Thank you, everyone, for your patience. Writing hasn't been on my mind for some time. Hopefully this does two things – makes up for the lack of updating and gives me some writing motivation.
The wedding was beautiful, small and simple. I smiled as I watched my dad watch Sue walk down the aisle. He has never been the most vocal person or expressive, but what I saw in his eyes was breath-taking.
Sue looked stunning in her dress. I gripped Paul's hand as they said their vows. He gripped mine is response before bringing it up to kiss it.
During the reception I broke away from Paul. I needed to use the bathroom. Connie was waiting for me.
"Well, well, well. Who knew the pale face daughter of the chief of police would be such a slut?" she sneered.
I sighed and tried to go around her, but she pushed me back.
"Don't try acting so innocently now. I know all about you, you are know match for Paul," she glared at me.
"What exactly do you know?" I challenged back. She was getting on my last nerve.
Connie smirked "I know a lot; I don't think we have enough time to go over everything." I rolled my eyes at her and sighed in exasperation.
I pushed past her, wanting to escape as soon as possible.
"I know you had sex with Edward the moment you started dating, and I know he wasn't the only one you slept with," she called after me. I stopped dead.
I shakily turned to her. "What?" I asked.
She sauntered up to me "You heard me," she sneered.
I could feel the tears starting to form in my eyes. I didn't want her to see me cry but I couldn't stop them. She smirked at me as I tried to catch my breath.
"Did…did….he ….Tell you …That?" I stammered. She nodded her head as she crossed her arms. I coughed and took a deep breath. Once I felt collected, I faced her.
"First, even though this is none of your business, I did not sleep with him the moment we started dating. He …. He …. raped me after the senior dance. Second, the only other person I have slept with is Paul." Her face didn't budge.
"So typical of a pale face, how can you call it rape when it was with someone you loved. Plus, it isn't rape if you were so drunk you couldn't respond properly." She really was a piece of work.
"No matter who it is with, it is rape if one of you is being forced to do something you don't want to do. Also, I stopped loving him after the first time he hit me. He was a controlling bastard and did everything he could to sperate me from my friends." I tried to remain calm, but I was close to losing it. I could feel the panic start to rise.
"I don't believe you," she said sounding a little unsure.
"Of course, you don't," I scoffed.
"You're the daughter of a cop. Why would you let anyone do that to you?" she challenged, trying to sound certain.
"Why indeed," I sighed as I turned to leave. I didn't re-join the party. Instead I snuck away back to Paul's. I wanted to be alone.
I laid on his bed and stared into nothing.
"Here you are," I nearly jumped of the bed. "Easy, it's just me," Paul held up his hands up.
I closed my eyes and remembered to breathe.
"You scared me," I scolded him as he sat on the bed in front of me.
"Sorry, I didn't mean too. You disappeared during the reception, what happened?" he asked gripping my hands.
"I met with Connie, she seemed to think I am no match for you," I chuckled. Paul chuckled too.
"She is the one that's no match for me,"
I smiled, then I remembered what else she had said.
"She also said Edward had said that I had slept with him straight away, and that I had cheated on him." The anger seemed to dissipate some of the fear in me.
"I told her the truth; I think after talking it all out with Sue I find it easier to speak about it." I said. Paul smiled at me and gripped my hands.
"Maybe one day you can tell me?" he asked. I smiled at him.
"Maybe," I agreed as he hugged me again.
Later that night we decided to sit outside on the porch. It was a peaceful night, we talked about anything and everything. It really was perfect.
Until it wasn't.
"Bella!" Connie strode towards us. I sighed as I looked at Paul.
"What do you want Connie?" I asked. I really wanted her to leave quickly.
"I need to talk with you, alone." She said as she eyed Paul. He looked at me and I nodded. Might as well get this over with. Paul kissed me and went back inside.
"What is it?" I asked. Connie suddenly looked nervous.
"I … I need to know if what you said before was true?" she asked as she gripped her arms.
"You mean about what he did?" I asked still unable to say Edwards name out loud. Connie nodded. "Yes, it was," I confirmed. Connie paled.
"Why do you need to know?" she looked like she was going to freak out.
"My sister is dating Edward, that's how I heard about you. His family came back a few months after you graduated and left. He asked around about you, but no one knew where you had gone, and your dad wouldn't tell him anything. He has been dating her for a few months now and I …" she broke off. I filled in the rest.
"You've noticed some changes in her?" she nodded.
"She used to be really outgoing, spent loads of time with her friends. Now they hardly see her. She always loved to wear make up and she often would steal my clothes. Now she only wears what he has bought her. When we ask her about that she just says that it's what she finds comfortable."
"You need to get her away from him before it gets worse. Before he hits her," I warned. Connie looked lost.
"I don't think she will believe me; she loves him. I have never seen her like this before," she was pleading at me. I sighed.
"Can you get her to come here, to meet me?" I asked. Connie nodded and smiled before racing off.
Paul came out not long after and wrapped an arm around me.
"You didn't have to do that you know," he said with a smile.
"You were listening?" I asked. He nodded.
"Sorry," he said sheepishly. I sighed I didn't want to deal with anything related to Edward, but could I really leave, knowing what this other girl will be going through, and what was in store for her.
Let me know what you think. Will she believe Bella? Or will she go back to Edward?