"I thought we made it clear that you had to stay away, Bella." Jessica's voice sounded. Lauren was with her, and it was only the three of them in the hallway.
"What are you talking about?" Happy thoughts, happy thoughts... Edward is waiting outside, Edward-
"We're talking to you, freak!" Lauren said, trying to be intimidating.
Bella rolled her eyes, before deciding to be the better person. Just walk away. Walk away.
"We said we're talking to you, dammit! Don't you dare walk away." She was grabbed forcibly by her backpack, sending her tumbling down the corridor.
"I know who you really are, Bella. You want to know how? Ha! Let's just say I have an inside source."
She looked in horror at Jessica who was holding onto a flash drive, in realization. What the hell? How had they gained the upper hand? And... no, they could not had gotten any of the Rich Girl Diaries.
"It's exactly what you're thinking, Iz." Lauren sneered, before kicking her. She was already on the ground, dammit.
And all of a sudden she felt like breaking down. All of this effort... for nothing. She tried to change, hadn't she? For mom, for Charlie, for Edward....
"You've got nothing on me," Bella said in a weak voice. "That's not -not who I am anymore!" She felt a tiny bit strengthened –she was no longer Iz, the wild child of Phoenix. She was Bella, the normal, albeit 'shy' newbie of Forks.
She was clean, in more ways than one.
Hell, she hadn't done that in months.
"But nobody knows this, right? What will Edward think, when his innocent, angelic girlfriend is just like him –a demon child?" Jessica smirked cruelly, before they both turned around and left the hall, leaving her on the ground.
Oh God.
What would the Cullens think?
What would Edward think?
…
"Hey, Bella!"
She raced out of the school parking lot, determined to ignore Edward.
"Bella! Bella!" His velvety voice was coming closer -his footsteps were coming nearer. No. No. Bella tried to run even further, but she knew it was useless.
Just then, rain started to pour, as if they were love-struck fools in a movie.
Love.
Edward.
She tried to wipe away the tears forming in her eyes. This –this...
She had so much with Edward! She knows his dreams, his likes... almost everything about him, and he knew everything about her, except for the past she can't risk unveiling. She stopped dead on her tracks.
She didn't like Edward.
She loved him.
In the span of a few weeks, she managed to love the one man that shouldn't be for her. But he –he was perfect for her. He knew what it was like, to feel as if nothing matters anymore. He knows. But still... he doesn't love her. He can't. And affection won't come through the horrors of her past.
She had to get out of this mess now.
"Bella!" Edward said, grabbing her forearm. "Where are you going?" He raised her hoodie up in concern, yet she didn't even acknowledge him. "Bella-," he shook her slightly, "Bella? Hey, what's wrong? You're scaring me. Come on, let's go to the Volvo."
She shook her head, trying to speak.
"E-Edward... just, just go. I'll walk," She whispered, her eyes downcast.
"Are you kidding me?! In this downpour! Come on, Bella. You'll get sick." Edward pleaded with his eyes, and Bella tried her best to look away.
"Don't. Don't." She faced him sharply, her resolve strengthening. "You know what?" She started harshly. "Whatever this, this thing between us is," she waved her hands between her, "it's over. Over, you get me? So get out of my sight, Cullen."
"Bella...," he whispered brokenly, as if finally realizing the gravity of the situation, "What are you saying?"
"I'm saying that you should leave. You should leave."
"But why?"
"Because... because you'll regret every single moment we spent together. I'm sorry, Edward, but I'm not good for you."
She turned around and walked away.
Edward looked at the disappearing figure of Bella Swan. He let out a cry of despair, looking at the charm bracelet clutched in his left hand.
I love you, Bella.
For the next few weeks, things were pretty much normal -there were no threats, only loneliness.
A void where her carefree happiness, and heart, once was...
She had taken to sitting by herself on the benches by the gym. Bella couldn't bear the thought of sitting with the Cullens -no, not the perfect Cullens, and certainly not with Edward.
Breathe.
Her academics weren't faring well, either. Mathematics had always been her weak spot, and without Alice to help, she was failing. And Biology was another story entirely -what are you supposed to do if you love, but can't have, your lab partner? It's as if they went back to the first stage of their relationship.
No Reaction Stage.
Absolutely no dialogue had ever taken place since that day in the parking lot, only tension coated the air. And the awkward situations were unbearable -every time they touched skin to skin, it was as if an electric current passed her body.
The only comfort she had was at home. At home, she could chill out with Charlie. She was so grateful that he wasn't the type to ask questions. He ate the meal that she cooked and that was that.
Blessed, comfortable, silence.
Frowning, she took her tray with her, and dumped it back to the cafeteria before going to her fifth period class.
History.
Bleugh. Another subject she was failing in without Jasper's tutoring.
Must life be cruel?
…
News and gossip was circulating in the air, even reaching her well-isolated ears. Mike Newton was having his grand eighteenth party (they should see the parties back at Arizona –every single one was worthy of MTV coverage), and everyone was invited.
No adults around.
My kind of party. A voice in the back of her mind whispered.
No. Not anymore. Stay home, Bella. Stay home.
Trudging to her last period, Arts, she found a note on her stool.
Be there, or you'll regret it.
Huh.
Guess I'm not staying at home after all.
This party is boring. Alcohol was limited to beer and vodka. That was it?
No bar?
No nothing?
And hell, there wasn't even a pool in this place. It's kind of surprising that they managed to have a party in this small an estate.
"Guys!" slurred the voice of Lauren, "In honor of Mike's birthday, we'd like to present to you a little video." She went down the stage together with Jessica then the lights darkened. Immediately, everyone became quiet, and everyone faced the blank wall where the projector was aimed at.
No.
Not here.
Not in front of all these people.
At the back of Bella's mind, she was wondering which tape they got, and how the hell they got it. But she couldn't bring her attention there yet; there were more pressing matters at hand.
Like the fact that her sex video could be the one that would play in the video.
Shit.
She sank further back into the shadows, her Jimmy Choos not making a sound. She scanned the crowd for the Cullens, surprise colouring her face when she saw that they were all there. Complete.
Correction. Surprise and dread colored her face.
5...
4...
3...
2...
1...
Damn.
Well is there something that you like about her?
Yes, I like the way that her body bends in half,
And is there something that you love about her?
The video camera was fuzzy, and kept on moving a lot, but the picture is easily identified.
A brown-haired girl, who looked remarkably like Bella (only, she was drunk -and perhaps high) was the main focus of the camera. She was a few feet away from the video cam, so her whole body was seen. A tall man with blonde hair was currently kissing her neck from her back, while she drunkenly posed for the camera. She was pouting and shooting winks at almost everyone, and she held a flute of wine in one hand. Wine? It seemed oddly out of place in the noise of the party, with the blaring lights and raunchy music. Her hips were moving to the beat of One Week of Danger by The Virgins, and her right hand, which was holding the glass, was held high, her other hand bringing the man closer to her.
Her high laughter rang in the air, and she finally emptied her glass, before handing it to one of the random people gyrating around her. She made a crooked motion with her finger, inviting the camera man to come closer.
Before the camera man had gone closer, she had turned around to face the man who had been kneading her breast. She seemed to whisper and giggle to his ear, before smacking his ass and shooing him away. She stepped closer to the video, then slurred out, "And who's our itty-bitty camera man?"
There was some shuffling heard, before a male voice squeaked out, "Nate. Nate Ledd." She laughed lowly, before saying, "Uh. Uh. Little Fresh-Freshiie, aren't you? Well, why," she came a bit closer, her face almost taking up the whole frame, "don't you tell me who invited you?"
"Minnie did." A gleeful smile crossed her face, before taking the camera and turning it onto the boy, "Minnie! Ha, ha! Why she chose you as our... documentary personnnnnnnnnel... ha.... is be...," she breathed in deeply, and adjusted the camera so that it faced the 14 (or 15?) year old boy. "Tell me, Natie, how's your first real party?"
"Eh, I've had parties before, but.."
"Nu-uh, baby boy. The only real party around here is the one hosted by moi. Alright? Now get. Find your sponsor and bug some other girl." The boy looked visibly scared, and then he took the camera and set off.
The screen went black, before rolling to another scene.
…
"Honestly, Amber! What's with the camera?" The girl, who is now most certainly Bella Swan, walked down what seemed like school hallways wearing a pair of over-sized Dolce & Gabbana shades and holding a big custom Chanel bag. The screen was following her again; this time only until her knees were seen. She was wearing a white, button up shirt with a black tie, a short (it reached above her mid-thigh) skirt, knee high red socks and boots.
A black-haired, Asian girl appeared on the frame as the camera zoomed out. The girl, Amber, was also wearing uniform (though hers came with a blazer), and was beside what seemed like her boyfriend. "Come on, Iz. It's for the Rich Girl Diaries, remember? Still cameras are so outdated -video cam captures our... essence more. It's the perfect way to introduce fresh meat into our life, too. Besides, Ashley doesn't mind does she?" Amber looked into the direction of the camera, and seemed satisfied.
"Where's Minnie?" 'Iz' asked, before sitting down on a bench at the courtyard. Amber sat down to her right, while her boyfriend remained standing. "Oh god," Amber said, "Do you not know how to use a camera? Move back. Reid should be seen."
The camera zoomed out a bit, and the tall figure of blonde-haired Reid McCarty was shown. "I think she's in the Dean's Office," he answered Iz' question.
The brunette winked at him conspicuously, but still in sight of the camera, before asking, "Why?"
"Probably got caught with some stuff again... I swear, if she has to do the Dean's son one more time I would, like, have to put her into therapy or something," Amber said.
"Can you blame her?" Iz laughed. Reid looked a little dazed before he was snapped back to reality. Iz continued, "Who can blame her for smoking pot. Delish. It's a Platt-family tradition, right?" She laughed humourlessly, before adding, "Besides, who wouldn't want to tap the Dean's son's ass? I've done once, and he was hot!"
We walk around pretending we're all grown up -- hey rich girl, well can you tell me why you're so stuck up? Rich Girls was playing from somewhere inside Iz' Chanel bag. "Hey, aren't you going to answer that?" Reid asked. The camera shifted for a bit, before it settled again.
"Nu-uh. Most likely it's Vince. I don't think he understands what I mean." The ringtone has stopped playing, and she finally got her sidekick out of the bag.
"What do you mean?"
Iz rolled her eyes, before answering, "Haven't you been posted with the 411? Man-whore Vince just got into my pants at Lillian's birthday bash last Saturday."
A faint growling could have been heard, but it was so faint. "Really?" Reid asked, stiffening.
Iz smirked before answering. "Yes, really. And truthfully, the rumours aren't just rumours. He's got mighty skills." Amber giggled dutifully, before saying, "Spill." "No way, Amb. It's between me and me. Anyways, he's trying to hook up with me again -and you know I don't do that... unless he gets me drunk at the Rebellion party I'm hosting this Friday... which is well, improbable."
"He just might," Reid said darkly, "You don't know what he can do."
"Oh yeah, you're the freaking best friend. Don't worry Reid. Only one person would be the guest to my room on Friday." She grinned sexily, before turning her attention back to Amber.
Either Amber was oblivious, or just didn't care about what was going on between her best friend and her boyfriend, because she continued on like it was nothing.
…
The video faded away, before the lights were opened once more.
Oh god. By some cruel trick of fate she caught the eyes of Edward –the hurt and betrayed eyes of Edward.
She had to get away. Everyone was looking for her already.
So what to do?
She went outside and got into her rich blue Lamborghini- another reminder of her rich life- parked a few meters away from Newton's.
She could feel Edward coming after her, but she ignored him.
She ignored her heart.
As she revved the engine, she thought of only one thing.
Revenge.
If Lauren and Jessica wanted to play, then let them play their silly games until they can.
Because Bella was dead.
And Iz is back.
She drove herself to school the next Monday.
This time, she did not wear the ratty, comfy clothes of Bella Swan. She had even upgraded her already rich car.
No, Iz Swan comes in style.
Everyone stared as a long, skinny-jean clad leg emerged from the sleek, custom-designed black Koenigsegg CCX. The words RICH GIRL, and DANGER MAGNET below, were printed in metallic silver at the front hood. Bella, or more properly, Iz, stepped out of the car, shading her eyes with her favourite pair of Versace shades. She got her Louis Vuitton bag, before making her way to first period.
Her knee-high Anne Klein boots clanked on the pavement, but she did not hear. She was texting on her sidekick and was listening to her iPod. This is life.
She knew that everyone stared at her, but she didn't care. If she was going to be Iz Swan, she was going to do this right.
She was going to be a bitch.
…
"Get out of my way, slut." Iz' cold voice addressed Jessica. "What, you're not going to move?" She cocked her head to the side, her glossy brown waves moving along.
"Who -who do you think you are, Bella?" Jessica was obviously intimidated, but she will not back down.
The whole cafeteria was watching the scene. Bella was standing proudly in the middle of the cafeteria, while Jess and Lauren were in front of her, apparently "blocking her way".
She let out a tinkling laugh... it was so high, so happy... so fake.
"I was Cruel Intentions. I was Gossip Girl. I was the It Girl. And I tried so hard to change," she pouted, "But you leave me with no fucking choice. Either you beg, or you beg. Either way you're out." She drawled out, looking at her nails.
"You're nobody here, Isabella Swan. Whoever you think you may be, you left in Phoenix," Lauren said. Forks was their territory.
"Well that video proves otherwise. There is no denying it. I'm meant to be Alpha. So bow down, bitch." Iz sneered, amused at the enraged faces of Bimbo One and Bimbo Two.
"Whatever." Jess tried to flip her away and turn back, but was stopped by her commanding voice.
"I'm not done talking. If you leave, I have only one message for you: Say hi to my friend Elise. She's in Washington State Rehabilitation Center. I'm sending you on a one way ticket there." Iz Swan's voice spoke of a promise, not of a threat. They both hesitated, and then decided to stay.
Lauren looked up slowly, fearfully, and then asked in a small voice, "Where'd you get that top?"
Iz grinned triumphantly, before replying smugly, "It's a Fendi original -hot off Paris. Now let's go girls. We've got lunch to eat."
On her way to her new throne, she caught the eyes of the Cullens, who were now sitting on one table. She saw the looks of disgust, pity and awe.
But most of all, she saw Edward's pitying face, his eyes filled with sadness, regret... and love.
I love you too.
But life got in the way...
Sorry.
"So as I was saying, I just received a text from a friend... he said I'm allowed to bring a friend to the Milan Fashion Week next month. Front seats, of course. Who wants to come?"
Bella smiled inwardly as Lauren and Jessica glared at each other. This was what she was truly good at.
I tried to change, I really did.
But when it all comes down to it, I'm still Iz Swan.
It Girl.
Queen Bee.
Alpha.
Rich Girl.
Royalty.
