A/N: The same with chapter twelve, this chapter is not proof read yet so bear with all the mistakes. But aren't you happy that I uploaded two chapters? Just for you guys!! A treat!! Okay, so have fun reading it...
Edited: Feb. 26, 2009 - thanks guys for all the reviews, just keep them coming! To thecookielives27, for you, I'll change some songs so that they aren't all HM. When I finish this story, I was thinking of a sequel and definitely then, I won't be using HM songs too much. Bella in this story is just a phase of sorts, if you get what I mean. She realises that she needs to take on more responsibility if she becomes a vampire's gf, but that's saying too much already so I'll shut up.
Disclaimer: I realised I did not put a disclaimer before in the last chapter so this makes up for the two...I don't own anything!!
Bella Montana – Chapter Thirteen
What do I do? Someone is stalking me and I don't have my phone with me to call my dad, or the police. I don't want to use anyone else's phone – I don't want them to worry. I racked my brain for some sort of plan, anything would be welcome. As we passed the cinema, something hit me. As in I hit my head, I was so deep into my thoughts that I did not see the lamppost that was right in front of me. I think there's gonna be a bruise there tomorrow morning…
"Are you okay Bella?" asked Angela. She gave me her hand to help me stand up and I gladly accepted it. My head really hurts. I looked down to check my clothes and saw the murky water all over my jeans. Great, what luck, first a stalker, and then being covered in dirty water? I think someone up there is out to get me.
"I'm fine, but I'm not sure about my clothes. Look," I pointed at my ruined jeans and the hemline of my shirt, "my jeans are totally ruined and so is my white shirt. I'm not sure if it'll stain or something, but I know this, I better change soon or I'll catch a cold."
And I can't have a cold; I have a concert in a week's time!
"I'll come with you," Angela offered. I quickly shook my head. If I play my cards right, my plan will work out without a hitch and they'll never know the danger that's upon them.
"No, it's okay. I think I'll just change into the outfit I bought in…I think it was the fourth shop we went to… Anyway, I think I can find somewhere to change." I pointed at a public toilet a few feet away. I know, public toilets were never my thing, but this is an emergency. My plan has to work.
"If you say so, Bella…" I tilted my head slightly and glanced at the cinema. I waited for a while for someone to catch up, but no one seems to get it. I sighed and looked at the cinema again, discreetly of course.
"We'll wait for you in the cinema!" Jessica suggested, her head nodding enthusiastically. Yes, someone finally gets it! "We could watch that new movie. Umm, I think it's called 'Wild Child', starring Emma Roberts?" Oh, I like Emma; she was fun to be around. I met her in a movie premier once. I nodded my approval and made my way to the small building that held the sign, 'Public Toilet', my shopping bag that held my new clothes in hand.
I walked out of the smelly stall five minutes later. I was wearing a dungaree skirt and a red and white striped shirt underneath. I was also wearing black converse shoes and a forest green bonnet. My old clothes, plus shoes, were tucked in the shopping bag, safe and sound, protected by the plastic bag from the wetness of the city. I can't believe that it's wet and gloomy here too. Here I was, thinking that I could escape the gloominess of Forks…but hey, can't complain much about that.
I breathed in the freshness of rain and walked around the plaza. There was a fountain in the middle, spurting water from a spout. It was very pretty. I traced my fingers on the intricate pattern, the swirls, loops and curves. Suddenly, I felt a pair of strong arms grab me from behind and clamp my mouth shut. I tried to scream but it was futile. My legs were flailing everywhere, trying to hit my attacker, but it seemed that he was very strong, either that or my aim isn't very good.
He led us into an alley hidden between two tall buildings. I wonder how he we got here without anyone noticing. Did I stay by the fountain that long to not notice the plaza emptying?
"Bella…" a slimy voice said. I shivered. How did this guy know my name? "You are going to be my treat tonight…"
I forced myself to not scream. I am not afraid of this guy, no matter how much that gleam in his dark eyes scared me. He advanced towards me, a hand stretching to close the small distance between us. I felt my heart rate pick up and my breaths become shallower. What did my dad say about self defense when I get into trouble? If it was a guy, hit him where it hurts most.
I waited for a moment to make sure he was near enough for me to kick him. I went into a fighting stance, my weight balanced between my feet, my hands in a boxer's position. I know I can't throw a good punch, but I need all the help I can get. Slowly, I leaned back to gain momentum, placed my hands out around me to help keep my balance, pivoted on my left leg and swung my right leg, aiming for the guy's jewels.
I screamed a groan at the impact and watched as the man crouched in pain. I sighed but my relief was short lived. He stood up again, forgetting the pain, and stalked towards me again. Now, he had this menacing smile on his face. I started shivering again.
"That wasn't very nice Bella…"
"H-how do you know my name?" I stuttered to ask him. I need to distract him – I need to prolong this moment before he reaches me and do whatever he likes. Maybe if I keep him distracted long enough, someone might come to my rescue.
"Don't you remember me, Bella?" I hated the way he said my name. "I served you in the restaurant today. I tried to get your attention, but you kept ignoring me. I've never been turned down before, Bella, and I'm not going to start now."
He was the water from the restaurant. What was his name? Carlson? Anton? Jason? Yes, Jason!
"Jason?" I asked.
"Spot on, pretty girl. Now, time for my treat." I closed my eyes, preparing for the inevitable. He was inches from me now, I could practically feel his breath on me… but his touch never came. I heard tires on tarmac and the sound of a car. Hesitantly, I opened my eyes. Just in time, I saw Edward Cullen step out of his silver Volvo and stood in front of me, hiding Jason from my view. What was he doing here? Better yet, how did he know I was here?
"Ed-Edward, how – why are you here?" I asked, too dumbfounded to move my lips, but with some effort, I managed to do it.
"Get in the car, Bella." The authority and the firmness of his voice shocked me to the core. I bet if I could see his eyes, it would be charcoal black. Heck, I even think it would be even darker than that!
I promptly did what he said and ran over to his car. Opening the passenger's seat, I shuffled in and closed the door behind me. I watched in suspense as Edward stood defiantly in front of Jason. A pause, and then I heard a growl. Wait, was Edward growling? I shiver that was totally different from the one I had moments ago coursed down my body.
The door slammed and Edward quickly stepped on the gas, backing away from the alley and down the plaza road and into a highway. I checked the speedometer and nearly fainted. This was faster than any speed I thought possible.
"Edward, slow down!" He did not respond. "Edward, please!"
"I should go back and rip that guy's head off…"
What?
"N-no, I don't think you should."
"You don't know the vile, repulsive things he was thinking of –"
"And you do?" I asked, amazed. If he did, that means he can read minds, and if he can read minds… does he know what I'm thinking about now? Uh oh, if he could read minds, he might've read all my Yasmin related thoughts directly from my head. He might now that I'm Yasmin!
"It's not hard to guess…" He's avoiding the subject. "Can we talk about something else? Distract me so I won't turn around."
"Erm," I racked my brains for a topic, any topic… "Put your seatbelt on."
He laughed shakily. "You put your seatbelt on," he shot back. I did just what he asked and clicked my seatbelt on. I am so not talking to him…
After a while though, I asked, "How did you know where I was?" So much for not talking to him… He did not answer me, he just kept on staring at the road in front of us, I bowed my head, not sure of what I'm feeling right now. Should I be grateful for him for saving me, or should I be annoyed that he's not answering me?
The car stopped in front of the theater so I got out from the car and into the cold night air. I shivered from the temperature. Just as I thought that I was kinda cold, I felt something being draped over me. I looked up and saw Edward smiling down on me. I was wearing his jacket. I smiled gratefully at him, and together we entered the big building.
I made my way to the ticket counter for the movie 'Wild Child', hoping to at least to be able to get inside, but Edward stopped me.
"Bella, where are you going?" he asked.
"Oh, I'm meeting Angela and the rest here. I guess they've already gone inside so I'm getting a ticket," I explained to him. A frown marred his perfect features.
"No, you're not."
"Er, yes I am."
"No, you need some sugar in you," he grabbed my arm and led me to the snack bar. He ordered two big bottles of coke. Finally, I get to see him consume something. He paid for the two drinks, even after I insisted on paying for my drink at least. "Who said that this is mine? They're both yours." I frowned, so he's not drinking it.
I followed him to a table in a corner and sat down.
"Are you sure you're not gonna get anything?" I asked, sipping my coke.
"I'm on a…special diet," he answered. He's on a diet? Do guys go on diets? I played with the bottle in my hand, pushing it around the table. He's hiding something from me, something he's reluctant to tell me, or something he doesn't want me to know. What is he hiding? Why is he hiding from me? How did he know that I was in the alley? Did he follow me all day? If he did, how come I did not sense it until this afternoon?
I screamed internally, careful to not show anything on my face. This is all so stressing! So many questions unanswered.
"Right," I snapped my head up, looking at him directly in the eyes, "you gotta give me some answers."
"Yes? No? To get to the other side…" was he kidding me? "1.772…"apparently, he is kidding me.
"I do not need to know the square root of pi," I grabbed my shopping bags, preparing to stalk off.
"You knew that?" That is it. I stood up from my seat and was just about to step around the table when he spoke to me. I practically melted.
"Hey, I'm sorry…" How could I resist that voice of his? "Please stay."
I took a deep breath, kept it for five seconds, and then let it out, "How did you know where I was?" I enunciated my words carefully, wanting him to get the magnitude on my question.
"I didn't –" I turned swiftly on my heel and was two steps away from him, but I tripped over thin air. Way to ruin a good dramatic exit. He caught me before I reached the floor and I blushed deep to my roots. Once I regained my composure, I stepped away from him and sat back on my seat. He followed my example and sat himself.
"Did you," I faltered, feeling slightly uncomfortable, "Did you follow me?" There, I said it. A bit fast, but hey, it's his problem to decipher it. I watched as his eyes tightened, how his jaw froze and how his knuckles whitened under the strain. It was like the first day of Biology class all over again, except this time, he was not glaring at me. So he's not angry at me…at least I hope so.
"I feel very protective of you Bella..."
"So you followed me…"
"I was trying to keep a distance, just in case you needed my help, and I heard what that lowlife was thinking. Believe me, you don't deserve –"
"Wait," I stopped him, let me get this straight, "you said you heard what he was thinking?"
"Yes."
"I was right then, you do read minds… can you hear mine?" I watched, mesmerized, as his face underwent a series of emotions, from mild shock to amusement. It was quite comical actually, but I controlled myself.
"I can read every mind in this cinema…" Oh, shoot that means he can read my mind. "…apart from yours." Oh. He shifted his head to look past me and I turned my head to look at what he's looking at. It was a group of college students.
"Money… movie… food… girlfriend… money… cat… and then you, I hear nothing. It's not like you don't even exist, but I can see you…and it's very frustrating."
So he can read everyone else's minds, except for mine… this is so amazing. I wonder if his siblings know of his power, or maybe they have their own, similar to a family of superheroes, like in that movie 'Sky High'. But why can't he read my mind?
"Is there something wrong with me?" I cautiously asked. If he says yes… well, I'm not sure how I'm going to take that.
"I tell you that I can read minds and you think there's something wrong with you…?" he smirked. I smiled too, realizing the irony of the situation. But hey, I don't consider him weird for having this power. I mean, go him! He's gifted. I was drinking from my drink when I heard him sigh. I raised my eyes at him worriedly.
"Hey, what's wrong?" I asked. What is he worried about? Oh no, is he worried about me knowing? Does he think that I'll blow his secret like that? I certainly hope not… "Do you regret telling me?"
"What? No! It's just –" I nodded my head for him to continue. "I don't have the strength to stay away from you anymore." Oh my gosh, did he just say that? He's so romantic… of course, he might mean it in a friendly way… I forced myself to not act disappointed at my train of thought and focused back on the conversation.
"Then don't," I mean it, I don't want him to go. When I'm with him, I get this feeling of happiness and excitement. I know I'm in love with him, if only I could tell him right then and there… I felt myself eyeing his lips again, they were just so kissable! My body seemed to be thinking on its own accord since I felt myself moving towards him slowly. I tried to stop, but I just couldn't.
'Oh come on, please stop leaning!' I pleaded internally.
'You know you want to Bella…' my brain said. So it's its entire fault… Why I ought to –
"Bella, where were you! We've been worried sick!" I jumped at Angela's voice. Oh, I forgot about them. I leaned back and laughed nervously, trying my best to forget what I was just about to do.
"Sorry Angela," I apologized, hugging her and the other girls."I was, erm, in a predicament and Edward," I pointed at him. He was smiling this smug kind of smile on his lips. Did he just read my girls' minds? I glared at him to stop it and he just smiled wider, "helped me out."
"Oh, well, we were about to call you, but then we remembered that your phone's broken," said Jessica, pulling away from the hug. The others followed and I smiled warmly at them.
"Well, thanks for worrying, and I'm sorry for making you guys worry. Edward and I got talking, and I sorta…lost track of time." I looked away from their gazes and sat back down on my chair, starting on my other bottle of Coke. I tapped my foot in annoyance; this awkward silence is really getting to me. I kicked Edward under the table, hoping that he'll know what I'm trying to convey to him.
"So girls," he said. Good, he got it. He's talking. Goodbye awkward silence. "How was the movie?"
"Oh," I heard Lauren and Jessica say at the same time. I felt a pang of jealousy at the faintness of their voices.
"It was great," piped in Angela, eyeing the two girls warily, "too bad you missed it Bella."
"Oh, don't worry. I've seen Wild Child before…" I replied absentmindedly. Is it just me or does Edward's hair seems more bronze under this lighting?
"You have? But it's only shown in public today," Oops, I looked up and saw two curious faces. One belonged to Angela, the other Edward. Man, I need to watch my mouth or I'll blurt some things that I'm sure I'll regret. I need some kind of excuse quick, I can't exactly say that I've seen the movie premiere.
"Oh, I've seen it in YouTube," I lied flawlessly, "you can see everything in there." Whew, nice save Bella.
"Hey guys, I've got an idea!"
"Yes Lauren?"
"Since you missed the movie, Bella, I was thinking that we watch another one. Maybe…" she glanced at the big movie poster that decorated the walls of the cinema. "…Mamma Mia? I heard it's good."
"Sound great, Lauren!" I glanced at Edward and said shyly, "How about you Edward? Care to join us?" He appears to be thinking about it, so I sat there sweating buckets for his answer.
"Sure." Yes! He's coming!
"Great, now come on or we'll miss the beginning." I grabbed Edward's arm and led him to the ticket counter. After paying for all of our tickets, we settled ourselves in theater number five. We were just in time because the starting credits were rolling.
"I have a dream, a song to sing…"
A/N: Abba is classic, that's why I love watching Mamma Mia over and over and over again. Also, it's kinda somewhat important for the next chapter. I'm warnign you for some fluff between Edward and Bella! Excited? If yes, you just have to wait until I write it! Haha, I'm evil. I'm pretty excited myself though. I mean, try having the story plot running around in your head all day long? If that doesn't excite you, I don't know what can... Please review!!
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