Jealousy

"Am I safe here?"

"I cannot promise that.'' The silence was even quieter around us, as those words hung between us.

"What are you Edward?'' Her voice trembled. The question came from her lips as if it had been something, she thought but had not dared voice.

"You know I can't tell you that."

"I'm going back to school now."

"I'm not going to stop you.''

Bella (pov)

I felt as if I had been transported somewhere, one moment I had been there, and then I wasn't. It all happened so fast. My eyes and bones were still vibrating. Edward's presence penetrated everything around me. There was no logical explanation, but Edward was the answer.

"Am I safe here?"

"I cannot promise that.''

The air around me went impossible still. My question was meant to ask if I was safer here than where I had been. If that was the reason, he had brought me here? He had saved my life once before didn't he.....Warning bells were going off in my head, but I didn't feel afraid.

"What are you Edward?" I let free what even my own thoughts hadn't put into words.

"You know I can't tell you that."

I still wasn't going to get an explanation, even now. I was mad. I threw my shoulders back. I felt frustrated and betrayed.

"I'm going back to school now.''

"I'm not going to stop you." I couldn't tell if he was convincing me or himself.

Edward (pov)

She walked past me. Her feet avoided the moss-covered twigs, and then she stopped. She was still, just standing there.

I turned towards her. "What is it?''

"Which way is it?" There were trees all around us. Bella was looking around perplexed.

"Oh! I'll take you back." I took a step toward her.

"No!" She put her hand in front of her.

Of course, she didn't want me to touch her. Bella undoubtedly was terrified. Not to mention my conduct had been ungentlemanly and rude.

"I'll be sick." Her eyes were wide. I took note once again of how pale her face was.

I ran my hand through my hair. "I will, walk with you until you reach the school, to help you find your way back."

"Okay." She stepped forward.

"This way." I gestured in front of me.

We were walking in step. Sometimes I pointed or mentioned to her which way to go. I kept my pace with hers. Bella stepped over a fallen tree and stumbled forward. I caught her. My ice-cold hand wrapped around her warm one. She pulled back and balled her small hand into a fist, she seemed startled. I balled my own hand into a fist as well.

"I'm sorry." My voice was gentle.

Her heart was beating faster. She must be terrified. Why wouldn't she be? She took a step forward again. I could tell she was blushing. I looked directly in front of me into the encroaching forest. What had I done, subjecting Bella to this kind of danger, in a place all alone with me? We reached the edge of the forest. We could see the Fork's high school parking lot.

She stopped and looked up at me. She was about to say something. I wasn't in a position to demand something from her, but it frustrated me that I didn't know what she wanted to say.

"You're not human." It wasn't a question.

"No."

"Are you a mythological god or creature from ancient Greece?"

I grimaced. I didn't know how to answer her question, but all my thoughts strayed to the fact I had not apologized to her for my behavior today. "I know what this must appear like to you...strange! I'm sorry that I behaved this way towards you today. I know this must seem insolent."

"Are you an angel?"

"No, But you could call me a demon."

Her eyes drifted downward, a sad gesture. "Thanks.....Edward." I realized she was thanking me for walking her back. She turned and walked back, most likely returning to where I had snatched her from.

I stayed in place perfectly still. After a moment my eyes found her picking up her bag and putting her binder and book inside it. Bella started walking towards the school doors at a calm pace. Then someone's thoughts invaded my mind again.

Bella(pov)

"Bella!"

"Yeah Mike." He looked pale white.

"Bella one minute you were there, then you weren't!"

"What do you mean?''

"I was talking to you, and then you were gone. I just blinked."

"Oh. I just went to go get something from my truck. Sorry mike, I didn't mean to interrupt you."

"It's okay. Everything was light, like a sunny day." He looked at me and around the forest. "For a minute...I ...I saw you... then I thought I saw him?''

"Him?''

"Edward Cullen."

"No Mike, I don't think so. I looked around the parking lot and towards the edge of the forest to see if I could see him. "He isn't here; he didn't come to school today."

"O, yeah... um...right. So Bella what about the spring dance?"

"Sorry Mike, I can't go. I have to go to Seattle."

"Oh, well. How about another time then."

"Maybe. I better go; I'm going to be late for class."

"Oh sure, I have to go to class too."

"Bye Mike."

He didn't look very happy. "Bye."

I started walking again, then stopped and looked towards the edge of the forest. I saw him standing there, hidden in the shadows. Those trees that made the endless forest, covered him. I met his eyes. We looked at each other for a moment. Then he smiled. I held my breath.

I blinked and he was gone.