Chapter 4

(BPOV)

Joy Only Lasts A Couple Short Hours!

I smiled "For now." I took a deep breath, "Let me guess," He gave me a questioning glance, "my makeup is ruined and I look like shit!?"

Edward smiled running his hand through his hair "You don't look like shit; actually, you look quite beautiful." I blushed and looked down at my hands. "As for your make-up running," he chuckled, "yeah!"

I scowled and wiped underneath my eyes; tons of black gunk spread upon my hand. "Ok…" I muttered, "…Ew!" I wiped the rest off, looked up at Edward, "Better?" I asked.

He smiled but it didn't reach his eyes "Yeah, but people are going to be asking about your cheek being black and blue, the gash above you eye, the dark purple ring around your left eye, and the bags under your eyes." He then pulled out his cell and started texting.

"Who?"

"Alice and Rose."

"Why?"

"They're the only people I trust enough to 'glam' you up."

I think I lost my nerve or I was REALLY missing Jacob, because what I did next was shocking…even for me. "Thanks, Edward," then I kissed the corner of his mouth. Realizing I REALLY shouldn't have done that I yanked back, jumped up from my spot and started pacing. 'What haven't I had today?' I asked myself as I paced, 'duh!' I then took out a liter and a pack of Marlboro mints, sighed, lit it and took a deep drag.

"Bella?! No!" Edwards arm shot out to grab the dangerous addiction.

"Edward?!" I mocked him taking another drag. "Look I really don't want to hear the lecture coming up, OK?" I rolled my eyes and took another hit, "You'll die faster…good!" I said in a bored tone. "Just let it go, Edward, OK?" I asked blowing the extra smoke in the other way, knowing he didn't smoke also.

"You're too beautiful to smoke, Bella," he argued, "and you could seriously mess up your voice."

I rolled my eyes "Like I haven't heard those two excuses before," I smiled at the time someone actually cared about my health. "Though I don't have a voice. Sure it's good…but nothing special."

He looked at me like I was stupid "The hell you don't!" I grinned; he was cuter when he got mad.

"Edward, please, I don't want to talk about this right now. Later, OK?" I tried to compromise smiling and putting cutely.

After much glaring and pouting he gave up "Fine," he agreed through gritted teeth, which soon turned into a grin. "By the way, what was that sweet little kiss for?"

I took another long drag while trying to calm down my blush. "I was just…thankful, is all." I smiled, despite myself, embarrassed, "I'm sorry I just…my guy friend, Jacob, he and I use to do that all the time; messing with my fa…Charlie and…R-Renée." My heart broke when I spoke her name aloud. Charlie doesn't even do that; calling her 'your mother' and 'my wife'.

He nodded "Why not anymore?" frowning as I took another hit.

"Charlie," I said sadly staring at the last part of my cigarette; he's the reason I started, helping the stress.

"Charlie? Charlie Swan? Your father?" he asked dumbfounded. "The police chief? Why would he forbid you to go see you friend?"

I shrugged "You ask him."

He nodded just as his phone rang, 'Barbie girl' by Aqua. "What Alice?" he answered "A huge bruise on cheek, a gash eye, black eye, dark bags under eyes." He answered again "Alright! Good! Thanks!" he snapped it shut. "They'll be here in five minutes. Speaking of which Alto voice, I sing, play piano and a little acoustic. Hand me your cell would ya?" I did so, wondering what he was going to sing, "I'll do Face Down!" I gaped at his voice, soft, velvety, deep and completely gorgeously attractive.

Face down in the dirt

She said this doesn't hurt.

She said I've finally had enough.

Face down in the dirt

She said this doesn't hurt.

She said I've finally had enough.

One day she will,

Tell you,

That she has had enough.

He comes around again.

Do you feel like you're a man?

When you push her around?

Do you feel better now?

As she falls to the ground?

Well I'll tell you my friend

One day this world going to end

As your lies crumble down

A new life she has found.

He smiled, I finally was able to close my mouth "That song…that one song gave my sister, Alice, the reassurance she needed to tell Esme and the rest of us about her abusive relationship with her ex-boyfriend." He shook his head sadly, "He beat her till she was unconscious about four times, raped her multiple times and stabbed her with various objects, for the most absurd reasons." his jaw clenched, "If any man hurts the people I care and love most will be dealt with, personally by Emmet, Jasper and I." He growled the last part. The bell rang overhead, "By the way," he said after I finished, "you want to tell Mrs. Christy we didn't finish and use Monday to just hang out?"

I nodded and was about to respond, saying I was going to have to get him a sheet of the music we were singing in a couple months, but was interrupted by two cheery voices, I will to learn to love, scream, "BELLA!" over the second bell.

Alice got to me first, her eyes got wide, her mouth 'o'ed in horror, "Honey, oh my God! Bella!? What…" she did a quick glance behind me and back, "…w-what am I going to use to make this look good?"

Soon Rosalie showed, her reaction, like Alice's, except she cried, saying "Alice it…it reminds me of y-you the first time you let it gooooo!"

I turned towards Edward and glared, "You said I looked ok!" I scolded.

He chuckled and whispered "No…I said you looked beautiful." As Alice and Rosalie worked wonders, covering everything up.

(You have no idea how bad exams are killing my writers hand! So I skipped the rest of the day, don't bite my head off! Jeez!)

"Bye Bella!" Rosalie and Alice said jumping into Alice's care. "See ya tomorrow, girl."

"Later girls!" I said grinning a small grin.

Emmet and Jasper took Rosalie's car "Be home soon, Eddie!" Emmet yelled over the radio, "Bye Mousy!" he teased smiling like a five year old.

I laughed "Bye Big bear!" I teased back loving my new nickname. I turned towards my truck, only to find Edward leaning against it, looking like a Greek God "Hey," I breathed stepping in front of him a couple feet away.

"Hey," he said the same, "Mousy!"

I laughed and blushed "Not you too, Eddie," I liked teasing with Edward, for some odd reason it just made me feel…I don't know…closer to him than the others I guess.

"Yea, yea," he waved it away with a swat.

I smiled "Thank you, Edward," I stepped up to him, only a few inches from him now, "no one's ever paid much attention to me before."

He nodded "It's just…I know where you're coming from, Bella. Whenever Carlisle and Esme adopted Alice and me, Emmet was the only one-there. That abusive boyfriend was beating Alice, I was having trouble making new friends and accepting my parents' death." He sighed, "I'm very glad I met you, Bella."

I nodded holding back the tears "I'm glad I met you too, Edward; all of you for that matter. You all made me laugh without it being fake, made me smile without it being fake or just a cover up." I smiled, "See."

He smiled a small smile, placing his hand on my cheek, I flinched, "I'm so sorry, Bella," I looked at him confused, "I wish I could do something, I really do."

I shook my head "It's OK, Edward, trust me," I laughed without any humor, "if you think this is bad…you have no idea!"

He nodded while his thumb gently rubbed over my bruised cheek, then sighed, "I'm busy tomorrow but on Sunday, do you want to hang out?" he asked in a rush.

I thought about it, 'Sunday's Charlie goes fishing till 6:00 at night. Great!' I nodded as my answer.

He smiled brilliantly "Great! Hey give me your cell number and I'll give you mine!"

I nodded as I took a picture of him running his hand through his hair. "Alright punch it in!" I demanded, he did so after taking a snap of me blowing a kiss to him. "Here put yours in."

I laughed as we hugged good-bye, "See ya later, Edward," I jumped into the cab of the truck.

"Yea," he said laughing, "Oh, wait, what time can I call you tonight?"

I frowned as I cranked up the truck "You know…?" I said buckling my belt and putting it into gear, "I'll just call you, ok?"

He nodded smiling "Later Bella!" he said gleefully jumping into his Volvo and speeding out first.

I giggled all the way home, until I saw the cruiser with two other cars in the front yard. My grin, happiness, and joy all washed away; I become the lifeless, quiet, shy, non-social able girl again. I slowly climbed out of the truck and up the stairs.

I stepped into the house, only to be greeted with silence and a musty smell, like mixture of cigarettes and beer. I carefully crept into the living room shocked and relieve of what I saw. Charlie, rob, and Steve were sprawled out on the couches, beers in their hands, mouths open and openly snoring. That was a shock of relief; Charlie asleep when I got home! 'Better make dinner before they wake up,' I thought hanging up my coat, rushing up-stairs and placing my bag on my bed and shoes underneath.

Once I got back downstairs and into the kitchen , I boiled some water in one pot, some tomato sauce in another and a pound of beef in a fat skillet. I placed a huge handful of angel hair noodles in the boiling water, added the browned beef to the sauce, and stirred. Then waited till the noodles were soft, drained. Next, I tapped Parmesan cheese onto some garlic bread and shoved it into the stove. Then popped two can of mushrooms into the pot with the heated beef and sauce. I mixed the sauce and noodles together, making the perfect spaghetti and garlic bread.

The oven dinged, I heard a grunt right afterwards. 'Shit,' I thought pulling the bread from the oven, shoveling some food onto three different plates. I walked into the living room to find Charlie and his friends watching the game, beers on the floor. "Dad?" I whispered taking a few cautious steps into the living room.

"Set them down on the table, Bella," Charlie replied.

I blinked 'Where's the yelling, beating?' I thought gently placing the plates on the table, 'And since when does he call me Bella?'

If that wasn't enough, as I left to get their drinks Charlie called out, "Thanks, Bella, and its great!"

I nearly fell out, "T-thanks dad," I smiled to myself. 'This is a trick!' a little voice in my head told me. I shuddered, 'He's done this before, all I have to do is what he says and I'll be fine!' I told myself.

I filled three cups of soda and gently placed them onto the table, where Charlie and the other two were eating happily. "Have you had any, Bella?" Charlie asked once he finished his mouthful.

I shook my head "No, sir," I answered standing in the middle of the living room, " I was going to wait for guys to be fed the myself…if that would be ok." I had skipped lunch, feeling uneasy with my stomach.

Charlie nodded vigorously "Yea, go ahead! Eat up!"

I nodded and left, my mind chanting, 'Trick, trick, trick, trick,' the entire time I was eating, washing the dishes, cleaning up the living room, finishing my non-existent homework, and getting into my night clothes.

As I laid in my bed, waiting and listening for his unruling beatings, I thought about the Cullen's…more specifically…Edward. He cared about the wound, he dropped the subject when I asked, he also dropped me smoking; though I've only been smoking since I was fifteen, I can quit whenever I want if I have the right motivation. He's sweet to care, but I'll just make something up the next time I come to school with something pretty bad. I mean, I hate lying to people, but when I lie to the Cullens, I hate what I did and myself.

Alice is…scary! Today during lunch…

Flashback that day during lunch!

"BELLA!" Emmet roared as Alice, Edward, and I made our way to the table I usually sit at alone. "How's my favorite Mousy doing?" he teased, while Rosalie playfully smacked his arm.

I smiled "Hey Emmet," I turned to everyone at the circular table, "Rose and Jasper."

The first part of lunch was fine; Jasper and Emmet planning the weekend, Alice and Rose planning a huge shopping trip on Saturday and Sunday, and Edward and I just getting to know one another.

Edward leaned over, expectantly, and whispered sweetly, his lips brushing against my neck and ear, "What was Emmet talking about…when he called you Mousy?"

When he pulled back, smirking-got to hurt him for that-I couldn't form a straight sentence; I stuttered, forgot what he said, if you really want to know…I forgot my own name.

He chuckled and moved back to my ear, "Breathe, Bella," I did as he said, "Now what did Emmet mean," he paused breathing his cool breath down my neck, his lips moved against my ear as he spoke next, "when he called you Mousy?" he quietly chuckled again. "Breath Belle." Then moved so I could speak.

If that's what you call what I did. I knew I was red, so red it seemed to be impossible. "H-he called me that…cause he-he's big a-and…I'm small." I giggled ""He's Big Teddy Bear Emmet and I'm Tiny Squeaky Mousy, Bella!" I giggled thinking of it, as Edward just smiled and staring into my eyes; 'So cliché, Bella!' my mind screamed.

"Bella! Rose we should so bring Bella shopping with us Saturday!" Alice suddenly squealed, eyes wide, smile bright and joyous!

"Sh-shopping?" I asked nervously, "Me? Shopping?" I continued laughing nervously taking my tray with me as I stood, "D-don't be crazy, Al-Alice!" I continued laughing nervously as I made my way towards the trash. "I-I can't, Alice. That's insane!" I scoffed freaking out.

Alice and Rose smiled evilly before making their way to me "We're not taking no for an answer, Bella," Alice whispered menacingly.

Tears flooded my eyes as she did; Charlie had said that the night he and his friends had some…fun with me.

I saw, behind Rose, Edward jump up and rush to my side. He wrapped his arms around me and pulled my head into his warm chest. "That's enough, Alice," he scowled pulling me through the doors of the cafeteria and into the student parking lot.

We sat on a bench, I didn't sob, I just let the tears slip out; thank God-and Alice and Rose-that all my make-up was waterproof. Edward sat with me, his right arm around my shoulder and his left holding my right hand, smoothing small circles into the back. I leaned my head on his shoulder, letting the tears slip. "Thank you, Edward," I whispered leaning up off his shoulder.

He smiled his crooked smile "Like I said, anytime, Bella." He then pressed his lips to my forehead. "Come on," he stood and grabbed my

hands, dragging me towards out next class, never letting my hand go.

End Flashback!

I didn't mean to freak out like that, I just did. I told Alice, next Sunday cause I had to work on Saturday. She bought it and dropped the subject.

Rose is a really nice girl, a little vain, yes, but she's really cool once you get to know her. Plus, she keeps Tanya and Laurens' posse off my back.

Jasper's a like me-personality wise-quiet, shy, only talking when spoken to, though he's quite nice once he opens up to you. Alice and Edward told me that if he looks into your eyes or even at your face he'll know what you're feeling, like that! (snap fingers for effect!=} lol!)

Emmet is like my favorite stuffed teddy animal! He may look evil…and intimidating, but he's really just a live stuffed grizzly bear! Funny, child-ish, in a good way, sweet, playful, kind-hearted…so far that I know.

I glanced at the clock, 9:47 PM "Maybe…" I started but couldn't finish the thought as I heard three heavy, different footsteps on the stairs, 'Thought so,' the tiny voice inside my head muttered.

I sat on the edge of my bed in a blue and black stripped, silk nightgown, no bra and underwear; just the way they like it.

My door suddenly busted open, Charlie, Rob, and Carl stood, drunk, in my doorway. Their eyes raked up and down my body, probably un-dressing me with their eyes.

"Yum," Carl complemented unbuckling his belt.

""Yeah, Charlie, she looks better since the last time!" Rob slurred rubbing his crotch before unbuttoning his jeans. "Good job!"

"I try," Charlie said, no slur, no hiccup, no stumble…nothing, I noted as they advanced on me. "She pisses me off so much I'm not sure why she's still alive!" 'You're telling me,' A voice in my head sarcastically put it. They all laughed, acting like I wasn't even there. "Carl," my eyes widened, "you're first." Charlie commanded slipping out his video camera, he kept all of his 'deeds' on it; basically my beatings and his own commentary.

As Carl made his way to me, pulling his pants and boxers down pushing me onto the bed and pulling my night gown off, Charlie started his commentary, "Here we have 17-year-old Bella Swan, getting her punishment for socializing in school!" He moved over to my bed, setting the camera on the foot of it. "My good friends Carl and Rob, here, are going to teach her not to disobey me, now, aren't you?"

"Hell yeah!" They hollered as traitor tears rolled down my face.

Charlie laughed "Ok Carl, have at her!"

With that said Carl shoved himself into me, I cried out in agony, tears fell endlessly. He grabbed a handful of my hair, painfully jerked it back, "Bitch! I want to hear you scream as I finish you off!" That's the way it went; him slapping me as he thrusted in and out of me, pulling my hair reminding me of the last of it, filling up my breasts and finally reaching his peak and I screamed just like I was supposed to do. He pulled himself out, waited a few minutes, then I was commanded to swallow him. Tears ran constantly as I finished, I nearly puked my guts out as I swallowed. After he was done, Rob took his turn repeating Carl's actions.

"Here," Charlie threw the camera at Rob, "get a good shot of me with her would ya?"

Rob nodded "Yeah, Charlie, man."

I watched as my own father stripped to nothing, flipped me over and ride me till I was bleeding and crying in agony and despair. Charlie pulled himself out and got dressed. I lay there and wait for whatever's coming, tears falling down my cheeks and onto my purple and black sheets.

"Get dressed, you piece of shit." Charlie ordered, I do so. Slowly due to the pain of getting raped by three different grown men, one after the other. "You did good, kid." He said leaving my room.

I thought it was over as Rob left, but I was mistaken. Carl came at me with a knife, I started to scream, but he punched me in the face many times. Soon I was wheezing for breath as he took to my neck. On the right side he carved letters into it, my screams were muffled by his knee slamming down on my sternum.

After 15 minutes of pure agony, he pulled the knife back, smacked me across the face, and threw me against my wall. I screamed out in pain as he laughed and left my room.

I sat there beaten, torn, bloody, physically and emotionally in pain. I sat there, thinking of what Mom would've done if she were here. I sat there, remembering the wonderful times I had with Charlie and Renee before I was 6 years-old.

Two hours later, I heard Charlie slump into his room, his bed creaked as he laid or sat down, then merely seconds later, his deep, gargling, snores were heard all through the house.

I stood slowly, my limbs felt like jelly; painful, pathetic, gross jelly! I made my way over to my dresser and pulled out a pair of black and blue stripped pj pants with my favorite band, Evanescence, t-shirt, and my one and only black, baggy sweat shirt. Jacob gave it to me the last day I had hung out with him down in La Push. I sighed "Jacob," I whispered quietly laying down in my bed, careful not to cause anymore pain to myself, "what would you want me to do?" I asked tears falling down my cheeks once more as darkness took over my vision.

(Edwards house, same night as last chapter, no one's POV!)

"I'm sorry, Edward!" Alice apologized for the millionth time that night, "I didn't MEAN to scare her."

"Yea, Ali, I know…but she's delicate." Edward replied pulling out his MP3.

"I can tell," Alice said smoothing her outfit, "I mention shopping and she tears up…"

Edward sighed "Ali, I don't think that's why she started crying." He switched a couple songs, deciding on a low melody. "What did you say to her after she said no and started backing away?"

She shrugged "Just that we weren't taking no for an answer," she paused, "why?"

His eyes became wide "You said what?!" Alice looked at him confused. "Alice, what would…Alex…always say when you said no?"

Alice frowned "He would say he wasn't taking no for an answ…Oh my Gosh!" She covered her mouth in horror, "I didn't…I didn't mean it in a bad way! I was joking!"

Edward sighed sadly "Alice, I think she knows you were playing….it just….scared her."

She nodded "What did you find out about her?"

He shrugged "Well the bruise on her back is healing, it happened sometime earlier this week." Ha paused clenching his jaw, "I know someone's hurting her…she said if I interfere he's kill or hurt us! She won't open up to me!" he sighed in frustration.

"Well…you know…it is our first day, Edward." Alice pointed out slowly, biting her lip.

He groaned "I know, but I'm just so…damn impatient! Ever since your…incidents with…Alex…I've been more aware of how people talk, walk, and act. I know someone's doing this to Bella." He whispered the last part to himself.

Alice patted his arm "I know, Edward, I know." She then smirked, thinking something diabolical or knowing something that no one knows yet. "ooooh…this shall be interesting."

He glanced at her, saw her expression, then started panicking "Alice? What is it?" She shook her head still smirking "C'mon, man! Please!" He begged on his hands and knees.

Alice giggled "No, no Edward! The only people I will be telling this to will be, Rose and Mom."

Edward was appalled by her decision "What?! I'm your brother! Damn you, I'm supposed to know!"

Alice rolled her eyes "Yeah and my little vision"-she put air quotes around the word-"deals with you!"

"Fine," he huffed giving me up, "at least tell me who else it consists of, please?!"

She rolled her eyes once more, got up and went up the staircase "Edward," She sighed, "you are impossible. But since I love you and all I give you two clues." She paused at the top step as did Edward. "A feeling and the one girl that has been on your mind since this morning. Night!"

He stood there shocked, confused, and angry with his sister. "What? Alice! That ain't fair!" He yelled down the hallway before he turned down the opposite to his bedroom. 'This is so frustrating,'he thought pulling off his shirt and jeans, leaving him only in his boxers...(Let your minds wander girls! lol =0) 'first, Bella won't tell me whats happening to her...then my own sister won't tell me what she 'sees' in her 'vision'! God can this get any worse!' A little voice in his head muttered something along the lines of 'Think about Bella! What do you think she asks everynight she looks at her body and sees those things someone puts in her?!' He climbed into his comfortable bed, ignoring the little voice, before letting the soft melody lull him to sleep.

Yes! Finally! I'm done with chapter 4! Hallelujah!