Parallax

Chapter 12

Bella had retired to bed early that night due to exhaustion from the day's event. It was during these moments that she did not envy the vampires in the house for their inability to sleep.

She wasn't sure how long she had been asleep but Bella woke up in the middle of the night and the only way she knew that it was still too early was because it was still pitch-black outside of her window.

With her sleepy eyes, Bella caught a figure standing beside the window and her sleepiness instantly disappeared as soon as she recognized who it was.

"Edward!" She gasped in surprise and immediately sat up straight, glaring at the vampire in front of her.

She didn't think that he would dare sneak in her room knowing that she wasn't the Bella that he loves.

"What are you doing in my room?!" She demanded. Edward had the decency to look guilty at being caught.

"I wanted to see you..." was his lame reply and Bella crossed her arms in front of her chest and raised her eyebrows.

"You know you could do that in the morning, when I'm awake , right?" she stated.

"I'm sorry... I didn't think you would wake up." Bella's eyes almost grew in horror.

"Excuse me? Even if I didn't wake up, I do not appreciate you hovering over my sleeping figure! Did anyone ever tell you how creepy that is?!"

He looked taken aback.

He ran his fingers through his messy hair nervously.

"I didn't think - - - I was used to being near her even when..." he didn't continue because she was already glaring daggers at him but when Bella saw the desperation in his eyes, she closed her eyes, took a deep breath and tried to keep her annoyance from showing.

"She talks in her sleep... she used to dream of me and say my name in her sleep... I just thought... maybe... I wanted to hear her say it..." he reasoned weakly and her irritation earlier quickly dissipated and she just felt sorry for him.

"I really don't know how this future-self-inserting-into-another-version-of-me-works but the only time I've felt this Bella's presence was yesterday when emotions were high. Don't think as well that I'm trying to stop her from reaching out to you because if it's up to me, both of you are long overdue for a heart-to-heart talk but neither one of us are in control of the situation here. What I can only do is take care of her body while I find my way to get back on my own. That means, making sure this body gets enough rest after everything that she's been through and finding you sneaking in her bed is not really helping."

Edward looked like a lost puppy, unsure of what to do next. Finally, he made a move towards the window, in human pace.

"I shouldn't be here... I'm sorry" he started to say.

"Wait..." Bella huffed. Edward had set out to be alone last night and now that he was here, she was curious to know what he had decided for himself or if he was finally allowing himself this chance at being with his mate. First things first, she needed to address his behavior.

She tapped the empty space on the bed.

"Sit down Edward" He stood there, torn on what to do next but after a few seconds, he walked slowly towards her and sat down on the spot that she gestured, careful to keep his distance while Bella tucked her feet under her.

"Look, I get that you two spend your nights together in her room and Bella is not calling you out for it but that's because she didn't have it in her to do it.