There's angst in this, sorry. Also quick warning: description of a panic attack, psychological horror and a mental breakdown.

CHAPTER TEN:

UNFAIR

Nearly all eyes were on them as they made their way to their next class. Edward was trying to get himself together, trying to push away Alice's vision and his own filthy thoughts from his treacherous mind. He was shivering still, though significantly less than before. They passed Angela Weber, who was lingering on the sidewalk as she discussed an assignment with a boy from her Trigonometry class. Ben, her thoughts supplied in a wistful tenor.

That made him pause, his desire forgotten in exchange for a sense of kinship that passed through him at the realization that he wasn't the only fool in love. Edward felt almost consoled at the knowledge that Angela had a similar yearning for her Ben that Edward felt for his Bell. Then, he felt irritated that she wasn't living the same love story he was. Why couldn't she have what she wanted? Angela was a wonderful human girl that didn't know selfishness or greediness. Her story deserved a happy ending.

Edward wanted her to have it. He wanted to give her a gift for being such an honest person and a good friend to his Bell. He looked into the thoughts of her Ben, and he was pleased to see that the boy longed for her just as much. Though, just like Angela, he was held back by the fear of what if? A plan formed easily, the script writing itself without effort. Edward was sure Bell would be eager to help, now he only had to convince Emmett's help getting him to go along.

He was almost calm when he and Bell took their seats. Unable to help himself, he sat close beside her, their thighs brushing whenever they moved. Edward caught his bottom lip between his teeth and fiddled with the sleeves of his sweater, trying not to notice what the simple touch did to him. Mr. Banner backed into the room, pulling an ancient looking TV that smelled of dust. They would be watching a movie for the next three days to skip through a section that Mr. Banner wasn't particularly interested in.

Lorenzo's Oil was not a very cheerful piece, but that didn't stop the excitement in the room. They wouldn't have to take notes, and there would be no tests or essays on the movie. Just three days of watching a movie. The students were ecstatic. Edward thought their hushed conversations and endless thoughts would be enough to keep him distracted. And they were, up until Mr. Banner turned the lights off.

It was absurd, given that the lack of light meant very little to his eyesight, but it felt like his confidence was thrown out the window. There was a shock of electricity in the air, and the knowledge that they would be invisible to everyone else made his face feel strangely hot. It would be like they were alone, just the two of them, hidden in a dark room and sitting so close to each other. His hands itched to touch her, to cling to her and explore every inch of her body. Do you feel it, too? He so desperately wanted to whisper the words into her ear.

Swallowing roughly, Edward turned his face to look at her. She was looking forwards, and the passive expression on her face was a far cry from the persistent neediness that he felt. He almost felt like a young boy again, full of indecent thoughts and raging hormones. Edward was glad he didn't share this class with any of his siblings because they would never let him live it down. His thigh nudged against hers, and he froze when he saw Bell tilt her head.

His breath hitched when he felt her warm touch on his knee. Naturally, his thoughts went wild as he imagined all the things she could do to him with her hands. Almost timidly, Edward looked down to see her turn her hand, fingers curled invitingly. Oh, he thought dumbly, painfully aware of the blush on his cheeks. He slid his hand into hers, and Bell turned her head to give him a ridiculously attractive smirk as she laced their fingers together. A humming current jolted through him with a sudden shock.

It wasn't fair.

Her other hand slid up his arm, and he felt frustrated that his sweater was in the way. Bell gave a soft tug, and Edward stared at her face in an attempt to decipher what she was doing. The previous deviousness was gone from her expression, replaced instead with an affectionate adoration that made him feel like he was the most precious thing in the world. She gave another tug, and this time he allowed himself to be guided. He melted into her, leaning against her and resting his cheek against the top of her head. Her scent enveloped him, and his eyes slid closed as he basked in her warmth.

Like in the car, she cupped his hand in both of hers to trace random patterns on his palm. The movie was the least of their worries. It was like they were in their own world, with no one to worry about but themselves. But all good things must come to an end, and Mr. Banner was getting up from his seat to turn the lights on. Edward sighed in dismay and straightened in his seat, but didn't let go of her hand as the bright fluorescent light chased away the shadows. Bell chuckled.

"Well," He began in a soft murmur, "that was interesting."

"Mhm." She hummed, amusement dancing in her eyes. "It certainly was."

Edward gave her a look, catching some of her teasing thoughts of his predicament. Bell put her hands up in mock surrender, a smile playing on her lips. "Shall we get going?" He asked, rising from his seat before he did something he might regret later. They walked to her next class in comfortable silence, though he found himself torn as they got to the door. He didn't want to say goodbye.

It must have shown on his face, because her expression softened considerably. One of her arms curled around his waist while she cupped his face with her free hand. His eyelids fluttered shut as her lips, soft like the petals of a rose, brushed against his. Edward sighed against her, his own hand coming up to cup her jaw as he kissed her back. God, he never wanted to stop kissing her, but she had to breathe. He pulled back slightly, nosing at her cheek without opening his eyes. Right, they were at school.

Fuck school, something hungry within him screamed.

"I'll see you later, baby," Bell whispered, and Edward shivered with the effort of refraining from kissing her again.

"Bye." His voice came out rough as he opened his eyes, and she giggled at him. A smile broke out on his face at the wonderful sound, and he pulled her into a hug. He took a hefty inhale of her scent and planted a kiss on the crown of her head. Her smell clung to him like an expensive perfume and, obviously, Emmett noticed.

He was grinning widely, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively at Edward once they met up outside the English building. "Hey, Edward." Emmett greeted him. You look happy.

He did, didn't he? "Hey, Em." Edward smiled.

Way to keep your mouth shut. Rose wants to rip your tongue out.

Edward's smile turned into a grimace. "Sorry I left you to deal with that. Are you angry with me?" He asked.

"Nah. Rose'll get over it. It was bound to happen anyway." Emmett shrugged his wide shoulders. With what Alice sees coming…

Before he could say something about it, Edward spotted Ben Cheney entering the Spanish room ahead of them. There was his chance to give Angela Weber her gift. He stopped walking and caught Emmett's arm. "Hold on a second."

What's up?

"Could you do me a favor?"

A curious expression took over Emmett's face, "What is it?"

"Well…"

"So," Came Mike's voice as they walked off the court after winning at badminton.

Bell turned to him, wiping away the sweat from the nape of her neck with a cool towel. She raised an eyebrow, "So?" She echoed.

"You and Cullen, huh?" He asked, trying to seem casual. Bell resisted the urge to roll her eyes. If there was something she learned after all these years, it was that men were more nosy than women.

She turned on her heels to face Mike. "What about Edward and I?" Bell asked, playing dumb.

Much to her surprise, a playful grin grew on his face, "When's the wedding?"

She threw her head back and laughed until she needed his support to stand, tears running down her face. He'd joined in, and other students gave them odd looks. Bell promised Mike that he would be invited to the wedding, waving him away as she went into the locker room to change. She cleaned up and got dressed, putting her hair up in a bun to cool off. Bell was ready to walk to the parking lot and meet up with Edward, but she found that he was already waiting for her against the side of the gym.

"Hey, baby," She greeted him happily, tilting her head up for a kiss.

He met her halfway, brushing his fingers along her cheekbone as he pecked her lips. "Hello," Edward said, smiling brightly. "How was Gym?"

"It was great. Mike and I won at badminton."

"You did?" He tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. His eyes lost focus for a moment, and he glanced over her shoulder. She followed his gaze, and Mike pointed at her before walking away.

"What is it?"

Edward's eyes returned to hers and he raised an eyebrow. "Why does Newton want to be a groomsman?" He asked.

Bell rested her forehead against his shoulder as giggles wracked her body again. "I think Jessica convinced him we're going to elope." She said in between laughter.

"And when is this going to take place?" Edward asked, trying to sound serious, but the corners of his mouth twitched as he tried not to smile.

"Mm, we'll see." She grinned, taking him by the hand as they walked to the parking lot. There was a group of teenage boys surrounding Rosalie's convertible. None of them looked up, just talking amongst themselves about grills and shift patterns as she and Edward got into his Volvo.

"Ostentatious." Edward sighed as he started the engine.

"It's a sports car." Bell said, shrugging her shoulders. "Most men are crazy for sports cars."

He didn't say anything about it, and Bell had a feeling he was upset about something involving the car. More specifically, its owner. It didn't take a genius to piece it together that Rosalie didn't approve of them. She wouldn't bring up the subject— if he felt the need, he would tell her about it.

"Can I drive on Saturday?" Edward asked suddenly when they were out of school grounds.

"You want to drive my truck?" Bell asked in response, surprised. "Sure. Though I'll need an explanation for the Volvo sitting in the driveway."

He shot her a crooked grin. "Oh, I wasn't planning on bringing a car."

Amusement struck her. "You're walking to my house?" It was a sad, yet hilarious image. Her sweet Edward walking down the street by himself, the rain making his hair cling to his face.

"More like running, but yes." Edward said, nodding his head. "I'll be at your doorstep bright and early on Saturday." The car slowed to a stop, and Bell realized they'd already arrived at her house.

Bell shrugged off his jacket and laughed at his displeased expression. "I can't go in with this." She pointed out and handed it to him despite wanting to keep it with her for a little while longer. He took it, albeit unwillingly.

As he did, he leaned in to steal a kiss. She smiled against him and tilted her head, teasingly nipping at his bottom lip. He uttered a small sound of pleasure, drawing her tongue into his mouth and sliding a hand into her hair. Her bun came undone, and the long strands of brown hair came tumbling down her shoulders. Edward's fingers massaged her scalp as she carefully flicked her tongue against the fangs that were normally hidden. A soft moan left him, and he pulled back.

His eyes had darkened to that predatory charcoal color, and she brushed some of his bronze hair away from his face as she looked into them. Edward smiled, his pink lips glossy, "You should go inside." He whispered.

Bell sighed like she'd been told bad news. "I should." She agreed, then quickly grabbed his face in her hands to lay soft kisses all over his face. He laughed happily, and she pecked his lips one last time before getting out of the car. She gathered her hair, tying it up into a bun once more, and stopped when she heard him call her name. "Yes?"

"Tomorrow is my turn."

"Your turn to what?"

Edward smiled wider, "To ask the questions." With that, he was gone. His car speeding down the street and disappearing around the corner. She smiled to herself, the low rumble of thunder reaching her ears as she made her way into the house.

Edward parked inside the garage, ducking his head to fill his lungs with the comforting aroma of Bell's scent, which was imprinted on the jacket he now wore. It helped soothe his nerves now that he was home. He was sure Rosalie was waiting to corner him and cause a ruckus. In all honesty, he was worried about Carlisle's reaction rather than his sister's fury. He locked the car, and their thoughts reached him before he had even walked through the door.

Rosalie's thoughts were a string of curses and obscenities that grew louder as he stepped foot inside their home. She stormed down the stars, her eyes a black with her anger, and snarled at him, her lips pulled back over her fangs. Emmett was behind her, trying to calm his mate. If anything went awry, Edward was sure he would come between them.

Why? Why are you doing this?!

Edward ghosted his fingers over his jacket as if to straighten it, but it was actually to ground himself. "I'm not sorry." He said truthfully.

Her expression twisted further. She was more angry with him than she was with Bell. Bell was human, fragile and had everything Rosalie wanted, but she wasn't angry because of it. She was angry because Edward was threatening to take that away from Bell. "Why?" Rosalie spat out loud, "Why did you tell her?!"

Edward clenched his jaw, grinding his teeth, "She found out by herself." He could hear Carlisle, his thoughts concerned as he walked into the room.

"She's different." Emmett piped in before Edward could say anything else. "It's like she's already a part of our world."

So he'd noticed it, too.

Rosalie whirled around to glare at him. "Then we get her out of it. She can't be involved with us." She hissed between her teeth.

Carlisle raised his hands, trying to calm them, "We can't be selfish, Rose. Bell is not like other humans. She's different, you know that." He said gently, the voice of reason amidst the chaos. "And she's to Edward what Emmett is to you."

She was still not convinced. Rosalie shook her head, her golden hair thrashing with the movement, and glared at Edward again. "You're the one being selfish." She muttered. And you are going to get her killed. He felt pins and needles on his hands, starting on his fingertips and trailing up his palms. He saw it through her mind's eye, his sweet Bell, her clothes soaked in blood as the crimson liquid poured from the savage wound on her throat. Her eyes were lifeless as they stared at the heavens, and the monster at fault for making them that way was no one other than himself, his mouth covered in gore. You are going to kill her.

"No!" Edward cried, feeling like his heart had come alive and was trying to rip through his chest. The corners of his vision were darkening, and he felt like he was drowning— despair clawing at his throat and stealing the air from his lungs. He felt like he was dying.

"Rose, stop it!" He heard Alice scream in horror, her voice sounding far away.

"Edward!"

"What's wrong with him?!"

"Edward," He heard Carlisle, his hands coming up to steady him by the shoulders. Edward tried to say something, only for his voice to come out in a broken sob and a pathetic wheeze. Carlisle's face was blurry, but the realization dawning on his face was clear. "You're having a panic attack." There was disbelief in his voice.

What?

"Breathe with me, son." Carlisle took one of Edward's and put it on his chest so he could feel every breath. "In and out. Slow and steady. That's it." Edward mimicked him, feeling more human than he'd felt in the last hundred years. He blinked past the blurriness and felt something slide down his cheeks. He reached up with a hand and felt his fingers become wet.

I'm sorry, he heard Rosalie think before she was gone. Emmett soon followed, but not before casting one last worried glance at him.

"Are you alright?" Carlisle asked in concern, trying to keep himself calm despite the bizarreness they'd experienced. Esme was standing behind her mate, a hand cupped over her mouth. Jasper's presence washed over him, calming him slightly, but Edward still felt broken.

"No." He whispered hoarsely, running a hand through his hair. Edward lifted his head, searching for Alice, and he found her looking back at him in worry. Jasper had his arms wrapped around her, concern written over his normally calm expression.

Go. She's awake, Alice told him.

And he ran.

She prepared dinner and left a sticky note for Charlie to find his serving in the microwave when he got home. After taking a shower and drying her hair, Bell turned on the bedside lamp to do some reading before going to sleep. She was halfway through reading Transparencia when someone stumbled into her room.

"...Edward?" Bell dropped her book and lifted her arms just in time for him to fall against her, burying his face into her neck with a heart-wrenching sob. She wrapped an arm around his waist and hushed him softly, petting his hair with her other hand. Something lukewarm dripped onto her skin as he shuddered, crying softly. Tears.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," He whispered over and over.

"It's okay, baby, you're okay..." Bell whispered back, though her thoughts were racing. What happened to him? Why was he like this? She pressed her lips against the crown of his head and stroked a hand down his spine.

His lips brushed against her throat as they quivered, "I love you, I love you so much." Edward breathed, and pulled back to look at her face. His ochre eyes were glossy with tears, and his cheeks were flushed a pale pink. Even broken, he looked breathtaking.

Bell took his face in her hands, wiping his tears away with her thumbs, and pressed her forehead against his. "I love you, too." She murmured gently. "Come here, sweetheart." Edward let her pull his jacket off and kicked his shoes off before laying his head on her chest, their legs tangled together. "Is this okay?"

He sighed deeply, melting under her touch as one of her hands played with his hair, the other dipping under his sweater to trace soothing circles on his back. "Yes."

"What happened?" She queried.

"I had a fight with Rose." Edward answered after a moment, though he didn't elaborate.

"We don't have to talk about it if you don't want to." Bell told him, and he nodded against her. She kissed the top of his head, and reached over to turn the lamp off. "I love you." She repeated in a hush, wrapping her arms around him.

"I love you, too."

And she closed her eyes.

I dunno but Eddie seems a bit more human, right? Wonder what's going on...

Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed!