Chapter 10

A cold, tight fear gripped me instantly.

"Bella?" I yelled out. "What's wrong—is she hurt?" If Newton touched her I would rip him to shreds.

Mike turned, looking stressed himself.

"I think she's fainted. I don't know what happened; she didn't even stick her finger." Mike's voice was nervous now.

Oh crap, Cullen looks pissed. I hope he doesn't think I did something.

I ignored his babbling, "Bella, can you hear me?"

"No," her voice was low and weak, "go away."

I was suddenly so relieved at the sound of her voice I chuckled. Mike said something about the nurse and I reacted without a second thought on the matter.

"I'll take her." I was not leaving her with him. I picked her up into my arms easily, holding her delicate body far from mine.

"Hey!" Mike's voice was already behind us.

What the hell does he think he's doing? I swear to God, I hate him!

Same to you, I thought, as I smiled. "You look awful," I looked down at Bella, still grinning.

"Put me back on the sidewalk," Bella finally mumbled out.

Her color was all wrong; she seemed to be fighting nausea and fainting at once.

"So you faint at the sight of blood? And not even your own blood." I asked, amused beyond belief at such a thing.

She didn't answer; her lips were pressed tightly together to keep what I assumed was some foul substance at bay. I whisked Bella gently into the nurse's office. In the warm air, her scent became alarmingly overbearing. I realized how close I was to her, my hands on her body. Her neck was a mere foot from my mouth. I felt the venom pooling on my tongue.

Steady and calm, steady, calm, steady, calm…I repeated silently, a mantra of reassurance.

My body was tense with restraint as I gently laid her on the cot and backed myself into the wall, my eyes focused only on her. I finally relaxed enough to explain to the nurse what had happened.

"She's just a little faint; they're blood typing in Biology."

The nurse nodded in understanding. "There's always one."

I quietly laughed at the irony of it all; Bella and I were complete polar opposites. I must be crazy.

"Just lie down for a minute, honey; it'll pass."

The nurse was standing next to Bella, her voice was comforting. Bella finally spoke in response.

"I know."

"Does this happen a lot?" The nurse prompted.

"Sometimes."

The nurse turned to me as I tried to hide another laugh. "You can go back to class now."

There was no way in hell was I leaving Bella. "I'm supposed to stay with her." The nurse sighed but didn't argue with me as she left to get ice for Bella.

"You were right." Bella's voice was returning to normal.

"I usually am—but about what in particular this time?"

"Ditching is healthy." I smiled at that.

She was breathing evenly now as her color returned slowly. It dawned on me how frightened I felt when I thought she was hurt. The reaction startled me. I spoke again with a bit of difficulty.

"You scared me for a minute there…I thought Newton was dragging your dead body off to bury it in the woods."

"Ha ha."

"Honestly—I've seen corpses with better color." Literally. "I was concerned I might have to avenge your murder."

"Poor Mike. I'll bet he's mad."

Bella you have no idea.

"He absolutely loathes me." I grinned.

"You can' know that." She frowned, her eyes still shut.

I quickly explained myself, "I saw his face—I could tell."

"How did you see me? I thought you were ditching?"

"I was in my car, listening to a CD." Trying not to think of you.

The nurse returned with a cold pack. Bella sat up. Then I smelled the blood as leaned into the room, "We've got another one."

More blood was the last thing Bella needed. She got up to make room and we both pressed against the wall as Mike walked in supporting Lee Stephens, who was looking far less than spectacular.

"Oh no, go out to the office, Bella." I truly hoped she would follow my direction.

She looked at me for a moment then walked quickly out. I was shocked.

"You actually listened to me."

"I smelled the blood," her nose scrunched up.

Silly Bella. "People can't smell blood."

"Well, I can—that's what makes me sick. It smells like rust…and salt."

Dumbfounded and incredulous, that's what I was. Who was this girl? She astounded me more and more. She noticed my expression.

"What?"

"It's nothing." No, it was everything, everything about her was enchanting.

We turned as Mike came back out. He gave me a seething glare before speaking to Bella. I leaned on the counter and unwillingly let him have his moment.

"You look better." I guess Cullen worked his magic huh?

"Just keep your hand in your pocket," Bella pleaded immediately.

"It's not bleeding anymore. Are you going back to class?"

"Are you kidding? I'd just have to turn around and come back."

"Yeah, I guess…So are you going this weekend? To the beach?"

She better not back out, she promised. He is not invited…maybe we can actually have some time to ourselves.

What a complete ass. I really wanted to just smack him but instead just stared off so I wouldn't act on that instinct.

"Sure, I said I was in." Bella's tone sounded forced. Mike explained where and when to meet, again glaring at me one last time. I practically rolled my eyes.

"I'll see you there," she promised.

"I'll see you in Gym, then." He finally left. I immediately moved close to her.

Bella looked defeated, "Gym."

I leaned down to her ear, careful not to breathe in, "I can take care of that. Go sit down and look pale."

She complied as I walked to to "work my magic", as Mike so eloquently put it. He wasn't far off; I could charm humans easily.

Ms. Cope's eyes glazed over quickly as I spoke in my softest tone, my eyes intent on hers. I asked her to excuse Bella from gym, explaining I would get her home safely. It took but a moment and she was convinced.

"Okay, it's all taken care of. You feel better, Bella." spoke, still dazed, as I moved to walk Bella out.

"Can you walk, or do you want me to carry you again?" I teased.

"I'll walk."

We made our way outside, there was mist falling around us.

"Thanks. It's almost worth getting sick to miss Gym."

"Anytime."

"So are you going? This Saturday, I mean?" her voice was hopeful, making my chest hurt again.

"Where are you all going, exactly?"

"Down to La Push, to First Beach." I felt my expression tighten slightly, I hated that she would be somewhere I couldn't be. I tried to play it off.

"I really don't think I was invited."

"I just invited you."

She wanted me around, I was thrilled.

"Let's you and I not push poor Mike any further this week. We don't want him to snap." I couldn't help the joy in my eyes at the idea of that happening. I think Bella noticed my words were false.

"Mike-Schmike." She said as her body moved away from mine. She was walking towards her truck. I instantly missed her close presence but even more so, I was mad. What the hell what was she thinking, did she not hear me in the office?

"Where do you think you're going?" I grabbed her coat, pulling her back to me.

"I'm going home." She obviously didn't see the problem.

"Didn't you hear me promise to take you safely home? Do you think I'm going to let you drive in your condition?" I tried my best to keep my voice from being too hard. I was a man of my word, I promised to get her home safely and I meant it.

She continued her complaints, asking what would happen to her truck and so forth. I explained Alice could drop it off for her as I continued dragging her towards the Volvo.

"You are so pushy!"

I was in the car already as Bella stood stubbornly outside the passenger door. I leaned over and rolled the window down, "Get in, Bella."

She hesitated, letting the rain soak her completely. I knew she must be contemplating making a run for it. She was unbelievable!

"I'll just drag you back," I spoke again, intercepting her silent plan.

Reluctantly she lowered herself into the car. Her hair was saturated, water ran down the back of her shirt and her boots squeaked as she squirmed into place.

"This is completely unnecessary."

I ignored her protests and started turning knobs. Truth be told, I only knew how to use the stereo. I fidgeted until I found the one with a picture of feet and turned the dial to the red. Bella didn't seem to notice my struggle, she sat silently.

I forgot my music was even on until Bella spoke again.

"Clair de Lune?"

"You know Debussy?" Honestly I was shocked; most high school kids wouldn't know classical music if it slapped them in the face, let alone a song written before even I was born. It seemed Bella was always the exception to the rule.

"Not well, my mother plays a lot of classical music around the house—I only know my favorites."

"It's one of my favorites too…" I trailed off.

It was quiet after that and drove quickly towards Bella's home. The heaters were blowing her rain-soaked scent all over the car. It was magnificent torture. It would be so easy now to take her. I sped up. I had to keep my thoughts straight, stopping them from going into dark territory. I turned to her.

"What is your mother like?"

"She's looks a lot like me, but she's prettier."

Somehow I doubted that, raising my eyebrows.

"I have too much of Charlie in me. She's more outgoing then I am, and braver. She's irresponsible and slightly eccentric, and she's a very unpredictable cook. She's my best friend." She stopped; there was a heartsick edge to her voice.

I wanted nothing more than to understand her thoughts, why she would leave her mother, why she was so selfless. She acted so unlike anyone else I'd ever known.

"How old are you Bella?" I asked as we pulled up to her house.

"I'm seventeen."

"You don't seem seventeen." I murmured. She definitely acted older, although there was no way she was.

She laughed.

"What?"

"My mom always says I was born thirty-five years old and that I get more middle-aged every year…well, someone has to be the adult." She paused. "You don't seem much like a junior in high school yourself."

I frowned at her simple truth. I could be her great-grandfather. It was time for the next subject.

"So why did your mother marry Phil?"

Her eyes were surprised at the question, "My mother…she's very young for her age. I think Phil makes her feel even younger. At any rate, she's crazy about him."

"Do you approve?"

"Does it matter? I want her to be happy…and he's who she wants."

"That's very generous…I wonder," my voice trailed off. My thoughts were taking a risky turn and I couldn't stop myself from verbalizing them.