Chapter 2

"Morning kids," said the old, friendly, bus driver as people bundled past him.

Morning Bella thought, because she couldn't say it out loud from the knowledge that someone else on the bus would hear her and laugh at her for it. She went and sat in her usual seat, the one downstairs at the very front with at least three empty seats surrounding it, this she thought was the safest place to be. Although Bella was pretty, she was picked on because if anyone was nice to her, Ivan made sure they became the schools laughing stock. This meant people weren't ever nice to her and over compensated by acting to her like Ivan did. However, Bella didn't really mind this, because it only really happened on the bus to school, and at break time, but at lunch and in lessons she could get away. At lunch Bella usually went for a walk and because most people had friends at school they chose to stay in and eat, so she was free for at least one hour every day. In class people just ignored her, which she didn't mind, but it could get annoying if another student was supposed to hand worksheets out and just walked past her like she was invisible. Bella was also clever. She was actually very clever, especially in subjects like maths and science which meant that they were her favourites. Teachers loved her, mostly because she was a model student, but mainly because when she spoke to them she spoke with great maturity, as if she was an adult.

Bella's school was only about a fifteen minute journey on the bus without traffic, but as most people were off to work at around half seven, traffic was usually pretty bad in the morning. This morning however it was very bad because of the snow, hitching Bella's bad mood up a notch because it meant she had to spend more time in solitude on the bus, Ouch! She thought, automatically raising a hand to the back of her head and wincing where something had been thrown at her. She turned round to see a group of girls sniggering and trying not to look in her eyes, but one of the more confident girls, Raylee Moss, said,

"Lally, isn't it? Got a problem?" Raylee's voice was overly sarcastic and she had a snide expression smothering her already ugly face.

"Bella. It's Ratty right? And your face is the only problem I have thanks." Bella matched Raylee's sarcasm and couldn't help but grin as she heard all the boys, who were sitting opposite the girls, fall around in fits of hysterics.

"Would you like to say that to my face?" She retorted standing up and moving out from her seat.

"I think she just did." Replied Jamie Hughes as he too stood up and moved away from his seat so he was blocking Raylee's access to Bella.

He stood there and gestured his head towards her seat and winked at Bella when she sat back down. He walked over to where she was sitting and sat in the empty seat behind her.

"Thanks," she said shyly, turning her body so that she could face him comfortably, "I think that's the fifth time you've saved me this week." She added playfully.

"That's ok. I enjoy saving damsels in distress, I'm thinking of it as a career actually. What do you think?"

"Well I'm not quite sure if it is a career and I don't think that I am actually classed as a damsel. They are what exactly...?" She asked.

"Simply beautiful." He answered lowering his voice, with a small smile on his lips, ignoring that Bella had just said saving damsels wasn't a career. "So yes, I think you definitely class as a damsel," He continued gazing directly into Bella's eyes and making her blush a bright pink, "I look forward to saving you again soon."

Winking at her he stood up and got his bag before walking off the bus with his friends who were wolf whistling at him. Bella picked up her bag and threw it over her shoulder, she saw the start of a snow ball fight and rushed off the bus just avoiding one as she entered the school gates. No one had ever called her beautiful before, or looked at her the way Jamie had. Bella had only recently met him, he had moved to her schools 6th form in the September of the new school year when she had moved into year 12. Since then he had helped her out on many occasions, sticking up for her whenever she needed help and as he was already ridiculously popular, people had even started laying off her. Jamie was 18, tall and had dark brown trendy hair, with tanned skin and a welcoming smile. He was the only person that had ever been nice to Bella, and there was something about him that made her comfortable around him (when he wasn't embarrassing her with compliments), something that she had never felt before.

When Bella's lessons had finally started, the day flew by. She was in a daydream through periods 1 and 2 (English and Geography), but broke out of it for break where she saw Jamie again who gave her a cheeky smile. She enjoyed maths period 3 as they were working on algebra (her favourite), and her History lesson was over so quickly Bella thought the teacher was joking when he said that it was time for lunch. Bella walked through the bustling corridor to her form room and took her lunch out of her bag and shoved her books in her locker before making her way to the schools exit.

"Bella," called a familiar voice.

Bella turned to see Jamie slightly jogging towards her. Her face alight with a smile before he had even reached her.

"Yes?" She replied.

"Do you want to eat lunch with me?" He asked confidently, like this was something he would never be refused, but after seeing the reluctance in Bella's eyes he said... "Or maybe some other time." His smile fading from his face.

"No, I'd really like to it's just ... I don't like eating in school." Bella replied honestly, hoping she hadn't hurt his feelings.

"Oh," he said perking up and smiling broadly at her again. "Where are we eating then?"

Bella couldn't help smiling in return and led him out of school to a deserted park where she ate frequently under one of the large trees, but as it was cold and the ground was still covered in snow, she made her way to the faded red hut beside the swing, it had a couple of seats inside and a small table that they could eat their lunch at. She sat down on one side and Jamie sat on the other. She caught his eye when he was looking at her and blushed looking away, he simply smiled again.

"Nice," he said looking around the hut, "do you eat in here often?"

"Not really I like sitting under that tree," she pointed to the large oak across the park, "but it's snowing so here is better."

"Alone?" He asked gently, looking at her face as Bella took out her sandwich and took a bite.

"Yeah." She replied again honestly. Does he think I'm a freak now? I bet he does. Why can't I be like everyone else? I bet he never talks to me again now. What if he just walks away from me?

"Cool." He said smiling.

Bella didn't know what to say, she thought he would have been a bit freaked out to know that she had no friends, but looking into his eyes she saw only admiration and something else that she couldn't quite place. They both ate their lunch talking about school and Jamie's family. His mum, Caron, his little sister, Ivory, and that his dad had left before he could remember, so his mum didn't like to talk about him, meaning he didn't know his name.

"I'm sorry." Bella said, reaching over instinctively and putting her hand on top of his, Jamie turned his and entwined his fingers between hers, while Bella blushed even deeper scarlet than what she had previously done in the morning.

"What about your family?" He asked casually, while watching her face as he stroked her hand with his thumb.

"I don't have one. I was adopted. Ivan Fawlen is my brother by adoption." Bella reeled off like speaking about her living status was just an unimportant list she happened to be reading.

Jamie was so shocked his jaw literally dropped.

"I never knew," he stuttered, "no wonder he is so nasty to you, that little brat. It's obvious now why he hates, and bullies you so much more that everyone else. You must hate each other." He replied once he had recovered from shock.

"Very true. I don't think anyone knows about it though, really. Ivan won't admit it and to be honest I prefer it that way, swings?" She asked casually.

"Sure." He replied smiling again, but with a questioning look on his face. He knew she wasn't telling him something and that she was avoiding his questions, but he didn't want to push her too much.

Bella was glad when he stopped asking questions. She didn't mind him knowing that she was adopted, but the fact that her parents were dead, she didn't want anyone to know. Bella sat on one of the swings and Jamie stood behind her and pushed her gently while she laughed indulgently. Bella had never had a friend and finally felt as though she did, she didn't understand that Jamie's looks were of more than friendship, she saw Jamie as a friend, maybe someday a best friend, one that she could tell about her parents. But Jamie was nothing more than a friend. He's so lovely, she thought to herself as they laughed together at the swings.

Later that night, while Bella cooked a Spanish omelette for dinner after she had done all her chores, she couldn't help thinking about her cinema trip that Saturday. What should I wear? She thought, remembering how Jamie had caught up with her after school as they got on the bus, and asked her if she was busy this Saturday.

"No." Bella had replied, wondering what he was getting at.

"Good. Because there is this film that is supposed to be amazing on in town, and I was wondering if you wanted to go and see it with me?" Jamie had asked, his eyes showing how much he wanted her to say yes.

"Really?" Bella asked, but as Jamie nodded his head she replied casually, "Ok. I'll look forward to it."

Bella smiled to herself as she flipped the omelette, recalling the huge grin that spread across Jamie's face once she had accepted his invitation. She had never been to the cinemas before and couldn't wait to go, having a friend is great, she thought as an unfamiliar, warm fuzzy feeling spread through her body. Happiness. That feeling soon dissolved as an echo of the front door slamming reached her ears. The dinner wasn't quite ready, Mr Fawlen was home, and now Bella was in massive trouble. She cringed as she heard his footprints approaching the kitchen door. Slam!

"Where is my dinner child?" He asked throwing the door open.

"It's almost ready, Mr Fawlen." Bella replied keeping her eyes on the dinner.

"Dinner is to be on the table at 6. How many times do I have to tell you, are you an idiot? Of course you are. Don't know what we were thinking adopting you, you can't cook, you can't clean, and you're as thick as two short planks. I spend my day working hard to keep you fed, and this is how you repay me. You can't even do one simple ..." Ranted Mr Fawlen, his voice echoing in the house like an alarm bell was ringing.

"Shut up you stupid old man," muttered Bella.

"WHAT DID YOU SAY?" Screamed Mr Fawlen as his wife and son entered the room.

"Shut up you stupid old man," she said louder looking straight in his eyes – she had had enough. "Don't start either," she added facing Mrs Fawlen who had opened her mouth to yell at her.

"You ungrateful cow." Spat Ivan.

"You ugly pig." Replied Bella her patience so close to snapping.

"HOW DARE YOU!" Mrs Fawlen cried.

"It's ok dear, it's the parents see." Mr Fawlen said calming his wife. "She has simply inherited her mother's stupidity, her father's pettiness, and that their lives meant nothing, just like her meaningless existence." Mr Fawlen sneered, he smiled as he saw the pain etch across Bella's face because of the way he had just spoken of her parents.

Bella felt pain, a terrible gut wrenching agony that turned slowly to hate as she watched her adopted family laughing at her parent's memories. Snap. Bella's patience had finally been ripped in two.

"HOW DARE YOU!" Bella shouted as she picked up the frying pan and launched the burning hot omelette at Mr Fawlen's face.

As Mr Fawlen screamed in pain, Bella managed to duck and dive her way out of the kitchen. She sprinted along the hallway, up the stairs, along the landing, up the attic stairs, and into her bedroom. Door, she thought, but turning to find no chair there to block it, she started to panic as she heard three sets of footsteps on the landing. I've got to get out of here. Bella grabbed a rucksack from under her bed, and pulling all her clothes out of her wardrobe at once, shoved them in. I need more room, she thought desperately, but as she did so she seemed to have more space in her bag. Not even noticing this Bella shoved everything else that she owned into the bag (not a lot). She ran to her bedroom widow and hoisted it open.

"Where do you think you're going?" Snarled Mr Fawlen venomously, a dangerous glint in his eye, and his face bright red (either from rage or the burning omelette, Bella couldn't tell). He was standing in her doorway with Mrs Fawlen and Ivan.

"GET OUT!" Bella shouted pointing at them.

The door slammed in their faces, and a cry of pain came from Ivan.

"My head." He cried.

Bella was so shocked at what had just happened that she stood there for a second trying to register it. The door ... I ... no ... but ... just get out! She told herself. Climbing out of her window, Bella slipped slightly on the snow, but rebalanced herself as she slid her way down the slanted roof. She reached the sturdy trellis and was careful not to look down because she was terrified of heights, as she clambered her way down to the snowy floor Bella could hear someone running back down the stairs. What now? She asked herself. In the forest, her thoughts replied. I can't ... I ... it's almost dark ... no I won't, Bella's thoughts stammered.

"I'm going to kill her when we find her!"

Bella could hear Mr Fawlen's voice through the downstairs window. He's coming, Bella thought as a jolt of fear hit her. Not even thinking about what she was doing, adrenaline taking over, Bella ran to the bottom of the long extravagantly decorated garden, and jumped the short fence that was the only barrier to Sand Wood Forest. NO! Bella stopped dead on the spot, she heard the back door open and made her decision – she ran into the forest.

To Bella it felt as though the temperature had suddenly dropped, and that someone had just switched off the lights. She stumbled through the forest tripping every now and again. The slightest sound made her stop walking and stay dead still until she was sure that she had imagined it, but she could sense that someone was near. She was petrified, her body shook with fear as she continued to walk deeper into the forest, but at last she could walk no more. Exhausted after running and walking through the difficult forest, Bella saw a large tree and slumped down resting against it. Her situation suddenly dawned on her. I have no food, no water, no idea where I am, I'm freezing cold, she thought hopelessly, closing her eyes.

"Help," she whispered lifelessly to no one but herself.

As Bella opened her eyes, they were suddenly glued to a face that she thought should not be so ... so ... WOW. Airbrushed skin had nothing on the sheer flawlessness of his, not a blemish, not a hint of anything less than absolute ... WOW. Bella wasn't usually lost for words, but his skin was unspoiled perfection, ever so slightly pale, but still warm in tone, it was like he was a light in the dark. He had dark brown, tousled hair and it reminded her of the stylish male models she saw on the front of Mrs Fawlen's fashion magazines. His eyes were almond shaped in the extreme with such an intelligent expression that made Bella feel inadequate in her own intellectual abilities. That wasn't what held her gaze though; her peripheral vision caught those trivial facts, but what did hold her gaze was the onyx colour and depth of his eyes. She had never seen a pair of eyes so black, where pure darkness was not a worthy comparison to their shade, such intelligence in the mere expression of them, and the depth of his eyes was exceptional. Bella just didn't understand. He was also tall, much taller than Bella, and she could see his muscular frame through his comfortably fitted clothes that were casual and ordinary, compared to the current situation.

"You shouldn't be here. Not now. Go home." The stranger told Bella making her jump at the sudden sound, his voice melting into the darkness.

"I don't have a home." She replied stubbornly, adding not one that I plan to go back to anyway in her head.

"Everyone has a home." He answered simply.

Am I dreaming? Bella thought, she was so confused that she assumed that she must have fallen asleep by the tree. But something suddenly struck her...

"Why are you here?" She asked, tilting her head slightly to the side and frowning, her dreams where usually of things she knew, or had seen before. He's the one who has been following me in the nightmares, she summarised, concluding that she was definitely dreaming.

"If you are not going home then I think you should come with me, it's not safe." He said completely ignoring her question, as he started to walk towards her.

"I agree." But only that it's not safe.

Bella shot up from where she had been resting and started to walk backwards as quickly as she could, trying to distance herself from the stranger. He looked exasperated as he opened his mouth to speak again but no sound came out as Bella heard a familiar sound echoing throughout the forest. Her followers were approaching. In her moment of lacking concentration, her eyes had dropped from the stranger and when she looked back he was directly in front of her, if she leant an inch forward they would be touching. How is that even possible, Bella thought. He had moved about 20 feet in a split second, the time it takes to breathe in, I didn't even hear him move. She stood and looking up gazed into his eyes, his dark, and eclipse like eyes for the briefest of moments. She couldn't breathe, she couldn't speak, she couldn't even blink, worried no petrified that if she closed her eyes that she would be alone and they would find her. Feeling herself go dizzy as she was still not breathing, Bella took a deep breath, relief...

"We have to go." He pulled Bella tight to his chest so she could feel his strong body against hers.

Bella felt light headed again. Have I stopped breathing completely? Her whole body was dissolving. No, shaking. He was gone. Or was she gone? Bella couldn't tell. She felt like she had been plunged into a bucket of ice cold water, before she felt warm again, she had stopped shaking and could feel the stranger still holding her tightly. There was still darkness, but Bella could tell she was no longer in the forest, where she was however, she had no idea. The stranger let go of her.