Chapter 20

"I couldn't go through with it," he said.

She had felt it. She knew something was wrong and, against all her wishes, called him.

"I'm so sorry. Despite everything,I wanted you to be happy," she replied holding the phone tighter. A familiar feeling crept upon her hear before she quickly shut it off.

"It wasn't meant to be, I guess," he chuckcled a dry laugh. His disastrous almost wedding had been awful and he still cringed at the thought.

"Will you be okay?" Bella asked looking at her ceiling. She hated knowing we was unwell and that she cared so much and couldn't do anything about it.

"Can I get my best friend back?" Edward asked feeling nervous at the answer. "That's all I really need."

She smiled. Stupid smooth talker.

"I could make that work," she heard to doorbell and looked at the time. "Hey, I have to go but we'll talk later, okay?"

"Looking forward to it, Bella."

She hung up and rushed to the door, butterflies threatening her to make her throw up.

"Hi!" she said opening the door with a big grin on her face.

"Hey, ready to go?" Dimitri asked with a sweet smile.

Police. Fear. Hospital. Despair. Funeral.

I woke up for the first time in a long time feeling calm. The sense of emptiness didn't attack me that morning. It was a nice change. It was all because of him. I laid in bed for a moment reliving the events that had plagued my thoughts for the past 24 hours. I could still feel Edward's hands, his lips, his skin. I took a deep breath and got out of bed.

I hadn't tried to contact him and he hadn't tried to call or text me either. I looked at my phone as if it could go off any moment. I shook my head and resigned myself to the fact that I would see him soon anyway.

After taking care of Max, I got ready for the day mildly distracted and extremely nervous for the day. We had the career day assembly and both Jake and Edward had agreed to come to my school to talk to the kids. Why did I put myself in that situation? My new ex-boyfriend and the guy I had spent the night with, together, at my place of work. I sighed at the ridiculousness of the whole stuation.

I started the drive to work and was shocked once I got there and realized I had 20 minutes to spare. My principal would have a heart attack when she saw me.

"Bella!" I heard Irina, the other third grade teacher. "You're early!"

"Yeah, I woke up earlier than usual," I explained.

"Well, good for you!"

She was a fifty-year-old woman with short white hair and the kindest smile one could imagine. We had been grade partners for two years and she knew some of my real life drama. Even though she was as old as my mom, she could gossip like no other.

"One of your guests is already setting up in the auditorium, in case you want to go say 'hi'", she winked at me before walking away. She was aware of the situation with Jake and Edward. I cursed her for not telling me which on of them was there.

I walked the hallway towards the auditorium. The assembly wouldn't start until 8:30 but we had asked the presenters to be there early. I loved the hallways in my school, it was a tapestry of student artwork regardless of skill or age. It always made me smile.

I greeted a couple more people and endured their surprised looks at my timeliness. It was no surprise I was late to everything, even work. I walked into the auditorium and stopped at the door as my eyes landed on him. His back was turned toward me and he was pulling out some index cards. I smiled; always prepared.

"Hey," I said letting him know of my presence. He turned and gave me a warm smile.

"Bella," he looked at his watch. "You're early."

"Always the tone of surprise," I rolled my eyes. "Jake, I… thanks for doing this. I know things are weird, but…"

"They're only weird if you make them weird," he said in a very Jake-like manner. He reached for my hand and put it on his chest. I felt nervous, this wasn't a date or just the two of us. Anyone could walk in and find us like this. "Have you put your thoughts in order?"

Fuck, I wish.

"I have to take care of some things," I replied.

"Well, miss Swan, I am patient but can't wait forever," he guided my hand to his lips and placed a gentle kiss.

The sound of someone clearing their throat made me jump.

"I was just wondering if I was in the right place," Edward asked. Oh, no.

"Um…" I began to say.

"We're in the middle of something," Jake said. He had a smile on his lips but his eyes looked cold.

"Well…" he began to say.

"You're okay," I interjected. "I need to go to my classroom to set things up. Thanks again for doing this Edward."

"Sure," he said not looking at me again. "You go take care of your things. I can hangout with your boyfriend."

Boyfriend? Jake wasn't my… Oh, shit. Edward didn't know. I never told him we had broken up. I hadn't had the opportunity to clear things with him. He thought I was still with Jake. Well, that didn't make me look good.

"Edward, I…"

"Bella! Quick there's a fight out in the playground and you're supposed to be on duty."

Why, god, why? I needed to clear things up! I followed Ren, a sixth grade teacher, outside to find two boys fighting. It was going to be that type of day. We pulled them apart from each other and I began telling them off for their behavior. My dad used to joke that I was a monster when I was mad and, while I didn't appreciate it when I was younger, it was very helpful now as a teacher. When the incident was resolved, I barely had time to get to my classroom by the time the bell rang. Edward's explanation would have to wait.

I started our math lesson on fractions while we waited to be called to the assembly. I knew with the event in their minds, teaching a knew concept would be a terrible idea so I opted to play a fraction game with them to review. We were in the middle of it with all of us laughing when I felt some eyes on me. I glanced at the door and saw Edward looking at me through the small window. I gave him an awkward smile and redirected my attention to my students. Why was he wandering around?

We were called to the auditorium and I lined my kiddos up to go. I was looking forward to career day although the thought of what Edward might be thinking about me was making me nauseous. Did he think I had cheated on my boyfriend? I mean, with the information he had, he wouldn't be wrong.

We sat down and Edward was the first one to present. He needed to be first since he had to get back to the hospital. He was extremely charming and playful. He joked a little with the kids and they ate it all up; they loved him. Making sure to leave enough time for questions, he was extremely patient with the little ones that didn't know the difference between a question and an anecdote about their dogs. Couldn't help how my hearts swelled up in my chest as I watched him interact with them.

We clapped for him when he finished and started heading out. I asked Irina to watch my class so I could catch up with him outside. I didn't have a long time for an explanation, but I did needed to clear the boyfriend thing up. I heard one of the moms that owned a popular bakery in town take the stage as I exited.

I saw him at the end of the hall and ran after him.

"Edward, wait!" I called.

He didn't turn but instead quickened his steps. I was floored. Had the night been so terrible for him that he preferred to pretend it didn't happen? Well, if someone had the right to be offended it was me. I practically ran after him and jumped on his back.

"Bella, what the hell?" he said stumbling forward.

"Why are you avoiding me?" I almost screamed forgetting for a second that we were at my job.

"Jacob made it very clear that…"

"Made what clear?" I asked stunned.

"That you guys were going forward with whatever it is that you have and I am not getting in the middle of that. It was a mistake and I'm sorry keep ruining your life ."

"Hey, listen. Jake and I are…"

"Yes, I got it. I am sorry. We made a huge mistake and it's better to just forget it and keep our distance," he interrupted me again. I wanted to punch him

"Can you let me finish one stupid sentence?" I exclaimed frustrated.

"Sorry," he whispered looking up and sighing.

"Edward, I didn't think it was…"

"Hey, love," Jake said coming out of the stage door. "I need to get going but I'll call you later."

He kissed me on the cheek out of fucking nowhere and walked away without acknowledging Edward.

"What the…?"

"Miss Swan! I lost my tooth!" I heard sweet little Aimi call. Why was I always getting interrupted.

I turned around to find the girl with a bloodied tooth in her hand, Irina following behind. I rushed to help her and when I turned back, he was gone.