is on my next updates. I'll keep you informed on the status of the new story, and I hope you'll all go read it when the first chapter is post it! Thanks!