A/N: Okay, so I lied. This chapter isn't 5k words. But it's close enough! Enjoy, you fiends!
Reviews:
lazygirl89: No. Angela's mom is not single in this fanfic. Angela's parents are still the same and are definitely still together. I have a pairing for Charlie already and it is NOT SUE. I don't think Bella needs any more sisterly bonds with anyone. I think Beth is enough. Angela is a friend - but more on that later! As for no secrets, :) you'll have to wait and see. Unfortunately, this fic is NOT Anti-Alice or Anti-Rosalie. So, sorry if that's what you thought. *shrugs*
Disclaimer
Twilight and all affiliated characters are the property of Stephanie Meyer. I do not own any of the aforementioned characters except Beth and the plot of this story (that is, should it stray from the original Twilight). This story is for entertainment only and is not part of the official storyline. I am not in any way, shape, or form benefiting financially from the publishing of this story on this site and am very grateful for Mrs. Meyer's creation. Besides, if I did own Twilight, I'd have flown to Tuscany and bought my own house.
"And you're sure there's nothing I can do?" Beth asked one final time, fingers fiddling with her new book bag. Mr. Banner sighed, already shaking his head
"Unfortunately nothing short of getting a restraining order can be done now, Ms. Swan," he chuckled. "It's the middle of the term already and what with you and Isabella joining us so late, I don't think switching your lab partner will make matters any easier."
Beth clicked her tongue, frustratedly. Sighing, she went to pick up her bag but stopped once Mr. Banner called her once more.
"Elizabeth, can I ask what caused your request?" The man in his late thirties reached up to adjust his glasses, his kind eyes asking her to confide in him. Around them, Mike Newton and some of his guy friends from the swim team passed, the blue-eyed boy shooting her a friendly smile and a wave before someone tried to give him a noogie. "I assumed that you two had become somewhat acquainted before the accident if my memory is correct."
Beth smiled back briefly, watching the youth before focusing her attention back on her teacher, now conscious of the stare coming from her assigned seat even more now that she caught sight of him in her peripheral. Her smile tightened infinitesimally, "Just teenage drama, sir. Don't worry about it."
Her teacher's eyes roamed her face, before nodding and handing her two pamphlets for the lab that day. A restraining order. Nothing short of a restraining order. He had probably only said it as a joke, but in all honesty, Beth couldn't help but think about what her teacher had suggested as she walked to her desk, eyes solely focused on the linoleum floor. Surely only a large amount of trouble would preempt a request for such a thing. Her dad would deliver it, Elizabeth imagined, but he would definitely ask questions. Too many questions. And, Edward was only being a little prick, the smallest inconvenience in her life. Or at least, that was what she was telling herself.
He was just one boy, nevertheless.
Breathing deeply, she set her bag at her feet and pulled out her Biology notebook. Wordlessly, she slid one of the pamphlets to the other side of the desk without looking up at the other occupant who was still glaring a hole into the side of her head. This went on for five more minutes as Mr. Banner walked around the class to deposit the tiny Petri dishes that contained cells at different stages of mitosis and meiosis.
Having enough, she angled herself and pinned him in her heated gaze with a level of bravery she did not know she possessed. His yellow eyes appraised her as though he was just seeing her truly, for the first time. But Beth did not care for his sudden interest, her eyes cold now and a message in them that clearly said ' I don't have time for your bullshit, leave me alone.' And wisely, the boy acquiesced the silent demand and turned to listen to what Mr. Banner had been saying.
Rolling her eyes at his odd behavior, she began to pay attention, and not that she'd never admit it but she was smug- just a little.
At lunch, Alice Cullen had intercepted her path, strangely enough. Beth hadn't expected it and she had nearly stumbled if it hadn't been for the tiny girl's cold- and strangely- hard body blocking her way.
"Oh!" She had feigned surprise, clearly and Beth saw right through that. Bending to pick up a book that had fallen from her hand, she was surprised once more when said book appeared directly in her face, already clasped between perfectly manicured fingers painted a light, natural mauve.
Hesitating just slightly, Elizabeth took her book and made to move off, remembering clearly what the Cullen boy had told her. As Alice made to open her mouth again, it was Beth's turn to stop her. The door to the cafeteria opened up and Beth immediately tensed, sensing rather than looking, just who entered.
The brunette held up a hand, "I was told not to talk to anyone related to your brother or him. So please," Beth gestured around her, flashing her a slightly bitter smile, "excuse me."
Beth only felt slightly regretful as Alice's perfect little lips formed into a small pout, yellow eyes that were once bright, now dimmed. She peeked behind her briefly, and her lips, against her will, quirked up once she caught sight of the tiny girl reaching up to Edward's tall, six-one frame to slap him upside the head.
For the next month, Beth remained resolute in her decision to ignore their existence and it was easy to do so. In place of her thoughts of The Cullens and their strange characters, instead stood her increasing irritation for the senior, Tyler Crowley, who had taken to following her around like an infant clutching the skirts of his mother, since he had left the hospital two days after the accident. He had taken to opening doors for her, carrying her books, pulling her chair out for her, buying her lunch (which was highly unnecessary considering she and Bella tried to bring lunch almost every day) among other things. Once, she recalled, he even tried to follow her into the girl's bathroom. And while Elizabeth didn't truly mind it at first, his consistent appearance, even when she wanted to be alone was proving to be a massive nuisance to her.
And try as she might, no matter what she said, he would not leave her alone. It was nearing stalkerish, or obsessive. And on one rare occasion when he had gone to the bathroom at lunch, she was teased by Jessica about how Tyler had the "hots" for her. Of course, Beth was horrified.
"God, I hope not," She admitted exasperated, frustration coloring her tone as she rubbed her hands down her face. As Bella giggled at her expense, Beth groaned, head falling onto the cafeteria table to rest between her folded arms. "I really hate this!" She whisper-yelled, "I loathe that boy so much!"
"I'm this close," she placed her index finger centimeters from her thumb, peaking up from her position, "to learning how to drive and getting my license just so I can run him over."
At this, Jessica and Angela laughed as well, clearly thinking that she'd been joking around. But at that point, Beth wasn't as sure that she was. She'd thought about it more than once by then and had a precise plan that was almost flawless. She'd borrow the truck, of course- that thing was ancient and had many dents on the hood already, one more wouldn't make a difference. Even one shaped exactly like the human imprint of the same pest that had begun walking to their table, a wide smile plastered on his face.
Immediately, Beth ducked back down, pulling her coat that she'd abandoned earlier over her head before hissing at the snickering occupants, "I'm sleeping!"
There was less than a minute of silence before, Tyler loudly pulled out the chair that he had claimed earlier, conveniently placed directly on her left.
"She asleep?" he asked loudly as though she would be after the sheer volume of his voice. Yet Beth remained still, hoping the jacket over her head wouldn't fall off the side of the table.
"Yeah," Jessica chirped, amusement coloring her tone. Beth would bet on anything that she was smiling and mentally glared at the girl laughing at her situation.
"Oh," he responded, slightly less upbeat now. The silence was awkward now, "So, anyone ask you guys to the dance yet?"
Beth let out a quiet breath, if the girls had any sense, they would know where this conversation was leading. And if he had any sense, he would know that she'd say no.
"It's girl's choice, Tyler," Angela gently explained with a giggle.
"Oh, I know. Won't stop me though!"
"You had someone in mind?" Jess goaded, and by the snorts that resounded from Bella on her right, Beth realized it was safe to assume that he had probably gestured to her.
"Well, Bella and I decided to go to the dance together."
Beth perked up at that, head jolting slightly in surprise. Her sister hadn't mentioned that small fact to her at all. In fact, that was the first time she had even heard that Bella would've considered it. A sharp kick was aimed at her leg, a warning to keep still and she mouthed several curse words in the direction of her sister, despite the fact that she knew Bella wouldn't see it.
"Oh, cool." Tyler asked, " You ask Mike yet?"
The girl in question sighed, "I was hoping that he'd ask, to be honest."
Beth's eyebrows furrowed, what part of 'Girl's Choice' did these people not understand?
"Damn," there was a distinct lull in conversation then, and to her utmost surprise, she heard the chair on her left squeak on the floors. "Okay, well later!"
A minute passed and then careful hands peeled her jacket away from her, "You're clear."
Beth huffed, sweeping a piece of her straight, brown hair behind her ear. "Thank god," she sighed in relief, "and thanks."
Eyeing her sister, she promised herself to ask about Angela and the dance later. It was clearly not the time nor place to talk about it. And truly, it wasn't that big of a deal. She was only a little miffed that her sister didn't tell her. And if anything, she was more concerned over the fact that Ben hadn't made any effort to ask or even Angela (that she knew of).
"So, Mike?" Beth questioned, quirking an eyebrow, a light smile on her face.
"Yeah," Jess slumped in her seat, "do you mind?"
Beth balked, "Oh no! No, no. Not at all."
Jess sat up again, leaning her arms on the table now that she was reassured. "I thought that he might've liked to ask you or Bella, maybe."
"Nope," Bella spoke up then, taking a sip of her lemonade. "I am very, not interested."
"Oh," Jess replied, a small smile growing on her face as she gained confidence. "Okay."
She shared a knowing glance with Angela and Bella, before launching into a rant about teenage boys and how much she hated being the main focus of their attention.
But later on, as the warning bell rang and the last bits of stragglers ran off to class before they were late, their group had lagged behind- not in any true rush to get to class. But it was a surprise when Mike Newton, the Forks High School Golden Boy had run back to catch them. Jessica had straightened, preening just a little,
"Hi, Mike!" She greeted him enthusiastically, stepping up expectantly. But Mike only tossed her a small grin before walking right past her and directing his attention to Bella.
"I'll see you after school," Beth muttered to Bella, before walking over to the dejected hazel-haired girl. Jessica's mouth tilted down in disappointment as she watched the two. "C'mon, Jess. This won't change anything."
The green-eyed girl nodded before making an excuse about wanting to get to class. Angela watched her go, biting her lip.
"You don't think Bella would-" Angela started, but Beth had already begun shaking her head.
"Definitely not. She knows Jess likes him," Beth assured, before touching her shoulder in farewell. Angela would be waiting on Bella, it was clear.
"I was, uh, hoping that you'd ask me to the dance..?" Mike's hand rubbed the back of his neck out of nervousness.
"No," Bella stated simply.
"No?" Mike parroted, his cheeks coloring in embarrassment at his second rejection from the Swan girls.
"No," she nodded. "Sorry if I gave you that impression, Mike. But I don't like you that way."
"So, you wouldn't even go with me as a friend?" He chuckled shortly, hands falling to his sides.
"No. You should ask Jessica though." And with that, Bella left him in the empty hallway. No explanations were necessary. Just a solid, firm letdown. Beth would no doubt be proud.
"Huh." She heard him say as she walked over to Angela, "Jessica."
"What was that about?" Angie had asked her. Bella could only shake her head,
"Let's not talk about it."
Today, it seemed, was not going to be a very good day for the Swan girls. And it showed both when it began raining and secondly when Edward fucking Cullen thought it'd be cute to cause a traffic jam on top of the developing one. Of course, Beth had thought, it had to have been him. But the absolute highlight, the best (note the sarcasm) part of that day had to be when Tyler Crowley appeared out of thin air, right beside Beth's closed window.
"Jesus Christ!" Beth flinched back, having not expected to see the object of her ire, smiling brightly as though the heavens hadn't opened up to piss right down on them.
He waved, before knocking on her window. But Beth did not acknowledge him, choosing instead to glare resolutely up at the ceiling of the cabin. From the driver's side, Bella was laughing behind her hand. Laughing!
Beth reached over to slap her sister, fully fed up now. And when the sound of knocking came again, Bella had motioned him over to her side, since it was obvious that Elizabeth would not be winding the window down at any point in time. And especially not for the Crowley boy, whom she had managed to narrowly escape (not once, but twice! An impressive feat) between classes and after school.
"Sorry, Tyler," Isabella had apologized once the African American boy had made his way around to her window. "I'm holed up behind Cullen."
At his name, Beth's eyes shot toward the Silver Volvo in question, where, despite the very dark tint on all windows, she could see the fucker, that one pale motherfucker with bronze hair looking back at them in his rearview mirror, a smile(! ON HIS FACE)as his siblings clambered gracefully into the car.
Beth's knuckles began to ache with how tightly she had been gripping her bag.
How she hated him.
"That's okay," Tyler began," I just wanted to ask Beth if she would ask me to the dance on Saturday."
Beth's brain imploded at that second and she could not for the life of her, restrain the words that flew out of her mouth, "NO, TYLER!"
"fOR THE LAST TIME, NO!" As yes, it had been about the fourth time he had asked. But it was the first time, Beth had become so angry as to yell at him. Even Bella(who was used to her behavior by now)'s eyebrows had shot straight up into her hairline.
But Tyler Crowley, Tyler, Tyler, Tyler, in all his smug and unaffected glory, who almost had hearts in his eyes, simply grinned and walked off with a casual comment that made Elizabeth explode.
"That's okay. We still have Prom."
People were staring now, and that stupid Silver Volvo owner looking back at her was shaking with laughter.
Bella had never seen her normally pale sibling's face get as red as it had in that second. The centenarian had no control over her body when her hands yanked the window crank down so quickly and stuck out at least half her small body out of the window just to yell back at him,
"NO, TYLER! I WILL NOT GO TO THE FUCKING DANCE WITH YOU! OR PROM EITHER!" And when she had managed to comport herself to fit back into the truck, she stuck out one, pale finger that clearly stated 'fuck off'. The only thing that Beth had regretted that day was not looking back to catch sight of Tyler's expression as Bella drove out of the school campus with a speed she had no idea the truck could manage- clearly embarrassed by her sister- when the parking lot (filled with curious and nosy onlookers) burst out laughing. And she couldn't blame them. Elizabeth Swan declared that day that she was tired of the thick-headed, numbskull creatures the locals called 'boys'.
It had only been when they got home, that reason number three of why that day had been one of the worst, had finally been revealed.
Beth buried her head into her pillow and screamed out in sheer frustration.
Her period had started.
