It's Time
Chapter Three
Disclaimer: All things Twilight belong solely to Stephenie Meyer. No copyright infringement is intended.
The first time I noticed Mike Newton, I was completing my community service. Miss Porter's School required all students to do ten hours of volunteer work each week. According to the program director, Mr. Banner, it allowed us to prepare for college while also experiencing the joy that comes from serving others.
I had undoubtedly won the placement lottery and been given the prestigious job of kitchen duty at our school's cafeteria. For ten hours each week, I scrubbed tables, filled salt shakers, helped take inventory, and completed any other menial tasks that needed doing. To make matters even worse, I had to wear a hairnet and rubber gloves the entire time.
Alice was one of the lucky ones. She was placed with a kindergarten class at Farmington Elementary School; she read books, played games, and assisted with art projects. Other students from my school also volunteered at various places off campus including the Red Cross, Farmington Historical Society, Danforth Art Center, and the Metrowest Humane Society. As far as I knew, I was the only one whose position was on campus.
Lucky me.
It was condiment inventory day. Yes, there was such a thing. I was busy contemplating exactly how counting packets of ketchup would get me ahead in life when Mrs. Ateara, the kitchen manager, slammed down a bin of fish guts on top of the table. My freshly organized condiments scattered all over the floor.
Besides having the worst job, I was sure I also had the worst boss. Mrs. Ateara had never been assigned a student volunteer before, and she appeared to relish every moment by making me complete some of the vilest chores. I even heard her call me "Cinderbella" the day she had me clean out the dirty ashtray she kept hidden in her office.
"Bella, quit fooling around and empty this into the compost pile. Spray out the bin with the garden hose when you're done."
The rancid smell hit my nose as I reached down to pick up the container. Fish had been on the menu several nights before, and I couldn't help but suspect Mrs. Ateara had saved the cleaning of this bin especially for me.
Once again, I questioned how I ended up with such a horrible assignment.
Why couldn't I be the one playing with puppies or working with children instead of gagging over rotten fish?
The universe hated me; I resolved. That was the only possible explanation. On top of having the job from hell, I had a dead mother, an indifferent father, and my roommate was the daughter of a notorious mobster.
I carried the reeking bin along the pathway which led to the school vegetable garden. The fish smelled so revolting I stopped several times as dry heaves overtook my body. The sloshing sound of the mixture didn't decrease my feeling of uneasiness; my stomach continued to churn. As soon as I discovered a bench, I sat to catch my breath.
I was basking in the unseasonably, warm sunshine and savoring the fresh, pure air when I observed a man standing across the clearing. He was leaning against a tree outside the athletic building. At first, I didn't give him serious thought and assumed he was a maintenance worker taking a break. But then I noticed his attire. He had on casual brown slacks and a tan polo, not the ordinary uniform worn by other school employees. He seemed preoccupied with his phone, unaware of his surroundings; his expression distorted into a scowl.
I became entertained as I watched him fumble around with his phone. He was an older gentleman, who seemed as if he didn't understand how to operate it. His actions reminded me of the time when Charlie got his work-issued Blackberry and didn't have an inkling of how to turn it on, let alone make a call.
The man repeatedly muttered to himself as he banged his meaty fingers against the screen. His frustration continued to mount until he ultimately surrendered and hurled it into an adjacent patch of daffodils. A giggle unwittingly escaped my throat and drew his attention. My stomach twisted again, but it wasn't brought on by the stench of the fish. Mike Newton, a high-level associate with the Cullen Mob, was on the school grounds, and he was staring directly at me.
Weeks after spotting him for the first time, I continued seeing him. Perhaps I was only naïve, but I chose to believe he was at Miss Porter's keeping an eye on Alice. It made sense; she was the daughter of a famed mobster, so that had to make her a target for rival gangs, right?
I assured myself frequently that Mike Newton was not at Miss Porter's for me.
Mike Newton was not at Miss Porter's for me.
It became my constant mantra. I recited it over and over to lessen the fears, which were lurking in the recesses of my mind.
But deep down inside, I knew full well it wasn't true.
I was thirteen years old and on the verge of a mental breakdown.
-IT-
So, I kept my sanity the only way I knew how - by feigning ignorance. I pretended Mike Newton didn't follow me to the library every afternoon before dinner. When I caught sight of him lurking in the hallway outside my English classroom, I convinced myself that my eyes were playing tricks on me. And if I thought he was outside the window of my dorm room, it was only my imagination.
Time marched on, and I was almost finished with my first quarter of classes. Mike Newton remained my imaginary shadow while Alice, despite all my doubts, was becoming my friend. Her parents, particularly her mother, were even growing on me. I had spent a considerable amount of time with them since they were adamant about including me in all their outings whenever they visited Alice. I continued to be cautious, but their sincere geniality never ceased.
Summer break was approaching, and I was uncertain about where I would spend it. Charlie Swan had appeared to have forsaken me. The one time I had reached him by phone, we had only spoken briefly.
"Dad! Where have you been? I've been trying to reach you for the past month!"
"Bells, you shouldn't be calling," Charlie censured. "I'm busy at work. I've been assigned to an important case."
"But, Dad … I need to talk to you about something dire…"
"Not now, Isabella," he interrupted. "Focus on your schoolwork and don't be calling me all the time. I'll call you."
He had hung up without allowing me to tell him about the Cullen's or Mike Newton.
I hadn't heard from with him since, and that had been weeks ago. Because he hadn't sent me any money to buy a ticket home, and I wasn't sure what to do, I pulled out the card Mrs. Meyer had given me on my first day at Porter's and called her.
"Good morning. This is Mrs. Meyer. May I ask who is calling?"
"Um, hi. Mrs. Meyer, this is Bella Swan. I'm not sure if you remember me."
"Bella! Of course, I remember you!" She spoke with more enthusiasm than she previously had. "What can I do for you? Is everything alright?"
"Yes, thank you. I'm fine. It's only …" Heat blossomed in my cheeks. How do you explain to someone that your father was ignoring you?
"Go ahead, Bella. You can tell me anything, dear."
"I can't get in touch with my father, and it's almost time to go home for break. What should I do? I don't have a way back to Chicago."
"Oh, I see," she murmured sympathetically. "Let me make a few calls, and I will get back with you this afternoon. Don't worry, Bella. Everything will be fine."
I hung up the phone feeling mortified, but relieved; Mrs. Meyer seemed confident that she would reach Charlie.
Later that afternoon, I was pulled out of pre-algebra and instructed to report to Mrs. Meyer's office. When I arrived, she greeted me at her door with a gentle smile.
"Bella. Sorry to interrupt your class, but I thought it would be better to talk with you in person."
"Oh, it's okay." I shrugged my shoulders nonchalantly, so she wouldn't be able to tell that I was actually thrilled to cut out of math class early. It was my least favorite part of the day other than community service.
"I have some news for you regarding your summer break; you're going to spend your vacation with Alice's family."
"Huh?" I was beyond confused. Why was I spending the summer with the Cullen family? Charlie would never allow that to happen. She had to be mistaken.
"I spoke with your father, and he said you are to go home with your roommate for the summer. He has already talked with Alice's mother and made all the arrangements."
This had to be a hoax. Was there a hidden camera in the room? That would explain everything that had transpired since Easter morning … the Cullen's, Mike Newton, boarding school, my father's total abandonment. I searched the ceiling for a red camera light when Mrs. Meyer said, "Do you have any questions for me?"
Recognizing this wasn't some reality show, but my actual life; I gazed at her intensely before inquiring, "You talked with Charlie, I mean my father? He wants me to spend the summer with Alice Cullen and her family? Does he know her last name is Cullen? Are you completely sure?"
"What an odd question, Bella! Of course, I spoke with your father, and he is aware who Alice's parents are. I wouldn't allow you to go home with anyone without your father's consent." She stopped and watched me suspiciously before adding, " Do you have an issue staying with Alice and her family?"
I began gnawing on my bottom lip, wondering if I should tell Mrs. Meyer the entire truth. Would she even believe me? What would I say? Well, Mrs. Meyer, Alice's father is a mobster, and another mobster has been stalking me around campus for the past two and a half months.
She would think I was insane, wouldn't she? But, who else could I turn to? Charlie was of no use.
Before I had a chance to decide what to say, Mrs. Meyer knelt next to me; her voice carried a hint of caution.
"Bella, listen. I have known Eleazar and Carmen for years. As a matter of fact, I also know his brother, Carlisle's entire family. They are lovely, respectable people." She sighed, before tucking a stray lock of hair behind my ear. "I am not sure what has made you so ill at ease, but you need to calm down and show some appreciation. You are going to have a wonderful summer with a loving, caring family. Now, move along. I'm sure Mrs. Ateara is expecting you."
It was that very afternoon on my way to the cafeteria when I truly understood that even though they hadn't physically harmed me in any way, I was, in fact, the Cullen's prisoner.
AN:
Thank you to my wonderful beta, SunflowerFran! You are the absolute best!
To Gabby1017, an inspiration in all ways!
Are you reading her latest story, Rescue Ink? Head over there pronto! :) (id: 11895298)
My international pre-reader, Evelyne-raconte, much love!
And last but, certainly not least, AllTheWayIntoTwilight - my Honeymoon Sister! Thank you for helping me find the right words.