Mute girl

Chapter eight

A/N As always, full rights go to Stephanie Meyer, I own nothing, I'm just a sick fangirl playing with some good characters.

Just a note — I don't think anyone's actually reading this, so I might discontinue it. I don't know, writing just seems really tough at the moment and I know that this story certainly isn't the best one out there.

We pulled up to the Cullen's house and Edward climbed out the car using vampire speed. He opened my door for me and offered me his hand, even pretending to smile as he did so. Taking the proffered hand I pulled myself up, accidentally banging my bruised arm on the side of the car. I winced and paused for a second, until the very deep bruise on my arm stopped throbbing. "Are you alright Bella?" Edward asked, his keen eyes searching for the problem. I nodded my head and smiled, before closing the car door behind me and letting go of his hand.

Alice bounded off ahead of us with the effortless grace of a ballerina, unlocking the door and letting us in. I followed Edward into the front room; keeping my eyes strictly on the floor as I heard the quick steps of all the Cullen's coming down stairs. A cool hand touched my arm and I flinched away, flushing bright red with embarrassment over my instinctive reaction.

"I'm sorry." Whispered Esme, her voice soft and low. I looked up briefly to see her eyes fill with tears, the most unimaginably sad look on her face. Giving her a small smile, I stepped forwards again and glanced around the open space. Esme was standing next to me, with Carlisle to her right and Rosalie, Emmet and Jasper standing just behind her. Next to me was Edward, who was taking care not to touch me, and I could see Alice moving over to be next to Jasper.

"The others told us what happened." Said Carlisle, his face mirroring Esme's. I nodded and looked back at the floor, fidgeting with the amethyst ring on my thumb. "I think we all need to discuss what we should do." He continued and I nodded once again, glad I wasn't being asked to speak.

Rosalie and Emmet sat down on the couch, holding hands but still looking at me. The rest of the Cullen's followed suite, each taking up a space until only one was left, right next to Edward. "Take a seat, Bella." Said Esme, and I noticed for the first time that both her and Carlisle's eyes were very dark. I sat down, feeling very uncomfortable to be this close to another person, and crossed my legs.

"Now that we know what Charlie's doing, we need to get Bella out of there." Said Carlisle. "Edward, do you think it's possible to get Bella up to Jacksonville with her mother?" I felt my entire body flood with fear as my heart beat erratically against my chest. No, I could not go back to Jacksonville. "No!" Shouted Edward and Jasper at the same time, making the others raise their eyebrows in surprise. "Bella doesn't want to go to Jacksonville." Edward explains, "She told us in the car." Jasper nods, an unsurprised look on his face. "Her emotions sky rocketed when you mentioned it. Fear, loathing, disbelief, a little bit of anger and a hell lot of self hate — maybe we shouldn't send her to back to her mother." Jasper addressed the last part to me, looking anxiously for my approval and smiling when he felt my relief.

"Well then maybe it would be a good idea to let Bella stay here for a while." Rosalie said casually, making everyone in the room turn to look at her in shock. I stared at her too, wondering how on earth she thought that this was a good idea. I mean come on, there was no way any of them could want me around. I'm not special in any way whatsoever, I'm just a pathetic little human, who can't even talk. Carlisle scanned everyone's faces and gave the tiniest smile.

"That actually isn't a terrible idea..." He said slowly, his face calm and safe. "Well, thanks!" Said Rosalie sarcastically. "Glad to be of service." Emmet snorted at Rosalie's reply and then looked at me. "Well I would love to have Bella around." He smiled and lent back in his chair, so at ease with the world it made me suspicious. "Me too!" Squealed Alice. "We can go shopping and do makeovers and I can dress you up and, and..." Jasper took her hand and squeezed it, cutting her off in her next sentence.

"Alice calm down, you can plan stuff later — when Bella's actually agreed to let you take her shopping. I agree with Emmet and Alice, I'm sure Bella can stay here for a while." The others nodded, Edward remaining strangely silent. "Edward?" Asked Esme hesitantly. "Yes?" He replied. "What do you think?"
Edward took in a deep breathe and looked me straight in the eye. "I think that right now the best thing for Bella is for her to stay here, we can't tell what her life would be like in the foster system." Edward focused his attention entirely on me. "If that is what you want Bella. Would you like to live here with us until we can sort something out?"

I dropped my eyes immediately. What do I say? I felt a deep red blush bloom back onto my cheeks as I concentrated hard. Out of the corner of my eye I could see both Edward and Jasper's eyes blacken even more, reminding me of just how hard it was for them to be around me.

"I-if," I croaked hoarsely, my voice cracking from not using it properly in so long "if it's o-okay with y-you." I clutched my neck tightly, trying to scratch out the ice in my throat, but it stayed as stuck as ever, only a little chip gone. "Bella!" Rosalie gasped as Edward wrapped me in his arms. I flinched away, scrunching up my eyes and holding my breath as a man touched me.

He pulled away quickly, his eyes searching mine as I tried to calm down. It's just Edward. It's just Edward. I thought anxiously while I tried to breath again. It's okay. It's okay. It's okay. My heart beat went back to normal and I blushed at all the eyes focused on me. "I'm sorry Bella." Edward murmured and I nodded my head, keeping my eyes stuck to the floor.

Alice leapt up from her seat and to my side in an instant, a sudden smile on her face. "C'mon!" She said enthusiastically "We can go do your room now!" She skipped upstairs and I followed her, carful not to make eye contact with any Cullen's.