Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Twilight characters, they belong to Stephenie Meyer!

Chapter 4

BPOV

Bella spent a little longer in the shower than she had originally planned, which only added to her discomfort seeing as how this was not her house. At least at her place, Charlied usually came off late, sometimes not at all so she could shower as long as she wanted. The warm water relaxed her tense muscles but here, she couldn't do that, yet she practically did. Once she dressed, she let her hair stay down to let it dry; it was already starting to take on its natural wavy form. She usually just pulled it up in a loose bun but this look changed her look but only very faintly. Bella looked down on the counter and reached for the wrist bands; the memory of Alice storming in and finding her scars rushing back to her. She felt so careless to have not at least locked the door. Now she would have no choice but to discuss them with Alice...no lie would be believable seeing as how Alice had seen them for herself. Would she tell the others? Would she tell Edward? The thought of Edward finding out made Bella even more uneasy, which she didn't understand. She had spent the last few years bottling up all emotions she ever felt, feeling unworthy of deserving someone caring for her. For Edward to have suddenly taken an interest in her was already strange. She had liked him at one point a few years back and now, with the attention he was giving her and making her feel like he truly cared about her and her safety, it was starting to bring those buried feelings back to the surface. Feelings or not, Bella told herself to forget something ever happening. Unless she wanted a repeat of the incident which happened with Jacob, she would ignore whatever feelings came back for Edward and would continue with the way she lived her life. She just hoped her new "friends" would allow for this to happen. Bella suspected Alice wouldn't let her disappear so easily. The knock on the door startled Bella, as she was deep in thought by now. It was Alice.

"Bella, is everything alright in there? You've been in there for a while..." Great, Bella thought to herself. Alice probably was thinking Bella had used the extra time to inflict more injuries on her self. This was exactly why she kept it to herself. Now, Alice would probably always think Bella would be hurting herself, or so Bella thought. Instead of responding, Bella opened the door to see Edward with a very worried Alice standing and waiting for her.

"I'm ok, thanks for asking," she forced a smile at both of them but mainly brought her attention to Alice. She, as far as Bella was concerned, was the one who knew a part of her secret. She feared who else now knew, if there was anyone else.

"Are you hungry? Can we get you anything?" Edward asked, a smile on his face. He looked at Bella as though she was the only girl in his eyes; as though she was beautiful. Bella didn't see what he saw and couldn't understand why he would even bother doing that...maybe he knew and was showing her pity. Before she could answer, her phone went off once again. It wasn't too common for Bella to be using her phone as often. She would be the one usually calling her dad, so only one person came to her mind. Jacob. He was, afterall, suddenly picking up his "interest" in Bella once again. The thought of that and the memory of the incident made her sick.

"Sorry..it could be Charlie," she told them as she took her phone out to look at it, knowing better. It was another message from Jacob.

"It's no problem..I'm going to start dinner for everyone, I hope you like pasta," Edward said as she started to head down the stairs. Bella didn't eat much though being in their home she felt she had no choice but to join everyone. Alice stayed with Bella who had looked down at her phone to read the message.

-You can't hide from me forever Isabella...you know I'll find you...-it read. Bella felt her legs weaken and give out from beneath her. Before Alice could react, Bella had already fallen to the ground but remained silent, knowing if she let out a cry of pain, others would hear and possibly come running. The pain had not been in result of her fall, it was the pain of Jacob and the memory of what he had done to her. He was serious when he said he could find her. Charlie was never home most nights...Jacob could easily find her and she would be alone, just like that night...

"Bella!" Alice exclaimed as she knelt down to check on Bella, who had a blank and pain filled expression on her face. Alice tried to keep her voice down, so that no one would hear something happened. She had still planned on trying to get Bella to open up to her about her scars and possibly whatever else she had been hiding for so long. This reaction, towards whatever the message said, might have to deal with all of this. This, at least, was Alice's theory and bringing others into this right now would be the worst possible thing for Bella. "Bella, can you hear me?" Alice was worried as Bella was unresponsive, though she watched the fear form in Bella's eyes as she tried to fight off the tears. "Here, let's get you to my room..." Alice went to help Bella up, which wasn't hard to do. Bella was snapping out of it slowly but enough to realize Alice was trying to help her and was moving her to a bedroom. Alice's bedroom.

"I'm sorry.." was all Bella said, embarrassed for her behavior. She didn't want anyone to see this. This is exactly why she preferred to be alone but now, being alone was the very thing that she could not do. If she was alone, Jacob would get to her.

"Bella, why are you apologizing?"

"I...I don't know..."Bella responded and took a seat on the floor bringing her knees to her chest and wrapping her arms around them, an attempt to hold herself together.

"I'm going to get you some water, ok?" Alice offered. Bella nodded and watched as Alice rushed out of the door. She was starting to feel that Alice could be trusted, but just because she was starting to feel this way it did not mean she would let her wall down. Though, right now she had no choice. She needed someone's help and Alice seemed like the perfect person to come to. She looked back at her phone, which contained nother message, also from Jacob.

-Scared? You should be...-He said...he knew how to get to her so well. She was powerless against him. She felt that not even the self defense she had been learning would be enough to fight him when the time came for it. She was no longer hopeful Jacob would leave her alone. For whatever reason, he was now back and ready to pick up once again where he left off. He took so much already...what could she possibly have left that he wanted?

While Bella stayed in the room waiting for Alice, Alice had rushed into the kitchen to get a glass of water. She didn't care who thought of her as strange for rushing the way she did, she even avoided the looks Emmett and Jasper had been giving her. Edward however, sensed something was wrong, very wrong for her to have just rushed from being upstairs from Bella to simply get water. Water was never a reason for Alice to run the way she had. All Alice could think about, however, was who was causing Bella this much pain. Whoever it was, Alice was ready to unleash all of her fury to set them straight. Those who didn't know Alice well were unfortunate because Alice was not a force to be reckoned with.

"Alice, what's the rush?" Edward asked, taking a moment away from getting dinner ready which was something he rarely did. He felt that cooking would impress Bella, therefore he offered Esme that he would do it tonight.

"No rush, gotta go!" She said once the cup was filled with water and turned around to go back to Bella.

"You're lying, what happened?" He said, he was being serious which is why Alice stopped rushing and looked at him and questioned whether she should tell him or not. She chose not to because then it would mean Bella could not trust her with her secret and she would have none of that.

"Are you calling off the bet?" she asked, devising a plan.

"No." he said, annoyed that she would even ask knowing what it would mean for him.

"Then it's none of your business." She said matter of factly and took off running back to Bella.

Alice hadn't rushed for Bella to tell her what happened, she saw for herself when she returned that Bella was worse than when she had left her. Something must have happened in the time she had been gone which bothered her because it wasn't even for that long.

"Here you go Bella," Alice handed her the glass, which she took while trying to force a smile on her face to show how grateful she was for her help.

"Thank you Alice..." Bella said after she took a sip of water. Alice smiled, feeling as though Bella may eventually feel like she could trust her with whatever secret she was hiding.

"I am here if you need me," Alice reminded Bella. Bella sighed, knowing what Alice meant when she said those words.

"You know," Bella started, feeling comfortable enough to be able to talk to her. "I've closed myself off from so many people the passed few years that it's a little strange for me to suddenly feel at ease talking to you, someone I never thought I would be talking to..." Bella told her, surprised at how easy it really was talking to Alice. Even when she had her friends, she never talked with them this way. They were too worried with their own lives to care, which is why it was easy for them to let go of Bella when she closed herself off from them.

"I guess it is, but I'm just upset we didn't become friends sooner Bella. We would've had some really good memories by now if we had..." Alice admitted. She really couldn't understand why she went this long without trying to befriend her. Then she remembered why...the group enjoyed mocking those who were different from them, Bella especially. It made her angry even more now she knew Bella better than she had.

"I suppose you have your set of questions," Bella said, looking away from Alice, not wanting to face her if and when she came clean about her passed.

"I do...but I'd rather you tell me whatever you feel you want to. It'll always be between us though, I promise you this." Alice looked Bella in the eye as she shifted her position to be more comfortable on the floor.

"See, if this was us yesterday, I wouldn't even consider talking to you about it at all even if you had still seen what you saw earlier in the bathroom. But now...I.." Bella hesitated, thinking of Jacob as he was now the reason she felt she couldn't hide it anymore. However, she knew if he found out, he may carry through with the promise he had made to her as he left that day...if she told anyone what he did, she would regret it.

"Take your time..." Alice said in encouragement. Rushing Bella with this was not the way to go, Alice knew better than to do that.

"I'm scared..." Bella whispered, clutching to her knees tighter than she had before. She was breaking down before Alice's eyes which didn't scare her. It just made her want to know what was going on that was scaring her so much. Just as Alice was about to respond, the door opened. Edward had entered and took in the scene before him and instantly thought Alice had said something she was not supposed to. Why else would he be seeing Bella holding herself together and looking away, trying to cover up the tears that had been spilling from her eyes.

"Alice...what did you do!" Edward fumed and had almost given too much away. Bella flinched at the volume in Edward's voice and the nasty tone that came with it. Alice quickly looked once more at Bella and then glared at Edward. She wanted so much right now to hit him for just barging in. She was getting somewhere with Bella and then here he came, ruining all of it! How would Bella ever feel comfortable enough to talk to Alice now when people didn't even know how to knock before them came into a room! She stood up and starting pushing Edward out the door before he could say anymore and make matters worse.

"You ever hear of knocking Edward!" she shouted as soon as she had him alone in the hall way.

"You said something, didn't you! How could you!" he snapped back at her, assuming he knew what he was talking about. Clearly, he didn't.

"I didn't you idiot! She doesn't know about that stupid bet!" she whispered this time so that Bella didn't hear anything about it. "You better end that game now Edward, I meant it when I told you I wouldn't let you hurt her." Edward ignored her.

"If you didn't say anything to her about the bet, then why did I walk in on Bella falling apart?" he asked, his voice softening now. The anger had passed as soon as Alice said Bella did not know which meant his summer still looked promising. He also refocused on how he had seen Bella when he walked in; she did not look ok at all. He was worried about her now and felt the urge to go in and comfort her. Alice had other plans, however.

"It's nothing Edward, now why don't you go back to the group while I spend some time with Bella. I seem to be one of the only ones in this house who's taking an interest in being her friend, which is messed up considering bringing her here for the weekend was your idea...or did you forget?" Alice spat in his face. He felt terrible. She was right; having her here to get to know her better was his idea and instead of showing Bella the attention he wanted to, he'd left her with Alice while he had been cooking and putting more attention to his friends. He had to make this up to Bella.

"You're right Alice," Edward started. "I'll go in and talk to her. Maybe she'll be up for a night out with me tomorrow..."

"As long as you don't interfere with our morning shopping trip that's fine with me, but for now, go away! It's Alice and Bella time!" She started to walk back towards the door where she had left Bella, hoping she would still be well enough to talk about what happened.

"Dinner will be ready in 10 minutes Alice, make sure you two head down please," Edward added as he headed down the stairs with his head hung low. He felt like an idiot for his behavior. He had come so close to exposing his secret about his bet with Emmett which could have ruined everything for him. He didn't understand why Alice hadn't said anything though. If she was so determined to make him end it, then why would she keep it from Bella? Wouldn't she do the opposite and make his intentions known?

Bella had been the same as when Alice left her, which made Alice feel terrible and angry for Edward's rude interruption.

"I'm so sorry about that Bella..." Alice apologized. She worried his intrusion would result in Bella putting her walls back up and she would refuse to talk to Alice. It seemed, from what Alice could tell, that Bella was struggling internally with whether or not to tell her.

"It's not your fault..." Bella answering, trying to turn everything around and comfort Alice. This amazed her because Bella had been the one hurting here, not Alice. She was so selfless. With everything Bella had gone through, she was still able to ignore her own pain and worry about others. Did she really think everyone else was blind to her pain?

"Bella, I should've locked the door, so yes it is and I'm so sorry. It won't happen again..."Alice made a mental note to hurt Edward later for doing what he did. It seemed as though the progress she was making would be all she got out of Bella and it made her furious. Bella needed someone to talk. Alice could tell and if Edward had taken that away from Bella, she would make sure he would suffer for it. Bella smiled, appreciating Alice taking the time to assure her it was finally safe for her to continue. She didn't want to. The words which Jacob threatened her with years ago were ringing loud and clear in her mind but she couldn't fully control fighting against them. She had suffered long enough.

"Alice...I'm scared." Bella said as tears escaped and fell down her face. Alice took her hand as a way to show her she would be there for her, no matter what it was she wanted to say.

"What are you afraid of Bella? I'll do my best to help you..." Alice assured her.

"Not just of what...it's more of who..." She said. Her voice was almost a whisper as though at any moment, he would hear her and come charging in repeating what he had already gotten away with or worse. "I'm afraid of Ja...Jacob...Bl...Black." Bella struggled to get his name out. She looked around the room as though she was checking to make sure he would not show up out of nowhere. Alice was caught off guard when Bella suddenly stood up and went over to the window and glanced out investigating. He could find her...she had to check to see if there was any sign of him outside the Cullen house watching her.

"Is that the guy that showed up at school on the motorcycle?" Alice asked, as she watched Bella's actions, confused. She didn't understand why Bella would be checking out the window. Bella nodded her head. "You don't have to check outside Bella...he can't possibly know he's here," Alice told her hoping the words would give her comfort.

"You don't know him Alice..." she walked back over to where Alice sat and handed Alice her cell phone. "Check the inbox." Alice did as Bella instructed and opened the inbox which consisted of four messages from Jacob from the day.

-Isabella...long time no see...can't wait to pick up where I left off...-she first read. This had been the first message Bella had received from Jacob during the school day. It was this text message which had caused her to rush out of the cafeteria and skip Biology. It was also this message which told her he was back and wasn't going anywhere. What bothered her the most was that she had her number changed after the incident happened...yet here he was. He had her new number. No matter what she did, he really would find her.

-So Charlie says you won't be around tonight...not smart Isabella-Alice moved on to the second message, starting to get disturbed by his intonations. This Jacob Black character was threatening her new friend and Alice would not stand for it. She continued on to the other two messages. She now understood Bella's need to check the windows to make sure he was not out there watching.

"Bella...I don't know what his issue is, but you should definitely report him and change your number..." Alice instructed but instantly, Bella shook her head. She couldn't go report it. "Bella...he's harrassing you, you have to report it..." She continued, trying not to be so forceful with this.

"Alice, I can't. I can't do either of those...don't you think I would have already if I could?" Bella answered, slowly starting to panic. "And it has nothing to do with the fact that my father is the chief of police!"

"If it's not your dad, then what is it?" Alice asked and Bella cringed at the memory that was causing her to feel it necessary to keep this all quiet.

"Alice...changing my number will not work because I already did that. But he got it. I'm not sure how because Charlie didn't know I changed it, he doesn't pay attention to those things. And secondly, if I go report this," she pointed to her phone where the messages were displayed as evidence. "then I have to tell them what happened with Jacob a few years back..." This confused Alice though at the same time this was exactly what Alice had been waiting to her. The reason Bella had been the way she was...what changed her from the lively person she once was into the distant, depressed, fragile girl who resorted to hurting herself instead of talking to someone about what happened. Alice hated Jacob Black already.

"If you don't want to tell me...I'll understand," Alice said, taking Bella's hand. Alice wanted Bella to know she had a friend in Alice. The last thing she needed to feel was like another person was a threat to her. Bella took a deep breath before she continued.

"You can't tell anyone Alice...please..." Alice shook her head, understanding the severity of the situation. "Jacob Black is my father's friend's son. His family is very close to ours, which is how I knew him. When my mom moved out, Jacob and his father took on a big role in our lives and Jacob became my best friend. I trusted him with everything, even with telling him if I liked someone which I never really told anyone. A few years ago, my father was out late at work and Jacob had shown up to watch a movie...something we did a lot. Everything was fine...he seemed different though. Angrier...I noticed that change when he finally got me to tell him who I had feelings for and after that, he began acting like some monster. That night...he kissed me but I pushed him away. We were friends...I didn't feel that way towards him and when he wouldn't listen, I asked him to leave..." Bella paused and her grip on Alice's hand tightened. Alice had an idea to where Bella's confession was going and the fury within her intensified. She was ready to hurt Jacob Black beyond repair. Alice tightened Bella's hand in return, signally to her she was able to continue when she was ready. The tears in Bella's eyes were building uncontrollably now..."he...he didn't leave. He was furioius and wasn't acting like the Jacob that was my best friend. He thought he could have anything he wanted, starting with me. He forced himself on me that night and before he left, he threatened me saying if I ever told anyone, I would regret it..." Bella couldn't control herself. It was with those last words that Alice realized she was the first person Bella ever told about what had happened to her. Suddenly the past few years made sense. Bella's change in behavior...the scars...all of it, it was all because of what that idiot Jacob Black did to her. Another thought which crossed her mind was the stupid bet Alice was pushing Edward to end. She was right...this stupid bet and fooling Bella into feeling something that isn't even real would push her even farther into the dark. Alice would put an end to it, no matter what Edward or Emmett had to say. The goal was to protect Bella, not hurt her any farther. Alice hugged Bella...she needed comfort.

"It's ok Bella...let it out," Alice soothed. Alice had no experience in dealing with something like this but she would be there for her new friend.

"I can't go anywhere without worrying he'll be there Alice! He'll always find me!" she cried in her arms. This was all over due. She had kept this bottled up inside for so long, she needed to let it out.

"I won't let him hurt you Bella, he's hurt you long enough!" she answered, thinking of a way that would ensure Bella would never have to be alone.

"Alice, you don't get it. My father is never home and Jacob will always get to me...you can't promise he won't be there," she sat up and looked at Alice with pleading eyes. She felt defeated and helpless.

"Oh yes I can...if you think I am going to let you stay in your house alone at night you couldn't be more wrong!" Alice ordered. "You just let me deal with that!" Bella shook her head as and began whiping away her tears. There was a sudden knock on the door which caused her to jump.

"Who is it!" Alice called out, annoyed by this interruption.

"It's Edward, can I come in?" he called through the door. Alice looked at Bella to see if she was ready to let him come in, considering she had just been crying and was trying to compose herself. Bella nodded her head, signalling it was ok for Edward to come in. She felt so much better after finally telling someone what happened to her, though Jacob's words rang even louder in her mind.

"Yea, if you must," Alice called out, clearly annoyed, He opened the door and came into the room.

"Dinners ready, if you two are hungry..." he informed them but didn't take his eyes off of Bella. Her confession to Alice had taken a huge weight off of her shoulders. She felt lighter, better, slightly happier and it was evident in her face along with her puffy eyes which indicated she had been crying.

"Alright, ready Alice?" Bella asked, standing up to go down for dinner.

"You sure you want to eat?" Alice asked, making sure Bella was ready to face everyone.

"Yea, I'm sure." And Alice headed for the door with Edward and Bella following close behind.

A/N: ok so...this is where I leave you all to review...the more reviews I see, the more inspired I am to proceed with writing chapter 5...thanks :)