"Fifteen minutes," I reminded Bella while stealing a glance to look at her face, an icy surge of terror rising in the pit of my stomach.
Tiny tears began seeping from beneath her eye lids as she looked up into my eyes. "I can do this," she sniffed like she was trying to convince herself more than me.
The lights on the porch were on, making her tears reflect the light as soon as we ascended the last step. She turned around to face me, bringing her warm hands to my face, sending a quivering feeling through my body in the most hostile of times.
"I love you," Bella said intensely. "I will always love you, no matter what happens now."
What did she think was going to happen to her? An odd chill ran up my spine. "Nothing is going to happen to you, Bella," I replied fiercely.
"Just follow the plan, okay? Keep Charlie safe for me. He's not going to like me very much after this, and I want to have the chance to apologize later," she looked up at me with her tear stained face.
I could feel my heart sinking as I took in her pitiful expression. Before I could show this emotion on my face I heard the thoughts of my family from the woods, distracting me again.
They're here - only James and Victoria. Alice thought flatly. Laurent went to see Carlisle - or - to warn him.
They are keeping their distance. They caught our scent. Emmett was still hoping for a fight.
Well, well, well... I heard James' thoughts. This is going to be a lot more fun than I realized, a laugh escaped his lips at the prospect of his new hunt.
"Get inside, Bella. We have to hurry," I said urgently while leaning over her protectively.
"One more thing," she whispered hastily. "Don't listen to another word I say tonight!"
Instantly her lips were on mine, sending warmth and pleasant electric shocks through my body. I forgot where I was for a fraction of a second before she pulled away, tears still streaming down her face. Her expression changed to searing anger, she turned on her heal and kicked the front door open.
"Go away, Edward!" her voice was a scream before she slammed the door in my face.
I stood there looking at the door in stunned disbelief; my breath being temporarily robbed. The feelings pulsing through me were oddly disembodying. Shrugging off the sensation as best I could, I continued to look around the cool misty grounds, stealing glances through my siblings' minds along with Charlie's. James continued to keep his distance even though his thoughts were smug and optimistic to the point of foolishness.
What is she doing? Emmett wondered. I underestimated her... hilarious, this should be entertaining!
"Bella?" Charlie called out anxiously at his daughter's angry words.
"Move closer and see if you can get a better look at what's going on," I heard James order Victoria. Better her neck than mine, James thought coldly.
"Leave me alone!" Bella shouted back at Charlie.
Charlie's thoughts were incoherent with panic at his daughter's obvious pain. He began pounding on her door while startling flashes of insight and thought filled my mind.
"The human is fighting with her father," Victoria told James after returning to him.
This I have to see, James thought menacingly.
He's on the move, Alice warned me.
If he gets too close I'll take care of him, Emmett thought pleasantly.
My eyes searched the forest for any sign of the tracker but came up empty. I continued to stand protectively below Bella's window. James moved in to hear the conversations going on inside the house but stayed clear of my vision. My concentration flew up fifteen feet to where Bella was.
"Bella, are you okay? What's going on?" Charlie called out, frightened.
"I'm going home," she shouted angrily.
It's almost believable - chuckle - this is getting good, Emmett's amusement was heightened at her acting.
"Did he hurt you?" Charlie asked, disjointed anger rising in his thoughts.
No...he protects her, James thought with great disgust.
At their thoughts I snapped. I flew through the air swiftly entering her bedroom through the window, starting to grab anything and everything from her dresser in a fierce attempt to speed the process.
"No!" Bella shouted back at her dad while she ran around her room, packing her belongings. She hadn't noticed my presence until she turned to her dresser. Her eyes found mine and they were full of sadness and guilt. Before I could pull her into my embrace we were interrupted.
"Did he break up with you?" Charlie asked, perplexed by her sudden angst.
"No!" Bella shrieked at Charlie again while shoving handfuls of clothes into her bag.
Victoria is heading to our house because she knows that we plan to bring Bella there. Alice informed me.
Charlie began beating on Bella's door, panic rushing his mind.
"What happened, Bella?" Charlie shouted through the door.
"I broke up with him!" she shouted back.
She was jerking her hand on the zipper of the bag so I caught her hand gently with mine and zipped it for her. I picked up the bag and gently placed it on her shoulder. "I'll be in the truck - go!" I whispered and lightly pushed her towards her door, trying to press the fact that we needed to get far away from James. I jumped out of the window.
"What happened?" Charlie asked when she opened her door, following her downstairs. "I thought you liked him?"
"I do like him - that's the problem. I can't do this anymore! I can't put down anymore roots here! I don't want to end up trapped in this stupid, boring town like Mom! I'm not going to make the same dumb mistake she did. I hate it - I can't stay here another minute!" Bella yelled in a desperate attempt to convince Charlie to let her go.