The Brunette

Chapter 51

(Edward's pov): "Bella stop." I laugh as she tickles me mercilessly. "No." She giggles happily. I try to swat her arms away, only managing to hold one of her hands away from my torso. She moves to straddle me, holding down my legs with hers. I don't try very hard to escape, in fear of hurting her. She eventually tires and lies by me, breathing heavily.

We lay in silence, gazing at each other intently. Golden flecks swim through the chocolate of her eyes, hypnotizing me immediately. I could stare at her eyes for the rest of my life.

I want to.

I lean forward slowly, molding my lips with hers carefully. We kiss for a moment before I pull away, resting my head on the pillow. She smiles, eyes glittering softly. "Why do you have to be so perfect?" Bella murmurs before kissing me tenderly. I pull away, teasingly, "If Im so perfect then why don't you want me to be your boyfriend?" I ask, tracing her jawline lightly.

She hesitates, "No one would be happy but you and me." She answers carefully. I pause. "But isn't that all that matters? Us being happy?" I question. She thinks for a minute, eyes glinting in the light. Outside, thunder rumbles loudly through the rain and I take the opportunity to hold Bella tighter.

Another moment passes by in silence. "But what about everyone else? They would all be upset." Bella points out, answering my question. "I don't care about them." I reply easily. "I care about us." I kiss her lips gently, lovingly. She pulls away after a moment and I sigh, "Bella, why can't we just pretend no one else exists? Remember? We can stay in my room for the rest of the day and pretend." I remind her.

"Pretend." She states in a monotone. I sigh again. "We'll have to leave this room sometime. We'll have to face everyone at some point." She continues. "Its never going to work out Edward." She looks upset. Like its breaking her heart that she can't be with me.

It is.

"Then why don't we just run away? Like you did with Zayn. We can run away from our troubles." I suggest. "We can go anywhere you want. Anywhere. We can leave tonight if you want." I offer hopefully. "I can't do that Edward, Im sorry. I have people I care about here." She answers sullenly.

"Like who? Harry? Zayn? Liam? You can still visit them and talk to them on the phone if that's what's bothering you." I search her eyes, trying to read her thoughts. Its not them. Its someone else. "Niall." I state, energy leaving me quickly. "You won't go because of Niall." There's a pause. "He's my best friend." She replies quietly, sounding meek and afraid. "I know but..." My voice cracks.

"Fine." I relent, "Forget I said anything." I close my eyes and hold her closer to me, kissing her nose. "I also won't go because that wouldn't solve the problem." Bella adds. I don't answer. "Zayn would just follow me and keep bothering us." She explains. I still don't answer. "Edward you have no idea how much I want to be with you. I didn't want to tell you this but I think Im in love with you." She says, voice weak. I wait a second before opening my eyes.

"You think." I state in a monotone. She nods, biting the inside of her cheek. I hesitate, "You're lying." I point out. She stops. Her eyes become watery and I wish I hadn't said anything. "Im sorry Edward." She squeaks. "Im sorry." She repeats. "I didn't mean to," Her voice cracks. "Bella," I begin. She shakes her head, moving away from me. She crawls out of bed and I catch a glimpse of a tear running down her cheek.

She quickly walks out of the room, closing the door quietly behind her. I sigh deeply, rubbing my eyes. She said she thought she loved me. Then I asked her if that was true.

She lied.

But only the second time.

She really did think she loved me.