The Tale of the Brokenhearted

Chapter 33: His Girlfriend

Bella's POV

I finally decided it was time to head downstairs. Today had been a feeling tiring day. I was thankful I was still alive but I felt like I'd lost everything my both my reasons for living. I felt empty and incredibly alone. I entered the living room and noticed Esme, Alice, and Rosalie all chattering about something. Alice got up and wrapped me in her arms. "You were awesome today Bella," she whispered and her small statement made me feel so appreciated and special.

"Thanks," I muttered as she released me.

"No seriously Bella, it was a very selfless act to try and save Leah's life that way," Esme emphasized.

"I just hope that she'll be okay, for Edward's sake," I looked up toward the stairs and I felt my chest tighten and ache. I knew now that I wanted Jacob more but I still felt the lost of Edward. It was so weird. Part of me felt that I was only turning to Jake because I knew that Edward didn't want me anymore. Maybe I shouldn't be with either of them but I really just couldn't bare the thought of being alone.

After a few moments Leah and Edward came descended from the stairs. Leah was moving really awkwardly like she really didn't know how to control her movements. I noticed the reddish amber look in her eyes. I gasped unintentionally I tried not to frown but she now had everything that I'd wanted. She was now like my Edward … the Edward that she'd taken. I shook my head I knew better logically I'd left him and she'd helped him heal maybe she deserved to be his partner for eternity. She approached me and stood in front of me and seemed a little lost. I noticed that she reframed from looking me in the eye. I assumed it was because she felt guilty or awkward around me.

"Thank you Bella," she whispered. "I owe you my life … you did what no one else would have. No one in my tribe stepped up to help me and you did." I was shocked and dumbfounded.

"You're, you're welcome," I stammered over my words and shifted my weight. She hesitantly made eye contact with me and she stared at me for a couple of minutes and then her stare softened. She was thinking something that made her look very somber and Edward frowned and murmured something so low that I couldn't hear but she did. Leah reached out and took my hand.

"I hope to one day repay the debt to you Bella. I know that you are confused right now but you have a good heart and a decent soul." It was a really weird thing for her to say and I didn't know how to respond to it.

"Okay," I said slowly.

"Did you need a ride home Bella? We're just going out for a bit," Edward asked and I shook my head. I wanted Alice to take me home. It wasn't that I wasn't happy for Edward I just didn't want to be around him and his girlfriend any longer than I had to.

Edward's POV

Since Bella didn't want to ride with us it gave Leah and I the time to be alone. I was grateful for it. Everyone had been vying for her attention and I selfishly wanted her all to myself. Also since we didn't have to drive away we wandered aimlessly through the woods. "Moonlit midnight, it's been a while since we shared one of these," she murmured and I slid my hand into hers.

"You are quite right Clearwater." I noticed that her temperature still didn't quite match mine she felt a little cooler than the average human but I could tell the blood still remained in her veins. "So what do you want to do?" I asked and she arched her eyebrow at me. All sort of naughtiness went through her mind and she gave me a little coy smile that made me want her all the more.

"I don't know Edward, the nights still young and I'm not tired," she said as she poked me in the stomach playfully but it kind of hurt a bit.

"You probably won't be tired ever again," I reminded her.

"Yeah, I keep forgetting," she said honestly and I didn't mean to laugh at her. She seemed kind of annoyed by it. "I'm glad this is amusing to you Cullen. I find it kind of odd from what Rose told me about thirst figure I should be experience some sort of discomfort but I'm not. There may be a slight tickle at the back of my throat but I don't feel ravenous do to bloodlust. I'm just confused by everything." I watched as Leah sat down by the creek and placed her feet in the water. It was the first time I could tell that she was overwhelmed.

"Maybe you're enough not to have to deal with the curse of painful thirst. That's a good thing and if I were you I wouldn't be perplexed by it I would be thankful." I sat beside her.

"There's something else we need to discuss," she muttered and of course I knew what she was talking about. Leah's gift revealed the answer that Bella had taken months to figure out and I saw it through Leah's mind.

"She loves you Edward. She loved you so much that she let you go and she's trying to convince herself that Jacob was her choice. I have to ask you one more time … because I don't want you to ever wonder." I placed my finger over her lips.

"I'm in love with you Leah Clearwater, stop trying to get rid of me because I'm not going anywhere." I wrapped my arm around her shoulders and she took a deep breath.

"Okay, I just had to be sure." She rested her head on my shoulder and I chuckled. "What?"

"When you look in my eyes you can't see my love for you?" She looked at me and stared in my eyes for the longest time and then finally kissed me it was a small gentle kiss.

"Yeah but, I don't know Edward, I reserve the right be insecure sometimes," she chuckled. I snorted and then took my shoes off and lay on my back. I allowed the coolness of the water to run over my feet and Leah laid her head on my chest. We simply existed together, neither of us speaking we just enjoyed the feel of one another. I knew we were supposed to be hunting but this was far better.

"I can't believe I almost lost you Leah," I whispered as lazily ran my fingers through her hair. "I will never come that close to losing you again." She didn't answer me with words she simply kissed me again this time with more fervor.

"Don't ruin this moment with words Edward," she whispered as she looked up at the clear sky. "I've never seen a night sky so clear and beautiful." I looked at her eyes as she gazed at the stars in amazement.

"It's nowhere near as beautiful as you."