Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Twilight characters.
Thanks for your reviews. They inspired me to update so soon. Here you go.
I spent the rest of the school day in Ms. Hale's classroom laughing and doing small things for her like stapling papers and grading tests. It was nice. Unlike all the other things in my life that seemed to be so hard lately, it was easy. Being around her was easy.
As the sound of the final bell of the day rang, I sighed and turned towards Ms. Hale who was focused on her computer. Her brow was furrowed and she was biting her lip in concentration while staring at her computer. It was almost… cute. I quickly looked away once I realized what and about whom I was thinking and began to gather my things.
"Are you leaving?" Ms. Hale said as she looked up at me from her computer.
"Yeah." I sighed. "I should probably get going."
"Alright, honey. I'll see you tomorrow, yeah?" she says turning the last statement into a question while turning back to her work on her computer.
"You bet." I say with a smile as I exited her classroom.
You bet?! Really?! What even?! I think incredulously. I chuckle at my thoughts as I make my way through the building towards the front entrance.
As I exit the building and make my way towards my car, I spot Jasper and his 'oh so lovely' jock friends lingering near it. I try and keep my head down and make it to my car without provoking the idiots, but apparently luck isn't on my side today.
"Hey, baby." Jasper exclaims while throwing his arm around my shoulder and giving me a sloppy kiss on the cheek. I can hear his buddies laughing madly in the background.
"Ugh!" I exclaim as I shove his arm off of my shoulder and wipe his disgusting saliva off of my face with my sleeve. I attempt to walk around him to reach my car, but he quickly steps into my path and continues to do so on my next three attempts. I sigh loudly and cross my arms and cock my hip, all the while looking at him expectantly.
"What could you possibly want, Jasper?" I exclaim heatedly.
"You." He says cockily with that revolting smile on his face. His friends are still gathered around him snickering and chuckling.
I grind my teeth and take a deep breath through my nose as I attempt to walk around him again, he intercepts my path again though. Everything about his stance and facial expression just screams cocky.
"What are you too good for me, babe?" he says while getting in my face. I roughly shove him back and he stumbles a few steps back, which causes his friends to 'Ohhhh' and laugh louder. "God, you're sexy." He says while eyeing me up and down appreciatively. "I bet you're a freak in bed aren't you? What do you only sleep with rich boys?" He says condescendingly. "Got no words now, slut?" he continues when I don't answer.
"Get the fuck out of my face, Jasper." I say through gritted teeth. I shove him out my way, causing him to put his hands up in surrender and laugh loudly with his friends, who are now howling with laughter, and make my way to my car. I start my car and peel out the parking lot with tears in my eyes.
I angrily wipe a stray tear that has escaped off of my and scoff loudly.
"Really Bella?" I mutter to myself. "You're going to let Jasper Hale of all people get to you? Fuck him." I weave my way through the streets of Forks while breathing deeply and trying to calm down.
I sigh heavily as the gates that surround my house come into view. I pull down my visor and press the button that automatically opens the gates. I maneuver my car up the drive way and into the garage. I look to my left and spot my father's car in the garage, telling me that he is in fact home.
Here we go, I think as I exit my car and enter the house. As I walk through the house towards the stairs, to my surprise, I'm greeted by complete silence. I decide not to investigate and begin to ascend the stairs at a normal pace, my footsteps echoing loudly in the large, silent house. I navigate my way towards my room and enter, throwing my keys and phone onto my dresser with a loud sigh. I kick of my shoes and crawl onto my large California-king bed, curling up into a ball in the center.
The silence is so loud. Almost deafening.
I awake suddenly to the sound of glass shattering. I quickly realize I must have fallen asleep when I got home from school. I look around my now dark room and spot my phone flashing, which I hastily jump up to retrieve. I briefly notice that its 10:00 pm before my attention is called to what's on the screen.
1 missed call. Renee.
1 new voicemail.
I stare at the screen in shock. I haven't heard from my mother in over a year. We weren't really close before the divorce and the weak relationship we did have was shattered when she left us. Abandoned me. I didn't speak to her for two years before she'd had enough of my 'games' and came to visit for my 16th birthday. Surprise visit from your estranged mother whom you resented greatly for your 16th birthday? What could go wrong? It ended in tears of course. She contacted me twice by phone after that, short 5 minute phone calls about nothing important. And now she's calling me. Why?
Before I can think about this any longer, I hear a thud from downstairs followed by more crashing.
What the hell? I think as I make my way out of my room and towards the staircase. As I descend the stairs, my steps become increasingly urgent as the crashing and banging continues.
I follow the noises into the family room and find my father, bottle of whiskey in hand, completely demolishing the décor. There are pictures frames, vases, liquor bottles, and broken paintings scattered all around the floor, along with water from I assume is a broken flower vase.
Another vase goes flying into the wall.
"Dad!" I exclaim as I maneuver my way around the debris as fast as I can towards him. His head whips around to look at me and I take in his appearance. Blood shot, unfocused eyes and unbalanced stance.
He's drunk.
"Bella!" he exclaims loudly. I flinch away from him at the sudden exclamation from him.
"Where've you been, baby? Daddy's been lookin' for ya." He say while taking in my appearance as if seeing me for the first time in years, despite the fact that he sees me every day.
"You know… I haven't seen you lately. You haven't been there for your old man. You grow up and you think you don't have to see your old man anymore? Huh? … Just like your mother." he chuckles darkly while taking another swig from his drink. "You know when your mother left, I was so hurt. That bitch. She said I had a problem." He scoffs loudly and walks towards the fireplace, which is on and burning brightly. He leans against it for a few moments before he suddenly turns and sets his gaze upon me, burning into me as he stares intensely. "She left when times got a tad bit hard. Weak." He spits out.
" Is that what you're trying to do Bella? Hmm? Leave me?" He says all the while walking towards me. I remain standing in my spot awkwardly, barefoot and surrounded by glass, afraid that if I step away I'll step directly into it.
He's suddenly in from of me, grabbing my upper arms tightly and breathing his whiskey breath into my face. I gasp in surprise and remain completely frozen in shock because no matter how drunk Charlie is he never touches me. Ever.
"Never leave me." His tone going from conversational to menacing in a split second. His grip tightens on my arms threateningly and I wince from the pressure. "You love me right? Promise me you won't leave me." He says almost desperately.
I wrench myself from his grasp, causing me to fall directly into the glass and debris on the floor. I cry out in pain as I feel the shards pierce my skin. The sharp pains cause tears to come to my eyes as I lay there.
He looks down on me and for split second I can't recognize him. This man standing over me looks so foreign and alien in my eyes for that split second. Unrecognizable. The realization is scary. It injects fear directly into my rapidly racing heart.
My dad chuckles while taking a swig of whiskey as he walks out of the room. As I'm cautiously lifting myself out of the mess, I hear his footsteps ascending the stairs, followed by the sound of his bedroom door closing. I sigh in relief.
I slowly lift myself out of the glass and make my way up the stairs, wincing in pain at every step. I enter my room and immediately make my way to my adjoining bathroom. I look into the mirror to assess the damage and hiss at what I see.
My upper arms where he grabbed me are a bright red, which I can tell are going to bruise. My forearms, where I caught myself in the fall, are covered in small red cuts and I have a small gash under my left eye.
I sit on the edge of my bathtub, place my head into my hands and just cry.
What else can I do? Everything in my life is just so messed up and wrong. I don't even know where to begin to fix this mess. I feel like I can't do it anymore. I just feel alone, and broken, and just all around sad. The problems that I'm facing are out of my hands. What do you do when you feel like you've finally hit rock bottom?
I sigh as I get up and turn on the shower. I step under the steaming hot water, not even bothering to adjust the temperature. And I cry some more.
"God dammit." I yell as I slap both hands on the shower wall and lean my head up against it. I shower until the water becomes cold and shocks me out of my thoughts.
Eventually I exit the shower and dry off. I avoid looking into the mirror as I pass it. I get dressed into some comfortable pajamas and crawl into my bed.
He's never been this bad before, I think to myself. And I'm right. Charlie has never physically harmed me while in one of his drunken stupors. Yelled? Yeah. Thrown things? Sure. Hurt me? Never.
And even though tonight it wasn't deliberate physical harm it was close enough. I decide then and there that I'm done taking care of his drunken ass. I'm not going to put myself in that position. From now on he is Courtney's responsibility. Not mine. No matter how much I love my dad I just can't do it anymore.
I wake up the next morning slightly disoriented, until I realize that I am in fact in my room. I look at the clock and it reads 6:30, giving me about an hour to get ready.
I get out of bed and make my way to my closet and begin sorting through. I decide that trying to look good today isn't in my best interest. I pick an oversized tan knit sweater, that comes down to mid-thigh and covers my hands with its too long sleeves, light wash skinny jeans, and light brown UGG boots.
I don't even bother to look into the mirror as I make my way into the bathroom.
I brush my teeth slowly and distractedly. The same goes for washing my face. I look up into the mirror at my reflection once I'm done and sigh. I look exhausted. Semi-dark bags reside under my eyes and my eyelids look droopy with sleep, considering the fact that I didn't get much sleep last night. I tossed and turned and drifted in and out of a restless sleep all night.
I gather my hair supplies and brush my long, auburn hair up into a tight high ponytail with a few strands hanging down the sides of my face delicately. I maneuver the hair in the ponytail into a perfect donut bun that sits perfectly on the crown of my head.
I walk into my room to look at the time, it reads 7:25. I decide that I won't have time to do my make-up or cover up the small gash under my left-eye.
It won't matter, I think to myself as I quickly throw on mascara. Who's going to care enough to ask? Exactly.
I look at freckles spread across the bridge of my nose and my cheekbones and sigh. I usually cover them up with make-up but I have no time today.
Great, I think sarcastically.
I grab my phone, purse and car keys and quickly make my way down the stairs and towards the kitchen. When I enter I'm surprised to see Courtney out of the corner of my eye sitting on a bar stool at the island in the middle of the kitchen sipping coffee.
I ignore her and make my way to the refrigerator. I open it to find it completely restocked and I cock my eyebrow as I grab some grapes and a cup of yogurt.
"You went shopping?" I ask her while I move towards the drawer that contains the silverware for a spoon.
"Yeah," she replies casually while sipping her coffee. "I picked up a few things you like. We were running really low on food."
I turn around to face her, spoon in hand, and pause briefly at the bruise on her face. She also raises a blonde eyebrow at the small gash on my face. She opens her mouth like she's about to say something but just as quickly as it opens it shuts. I felt a small flicker of hope when she opened her mouth, thinking made she'd show so concern or remorse for her husband's actions, but it quickly burned out when she shut it.
I just want some to care.
I arrive at school exactly five minutes before the first bell and rush to my first period in fear of being late again. I finally slow down when Ms. Hale's classroom comes into view and as I glance at my phone I realize I still have 3 minutes to spare. I enter the classroom and spot Ms. Hale sitting at her desk with a male student standing next to her speaking in a low tone. She nods and seems to be listening intently. I feel a brief flicker of jealousy. Where'd that come from? I think.
As I take my seat, I feel my phone begin to vibrate and I quickly take it out to check it.
1 new text message. Unknown number.
I frown confusedly as I open the text message.
Looking good Swan.
Attached to the text is a picture of the back of my head. As I study the picture I realize the picture was taken from a few seats back in this class presumably when I sat down. I spin around in my seat quickly and spot Jasper, already looking at me with a smirk on his face, a few seats back. When he sees that I'm looking at him he waves slyly.
How the hell did he get my number? I think angrily. Due to the lack of effort the students put into socializing with me no one has bothered to ask for it. Yet James has it. How?
"Get my message, babe?" he calls out to me, which causes the whole class to look at me. I quickly turn around sink down into my seat, my face beet red.
Before anyone can say anything, Ms. Hale clears her throat and walks to the front center of the classroom, immediately gaining the attention of everyone in the room. Especially the males. The guy next to me, Kyle I think his name was, looked like he was going to combust any second. His eyes were permanently glued he her generous perky breasts and I briefly wondered if he'd pass this class.
"Get started on the work that I've put onto the board for you, please." She says while pointing at the assignment with her marker. "You can talk quietly amongst yourselves." She says and immediately conversations erupt around the classroom.
I took out the textbook that was beneath my desk and turned to the correct page. I skimmed over the problems she wanted us to do and sighed to myself, knowing that this was going to be a challenge for me. I worked through the first two with only a bit of difficulty but got completely stumped on the third.
I looked up towards Ms. Hale's desk to ask for help, only to find her already looking at me. I noticed a pink blush rise to her cheeks when she caught my eye and I raised my eyebrow in confusion.
Why was she looking at me? Did she think I was cheating? I thought in confusion.
Before I have time to overthink it more than I already am, her gaze falls to the small gash under my left eye and her brow wrinkles in what I assume is concern. I bring my left hand up and lean my face into it, effectively removing it from her sight, in what I think is a pretty sly manner. She raises an eyebrow at my attempt to cover it and beckons me to her desk. I gather my pen and paper and walk to her desk, while I'm up there I might as well get help.
When I reach her desk signals me to walk around to stand beside her, which I quickly move to do. I round the desk and see that there is a small stool next to her chair, hidden from view by the large desk.
"Have a seat, please." She says while turning her chair towards me. I walk towards her and have a seat on the small stool. I sit there awkwardly not really knowing what to expect.
"Do you need help?" she asks calmly. I sigh in relief that she isn't asking questions about the cut on my face, even though I'm sure she noticed.
"Um. Yeah. Please. I'm stuck on number three." I stammer with a chuckle while pointing to the half-finished problem on my paper, which she picks up and exams briefly before finding the problem.
"You didn't follow the formula, Bella." She states with a chuckle while leaning towards me to show me my mistake. I'm immediately enveloped in her warm vanilla and cinnamon scent and I can't help but revel in it. It's very relaxing and makes it very hard for me to focus on the math problems in front of me.
"Got it?" her voice breaks me out of my stupor and I manage to nod. I look at the paper and see that she wrote down the formula, thankfully since I wasn't paying attention to a word she said.
I briefly glance around the classroom and my eyes land on Jasper, who is staring intensely at me with that stupid smirk on his face. When he realizes that I'm looking at him, he brings his hand up to his face, brings his pointer and middle finger to either side of his mouth and sticks is his tongue out, flicking it up and down rapidly. I quickly look away from the crude gesture and turn to Ms. Hale, who's typing on her computer.
"Do you mind if I finish up here? So you can check it when I'm finished?" I ask, partly to avoid Jasper and partly because I'd much rather sit up here with her.
"Yeah, honey, of course." She says briefly looking at me to smile and then focusing back onto whatever is on her computer.
We spent the next 10 minutes working diligently, her on her work on the computer and me on my classwork. The bell for the end of class rang as I was finishing up the last problem. Students began to file out and place their work in a pile on Ms. Hale's on their way out. I hastily finished and placed it in the pile along with rest of the class'. I made my way back to my desk to pack up my things and while I was doing so I notice the classroom is empty now.
"Bella," I hear Rosalie call from behind me. "You're still coming for lunch, right?"
"Yeah, of course." I say with a smile while turning towards her and reaching up to tuck a stray hair behind my ear. The action causes my baggy sleeve to fall down revealing my cuts from the night before to Ms. Hale, whose eyes study them in shock. I quickly put my arm down once I realize what she's staring at, effectively covering the cuts with my sleeve and grab my things, making my way towards the door hastily. Before I can exit Ms. Hale is in front of me, blocking my path, staring at me intensely with concern evident in her electric blue eyes.
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