Toxic Rose
Chapter Eight: Blondes do Not Bond Well for Brunettes
When Bella left her house the next morning, she found Rosalie outside waiting for her, leaning against the side of her red Mustang. She was wearing a skintight red dress that was on the short side, long legs on full display. Blonde hair cascading down her bare shoulders, and her lips were painted a matching red to her outfit. Bella knew the Cullen's liked to dress nice, but a dress this tight to school, and in this cold weather? Ridiculous. And also hot, Bella's body told her unhelpful as she took in the sight with greedy eyes. "You always take so long in the mornings?" Rosalie asked, only a slight hint of her usual malice in her voice when she looked up from her phone to see Bella had arrived. "Get in, I'm taking you to school."
Bella stood on the top of her stairs, fiddling with her bag strap uncertainly. Last time she had driven with Rosalie, that had ended...unusually to say the least. And plus now that she knew Rosalie could possibly be very much still unstable after whatever had happened in her past she did not want to be in close proximity to the blonde despite her libido screaming at her that the blonde's presence would be very welcome around the body and especially inside it. Bella cursed her body for being unreasonable as images of Rosalie in that red dress with her long fingers inching closer to the brunette's waistband filled her mind. She flushed and tried to cover as much of her blush as she could with her scarf.
"Don't worry." Rosalie said, sensing Bella's hesitation. "Remember, we're on best of terms now. Like best friends."
Bella almost did a double take at that. Best friends? No way, more like beautiful psycho and anxious teen. But the smile on Rosalie's face said she was in a good mood now. Strange...
"Alice told me to stop picking on you, so I will."
Really? It was as simple as that? Bella didn't know if she could trust what Rosalie was saying. But the blonde did seem to listen to the small pixie of all people. Bella wondered why...Alice was the least scary of the Cullen's.
Bella's body decided to follow Rosalie into the car, against her better judgment, and they rode off to school, the silence in the car filled with music from Rosalie's weird radio station. Bella kept trying to cast furtive glances at Rosalie in her red dress, admiring the way it made her already sexy figure even sexier. She buried her face in her blue scarf to hide her flushed face, and clamped her legs closed. Why did crazy girls always look so hot?
When they made it to the parking lot, Bella tensed up, recalling that this was the moment Rosalie had chosen last time to start touching her. But when the blonde calmly turned off the car and got out, Bella let out a huge breath of air she didn't know she was holding. And was that... disappointment she felt? Bella followed Rosalie toward the school, where they paused on top of the school stairs. Few cars were in the parking lot, and except for one or two people it was practically deserted. Rosalie eyed the scarf on Bella's neck and frowned.
"Why are you wearing that?"
"To cover up the hickies...you left." Bella said blushing madly. The whole car ride here she couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to kiss the blonde again, open mouthed and full of passion. She had tried not to stare, especially at the blonde's mouth during the trip, but it had proved so difficult. And now that she was close to Bella, her mouth mere inches away, Bella found herself staring at it directly. It looked so plump and so kissable. She gulped deeply.
"Well I don't think you need it." With that Rosalie pulled the scarf over Bella's head, and the younger teen lost in her fantasies, was too slow to react.
"Rosalie, I need that scarf!"
Rosalie smiled. "Too bad. I don't like it there. Now everyone can see your hickies."
"That's the problem, I don't want them to see my hickies. Can I have it back?"
Rosalie shrugged as if it wasn't her problem. "I'll think it over."
"Rosalie no!" Bella tried to jump at the girl and snatch the scarf away but Rosalie moved it out of the way and entered the school. "Rosalie!" Bella cried out, trailing after the girl in the near empty halls. But the blonde stayed ahead not even turning around as she made her way to the science department. "Rosalie," Bella was super frustrated. She needed her scarf! She ran up to the blonde to catch her but before she could grab her by the elbow the blonde whirled around and slammed Bella hard into the lockers.
"Don't touch me without my permission," she hissed, steely eyes piercing into Bella's soul. Bella nodded her head in understanding, frustration gone in a flash, her mouth dry. The blonde released her painful grip on Bella's wrist before placing both hands on the sides of Bella's head, effectively boxing her in against the cold lockers.
"Now, it sounds like you really want your scarf, but I don't see any proof of it." At this a dangerous glow arose in Rosalie's eyes. "I want you to prove it me." Then she stepped aside to give Bella space. "Go ahead. Prove it." Bella was confused. How was she to prove it? Beg for it? But hadn't she already been doing that? As the seconds ticked by, Rosalie grew impatient.
"We don't have a lot of time," Rosalie pointed at the clock on the wall. Bella gulped but no suggestions came into her mind. She couldn't think of anything. What could she do to prove it to Rosalie?
"Here's a hint. Pull down your pants."
Bella's eyes bulged out and she felt for a moment that she had heard wrong. But when Rosalie's expression did not waver, she knew it wasn't her imagination. Bella reflexively shook her head no. Why would Rosalie demand that? Was she trying to embarrass her to death?
"No?" Rosalie arched her brow, her tone of voice clearly denoting that Bella had made the wrong choice. She looked positively scary in that red dress. And hot, Bella's body reminded her yet again and she willed it to shut up. "It's really up to you Bella. Do you want everyone to see your hickies and think your a slut, or do you want to just quickly pull down your pants and be over with it? Really, the choice is simple." Rosalie spread out her hands, as if the correct choice was clear. Bella looked at the clock, then to her scarf in Rosalie's hands. She was running out of time before homeroom started.
"You should hurry, in a couple of minutes there'll be more people here."
"Your not serious, are you?" Bella asked, still not being able to fully wrap her head around this.
"Do I look like I'm joking to you?"
Bella shook her head no.
"Good, now get to it. Or else you won't get your scarf."
Bella gulped, her hands itching with sweat. She couldn't let anyone see her without that scarf. She could already imagine the kids laughing and pointing at her; whispering behind her back about the ugly slut; Jessica spreading nasty rumors. She really wanted her scarf or else she might as well go home. And she couldn't just skip class. Her dad would be mad. Besides she had gotten here in Rosalie's car. Steeling her nerves she let her fingers brush the top of her jeans. She'd do it, for like three seconds and then pull up her pants really fast. But what type of underwear was she wearing? Did she put on her newer underwear today? Yea, she remembered she had put on a pair of cute blue boy shorts. She sucked in air and then without letting herself talk herself out of it, she unbuttoned her jeans and slide them down her legs.
She let the material pool around her ankles, casting a nervous glance down both ways of the hallway to make sure no one had seen her. But she should have been more worried about Rosalie. The blonde had taken out her phone and snapped a photo lightning fast.
"Perfect," she smiled, pocketing her phone.
"Rosalie, you can't do that!" Bella cried out as she hastily pulled up her pants while attempting to run to the phone. "You said you wouldn't pick on me." Bella whined desperately, trying to remind the older teen about what she had said earlier. Rosalie chuckled and grabbed Bella by her shoulders and pushed her against the lockers again. "We're friends now, remember? And friends play pranks on each other all the time. So it's okay. I wont show anyone that picture unless you piss me off." As Rosalie said this, her right hand trailed down Bella's body, sliding into her still unbuttoned jeans, and palming her crouch. Bella let out a cry only to be silenced by her own scarf, being pressed up against her mouth.
Friends don't do this! This most definitely is not what a prank feels like. She wanted to scream out, but just stood there still as Rosalie's fingers played with the elastic on her waistband now. They nipped at the fabric, plucking it up and letting it snap against her skin. "Yes, I won't show anyone. It can be our little secret. A secret between friends." Her fingers trailed down to the bottom of Bella's underwear, and Bella was aware that currently only a thin piece of fabric was preventing Rosalie's fingers from touching her vagina. I can't believe she's doing this right now, oh my gosh. What do I do? What do I do, what do I do whatdoIdo?
Bella's rapid thoughts got faster as Rosalie pressed her fingers down. "Yes, our little secret as long as you don't piss me off." She repeated. Her breath was warm against Bella's ear and slightly ragged as she began to rub. Bella started to squirm, the sensation making her feel violated but turned on at the same time. This was too much. They could get caught! They were in a hallway in school. And besides Bella didn't agree to being fondled. She had rights.
"Rosalie stop." She mumbled out through her scarf and reached down to grasp Rosalie's wrist to stop it. Surprisingly Rosalie's hand stopped and she pulled away. She looked at Bella, confused, before she cleared her throat. "Here's your scarf."
She held it out and Bella quickly took it before the blonde could change her mind. Then turning her heel, Rosalie left the hallway. Bella buttoned up her pants with shaking hands before gathering her stuff and heading to class. Yet again, what had caused Rosalie to act this way? Now that Bella understood her past, even though vaguely, she could reason that Rosalie wasn't alright in the head and didn't have concepts of what was acceptable and not but that didn't mean she could do this to her. Bella would have to talk to her about this, but the thought of facing down the blonde about her past left a sour taste in her mouth.
Rosalie came to pick up Bella the next day as well, thankfully clad in something less provocative. Bella almost went back into her house but decided she had to stick it out. She needed to talk to Rosalie and get her to delete that picture. She strode up to the blonde, heart hammering in her chest as she fiddled with the straps on her bag. Rosalie who was lounging on the car, got up at the sight of Bella. "Still taking an eternity to get dressed?" Bella ignored this comment, her heart hammering in her chest, anxiety coursing through her veins.
"Rosalie, I need to talk to you." Bella started, dropping her gaze to the floor. She was afraid of the blonde exploding on her with this statement but nothing of that sort happened.
"Sure, get in the car." Rosalie casually responded and Bella did as asked. Once they had driven onto the road, the blonde asked. "So what's on your mind?" She said it as if she really cared what Bella thought and the brunette wondered if there really was a part of Rosalie that was left undamaged by the horrors of her childhood.
Bella swallowed, playing with the edges of her sweater sleeves.
"I really...well-I mean can you...you know delete the picture you took of me?"
Rosalie laughed. "Nope."
Bella forced down a frustrated sob. She had a feeling this would happen. "Why not?"
"Because, you don't tell me what to do."
"But Rosalie-"
"No, end of discussion."
"But-"
"No"
"It's not right! You said we were friends. Friends don't do this." Bella turned onto the blonde feeling angry. "Rosalie." No response. Bella waited. "Rosalie." Still no response. More waiting. "Rosalie." The blonde was ignoring her. Gritting her teeth in frustration, Bella reached to pull on Rosalie's sleeve when something hit her, right in the nose. It was hard and fast, forcing her to sit back into her seat with a shocked inhale. Bella stared open eyed at Rosalie; it was her fist that had struck her. Bella couldn't believe it.
The other girl had hit her.
Hit her.
HIT.
HER.
The realization only started to sink in when Bella's pain receptors caught up and pain flared out on her face. She clamped her hands to her nose as she felt wetness trickle down from it.
"I told you not to touch me without my permission." Rosalie said and then looked at Bella, whose blood was seeping out from between her fingers. "Fuck," the blonde whispered, pulling the car over to the side of the road. She fumbled in her pocket for a minute before handing Bella a napkin. "Put your head back," she instructed and Bella did as told. Tears had gathered in her eyes, some spilling down the side of her face. Memories of the time she had been bullied at her old school flashed in her eyes. She hadn't been punched in a while, but boy did it hurt.
Rosalie got out of the car and walked up to Bella's side. She opened the door and leaning across pushed a lever down that lowered the seat back. "There, that should be better." The blonde had a weird expression on her face, as she watched the napkin soak up Bella's blood. "Pinch your nose up here," she ordered, her voice tight as Bella shakenly followed her commands. "There you go."
Bella didn't respond the whole time, her tears slowing in their descent down her face but not stopping completely. She did let out a soft uff, as Rosalie sat down on her lap suddenly. She leaned towards Bella, her expression unreadable. With her right hand she gently traced the shape of Bella's jawline.
"Your bleeding is slowing. That's good." Bella looked away, refusing to meet her gaze. Rosalie lowered her mouth to Bella's face, her body weight shifting across Bella's lap as she pressed her chest to the others. Using her hand she maneuvered Bella's face so as to get the best angle, but still Bella refused to meet her gaze. She laid down soft slow kisses, washing away the bitter tracks of Bella's tears with a bittersweet poison of her own. Once she was done, she got up off of Bella's lap as if it was too hot to sit on, running her hands through her hair angrily.
"Fuck," she whispered and then much louder, "Fuck!" She paced around the side of the car before she kicked at a rock, sending it flying. "Fuck!" she added one more time for good measure and then closed Bella's door with a slam causing the injured girl to jump. Rosalie rushed over to her side of the car and threw the car forward, racing down the road at a faster speed than before. "Fuckfuckfuck," she muttered biting down on the flesh of her thumb.
"Stop making that facial expression," she hissed. "Stop it"
What facial expression? What was Bella doing that was pissing her off more? And what could she do to stop it? The blonde was driving erratically now, swerving in her lane despite it being empty. She clutched one hand to her eye as if it was giving her a lot of pain. If Bella had been able to see Rosalie's mind right now, she would see the blonde was in a lot of pain, as memories from her past came to her.
A dark dank cellar, a broken light bulb hanging from a pipe in the ceiling.
Water dripping somewhere.
A rasping breath, each draw of air getting shallower and shallower.
A knife.
Blood, too much blood.
A lot of it on the floor, some on Rosalie's fingertips. Like nail polish that was melting off. And the girl, the other girl, with brown hair and brown baleful eyes. Making that face, making that damn face which Bella was now making.
Guilt, anger and sadness bit into her. And she hit the wheel hard causing Bella to flinch one more time.
Seeing Bella hurt had brought those memories back. But ah, hadn't she been happy as well? Happy to see that red blood? To watch it carve its path on the bricks, washing the filth and grime of the place away? Hadn't she cried with joy? Laughed until her stomach hurt, for she had survived again, she was still alive.
She wanted to hit Bella. Right in the stomach this time and see her double over in pain. Or maybe another jab to the nose, and watch the fresh red spill out, beautiful arcs and patterns forming as it flowed free. The other girl was so fragile and delicate, just like Alice had said she was. Alice was right about so many things.
Rosalie hit the wheel hard again making the horn honk this time. She couldn't do that. The therapist said she had to let all her hatred, her violence leave her now that she was in a safer and nicer place. She didn't need to hurt others. She was stronger, stronger than the beast that had been instilled in her by that horrible man. Letting out a ragged breath, she put away her blood-lust for now. She just wouldn't look at Bella again. She'd stay away the whole day. Yes, she was a good person. She still could be.
Of course poor Bella had no idea how close she had been to getting hit once more, but she did know enough to be scared of Rosalie right in this moment. Was Rosalie suffering a flashback or something from her past? Maybe a relapse? Bella wanted to comfort the girl, but she didn't know how.
They reached the school parking lot in record time, Rosalie rushing out as soon as the car stopped. "Stay out of my sight for today," she muttered and then left Bella in the car, tissue still pressed to her nose.