The Brunette

Chapter 50

(Liam's pov): I wait for Bella and her boyfriend to arrive, glancing at the door every few seconds. "Hey Liam, could you get me more chocolate chips? Im running low." Miranda says unconsciously as she prepares an iced coffee.

"Yeah sure." I reply, taking a last glance at the door before going into the supply room. I take a bag of chocolate chips out of a large box near the back of the room, closing the door behind me. I check the door as I give the bag to Miranda. I see Bella and Harry walking through the door quickly. Bella looks uncharacteristically stressed while Harry looks relatively calm.

"Oh my God Liam, Im so sorry." Bella apologizes quickly. "Bella, Its alright. I was just worried Zayn found you or Harry would get mad or something." I answer, walking around to see her. "Hey, can we talk to you in private?" Harry questions smoothly.

He looks a lot different, with his new dimple piercings and eyeliner. He looks even more intimidating. "Uh... yeah sure." I lead them into the employee's room, closing the door behind us. "Edward, what are,"

"Bella wants to quit." Harry announces, ignoring Bella's protests. "What?" Both me and Bella asks in unison. "Edward, what do you mean? I don't want to quit, I love it here." Bella says. "I mean, you have to quit Bella. I need you to work somewhere where I can protect you. Where Zayn can't get to you. I'll call my sister right now and you can work at Styles makeup." He explains carefully. Bella hesitates, "But,"

"Go." I interrupt her. "Its true. Zayn can get in here at anytime. You need to be better protected. You need to be safe." I continue. "Plus, its Styles. You'll be paid a lot more there than here." I smile reassuringly. She smiles a little, thinking it over, eventually frowning, "But I'd miss you." She whines. "Don't worry love, we can still be friends." I chuckle. "But it won't be the same." She argues.

"Why don't you just come work with me at Styles?" She suggests. "I can't, Im working here to pay off my classes." I explain. "What classes are you taking?" Harry, or who I think is Harry, asks conversationally. Bella keeps calling him Edward and he doesn't react. "Im studying to be a firefighter." I say, leaning on the counter behind me.

"That's cool." Harry/Edward nods. "Im sorry we can't work together love." I apologize to Bella. "Its alright. As long as we get to hang out sometimes." She smiles. "Of course we will." I mirror her expression. I'll miss her too. "But I still need you to explain something to me." I say to Harry/Edward. "Yeah?" He looks up from playing with Bella's hair.

"What's your name because first you were Harry and now you're Edward." I ask, feeling dumb. He chuckles, looking amused, "Im Edward, Harry's twin." He explains. "Oh." I say, managing a smile. I hope he doesn't have Harry's temper.

(Edward's pov): After Bella and Liam finish their relatively long good byes, I finally drag Bella back into my car. "So babe," I begin, starting the car. "Do you want to go to my place? I have to leave Max there." I ask, backing out of the parking space. "Sure, just make sure Harry isn't there." She answers absentmindedly, looking out the window.

I take out my phone and call my identical brother, hoping and wishing he wasn't at home. He doesn't answer. I try again with the same results. "He's not answering." I tell Bella. She nods without saying anything. "You still want to go?" I question. "Yeah." She looks back at me, smiling coyly. "Don't want to disappoint Max." She adds, stroking his head draped over the center console.

"Aw, baby that hurt." I chuckle. She giggles, looking away. I hesitate before touching her hand, glancing at her to gauge her reaction. She looks at me expressionless, eye wide. She moves her hand slightly under mine so its palm up. I take this as a sign to hold her hand and Im right. She squeezes my hand gently, looking out the window again. She's so confusing. One minute, she's all over me. Next, she's all quiet and distant.