"Boy next door…"

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~Chapter 2 - Tortured Saturdays


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10 Things I Hate About You…

I hate the way you talk to me,

And the way you cut your hair.

I hate the way you drive my car,

I hate it when you stare.

I hate your big dumb combat boots

And the way you read my mind.

I hate you so much it makes me sick,

It even makes me rhyme.

I hate the way you're always right,

I hate it when you lie.

I hate it when you make me laugh,

Even worse when you make me cry

I hate it when you're not around,

And the fact that you didn't call

But mostly I hate the way I don't hate you,

Not even close…

Not even a little bit…

Not even at all.

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The familiar clank of bottles rattled as….Mr. Rucszkowvski, searched for our files. I'd noted from the name plate on his desk; no wonder I couldn't ever remember his name. I still couldn't figure out how to pronounce it.

It became a battle of he said, she said. We were both waiting to see what was behind door number one….what was our prize?

"Can I go to the nurse, I think I'm going to be sick.." I rose from my seat, hoping to be excused. Maybe there was a God after all?

"Have a seat. It's been awhile since I've seen you both in here together." Mr. R commented as he read over his files. He might have been a drunk; but he was most certainly a professional about it. I dropped my books to the floor before I plopped back into the chair, slapping my hands against the armrests.

"I'd almost forgotten how much fun you two are…Signs posted on all of the exits - please use other exit. Dry ice in the toilets and urinals. For sale signs on staff and faculty vehicles. Snickers candy bar in the pool…"

"I was going to eat that; it slipped from my hand!" Edward blurted. Mr. R…glanced up at Edward momentarily before glancing back over the pages before him.

"Let's see…truancies, fighting, smoking on school property, informing the marching band - practice was cancelled…" He shook his head as he flipped through the pages.

"I was praised for that one…" I grinned…

"Sorry I missed it…" Edward apologized; he was acting weird.

"They needed practice…" Mr. R admitted. We all shared a very brief laugh.

"So what's the joke?" Mr. R asked, closing our files; before he leaned over them.

"Joke?" Edward asked. We all looked at each other, shifty eyed….

"Don't play dumb; what were you going to do out there?" Mr. R had already made up his mind that the joke were on him apparently.

"Nothing…" Edward spoke with a shrug.

"Nothing?" Mr. R looked at me like I had a fucking clue…

"Nothing." I admitted.

"Well…let's see what nothing gets you…" He began scribbling out what our punishment would be…checking his calendar twice over before handing us copies of his handiwork.

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Creativity…

Nothing gifted us…

Saturday Detention

Not one - but Fourteen!


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"This is…like every Saturday until the end of the semester." I huffed…un-fucking believable

"Exactly, it's senior year. I intend to keep my eye on you two….and I better not find anything on my car when I leave here today."

"Pfft…" Edward exhaled sharply before storming out of the office. I dragged ass behind, glancing at the clock on the wall to see where I was supposed to be. Fuck, art period wasn't over yet. I'd have morning detention for the next fourteen Saturdays and I didn't even get to miss one fucking class…

I waited to hand Miss. Davis my pass. She took mine when she'd finished looking over Edwards and instructed us both to take our seats. We apparently missed the tutorial on creating pottery by coiling. I looked around to get ideas of the process, before I rolled up my sleeves and began rolling out clay.

It wasn't long before we were instructed to put our projects on the shelf, just before the bell rang.

"I thought you weren't friends with her anymore." Tanya squealed, snippy with Edward as they paced down the hall…

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So much for Edward being anyone but him; when he was with Tanya.

She knew my business, our business…

Betrayal at its finest


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I sat at the kitchen table for a change in scenery… Edward made me sound so damn predictable…I wouldn't let him distract me. I didn't know how I was going to break the news to my dad. I figured if I completed all of my homework; he might be more forgiving…

Maybe Mr. R had called him at work….then he'd have a good amount of time to rationalize, or stew…Shit!

I was already pretty sure I'd fail Biology again. I forgot to get a copy of the assignment; and I knew Kudla gave homework everyday…

I finished a worksheet for Geometry. Read a chapter from my history book and answered a few questions on World War II. My English teacher, Mr. Brown; was a little too lose for my liking. He wanted us to write a poem…about anything; just to see where we all were. He wanted us to basically help him plan out the rest of his lesson. I hated when shit wasn't planned and I actually had to use my own ideas. It made it easier to fail; not knowing what he expected.

I knew I should get an early start…but I hadn't a clue where to begin. Maybe I'd write about World War II, just so I'd have a head start on a future History poem report? Alright, maybe not…

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Charlie didn't know what to do with me…

Grounded until further notice.

It wasn't as if I'd had anywhere to be…


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I went up to my room, slinging my stack of books into the corner on the floor beside my bed. It would thud right above Charlie's head, I hoped he felt guilty…It had often worked to my advantage in the past. At least he wouldn't bother me for a few hours. I threw myself over the bed, to stare at the faded plastic star pattern adhered to the ceiling. Some had fallen over the years; but most clung in their hideous glory. A few even managed to still glow in the dark.

"Bella, I'm going next door." Charlie huffed from the stairway, moments later I heard the front door closing behind him. My antics confused him; I'd made him feel insignificant, because he would never be my mother… I'd like to pretend that my mother would laugh about things like this. She never did over-react like my father; and he'd only become more protective since her passing.

I still didn't know what to say to Edward to defend myself. I had nothing positive to say. If he wanted truth; I could give him bitterness, but I wouldn't sugar-coat it with words that meant shit. His father wasn't coming home, nor was my mother. No amount of pity, sympathy, or pills; can mend what has been broken and lost. What the fuck did he want me to say? At least you got to spend time more with him. I'm sorry, I know - it sucks ass…

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A light flickered in the distance…

A signal; fading in and out

from the end of the bleak tunnel…


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I rolled over to peer out my window from the edge of the bed. Edward was turning his lights on and off, squatting near the light switch as he peered out his window…into mine; to see if he'd managed to catch my attention. He looked ridiculous. I almost smiled; the beautiful memories of our faded friendship stung like jagged pieces of glass against my skin.

I crawled over to turn on the lamp beside my bed. By the time I looked out the window again, Edward was already pressed against his open window.

When he raised up his pad of notebook paper; I was conflicted with wanting to love and hate him all at once.

How many weeks? -He'd scrawled in his messy pen. I slid off the bed, grabbing a notebook and a purple marker from my desk; I seated myself in the chair beside my window. Flipping through the notebook to find an empty page; I replied.

Until further notice… Forever? -My pen was worse than his.

Bummer - This was lame…

Yeah… - I nodded, closing my notebook.

Call me -Edward shook his notebook in front of the glass. I flipped to find another empty page…

I'm grounded -I held my sign up to the window. Edward held up a finger, begging me to wait as he wrote quickly.

Yeah so call me - I almost laughed.

Charlie is over - I posted.

Come to dinner? - I shook my head as I wrote on the bottom of my last note.

No! - Yeah the four of us in the same room after a bad day at school, was he fucking insane?

You hate me? -I didn't know how to reply.

Make-out with you? -I scribbled on a clean sheet of paper; before holding it up to the window. Edward smiled.

I wouldn't have minded - Was his reply, I didn't know what the hell to say…

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Better a broken promise…

Than none at all?

He couldn't say that shit to me…

if he didn't mean it…


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See you tomorrow - I held up my note, lowering the blinds before Edward could reply.

I was a bundle of energy by the time I closed up my notebook, shoving it with the purple marker back into my over-stuffed desk drawer. My room was clean, immaculate; as long as you didn't open any drawers or doors.

I wasn't sure I could be Edward's friend. In the back of my mind I always figured if we'd finally worked it out; things would just go back to how they were. There was an awkward tension and I wasn't sure that would ever completely fade.

Saturday detention was held from nine in the morning until eleven; last year. This year they made sure it was miserable. I dragged ass out of bed at around six-forty, ran my hands through my hair before slipping on my sneakers and heading down the stairs. I reached for the keys to my truck, only to find they were gone.

"Dad…?" I peeked my head in and out of rooms to find him, only to spot his car running in the drive. I threw my arms into my hooded jacket, before racing out the door.

"Where are my keys? I'm going to be late." …and then he gave me look; one of those I'm disappointed in you and we're going to have a talk looks. Fuck, it was too early for this shit.

"Get in.." Charlie had already climbed in by the time I made it around to the passenger door. I didn't say anything, merely waited for the talk.

"No car until after graduation"

"But.." I tried to protest, was this really happening?

"If you don't want to ride with me, you better find your own ride." This was ridiculous, I had my own ride parked in the drive…

"…and you're going to dinner tonight." I gritted my teeth, rolling my eyes practically into the back of my head. Fuck, are you done yet?

"We'll talk more about this later…" ..and Charlie's squad car rolled to a stop in front of the cafeteria doors. I was too angry to speak, all of this for a fucking truancy. The last few times he'd only grounded me for a week. I couldn't get out of the car fast enough…

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I felt so out of place…

Tied to a world in which I didn't belong;

Alone…


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White t-shirt, clean. Faded blue flannel pajama bottoms, comfy. Seriously, some of these people had to get up at like five in the morning to primp this well for a fucking Saturday detention…

I signed in with Mr. Johnson before taking a seat at a cafeteria table. Mr. Johnson was the football coach, probably the only staff member they could get to come in at seven in the morning on a Saturday. I'd spend the next two hours of my life watching him flip through the sports section of the newspaper.

Edward had barely made it in on time. I watched him sign in, glance at the clock and turn in my direction. Our eyes locked, I knew he saw me. He walked right past, sitting two tables behind me to my left.

Everything within me froze. I sank my teeth into my bottom lip for some reprieve from the confusion, hurt. Edward had taken back every bit of hope he gave to me yesterday.

I reached for my prescription, shaking a few pills into my palm under the table before devouring them with an anxious need. I chewed the bitter pills as I fought not to cry. No, I wasn't going to cry… I was too fucking angry and bitter to ever give Edward Masen the satisfaction of seeing me cry again.

It was always interesting to see those that arrived late. All that effort for nothing, they'd be turned away to be given even more Saturday detentions. It gave me an idea of who we might be seeing again next week. Only thirteen more Saturdays with Edward…

I borrowed a few sheets of paper and a pen and decided to work on my poem for English. I couldn't get Edward out of my head. It didn't help that anytime I looked back I caught his gaze; only for him to quickly lower his head or divert his attention. Prick

It felt like time stood still for the first hour. We were all given a chance to use the restroom and stretch. I went to the bathroom, to escape the faces of the crowd; if only for a few minutes.

It wasn't worth running into Edward in the hall.

"Bella…" His expression was almost as dumbfounded as mine had been earlier; he was lost for words. And then it all sank in…I finally fucking got it.

"Yeah, I get it…" I blurted, nodding nervously…before I'd mustered the strength to walk away.

I crawled into bed for a good cry as soon as I got home. It was stupid of me to think that Edward would ever let his two worlds collide. He would choose a dozen insignificant shallow friends over me.

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Yeah, don't be seen with the crazy girl Edward…you're finally past all that.

Reality dims; demons come and chase me…

Chase me into myself…


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"So…how was your day?" Elizabeth Masen asked nobody in particular as she set out a basket of rolls on the table.

"It was Saturday detention…" Edward mused aloud.

"Work was slow…You had Saturday detention too?" My father asked casually.

I kept my head low, gazing into my plate as if my pile of peas would have all the answers I'd need. I couldn't look at Edward.

"Bella has Saturday detention…for awhile." Charlie blurted between bites of chicken.

"What a coincidence…" Elizabeth replied. It was obvious to me that she talked to Edward.

"Maybe Edward could give Bella a ride.." Charlie noted, breaking into his dinner roll from the corner of my eye. A great part of me questioned if this entire conversation had been organized by our parents…

"I'll walk, thanks." I huffed, this is why I hated dinner. Everyone talked about me in third party as if I wasn't even there.

"I wouldn't mind." Edward spoke, I had been over analyzing his every word and action since this morning. I wasn't sure if his statement were forced or sincere.

"That's okay, I mean…I wouldn't want to be seen with a stupid shiny Volvo owner anyway." I retorted quickly.

"Bella…" My father spoke, warning in his voice. Looking at me as if I'd grown a second head and he didn't know me…

"May I be excused?" I asked, trying to conceal the venom that laced on the edge of my tongue.

"Yes." Elizabeth responded.

"No." Charlie blurted.I folded my hands in my lap and continued to stare down at my plate with a lingering sigh. Edward kicked me under the table. When my eyes raised he wore a… satisfied smirk?

"Fine…" Charlie spoke in a long exhale, almost a sigh.

"Edward, walk Bella home…it's dark." Elizabeth waved Edward up; excusing him from the table. I rose from my seat faster than Edward.

"I'll be fine, I can make it next door." I turned to leave, not waiting on Edward to be noble at his mother's request.

Edward began calling my name to wait up as I stumbled in the darkness toward the light glowing from my front porch.

"Bella…" I opened the door, swinging it closed quickly behind me. I hadn't expected Edward to knock before I'd even made it to the stairs. I paused, considered ignoring it.

"You should lock your door…" Edward mused aloud as he pushed the door open, stepping inside…

"Yeah, I'll remember that..." I stammered, shaking my head. Edward always made me so damn flustered lately. I went up to my room, figuring Edward would know how to show himself out.

"Some things never change…" Edward mused aloud…

"Do you remember when we spent two days sticking all those stars up." Edward glanced over our faded handiwork.

"I'm not allowed to have boys in my room." I'd backed myself up until I'd ended up sitting on my bed. Edward raised his hands, slowly backing out of the room he stood in the hall, just outside the open door way. My excuse to get him to leave was lame.

"Since when have you had boys in your room?" Edward blurted, laughing softly… He wasn't leaving…I should have told him to get the fuck out; but a part of me was curious to hear what he had to say…

"Since when do you care?" I retorted quickly. Edward's amused expression faltered; I'd reminded him he didn't know who I was anymore either. We thought we knew - knew each other inside and out. We were kidding ourselves…

"I told you about Tanya…" He shrugged, everything about the conversation was awkward.

"Who doesn't know about Tanya…" I laughed softly. I still couldn't believe he had fallen for Tanya… Tanya!

"Mmm…" Edward hummed, gently shaking his head.

"Jacob." I admitted calmly.

"Jacob? Really?" Edward's anxious reaction confused me entirely…

"It was summer, summer is long over…" I admitted. Jacob had played the third wheel in our friendship for a few summers. It was different having him as my focus for an entire summer. We had fun, but he wasn't Edward…

"I don't remember much of summer…" Edward admitted wryly. His entire demeanor shifted; nervous.

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Reminded…

of the lanky awkward boy

Who'd pressed his soft lips to mine…

once upon a time.


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Edward raised a hand; mimicking that same fascinatingly awkward gesture with his eyebrows before he'd…excused himself? I had barely caught sight of the top of his head as he rounded the banister; to quickly shuffle down the staircase.

Moments later the door bell had rang twice, quickly. And then a third time as I rounded the stairs. Great, now Charlie would be annoyed at me for locking the door; when he forgot his key. Thanks Edward…

Unlocking the door, I tore it open…

"Bella, why can't we be friends?" Edward blurted, almost shouting. I didn't even know what to say; I was so fucking confused…

"Stupid shiny Volvo owner, really?" Hearing him say it; I couldn't help but laugh.

"You want a hug?" My laughter had faded. I realized how easy it was to let myself fall into old times with Edward; forgetting how harsh the sting of reality were.

"I do…" Edward laughed softly. We'd often tease each other and play hug, only to push the other away. Just this time nobody was pushing…

Edward's embrace enveloped me; swallowing my tiny frame in his arms. A warm hug that melted all of the tension raging inside; except for the awkwardness of the moment. We hugged for what seemed like awhile before a mutual break occurred. We both slowly pulled away. I expected Edward to say something, make a joke…

I certainly didn't expect his mouth to come crashing onto mine. Confused, I fought against the tug of his anxiously roaming lips as he raised his hands to cup my face…

I'm kissing Edward…. Kissing, as in a really fucking…It wasn't a peck from the lanky awkward…boy.

"Edward…" I breathed; gasping as his lips traveled across my jaw, on a mission toward my neck as we leaned against the open door. What the hell were we doing?!

"Bella…" Edward abruptly stopped the minute my name fled his lips; he'd come to his senses… His expression; that same deer in the headlights look he gave me anytime he met my gaze in public.

"I'm sorry…" Edward mumbled, before he stormed clumsily toward his house. Tripping up the third step before he'd made it onto his porch. He looked back before quickly closing his door.

My lips were swollen; trembling with the vibrating warm reminder of Edward's kiss.

I had hardly slept; confused… Edward was home, the lights were on; still he hadn't raised his blinds. At one point I thought I caught his shadow pacing; but he must have been getting ready for bed…the light in his room died out not long after.

All of my questions were answered by Monday morning. Edward hesitated; which made it painfully obvious he saw me…before he'd sped up to drive on by as I walked to school.

I didn't feel so well; nervous energy had shifted to complete nausea. I went home to find relief from Edward's presence, I couldn't stand to be in the same room with him for three periods. Fuck my life…

About two hours had passed before Charlie's voice had come over the answering machine; to inform me we'd be having that talk later… Fuck my life…

An hour later, I thought I heard Charlie pull into the drive. I quickly cleaned up my soap opera crying marathon; flicking off the television before darting toward the stairs to the safety of my room where I could properly feign illness. Dropping my wad of used Kleenex on the nightstand; I quickly threw myself into my bed, covering myself.

….Just before; the doorbell rang?

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~End Chapter 2 - Tortured Saturdays

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