EPOV
"You're in love?" Jasper repeats with disbelief "Edward that's serious are you sure?"
I give him a look.
"Ok ok sorry" he says putting his hands up "it's just that I'm shocked is all. I mean I never thought I'd see the day that Edward Cullen would be in love."
"Can we focus here?" I say exasperated "yes I'm in love but let's not forget the important thing here that Bella doesn't I repeat doesn't love me."
"Ok sorry" he says again "shocked. Let me think for a minute" he starts pacing.
I fall back on my bed.
"How about you woo her?"
"Wouldn't work" I say staring up at the ceiling "first she won't move on from Black and second I don't think I should bring her into my life. You know how dangerous it is and it's only going to get worse once I graduate and… "
"Ok so she won't move on and it's not like you just stop loving her, so why don't you physically at least distance yourself from her?"
I sit up on the bed and rub my face with my hands.
"I can't" I sigh "I tried to do that this past week and I hurt her. she's isolated from her friends so she doesn't have anyone else but us and it's not like she's making any friends with the girls in the gang and I'm all she has. She was lonely and I can't do that to her again."
"There isn't anything else to do Edward. You don't want to hurt her and that's only going to cause you more harm. The only thing we can do is damage control. That means no more hand holding, no more kisses and no more boyfriend stuff. Be her friend but like I said try to keep your distance from her as much as you think is acceptable without hurting her."
"Friend ok I got it" I nod "I can do this. I mean I've gone through worse right?" I laugh a little.
"I'm not so sure it's going to be that easy Edward" Jasper says looking at me doubtfully "I'll be there though to keep you in check" he laughs and leaves before I can think of something to say.
I had a feeling he was right and this wouldn't be easy. I also knew somewhere deep down that Bella would always be in my heart.
*The next Morning*
She is doing this on purpose I know she is. She somehow found out about mine and Jasper's plan and for some reason wanted to spoil it and was doing this to tease me.
Bella had just arrived to school and she was wearing a long sleeved off the shoulder black top, denim skinny jeans and black high tops.
The word 'beautiful' wasn't enough and to say she was 'sexy' would be an understatement.
Fuck me she's gorgeous
"Hi Edward" she says coming up to me and giving me a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
I took a step back and looked at her again.
"Wow Bella you look gorgeous" I say stunned.
"Thank you" she says blushing and looking down.
"You know what I said about the mini skirt and top?"
She looks confused for a second but then nods.
"This" I say motioning to her outfit "would've worked SO much better."
"Stop it" she giggles.
"No really" I insist "heck the whole male student body is staring at you right now"
She bites her lower lip and that's what does it. The little self-control I'd had since I saw her went out the window. I captured her lips in mine and I moaned from the relief of kissing her again. It felt like it had ages since I had last kissed her. Her lips synced with mine and when I grazed her lower lip to seek entrance into her mouth she automatically gave it. Our tongues moved in harmony and I hugged her tighter to me. I wanted to feel all of her.
Someone clears their throat.
"Uh Ed" Jasper says clearing his throat again "It's getting a bit uncomfortable to watch"
I groaned in disappointment.
I really wanted to ignore him but I knew I had to. I shouldn't even be kissing her right now so I reluctantly pulled away.
"Wow" Bella says stunned.
I smirk.
I looked around, so I could look away from her, and I didn't like how the guys were looking at her. After I glared at them they smartly looked away.
"Uh Bella" I say clearing my throat and frowning "Aren't you cold?"
"A little" she admits.
Good
"Here why don't you take my jacket" I say taking it off.
"It's ok Edward" she says smiling sweetly at me "I can handle a little cold and besides if I put on your jacket the effect of this outfit would be gone."
I can't force her to put on the jacket we aren't really together. She isn't Alice or Rose so I have no right or say in what she wears; besides how can I say no to a sweet smile like hers. I also think the attention will do her good.
I sigh.
Guess I'll have to bare it then.
"Alright but if you get colder promise me you'll ask for my jacket. I don't want you getting sick" I say caressing her cheek.
"I will I promise thanks" she says smiling brightly.
She's so beautiful
"Whipped" Rosalie coughs
"Rose' I sigh "shut up"
As the day goes on the attention she gets drives me crazy. I've had to punch a couple of people's faces and smashed them against the wall, without her knowing of course wouldn't want her to worry or anything, but I think after the first 2 guys the rest got the hint still though just for good measure I beat up 2 more just to make sure the message came across.
Her exposed shoulder taunts me all day and I'm unable to think straight. Her image seems to be permanently burned in my mind and I can't think of anything else.
We're half way through lunch and I've successfully managed to not kiss her again but I can't keep my hand from her shoulder. I can't stop myself from caressing her soft skin and improper thoughts start creeping into my mind.
I need to be away from her.
"I'm going out for a smoke" I announce and get up. "I'll be back before lunch is over though" I tell Bella and turn to leave.
"Edward" Bella calls; her voice trembling a bit towards the end.
I sigh.
I turn and see what I fear most. Her big brown eyes are pleading me to take her with me. She was scared I know and I couldn't tell her 'no'.
"Come on" I say offering her my hand.
She gets up smiling quickly and takes my hand. Jasper and Riley get up to follow but I shake my head; somewhere deep down I knew it was a bad idea but like I said I wasn't thinking straight.
"Thank you for not leaving me behind" she says as we head towards the parking lot.
"Yeah well you looked like you would shit your pants if I didn't so….." I trail off
"First of all EW! And I wasn't that scared" she says putting on a brave face.
"Really well then maybe you should go"
"No please no" she interrupts quickly clutching my shirt sleeve.
"That's what I thought" I smirk.
She grumbles unintelligently.
"I didn't know you smoked" she says after a couple of minutes.
"Most people don't" I say slightly irritated that she was here when I really just needed to be away from her. "Look you sure you don't want the jacket? You look cold?"
"I'm sure" she says "Are you mad or something Edward? If this is because I'm here then I could go back" she turns slightly.
"No" I say grabbing her hand to stop her "I'm sorry" I sigh "I just need to clear my head and really need that cigarette"
She nods.
"You do know that smoking is bad for your health right?"
"Give me break Bella" I say reaching for the pack of cigarettes I always leave in my car. "I don't do this every day" I put the cigarette in my mouth and light it.
Aaaaahhh
"Fine but if you get lung cancer or something don't come crying to me"
I laugh.
When I die I'm almost certain it will have nothing to do with smoking or lung cancer.
"Like I said I don't do this enough to give me cancer" I say taking another puff "and you won't be here by then remember?"
"Yeah well….it was just a figure of speech Edward" she says awkwardly.
She didn't say anything else after that. I think it was mainly to give me my space and I appreciated that but I also think it was because she was scared that I would really send her away. The smoke might have also had something to do with it.
The cigarette and most importantly the fresh air helped clear my head. I realized what a pussy I was being and was very ashamed of myself. I could handle this I could endure not being Bella's boyfriend I had been taught to handle worse. I could and would control both my feelings and myself.
"Thank you for yesterday" she says after I finished the cigarette getting closer "I really had fun and what I saw of 'The Godfather' was very good."
"Glad you had fun" I say smiling popping a mint in my mouth and putting on some more cologne to be rid of the smell "it's good you liked the movie though because next week we're watching all of them."
"You mean there's more than one?" she asks smiling for some reason. She couldn't be this excited to watch them all.
"Yup there are 3 and you're watching all of them. You should be ashamed of yourself for not having watched them already." I say frowning playfully.
"Ok" she laughs "And thanks for carrying me up to my bed" she looks down and blushes "sorry I fell asleep"
"You'd had a bad day" I shrug.
"Still though" she says blushing even more.
"aaaawww what an adorable sight. I would've never pegged you to go for the blushing shy type Eddie boy" he laughs
"James" I hissed "what are you doing here?"
I push Bella behind me.
"No need to hide her Eddie boy" he says "I already saw her but don't worry I won't tell anyone sshh!" he puts a finger against his lips and turns towards Victoria, his girlfriend, laughing.
"Laurent" I say turning to his bodyguard/partner in crime "James shouldn't be out like this. He could get arrested for driving under the influence."
"I'm driving" Laurent says holding up a pair of keys.
"I would never drive under this condition Eddie boy. I wouldn't want to hurt anyone" they all laugh like idiots.
I say nothing.
Damn it! I had to get Bella out of here but what if James had others in the bushes I couldn't risk sending her alone. Damn it! I knew I should've brought Jasper and Riley Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!
"I must say though for such a boy scout you certainly don't mind breaking the rules Eddie boy"
"Very brave" Victoria interjects "for a dead man"
"Oh Vicky" he says turning to her "I'm sure Aro won't go that hard on Eddie boy here after all he does like him. So tell me" James says turning to me "how did you guys meet?"
"It's none of your business" I hissed "Speaking of dead men though you might be accompanying me to my grave when your father finds out you've been stealing from him."
You see James has a bit of a drug problem and his father has scared all of James' suppliers shitless so they wouldn't sell him anymore. No one I knew was stupid enough to cross Charles Monroe so there was only one way he could've gotten the drugs and alcohol to get like this.
"Charles isn't my father!" he hisses.
"Trust me when he finds out you want to have the whole father thing going" I said calmly.
I feel Bella hide further behind me and I feel her raising her hands to cover her ears.
Good thinking Bella
"And who's going to tell him? You?" he sneers.
"He's not stupid James. Sooner or later he's going to notice and he'll skin you alive."
"Yeah well I've been doing it for months now and he's never noticed. That's not what I came here for though. I want to get your permission to do some business around here. If you're not"
"James shut up right now" I command "you should know by now that you never talk about those types of things in public. There could always be someone listening. Laurent" I say turning to him "take him out of here before he does something stupid. I'll go and see him"
He reluctantly nods and takes both of them away.
I sigh in relief.
"Are they gone?" Bella asks quietly.
"Yes" I say turning and taking her hands from her ears. "They're gone. You did great by covering your ears" I say trying to give her a reassuring smile.
"Were those some of the dangerous people you talked about when we first began?"
I nod
"Will they be back?"
"No and I'm going to make sure of it so don't worry." I rub my hands up and down her arms.
"I think I want that jacket now" she says quietly.
I take it off and put it on her. I see her relax visibly. I exhale and then take out my phone and dial Jasper's number.
He answers on the first ring.
"What's up?"
"Jazz I need everyone to come to the parking lot. James was here and he saw Bella."
"Be right there" he says and hangs up.
*3 minutes later*
"What happened?" Jasper asks looking around "did he leave?"
"Yeah he already left. He" I stop and turn to Bella "Get in the car my iPod is on the dashboard put the earphones on." She nods and gets in "he was high. He's been using again I think that's why we've had so many problems with him. When James is high or drunk he doesn't listen to reason. He saw Bella and I need to go and make sure he won't come back or get any ideas."
"He could be on his way to see Aro right now Edward!" Rosalie says scared.
"No" I say shaking my head "he said he'll keep my secret besides I have something on him now." I drop my voice to a whisper "The drugs he uses he's getting them from Charles."
They all look at me confused.
"He's stealing it" I clarify "and we all know how Charles is like."
They all nod
"So here's what we're going to do all of you are with me except Rosalie, Riley and Felix"
"What you can't leave me behind Edward" Rose protests "What if Victoria"
"Rose if I take you Emmett is going to kill me and besides I need someone to be with Bella at ALL times. Riley and Felix can do it I know but they can't go into the girl's bathroom with her so could you just do this once?" I ask
"Fine" she says and folds her arms across her chest.
"Thanks" I nod "Felix and Riley if anything happens to either of them you're both dead got it?"
They nod scared. Good scared is good.
"Ok let's move it people!" I shout. The others scramble to their cars.
"Jazz give Rose her keys we're riding in my car." He tosses them to her "can you guys give us a sec?"
I open the door and Bella immediately takes out the ear buds.
"Are you guys done talking?" she asks and looks around.
"Yes" I nod "but I have to go….talk to James. You're going to stay here with Riley and Felix who will take care of you. Rose will also stay behind I know you guys aren't besties or anything but I figure it's better than nothing."
She laughs a little and gets out.
"You guys aren't really talking are you?"
"No" I say shaking my head.
"Ok" she nods "just promise me you'll be careful and that you'll come back safe and sound please Edward you have to promise me"
"I promise to come back"
She tears up a bit but nods.
"Hey don't cry please" I say hugging her tightly "I know you're scared but I'll make it better. I would never let anyone hurt you."
She nods against my chest.
"I have to go" I say letting her go.
"Jasper" I call "let's go"
BPOV
"I'm not scared for me" I say out loud when he's gone.
Please God let him be ok and bring him back to me safely.
"Rosalie" I call turning to her "it's dangerous where he's going isn't it?"
"Yes but don't worry he can take care of himself"
I nod
"Lunch is over let's get you to class"
I try to put it out of my mind and focus in class but I can't concentrate on anything and when he isn't back by the beginning of gym I start to worry that I won't get to see him till Monday.
"Bella is everything alright?" Jake asks at the end of gym "you've been distracted since after lunch"
"Yeah everything is fine"
"Where's Edward? I haven't seen him since lunch and why are you with Rosalie?"
"Everything is fine!"
I sigh
"Sorry I just have a lot on my mind. Sorry for yelling at you"
"Is it about the wedding? Have our Parents been"
"No no" I interrupt "look I'm sorry Jake but I have to go ok" I say and leave.
I hurry up and get dressed. The disappointment I feel when I go out and see Riley and Felix is crushing.
"Edward still isn't back?"
"He is" Riley says "he's waiting for you in the parking"
I set off running to the parking lot before he can finish.
"Oh Edward" I gasp in horror when I see his bloody face.
"Didn't I tell you two to stall her?" he yells "I'm sorry. I didn't want you to see me like this. I didn't want to frighten you"
"It's ok I'm not scared just worried" I say getting closer "don't do anything to them I ran here are you alright?"
"I am" he sighs "just a couple of minor injuries. It's worse than it looks really just a torn lip, a broken nose and I might have a black eye." He laughs a little.
"We have to get you checked out" I say "let's go to the hospital"
"No it's ok like I said its worse than it looks. Rose went to get a first aid kit. I'll be fine"
Rosalie was informed before me his girlfriend? Wait did he text or call her saying he was here? She knew how worried I was yet she didn't have the decency to come and tell me? No she had to come running to him! And
Just like that my anger flares.
EPOV
These are the things that mess with me.
Now it might just be me but Bella seemed to get a little jealous when I told her Rose was getting a first aid kit but that's ridiculous right? I mean its not like she likes me or anything.
"What took you so long Rose?"
"Sorry but the nosy nurse wouldn't give it to me before I told her what it was for"
"You didn't tell her did you?"
She gives me look.
"Sorry"
"I lied but I don't know how much good this will do Esme and Carlisle are still going to see your face"
"Yeah but if my mom sees my face like this she'll freak"
"I'll do it" Bella says all of a sudden.
"Do what?" I ask confused
"I'll clean you up and take care of your wounds. I know first aid you. I was trained" she replies in a snarky voice.
What's with her?
"What and you think I don't?" Rose replies angrily "you know how many fights he's been in? I may not have been 'trained' but I know what I'm doing"
Bella just crosses her arms and looks at me.
See there it is again. If I didn't know any better I could swear she was jealous.
It would be so easy to pretend….
"Uh give her the first aid kit Rose" if we're pretending then a boyfriend would side his girlfriend right?
"Here!" Rose says shoving them towards Bella and going to her car. The rest of the guys move away.
"What was all that about?" I ask after a while.
"A girlfriend would be jealous if some other girl was taking care of her boyfriend's wounds" she says focusing on what she was doing.
"Couldn't a girlfriend find another more prudent time to be jealous?"
"No because jealousy is irrational. You of all people should know that"
"Ok let's talk for real now, you didn't have to be so snarky with Rose you know she was just worried."
"And you think I wasn't?! I was going crazy with worry Edward!" she says hugging me.
"Are you crying?" I ask bewildered
"Yes" she says sobbing loudly now "I was so worried. I thought….I thought something had happened to you."
"Hey I can take care of myself" I say rubbing her back "sorry I worried you" I whisper into her ear. I comfort her until she stops crying.
"Sorry I've just been so worried and scared for you and I've been bottling all these emotions since you left and I just needed to let it all out you know"
I nod
I was glad that she was comfortable enough with me to let it all out with me.
She takes a deep breath and then continues with what she's doing.
"Rosalie hasn't left yet has she?" she asks not really looking around "I owe her an apology"
"No she's still here. I'm her ride home remember?"
She nods
"Want me to call her?"
"Please" she says shyly.
"Rose!"
"Is the princess over her tantrum?" she sneers
"Hey!"
"No it's alright Edward after the way I treated her I kind of deserve it" she says turning to Rose "I'm sorry Rosalie" she says sincerely "I shouldn't have said those things to you."
"Yeah well since it was because you love this loser so much then I forgive you." She laughs "nice work by the way"
"Thanks"
BPOV
Drew looks at me and I fake a smile so he won't see
"Hello" I say answering my phone
"Hey Bella it's me Jake" he says cheerfully "I just wanted to talk to you"
"About what" I ask confused
"I saw Edward's face today at the parking lot" he says seriously "and I just wanted to make sure you were ok"
"Of course I'm ok why wouldn't I be?"
"Bella we all know the kinds of people Edward is around I just want to make sure he isn't putting you in harms way."
"Edward would never do that Jake so don't worry" I say trying to reassure him.
"Still though maybe I should have a talk with him about"
"No please don't. Look I'm fine Jake." I say trying to reassure him once again "Edward is taking care of me."
He stays quiet for a long time and the silence grow a bit awkward.
"Guess I'll leave you then" he says "bye"
"Bye" I say still feeling awkward.
"Oh and Bella" he says just as I'm about to end the call
"Yes"
"You looked very beautiful today"
"Thanks" I say smiling a little.
"Bye" he says again and then hangs up.
"Ms. Bella dinner is ready!" Gloria calls.
"Coming!" I say dropping my phone on my bed.
"So did he like your outfit today?" Gloria asks
"Yes he said I looked gorgeous" I say blushing "I thought I would have some problems with him for it because of how jealous he is but it all worked out fine"
"Ms. Bella is that disappointment I hear?" she asks coyly
"No" I scoff
"Well if it is you need not be because there's a reason he gave you that jacket"
I had accidently brought it home with me.
"Yeah I know because I was cold"
"And also to cover you up a bit. I'm sure he was going crazy with jealousy with all the stares you were getting today from all the boys"
"Really?" I ask somewhat excited for some reason.
"mhm" she nods
I smile.
"What did Mr. Jacob say?"
"Oh he liked it to." I say distractedly
Bella you look gorgeous Edward had said stunned.
No one had every called me gorgeous….No had ever looked at me like that. It felt nice.
I smiled and bit my lip
Maybe I should dress up like that more often.
Sorry for not updating sooner. I got a bit distracted. I made an outline for this story so I'm hoping things will come sooner.
Thanks again for the reviews please keep them coming. I'm not so sure about the last part of this so please tell me what you guys think.