chapter 14 bodyguard

To say things were awkward would be an understatement. The uneasiness that escalated with every moment that day was nearing unbearable by the end of school. It wasn't just biology, either. Because of the appending danger to Bella's being, Edythe had to be with her whenever she was not in class. That meant from morning till dusk. However, no one thought it important to tell her this. So, when she woke up that morning to see Edythe Cullen on her porch, she was surprised, to say the least. Thankfully, Charlie was still asleep. He would be on a leave of absence until the doctor deemed him well again. Bella had woken up a bit late, and had rushed to put her clothes on, and then scurried downstairs, putting a bagel in her mouth as she went. She flung the door open, her back pack half on, and her hair a complete mess, only to be met by the scowling face of Edythe. There was a couple of beats as the two stared at each other. Bella's mind had gone blank. Slowly, she closed the door, the pastry still hanging between her teeth. She blinked and opened it again, poking her eyes out the crack. She was still there. Now, irritation added to her already leering face. She rolled her eyes as she closed it again, her heart having skipped a few beats. She took out the bagel and put it aside, calming herself. After straightening everything out, she stepped to the porch, shyly smiling at her. She didn't want things to start off too terribly. But, far from reciprocating her gesture of truce, she scoffed, turning on her heal and stomping off.

"Come on," she snapped. "You're driving." She opened up the passenger door to her old truck and slumped in, slamming the metal thing behind her. Bella sighed and moved forward. The snow was once more a sickly thin sheet, though not as dangerous or icy as it was the day Tyler's van almost hit her. She moved into the driver's seat and started the truck. As it warmed, she glanced at Edythe. She stared out the window, arms folded and sulking. She reminded her of a wet cat. She turned and they stared at one another. Edythe pouted. "Well? What are you waiting for? You're late enough as it is."

Bella shook her head, deciding it was best not to speak. Instead, she drove, the rattling of the engine and the slightly loose doors the only sound between the two. She didn't dare turn on the radio. She feared that she'd tare it out from pure frustration. She drove up the road, leading to the school. She didn't want to be so tense around her all day, so finally, she spoke. "Um... do you not know how to drive?" She eyed her, frowning. However, Bella could tell she was interested. "Because... because I could teach you. If you wanted... It's really easy. You just have to – "

"Are you wearing your cross?"

Bella blinked as she interrupted her. She nodded, showing her the silver from her neck. "Yes... but like I was saying, if you want to learn – " She stopped as she wrenched open the door and slammed it shut once more. She parked and scurried after her, bringing her back pack closer to her. "Edythe, look I – "

"You're wearing your cross," she repeated. "You're in my sights. I'm doing my job. Part of my job isn't listening to you blabber. So keep your mouth shut and it'll be a lot less painful."

Bella wanted to protest at such a rude, blatant statement, but she was fearful of what the reaction might be if she said something along the lines of "make me". Pissing off an already angry vampire wasn't the best idea, as far as she was considered. So, she sighed and reverted to silence, keeping her eyes to the floor. Class was even worse. Instead of just not talking, she went out of her way to ignore that she was even there. She kept her eyes pointedly aimed at the wall beside her or up to the front. Anywhere but to where Bella was sitting. In all honesty, it depressed her. Yes, they had had a fight. But she didn't need to be so terse. She begrudgingly walked her to each of her classes, and they ate together at lunch. She wanted to go back over to her friends at the regular lunch table, but disobeying her might make her even more angry. By the time she was waiting for her, Bella's slight depression turned into aggravation. She had been dwelling on the fight all day. Yes, she didn't do what she told her to, but she was in the right. And if her father had just kept on the cross, he probably wouldn't have been attacked. She had just been over reacting. And now, she was pouting like a child who didn't get her way. When she saw her moving closer, she turned and lead her to her truck.

"Hey, Edythe," she said, trying to get her attention. She didn't even pause. She just kept right on heading for the truck. She spoke louder. "Edythe." She still didn't respond. Instead, she moved straight for the passenger door. In frustration, she followed her, closed the door and shoved her against the truck bed. A look of surprise came over her features. She glared at her. "Look at me when I'm talking to you!" she demanded, her voice more firm then she thought she could accomplish. Edythe's eyebrows went to her hairline at that. "I know you're mad at me," she began, "but sulking won't fix anything! What happened happened. And... and I'll tell you something else. I don't regret what I did! It ultimately didn't work, but he needed it more then I did! If he just would have worn it, he might have not been in the hospital!" Her face was red. She couldn't stop herself if she wanted to. She inched forward, pointing at her menacingly. "And what gives you the right to boss me around anyway!? I'm smart enough to protect myself! You may be here to stop the nomads from hurting anyone else, but I don't need a babysitter! I'm not some meek female that needs her hand held every five minutes! And another thing! You had better start being nice to me! You don't have to be my best friend or anything, but you've been nothing but rude to me ever since you laid eyes on me! And all I've ever done is try to be nice to you! So I don't want to hear another complaint, whine, or smart little comment, or I'm – I'm – !" She paused, furious beyond all belief. She then nodded and leaned in venomously. "I'm telling your father!" she hissed finally.

There was a very long beat after that. She stared at her in utter disbelief. She kept her composure, her angry face blaring straight into hers. She was on her tip toes to try and get closer. Despite how tall she was, she was still an inch or two taller then herself. Slowly, a smile began to curl around her lips. She put her hand to her mouth and snickered. This only aggravated Bella more, but she couldn't say anything as she suddenly burst out laughing. She clutched her stomach, leaning against the truck and roaring. She laughed so hard, tears came to the corners of her eyes. She was very lucky that they were on the opposite side facing the rest of the lot – her fangs were quite visible as she laughed. Finally, Bella hit her in the back of the head. She rubbed it, reverting to chuckles instead of hysterical laughter.

"Ok, ok!" she said, standing up and holding out her hands. "I get it!" She shook her head. "Honestly, Bella. You are the most reckless person..." However, this comment wasn't spiteful. Rather, it was light. Almost playful. She laughed a moment or so more before slipping into the passenger's seat. Bella huffed and got into the driver's seat, still in a bit of a tiff. As they drove, Edythe gave out a bit of a laugh now and then.

"Quit that," Bella snipped.

"I'm not laughing at you," said Edythe. "Ok... well, yeah I am. Just..." She shook her head, still laughing. "Over the past... what, month or more? You've been surrounded by blood sucking, demonic creatures. You've seen what they could do. You came close to death at least once. Maybe twice since the lake. And yet you have the balls to stand up to me like that." She shook her head throughly amused.

Bella stared at her as she yielded for a cross walk. She turned her head back to the road and continued to drive. "Well..." She tapped her fingers on the wheel. What did possess her to make such a fuss? Especially when she already knew what kind of creature her companion was? How many times had Edythe or any of the others struck fear into her? And yet she faced her, brave and bold, without thought of a consequence. But then again... Edythe hadn't hurt her. She had a chance – a few chances – to do so. Still, she hadn't. She began to speak, deep in thought. "I just... don't think you'll hurt me like the nomads would. You come off like you're this dangerous thing... but I think... I think that if you had a choice, you wouldn't hurt a soul." She glanced at her. She had her chin propped on the door, looking at her with an unreadable face. They paused at a red light, looking at one another. A smile fell to Edythe's lips. It wasn't the amused, snide grin that she wore before laughing at her. Rather, it was a kinder, warmer expression. One that caught Bella by surprise.

"You're so strange..." She sat back on the chair. "It's green." Bella noted that the light was in fact green and began to drive once more. Edythe rubbed her forehead. "So... what do you plan on doing once you're home?"

"Um..." Bella thought for a second. "Homework and then... I dunno. I might read for a bit. Call Carrie."

That caught Edythe's attention. She sat up a bit straighter and looked to her. "Who?"

"My girlfriend..." Bella once more became uncomfortable, but for a very different reason. "She's still in Arizona." She watched as Edythe frowned out the window.

"Oh." She didn't say anything more. A strange thought came to Bella. She stared at her, parking the truck.

"Are you... jealous?"

"No!" said Edythe to quickly, snapping her head to her. It was Bella's turn to snicker this time. What little color the vampire possessed ran to her cheeks. "I said I'm not!" Bella snorted and got out of the truck, bringing her pack with her. Edythe slumped out behind her, back to her former self. Bella shook her head, looking at her.

"You're so bipolar," she remarked with a click of her tongue. Edythe huffed and looked away, still embarrassed. She shook her head and looked to her.

"So you're not going anywhere else tonight?"

"Nope. Staying right at home." Edythe nodded and looked up to the window.

"Good... Don't let anyone in – "

"Unless it's you, I know." Bella paused and looked to the living room. Charlie had gotten up to watch sports. "Um... did you want to come in for a second?" She looked to her. "I mean... if you want."

Edythe considered it, staring at the little home. "Yeah, ok." She shrugged and the two walked up to the door. Bella opened it, inviting her in as usual.

"Daddy?" Charlie looked up from the couch, a beer in his gauzed hand. "Um.. this is Edythe. She's my biology partner. We're going to work on some homework, ok?" Charlie nodded, greeting Edythe with a nod. They walked up the stairs.

"Keep the door open!" came Charlie's instruction. Bella said she would, even though she found the order to be quite funny. Once in her room, she sat on the bed, taking off her coat. Edythe looked around the area, having been in her room only once, and only for a short time. Now, she seemed more analytical, taking in the details.

"Well here we are," said Bella with a smile, pulling out her books. Edythe nodded, eyes landing on a picture that she had framed. She picked it up.

"Is this Carrie?" She showed it to her and she nodded.

"Yeah..." She looked discerning at the photo before putting it down and not touching on the subject again. "So um..." She directed her attention to her. "What do you want to do? I can hold off on my homework for now." Edythe considered it and shrugged.

"I don't know." She sat on the edge of the bed. "What do you want to do?"

Bella thought for a bit. "Well... I'm still curious. You know... about you."

"Ok."

"What's your dark gift?" It gnawed at her ever since she learned about them. She was so curious as to what it was, she day dreamed constantly about what it could be. Edythe smiled and patted her head.

"It's a secret," she said slyly.

"Awe!" Bella put her hands to her knees, bouncing up and down. "But I wanna know!"

"Maybe later." Edythe laid on the bed, hands behind her hair. She kept her eyes on the ceiling before looking to her. Despite her sunken in features, when hit in the right light, she was actually beautiful gorgeous even. "You know... I'm kind of curious about you."

"Me?" asked Bella, a little taken aback.

"Sure." Edythe laid to her side, propping her head in her hand. "I mean, all this time I've been talking about myself. What about you? All I really know is that you're the daughter of the chief of police and you're from Arizona." She made a face. "And you have a girlfriend," she added. She looked up to her. "There has to be more to you then that."

Bella thought for a bit. "Well... I guess so. But it's not interesting."

"I'll decide that." Edythe seemed sincerely interested. "Tell me."

She considered before starting to speak. She was born in Forks. Raised in Phoenix. She kept close to her father, despite the distance. She had a secret passion for photography, but was too unsure of herself to pursue it. She enjoyed watching baseball – but only if she was at a game. It was too boring on TV. Her favorite color was blue. She could look at the desert for hours. She had looked at the desert for hours. Her best friend was crazy. Her girlfriend was sweet. She had a child hood toy named Sir Snuggles once. She didn't know what happened to him. She was afraid of the toilet when she was three. She was afraid of the closet when she was five. Hell, at one point, she was afraid of everything. Finally, she had to stop herself.

"Oh... I'm boring you, huh?" She smiled.

"No. Not at all." She had kept her attention on her the whole time, never wavering, never looking away or looking bored. She was intrigued, almost. She sat up. "It's cool."

Bella laughed. "No it's not."

"Sure it is." She sighed and looked out the window. It was dark now. "I can't remember all that much about my human life, other then my parents being murdered. It's nice to hear about someone who's... normal."

Bella smiled weakly. "I hate being normal." She looked to her. "Well... I mean, it's dull to be normal, right? Being interesting is what makes someone exciting. Like you." They looked at one another, facing each other on the bed. Bella hadn't realized that sitting up, Edythe was quite close to her. She held her ankles, unsure of what to do or say. She smiled kindly.

"I guess so..." Her voice was softer – the tenor lowering into a gentle hum. Bella felt herself slowly gravitate towards her and she to her. She could count the eyelashes that stuck to her lids. She noticed that under her wax complexion, there was evidence of faded freckles. Her lips – though thin – were inviting. She inched a little further.

"It's late!" came the voice of her father. "Your friend should head home!"

Bella jolted out of her skin and recaptured herself. "O-oh... yeah, sure..." She slipped off the bed. "She's leaving now!" she called to her father. She smiled weakly at Edythe. "Sorry..." She looked away and began to straighten things on her desk. What was she doing just then? Was she... were they about to...?

"Yeah, ok." Edythe stood. "Keep your cross on this time, ok?" Bella nodded and walked her down to the door. Perhaps she was fooling herself. Yes... that was probably it. She was just seeing things. She'd been under a lot of stress. That was what it was. She imagined it. They walked out to the porch and Edythe nodded to her.

"I'll see you tomorrow."

"Right..." Her voice was a bit weaker then normal. She then walked off, hands in her pockets. Bella shook her head and closed the door. She was being stupid... She had Carrie, for one thing. For another... She let her hand fall from the knob. For another... She shook her head and went back upstairs, throwing herself to the bed. She wasn't human. How stupid would one have to be to fall for someone who wasn't human? She rubbed her forehead and sat up. Grudgingly, she took out her books.

She had a long night ahead of her.