DISCLAIMER: I don't own twilight and its characters.
(BELLA'S P.O.V)
*FLASHBACK TWO YEARS AGO*
Phoenix, Arizona
Today, I miss Forks immensely. I am in my classroom for an hour now since the class cleared out. It's odd because the usual sun wasn't present today. It was three in the afternoon but the sky was dark and the rain was pouring heavily. Maybe it was the reason why I'm missing Forks so much. The rain reminds me of Forks.
I don't have an umbrella. My 'friends' had already gone home. Renee was at work and I don't want to bother her to pick me up. I know Jane was in Volterra at this moment so I don't really have a way to get home. I sighed inwardly. I need to be home before Renee and her boyfriend Phil could. I promised my mom that I'll prepare a special dinner since Phil will come over tonight. I also still need to do a grocery before going home but in this weather I don't think I still could. With another sigh I got up from my seat and decided to just run my way home. It's not that far. It's a walking distance from our school. It'll be okay.
I was wrong.
I was totally wrong.
If I just stayed in the classroom maybe I won't be in this situation right now.
I was still at the hallway of our school ground walking when I saw him. His skin was impossibly pale, his long blond hair was pulled in a messy ponytail. His red glowing eyes staring at me hungrily. And his lips was curved into an evil smirk. My predator. A vampire.
I look around to find an escape route but froze when I realize there's no human other than me here. The hallway was empty. It's just me and the red eyed vampire. My heart raced in fear. My knees weakened and my throat suddenly become dry. I wanted to run, I wanted to scream, I wanted to get out of here. But I was panicking. I can't think right. I can't move my feet, there's no sounds coming out from my throat and I was shaking madly. I was terrified. I'm gonna die.
Within seconds I felt myself pinned at the wall harshly. His usual red eyes turned black. His hunger was apparent. A smirk still plastered on his beautiful and yet scary features. I closed my eyes tight when I saw his face leaning down to my neck. It's happening agonizingly slow. I can feel his breath burning my every flesh as his face getting more and more closer to my neck. His one hand gripping both my wrist above my head tightly. His other hand moving slowly to my hips up to my chest. I froze. "No, please!" I heard my own weak and small voice begging to the red eyed vampire but it was fruitless. It's like he didn't heard me at all. He didn't even pause nor acknowledge me. Instead, he made me feel more worse than before as I felt his wet cold tongue ran to my skin. From my collarbone, my neck, to my ear. It was really disgusting. I felt dirty. I don't understand why does it have to be painfully slow. Why don't he just bite me and get over it already? Why does he need to touch me inappropriately? Why in the world this is happening to me at all?!
A loud crash snapped me out of my inner outburst. The assault was stopped and I was suddenly freed. I opened my eyes but the red eyed vampire was nowhere to be seen. I felt myself being lifted by the strong arms. It wasn't the red eyed vampire that assaulted me. It was Demetri, my vampire friend and though we're not related in blood, he treated me like his real little sister. And now saved me from a pervert vampire who wants to drink my blood.
"I'm sorry, Princess. Victoria held me back. She's one hell of a fighter. The guy that assault you? That was James, Victoria's mate. Were you hurt?" Demetri explained hurriedly and asked in concern. His face was apologetic. My only response was a small shake of my head. I'm still shock, terrified at what just happened. Demetri understood this. He carried me in silence. I have no idea where he's taking me, or what is he doing here in Phoenix but all that question can wait. For now, we have to get away.
I'm not sure how long Demetri have been running but I can feel his speed getting more faster as we carried on. It got to the point where I felt my stomach become sick and I am sure my face was already pale. Demetri sensing this look at me and abruptly stop.
"Stay here. Victoria and James followed us and they will be here any seconds now. Jane is also on her way here. You have nothing to worry, Princess. Jane and I will protect you." Demetri said firmly as he put me down at the bench. I'm not sure what or where is this place but it doesn't matter now. James and Victoria was already here.
Victoria like other vampires is inhumanly beautiful. She has a long, curly strawberry blond hair, She's about 5'6'' tall and her eyes are almost red as her hair. As soon as she saw me, I saw her lips formed a seductive smirk. It was beautiful and I felt myself being physically attracted to her. Her smirked only grew wider when she saw the look in my eyes.
"Stop dazzling her!" Demetri hissed at her angrily waking me up at my dazed state. Victoria glared at Demetri and went to attack him. Demetri dodge and soon James also joined in to the fight. Everything was a blurred to me after that. They are moving so fast and I have no idea who's winning. I'm worried about Demetri. He's fighting James and Victoria alone. How could he win?
Then, Jane arrived. She observed the fight for a moment before turning her attention to me. She scanned my body for any hint of injury and frown when she caught sight of my wrist. I looked at it and noticed the bruises that James held tightly while he was assaulting me.
"I'm fine, Jane. Demetri came right on time." I said to her reassuringly. I forced a small smile but from the look she's giving me, I know it failed miserably. Jane knew me well. I'm with her ever since I moved here from Forks. I'm her closest friend. A best friend. She's very protective of me. She's my protector after all. So seeing me now with bruises and possibly traumatized from James' assault, it was understandable how furious she's feeling right now.
It happened so fast. Jane didn't moved to her position. She was just glaring daggers at James and all of a sudden, a scream of terror filled the air. James was lying on the floor. Tossing and turning violently as she screamed 'make it stop!' or 'it hurts!' repeatedly. No doubt Jane was using her gift full forced to him. Victoria and Demetri was still fighting each other but I can't see them anywhere. I only know that they were still fighting because of the loud crashes I'm hearing from somewhere. A smell of gasoline that hit my nostril turned my attention back to James and Jane. In just a matter of time Jane had already ripped James body into pieces. James looked terrified. He knows fully well what Jane intended to do with him. The only thing that can kill a vampire. Burning him alive. And Jane did just that. Using a stick of match, she lit it and throw it to James body that soaked in gasoline. An agonizing scream was heard as soon as the fire spread to his body. Not long after that, James' ripped body turned into an ash. He will be forever be dead. Unfortunately, Victoria got away.
*END OF FLASHBACK*
(ROSALIE'S P.O.V)
BACK TO PRESENT
Forks, Washington
"There's more to it, isn't it?" I asked after a moment of silent that engulf us after Bella explained to me how she met Victoria. Bella and I are currently at the small clearing I found when I was out hunting. I brought her here right after our morning class ended so we could talk in private. On the way here I got curious on how did Bella knew Victoria so I asked her. That's how we ended up here. Sitting side by side at the grass facing the lake as she told me what transpired two years ago in her former school.
I know it wasn't easy for her to bring this memory back, let alone talk about it with someone. Bella tried and failed to hide her tears and terror as she recounted all the things James did to her. Even her voice was shaking in fear. I held back the growl that trying to come out of my chest as my anger to this James guy rose to the extent. My beast was furious. It was only the sight of Bella's broken feature that stopping me to go berserk and destroy everything around me.
"It was not the end of the story. Yes." Bella confirmed pulling me out of my thoughts.
"You don't have to tell me, Bella. I know it was hard for you to talk about all of this. I understand. Just know that I will always be here whenever you need or wanted to talk. You can tell me everything." I truthfully said to her earning an appreciative smile from Bella. It was the first smile I saw in her since we got here. I missed to see it terribly.
"Thank you, Rosalie. But I want to tell you now, I don't think I'll be able to bring this up anymore if I don't now." I nodded at her in understanding as she collect her thoughts while I wait for her patiently.
"I never told my mom what happened. Jane and Demetri helped me with a believable story so my mom won't get suspicious why I wasn't home that night. It was weekend so there's no school. I went back home Sunday afternoon and act like nothing happened which I found it so difficult. I was still shaken from the incident but I did my best to act normal in front of my mom. Mom didn't noticed anything." Bella began. She looked at me sadly which broke my already dead heard. I place my one arm to her shoulders so I could pull her into a side hug. I know it's not much of a comfort but this is all I can think of right now. Hug her. Give my shoulder for her to cry on. Let her know I'm here, that she's not alone.
We stayed in that position for a moment. Her head resting comfortably on my shoulder. My one arm on her shoulder while hers wrapped on my waist. Our body pressed tightly together. We sat there like that in silence before I heard Bella heaved a sigh. Inwardly, I also let out a sigh too. This is nice but I know we still need to continue our discussion. I'm not looking forward to it, honestly. I want to know what happened, yes, but I don't want to see the hurt and sad look on her eyes as she tells her unpleasant experience. It's killing me. But Bella needed this. She needed to get this out of her. She needed to get over it. And I will help her. Even if that means I have to suffer watching her every emotions at once.
*CONTINUATION OF BELLA'S FLASHBACK TWO YEARS AGO*
Phoenix, Arizona
(BELLA'S P.O.V)
Red eyes. Red raging eyes was the last thing I saw before I was completely woken up from my another nightmare filled slumber. Two days had already gone since the incident. Three nights I've been haunting by that furious red eyes in my sleep. Jane and Demetri though they don't want to, have to stay away from me at the morning when I'm waking up.
The first time I had that nightmare Jane and Demetri had woken me up and the result wasn't too great. Right after I opened my eyes, I panicked. Two pairs of red eyes greeted me and the only thing that registered my mind was the red raging eyes in my nightmare. I didn't recognized that the two pair of red worried eyes were belong to my vampire friends Jane and Demetri. I tried to get up and run but to my horror I felt a firm hand hold my wrist. Memory of James pinning me at the wall came rushing back to me. I felt terrified. My heart pounding harshly in fear.
The fear I felt lessen when the hand holding my wrist let go. As soon as it gone, another much slender, cold and familiar arms wrapped me into a light hug. Soon, I heard comforting words being said to me. I focus on that voice. That child-like voice that held so much care and worry. I began to relax. The voice keep talking like that and I feel more and more comfortable, before I knew it I was asleep again.
When I woke up, Jane and Demetri told me what transpired that night. I was surprised. I thought it was just all a dream. I didn't expect it to be true. They were both confused as to why I reacted terrified when I saw them after I woke up from the nightmare so I told them what I dreamt of. About the red furious eyes. Eyes that belong to none other than Victoria. James' mate. Demetri and Jane assured me that the kings already knew about my incident and promised to protect me. The Volturi guards never stop finding Victoria, but I guess luck was in Victoria's side because two days after the incident, she's still nowhere to be found.
Since the nightmare I became more jumpy and nervous whenever I see red eyes. Jane and Demetri even suggests that they would hunt animals for awhile so their eyes would change to a gold instead of red just to make me feel comfortable with them. But of course I didn't let them. I can't let them sacrifice their diet for my own sake. It just not right. So instead of changing their diet, Jane and Demetri chose to be away from me whenever I'm having nightmare. They would wait for me to calm down before deciding to show up.
Just like now. It's Monday and I have school. I realized that I'm tired. I'm tired of my nightmare, of being scared and I'm tired of being weak. These past two days I felt like I'm not myself. The Isabella Marie Swan I know wasn't weak, wasn't coward, wasn't a crybaby. But lately that's what I feel like I am.
I don't like it.
I need to be optimistic. I want myself back. The happy Bella Swan who's bright smile can rival the sun. The brave girl that saved an injured vampire who turned out to be one of the rulers of all vampires. The reliable daughter who took care of her working mother. I just want to be myself again. With that in mind, I got up, made breakfast, put a smile on my face, greeted mom and went to school like I always did every morning. I convinced myself that everything will be fine. But in the pit of my stomach I have a sinking feeling. Like something bad will happen.
And I was right. As soon as I stepped foot on the school ground, everyone's eyes was turned to me. I was confused as to why these people I don't even know or met were all looking at me. And their expression... I can't explain it.
"Slut." I heard a random girl whispered as I walked to my first period. I looked at the direction of the voice and saw the other girl gave me a side-way glance "Bitch." she murmured. I duck my head down. I feel like they were talking about me but I can't be sure. They can be talking about someone else, right? Maybe the girl in my back? But no. Somehow I have a feeling that they were really talking about me. "Hey that was hot!" a guy exclaimed giving me a hungry look. The girl who I'm assuming was the guy's girlfriend smack his head with a book stopping the guy from gawking at me. The girl then gave me a glare "Prostitute." she said before pulling her boyfriend away.
I was stunned.
Why do these people calling me names like that? What did I do to make these people thinks I'm that kind of girl? I'm only fifteen. I never dated anyone, never had a boyfriend. Hell! I don't even had my first kiss yet!
I found the answer to the one Bree Tanner also known as 'Gossip Queen.' She knows every gossips running around the whole school and most of the time she's the one initiated it. So I guess, I shouldn't be surprised that any day I can become one of her subject. And it just happened today, is my day.
Bree and I are classmates since I moved here. We're not close, in fact, I think she doesn't like me. Bree likes attention. She's pretty, smart, and rich so she always getting the attention she wants, except of one boy. Then Bella came. A clumsy twelve year old me who has a shy smile on her cute little face that caught the attention of one particular boy. Riley. Bree's childhood crush.
Riley is an aloof, handsome boy in our class. He's quiet and don't have a lot of friends. I befriended him when he became my partner in one of our project in history. The two of us did our project mostly at my house since it was just walking distance from school. As we work on the project I learned that Riley is a very shy boy. It was also the reason why he's aloof. When I learned this, I did my best to make him comfortable whenever he's in our house. Sometimes we would talk about something not related to our project, or I would tell stories about Forks, or we will just work at the living room while munching snacks I prepared. It didn't take long for Riley and I become close friends. Riley is such a nice boy if you get to know him better. He's my closest human friend here in Phoenix.
So now Bree dislikes me. We're now fifteen and she still can't get over to her crush, Riley. Not only I befriend her childhood crush, I also stolen her spot in the top one in our class. 'Well I have Jane to thanks for that. She's the one helping me with my study after all.'
As to what am I saying earlier, I found out that Bree was the one behind the rumor about me. Silence greeted me when I finally reached the classroom. Everyone except Bree are looking everywhere but me. She has this smug smirk in her annoying face as she walked to my direction.
"Well, well if it's not the whore Isabella Swan. What are you still doing here? Didn't the principal summoned you to his office?" Bree said as she continue to smirk. I gave her a confuse look. 'Why does the principal wanted me to his office?' Bree seeing my confusion pulled out a cellphone on her pocket and showed me a picture.
I paled.
There, in Bree's cellphone, was the picture I desperately wanted to forget. It was the picture of James pinning me, his right hand on my wrists, the other on my waist. My face was turned on the left side so my teary eyes weren't visible as James' tongue touched my neck. I was frozen in place. My knees gave in but Jane caught me before I fall. Jane said something to Bree that I didn't caught because at that time, my mind was already lost to the memory of the James incident.
I didn't know how long I was like that or how I ended up to a forest. 'Am I even still in Phoenix?' Looking around I saw Jane and Demetri leaning against a large tree. Jane offered a soft smile but I can see the worry on her already black eyes, I'm not sure if it's from hunger or anger. Demetri looks apologetic but also has a small smile.
"It's my fault, Princess. I came too late to the incident. If I came early I could stop that human from taking your picture. I'm guessing the human was gone before I arrived at the scene. Please forgive me." Demetri's tone was sincere and apologetic, his eyes downcast as if he did something he's ashamed of which is not true. He has nothing to be ashamed of. He saved my life. James were about to sink his teeth to my neck when Demetri came and saved me. If anything, I was and forever be grateful to Demetri. To Jane.
"It wasn't your fault Demetri. It was all James' fault. I'm sure he planned all this. He knew that there was another human there so he didn't bit me immediately. Don't blame yourself for what happened please?" I honestly said to him. Jane nodded in agreement. He smiled at me but I knew he's not convinced. I sighed. I walk towards him and he was startled when I suddenly pulled him to a brotherly hug. I smiled. A genuine smile which relaxes him. "I'm not blaming you. I'm thanking you. You saved my life. So thank you, Demetri. I love you so much my dear big brother."
"I love you too, baby sis. I will never let anyone hurt you, you should know that." Demetri replied, I was relieved when I saw his usual easy smile. It was beautiful and should never be gone. After a moment, I pulled away from a hug. Another sigh escaped to me when the memory of the event this morning came back.
"I still need to talk with the principal. Any idea of what story are we going to tell this time?" I asked both Jane and Demetri knowing I can't tell the whole truth about the vampire thing. I'm also worried how my mom Renee will react to the rumor. I'm sure it won't take long before the rumor reach to her.
"You're going to tell the truth. At least some of it." Jane replied as Demetri pulled out a cellphone on his pocket and passed it to me. I recognized this phone. It was Bree's. I stared at it with disdain. Inside of that phone was the reminder of James' assault. 'Oh how I wanted to break that little device into pieces.'
"I stole that phone to your classmate and saw that the picture she showed you wasn't the only one she took. There's a lot of it actually. And there's a video of all she witnessed that day. I was right with my assumption earlier, she left before I got there. It was a good thing because she didn't saw me attacking James and so didn't found out about my inhuman ability. It would be a problem if she did." Demetri explained as I continue to stare at the phone he's handing to me. "You don't have to watch it. Just hand it to the principal so you won't get in trouble. That video was the proof that you're innocent. That you're not doing a misconduct inside the school ground. I'll be with you. I'll help you explain with them what happened since I'm the one who saved you."
"You want everyone in school to believe that I was violated?!" I asked in disbelieving tone. How am I going to tell this to mom? I acted fine these past couples of days. I told her everything's okay whenever she noticed something amiss with me. She'll be hurt knowing I lied and hide something important to her. Gosh! What about the school? How they will react to this? I'm sure I won't be able to look at them in the eye anymore. I already know what am I going to see there. Pity. I hate it. Why does it have to happen?
"Nearly, Princess. You were not violated. Demetri saved you." Jane said firmly but I can hear the sadness and guilt she's trying to hide. I know Jane is also blaming herself for leaving me that day. She's trying not to show it to me but I knew her well.
"What about Renee? She'll freak out if she finds out that James had nearly violated her only daughter. She'll demand to catch James and put him to jail. How am I going to explain to her that James was dead?"
"Leave everything to us my dear Isabella." looking at the direction of the familiar voice, I was startled to see not only Sulpicia but also Didyme, and Athenodora approaching us. The Queens came over here to help me with my situation. I feel so grateful, somehow it made me feel a bit better that they are here. I ran to them, tears in my eyes as I envelop each of them to a tight hug which they gladly return murmuring comfort words. I realized then that everything will get better eventually with Jane, Demetri and the Queens in my side. It'll be okay.
*END OF FLASHBACK*
A/N: Expect Bree, Riley and Victoria to show up in the future chapters.