Chapter twenty one
Ali had cheered up by now, it was so close to our lunch time in which Rose would come down to the shop and hash a few things out. Decide what she was going to do.
She would have to get aDoctors appointment in about a week to really see if she was, then decide if she wants to keep the baby, decide if she wanted to keep Emmett – not particularly in that order – and all the usual stuff.
I was just leaning on the glass counter, looking out to the street, - Ali had gone out to get lunch - when the wind chimes alerted me to someone's presence. And god it was not good.
Mike Newton A.K.A Mutant Newton step through the door. And all I wanted to do was scream and hide.
I hated that kid.
He was the one always following me around at school, always clinging to me asking me for a date which I never gave him. Until it all changed.
I was home alone for the night – Charlie and Renee having gone on one of their many 'Date Nights' and wouldn't be back until the morning – and Taylor Crawly had been throwing a party about a block away from me.
Everybody had been invited, but I chose not to go, instead taking advantage of my space. I also despised almost everyone who went to Forks High at the time so there was no point.
There had been alcohol at the party. So a lot of the guys had been getting pretty rowdy. Including Mutant.
He decided that he had had enough of my 'teasing' and had come knocking at my door.
He tried to attack me.
He actually almost managed to choke me, kept telling me of how much of a slut I was, how much of a tease. That I secretly wanted him 'inside me'.
All these memories came flashing back to me as I looked into that boyish face, with his perfectly cut hair and his bright blue eyes. Oh god how I hated blue eyes.
"Well if it isn't the belle of the ball" Mutant said, trying to be suave, but ended up coming off as a total dick
"What can I do for you Mike?"
"Well, I thought you would be happy to see your only high school friend" he actually had the audacity to act sad at my reaction, which I have to say did come off rather venomous.
I really hated this guy.
He was also really starting to look like James which really freaked me out.
"What can I do for you Mike?"
"Nothing, just browsing the shops, looking for something for my cousin. He just woke up from a coma, been put on life support for over a week now"
"Well, I'm glad. Now if you don't need help, I really have to make a phone call right now so if you will excuse me?"
I made my way out back, standing in front of the CCTV screen as I watched him walk round the shop. I didn't trust him.
"Hello?" Rosie answered as I tried to call Emmett. They had been laughing
"Hey Rose, Glad you two worked everything out. Now can you put Emmett on the phone? Please"
"Bella? Is everything OK?" she asked concerned sensing my tone
"No not really, just please put Emmett on"
"Bells?" Emmett asked as Rose passed the phone over, his voice able to calm me a little making me feel slightly safe.
"Mutant Newton" was all I had to say to him. He didn't know the whole story, but enough to want to kill him which would come in pretty useful right about now.
"I'll be there in twenty Bella. Stay. Where. You. Are. And Call Edward. He's closer to you"
With that the phone was shut off, leaving me with the dialling tone.
I pressed speed dial 2 as I kept my eyes on the screen,watching his every move.
"Hey baby what's up?" Edward answered
"Can you come to the store?" I asked shakily, a sense of dread washing over me and Mutant made his way closer towards my hiding place.
"Baby?"
"Just come. Please. I need you"
"On my way" he growled like he knew I needed protecting.
Making my way back out, I stood away from Mutant's he made his way around the shop. He kept glancing towards the ceiling, trying to figure out where the camera's were.
"My cousin was attacked you see, serious head injury's. He had to have surgery"
"I'm sorry to hear that."
"Yeah, I was too when I heard it. I always did like James. His name's James you see. Anyway, he's awake now."
I was panicking. It couldn't be. Too much of a coincidence.
"Yeah, says some girl attacked him with a frying pan ."
"Oh really?" my voice was shaking so much and all I kept thinking was that I was so glad I was alone for this. That Ali wasn't here to witness this, or even get hurt if he did decided to repeat what he did a year ago.
"You know Bells, you haven't changed at all. Still the same doe eyed girl who I was head over heels for. Who would always tease me. Lead me on. Make me think you wanted me back" he advance towards me, a scary look in his eye.
"Bella?" I breathed a sigh of relief as Edward and Jasper came into view. They both looked really worried
"Hey Edward" I breathed back. I was safe now.
"Who are you?" he asked Mike, as he crossed his arms, making his muscles ripple
"I'm her boyfriend from Washington. Who is this Bells?" he whipped around to face me "I knew I shouldn't have let you come to New York, knew it was too far away for our relationship. This is why I sent James to keep an eye on you. I couldn't trust you"
"You sent James?" I spluttered, trying to make sense of the information.
"Are you telling me, you're the one responsible for Bella getting attacked?" Edward was angry, I could tell, the fire in his eyes almost trying to burn Newton.
"She had to be taught a lesson. She is mine."
And with an almighty crash, Newton was on the floor, landing on top of a display as Emmett ran through the door and jumped on the ass hole.
This was too much.
Mike and James? Family?
What the hell was going on?
"baby, are you all right?" I could hear Edward ask. Was I? I mean, normally I could take care of myself you know, I mean I put James in the hospital. But Mike? He used to be a great guy, clingy, but still a good guy. I don't know, it's just when it came to him, I had trouble hurting him. Even if he was acting like a class one ass hole. And that's why I would never regret movign to New York. Because I knew, my older brother always had my back.