The Bittersweet © 2017 by Starling Knight. All rights reserved.
Chapter 11 STALKER
The next day, there was no talk about probably the most exciting thing that's ever happened in this school yesterday. However, there were a few looks when I got out of the car. I was glad it was over and done with, or so I thought. Jessica was waiting for me in our first class.
"You thought you got away with it?" She said as she stalked towards me. Lauren followed after her with her arms crossed though she wasn't offering anything.
"With your pride? Yeah, looks like. And your class." I said with a smirk. She scowled.
"This isn't over." She said lowly. It was hilarious how typical her script was.
"Oh, I'm so scared." I said, then laughed. None of the others in the room said a thing but continued their conversations after watch our exchange. I wondered if there was a reason they were afraid of her.
And i think I found out what later. The day went on as normal until the end of gyms class. This place had spacious showers in the locker room equipped with a metal shelf hanging of a nail in the stall with a light blue curtain. There was a towel hanging of a hook outside and my uniform was in a pile on the shelf by my stall. At least, they should have been.
"Fuck..." I banged my head against the tiled wall. I was only defending myself. I didn't want to get into a war with her. I thought of telling someone but decided against it. Edward told me to lay low. Goddamnit... I really didn't have the time for this shit. My head snapped up when I heard laughter near the door.
I pulled the curtain aside, ran to that shrilly sound and tackled her to the ground. The look on her face was priceless.
"Didn't expect me to walk out naked? You don't fucking know me bitch." I tightened my grip on her neck. "Ha. There's no cameras in here, a bruise on your face, let alone a hair out of place. Why would anyone believe you? Where's my shit!"
"It's in my locker!"
"Go get it." I told Lauren. She ran as fast as she could in her kitten heels and came back with my wad of clothing. I snatched it out of her hands and stomped back into the showers.
There wasn't a whisper about it the rest of the day, or the day after that, or the day after that. Of course not. She'd never tell. She left me alone from that moment on.
"Hey, Bella?"
"Wha...?"
"Are you going to the dance?" Mike asked. So he waited a few days to ask.
"Oh, um, no. I'm not."
"Why not, it's going to be fun?" Katie whined.
"i have to, uh, I'm not going to be in town." I said.
"Oh, why, going on a trip?" Trip?
"Yeah, I am. You know how it goes."
"Yeah, business trips are so nerve wracking. I mean, I get I'll have to take over one day but why do I have to start learning now?" She continued. Business trips, wow.
"Yep. Excuse me," I got up with my things and trash and was walking in the direction of the dumpsters, the trash bin farthest from where Michael was.
"Bella, where are you going?!" Angela screamed up the hill.
"To the trash!"
"Don't go back there, it's a really bad idea!" I walked away, confused by their warning eyes. I tried to scratch my head. I had an itch that was killing me but my nail couldn't reach the spot through the lace the blond hair was swen onto. Argh! I wish I could pull off this damn wig! Now closer to the dumpsters, I hurled the bag over.
"This must be my lucky day." I turned. I know that voice…shit, it's-!
"James."
"I'm flattered you were told about me. What did Edward say?" I pressed my lips in a tight line and was going to walk away but he pulled me back and in between the two dumpsters. I was instantly reminded of that night. Him pressing his knee up between my legs…grasping my hip and arm…breathing hard next to my ear…I was instantly filled with disgust and anger.
"The fuck you want."
"I'm here on business but…I can stay a little longer. I'll make the exception for you." He leered.
"Fuck off!" I shoved him off hard. "What are you doing here anyway? You're selling drugs to these kids?!"
"They have money and urge for some 'fun'. All it takes is a taste and they're hooked for life…" I swallowed. He was actually saying that with a smile. I have to tell Edward this-
"The uniform really suits you. I always thought it was too modest. It definitely doesn't showcase your tits and thighs enough, but leaves a lot to the imagination," I grasped my backpack's strap.
"I'd get out of here if I were you…"
"And what are you gonna do? Hmm? Scream for help? Call Edward? Tattle tale?…Run away like you did that night?" He said leaning in. I slung my bag at his head. He put up his arm in time though the bad still hit him. His hand disappeared behind his back for a second then he whipped out his gun.
"How did you know i like rough, baby? Edward must be having a lot of fun, having you all to himself. This is the only case that I'd be jealous of him."
"You wouldn't shoot me here…" I said, voice wavering slightly. I wished Edward were here but what could he do if he were?
"Why not? I'd sure as hell won't get caught. It would be a tragic end to a missing-person's case. Won't be the first one either."
"I'm not missing."
"Oh, but to the rest of the world, specifically to your parents, you are." My heart clenched. Suddenly it raced and my hands went cold.
"But you do have a pretty price tag. 10 million dollars if I hand you over to your uncles. Unfortunately I want you all to myself." Please no, no no no please I can't be kidnapped again!
"Let's imagine how Edward would feel when he realizes you we're in my hands and he wasn't anywhere near, that I had control over you and then him that way?"
"The fuck are you talking about." He put his gun away and I was instantly relieved.
"What if I could give you a chance to talk to your parents?" My eyebrows scrunched together. What the fuck is he talking about.
"In person?" He waved a cell phone in front of me.
"Second best sweetheart." He held it out. Yes-no.
"Wouldn't you like to ease their worries a little? I don't know if you've seen the news but they aren't doing so well." I looked at the phone but what I really saw were the faces of my parents lowering themselves to begging. I fidgeted.
"Come on, babe…you know you want to, and it isn't about you. You have to…" I bit my lip. No…. Come on, come on, come on-In the end, I took it from him. He smiled. I quickly dialed home and watched him from the corner of my eye as the phone rang. Pick up-!
"Hello?"
"Dad?!"
"Bella?!"
"Dad!" I immediately got choked up. "Dad, is mom there too?!"
"I'm right here baby!" She cried. I sniffed.
"Mommy…"
"We can't get a trace…" I heard someone say.
"Where are you honey? Can you tell me that?"
"Even if I did I c-I can't. I love you guys, I don't want you to worry about me, I'm…I'm so sorry. Dad? I know you're looking for me and I know you're trying hard and trying to stay strong, you too mom, but…it's so much more complicated and-" James tapped his invisible watch.
"I love you." I hung up and tossed it to him.
"I have to say I'm surprised. I was sure you would tell them about how there's lots of oak trees and who kinapped you because you know the FBI has a database of drug cartel families and mobs."
"Edward isn't the bad guy, even if he did kidnap me."
"Hmm." He stepped closer.
"Now, about payment..."
"I thought toying with our minds was the payment?!" He chuckled.
"Oh no, no, no. That's to keep me satisfied while we're kept away from each other." I gritted my teeth. This...this...asshole!
"I want your underwear."
"My...my what?"
"You heard me. Slip 'em off. Right now." You've got to be kidding...
"I don't have to do anything you say-" I was leaving until he pushed me against the wall.
"If you'd like to talk to your family again, you'll pay the fee!" I pushed him away.
"Turn around, then! You animal. Evolution must've missed you." I reached under my skirt. I thanked the lucky stars that have not yet forsaken me for not falling while I got my feet out. He took them gently from my fingers and whispered in my ear.
"Let's do this again shall we? And keep each other's dirty little secret…?" He pulled a lock of my hair from under my blond wig and then walked into the trees. disappearing from sight. I tucked my hair back into the cap, picked up my bag, and got back to the group.
Everyone had their eyes trained on me as I sat back down, careful not to flash.
"You didn't run into any trouble back there?" Mike inquired.
"What kind of trouble,"
"There wasn't any…?" Angela trailed off.
"The lost kids go there. Lost to drugs." Katie said.
"That's where they do their business. I just heard." Eric said.
"No, no."
I focused in class the rest of the day, not willing to let James get to me. If I was a regular missing-persons case, the FBI wouldn't be there right? Unless...
"Hey Jake." I mumbled.
"Hey. How was school?"
"It was fine."
Edward was waiting in the front yard again when Jake drove us in. He didn't hesitate to open my door and take my bag.
"Hey, I missed you." Just looking at him reminded me of what I've done behind his back. How bad of a repucussion would calling my parents have had?
"Yeah, me too." Hand in hand we went into our tower.
"I figured you'd be hungry so I made lunch."
"That sounds so good." Edward served us up while I got the cups and cutlery.
"It's kind of weird, how domestic this is." I said.
"Well, I'm just trying to think of everything." I felt even guiltier.
"Thanks. I'm gonna go change, I'll be right out." I took my pj's and a new pair of underwear into the bathroom to change and be absolutely certain that he didn't find out I was comando.
Edward held me close while we watched 2Broke Girls. I can do this though right? Come home from school and act like I wasn't talking to my parents or seeing James? I hadn't agreed to anything, but I knew he'd be back.
"Is that what a normal life is like?" Edwad suddenly asked.
"Uh, more or less. It's very simplistic; Just making sure you have a roof, food while you try to find what will make you happy and make all the work worth it."
"Have you thought of this before?"
"I…I guess so. It's boring actually and I just kept thinking of what the point was and decided on that."
"I guess it isn't much better now. I'm sorry I can't take you out."
"Don't. Don't be sorry." Not while I'm acting on my own when we agreed to work together.
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