All characters belong to Stephanie Meyer, the author of the Twilight Saga.
BPOV
One month of being in Forks passed rather quickly. The first week was an adjustment, and it felt like I was in high school again. Charlie noticed immediately how bad my mental health was, especially after I had a night terror the first night. I woke up screaming into the abyss, thankful Charlie was there to soothe me. He never said anything about the bruises, but I think he instinctively knew my Mom was behind it.
After a few nights with the same occurrence, Charlie recommended therapy. I've been going to see Dr. Cope twice a week for four weeks now. Counseling has benefitted me immensely, along with the anti-anxiety medication I've been prescribed. Forks high school was looking for a substitute teacher, and tentatively, I took the job. For the past four weeks, I've subbed three out of five days a week, the other days I have therapy, and errands to run for Charlie, and I've gotten to see Jacob again.
During my first week back in Forks, I changed my phone number and deleted all my email addresses. Some part of me wanted Edward to find me, but due to the knowledge of the Cullen Family business, I felt it would be safer to disappear. The only people with my new number were Charlie, Jacob, Dr. Cope, and Forks High School.
Today I have to work as a substitute for an 11th Grade English class. My alarm went off at 6:00 in the morning, the same time I woke up when I did go to Forks High. Putting my hair up in a bun so it wouldn't get wet, I hopped in the shower to try and wash the night off. According to my physician, my ribs are almost completely healed, so the shower no longer causes pain. I set out my clothes for today before bed last night. Putting on a black long-sleeve blouse, with gray slacks, and creme ballet flats- I was almost prepared. Making my way back to the bathroom, I pulled my hair out of the bun and brushed through the tangles. Deciding on a half up half down for today, I quickly secured the hair tie around the final look. My skin looked exhausted, so I pinched my cheeks a few times, before applying mascara. Grabbing my bag, I made my way down the stairs and to the kitchen.
"Hey kiddo", Charlie was there reading the newspaper with his coffee.
"Good morning, are you able to drop me off today?" Yes, I'm a 22-year-old who's Dad is driving her to school.
He looks up at me, "Of course I am, gives me plenty of time to get to the station."
Quickly, I pour myself a glass of orange juice and pop a piece of bread into the toaster- "I'll probably be there until at least 5:30 again…"
Charlie raises his hand to stop me, "You're not talking me out of this, now eat that gross toast, and let's go." Toast isn't the best breakfast.
The rain's torrential on the way to Forks Highschool, thank goodness for the Police Cruiser. We make it ten minutes before the adolescents begin to pour in. Running out of the cruiser with my bag and a monumentally large police raincoat, I thank Charlie and dart to the entrance.
Today's a Wednesday, so the lesson plan's already mapped out, and the students should be able to work on their own. Subbing midweek is the best. Waving to a few faculty members as I make it through the halls, I clumsily patter to the restroom to dry off before class. The bathrooms have many doodles that mar the stall doors now, something that would have never been acceptable when I was a student here.
While lost in my thoughts, staring at graffiti on the mirror- the bell clangs authoritatively. Shit. Scrambling back across the hall I make it into the classroom with five minutes until the final bell.
The first part of the day travels at a smooth pace. We're discussing Charlotte Bronte's "Jane Eyre", and I doubt any one of the students read more than a few chapters. At the end of the third period I rejoice, because it's finally time for lunch, in other words- my break. Fetching my bag and Charlie's coat, I saunter out of the room after the last student.
There's this pang of electricity that hits my core as I step out of the room. I haven't eaten in way too long. Continuing my walk towards the cafeteria I notice groups of teenage girls ogling at something. Not just groups of two or three, but the entire female Forks Highschool population. Everyone else has stopped moving, and I begin to think I'm hallucinating. Is this hall going to break out into a flash mob? Trekking onward, I feel it, as if a volt of electricity rammed into my chest.
Adonis.
The Highschool students part the hallway and now everyone is frozen, me included. There he is, Edward Cullen, strolling towards me in a three-piece suit. His loafers hitting the floor is all I can hear, but I smell him nearing as I look at my feet. The noise stops.
"Isabella."
"Edward."
Both of us are heady, and magnetic.
"What are you doing here?" I choke.
"Mi hai lasciato, Isabella." His voice is laced with despair, yet he looks so cool, and calm. ("You left me, Isabella.")
His words stunned me, I even lost the function of my mouth for a moment. It must have been more than a moment of me studying him because Edward reached out and softly touched my forearm.
"Can we go somewhere to talk?" His eyes held bags under them, his skin much paler. How can I say no to this man?
Pointing to the double doors ahead, "We can go outside. Technically I'm on break."
Beginning to walk towards the gray lighting the double doors encases, the flutter in my chest comes in heaps. We both exited the building and found a private corner against the brick of Forks High School. The minute we were secluded, I turned to face him. My arm came up as if it wasn't attached to my brain, and I slapped him across his maddingly gorgeous face. My palm twitched, thinking of the vivacious woman he was with in Chicago.
"CHE CAZZO?" His face wore a puzzled expression. ("What the fuck?")
Stepping closer so we were only an inch from one another, "AM I JUST SOME TOY TO YOU, EDWARD? DID YOU IT WOULD BE FUN TO FIX THE LITTLE BROKEN GIRL?"
"Wha-"
"Yeah, the broken girl must be fun, she must fit into my particular lifestyle. WHY NOT FUCK WITH HER?" Lower your voice, Bella, you're at work.
"Isabella, I neve-"
"Oh, what? You're going to tell me you broke up with your supermodel girlfriend? Do you think I'd want to be your second option?"
It's quiet for too long.
"TELL ME!"
His eyes were cautious, "I never had a supermodel girlfriend," cool as a cucumber.
My eyes must be the size of the moon, "Really? You're choosing to lie?"
Emotions flood through his face, the last one being anger, "I don't lie, Isabella."
"Seems like I know better, then, Edward."
Beginning to turn away, I felt the addictive touch of his hand brace my arm, "Did you read a tabloid or something?" Now he truly looked befuddled.
"I SAW YOU!"
I can tell he's contemplating my words. The moment he figures it out a smirk makes a brief appearance on his features.
"Isabella, was she blonde?" Is he trying to hurt me?
I nod.
"That's Emmett's wife, my sister-in-law. Her name is Rosalie, and she's kind of a bitch."
It was my turn to look bewildered, "I saw-"
"Yes. You saw Rosalie in my room asking about you. She's extremely protective of family."
Lifting both of my hands towards me, I bury my head in them. FUCK! SHIT! Tears begin to roll as I realize how ignorant I've been. Edward must think I'm a horrible human now. Perhaps I didn't have to run, after all- but now he may not care anymore. My trauma response cost me a magical thing.
With my face still hidden, "I'm sorry, Edward. I totally misjudged you."
From behind, Adonis wraps his arms around me and kisses the crown of my head, "Isabella, you didn't misjudge me, you misjudged the situation. Pretty badly actually…" I swear I hear him chuckle.
I turn towards him looking up at him, centimeters from his chest, "Are you laughing at me!?"
He begins below out with laughter, his smile shining in the rainy surrounding of Forks. His smile could light this world on fire.
His giggling dissipates, "It feels so good to laugh again, Amore mio." ("My love.")
Letting out an anxious breath, "Why do you call me your love?"
His hand reaches out and tips my chin up to look into his emerald eyes, "Because you make me feel like me again, Isabella."
He tips his head down and chastely meets my lips with a kiss. Lighting bolts strike through the tip of my head to the soles of my feet, and I too, know what he means.
He pulls away, but his hand remains stroking my jaw and earlobe, "Come with me, Isabella."
EPOV
Isabella's face was stunned, her doe eyes widening to cartoon size. My heart quickened as the seconds passed, waiting for anything to come out of her lips. At once my phone began incessantly vibrating, Isabella's eyes shot to my chest where the noise was coming from.
Dropping my hand from her jawline, I pull my phone out of my breast pocket to see who's calling. SHIT, "I'm sorry, I have to take this," she nodded in understanding.
"Cullen," and of course, she's looking indifferent to my conversation. It's my secretary telling me I need to be back in Seattle for a board meeting by four in the afternoon- "Well, could they push it back a couple of hours?" Dammit. "Okay, I'll be there."
My phone's back in my breast pocket when I turn myself back towards her, "I'm sorry, it seems a meeting has been pushed forward."
She tucks a stray hair behind her ear, "Yeah.. you should probably go to that."
"Are you going to give me an answer, Isabella?"
She begins to shake her head as if it's too full, "I can't just leave Charlie, again. Also, I have plans tonight, and I kind of have a job…"
"Do you enjoy it here?" I interrupt, not caring if it's off-putting.
"Enjoy? No. I can tolerate it here, though. I can't be reminded of what happened to me in Chicago anymore, Edward."
Stepping forward so we are inches apart, I lightly trace the outline of her jaw with my fingers- "Isabella, I have ten different homes. Where do you want to live? Just tell me, and we can go."
Her breathing is heady as her eyes flutter shut. She's considering it. My hope is not lost, yet! Her collarbones are hollow each time she inhales, "Have you been eating much? Let me take care of you."
"W-why?" She stutters.
"Vorrei prendermi cura di te, Isabella." ("I'd like to take care of you, Isabella.")
"Dammi tempo." ("Give me time.")
Pulling her head into my chest, I kiss the crown of her head gently. She's tentative now, due to finally being free. Isabella can still be untethered, especially if she's with me.
Placing my hands on the sides of her face and gazing down at her, "Could you at least allow me to take you out?"
Her lip curls up slightly, "A date?"
Dropping my head down closer to hers, "Yes, a date. Seattle, tonight, I'll have a driver get you at 6."
"How would I get to you on time? That's impossible."
"Nothing's impossible, non preoccuparti per la tua bella testolina." ("Don't worry your pretty little head.")
Her eyes stare up to meet mine, "I'll have you know, I'm much more than a pretty little head."
Leaning closer, I brush my nose against hers, our lips ghosting over one another- "This I know, Isabella."
"Yes, I'll go on a date with you, Adonis."
Chuckling, "I'm still Adonis, huh?"
"Always."
Crashing my lips to hers, she opens her mouth and invites me in. Her tongue sweeps the roof of my mouth, making me shiver in delight. Reminding myself we're in front of her place of work, I quickly close my mouth and deliver a chaste kiss.
Her lips are red from the contact, and she puts her fingers up and touches her lips, "Later, my Bella."
"Okay," She says before turning to go inside.
Lightly, I grab her hand to turn her, "Be ready at 6, I'll call you when you're on your way to me."