Then
Bella's POV
He was growing annoyed with me, and I could tell.
He wanted me to listen to him, to care about what he was saying.
But it was impossible.
That was the problem with almost everyone, they couldn't understand why I was so empty. Why I couldn't even pretend to be ok.
They never seemed to realise that they'd answered their own question.
I was empty. So how could I possibly pretend that I was ok when there was nothing left for me to draw from.
I came here out of obligation. I came here because he was my only friend that didn't share a last name with Edward.
He sighed heavily and rolled his eyes.
I leaned back into the work bench, uncomfortable with the frustration in his eyes as he looked up at me.
"How's school?" He grumbled, changing the subject, hoping to spark some interest in me.
I shrugged.
He ducked his head and continued working on his bike.
"Same old. I'm pretty sure I'm failing just about everything." I said lightly. I didn't really care anymore.
Edward was sure I could catch up, but I doubted it.
"Aren't you worried? I mean, weren't you supposed to be like, applying to colleges?" He asked dropping the tool and searching the space around him for another.
I shrugged again. "Maybe. I don't know."
He was barely listening, to caught up in his search for whatever it was he needed.
He stood up, still looking around as he approached me.
"I thought that was what you wanted?" He asked, looking on the bench I was leaning on.
Had I ever said that? I couldn't remember. Maybe a long time ago I had wanted to go to college but now? I couldn't even picture myself applying.
He grabbed my hand, shocking me from my thoughts, back into reality.
"What's this." He growled. I looked down at my hand, seeing the ring shining back at me.
I tried to pull my hand from his grip. He tightened it. Refusing to release me.
I stuttered out sound. Something like an apology that never quite got formed into full words.
He moved in front of me, holding my hand up between us.
"You're gonna marry him?" He barked.
I didn't answer. I couldn't bring myself say a single word, for fear it would be the wrong one.
"That bloodsucking thing? What are you thinking?" He snapped.
I'd never seen him so angry. So incredibly desperate and furious.
"Just calm down, Jake." I begged, as I closed my free hand around his. Praying he'd let me go. That we could somehow step back from this before it got out of control.
His hand got even tighter. I flinched. Cried out. He didn't care.
"Bella, what you have with him isn't real. It's a game. Can't you see that." He yelled the words into my face, his heated breath hitting my face.
I recoiled, shaking my head.
"You're wrong." I whispered firmly.
I spoke the words without any thought, but with complete certainty.
Everything in this world was grey, shaded over in a dark tone. Dull and flat.
But Edward?
He was the last thing I had that lit up. Vibrant and full. It was the only real part left.
He growled, dropping my hand and bracing my waist, moving so close that his face was only inches from mine.
I pushed at his chest, trying to create some space between us.
Useless.
"One day you'll want more. More than he can give you." He told me, his voice flooded with a dangerous desire that had me frozen.
All hopes I had of diffusing this were gone. I looked at him and realised I had no idea who he was.
I said stop. I pushed at him, repeatedly. Useless.
His hot mouth on mine, rough and hungry. His hand crawling under my shirt like a snake.
"He can't even be with you Bella". He growled. The fever in his words burnt and all I could think about was Edward.
Suddenly he looked stunned. His eyes searched my face frantically.
There must have been something in my expression. Something I had no control of.
"You…and him have." He stuttered out, as the realisation came over him.
He knew.
The anger and disgust I saw in his eyes was the most terrifying thing I've ever witnessed.
It was so overwhelming to see someone so furious and know it was all directed at you.
It felt like I only blinked.
It was so fast.
A flash of claws coming at my face.
Then pain. More than I thought I would ever have to endure.
On the ground in pool of my own blood, screaming coming from every direction. Feet running around me.
I was broken. I was sure of it.
I tried to crawl away, no thoughts about how far away he was. I just needed to get home to him.
I just wanted to see him one more time.
Then there was just darkness. It drank me down.
I couldn't tell how much time had passed. Minutes. Months.
All I knew was that when I finally opened my eyes he was there.
"Where-am-I" I breathed, struggling against the darkness that still had a hold of me.
"You're with me."
That was enough.
I let it take me away again.