Title: Cut the Ropes
Author: LazyWerewolf
Disclaimer: See Chapter 2 for blanket disclaimer
A/N: hey wazzup you guys... I know, I know. "BELLA AND EMMETT? WTF YOU ASSHOLE! THIS IS THE BXA SECTION RETARD!" yeah... But I plan on having Bella fall in love naturally twice, and then fall hopelessly head over heels for Alice when she turns were. Emmett, i guess would be the equivalent of Jacob in the books, so no worries. I plan on playing up the whole imprintion deal but the COTM version, no Quileute. This story is like no other. If you're looking for an Alice Bella flufftard or an Alice Bella angst, there are a lot of those out there, but only one of these. I read a cute fluffy fic called Hiccups just now. Seems like a decent alternative. This is the only fic that plays on several different dramas, and that also plays on another key angle of the Cullen family (not about to spoil that) Oh, and everybody give an air five to my anon reviewer Boo, who supplied the fuel for the spoiler I gave you up there. Congrats boo, you pretty much ruined all chances of a surprise, lol jk you all rock. Blatant honesty and hate speeches FTW. I really didn't want to call anyone out, but I just didn't like how someone can have one mindset and not think any other way. I kind of feel like this fic is getting angry reviews cause it's different. I'm sure it was the same with Paranoid Puppys Midnight (go read that too). The story is really great. Go check it out.
Side note, if you were wondering the song, its "Dressing Room" by Breathe Carolina. I will be updating faster because I'm snowed in. Damn winter.
The Port Angeles Mystery Man
Jake told me life was tough down on the Rez. He said that issues with homicides were getting closer and closer to the La Push area, and that in a few days, curfews would be in place. I didn't mind. Pretty soon I began counting my time not in days, but in how many times I saw Jacob. Honestly, my life revolved around him. His perpetual brightness made me happier than I had ever been with...Edward. This kid is doing wonders.
It was only two weeks since the last bonfire and Jacob said they were going to hold another one. This time, it was for Sam and Emily's wedding. Jacob didn't want to go. He really didn't. When I spoke to him, you could hear the disdain in his voice at the mention.
"I mean really? The kid just broke up with Leah, like two months ago, and now he's getting married to her cousin? Serious fucking homewrecker, the bastard." Jacob reeled on the next time I talked to him. We were driving down to my school because my truck was acting up.
"Wow. I didn't know he was with Leah."
"Yeah, well, he was, and now he's with her cousin. Sick, sick guy...Hey, who are they?" He gestured to a group of my pre-Cullen friends.
"That's Mike, Jessica, Angela, Eric and Ben." I waved to them as we pulled into the parking lot. They all walked over when they saw me in a different car. Mike and Eric's faces held curiosity, and Jessica just seemed jealous. And partly disgusted. Angela and Ben walked over holding hands. After we parked in a decent spot, Jake quickly made his way over to my side of the car and opened the door for me. He smiled before taking my hand. I watched Eric and the group walk over.
"Hey Bella! Who's this dude?" Eric managed to make his way in between the crowded lot cars and say hi. The rest of the group followed closely behind.
"Yeah, I haven't seen him before..." Jessica looked at Jake like he was something to eat. I bet she forgot she was going out with Mike.
"Hey you guys, this is Jake. He's from the Rez." I laughed when Jake rubbed the back of his neck.
"Yeah...Hi." Jake seemed to turn red, but that was impossible with his complexion.
"Not much of a talker, are you?" Mike wrapped a protective arm around Jessica's waist. Territorial.
"Nope. Sorry, gotta head back to the Rez, school's in an hour," Jake replied. He was making his way back to the driver's side when Angela spoke up.
"Man, I would kill to have school an hour later! That is so unfair," She huffed and Jacob smiled.
"Yeah, its great, innit? See ya Bells, bye guys," He waved before getting into the Rabbit again and starting the engine. We all watched him drive off, and pretty soon I was drowned in inquisitive questions.
"Oh my god, who was that?" "You goin' out with him, or what?" "Oh, can I meet him later?" "Is he always like that?" "OH MY GOD DID YOU SEE THOSE GUNS?"
Everyone turned to look at Jessica at that last question. "What? I mean really? Did you see his arms?" Everyone laughed, and we all made our way into campus.
The rest of the day went by relatively slow. Senior year was truly not as exciting as I made it out to be. The teachers drawled on, never really connected with students, so it was basically a lecture and notes, lecture and notes, lecture and notes, huge mid-term, and more notes. I was severely disappointed. Mainly because I thought that by senior year I would be married to a vampire and living in Alaska as a newborn. But no, the Cullens pulled an Edward and left a human with full knowledge of immortality alive and well. I was intent on changing things.
As I walked from class to lunch, I thought more and more about what being a vampire means to me. And yes, means to me, because I sure as hell wasn't going to just sit back and die when I knew living forever was possible. Edward could give me death glares and leave me to fend for myself for more than a year under severe depression, but I wasn't having it. I will live forever. No question.
The lunchlady served a stale pizza on a Styrofoam tray that bent under the excessive weight. I paid my lunch at the cashier and headed straight for the table in the middle of the room, usually where our group sat. I sat down just as Mike and Angela arrived at the table. Mike picked up his pizza and stared at it like it was a monster.
"Euuuugggh... Jesus, these things can't get much worse than this. I mean really?" He hit the pizza against the table for emphasis, and it made a hollow thud. "I could kill someone with this."
"Yeah. Hey, Bella, that guy earlier today... He's not your, you know, boyfriend, is he?" Angela asked me. I wasn't about to say yes, seeing as... Oh wait, yeah. No worries, the Cullen table is empty.
"Yeah, I've been friends with him for a while, and you know... Things just sort of happen..." That came out a lot more awkward than I thought it would.
She laughed. "Just happen, huh?" I nodded. "Well, Ben kind of wanted to go on a double date with Eric and Kate, but they're busy that night, so maybe you and...Um, who was it again?"
"Jacob."
"Jacob would want to go out to Port Angeles today to shop around, and maybe go to that new Italian place in the square."
"They have a new Italian place?" I feigned some interest.
"Yeah. It's a really nice little place, in case you guys want to go. Do you?"
I was about to say yes, but then I remembered. Jake can't leave the reservation without permission. "Um, well, Jacob's kind of bound to the reservation, unless he has a pass or some sort of official permission. I'm pretty sure he can get special permission from his dad, though..."
"Oh. Well, try, 'cause we really need to get some stuff for some birthdays."
I didn't know there were birthdays. "Really? Who?"
Mike and Angela both stopped eating to stare at me. Mike did a double take before he swallowed and started speaking. "Really Bella? Wow, just like you to forget your own birthday."
I mentally counted the days. Wednesday the eleventh, Thursday the twelfth, and... September, Friday the thirteenth. Happy birthday, Bella.
"Oh... Um, yeah. Well I'll call Jake later today and see what he can do. I'll see you guys around."
The bell rung shortly after and we all headed to our own classes. The day passed rather quickly, and pretty soon it was already dismissal. Mike, Jessica, Eric and I were all on the same bus, so I followed them to bus four, which took us straight to my house. I was the first stop, so I grabbed my things to leave.
"Bye Bella!" "Yeah, see ya Bella!" "Bye Arizona!"
I waved and watched as the bus rolled away. Charlie's copper wasn't in the driveway, so I could call Jake as soon as I got in my room. The door opened, and I read a few notes on the fridge from Charlie, saying that I should go out and get some fresh air. Well, that fit in to my plans very well.
As soon as I got into my room I was greeted by havoc on the chairs. The desk was covered in clothing, the chair had two pairs of jeans on it and the lamp had three of my shirts hanging from it. What the fuck? I didn't leave it like this!
When I put my backpack down to clean up, I noticed a slight change in the color clothes I had. I knew for a fact that I would never by a lime green shirt. I picked it up and examined it. It was a very pretty blouse, but a size small. The edges were pretty worn out too. I had never seen this shirt in my life.
I began to notice a pattern. I wonder... And sure enough, the top that magically appeared on the floor of my closet yesterday was gone. I shuffled through my clothes, and found a band t-shirt that I remember putting away. Took a big sniff of it, and bam. There it was again. A rogue vampire's going through my clothing.
This was beginning to bother me. If it was, one of them, then wouldn't one of them have warned me or something? Or maybe bothered to check their email inbox, seeing as how I had been emailing Alice for six months straight before I got over them.
Just for kicks, and to sort of prove to myself that they weren't coming back, I went over to the computer. I typed my email in, just like I did yesterday, and found one unread email from... Wait, what?
Rosalie ; Cullenfamily . com- Frontier Tampons
What the fuck? Rosalie Cullen emailed me a tampon ad? What the hell? Did I get sick or something?
I opened the email and that was it. A motherfucking tampon ad. From Rosalie Cullen. I think maybe I've been so mindfucked for the last six months that maybe I just see things. I blinked a few times and it was still there. What the fuck?
They think that after six months of torture they can just get the one Cullen that hates my guts to email me a tampon ad and everything would be just peachy? What the fuck! Something has got to be seriously fucked up with these people.
"WHAT THE FUCK!" Yelling never got me places, but I didn't care where I went today so long as Rosalie fucking Cullen knew who she was trying to mess up. "WHAT THE FUCKING FUCK! YOU BITCH! YOU CAN'T JUST EMAIL ME A FUCKING TAMPON COMMERCIAL AND EXPECT ME NOT TO HAVE A MOTHERFUCKING-"
The cellphone in my pocket started vibrating. I had my rage, now was time to calm down, and answer... Angela.
"What?" That didn't come out as calmly as I thought it would.
"Um, hey Bella, I was just gonna ask if you were still up for Port Angeles tonight."
I bit my lip and ran my hand through my hair. Stupid fucking nervous reactions. "Oh, I haven't called Jake yet, I'll call him right now and call you back if he says yes, okay?"
"Cool. We'll be meeting up at the Port Angeles square at around five. Should I pick you up?"
An hour drive from the Rez, to my house and to Port Angeles probably wouldn't put Jake in a good mood. And speaking of good moods, I was about to punch a hole through the wall.
"Yeah, thanks. Call you back, alright?"
"Cool. Bye!" She hung up shortly after.
Dammit.
Dammit.
God motherfucking dammit.
A vampire raped my closet, another vampire raped my email, and I was about to go shopping with my friends like nothing happened. Spectacular.
I dialed Jake's number and waited for him to pick up. First ring, second ring... And there he is.
"Hey Bells, what's up?" I could almost see him smiling through the phone.
"Hey Jake. Listen, Angela called me earlier today, and she was wondering if we wanted to go with her and Ben to shop down at Port Angeles. Do you think you could get your dad to say yes?"
"Oh yeah! I got my Rez pass today, actually. Do you want me to come pick you up?" He said the last part with little enthusiasm. Hey, the ride was an hour. Can't blame him.
"No, it's fine, I told Angela to come pick me up if you said yes. We're meeting at the square at around... Five or so."
"Cool. I'll get going then. Bye!"
"See you Jake."
I hung up and called Angela again once I was suitably calmed down. It took around half an hour. Once again, that kid did wonders. Angela actually picked up on the fourth ring this time. I also didn't know why I bothered with small things like how many rings can happen before somebody picks up.
"Hello, Ange?"
"Yeah Bella? What'd he say?"
"He says yes. He got a rez pass, which is like a little ticket out of the reservation. It's only for a day though, so if you want to see him again, you can't, at least for another month."
"Aw, that would stink, only living in one place. Oh well. I'll be at your place in five." She hung up shortly after.
I used the five minutes she gave me to be at least somewhat presentable before I heard a car pulling into the driveway. That would be Angela. I ran toward the door, looking moderately presentable in a band shirt, some blue jeans and my black Vans. I struggled with opening the three locks on the door that Charlie put in place. A cop really likes his home defense.
"Hey Ange!" I greeted, once I finally got the door open after another five minutes.
"Hey Bells! Let's go, we're already a bit late, actually." She smiled and nearly ran to her car again, me in tow.
"How long?" I asked as I got in the car.
"Not much, just around five minutes." She started the car and drove out the driveway and down the small road.
The rest of the car ride was relatively silent, so we got there in around half an hour or so. Just as we pulled into the Square's parking lot, I caught glimpse of Ben's dark navy Corolla. Sure enough, sitting on the circular fountain at the entrance of the square, were Ben and Jacob, chatting about who knows what like they had known each other for years. They both saw us at the same time, and they waved after they saw us pull into a spot near them.
"Hey Bella! Hey Ange, how's it going?" Ben smiled and took Angela's hand in his own.
"Yeah, hey Bells, Angela. Where are we gonna go first?" Jake made his way over with the biggest smile I had seen on anyone's face today.
"Oh, we were thinking of going to the new Italian place first, and then go shopping at some of the stores nearby." Angela said. We all walked toward the new restaurant that settled itself on the furthermost point of the square, already halfway on the boardwalk just a few meters further in.
"Looks good," Jake said when we got close enough. We all entered together, and after around ten minutes, a hostess led us to a table with the best view I had ever seen.
We all sat down at the table, and it only took us five minutes to pick our respective meals and drinks, afterwards, the hostess was off and getting the food ready. We had our own huge conversation about everything. The main topic of discussion was the restaurant itself. We had all agreed that the facilities were great, but Jake laughed when I said that the tables looked like condoms. His laugh was so infectious that it was hard not to laugh with him, even if it was at your own joke. We all had a great laugh for a while, and then we settled down when the pasta and pizza came. I looked out the wide window we were next to, and looked at the amazing view. Forest, beach and town all in one sight. Wow.
But something different caught my attention. Something way too familiar. A man, probably in his thirties, walked down the streets of the crowded square. His presence exuded superiority and... Disgust at the people around him? This man's strange. I was about to look away from him, but he turned to face me. His shoulder length hair was put up in dreadlocks, and his burgundy suit top contrasted with the black jeans he was wearing. His skin was black, but somehow had a shine that didn't seem natural. His eyes were a mesmerizing shade of crimson, which sent a shiver down my spine. I thought I knew him from somewhere. Just then, he turned back and looked at a man approaching him from far off in the distance. This man was tall, tan, and...No...It couldn't be. I looked back and realized mystery man number one had disappeared.
"Hey... Was that Bob Marley?" Ben had apparently also seen mystery man number one.
"Ben, sweetie, Bob Marley's dead." Angela replied between fits of laughter.
"Really? I didn't know that. He just put out an album like a month ago. Rokkstarr, was it?" Ben looked very confused.
"That was Taio Cruz, buddy." Jacob looked like he was about to spew laughter, along with food.
"Oh, I didn't know that."
"Jake, buddy, don't you think you've eaten too much?" Jacob looked at Ben like he was crazy.
"What are you talking about?"
"You're kidding. Dude, you've eaten four bowls of pasta and three slices of pizza."
"I've just got a big appetite, is all."
The others let his odd behavior drop. However, the rest of the conversation went by without a hitch, and Ben had completely forgotten the mysterious stranger that had appeared. The bill rung up pretty low for so much food, so we were all planning to go through different stores, and hit as many places as possible before they closed down. We were definitely in disagreement.
"I want to go to that American Eagle!" "Yeah... That sounds okay..." "Nuh-uh! I want to go see the Game Stop!" "Yeah, and then the other store with the Halo trailer playing up front!"
In the end, we decided to split up into pairs. Angela and I would go further into the square while Jacob and Ben would look at the game stores. We were about to split up, but Jacob suddenly grabbed my arm.
"Come with me," He said, while looking off into the direction of the pier. I looked, and saw who Jake had described as the bloody homewrecker. He also happened to be mystery man number two. The kid just couldn't leave us alone, could he? Sam Uley decided to grace us with his presence.
Jacob took my arm and started walking in the opposite direction. Sam, however, wasn't having it.
"Jacob! Nice to see you." He was no less than three feet away from the both of us. I looked around to see Ben and Angela looking on with curiosity.
"What do you want, Uley?" Jacob was fuming. How could someone get so mad, so quickly?
"I want to see your pass," Sam was referring to the reservation exit pass that Jake had.
"You're not the boss of me, Sam. You may have brainwashed my friends," Jacob pushed a finger to Sam's chest, "but you sure as hell can't boss me around."
"Let me see your pass." There was that strange authority voice again.
"No." Jacob had started heaving, and was speaking through gritted teeth. "Where the fuck is your pass then? We can't leave the place without it. Huh?"
"I have one." Sam pulled a crumpled piece of paper from his pocket. "I'm here to get Emily's wedding dress. What are you doing here?"
"I'm here shopping with my friends, not groupies." Jacob's voice was louder by the second.
"Let me see your pass."
"YOU'RE NOT THE POLICE, ULEY!" Jacob had finally lost it. He took a few steps forward, but stopped advancing and held his stomach. He also covered his mouth. What the...?
Jacob ran to the garbage can a few feet away from where we were standing. He barfed up his entire meal, and Ben rushed to his side, followed by me and Angela.
"I don't know what your problem is, buddy, but you better leave before I call the cops." That was the most serious thing I had heard Ben say today.
Ben looked at Sam with a death glare, and Angela and I both rushed to Jacob's side as he started heaving up more barf. I couldn't watch, so I just held his hand. I did, however catch Sam walking off after Ben had told him off. Go Ben.
Jacob finally stopped heaving to say some words. "I'm not feeling too well. I think I might have to go home... Now." Barf.
"Okay, I'll drive," I offered.
"I came here with Ben. If you would be so kind," Jacob's face turned pale.
"Sure bud."
"I think that we should go too, Bella," Angela gestured to the cars. "It won't be much fun without them," with that I waved bye to Jake, who was still heaving into the trash can when Ben appeared with a bucket.
The car ride was silent, and Angela just seemed overly worried for Jacob. Don't get me wrong, I was worried too. Jacob always had a strong stomach. Back when we were little, Jacob had the strongest stomach ever. He would eat worms and not flinch at all. It was actually pretty disgusting. But just a small rouse from Sam and Jake was spewing like a water fountain. Something was up with him.
We had almost already arrived when my phone rang. It was Billy.
"Hey Billy, how's Jake?"
He sighed over the phone. "Jake is... He has some sort of stomach flu, and it's hitting him bad. I'm afraid you won't be able to come over for a while."
"...Uh...Okay...I'll see you later..." Stomach flu? He was fine yesterday.
"Of course. Bye Bella. Say hi to Charlie for me."
"Will do." He hung up just as we entered the driveway.
I got out of the car and noticed that Charlie's chopper was still gone. Strange, it never took him too long to come home.
"Bye Ange."
"See ya, Bella! Call when you find out if Jake's okay." She pulled out of the driveway and drove off.
I fumbled with the keys for a while before heading straight to my room. Charlie wasn't anywhere to be seen. The TV in the living room was still off, and nothing was out of order. I went up the stairs pretty slowly, trying not to trip on anything. When I got to my room, I noticed I forgot to close my email. I walked over to the computer.
"Five-hundred fifty-seven unread emails?" From Rosalie Cullen? Jesus, she really wants me to get new tampons. This can't be happening. What the fuck. And once again, the clothing in the closet was disorganized and messy. This was too strange to be true. I ran my hand through my hair again. Who the hell just raped my closet? Or did a tornado named Cullen run through it?
I decided to leave a small trap. I would take my dirty shirt off and leave it on the computer chair, band side down, but leave another shirt with the same design on top. The first shirt, however, had no tag. If the vampire was in a rush, or in a hurry to get back to a certain place, they probably wouldn't notice. I would probably leave the clothing alone. I enacted it, seeming to carelessly through away the shirt, when really it had a specific location. I went to take a shower and changed into my pajamas. Afterwards, I went to get into bed though, and noticed something.
Instant gratification, I thought. The vampire had indeed left in a hurry. Sure enough, the two t-shirts were switched. I wondered. Could they have known what I had been planning? They probably did. The vampire would have needed to be close by. Maybe they left it like that on purpose? Or maybe...
My train of thought was interrupted by the phone ringing. I flipped it open, surprised that Jake was calling.
"Jake, are you okay?"
"Um...Yeah...Better, at least. I think that it might be contagious, and I don't want you to get it. I'll call when I'm okay. I'll see you then, alright? I think I have a lot of explaining to do..." He sounded much better than at the square.
"Okay. I'll see you then." He hung up.
Well that was quick. I hope he'll be alright. Meanwhile, I had my unexpected visitor to handle.
Nother A/N: Wow, the Emmett thing really got some people riled up. Okay, let me rephrase that. Emmett is the equivalent of Jacob in the books in this story. Shoulder to lean on, forehead kisses, hugs, not much, people, relax. And remember, I did say eventual BellaXAlice. Imprinting isn't something you can put off. Can you guess who mystery man number one was? He plays a vital role in the story... Leave your best guess... cookies to those who figure it out XD I hope I made it somewhat obvious. Who is the closet raping vampire? Why is Jake getting stomach flu? Why is Rosalie emailing tampon ads? The answer to all of this and more in the next chappie. And if you're not enjoying the pairings, stop reading. Go read Hollowgo.
I wanted to make a compromise. I will update as fast as I can on the weekends, but don't expect me to update on weekdays. If you're disappointed with the writing style in the past chapter, I wanted to say that all of the drama starts next chapter. Jacob reveals his true colors, Bella gets a book on immortality, and the closet raping vampire reveals themselves.
One more thing: For you potter lovers, go read "Bungle in the Jungle" and "Turn me Loose: A Harry Potter Adventure" by jbern. The best fic on fanfiction, I dare say. Sorry for the short chapter, im snowed in, gonna keep writing, peace out.
Cheers,
The Lazy Werewolf