Chapter 1
"Sit with us today Bella," he smiled. His beautiful green eyes twinkled a little and he smiled a soft, warm smile.
"I'm sorry, I can't." I told him before rushing away to sit on my own… again. I ignored the look of rejection in his eyes as I hurried away.
I cursed myself under my breath as a tear escaped my eye. I couldn't sit there. She'd hurt me… again.
3:07 am
I awoke with a start, I was horrified. I'd spent the last 3 years trying to avoid those memories. I couldn't face them. I hated them. I regretted every second of that first 2 weeks of high school. I felt myself falling back into a light sleep.
7:00 am
I jumped in alarm as the ringing went on and on,
*beep* *beep* *beep*
I jumped out of my warm bed to the alarm clock and switched it off. I sighed thinking about the day ahead. My life wasn't so bad, I had friends. I had a cute ex-boyfriend/best friend who still adored me I wasn't even unpopular, everybody liked me. Everyone but him.
I looked out the window, it was raining. The dark skies made me feel miserable and as I looked through my wardrobe I looked for something warm and cosy. I put on my trust blue skinnies, a black tank top and my favourite black hoodie. I pulled the sleeves right over my fingers to keep me warm and tied my hair into a messy pony tail.
My hair was quite long, and dark brown. Quite a similar colour to my chocolate brown eyes, when I tied my hair up it hung loosely down my head and reached my shoulders. When it was down it was well past my waist. I loved my hair, it was the only thing I liked about my dull appearance. I mean, I wasn't ugly, or fat, I had a nice figure. But I had to work for it, I went jogging every other morning for an hour and did sit ups in any free time I had. Other than that I was just average. And the only thing I thought nice was my hair.
I shoved my new black converse on as I put my purse, phone and school books into my bag before getting my car keys of the rack and getting into my truck. I text Sophie. My best friend before starting the engine and making my way to star bucks.
On my way, I'll be there in 5 -B
I parked outside and went in. I saw her, she was in tears and I ran straight over to her and gave her a comforting hug. Her light blue eyes were full of sorrow. She sobbed on my shoulder and I gave her one last hug before I moved onto a chair next to her.
"Oh Soph," I sighed, "what happened?" I asked her.
"He- He- He- He broke up with me." she sobbed,
"I'll be right back," I told her as I got up and went to the counter.
"What can I get you Bella?" Matt asked me with a little wink.
"A small vanilla late please Matt," I smiled at him.
"Coming right up beautiful," he said as he turned around to make the latte. I admired his golden locks as he made it remembering the day I met him.
I sat down on one of the sofas in the public library feeling as though it was the only safe place in the world, the only place where Lauren couldn't find me, she'd been sending me threats all day, she'd been posting notes through my locker and asking people to pass on messages for the past week. I don't think she understood that I had got the message. I wasn't to go near Edward. He was hers. If not she'd kill me.. Yeah yeah yeah. I understand! I started to sob. I pulled my legs into my arms and sobbed into my knees.
"are you okay?" a tall boy with beautiful blonde hair approached me. I looked up into his dark brown eyes. They were such a contrast to his hair.
"I'm- I'm f- f- fine." I lied.
"You don't look fine," he said. "I'm Matt." he said offering his hand.
"Bella." I told him, I looked him over, he was about 16. He was gorgeous. I wondered if he thought the same of me. But realised I was just an ugly, frumpy 14 year old kid to him.
"You look like you could do with a friend." he said as he sat down next to me on the orange sofa.
"Yeah, I could." I answered, a tear escaping.
"Well, Bella. I give you permission to moan to me as much as you like. I'll answer any questions and give you any advice you need." he grinned and winked at me.
I giggled. And after that we spoke for hours. 2 years later, when I was 16 and he was 18, we dated. We broke up 2 months ago. And I hated myself for ending it, but I couldn't do it. I couldn't be with him, I loved him, but I wasn't in-love with him. I knew who I was in love with, but I knew I couldn't be with him. And using Matt like that was wrong. But I needed Matt like air.
"Here you go Bells." he said passing me the latte.
"How much is it?" I asked him as I got my purse out.
"Free." he winked at me.
"Seriously Matt, I don't want to get you into trouble." I watched as he took out 3.50 and put it in the counter.
"I wont get into trouble." he grinned.
"Thank you," I smiled at him, my heart warming up at his smile. I loved to see him happy.
I hurried back to Sophie.
"Tell me everything." I said softly as I sat back down beside her sipping my latte.
"It doesn't matter." she smiled at me, "I was just thinking. Maybe its good that Mike and I broke up. I mean, he's not even that good looking." she laughed.
"You're right." I laughed,
"But… I am extremely jelous of you." She said smirking.
"Me?" I asked surprised, "why?" I asked.
"M - A - T - T" she spelled out, loud enough that he could hear. I blushed.
"Me and Matt are over," I said quietly, "we're just friends." I told her.
"But he wishes you wernt." she said, "look at the way he looks at you." she commented.
"Oh Please don't, I already know I broke his heart." I sighed.
"Why though? He's FIT!" she asked.
"I- I-" I stammered. Knowing I couldn't tell Sophie about him. She would laugh at me.
"Theres someone else isn't there. I know there is. Its so obvious!" she grinned.
"No, there isn't." I blushed. "Please can we not have this conversation know, Matt is right over there." I looked over my shoulder and saw Matt bobbing his head to his I-Pod. I smiled a little at the sight.
"Fine." she pouted. "Later." she smirked.
"Well, its time for school now. So.." I grinned back at her.
"Don't you worry Swan. I will get it out of you." she laughed. And I laughed with her. She was so fun, loveable and kind. She was amazing. My best friend. "I walked here. So I need a ride." she said.
"Sure." I smiled as I got up taking my coffee with me.
"Bye Matt." Sophie grinned, and went over to give him a hug. Sophie and Matt became quite close when Matt and I were dating. I followed her over and hugged him too.
"I'll see you later Bella," he said softly before kissing me on the cheek.
"Text me," I smiled at him as I left. I waved once more before walking with Sophie to the car.
I thought about Matt, and him. And compared them. Matt was kind, warm. He was cold, sharp. What was it about him which made me love him? Did I love him? Was it love that I felt for him?
As we pulled into the car park I saw him, I looked at him and for a second our eyes met before he looked away in disgust. I saw Alice, Rosalie, Jasper and Emmet all stood around their silver Volvo. Soph and I climbed out of the truck.
"Soph? How are you getting home? I'm meeting Matt after school." I asked her as we walked to first period. Sophie was about 3 inches taller than my 5ft 6, she was tall, blonde, slim and gorgeous. Every guy in the school had his eye on her. I felt dull stood next to her.
"I'll catch a ride Bella, don't worry about it." she smiled at me as we walked into Mrs Kindred's English class.
Sophie and I sat in our usual seats, 3 rows from the front, 2 rows from the back, I sat next to Sophie on one side and Alice Cullen on the other. Mrs Kindred started her lesson, Sara Parker and Alice and Edward Mason hadn't arrive yet.
5 minutes into the lesson Edward walked in with Sara Parker at his side. Her lipstick was smeared and you could tell what they'd been doing. Alice walked in behind them a look of disgust on her face. Edward took his seat in the row in front of me. I couldn't help but feel a pang of pain as I saw Edward with Sara. But remembered Edward hated my guts.
There was no ifs and buts about it, he hated me. And as far as he knew, I hated him. I saw Lauren look at him, her eyes filled with lust. I saw her give Sara a kick in the shin as Sara took her seat next to Lauren.
"Hey Bella," Alice smiled warmly at me as she took her seat next to me.
"Hi," I smiled. Alice wasn't my friend. But I liked her, and she liked me, we were acquaintances. I think she wanted to be my friend, but her loyalty to her brother prevented her from it.
"It was disgusting. Edward and Sara were full on making out in the girls bathroom, I wanted to throw up!" She looked a little green. My heart broke a little as I heard her go on. "Sara didn't even have her t-shirt on, I am actually scared for life."
I tried to chuckle, I wondered if she could tell my laugh was fake.
"Well she is Sara Parker." I said. "She's not known for her saintliness." I laughed.
"Yes, but with my brother? Really?" she asked. I laughed.
"I'm sorry Bella, Alice. Am I disturbing you?" She asked,
"No, as long as you talk quietly we'll be fine." I smirked. And everyone laughed.
"Bella Swan, do you ever SHUT UP?" She asked.
"Not very often, if I'm honest." I laughed.
"Detention. Tomorrow lunch." She hissed. "Now if you don't mind, I have to explain a project."
"Sure thing, knock your self out." I smiled sweetly at her. And the class roared in laughter.
"Right. That's it, I'm picking partners now." she smirked at me. "You can all thank Miss Swan if your unhappy with the arrangements."
I just laughed.
"Bella, I think you should stop, she's turning bright red." Sophie whispered laughing a little.
And then, something unbelievable happened. Edward turned around. I was shocked. I just looked at him. 2 seconds later he turned around.
"Right class. For the next two weeks, you will be working in pairs. Each pair will write together a 6 person script for a play or film which will be about 3 couples. The story line can be anything, but the story must be based around love, and the problems caused by it. Once each pair has wrote their script they will join together will 2 other pairs and they will decide which script they will use and perform the play or create the film together." She grinned, her pearly white teeth on display, "any questions?"
She looked at the class, and the class stared back in horror.
"Is she expecting us to do this?" I asked Sophie quietly,
"I think so." she whispered back, "unless its some joke?" she looked at me hopefully.
"Shit. I wish I wouldn't have made her give us pairs now." I murmured.
"Don't know about you, but as long as I'm not with Mike, I'm happy." she smiled.
"Now. I will read out the list of pairs I have prepared." Mrs Kindred said.
"That you prepared, Miss?" I asked "I thought you said it was my fault? But surely, if you were going to let us choose our own partners you wouldn't have prepared a list?" I asked smirking.
"Shush Miss Swan." she said, obviously feeling defeated. I grinned, and held out both my hands for Alice and Sophie to give me high fives.
"Alice + Jasper, Bailey + Carl, Bella + Edward,"
I looked at the back of his head in horror. And screamed,
"WHAT?" at the exact moment he did.
"Is there a problem, Bella? Edward?" She asked.
"No." Edward said through gritted teeth. I sighed. This wouldn't be pleasant.
"Carlie + James, Ethan + Sara, Hannah + Trevor, JJ + Kate, Lucy + Max, Mathew + Olivia, Lauren + Mike, Rosalie + Emmet, Sophie + Jason, Maria + Justin."
I hear a few sighs, and excited squells of both Alice and Sophie.
"Sophie. I'm going to die." I whispered.
"No you're not, Edward is hot!" she whispered back.
"Yes, but he hates me." I sighed.
"Yeah, Yeah.. Does it matter?" She asked,
"Well yeah, how are we supposed to act as couples when we hate each other?" I asked her.
"Oh Bella, stop moaning, there are tons of girls in this class who would die to be in your position."
"Now, I'd like you all to move and sit next to your partners." Mrs Kindred ordered.
Alice moved next to Jasper and Edward came to sit next to me.
"This is all your fault Swan." he hissed at me.
"Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed thing morning." I said, trying to brush off the obvious insult that went straight to my heart.
"Oh shut it Bella." he glared at me. And my heart shattered for the 5th time today.
"Look Edward, I don't want to be with you anymore that you want to be with me. So suck it up." I snapped. Knowing every word was a lie. I wanted to be with him, more than he wanted to be. But it didn't matter. He hated me.
In that second, I thought I might collapse, and cry my eyes out. Lauren had did this. Edward had been so friendly to me, we had really clicked. I thought I'd made a true friend in that first week of high school. And she threatened me. She hit me, she slapped me and she hurt me. She wanted me away from him. And I was too cowardly to say no. I rejected him, I hurt him. And now. He hated me.
The lesson passed quickly, Edward and I spent most of the lesson pretending each other weren't there. The bell rang and I packed up my books and shoved them into my school bag. I stayed behind a little to talk to Mrs Kindred.
"I'm sorry for my behaviour, It wont happen again." I lied,
"Okay Bella, please don't let it happen again. Your detention is cancelled. But don't let me down, I'm expecting a very good project of you and Edward, that's why I paired you together. You will make a great team."
I looked at her in confusion.
"Mrs Kindred, Edward and I hate each other." I told her, "We have done since fresh man year."
"Well maybe its time for the hatred to end." She said as she sent me out.
Her words went over and over in my mind, and I wondered if maybe Edward and I could be friends. Maybe. Maybe he'd forgive me.
My thoughts were interrupted when I fell flat on my face. I got up and looked around to see Lauren glaring at me.
"I thought I told you to stay away from Edward?" She spat at me, "Didn't I make it clear 3 years ago that you shouldn't even talk to him." She spat again. "Don't you dare befriend him. If you do, you know what will happen." She shoved me into the wall and walked away, Jessica and Maria at her sides.
I sighed and decided I couldn't face going to any more lessons. I went to the nurses office, 30 minutes later I was making my way out of school, I was going STRAIGHT home.
