Locked Away

Alice's POV

It had been two months since Bella left. She didn't tell anyone where she was going or why she was going. One day she was at school the next she was gone. My best friend just left. She had been acting strange ever since the Halloween party and avoided all of us since then. Edward was affected the most. I think something happened between them during the party as they'd disappeared at some point. A lot of people ended up drunk as we later found out Jessica Stanley spiked all the drinks. I hadn't seen Edward in three weeks as he locked himself in his room and dropped out of school. Esme had tried to encourage him to come out but never succeeded. She was having a hard time but tried to hide it from us so as not to make us more depressed. I'd sit outside Edward's door for an hour every day once I got home from school and occasionally talk through the door but he never responded.

"Edward?"

No response. I sat down and crossed my legs as I leaned against the door.

"Please come out Edward. We miss you. You're scaring us all."

I sat silently for a while as I heard him moving around inside.

"Edward, I'm sure she loves you. Don't give up on her."

The door swung open causing me to fall backwards. I looked up to see a dishevelled Edward, with black pants and a black hoodie with the hood up. He didn't look at me as he ran down the stairs. Looking into his room, I saw his bin over flown with packets of food. Clothes strewn over the floor, pictures of Bella around the room. Running down the stairs, I saw Esme standing in the corner of the kitchen as Edward ignored her. He grabbed packets of biscuits and microwaveable foods and cans of coke before going back up the stairs.

"What am I going to do Alice? He's fallen apart."

I grabbed my coat as I moved to the door.

"I'm going to speak to Charlie. We need answers."

"Be careful Alice."

"Will do mom?"

I ran to my car and sped to Charlie's. Rapping on the door, I heard footsteps approaching.

"Hello Alice. What did you want?"

"I want answers Charlie. What happened to Bella?"

"I can't tell you that Alice."

"Why? Why can't you tell me? I'm her best friend Charlie. My brother needs her. You do know he dropped out of school don't you? He's locked himself in his room. I saw him today for the first time in three weeks. I need some answers Charlie."

"Okay. Come inside Alice. I'll ring Bella."

"Thank you."

"That doesn't mean she will speak to you."

"I know."

I followed him into the kitchen and sat behind the table as he dialled a number.

"How are you doing Bella?"

"-"

"Good. Alice is here."

"-"

"She wants answers Bella."

"-"

"No, I know. Please just let her speak to you, you don't have to tell her anything."

"-"

"Okay."

He held the phone to me and I stood up making my way over to him. After taking the phone, he walked out of the room.

"Bella?"

"Hey Alice."

She sounded tired, as if she had had a lack of sleep.

"How are you Bella?"

"I'm alright. How are you Alice?"

"I could be better. We miss you Bella. You just left."

There was no response as I listened quietly.

"I had to Alice."

"Why Bella? Why didn't you just talk to me? Was it Edward? Did he say something? Did he hurt you?"

"Please don't talk about him."

"Why Bella?"

"Just don't."

"Are you coming back?"

"No."

"Where are you?"

"Florida. I'm living with my mom."

"What about school?"

"I'm not going."

"What happened Bella? You loved school. You loved Edward."

"Alice don't say that."

"Why not Bella? It's true though. You were perfect together. You still are."

"We can't be together Alice. Alright? It just wouldn't work out. Listen I have to go. Don't call me again."

"But…"

Before I could say anything she hung up. I placed the phone back and ran out of the house.