Chapter Fifteen

The Favor

Alice Pov

It was when I was walking back from class it happened. It was the last class of the day and most people were out celebrating what little sun was in the sky. I was meeting Kaycee at her room. She stayed in student housing as she had no family. I bounced along the corridor passing people that were heading out. I knocked on the door and entered as I always did. She wasn't there.

"Kaycee!" I called out thinking she may be in the bathroom.

There was no answer. I knocked on the bathroom door, I was starting to panic now. She knew she was meeting me.

Where is she?

I pushed the bathroom door open and there she lay on the floor. I tried shaking her, but she didn't wake. I grabbed my mobile from my bag entering dad's number.

Please answer, daddy please, I need you.

He never answered. I thought for a moment before dialling Edwards number. I never called Edward. We used to be close, but we weren't anymore. Edward was an asshole, but I knew he'd be there if I needed him. I was his little sister.

I practically screamed down the phone rambling on about everything to him. I knew no one was around as I had passed everyone leaving but I ran out to the corridor anyway. I must have screamed help a dozen times. No one came. I could feel the tears rolling down my cheeks, I was scared. I was terrified. I paced the bathroom floor stopping to give Kaycee a shake every so often.

Please wake up, please Kay, you're my best friend. I need you to wake up, please please please. Where's Edward? What's he doing? Will he get help? Does he think I'm kidding? He better not think this is some kind of joke. Kay you need to wake up, please. Will Edward get dad? Why is dad's phone switched off? Is he in trouble? Has something else happened? No, he'll have his phone switched off because he's at the hospital.

A Million thoughts ran through my mind. I felt like I'd been standing there for hours. I wanted to run through the corridors, run anywhere around the school grounds to find someone. To find anyone, but I couldn't leave Kaycee here alone.

I was so close to falling to my knees sobbing when in came dad. He looked at Kaycee lying on the floor before telling me to go out to the car. I wasn't sure what he was doing and if I'm completely honest I didn't want to know. I ran out to the car about to jump in when I realized dad hadn't given me the keys. I tried the door anyway to find it was locked. This only added to my anxiety.

What if dad dropped the keys? What if he left them in the car and the door locked on it's own? The door locked on it's own? Don't be stupid! What if we can't get to the hospital in time? We will, we'll get there, she'll be ok! She has to be ok.

Forever and a day later dad came out to the car carrying Kaycee in his arms. I reached into his pocket and got the keys to the car as instructed. He laid Kaycee down in the back seat telling me to get in my car and go home. It wasn't till he mentioned it I realized I even had my car with me.

"Dad! I'm not going home, she's my best friend. She doesn't have anyone else. I'm coming to the hospital with you."

He looked as if he was going to argue, but I think he could sense he wasn't going to win. I got into my little yellow beetle and started following dad to the hospital. There were only two thoughts in my mind as I drove.

Will she be ok? Oh dear I owe Edward!

I didn't dwell on the second thought. The first was far more important. I parked the car beside dad's but he was no where to be seen. I was only a few minutes behind him so he couldn't have gone very far. I raced into the hospital I could feel my heart beat getting faster and I was beginning to worry about fainting myself.

I was told to wait outside the room in which my best friend lay. I paced up and down while all sorts of tests were being done. There were people going in the room and people coming out. I paced and I paced and then I paced some more.

It was around 7pm when dad finally emerged from the room. He told me that she had fainted because of lack of energy, that she had anemia and needed iron in her body. I started to panic and became irrational.

Iron? can you buy iron? How much does iron cost? Where do you even get iron? Would she have to eat metal? Can you eat metal?

Dad stopped me telling me to calm down. He told me about iron tablets and vitamins and it began to make sense in my crazy mind. I was just so worried. Kay was the brave one, the one that helped me out, the one that talked me through my problems. Kay was strong. I let my face brighten into a smile.

"So she'll be ok?" I asked him

"Yes Alice, she will be perfectly fine. I do have one thing to ask of you though, I would like Kaycee to come stay with us for a few days. I don't like the idea of her being alone when she is unwell."

"Oh dad really? You're my hero, Carlisle Cullen to the rescue, saving the day once again!" I all but squealed wrapping my arms around him.

I rushed to my friends side embracing her in a gentle hug as she emerged from the room. She looked pale and unhealthy. She looked weak, it was a big contrast to the strong Kay that I knew. I helped her to my car and explained that she would be staying with us for a few days. She looked genuinly pleased at this, the same way that I was. I just hadn't took into account that Bella was there also.

Edward Pov

I was about to give up at 8pm. I had been pacing for ages, and Edward Cullen didn't wait for anything or anyone. It was then I heard cars approaching and I saw the headlights shine through the barely lit 'family room' as dad likes to call it. Family room was a fucking joke, it was a living room, to have a family room, you have to have a real fucking family. Our family was more dysfunctional than half of the twisted shitty lives of those you see on fucked up shows like Jeremy Kyle.
Dad explained what was wrong and shit while Alice and her friend retreated upstairs.
"Where's she going to sleep?" I asked.
"Well, I um, I wanted to talk to you about that." He sounded nervous, Carlisle Cullen never sounded nervous. It wasn't in his nature to be nervous, he was a doctor for fuck sake, he was calm for a living.
"I was wondering if you would mind having Bella sleep on your couch." He said as more of a statement that an actual fucking question.
I would have to share a room with little miss goody goody. I tried to think of a plausible argument but even I knew I didn't have one.
I couldn't wait to see her face when she found that out though. Little miss innocent would be sharing a room with me.
She was already sitting on the couch when I entered my room. It caught me off guard, she was shy, she didn't seem the type of person to enter a room without the persons permission first.
Holy fuck!
She had on a tiny pair of shorts and a baggy t-shirt. She looked so fucking sweet there was no denying it. It wasn't that which made me stare though. Every inch of her was covered in bruises, subtle little bruises. I knew I was staring but I couldn't fucking help the shit, I felt bad, I felt really bad. Her cheeks were turning brighter and brighter red as I continued to stare.
"Someone really fucked you up." I practically whispered to myself, but as her blush deepened I knew she'd heard.
I saw the tears form in her eyes and she was looking at the spot on my bed on which she had lay that morning I had brought her here. I knew what she was thinking and I knew what she needed and for the first time in my life, I thought about her. I thought about Bella. I sat beside her wrapping my arms around her letting her sob into my chest and when she fell asleep I picked her up effortlessly and tucked her into my bed.
I lay that night on my couch staring at the ceiling thinking about the past.

Chapter Fourteen

Accidents Happen

Edward Pov

I looked out the big bay windows we had in school. I had just heard that Bella had accepted Mike's offer for a date. Mike Newton. I was a dick and even I was better than Newton. I liked to think I was anyway. Newton was soft. If he didn't have short hair and the faint sign of muscles I could believe he was a girl. In fact I probably would believe it if I was told it by a reliable source. I guessed that must be Bella's type. He was the type of guy that made her heart beat faster. The type to make her pulse race. He was her prince charming.

Why do you care? Jealous? NO!

I was brought out of my thoughts with a shrill ringing noise. I removed my phone from my pocket checking the caller id. Alice. Alice never called me.

"Speak!" I said just to annoy her.
"Edward! Edward help! My friend she's collapsed. I can't get a hold of dad, his phones switched off, there's no one around Edward, what do I do? Will I slap her? But what if that doesn't work? Will I throw water over her? That would just make her mascara run and probably wouldn't work. Edward what do I do?"
"Calm down Alice!"

I ran out to the car park hopping in the Volvo. It wasn't till I put they keys in the ignition I realized I'd forgotten Bella. I knew she'd have no way home without me. I weighed up my options quickly deciding to run back in and get her. It was shit just to leave her here without a ride. It wasn't till I got into the building I realized I didn't have a clue where she would be. I had never needed to know before. I got half way down the corridor and my instincts told me to check the library. I turned around taking the stairs two at a time. I peeked through the glass in the door not wanting to enter the fucking library if she wasn't in there. I had a reputation and shit to maintain.

I saw her sitting at a table by the window. The little sun that was actually attempting to brighten up Forks that day was shining on her and her alone. It was like she was an angel glowing. All thoughts of Alice left my mind. I was mesmerized. Her longish brown hair had fell into her eyes, I watched as she absentmindedly tucked it behind her ears. I watched her gorgeous chocolate brown eyes light up as she turned the page of the book she was reading. She looked so peaceful and I was going to disturb that peace.

"Bella!" I started as I pushed open the door of the library.
I could feel the librarian staring at me but I didn't really give a fuck.

Go say something bitch! I fucking dare you!

Bella jumped obviously startled that I had came into the library shouting her name. I explained to her as quick as I could what was going on and she followed me to the car. I had to catch her about five times on the way as she kept fucking falling and shit. It was like she couldn't walk without tripping over her own fucking feet.

I started the car and sped to the hospital. I didn't even bother being polite to the receptionists as I raced past dragging Bella with me.

"Dad!" I called as I saw him about to enter the lift. I couldn't be fucked chasing him around the hospital. Luckily he heard me and turned around. He looked surprised which was a weird reaction on him, Carlisle was never surprised. I explained to him what was going on and he rushed away telling us to go home.

When there was no sign of him or Alice at 6pm I started to worry. Alice was sensitive about shit and I was worried about it.

Chapter Thirteen

Ignorance Is Bliss

Charlie Pov

I looked out at the lake running a hand through my greying hair. I had successfully ignored my phone for an hour now, I didn't like to be disturbed, not when I was fishing. It was peaceful out here. The water was calm and the sky was blue. Everything was as it appeared to be. There were no complications. Everything was still. Everything was as it should be. Nothing was out of place. It was simple yet complex. It was complex yet simple. It was like looking at a portrait. I chuckled to myself. How profound. A Portrait. Every detail perfect. Yet nothing was perfect. I sighed.

"Hello." I said. I didn't even have the energy to make myself sound annoyed to the person on the other side of the phone. "This had better be important." I told them, " I don't like to be disturbed."

"Does the name Carlisle Cullen mean anything to you?" An unmistakable voice asked.

James. Ah James. My loyal brother. We had been through the best together and we had been through the worst together. We had grew up side by side. We fell in love together. We even lost that love together. We were one person, but two people all at the same time.

"Doctor Carlisle Cullen?" I asked him, though I knew of only one Carlisle Cullen.

"Must be, he, well, he called a little while ago regarding Isabella."

"Go on." I prompted him.

"He said, um, he said that he was keeping her there until you returned from your trip. He said that that was what she wanted, and he was happy to have her staying there to work on a project or some shit like that."

I clenched my fists together tightly. The last thing I needed was people interfering in my business. It was, of course, my business, and mine alone. I told James that was fine and hung up the phone as fast as I could. I hated being bothered when I was fishing. I hated being bothered full stop. I looked back out at the lake. The sky was darkening and the calm I once thought to be peaceful now seemed Eerie. It was disturbing, almost fitting. It no longer seemed as picturesque. It seemed empty. Again fitting. For that was how I felt. Empty. Numb. Void. I thought back to years ago. I closed my eyes and saw every good memory I had flash before me. It was like I was dying, but then that was impossible. I was already dead. My heart hadn't beat in a long time. I wasn't living. I was merely existing.

I thought about the day at the hospital. I was handed a pink bundle. I looked down to see two chocolate brown eyes staring back at me. She was so innocent. My angel. It was like looking at her mother even then, just a more miniature version. She smiled an angelic smile and I felt my heart swell with pride. My daughter. She was perfect. Life was perfect. I didn't see the storm that was brewing overhead. How could I have realized that it was too perfect? I didn't till it was too late. I knew my wife. I knew her better than she knew herself. How could I not see that she would get bored, that she would want to move on? It took three years. Three years for her to get bored of small town life and move on. She had no intentions of taking me with her had I even considered the move. Renee was like that. She was flaky. She was indecisive. She was infuriatingly intolerable but lovable all the same. That was who she was. I knew that when I married her, but I still couldn't come to terms with it. I let her walk out the front door without a word. I was too stubborn. I was too proud.

When I had heard of Renee's death I was torn. I felt a hundred different emotions course through me. Regret. Sorrow. Pain. Anguish. Hurt. Anger. I didn't even think some of the emotions I felt existed. They were truelly mine and mine alone. I stood at the funeral beside a young girl. A young girl with the weight of the world on her shoulders. I hadn't one word of comfort to give to her. I could only share her pain. I watched as the coffin carrying the only women I had ever loved was lowered into the ground. I didn't cry. I didn't shed a single tear. I hadn't then or ever since. I floated through the ceremony like a ghost. I wasn't aware of anything around me. I simply didn't care.

It wasn't till months later I regained my strength. I began building walls around myself. I lived in the smallest of small towns and people talked. I didn't want to be a subject in their juvenile conversations any longer. I picked myself up, so to speak and I carried on with my life. The little girl who was now living under my roof appeared to be sinking lower and lower into a shell though. It was one thing to pick yourself up, but to pull someone up with you was a lot more difficult and I just didn't have the strength. To be honest I couldn't even look at the little girl. She was just a child but she brought back so many memories that I couldn't bear to face. Memories I had long since locked away and never wanted to revisit.

I remembered the first time I had struck Isabella. I had felt so in control. I knew it was just an accident, of course I did. I knew she hadn't purposely spilled her drink on the carpet. She was too young to understand the inner turmoil that was brewing inside of me that day. That day was of course the day that marked the anniversary of her mothers death. She was too young to know this. I suffered alone that day as I had the year before. This day was different though. The more Isabella grew up the more she resembled her mother. It was like a knife was being repeatedly stabbed into my chest and just looking at her face, her gorgeous face, was like the knife was being twisted around and around. It was unbearable. It was agony. It was torture. I had planned to put her up for adoption, but I knew that would have the people of Forks talking. So I tried to pursue other avenues. There were none. I hated the girl. The girl I had once held in my arms with love, meant nothing to me. There was nothing to do but bear it. Bear every ache inside my chest, every shooting pain I felt looking at the face of the women who abandoned me. I wasn't crazy, I knew I wasn't looking into the face of Renee. The similarities between the two were endless though, and even though it wasn't Renee's face I looked into, it may as well have been.

Every time I struck the girl I felt more in control. I felt powerful. I knew she would never leave. She couldn't leave. She was too scared of me to even contemplate such an idea. She would stay with me forever, until the day I died. Nobody would stop that from happening. Carlisle Cullen could be damned for all I cared, she was my daughter. She was all I had left.

I let my eyes once again wander over the lake. I didn't know how long I had sat here. It could've been minutes. It could have been hours. It could even have been a day, I didn't care. Everything was peaceful again. Everything was calm. I stared into the water and finally let my barriers down. I felt the emotion course through me as I sobbed. For the first time since Renee had walked out the door I uncontrollably sobbed. I sobbed for the past. I sobbed for the future. Until finally it subsided. Everything was normal again. It was like nothing had changed, but hadn't everything?

Chapter Twelve

Attention

Edward Pov

I was beginning to get nervous as I pulled up at school. I was getting nervous? That was something that never happened. I was Edward Cullen. The Edward Cullen. I could see bitches like Tanya and Jessica staring at Bella as she got out the car. I suddenly felt very protective of her.

I felt protective of HER.

She wasn't my responsibility, she was just some bitch who for the moment was living at my house. The day flew by quite fast, I seemed to be getting more attention since word got around about Bella staying at my house. I knew bitches though, they thought they had a fucking chance of staying there since little miss nobody was. They could think again. Sure they were good at what they did, but that was as far as it went.

I walked into the cafeteria flashing my trademark smile at Tanya. She was squirming at the sight of it. I knew that smile made her wet. Tanya was hot there was no denying it. She had strawberry blonde hair, which was nice if you liked that sort of thing. Personally I didn't, I was more into brunettes. She had the longest legs I had ever seen, and the things she could do with her mouth astounded me. Jessica was more petite than Tanya, she had brown hair, but to be honest it was dull, just like her personality. Jessica was a good fuck when I was bored, that's all she ever would be to anyone.

I saw Bella in front of me in the lunch cue, and I had to resist the urge to trip her up. I couldn't do that shit anymore not knowing what I know. I didn't even know what I knew, but I knew something, that was enough.

I watched as she glided across the room.

Bella was gliding?

She sat down at her table. She had sat at the same table every day since, well since forever. I watched as Mike went to sit beside her. It was pretty pathetic, he had never shown an interest in her before, not that I gave a shit.

"Growing on you is she?" I heard a voice ask as a long red talon landed on my cheek turning my face around. I gave Tanya a look.

"How about I grow in you?" I asked her flashing her the smile I knew would get me what I wanted. I let her lead me down the hall to the storage cupboard. That was all the leading she would do.

Bella Pov

I had spent the full day getting more attention than I ever had in my life. My whole life. I couldn't help but feel uncomfortable as Michael Newton sat across from me. I always sat alone.

"So what do you think?" He asked me. I had been so absorbed in feeling uncomfortable I hadn't been listening to a word he was saying.

"I'm sorry Mike, I, um, I didn't hear what you said there."

"I said, how about me and you, go out sometime." He pointed between the two of us as he said the words 'me and you' which in my opinion just seemed completely weird. I had never been asked out before though, so maybe that was how it was done, how it was supposed to be.

When I was a little girl I had always dreamed of prince charming. I had always wanted the fairytale and the happily ever after. I was so naive as a child, and Renee, well she encouraged it. My mother was erratic and hair-brained, but she had a huge heart. I could almost hear the words she would say to me."Bella, you are a princess in disguise, and we shall find you a prince." Being so young I had believed her. I had believed in a love so pure and true. I believed in horses with carriages and so many wonderful things. I had hoped that one day I would become someones wife, someones mother and that I could pass these fairytales on to my children the way my mother had passed them on to me. I had hoped for love, as I had believed that love was the most powerful thing in the world. When Charlie had started abusing me, I had even allowed myself to believe I could be like Cinderella, and that in time life would get better and prince charming would come knocking down my door. I was wrong. That wasn't reality. Mike Newton and Edward Cullen were reality. Prince charming was a figment of imagination. Whether it was my imagination or some other girl somewhere, he wasn't real, and he wasn't coming to knock down my door anytime soon. That, and that reason alone is why I found myself saying the words I never thought I would say.

"Yes Mike, that would be lovely." He looked stunned. I was beginning to wonder if he really wanted to take me out, or if it was some kind of joke, but he smiled and told me he'd pick me up on Friday.

It didn't take long to spread around the school about our 'date'. I was getting stared at more than usual and it was worrying me. I wasn't sure if Edward would know, but I figured it was highly likely. I was strangely wondering what he thought about it, if he cared, and if so why did he care? If he would like it, or if he wouldn't.

Why are you thinking about Edward's reaction? It's not as if you mean anything to him. It's not as if you want to mean anything to him. He's a jackass with a nice family! That's all he is. Isn't it? YES! Are you sure? YES!

God I was arguing with myself. Could I feel any more insane.

You're just confused. You're not used to the attention.

I repeated they words over and over in my head, but the more I repeated them the less they sounded true. I never was a good liar, even to myself.

Chapter Eleven

New Start

Bella Pov

I was woke up with a loud buzzing sound. My eyes were sticky and they felt heavy, too heavy to open. I yawned loudly stretching my arms out and began to attempt opening my eyes. I could see pink, but that was wrong, my room was lilac. I shut my eyes again and opened them slowly. Pink.

Why has my room changed colour overnight?

I closed and opened my eyes once more just to check I was actually awake. When I opened my eyes there was a small pixie like girl standing over me.

Oh Alice! Edward's sister. I was staying here.

Once that had registered with me everything made sense. I couldn't believe how nice Edward's family were being. I mean they had opened their home to me. Me. I was nobody. I didn't deserve there hospitality.

"Up! Up! Up!" Alice screeched. I wasn't even aware that the pitch of someones voice could go that high. I glanced at the alarm clock beside the bed, 6am. I had never been up this early before. I wondered if Edward's parents had phoned James. I wondered if he knew where I was. I wondered what Charlie would do to me when he came home. I couldn't dwell on that though, I had to enjoy the time I had away, even if it meant enjoying being awake at 6am with a pixie jumping up and down in front of me.

I let Alice lead me from the bed into the bathroom. Thankfully she left me to shower alone but not without chapping the door every few minutes to tell me to hurry up. I wrapped the towel that was left out around me and made my way back to Alice's bedroom. I was aware the bruises I wore around my body were on full view but I didn't have anything to hide them with, and I hoped Alice wouldn't say anything. I was going to be in enough trouble staying here in the first place.

"Sit!" Alice instructed pointing to a chair. I obliged. I wasn't exactly going to object with them being so nice to me and everything. I had to admit though I was a little worried, it didn't seem right to be that cheerful in the morning.

"What do you think?" Alice asked me. She was beaming from ear to ear. I stood facing a full length mirror.

That's not me. It can't be me.

The girl looking back at me had straight chocolate brown hair. She had pale skin and dark chocolate brown eyes glowing behind long black eyelashes. She had the hint of a blush on her cheeks and her lips were shiny with gloss. She had tight black skinny jeans covering her legs and a long sleeved red and white striped top that came down to just above her knees. She wore flat black ankle boots and had red and white beads around her neck. If I didn't know any better I would say she was beautiful.

I felt my eyes well up with tears and blinked them back the best I could, even I knew mascara ran when you cried. I mirrored Alice's smile and thanked her.

"Lets show you off to the family." She said leading me downstairs. I was a little nervous. I'd never dressed up, I'd never had the resources to dress up. I mean sure I did it when I was a kid. Who didn't try on their mothers clothes? Who didn't paint their face with make-up? Since living with Charlie I had never really tried with my appearance.

"Well fuck me!" I heard Edward say as I walked into the room.

"I'm sure she'd rather not!" Alice responded for me.

"I didn't mean it like that and you know it, she just scrubs up pretty well for a bitch."

"SHE has a name, and SHE'S not a bitch!"

Edward Pov

I nearly choked when my father said that Bella could stay here. I had to admit I was taken aback. I thought he meant she was to stay in my room. Like that would fucking happen.
I wondered if Alice would tell her anything, or if she would ask anything about me. So I thought I'd do some sneaking about to find out. Alice being Alice though caught me in the act. It was like she just knew shit sometimes. I tried to play it off as if I was about to the chap the door but we both knew it was a lie. It was obvious I wasn't going to get any information out of Alice even before she slammed her door in my face.
I couldn't sleep that night. I lay awake tossing and turning but the same image remained in my head. Bella. I could hear her screaming for help still, trying to fight off the man in her dream. I wanted to help her. Wouldn't anyone?
I hit my alarm off at 7:30. I could hear Alice talking in her room, while I made my way to bathroom, and I knew she'd been up for a while. After my shower I threw on a pair of jeans, a t-shirt and my Y3 trainers. I smirked at myself in the mirror. I looked good. I always looked good. I wasn't the type of guy to spend hours picking clothes and gelling my hair. My hair did it's own thing and still looked fucking good.
I took the steps two at a time. Emmett was already in the kitchen tucking into waffles. I stuck some bread in the toaster.
"So who's the girl?" He asked me.
"She's just some bitch I've to do a project with, Shits been going down at her house or something and you know dad, trying to save the world one reject at a time and all that crap."
I wasn't exactly lying, I didn't know all the facts. I did feel sorry for her, but that's all it was. Pity.
Speak of the fucking devil.
I Hoped she hadn't heard what I said, I didn't like the girl but I wasn't that fucking insensitive that I would make her feel like a charity case. She was going to get enough shit as school if word got out that she was staying here for a few days. The bitches I fucked didn't even get that privilege.
"Well fuck me!"
I didn't even realize I had said that shit aloud till Alice started her fucking comments. I was dreading taking her to school today. The girls would eat her alive and the guys, well guys will be guys as they say.

Chapter Ten

Sharing

Alice Pov

I was curious about Isabella Swan. Edward seemed to have a strong dislike to her. My father, on the other hand, seemed to really care for the girl. I, myself, had yet to really meet her. I sat with her at dinner once, but with Emmett gulping down pizza beside me it was hard to really concentrate on anything. I had been warned to stay away from her, as Edward had put it, she was a stuck up 'bitch'. I wanted to ignore him, it wasn't like I listened to anything else he had to say, but I never had the chance to talk to her. She was always with Edward when she was here, and I wasn't going to track her down just to speak to her.
I wasn't stupid, I knew something was going on. Dad was acting different, mum was following dad's lead, and Edward, well Edward seemed to actually give a crap about something other than himself. That just didn't happen.
I wasn't surprised when dad came to me. I wasn't entirely sure what was going on. I had my own theories but I wanted to know the truth. I knew I wasn't going to be told anytime soon, and I didn't see the point in snooping around like Edward would, I'd find out in time.
I had shown Isabella to my room, or 'our' room as it happened to be for the next few days. She did't seem entirely miserable about staying with us, but she didn't seem entirely happy either. I would just have to change that. I examined the girl closely. She was beautiful there was no denying it. I couldn't tell why Edward hadn't noticed. Edward tried to bed any girl as long as she was breathing, hell she didn't even need to be conscious, just breathing.
What's so different about this girl?
I was brought out of my thoughts by Isabella returning from the bathroom. She was wearing one of my silk night gowns and looked pretty damn sexy. She looked extremely shy, and I could see an enormous amount of bruising on her revealed skin, but I didn't mention this to her. She looked self conscious enough and I had gathered enough information to know that she had took a beating or two, I just didn't know the extent of it.
I gave her what I thought to be a re-assuring smile. She returned it half heartedly but at least it was an attempt.
I certainly have my hands full.
"If you don't want to share a bed, I can set up the couch for you." I told her, pointing to the long couch I had in my room. "I don't mind sharing, if you don't mind." She responded. It was the response I expected, she seemed to be the type to try and please everybody but herself. Her response was robotic and I could hear the exhaustion in her voice. It must have been a hard day for her. As much as I wanted to talk, I wasn't completely insensitive.
"You don't go to our school." It was more of a statement than a question, but I answered anyway. "No, I, um, I go to an all girls school." I told her. I didn't really want to get into the reasons and luckily I didn't have to. She was fast asleep. I smiled. She looked so innocent and carefree when she was sleeping.
I heard the floorboards creak outside my room. I pulled the door open fast and Edward fell to the floor.
"Well hello big brother, spying are we?" I asked him. He jumped up off the floor and rattled off excuses about being about to chap the door.
"Can I help you?" I asked him. I hoped he would get to the point soon, I was starting to feel tired myself.
"How is she doing? I mean shit, she's had a hard day."
"As if you care. As if you care about anything but your self absorbed self." I spat at him before slamming the door in his face.
I checked to make sure we hadn't disturbed Bella and climbed into bed beside her clicking off the lamp and shutting my eyes.

Chapter Nine

Home Sweet Home

Bella Pov

I couldn't believe Edward was being so nice to me. It seemed so unreal, I was lying on his bed while he went to make me a sandwich, it couldn't be real. Was I dreaming? I pinched myself.

Ouch!

OK I wasn't dreaming. So how did I end up in Edward's bed? Edward Cullen's bed.

We didn't..? I didn't..? With HIM!

I sat up against the pillows as everything came back to me. James. I felt disgusting. I wrapped the cover that was over me tighter, wrapping my arms around my torso, as if that would keep me together. I wanted to sob. I had sobbed. Oh god I had sobbed in Edward's arms. I felt sick. I looked at the time, it was nearing 6 o'clock. I would have to go home soon, I would have to face James. I hated life with Charlie, but James was worse. I didn't think it could've got any worse. I was wrong. I wanted to curl up in a ball and just disappear.

Mum. If you're out there, tell me what to do. I'm so lost. I want to be with you. How? How can I be with you? Give me a sign.

I needed a plan. I could jump off a cliff. What if it didn't work? I could use a knife. Yeah, because you just love blood.

My ideas were cut short when Edward returned. He handed me a plate with a cheese sandwich. I could feel my eyes well up with tears at the gesture. No one had made me a sandwich, not since my mum passed away. I blinked back the tears not wanting to show anymore weakness, not to Edward. He handed me a can of coke and it made me smile. It was nice to feel like a normal seventeen year old girl for a change. The film he had chosen was obviously not for him and I was grateful for how nice he was being. I had no doubts that tomorrow he would go back to being a jackass, but for now I was grateful. As I lay there I had no worries, it was like a bubble had formed around me and I was untouchable.

"Isabella, can you come downstairs please?"

The bubble burst. Reality had once again taken over. I felt numb.

Carlisle Pov

I had listened carefully to everything that Edward had said. It seemed so unlike him to be so caring and thoughtful. Edward was the type to fly off the handle, so to speak. To rush through things without giving it a second thought. In some ways I admired my son, to be that daring and courageous was a gift. In other ways he could be stupid and damn right unthoughtful.

I talked things over with Esme. Things with Isabella were really beginning to worry me. They had worried me for years, but things were getting worse now. I had seen this sort of thing before. Things just didn't go away. I had told Esme over the years the worries I had about Isabella, but I had never had enough proof, I never had enough reason to put a stop to it, not with her claims that she was clumsy, and the millions of different excuses she had fed me. Things were different now. I was well aware that Charlie was her legal guardian. I was also well aware that Charlie was out of town for the week and wasn't planning to arrive home for a few days yet.

After talking to Alice, I invited Isabella down to what I liked to call the 'family room'. I was pleased to see Edward had followed, whether it was to do with him being nosey, or actually taking an interest in something other than his own 'world', I didn't care.

"Isabella. If you'll consider it, I would like you to stay here, at least until your father returns from his trip. I've spoken to Alice and she is more than happy to share her bedroom with you, and loan you some clothes to wear to save you the trouble from picking them up. If you'll accept I would like you to treat this place like your own home."