Echoes from Anna

Chapter 3

Bella's POV (Flashback)

I sat on the porch steps with her, watching her whole body tense more and more with every car that passed by.
"Are you sure it's today?" I asked when the hundredth car sped by our house.
"I'm sure." she answered confidently, without taking her eyes of the street.

I watched as he knee bounced, revealing the obvious excitement that was flooding her body, making it impossible for her to sit still. I knew she couldn't help herself, but honestly , it was making me nervous and I wished she'd stop it.

I couldn't help but wonder what kind of difference this would really make in our lives. I contemplated telling her I was going inside, but she assured me that this was important. So even though the heat of the sun was beaming down on us and I could feel my cheeks burning, I stayed with her and waited for him to arrive.

It was late in the afternoon when the car finally arrived, pulling into the neighbours driveway.

She actually leaned forward, ready to rise to her feet, preparing to run over to complete stranger.
I reached out and grabbed her arm, yanking her back.
"Act normal" I spat as I began pulling her back down to her spot beside me.

She nodded, trying to remove the goofy grin from her face, trying to ply her bottom lip from her teeth. From there on we both pretended that we were casually sitting on the steps, enjoying the sun, rather then waiting for Max Anderson to finally emerge into our little world.

He hopped from the back seat, wiping the mop of messy blond hair away from his bright green eyes, revealing the freckles that were scattered across his nose and onto his cheeks.
I rolled my eyes at Anna as she sighed heavily at the sight of the boy.

He was cute, there was no denying it, but 'the boy next door'? really? She was the most interesting person I had ever met and this was the route she was going to take.
I couldn't help but examine him suspiciously, looking for flaws. Why would someone so incredibly average looking want to get caught up in this.
"Perfect" Anna whispered to herself, flashing what I assumed was a smile of approval.

It was so easy for her. We were only nine when Max moved in next door, but with in weeks they were inseparable. And I fell in love with him right along with her, he was the brother I had always wanted.
They were simple together, they fell into everything with a grace that I couldn't ever hope to obtain.

She was good with small talk, she was good with easing him into the weird situation.
She was just good with people in general. She had friends, she was popular and funny and people wanted to be around Anna. I always wondered how could someone who I look exactly like, could be my exact opposite.

Edward's POV (Present Day)

We talked about books, movies, the weather. We talked about anything, other then what was actually happening and once again I followed her lead.

I played along. As if we were two people who just met a coffee shop. I did it because it was what she wanted. But it wasn't real, we both seem to be side stepping around the obvious questions that needed to be asked and answered. But I refused to bring it up until she was ready and right now it was very clear that there were things she didn't want to discuss.
She didn't want to talk about was Anna.

She didn't want to talk about what I was.

And she didn't want to talk about what was going on inside of her.

And that was ok, I could handle all of it.

I had no problems with walking on egg shells around the obvious issues that were staring us in the face. But what I couldn't handle, was knowing that even when she decided to face all of this head on, I would have to do it knowing I lied to her.