Chapter 3: Bang Bang
----x-
That text message.
So oddly calm.
I couldn't help but think that it was the calm right before the storm, no matter how clichéd it sounded.
I paced nervously around the house, constantly berating myself for being so weak as to have to resort back to... that. To her. L.
I should've done something else, should've left them alone. I felt a shiver pass down my spine. Looking nervously over my shoulder at the clock, I realized it was only nine. Rather than simply waiting on pins and needles for three hours, I wandered upstairs and ended up in front of my closet.
---x-
11:25am. Bella Swan, Forks.
I laid myself on the bed, my eyes shut as I tried to tune the world out with my iPod. I let myself sink into the velvety brass horns of Koop, then let my spirit lift and swirl in sardonic blackness to Paramore and Green Day. They didn't work either. My nerves remained so tense you could probably pluck a song out of them. I finally threw myself out of bed, put my iPod on Shuffle and went to the closet.
Lykke Li's 'I'm Good, I'm Gone' instantly came on, overriding Green Day's 'Jesus of Suburbia'.
I winced – it sounded like an omen. A bad one. I immediately switched songs – my iPod instantly chose 'Angel With Attitude' by The Ditty Bops, as if it could sense my wincing. A bit too folksy but at least it put me in a cheerier mood.
I decided to wear one of the many skirts Renee had bought for me back in Phoenix. Previously I would've never worn the thing, but under the circumstances it was the most suitable. It was a satiny black skirt with a slight flair at the end that ended right before my knee, which I coupled with a white-off shoulder t-shirt. My style statement was intended to be 'I'm too much of a prude so stay away from me.' However, I shuddered at the thought of what I looked like back in Phoenix; I could've easily been taken for a hooker.
I started to feel claustrophobic. The walls were closing in on me. I huffed and pulled myself up from the couch and went outside to wait. Just then a realization hit me. Emmett Cullen. I had promised to go over to his place. I became flustered and decided it would be better if I just went over and give him some lame ass excuse for why I couldn't come over today, since I'd stupidly forgotten to ask his cellphone number from him.
It took me a while to find my way to the Cullens' home, the main reason being that it was situated very far away from the main road. All too soon, however, I was standing nervously on the Cullens' front porch, gathering myself before facing Emmett.
I rang the bell and waited.
His thundering footsteps could be heard on the stairs from a mile away, and suddenly the front door blasted open with Emmett standing with the biggest grin ever.
"Hey there Swan, kinda early isn't it?"
"Hey Emmett, I –"
"But it's cool, y'know. I don't have to go hun – I mean, go anywhere," his grin grew wider than what I thought was humanly possible. "Anyway, so what'dya wanna do? My best friend from college just-"
"Actually, Em… I have to go somewhere today. I completely forgot to tell you... I'm really sorry," I said, trying to look sincerely apologetic. What the heck – I AM sincerely sorry that I had to bail out on him like that.
"Oh…" His grin fell, and he looked like a little boy who had just had his favorite toy snatched away from him.
He looked so crestfallen that my conscience jumped the boat before my brain could authorize it. Dang. "I could stay for a little while though…?" I asked hesitantly.
"Great," he agreed instantly, and with that the grin was back in place.
---x-
11:30 am. L; 30 minutes away from Forks.
Pathetic. No other word could describe our pitiful Bella more perfectly. Who was that idiot trying to fool? She couldn't have fucking changed that fast even if she really wanted to! No one does. I wonder what my skank-of-a-friend is up to in a little old shithole like Forks. She was never one for the small town mumbo jumbo anyway. So what if your friggin' mother died. People die all the time. Why the emo-ness?
We had such bloody good times together. That is until she went completely fucking berserk. Did she really think that by slapping me and screaming out all the itsy profanities her puny mind could come up with, she could instantly get rid of me?
I don't think so, bitch.
First my man, then ditching everyone and getting them in trouble. Who did she fucking think she was? She was one of us and should be as fucking blamed as we were. She was one of us, damn it, one of US.
But hey, fuck it – why cry over split fucking milk huh? It's time for Big L to show her what she can really do. You do not fucking mess with me babe.
Seriously, what the hell was she thinking when she asked me to 'come get her'? Did she leave her brains in Phoenix or something? First she abandons me, then that skank has the nerve to ask me, ME, of all people!
Jeez!
Oh fuck it. All the better for my cause anyway. I didn't figure that I'd have to move this soon but heck, no time is better than the present, now is it?
Dear darling "sweet-voiced" Isabella Swan, you have been quite the naughty girl, haven't you? Well, payback's a bitch hun.
---x-----
11:35 am. Bella Swan, Forks.
I could swear that I was going to pass out pretty soon. My emotions were overwhelming me. I felt anger, depression, joy, anxiety and nausea all bundled up inside me in one unbearable giant ball. Emmett coerced me into playing some game on his Playstation 3. Nothing like mindless violence to get your mind off… things, right? I suppose that's how it was intended to work, but... I think not. All the blood... it was disturbingly familiar. I felt queasy at the sight of it, even if it was pixelated. Damn these new high-def games. Too vivid for my taste.
I honestly couldn't be bothered to put in the least bit of effort. I felt a little too sick for that. I might have been better under different circumstances considering the fact that I used to have a PS3 of my own back in Phoenix and that I used to love it almost as much as I loved my guitar and my books.
I diverted my gaze over to Emmett and the intense concentration on his face was highly amusing.
"Bellaaaa," he whined, just as I unintentionally killed one of his teammates.
"Sorry, Em," I replied hoarsely.
Emmett looked over to me with a weird expression. "Are you feeling okay? You look kinda pale."
"I'm fine Em," I replied with the best fake smile I could conjure up.
"Are you sure you're fine? 'Cause you don't look fine."
"I said I'm fine," I said a bit too harshly. Fine fine fine fine fine fine, I repeated to myself moodily.
With one final glance at me, Emmett got back to concentrating on the game. Blood began spewing everywhere on the screen once more, but no amount of screaming and gunshots could mask the wisp of awkwardness hanging in the air.
"You're going down Cullen," I said in a sinister tone after a long moment, trying to lighten the suddenly dark mood.
Emmett looked over at me with a gigantic grin. I decided that I should give him incentive to call be back over, that I would win this game. I think winning should be a lucrative enough incentive for Emmett. Out of nowhere, I pulled a few strategic yet sneaky moves. Emmett looked over at me with a bewildered expression then hastily tore his gaze from me and frantically tried to save his characters from my warpath.
--x-
I must've beaten Emmett a hundred times at that stupid game, at that same stupid level, and every time I did I was met with the same request and cocky smirk.
"Aww, c'mon. Rematch. You, me. Right here, right now."
"Em, we've been at this for God knows how long!" I replied, frankly quite exasperated and verging on dismembering his hands with my own bare hands.
The flying body parts were really getting into my head.
"What, you're chickening out on me?" Emmett asked, smirk firmly in place.
I sighed and couldn't help but comply. Anything, anything to wipe that annoying smirk off his face "Fine. Let's do this."
And then we were off again.
---x---
11:45 am. Emmett Cullen, Forks.
I wondered what was up with Bella. She seemed sick; she was all pale and shit. I debated with myself over whether or not I should ask Carlisle to have a look at her. Every time the thought crossed my mind, she did something that made me realize that she had some serious style when it came to playing on the PS3. I was being completely mutilated! She didn't even look like she was concentrating. I mean, her eyes were kinda glazed over. Seriously, I thought any second she was going to start, I dunno, drooling or something.
Once again, I was really worried. I had only known Bella for a day now and I was already too attached. She was like a little sister to me already. I loved the way she called me Em. It reminded me of Lily so much.
Lily…
No, I definitely shouldn't let myself become too attached to Bella. Who knows? Maybe she'll end up hurting me too.
A particularly loud explosion drew me out of my reverie.
I hastily looked back at the game only to find Bella winning again. Boy, this girl was ruining my rep.
I looked over at her, once again, with my eyes popping out of my head. I couldn't believe I was losing. To a girl. A very distracted girl, of all things. Could life get any worse?
I frantically started pressing all the buttons once again.
--x---
11:40am. Bella Swan, Forks.
I reluctantly looked over at the clock, wondering how much time I had left. 20 minutes. Just 20 minutes. My heart started beating erratically.
"Emmett, I really have to go now. My ride should be here in a minute or two," I said quietly.
"Okay then, I'll walk you out."
"No!" I replied a bit too loudly.
Emmett looked taken aback.
"Um.., I meant, okay if you think it's necessary," I amended sheepishly.
Emmett looked at me with a most curious expression and gave me a small smile. "Well, come on then."
We walked out of the Cullen house rather slowly.
I wondered what Emmett could possibly be thinking of at this point. My heart had practically been jumping out of my chest – and not in a good way – the whole time I was with him. The walk to my front porch seemed incredibly long.
"Well, I guess I'll see you later then."
"Yeah, definitely," I said with the biggest smile I could muster.
Just as Emmett turned around to leave a bright blue convertible pulled up right in front of Charlie's house and out came the queen of the bitches herself, Lauren Mallory, in the flesh. I shuddered at the thought that I probably looked something like her back in Phoenix. She was wearing excessive makeup coupled with what one could hardly call clothes: a hot pink skirt which barely covered her ass coupled with a top which had a plunging neckline. I blushed just looking at her. Emmett, at this point, was frozen to the spot, looking shocked.
"Bella dahling!" Lauren squealed the most annoying of all squeals. I flinched at the sound of her voice and acknowledged her with the smallest nod and a forced smile which probably looked like a grimace.
I waited, well okay more like dreaded, the eventual hug and squeeze but she stopped short when she noticed Emmett, who was gaping at her shamelessly. He was either too stunned to react or had amazingly low inhibition.
"Ooooh," she bit her lower lip as she sidled up to him, "And who might this sexy piece of manhood be?" she asked while boldly trailing her fingers along Emmett's arm.
Emmett finally regained his senses and jerked his hand away from her. "See you later Bella," he said before giving me a look which said: 'You're associated with her?!' as he walked off.
"Ooh, touchy much?" she remarked as she straightened up and fiddled with her Farrah hair.
"L, can we just go now?" I asked quietly.
"Aww Bella, sure we can," she replied in a falsely sweet voice.
She led me to her convertible and got in herself. I walked over to my side and pulled open the door with shaky fingers. I couldn't believe that I was actually doing this.
It's okay, Bella, I told myself sternly. I need this. Steeling myself, I put all my inhibitions aside and got in.
The moment I slammed the door shut, Lauren hit the accelerator and we sped off. I thought I saw Emmett standing on the side of the road with a disgusted yet hurt and confused expression on his face. His gaze followed me until he went out of eyesight.
Screw him.
I threw my head back, shut my eyes and took a deep breath, willing myself to shove his face out of my mind and just enjoy the ride.
----x----
The silence in the convertible was comfortable for me but apparently it wasn't for Lauren. She reached out and blasted the radio to full volume and a song called "Beautiful Dirty Rich" by someone called Lady GaGa came on. Once again Lauren squealed her squeal. The beat was catchy, I had to admit, but the way Lauren was singing oozed more skank than GaGa herself. The lyrics didn't help her case either.
Beautiful, dirty dirty rich rich
dirty dirty
Beautiful dirty rich
Dirty dirty rich dirty dirty
rich beautiful
Beautiful and dirty dirty rich rich dirty
We got a red-light
Pornographic
dance fight
Systematic, honey
But we go no money
Our hair is perfect
While
we're all getting shit wrecked
It's automatic, honey
But we
got no money
Daddy I'm so sorry, I'm so
s-s-sorry yeah
We just like to party, like to p-p-party yeah
Bang bang, we're beautiful and dirty rich
"C'mon Bella sing with me!" Lauren squealed.
"No thanks Lauren."
"Oh come on! This is what you do best, right? Singing? La-fa-la-dee-la?"
I scoffed. "Yeah, right."
"I said SING." Lauren demanded abruptly, throwing a glare at me.
Suffice to say I was startled.
She immediately turned the glare off and eked out a sweet, pleading Puss In Boots look. "I said sing Bella, I want you to sing with me," she said in her fake sweet voice.
Since Lauren was the one behind the wheel and it would take ages for medical help to arrive if she ever decided to swerve the car off the road and into the wilderness of Forks, I acquiesced. I had promised myself that I would never sing again and I intended to keep that promise. I pretended to clear my throat. Lauren let out another ear-piercing squeal.
I put very little effort into one line:
Bang bang, we're beautiful and dirty rich.
My voice came out in nothing less than a whisper.
Her expression changed at once. From happy to angry. "I said sing, you fuckin' bitch!" Lauren screamed.
I stared blankly at Lauren. I couldn't believe this was happening.
Out of nowhere, I saw her palm flying towards my face and felt her clawed hand striking me across my cheek.
"Sing. Now," Lauren said through clenched teeth.
I unintentionally started dry-sobbing. I knew I shouldn't have called her. I had acted like such an idiot and I was sure she would hurt me if I didn't sing now but I still shut my eyes tightly and took a deep breath.
"I don't know the song Lauren… I really don't know."
She scoffed. "Well it's playing isn't it?! Just listen and sing the fuck along."
The fierceness in her eyes was intimidating. So I began trying to follow the lyrics in a louder voice than before.
We -live a cu-te
life
Sound-fem-atic, pants tigh-ter than plastic, -honey
But we
got no m-mo-ney
We do the dance right
We got
it made like
Ice cream topped with honey
But we got no money
Apparently, Lauren was satisfied with my off-key "singing" and resumed singing in her high-pitched and squeaky voice.
Daddy I'm so sorry, I'm so
s-s-sorry yeah
We just like to party, like to p-p-party yeah
Bang bang, we're beautiful and
dirty rich
Bang bang, we're beautiful and dirty rich
A bang bang bang, bang bang bang,
beautiful, dirty rich
A bang bang bang, bang bang bang, beautiful,
dirty rich
Bang bang, we're beautiful and
dirty rich
Bang bang, we're beautiful and dirty rich
"That wasn't too hard now, was it Bella?" she asked, switching flawlessly back to her falsely sweet voice.
"Take me home, Lauren."
"Hah! Now that's funny! You expect me to take you home after coming this far? I think not."
"Please," I begged.
"Just shut the fuck up, Bella. You asked me to take you there and I am. So just – you know, do us all a huge fuckin' favour – and shut up."
I didn't bother replying after that. I just looked straight ahead at the road ahead of us, regretting what I had just gotten myself into.
------------------x----------
After what seemed to be eons, we finally stopped.
I looked out the window to see that we had come to a club in Seattle called Trinity Club. Wait a sec, this wasn't the Seattle club we usually go to. My heart immediately started pounding crazily. I had a really bad feeling about this, but I doubted that Lauren would give me a choice.
"We're hereee, dahliiing!" she screeched, doing a little clap. I felt like I was going to be sick, but I just held my tongue. She checked her reflection in the side mirror before turning to me with a vicious grin. "Welcome home, Bella." She reached into her handbag and threw my worn out fake ID onto my lap. The fake ID I'd used countless times before; my passport to debauchery.
She watched me stare at it apprehensively. Stared as my own face stared back at me from the ID. But that face, my face, didn't belong to Bella Swan, but to 21-year-old Rebecca Marsh. I gulped, remembering how I'd threw it into her face before I yelled at her to get the fuck out of my life. I could feel her glare bear down on me, drilling holes into the side of my face, as if preparing to strangle me alive should I reject it.
Finally she heaved an exasperated sigh. "Oh cut the sentimental crap, Bella! Let's GO!" She shouldered her handbag, deliberately knocking my hand with it as she swung around and got out of the car.
I looked at myself in the mirror, threw my head back in frustration, shut my eyes and hoped that I would wake up to find myself at home. When that didn't work, I took a deep breath to prepare myself for what was happening and finally sent a tiny prayer before exiting the horrendous convertible.
The breeze struck me with such force that I thought that I would topple over. I was already feeling queasy and light-headed as it is. Lauren was already at the entrance flirting shamelessly with the bouncer.
The sound I heard was oddly sinister: a soft whistling in the breeze.
Then the next thing I heard were five words that wouldn't stop ringing in my head. The calm before the storm.