Disclaimer: Nothing! Is what I own.
6. Secrets
The silent treatment. A revenge tactic usually reserved for the teenager was now being abused by my father. Still mad at me for staying gone so long yesterday and not calling him to know where I was, he ignored my soft "Good morning" and continued to fill his thermos as if I wasn't even there.
I sighed around my bite of cinnamon toast crunch, peeking at my dad every few seconds. I wanted to ask him about going to Port Angeles with the girls after school - I figure going without permission will just strain things between us - but he wouldn't even look at me as he chowed down on a chocolate cereal bar. I opened and closed my mouth a few times, but couldn't find the courage to speak. You know that feeling you get when you know someone is mad at you. And all you want to do is talk to them, but you're not sure if or how it will be reciprocated. It's like a sinking in the tummy and fire in the face.
But this is my father. My daddy. The man who helped make me, for crying out loud! What is he gonna do? Pimp slap a ho? I don't think so.
I shook my head and finally opened my mouth to speak when my dad pushed his chair back roughly and stood to leave. "Daddy!" I called. I figured the endearment would soften his mood. I was right. He turned a bit unwillingly and pursed his lips.
"Yes?"
"Umm, I was wondering if you'd be okay with me going to Port Angeles with some friends after school?" I could tell he didn't like this idea by the reddening of his face and the hard line his lips formed. Before he could say anything I quickly added, "Jessica Stanley and Angela Webber. They're going dress shopping for the dance coming up. They want me to tag along … I really need a new book … umm, and I love you." I forced a smile at him and clasped my hands together under my chin. We stood there, staring at each other for a about 30 seconds. Then Dad coughed once, then shook his head, smiling, his shoulders shaking like he was trying to suppress a laugh. I was making some headway. I smiled brighter at him, fluttering my eyelashes at him and bouncing in place.
I am well aware that I looked a fool, but when it comes to fathers and their daughters, you can play the cuteness factor until you start to get wrinkly. Or so my mother has told me. She still has her dad wrapped around her manicured little finger.
Dad sighed through his smile and nodded his head. "Be home before dark. If you're not, I will come looking for you and I will bring the guys from the station with me. There will be blinding lights, sirens and a megaphone shouting your name all through the streets. Got it?"
I nodded my head quickly, horrified that he would come up with such a torture mechanism. "Yes, Daddy. Thank you, Daddy. I love you, Daddy!"
"Alright, alright," he laughed. "You got what you wanted, now stop sucking up." He muttered something else under his breath as he left the house, thankfully without a slamming door - he is such a teenage girl sometimes - and pulled out of the driveway. We had already discussed me getting a ride with Angie and Jess last night. Well, I discussed it and he grunted his confirmation and walked away. He wasn't talking to me last night either.
I sat on the porch, going through my backpack, making sure I had everything while I waited for the girls to come and pick me up. I didn't have to wait long. I heard music blaring about a block away. Lady Gaga was assuring everyone that we were born this way and it's a-okay.
Angie pulled up next to the house. Jess waved at me in her overly enthusiastic way from the passenger seat. "Hey, Bella! What's up? You look cute! I like your hair! Are those new shoes?" I laughed as I climbed into the back seat.
"Uh, hi," I giggled and waved. "I'm good. Thank you. I curled it today and yes, these are new shoes." I wiggled my white and red Reebok shoes, giddy in the presence of someone so exuberant. Contact high. Reminded me of my mommy. I missed her already.
"You do look sexy casual today," Angie observed, giving me a once over before pulling back onto the road and speeding down the street. At this rate, we'd be at school before I could form a full sentence. "Any special reason?"
Sexy casual? I looked down at my outfit, taking in the tight blue and black horizontal striped, boat neck tee, the even tighter light blue skinny jeans and the gold bracelet on my right wrist. I hadn't even realized I dressed this way. I was just sort of going with the flow. I'm surprised my dad didn't have anything to say about the extra slut-tight clothes I was wearing.
"No. No special reason."
"Oh, puh-lease!" Jessica turned in her seat and smirked at me. "Isn't Tyler coming back to school today?" She wiggled her eyebrows and nudged my knee. "Bella and Tyler sittin' in a tree-"
"Hunny, shut up," Angie laughed as she was pulling into a parking space. I didn't miss the term of endearment, or the beaming smile Jess shot at Angie. But I wasn't going to comment on it either. Or go "Awwwww!" even though I really wanted to. They're kind of adorable.
"Seriously though, Bella! It's for Tyler, right? I think you two would make a cute couple, despite the fact that standing next to him makes you look like an Albino."
I climbed out of the car and pulled my hood up over my head. The wind was crazy, making our hair fly all over the place. Angie looked like she was about to up and fly away. Jess stood between me and Angie and linked arms with us, rushing for the entrance. There was no one in the parking lot this morning, even though it was still too early for class. I should have checked the weather report. Hard rocks started to fall from the sky just as we made it into the warmed up school hallway.
"It's scary out there," Jess muttered, hugging her waist and leaning into Angie. She looked scared. In fact, so did Angie and the rest of the students milling about. Everything was somber. There was no screaming, running, swearing, flirting or anything going on at all in the halls. It was deathly silent.
"What's going on?" I asked them.
Angie shrugged and gave me a tightlipped smile. "Days like these are … hard for our town."
"What do you mean?" Okay, now I'm interested.
"Bad things tend to happen on days like this," Jess chimed mysteriously, sticking to Angie's side like glue.
"Bad things…" I encouraged. What is with the people in this town? They're all so scared, yet they don't leave? I don't get it.
"Bad things, Bells. Bad things." Mike came up behind me, winding his arm around my waist. I didn't mind the contact. I was shivering. These people were freaking me out. I felt like I was in the middle of a terrifying ghost story. Like the ones my old camp councilors used to tell us around the fire.
"Okaaaaay." I looked at each of their faces skeptically. "Anyone gonna elaborate for the new girl?"
Mike looked down at me and grimaced. "You don't wanna know. Trust me."
"Of course I do!" I was getting frustrated now. "If I didn't want to know, I wouldn't have asked." My tone was clipped and full of my aggravation.
"Oh, fine." Lauren came up next to me, smiling acidly. "See, the thing is-"
"Lauren," Jess hissed, but Lauren went on like she hadn't even spoke.
"This town is cursed. People go missing, especially on stromy nights and we all. Know. Why." She leaned into me and popped her gum in my face. "You know those freaks? You know, the ones you seem so interested in?" She scrunched her nose in disgust. I didn't like her attitude, but nodded my head anyway. Finally, some answers are coming and I didn't care who from. "When it's stormy outside, those freaks are in really high spirits and they act all weird and shit. Like they're possessed. They go sniffing around at people, I'm not even joking. Last year, that Alfie chick or whatever the fuck her name is followed this Senior around all day. Staring at her, smiling at her in that sick way she does." Lauren shuddered and I leaned in closer.
Alice. She's definitely talking about Alice.
"Anyway, that girl went missing that same day." Lauren smiled, crossing her arms over her fleshy chest. I raised and eyebrow at her and leaned away. Was that it? On stormy days, Alice follows people around and then they go missing?
"Uh, okaaaay…" I looked at Jess and she rolled her eyes smiling halfheartedly at me. Mike pulled me closer and leaned over me to glare at Lauren.
"You're a dumbass, Lauren," he hissed. She just shrugged indifferently.
"I bet Bella is gonna get sniffed a little today by that Edward," she laughed coldly. "I'll miss you, girl." She put her hand over her heart - if she eve has one, that is - and sniffed. "You were so young," she mock-sobbed, then turned away cackling. She walked over to a group of girls in skimpy clothes.
"What the hell?" I looked at my friends, palms up, waiting for some explanation. I didn't get one. So I pressed. "Why would she think that Alice was responsible for that missing girl? She's like two feet tall." Even as I said this, I knew better.
"Two feet of pure evil," Jess muttered. "Seriously, Bella. Lauren may be an idiot, but she's not wrong. You haven't lived here as long as we have. You don't know the half of what this town goes through."
"Then why don't people just leave?" I asked, shaking my head. I thought it was ridiculous that these people all lived in fear of "The Freaks" but I can't say that I blame them. I have my own suspicions concerning those … people. But to stay and endure when they so obviously want to be anywhere else? Makes no sense to me at all.
"Everyone who lives here, Bella," Angie said. "have lived here for generations. Leaving would be like forfeiting our heritage." Okay. That makes no sense at all.
"Forfeit your-?" I stopped, staring at her and shaking my head. "What does that even-?"
"I heard your mom is going to be on her way out here in a few days?" Jess said suddenly. I nodded my head, looking between my friends. "Good. Talk to her about this, because we shouldn't be discussing this here anyway."
Discussing what! Seriously, someone tell me how I ended up in the Twilight Zone!
The bell for first period went off and I glared at my friends, shrugging out of Mikes embrace. I hate when people get me interested in something, and then don't follow through. It drives me nuts! And what about my mom? How did she know my mom was coming out here?
I slouched into my seat, crossing my arms over my chest and glaring at the desk. Lauren sat in the seat next to me. She turned to face me and stared until I gave in and looked at her. She smirked condescendingly at me. "Your daddy won't be able to protect you, you know. You're fucked," she laughed.
I held back a growl of frustration. "What the hell is your problem?" I hissed. I didn't want to alert Mrs. Gonzalez to my presence. Every time she spots me, she asks me to answer something and I always get it wrong.
"You," Lauren said flatly. "You and your mother. You're both man stealing little sluts. This town was just fine without the infamous bed warmer, Renée and her disgusting spawn."
"Ex…excuse me?" Oh, hell no. She did not just insult my mom. She can say whatever the hell she wants about me, but never talk about my family. "You don't even know my mom, you…" I pursed my lips to stop the "bitch!" that was bubbling behind them from coming forth.
"I know all I need to know, Isabella," she sneered. "Whereas, you know nothing. Doesn't really surprise me." She grabbed my wrist and pulled me close to her. I tried to pull my hand free, but her grip was too strong. "Here, slut. Let me fill you in. Your mother had sex with half the guys in this town, most of which were taken. Like my father. You got that. She split families up and she didn't even care!" she whispered harshly. I shook my head, trying to stop the tears from falling.
It isn't true.
She's lying.
"Why do you think Mrs. Gonzalez hates your guts? Why do you think so many guys give you so much attention, huh? 'Cause you're pretty?" she laughed humorlessly. "I don't fucking think so. You're easy like your mom and everyone knows it. And now you're trying to take Mike away from me. I'm not havin' that. He's mine. Paws off. Got that? And don't even try to pretend that you don't know about them. The Freaks. As if you don't know that you're the reason they're here. That freak with great hair has been searching for you for-ev-er. You're the reason our town went down the shitter. And you know how I know this?" She quirked an eyebrow at me. I blinked away tears.
She's telling lies.
Everything she says is a lie.
"I know this because the original families in this town-"
"And just what do we think we are doing?" Lauren let go of my hand as if it was a burning stone and looked sheepishly up Mrs. Gonzalez.
"N-nothing, Mrs. Gonzalez. I swear I wasn't saying an-"
"Lauren," she said, cutting her off briskly. "why don't you take this pink slip and bring it to the principal. I'm sure he'd be thrilled to know what you were talking about," Mrs. Gonzalez said in a scary tone, shoving the slip at her. Lauren took it and ran out of the room like a bat out of hell. I looked up with bleary eyes to see the teacher eyeing me coldly.
"As for you, don't you dare step out of line. 'Cause if you do, I'll be there. Understand? Good." With that, she walked away and started teaching again as if nothing happened. I slouched down in my seat trying to control the waterworks.
Lauren lies.
She's a liar.
And Mrs. Gonzalez is just a bitch.
That's all.
That's all.
A single tear fell down my chin and I pulled my hood over my eyes.
.
Second period was a blur and third period came much too quickly. Time flies when you're looking for facts that back up that your mother is a scorching slut. Time flies when you're contemplating the harsh words of a bitter girl.
I walked into English and nodded at the teacher who smiled warmly at me. Alice was there. I almost expected her not to be for some reason.
"Isabella," she greeted formally, not looking at me. I didn't answer her. Why should I? I sat down and pulled out my things. I was on autopilot. Just going through the motions. Thinking. "I heard about what happened with that awful girl," Alice said softly. "I'm … umm, I'm sorry she said those things to you." I looked at Alice out of the corner of my eye.
How did she know what happened? No one in class was even paying attention to mine and Laurens exchange and I doubt Mrs. Gonzalez said anything to anyone. Least of all one of the freaks.
"Why you sorry? Didn't you slap me?" I said bitterly. I don't remember much of what went down yesterday, but that I remember with perfect clarity. It stung like a bitch.
"Yes. I did." she said simply. "I felt it necessary."
"Whatever." I wasn't in the mood for this crap. The cannibals could just go a day without rousing me.
"You have so much to learn," she sighed. The rest of class went by without incident. When the bell rang, Alice perked up and smiled that smile at me that makes my skin crawl.
"Wanna know something?" she asked conspiratorially. I pursed my lips and eyed her warily. There are a lot of things I'd like to know. But not from you, crazy. I shook my head and started packing my things. A hand on my arm stopped me. I wrenched my arm out of her grip and she just smiled at me.
"What?"
"I have great news!"
"And?" I pressed. The hail hit the windows so hard I could barely understand what she was saying, she was talking so low. I had to strain to hear her.
"It's going to storm tonight," she whispered excitedly.
"O…kay…" And the weirdness just keeps rolling.
"You don't find this to be wonderful?" she asked disbelievingly.
"Uh, nuuurrr." I swung my backpack over my shoulder and lifted my hood over my head. "Well, I gotta go."
"You still don't like me," she accused angrily, following in step next to me. Her being so close was nerve-racking. I tried to distance myself from her but she was a relentless little thing. "Edward says you'll like me, because he likes me. But you don't. Why the fuck not?" She was mad, glaring at me with intense eyes.
"Listen, Alice." I stopped walking and turned to glare right back at her. She crossed her arms over her chest and quirked an eyebrow at me, challenging me. "I don't know what is up with you or Edward or anyone else in your fucked up family. Okay? You people are making me insane!" I threw my hands up in exasperation. It had been a long day. I didn't even care that people were watching us. I didn't care that I was yelling at someone who could probably rip my throat out. And I didn't care that the rest of the cannibal/freak farm were watching mine and Alice's exchange with different expressions.
Edward looked angry, as did emo boy. The beautiful one looked amused while the big one looked ready. For what? I haven't a clue. He just looked ready.
"I believe you were born insane, Isabella, but that is beside the point," Alice sighed. "I just think that you are being very close-minded to us and very annoyingly ignorant to everything that is going on around you. It isn't your fault, of course. You were sheltered from this by your parents."
"What are you talking about! What is anyone talking about?" I exploded. I felt like this whole town was in on a secret and they were keeping it from me. I was the odd one out. The only person to give me anything was Lauren, but I didn't want to believe anything that came out of her ugly little mouth.
"Don't worry," Alice told me. Then walked away. Just walked away into the arms of emo boy who was glaring daggers at me. I looked around at the students who were slowly inching away from the scene and into their classes.
Edward took a step toward me and my thigh tingled. Right where he had his teeth. Again, this didn't repulse me like it would a normal person. It barely even fazed me. "Isabella," he growled, and then proceeded to grab my elbow and drag my struggling self into the girls' bathroom. Thankfully, it was deserted.
"Let go of me!" He didn't. He looked pissed. He dipped down and I thought he was going to bite me again. He did it once, so I'm a bit jumpy when his mouth gets too close to me. I braced myself for it but it never came. What did happen, however, shocked the hell out of me. He placed his face in my neck and wrapped his arms around me, pulling me into a death grip hug.
Wow. Just. Wow.
"Don't be upset," he said soothingly. "I'll kill her for you." Uh… He isn't angry with me? He's mad at Alice?
"Your sister?" I asked, dumbfounded. Edward shook his head, pulling me closer to him and I melted in his arms. For some reason, it made me feel good. Maybe I am crazy now. Just like my parents. I have to be. 'Cause this sure as shit doesn't make any sense at all.
"Lauren. Just say the words and I'll end her." I pulled back at the same time he did, our noses almost touched and my thigh literally started to vibrate. He's angry with Lauren? Because she hurt my feelings? Hell froze over, didn't it?
"No, thank you," I murmured distractedly, his face so close to mine, it was difficult to even think.
Edward smiled and pulled away from me. "I'll probably do it anyway," he mumbled, looking to the floor before meeting my eyes and saying in a louder voice, "You look sexy as fuck."
"I…" Blush…
"Is this for me?" he smiled, pulling my tight tee over my bellybutton. I quickly shoved it back down. "The apples on display are a good touch," he smirked.
"Apples?" What the heck is he going on about?
He trailed his eyes down my face, my neck, my collarbone until he reached my … oh! Those are the apples. I tightened my sweater, making sure my apples weren't on display and glared at him. "Screw you!" I hated when people made fun of my … disability. And I have dealt with enough crap today.
He smiled unapologetically and shrugged, reaching for my shirt again. I slapped his hand away and he sighed. "Whatever. You should get to class now."
"What's going on here?" I asked, finally gaining the courage as he was walking out of the bathroom. He turned to look at me and pulled his bushy brows together.
"What?"
"What's happening?" I took a step toward him and he watched me move with fascination. "With me … a-and you. Like, what is this?" I gestured to the small gap between us. His eyes followed my hands for a moment before he wrenched the door open and left, but not before muttering a low, "figure it out yourself, oblivious."
.
"Stop it," Jess hissed at me for the tenth time during the lunch period. I ignored her and continued to glare at Edward across the room. He just stared back at me blankly.
"Stop it!" Jessica grabbed the French fry out of hand and threw it onto the table in front of me, finally gaining my attention. I turned my glare on her and she huffed in annoyance. "Are you fucking insane? You do not glare at psychos!" she stage whispered. Which means everyone in the lunchroom heard her. I rolled my eyes and picked up another French fry, dipped it in cheese and stuck it in my mouth.
"Well, what else am I supposed to do?" I demanded acidly. I didn't want to fight with her, but I was getting so fed up with people telling me what to do and not explaining to me why. I was tired of seeing knowing looks on people's faces while I was left in the dark.
Frankly, I am pretty sick and tired of Forks at this point.
"What's wrong with you?" she asked curiously, tilting her head to the side. Her long, silky ponytail almost falling into her tray of assorted veggies. "You're being … not like you."
I rolled my eyes and turned away from her. I could say the same. "The first day we met," I started, ready to get this out. "you were telling me spooky stories about The Freaks, remember?" She nodded her head, grimacing and looking guilty. "You said no one knows what their deal is, remember?" Again, she nodded. Angie peeked over at us, concern coloring her features as she noticed the distressed look on Jess's face. "Yet, here I am having everyone telling me what their deal is, including you. Everyone telling me to stay away from them, they're dangerous. But no one cares enough to explain the situation to me. Except for Lauren, that is." I nodded my head over at the bleach blonde rodent sitting a few tables away. Jess and Angie both gasped and looked horrified as they gazed at the little bitch nibbling on her carrots.
"Wh-what exactly did she tell you … I mean say to you?" Angie inquired warily, leaning in close to me, as did Jess and we were in our own little protective bubble.
I glared at the two of them. "A lot," I said in a clipped tone.
"Like…" Angela looked torn between sick and pissed off. I didn't know if she was going to regurgitate her cheeseburger all over the table or slap someone.
"Oh, I don't know. My mother and I are heartless whores and I single handedly brought doom upon this gloomy little town. You know, stuff like that." I smiled sarcastically at their wide open mouths and eyes. "Something you have'ta say to me, friends?" Okay. I was being a bit of a bitch, but I think I deserved a little venting after all the shit I've gone through since moving to this - as everyone likes to put it - curse of a town. I'm inclined to believe it.
"Bella, we-" Just then the bell blared, startling Jessica before she could finish whatever she was about to say because that is just my freaking luck apparently. I picked up my half-eaten tray of food and slammed it into the trash, not even caring about the bits that flew all over the can and the floor. I was on a bitch roll and I wasn't ready to stop.
Never had I ever been so frustrated and angry in my life.
What Lauren said to me.
What people aren't saying to me.
What Edward does.
What I do with Edward.
Everything. Is. So. Messed.
I didn't even pay Tyler any mind as he tried to get my attention. He looked put out by my complete lack of camaraderie, but I had more pressing things on my mind than him. There's this big glooming mystery to Forks that half of the population seems to be in on. My family, my friends. But not me. I know it all centers around Edward and his creepy family, but they are a mystery all their own, so I don't even know where to begin there.
"Stupid, jerk-face, secret holding hicks." I wandered the halls, putting off Bio for as long as I could and mumbling to myself like the crazy person I apparently am. Five minutes after the late bell rang, I found myself walking into the classroom with all eyes watching me. "Isabella," Mr. Banner smiled politely at me. "Where is your pass?"
"I don't have one."
"I see." His smile was forced now as he gestured for me to take my seat. "Don't let it happen again." I nodded my understanding and plopped down in the seat next to Edward.
Class was slow moving, dragging on even longer as I tried unsuccessfully to ignore the person next to me. And he was not helping by burning holes into the side of my face with his eyes. When the bell finally dismissed us, I grabbed my things and purposely knocked Laurens things down on my way by. It was juvenile and stupid, but damn it if it didn't feel great.
"Bitch!" Lauren was out of her seat in a second, but I ignored her and left. I could hear Mr. Banner berating her for her sour language and I smiled to myself.
Take that, you bleached Barbie wanna-be.
.
"Keep making that face and it'll get stuck that way," Angie joked. The school day was finally at its end and I was seated in the backseat of Angie's car, toying with the red zipper on my hoodie. I tried to set my expression back to neutral, but it was impossible at this point.
This was just a really bad day.
"You okay?" she asked, glancing at me in the rearview mirror.
"Nope." No point in sugarcoating. I think it was obvious that I was, in fact, not o-freaking-kay. I was the opposite. I couldn't wait for the shopping trip to be over - or even start - so I could go home and hopefully have an honest discussion with my mother. But how would I go about it?
"Hey, ma? You're not by any chance a reformed whore, are ya?" Yeah I don't think that will go over too well. However, that wasn't even my biggest concern, unbelievably. No. What occupied the forefront of my mind was the other thing Lauren had said to me.
"Like you don't know that you're the reason they're here. That freak with great hair has been searching for you for-ev-er. You're the reason our town went down the shitter. And you know how I know this?" It was driving me crazy. Because it was another puzzle piece that fit in with something Alice had said to me my first day in FHS.
"You're late. My brother does not appreciate waiting so long for his things…" Yeah, I didn't miss that. I just chose to repress it. And for good reason, too.
Now everything is sort of making sense in a sense where nothing makes sense. I know that doesn't make sense, but that's because this whole situation in senseless.
"Bella, didn't you say you wanted to get a book?" Jess leaned over the seat, smiling at me. I could tell she was trying to get back on my good side, but I don't think I have one at the moment.
"Yeah," I said, grabbing my coat and throwing it on over my hoodie. "I'll meet with you guys at the dress shop in a few." I checked the street sign just off the side of the road and looked over the directions I wrote down last night to get to Underworld. Gosh, I felt like an idiot.
"I can drive you there, Bella," Angie offered. "It's no problem." I shook my head. I didn't want them seeing me going into a Goth bookstore. That'll just make them question me and I didn't have any answers … yet. But I would.
Oh, I WOULD. Hopefully…
"Are you sure? You don't have a cell phone…" Jess said worriedly. "You could get into trouble."
"Don't worry about it," I said, climbing out of the car. "I got pepper spray."
Angie grabbed my sleeve before I could get too far and pulled me back, shoving some weird thing into the palm of my hand. I flipped it around in my hands, studying it with fascination. I stared it, turning it from side to side a few times. It was flat and black. It had a screen and that was it. It kind of looked like a mini flat screen TV.
Angie and Jess laughed at me and I looked up at them, waiting for an explanation for this weird thing. "It's an iPhone, girl," Jess giggled.
Oh…I've heard of those.
"You can borrow it. Call if you need anything. We'll be here." She gestured to the store we parked in front of. It was small with a mess of ruffled and skanky dresses displayed in the large, streaked window. I forced a smile and waved at them as I trudged in what I hoped was the right direction.
Underworld, here I come.
*So the plot thickens and I have probably successfully confused some readers again. Good. I like doing that. Thanks for giving me your time and reading things from my effed up skull.
*I have only one fanfic that I think you should read ASAFP.
Hit By Destiny by ocdmess
Bella wants to die, and almost gets her wish fulfilled when she gets hit by a shiny Volvo. She is left with serious injuries, and the only thing keeping her from dying is the person who hit her. All Human
-I'm only about ten chapters in, but I am hooked. Best story I have read so far.
*Now I have an actual book that might interest Twilight fans.
1-800-Where-R-You(Vanished) - It's amazing and needs more recognition. The books are cheep as fudge so check them out.