Disclaimer:

Emmett: Another story?

Me: Yea, duh.

Emmett: OOOO! Am I in it!

Me: Not yet...

Emmett: How can I not be in it! I'm too awesome not to be in it!

Me: Sorry...? Anyways I don't own Twilight, sadly Stephenie Meyers does. Boo :ob

I hate being chastised. Sitting at the kitchen table I let my hair fall like a curtain around my face. I'm being yelled at for something I did "wrong," yet again. My face is blank, lips pressed into a grim line, eyes blankly staring at my hands which rest in my lap; only looking up to stare into space so not to get in even more trouble. Best not to show any emotion at all…I think to myself solemnly.

The harshness of the words and voice sting my ears. I try to focus on them to see what it is I have done now. Blinking rapidly as my eyes sting I try to comprehend what it is I'm being screamed at for.

"Are you even listening to me, Isabella! Damn you insufferable little brat! I wish I left you with your damn father!" Me too. I want my daddy.

"God! All I ask of you is to do a few things around the house while I'm working!" Working? Do you even know what that is? More like picking up guys at a bar and coming home so drunk I need to take care of you! And a few things? Really! I do EVERYTHING!

If only I was as strong as the voice in my head. I close my eyes as she gets closer to my face.

"Why the fuck can't you do anything right! Damn it! Just go to your fucking room you worthless little twat! No dinner for you tonight!" She laughs evilly. How is this woman really my mother?

Silently I rose from my seat and scurried out of the kitchen. As quickly as I could I made my way to my bedroom.

*********Page Break*********

At least she didn't hit me today…I thought as I hear Renee's bedroom door close. A few minutes later I could hear her snores. Thank god.

I opened my window quietly and climbed onto the large tree branch outside my window. I'm the clumsiest person in the world yet I can somehow manage to make it out of a large tree without a scratch on me. Well, the real cause of my success is my best friend who taught me how to make it down without permanently damaging myself.

Once my feet touched the ground I was off. I went through the forest, taking the trail that led right to my best friend's house.

The house was small, one story. The wood shingles that covered the house were worn and weathered. Light spilled from the living room window and I slowly made my way towards it using the shadows and bushes to hide my presence.

Then I heard it.

"Why can't you just fucking keep it in your pants, you bastard!" A woman yelled angrily, her voice thick with tears.

"You stupid bitch, just shut the fuck up!" A crash. She threw something, most likely at him.

"You bitch!" Slap. Skin against skin. I cringed at the sound. Slap. Another one. Then it stopped.

"Leave her alone!" A new voice shouted.

"Stay out of this you little bastard! I bet you're not even mine! Your mother can't keep her legs fucking closed!" Then the sound again. But it was different. It must have been a punch. There were a few more after it.

"No stop!" The woman's shrill voice cut through the air.

"Fuck this shit. Don't fucking expect me to come back!" Heavy footsteps stomped on the wooden floors. The front door of the house open and I shrunk further into my hiding spot; I did not want to be seen by that man.

Several seconds passed before a car door slammed closed and the man was gone.

"Sweetie…"

"No, mom! Just…just leave me alone okay." I listened as two pairs of footsteps retreated from the room and two separate doors closed shut.

I slowly walked around the side of the house to where my best friend's bedroom window was and tapped on the window gently before opening it up. I pulled myself into the room.

"Paulie?" I called my best friend by the nickname I gave him.

"Belly…"

He was sitting on his bed, his knees pulled into his chest and his arms wrapped around them. His eyes peeked over his knees to look at me. His eyes held so much pain that it almost made me crumple to the floor. The dim moonlight that lit the room didn't allow me to see his full face.

I took several quick steps to reach his bed. I could see him better now, although I wished I couldn't. His lip was split and blood pooled on his cut. He noticed where I was staring and sucked his bottom lip in between his teeth.

"Oh, Paulie." I wrapped my arms around him, hugging him as tight as I possibly could. He let out a sigh of contentment and rested his head in the crook of my neck. Sitting here I remember how we met when we were just six.

Flashback:

Mommy yelled at me again today, but this time she hit me too. I don't understand what I did to make her so mad. I wish I could see my daddy but he lives in the other town next to us, and mommy says I can't go there.

My face hurts so badly from where mommy hit me. Right after she hit me I ran from the house as quickly as my little legs could carry me. I made my way through the trees of the forest and came upon what looked like a little house. I think it's called a cottage.

It was really pretty. Like the pictures I've seen in my books. Stones made the walls and the top was made out of wood. Dark green vines came from the ground and wrapped up the walls making pretty patterns. A dirt walkway from the front door led to the path through the forest. Wildflowers grew at the bottom of the walls almost surrounding the walkway.

I made my way towards the front door slowly, taking in all that was around me. I knocked on the door first but when there was no answer I tried the door knob. It turned and I swung the door open before reverently taking a step in. My eyes widened as I took a look around.

There was a small living room area to the left. A couch sat in front of an old looking T.V. and a small rocking chair was placed in front of a fireplace. To the right was a dining room table with four chairs placed around it. There were three more rooms. One was a kitchen; it was small but perfect in every way. Another room was a bathroom. It was simple, with a toilet, bathtub, and a sink. And finally there was a bedroom. The bed sat against the wall closest to the door; a nightstand with a lamp sat next to it. There was a vanity, a dresser, a small closet and finally, my favorite, a bookshelf.

I knew people must not live here anymore. There were cobwebs covering most places, and dust collected on most of the surfaces. I had a strange feeling though: this reminded me of the book that I read once, Goldilocks. How Goldi went into the bears' house and got caught; well I was feeling like Goldi right now.

Although I was a little afraid of staying here I didn't want to go back to mommy, so I went into the bedroom and to find a book to read. After is selected a book I went and curled up in the rocking chair to read my book, but before I made it out of my room I saw myself in the dusty vanity mirror. Turning my head quickly I ran to the rocking chair, my body curling into itself as I cried.

I must have fallen asleep because sometime later I was awoken by the front door. Startled I jumped in my seat.

"Hey! What are you doing here! This is my place!" I looked over to see a boy my age. He had angry tears coming down his face. His sunkissed skin was covered with a plain t-shirt and jeans, along with a raggedy pair of sneakers. His dark, shaggy, raven colored hair was mussed.

My heart raced, I knew I shoulda left, my thoughts were angry, berating myself. The boy took quick steps towards me, an angry look covering his face. I closed my eyes as tears leaked out of them. Raising my hands I covered my face and shrunk farther into my seat. I did not want to be hit again.

I waited, but nothing happened. I peeked through my arms to see the boy. He stood like a statue, staring at me. His face was no longer angry but curious and concerned. He took a few more steps towards me, slowly, as if he were scared I would be startled.

"I'm sorry!" I blurted out, my eyes still wide with terror.

He took a deep breath before speaking, "No, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have yelled at you."

"I-I just found this place when I…" Ran away.

"My name's Paul, yours?"

"Isabella but I like Bella." I could feel my face scrunch up in distaste at the sound of my full name, and the boy chuckled.

"Bella, what happened to your face?" He asked softly.

"I – Uh, fell?" I said unsurely.

"Yea and I'm Spiderman." He rolled his eyes causing me to giggle, "Really, what happened?"

"M-my m-mommy h-hit m-me." I told him as a fresh batch of tears rolled down my cheeks. His eyes flashed with anger as he looked at my lip.

"It'll stop hurting soon." He spoke as if he knew.

"How-"

"My daddy hits me too…" He told me causing me to gasp.

We talked for what seemed like forever; asking each other questions and laughing at each other's jokes and stories. Until I heard her.

"Isabella Marie! Where the fuck are you, you little shit!"

I jumped off the couch and ran towards the door. "I don't want her to find this place" I informed Paul.

He nodded his head before speaking, "Come back tomorrow?" He asked shyly.

"See you then." I smiled. Catching his beaming smile as I rushed out the door and to my mother; who then spanked me so bad I couldn't sit for a week.

End of flashback

Ever since that day we have been best friends. He was always there for me like I was there for him. We both understood each other. He would also protect me in school. There were some bullies that would never leave me alone. It was bad enough getting it at home but I had to be afraid at school too! That's where my Paulie came in to save the day. I'd be lying if I told you I didn't have a crush on him; I mean we've been best friends for six almost seven years, since we were six years old, but I don't think he feels the same.

I stayed with him the rest of the night before running off to sneak back in to my room. Hopefully this year will be better than last.

A.N. Gah I hope you like this new story! I have the next chapter ready! And those who read my other story I'm Your What!, I'll be putting that chapter up soon. I just have to type it up. Sorry I've just been so busy with school and personal stuff I just didn't have time to type lol. Well anyways I hope you like what I have so far! Let me know what you think and if I should continue! XD