Chapter 6

That evening, the slush that had melted during the day froze again as fresh snow started to fall. My eyes darted back and forth, watching each flake spin haphazardly before landing atop one another. I stood at my window for a time just staring as I waited for Carlisle to come home. He had been working a double-shift when I returned from Denali and I hadn't seen him since.

I felt full of confidence as I thought back on the day. I had not killed Bella. I even spoke with her and smoothed everything over. Now that I had made amends I could refrain from interceding too much in her life, with the exception of Biology class.

It would be easy to stay away; she had many people around to distract her. Mike Newton was one I noticed right away that wanted her attention. He had been fuming over the fact that Bella and I were conversing in class. According to his thoughts, he was half in love with her already.

Not that I could blame him.

Well, for noticing her at least. I clarified in my thoughts.

For a human, she was pretty. Her figure was soft and feminine. Not that I stared; a gentlemen shouldn't do such things, I just merely glanced. Her skin was clear and pale, nothing like mine though; there was brightness and vibrancy, to it. Her face was rounded and she had big, expressive brown eyes. I had definitely stared into them in class when she was responding to my questions. Her eyes danced when she spoke of something she felt strongly about and her mannerisms would match: the swirl of her hand in a gesture, the thoughtful furrow of her brow, or the way she bit her lower lip in concentration.

"Edward, can I come in?" I hadn't even noticed Carlisle knocking. He had opened the door slightly, his face leaning around it.

"Sure, I'm sorry…I didn't hear you." I turned and sat on the couch.

He gave me a strange look. Between his thoughts and the knocking, it was near impossible for me not to hear him approaching. He caught on quickly.

Is there a lot on your mind, son? You must've been in deep thought for a while.

"Yes. Well, no. I don't know. I was just thinking of Bella Swan. I'm just so proud that I didn't hurt her and was able to make amends in some way. Now I just have to stay away from her as much as possible." As the words left my mouth, a slightly uncomfortable sensation ran through my gut. The feeling was so faint I almost missed it. My attention quickly returned to Carlisle's thoughts.

Edward, I'm so proud of you too. It is such a relief to have you home and be so determined to resist this. But I agree, you must avoid her unless absolutely necessary. You don't need to unduly tempt yourself.

"I know I must be careful but I still don't understand why. I mean, after so long, so much control, why is it so different with her?

Edward, that's another thing I wanted to discuss with you. When you came to me in such distress over this girl's blood, my curiosity was piqued. When I got home, I read one of my journals. It was one I kept when I lived in Italy. Aro often spoke about la tua cantante.

"What is that? It sounds fascinating." I was now perched on the edge of couch cushion.

Well, roughly translated it means a blood that sings to you. The expression denotes the sweetest, most potent blood to a vampire. Of course, it is all individual. Blood that I find incredibly appealing may be nothing special to you. Edward, all I am trying to get at is that seems to be your singer. Her blood, above any others', is all but impossible for you to resist. Although after today, I have to say my faith is somewhat restored. As long as you are careful, you should be fine.

"I never knew such a thing existed." I whispered, mostly to myself. I shook my head as Carlisle got up to leave.

I know you will be ok Edward; you've always been so strong-willed. I am proud of you son. He patted my shoulder and walked out.

Again I was alone with my thoughts. I had no idea that that was the reason for my reaction. It comforted me because at least I was stronger than I realized, but it distressed me too. Now I knew I could never just "get over" her scent. Her smell of her blood was a torment to me personally. It would make it difficult, if not impossible, to be near her. I would have to hunt more, hold my breath, and execute perfect control from now on.

And surprisingly, for reasons unknown to me, it seemed worth the effort.

The next morning I left early because of the black ice on the roads. It was not because I wanted to drive safely, but rather to take the Volvo out for spin. Emmett liked to call it ice skating with a car.

I drove down the deserted road by the house at around seventy-five and then pulled the e-brake, sending my car into a three-sixty. It was easy to enjoy the exhilaration of it when you knew you couldn't die.

Once we arrived at school, I stayed at the car to lock up while my family went to the sidewalk. It was then that I heard Bella's truck. I knew what it was even before I turned. The rumbling engine was unmistakable.

It made me smile involuntarily.

The cantankerous engine was cut, and I watched Bella's small form hop out and walk around to the back of the truck. She was bent over, seemingly enthralled with the snow chains on her tires when I heard it; the sickening screech of brakes locked and tires spinning wildly. A dark blue van came ripping across the icy lot, completely out of control. It took only a moment to see its destination: the back of Bella's truck, right where she was still standing.

In that second, all my thoughts ceased, save one. I didn't care that I had to stay away from her. I didn't care that everyone would see me. I didn't care my family was screaming silently in protest from the sidewalk. I could only think of one thing.

Not her.

And then I ran. Ran faster than I ever had, reaching Bella in seconds, before she had even moved an inch.

I slammed into her, forcing her down and out of the path of the van. Her head made a loud crack as it connected with the ground. After that I was met with silence. At first I thought it was over, until I realized the van was still moving in our direction.

"Not her, not now." I swore aloud.

Instinctively, I wrapped myself around her and pushed my hand out in front of me to stop the car. It lifted slightly as I swung her legs around and away from the wreck with my other hand. I let the car drop, sending metal and glass sputtering around us.

In the moments after, I lay holding Bella tightly under me. There was complete silence, but after a few of her rapid heartbeats, the shouting of people started to surround us.

"Are you alright?" My voice was panicked as I whispered in her ear, not daring to breathe.

For all that's holy let her be ok…if she's bleeding somewhere….

"I'm fine." She responded, her voice weak and haggard. She started to struggle against my grasp.

It was then that I realized how incredibly close I was to her body, her warmth, her blood. I could feel it now pounding through her. Her heart was throbbing in her chest from the adrenaline rush. I shifted so she could sit up, warning her to be careful how she moved so as not to aggravate her head injury.

"Ow," she sounded surprised that her head hurt.

Her expression changed from discomfort to confusion so quickly I almost couldn't keep up. It was so difficult not knowing her thoughts before she said them. "How did you get over here so fast?"

My chest tightened at her words.

Why would you ask such a thing Bella? You were very nearly crushed to death, and this is what you say to me?

"I was standing right next to you, Bella." I willed her to believe me, using my most serious tone.

I moved completely away from her in the narrow space and looked into her eyes, as people started to come around us, shouting and crying. Bella went to stand up.

I stopped her, placing my hand to her shoulder. I chuckled as she complained of the cold ground. What a curious person, of all things to gripe over in this situation.

"You were over there," her voice suddenly cut into my good humor. "You were by your car."

"No, I wasn't." I could feel my expression darkening at her insistence.

"I saw you." She was making this difficult.

"Bella, I was standing with you, and I pulled you out of the way." I kept my voice low and calm, but I felt my jaw tightening.

"No." Her voice was petulant.

"Please, Bella." My eyes burned into hers, trying to make her understand.

"Why?"

"Trust me," was all I could say. Sirens were blaring as the ambulance pulled up. She made me promise to tell her everything later.

"Fine." I managed through clenched teeth but I had no intentions of doing so.

Bella was taken along with Tyler Crowley to Forks Hospital. I found her in her bed, eyes closed, trying to ignore Tyler's pleadings for forgiveness. As soon as he saw me, he did the same. I quickly assured him it was no problem.

I tuned back to Bella. She explained that even though nothing was wrong they wouldn't let her leave. Just then, Carlisle walked in. He made friendly small talk, looking at her chart. He took her head in his hands, his pale fingers prodding along the back of it. She winced.

"Tender?" he asked.

"Not really." She refuted.

I laughed lightly at that. She was so stubborn. Hearing me, she turned and glared before focusing back on my father. They went back and forth about her leaving and going to school. Carlisle cleared her to go home, as long as she was careful to watch for any dizziness or vision loss.

Bella wobbled as she launched off the bed, Carlisle steadied her.

"It sounds like you were extremely lucky," he mentioned to her casually.

"Lucky Edward happened to be standing next to me," she narrowed her eyes at me.

Carlisle tried to look busy as she said that, rustling the chart and turning back to Tyler.

Bella insisted that she needed to speak with me before she left. She was pushing her luck. I wasn't going to tell her anything but it wasn't going to be easy to convince her to lie for me either. Carlisle was one thing, but she needed to lie to everyone from this point on. I realized that I had put my family on the line when I stopped that car from crushing her today. If she exposed us in any way, it would be utterly devastating.

When we finally made into the hallway and I looked at her defiant face, the stress overwhelmed me.

"What do you want from me?" I grumbled, annoyed.

"I want to know the truth," she responded, "I want to know why I'm lying for you,"

"What do you think happened?" I pushed.