Ch 4.
"Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend."
A/N: welcome back all my wonderful readers! So, I know you all are excited for the big reveal. Have patience. We have a long way to go. But I will make sure no one is disappointed.
Lotttsss and lottsss of love to my bff Heena. And all my college friends who are making an effort to read my story despite their hatred for fan fictions.
DISCLAIMER: TWILIGHT CHARACTERS ARE NOT MINE. *weeps* but… FREDDY is all mines! THAT'S right…
Introducing IAN SOMERHALDER as FRED MAYER.
BELLA POV
(THE PAST MEMORIES)
I woke up with a startle. Fred was sitting on my window; his body shaking with laughter.
This was a routine. My morning started with screaming, yelling, and then running behind him. My mom no longer came running to my bedroom with pepper spray or broom stick or table knife in her hand.; eventually She realized that the intruder and my irritating best friend/neighbor was the one who dutifully comes through the window early in the morning to make sure my morning would begin with a sore throat from screaming at him.
"What are you laughing at?!"
He did not answer. Irritated I decided to go ask the mirror myself. And then I screamed so hard I was almost positive my mom would come look for me again. Because this was not my usual screaming; usually my daily dose would begin after realization that—he had eaten my favorite chocolates from cupboard, he had by mistake very conveniently torn the last few important pages of my novel or dropped food on my favorite shirt, and the list goes on and on and on…
But as I looked in the mirror right now… he had …
"What the hell did you do to my face you idiot! I will never be able to wash this away!"
He guffawed so hard he had to catch the window frame for support.
"You look soo beautiful Swanster! I bet Joseph is going to die watching you like this!"
THAT WAS fucking IT!
"Run for your life dog!"
He sprinted from my window to his in one stride. This was the worst part of having a neighbor in Phoenix. The houses were so mashed with one another that only one little jump through the French window and you end up at your neighbor's bedroom.
I took a deep breath and followed him calculating in my mind different ways to kill him.
I reached his bedroom and threw pillows and books and all other things that came in my hand while he skillfully danced out of the way.
"Easieee Swanster! I was just trying to make your face look pretty. You know, so that somebody would ask you on a date" he laughed at his own silly joke.
I found a promising looking knife and ran after him.
"Hey, easy there. Do you wanna end up in lockup before you get married?"
I ignored his ramble and focused on taking the steps on staircase carefully 2 at a time without ending up falling on my face.
But I did not have to run any further. His parents were at dining table. He froze when he saw his father shooting us a disapproving look and his mom sighing quietly.
"What's wrong with your face Bella?"
And then we both shouted together.
"It's not my fault! Oh yeah?"
We glared at each other. And then after a few minutes his nose wrinkled. We both realized at the same time where the smell was coming from.
BROCHOLI!
And then he shot me a mischievous smile…
I gave him a pleading look…
No you wouldn't
He raised his eyebrow like a villain as if saying,
Ofcourseee I would!
"Errr… I am getting late for school. I should better hurry up! See you later guys!"
I mumbled trying to make a quick exit…but of course that devil was not having that.
"Hurry up? What are you talking about? It's our tradition to have breakfast together every Friday." Fred said winking at me. I glared at him.
"Go clean up Bella, and then come join us for the breakfast" it was his dad who asked…or commanded would be a better word.
I sighed and went to the washroom to clean myself. His parents were like my 2nd parents. Just more possessive and much much stricter than mine.
When I was back I heard some argument brimming among Fred and his dad. I could bet my meager savings what was this chatter about. A daily scene every morning. I frowned to myself as I took my seat.
Uncle John was 'Major Uncle John'. He was in army and would be away from home at least ¾ of the year. Uncle John was among the richest in neighborhood. He had everything in his life he dared to wish for -a 3 storey penthouse, 2 Bmw's, a loving wife and a great deal of reputation. His only wish left was to see his son taking his place someday…and yeah that was exactly what it was. A wish.
Because his son was not interested.
"Why do you keep bringing this up dad? You know I hate violence." Fred said quietly.
"Fred Mayer! Do not argue with me!"
Fred flinched visibly and glared at his hands as if they belong to someone else. His mom squeezed his shoulders gently but he ignored her gesture.
"Dad I am not going into army." Fred whispered in a hard voice.
"What did you say?"
"I said I am notjoining some stupid army because I don't want to end up abounding myfamily dad! I am not going to repeat your mistakes!"
Uh oh….
"How dare you speak with me like that? You…"
Uncle John had turned completely red. I had to get Fred away from his glare before he ended up using violence at him.
"Come on Fred! We are getting late!"
I had to use all my strength to force him leave the place. Uncle John seemed too angry to respond which was a good thing at the moment. Mrs. Mayer threw me a grateful look and I smiled back weakly.
Once we were out of the house his face became completely torn. He always wore a tough mask on his face so that the outside world could never see how much pain was he really in. To the world, he was just another rich spoilt teenager who refused to follow his father's steps and give away the luxury.
I knew better.
I knew the real him….
We walked towards our usual meeting place. Our Tree house. From the time we were kids, the tree house was a safe haven for Freddy and me. We would lie there beneath the stars and sort out all of the grief or confusion that the life sometimes brings when you're young. It was where I revealed to Freddy all of my secret crushes and my fear of getting my first period. I took a deep breath in and let out a long, nostalgic sigh as I remembered all of the nights we spent there, hoping that our parents wouldn't call us home for bed.
I sat on his lap and He leaned forward and tightly embraced me. Even without words I could hear his silent cry.
I knew he hated talking to his dad like that. He loved him. But his dad wretchedly stuck to his stubbornness. Even though Fred wouldn't give second thought before throwing himself for the country, he hated even the mention of joining in the army. According to him, army officers had no heart. Uncle John had left his mother alone on their first night after wedding and then again during the last 7 months when she was expecting Fred.
He had seen his mother weep alone locked in her room while her husband was away fighting for the country. Seeing his mother in that state for years had taken a toll on Fred. He felt helpless. He would then just call me at our safe heaven, quietly lie down with his head on my lap and we would often just fall asleep like that.
After a while he sighed and let go of me.
"Go and change Swanster; we are late for school already."
I hesitated. I didn't want to leave him right now even for a second. He rolled his eyes and pushed me from tree….I kissed his cheeks lightly and sprinted to my house anxious to see him again.
We were walking to our next class, out hands entwined while he whistled an unfamiliar tune.
"Here comes the BFF" I heard someone calling. Eve, I recognized her nasty voice.
Fred shot a hard look in her direction but otherwise ignored her. I sighed to myself. I and Fred had been best friends since 1ST grade. It had been almost 8 years now, but girls here never failed to give me an incredulous and followed by a sour look whenever I walked with my best friend; and school's most happening guy, hands in hands. To them I was not even worth looking at. They could never understand why Fred must have even chose to talk to me then let alone dared to make me his best friend.
Fred looks….just INCREDIBLE. Or for a better word, my own Greek Adonis!
His face was perfect and angular, high cheekbones, strong jaw lines, with baby blue eyes. The muscular back, the biceps, and the perfectly cut abs – girls practically drooled when he walked by! And when he smiled- forget about it. His sexy grin was what really drew all the ladies to him. He knew exactly how to use it too, that smile of his was a total chick magnet. It worked on everybody.
Everybody, except me that is.
We sat on our usual seat making small talks when I noticed an unfamiliar atmosphere around me. The excitement seemed to be a visual aura.
Freddy noticed my distraction and chuckled quietly.
"Let me guess, you obviously don't know what's going on here?"
I smiled ruefullyand shook my head. He rolled his eyes and muttered "you could be so out of it sometimes."
"What is it?!"
"It's just 3 weeks left to 14th of February Swanster! For Valentine's day and of course the annual bash."
"Oh!" I blinked, surprised.
"It's not her fault Gray eyes." We turned toward the voice. Malfoy was sitting in the next row shaking his head in a mock sadness.
"If I were in your place Fred, I wouldn't have agreed to go to that dance with the cheerleader captain rather than the sex on legs sitting beside you; who looks more like a pet of yours than a best friend." He howled with laughter.
Fred got up from his place and caught Malfoy from his shirt.
"Mind your fucking mouth Malfoy!"
"Oh yeah? And what if I don't?"
"Hmm… let me think. May be then I would chop your tongue into pieces so that you won't have tool to lick your girlfriend's stinking ass tomorrow! "
"You son of a…"
"What the hell is happening over here?" Mrs. Gosh who had just entered the class was eyeing both the boys suspiciously.
"Malfoy and Fred Mayer! Are you two having some problem there? If you are, pack your backs and go straight to the principal's office"
"No mam we are good." Fred let go of Malfoy's shirt and settled in his seat without another glance at him. Malfoy followed suit.
Fred started playing with my fingers. (I swear he had some obsession with them. It was a habit he had picked up since as long as I remember.) As if nothing had happened, as if he wasn't 2 seconds away from breaking Malfoy's filthy jaw.
I sighed loudly and started giving him silent treatment. He frowned at me but otherwise ignored me.
After class I bellowed at him. "What do you think you were doing over there Freddy? Why do you always start something or the other with Malfoy and end up getting scolded from some teacher or the other?!"
"Oh? So now it was my fault, was it?"
"I am not saying it was your fault Freddy, but you know Malfoy purposely says such things just to annoy you and…"
"I can'tbear anybody speaking of you like that, you heard me?"
"But Fred…"
"Discussion over."
I stomped to my next class, trying to control my anger. Mercifully the rest of the day went uneventful. Fred was going to meet me after school. I glanced at the clock. We still had 15 minutes; Mrs. Goff dismissed our class a bit early. I decided to have a quick glance at mirror before heading to parking lot to meet Fred. I was in washroom when Serena wanderwoodsen, the hotshot cheerleader, and apparently the date of Fred to annual ball dance entered in flanked by her two girlfriends which she treated more like roadside puppies. I sighed. This day is just going from bad to worse. I decided to head out before she could think of any snide comment, but of course she wasn't having that. She stepped in front of the door, blocking my way. I looked at her, raising my eyebrows.
"Well well, if it isn't Fred's favorite toy here"
"Excuse me?"
"Oh COMMON Bella sweetheart, we ALL know you are just a charity case to him; the family friend he felt bad for."
"You don't know him! He is MUCH better than you think he is Serena fucking wanderwoodsen! You are just jealous that even though he has asked you for the dance he shows nil% of interest in you!" I said trying to hide my smirk.
"You bitch..!' she almost screeched.
"Sour lemons Serena?" I said giggling. I pushed her away from the door and she let me pass by, unable to respond coherently.
I ran toward the main gate and decided to walk straight home alone. I didn't have in me to face Fred after this confrontation. And I am dead sure that one look on my face and he would know something is wrong. I tried to control my tears as I stomped toward my home. I knew Serena said all those things just to piss me off. But her words hit home.
Not about Fred of course. I knew Fred more than he knew himself. We were more like soul mates than best friends. But even a blind man could see the obvious difference between us.
His personality is what I think kept us friends for so long, though. Although he was beautiful and came from a wealthy family, he never let any of that go to his head. Fred was super popular and everyone wanted a piece of him. He was always invited to the biggest parties, and was asked out by the prettiest girls, and he tremendously enjoyed the attention of course, but never once did any of that matter to him when I was in the question. I was always his first priority. Anything and everything always had us rolling on the floor laughing. The fact that he stuck by me no matter what all the time made me love him so much.
I on the other hand wasn't popular by any ones' standard. I was the police chief's ex wife's nerdy daughter who spent all her time studying and hanging out with Fred. My hair was a dull boring brown color that came down past my shoulders. My eyes matched my hair-lifeless brown color. My skin was a pale color that was more noticeable by the dark color of my hair. My clothes were all out of brand, and all I did was read. Besides my dreary looks, the fact that I read at all for pleasure made me a poor match for Fred in their eyes.
I sighed and continued to walk. I felt someone following me and instantly knew it was Fred.
"Swanster! Wait up!"
I turned and waited for him to join me.
"Hey..."
"What the hell Swanster?! We were supposed to meet at parking lot."
"ya...uh sorry for that...lets walk" I said in a weak voice staring ahead. He caught my hands and glared at me.
I sighed. It wasn't as if he will let this go. Better to get it over with already.
When he finally got out of me what was wrong, he was upset...and very very angry.
"Swanster, you know these people have no idea what they are talking about. You are my very best friend because I cannot live without you. Who would make me pancakes every Sunday if it weren't for you? Who would be behind me to do everything on time? Who would inspire me to work on my music more? None of them hold half as much interest as you hold. You along with them don't see yourself clearly. You never have. Ignore them. You are beautiful and funny and so smart! Not to mention you have a super hot best friend!"
"promise me Swanster; promise me you won't listen to them anymore. Only you and I know what we mean to each other, nobody else matters." He lightly pushed the curtain of hair from my face and kissed my forehead.
'i-i...promise" he wrapped his arms around my shoulder then, giving me a tight squeeze.
We reached my home and I made some pancakes for both of us. Renee had taken up various classes that kept her occupied most of the day so I had taken up the kitchen duty at pretty early age.
"mmmm...delicious! you see what I was talking about?!"
I smiled at him adoringly and took a bite of my own.
We finished with our homework and Freddy was on his way to play some baseball match with his guy friends.
"will be there right in a minute. I need to make a call." I nodded and gathered my books heading toward study table when I heard his voice.
"Yes I am pretty sure babes. Go find another dance partner. Because apparently I am not INTERESTED…Good luck"'
I whirled, startled.
"Freddy! What the hell!'
"what?"
"did you just…did you just cancel out on her."
He rolled his eyes. "stupid Swanster! After today, you REALY think I would even TOLERATE going with her to the dance. You got to be kidding me!"
"Freddy!"
"what?"
"listen...I know you want to go with her...and well...it wasn't even a big deal, really.
I mean we are good, I can talk to her if you want...you don't have to cancel with her because of me…"
"who said I want to go with her babes?
In fact, I am utterly glad I got a perfect kickass excuse to bail on her" he said grinning evilly.
"don't call me babes, and...wait WHAT?!" I stared at him like he had three heads.
"hell ya! you know I don't even like her Swanster! SHE just asked me out in front of her friends and well, I thought it would be
A shitty thing to let a pansy cheerleader let down! But you my wonderful girl made it so easy for me!" he said winking.
I glared at him. But my heart was doing salsa. Thank heaven he had no interest in that bitch!
"so, what are you going to do now?"
"What do you mean" he said tying up his shoe lace.
"I mean, you have to take SOMEONE with you right? If you end up at a party without a date, you will lose your super stud status." I said grinning.
"Swanster, my baby, I am FRED MAYER! I don't ask girls out. THEY ask ME out."
I rolled my eyes. yaa yaaa. TYPICAL.
Just then we heard the phone ring.
"hello?"
"Bella! did you find the dress for the party yet?!"
"Hi Anna, hello to you too" I said sarcastically.
"no time for hello, how are you? answer me cherry, did you find the dress or not!" she was practically shouting on the phone.
Anna aka Anastasia. She was one of the few people I had managed to be friends with. The girl was practically a fire cracker. I could actually Imagine her right now bouncing up and down on her couch with impatience.
"ummm… not yet."
"WHAT!"
And the cracker just got bust.
"are you SERIOUS? It's just 3 week left for the bash! only three weeks! And so much to do. Dress, jewelry, shoes, makeup… Oh Mother Marry, why am I wasting time speaking to you right now! Listen Jessica Biel, tomorrow we are going to shopping. Be ready by 3pm. Okkey bye now I have to make a few calls…make the shopping list and"
"HOLD IT!" I said when I could speak. I will never get used to her dramatics.
" whatttt?" she sighed impatiently.
" I can't come with you people tomorrow."
"why not!"
Umm… lemme see. Because don't mind, I really adore you Anna, but I refuse to go shopping with you and your biff…oh ya the same one who was blown off by my best friend seconds ago over me. That's right people, me and my wonderful luck. She was best friend of none other than Serena Wanderwoodsen. * applause*
However, she was nothing like her bitch of a friend. She was caring and kind, a little over whelming and enthusiastic, but sweet none the less.
" well, I have already made plans with Freddy for dress shopping."
Fred who chose exact moment to drink water started choking hysterically.
" oh… a GUY will help you to pick up a dress for the prom?" I could practically see her rolling her eyes when she said that.
" I am not taking just ANY guy, I am taking my best friend… and well he can"
"ya ya I get it… Freddy is this, Freddy is …Freddy..muah muah.." She teased.
" don't start" I threatened.
" okay, calm down Beyonce. You have fun with your BEST FRIEND. Good luck. Toddles."
" bye Anna." I said sighing.
I turned towards Fred wondering where I got myself into and noticed him staring at me with wide eyes. " did you just tell Anna you are going to the… ?"
"yep"
" UN fucking BELIEVABLE ! YOU are going to THE ANNUAL BASH?"
"nope."
"but you just said…"
"I said I told HER I was going to the party…not that I am really going to. You know such parties. I bet there is going to be some DISGUSTING dirty dancing, stupid games and a lot of alcohol, and we are not even 18 yet and…"
He snorted, cutting me off.
" of course you are not. That's the difference between me and you Swanster. You are Miss goody goody and you ALWAYS play by the rules. There is fucking no FUN in your lifeless- life!
Me on the other hand, well…I just don't!"
I whacked his head with my book.
" hey, I am not a goody goody !" I argued. "I don't always play by the rules ,okay? There're plenty of things that I do that aren't necessarily approved by Renee."
Fred cocked his head back and raised an eyebrow as he zipped up his hooded sweatshirt.
"oh, yeah? Like what?"
" Well, I, I – " I stammered. I searched for something – anything- that proved that I was at least somewhat of a badass.
DAMN IT.
When I couldn't come up with an answer or excuse, Fred started to chuckle, shaking his head at me as I buried myself deep in the thought. I was trying, and failing miserably, to come up with ONE thing that made me remotely defiant. But I had nothing- not a single example !
" Exactly Swanster ! Why don't you prove me wrong and finally go to prom with me, hmm?", he suggested picking up his bag pack from the floor.
WAS HE SERIOS?
I considered for a minute. I wasn't really one to succumb to peer pressure, but I did kind of want the chance to show Freddy that I could live a little dangerously, too. It might be nice to let my hair down a little with him for just one night.
However the idea to go to the prom with HIM as a date was a little unsettling. I could already hear the gossip. Ugh.
" Is this Larry Newton's party you are talking about?"
Our prom was not an official celebration like other schools had. Our school was strictly against what they called- WASTE OF TIME , WASTE OF MONEY. So some senior or the other took upon themselves to throw an unofficial party/annual prom night for all of us, and Larry Newton was one of them.
Larry Newton was notorious for throwing the most outrageous parties. Last year he threw a party when his mom and dad were out of town for their anniversary weekend. The shindig got so out of hand that the neighbors ended up calling the cops and busted him and a ton of his friends for underage drinking.
I gulped.
" Yup- Larry's party. So, are you going to be lame and sit at home watching chick flicks like you did last year?" Fred joked as he messed up my hair. He slid his bag pack over his shoulder and started walking towards the door.
"You're kind of hot when you bite your lip by the way."
"Quit it, Freddy!" I exclaimed, patting my long brunette locks.
I completely ignored that last comment of his. This wasn't the first time that he had made a remark about my "hotness", but I know he said stuff like that to irritate me.
"And, I'm going to the party. You'll see," I declared confidently as I led him out of the door.
Damn! I was regretting my decision already. But, I knew that he wouldn't ever let me forget it if I backed out now. I could just imagine him for the rest of our lives referring to me as an "Ms goody goody" and constantly bringing up that I "chickened out" of Larry Newton's infamous prom night.
"Did you say that you're going to go?" Freddy asked, a bit of excitement in his voice.
I nodded my head in response as I opened the door to let him out.
"No, way. You're kidding me, Swanster. Are you seriously going to go with me?"
"Yes, I am," I retorted, straightening up a bit.
Fred shook his head at me and grinned as he pulled the hood of his sweatshirt over his head and stepped out onto the front porch.
"Alrighty. I'll believe it when I see it."
A/N : sooo…what do we have here. Bella and a bff? What do you think of my new character Fred? This party sounds like a trouble about to happen…what do you think?
Would loveee to know your thoughts ! plzzZ review.