Twilight: Betrayal

Chapter 16

It was difficult to truly believe that the Cullens were back. As much as it terrified me to know that my future with the Cullens was inevitable, I didn't want to fight it. Ever since I had been made aware of their return I couldn't sit without fidgeting or stand without pacing. Knowing that they were only a few short minutes away had me on edge. 

I had taken to them as quickly as I had the first time. It goes without saying that their involvement in my life was meant to be. I easily found it in myself to forgive the ones who had done minimal damage, but there were two out of the seven that I couldn't tolerate the sight of.

It was hard to imagine, but I did so vividly, though I detested myself for it. I could see Edward and Alice, smiling and laughing together. I could see his hands on her skin and his lips on her neck. I could see all of these things but I didn't want to see them. I had always thought that my life couldn't be complete without Edward. But now, I cant imagine any fated chance of our returning to each others arms. 

The agonizing thoughts would hit me at random times, causing the ice in my veins to freeze over. I struggled to contain myself in these moments and had to quietly resign to my room.

The constant struggle to reign in my confusion was nothing compared to the excruciating feeling in my stomach I would get. But I shrugged it off and pushed my feelings deep down, as far down as they would go, and carried on with my daily chores. 

The day after our rendezvous was uneventful. I'd return Rosalie's smiles and wave politely, but that was the extent of our communication for the rest of the week. I yearned to speak to them. I wanted them to come to me during lunch but I was too scared to make the first move on our impending friendship. 

Edward stayed away for the remaining four days of the school week, undoubtedly gaining a reputation for new 'bad boy' around campus. Alice came, but seemed more reserved than usual. She sat with her head down and two empty seats on either side of her. Rose, Emmett, and Jasper would make small talk across from her, not bothering to include her in the conversation. 

In some ways I felt sorry for her. She had made the mistake of falling in love with Edward and now she would be permanently cast aside by most of her family. Half of my brain wanted to love her again, but the other half knew I had been betrayed by her. Jasper had known that she loved Edward for a long time. She had never been my friend. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if she somehow talked Edward into leaving me. 

On Friday morning I parked my bike a little further than necessary from the silver Volvo that was perched across the lot. Key tumbled off and onto the cold, salted asphalt. He got up with a flourish, dusting himself off and looking around to make sure no one had seen his accident. 

I struggled to contain my grin. When he caught sight of my upturned lips, he sneered and brought his navy blue messenger bag around to pull out his new and all too expensive sun glasses. I had insisted that he didn't need them, given that the weather in Forks was rarely erratic. We knew what to expect most days, and that would be snow, rain, cold or any combination thereof. Why he would need glasses specifically designed for blocking out sunlight, which was a rarity around these parts, was beyond me. 

He slid the sleek, classically designed shades over his nose and scoffed at me. "You're just jealous." 

I rolled my eyes. "At least I didn't blow $245 on something so useless." I was jealous that they looked so pleasing on his face, not enough to want to waste my money, but enough to trip him as we entered the school. He fell headlong onto the wet tiles, throwing his arms out to save himself. I knew I could catch him in time but I stood back and watched with satisfaction. 

People around us laughed and hooted as he sprawled on the ground, getting to his knees in confusion. He stood, attempting to untangle the shades from his hair. He whined "Bella, help. My glasses didn't come with instructions." He began to panic as his fingers flailed around the frames.