Authors Note:
Hey guys, feedback so far has been fantastic! Thank you all SO much!
Chapter Six
I walk downstairs in a daze. Is this really happening to me or am I having a nightmare?
I pinch myself but nothing happens. Well, that's just fabulous.
I enter the kitchen to find Amelia at the sink washing dishes, Dad asleep at the dining table and Mom cooking something that doesn't smell too good. All in all, nothing out of the usual.
The atmosphere is tense so there's probably already been an argument I'm just not aware of.
"Mom are you gonna' tell her, or should I?"
"What are you talking about? Tell me what?"
They both avoid eye contact with me suddenly focused on whatever they're doing.
"We as a family, have decided it's best you go." Amelia says quietly.
"Go where? What the hell is going on?"
As a family... since when did anyone act like a family in this house?
I realised I've missed so much over the past few days, I remind myself to never be a recluse for more than a few hours.
My mom finally decides to speak up. "Go Bella, leave the house. None of us know what to do with you anymore."
I'm shocked, and I mean shocked. I stand there in the doorway for a few minutes just staring at them to make sure this isn't actually a dream, well nightmare.
"You don't know what to fucking do with me? What exactly have I done? How the fuck am I the problem here?"
None of them answer me, they act as if I'm not even standing there.
"Fucking answer me?!"
My voice has become loud, I'm practically shouting now. I try to tell myself to calm down but there's no going back, I'm angry. I don't know what's wrong with me, it's as if all the built up emotion in me has turned into anger and decided it's time to be let out.
It's almost like word vomit, I can't seem to stop myself. They both stare at me with shocked expressions on their faces. I can't say I'm suprised, I've shocked myself too.
I don't ever raise my voice or concerns when it comes to family. I try not to disrespect my parents and I keep conversation to a bare minimum.
But it looks like old Bella has been thrown out the window and in its place is an argumentative, disrespectful, crazy bitch who slaps people.
"You better tone it down young lady, your Dad's sleeping."
"Seriously? Seriously? You're kicking me out and you're not even going to tell me why?"
"No-ones kicking you out, we're just saying you should go."
"Don't be so naïve Amelia, that is kicking me out! What the fuck have I even done? Tell me now!"
"I'll tell you what you've done! You use this place like it's a god damn bed and breakfast, you don't speak to no-one here and whenever you do you argue, you've gone and told that bitch friend of yours about what goes on here and she's opened her stupid mouth, and now the neighbours look at me funny like they know! And you've brought fucking reporters to the house because you couldn't keep your fucking legs closed, that's what you've done!"
"Everyone knows Lily killed herself Mom, it's no fucking secret around here, and for your information I did NOT sleep with anyone."
"Don't you dare bring her name up ever again."
"Why? Why not? You just gonna' brush it under the carpet like you do everything else? You know, maybe if you let us sort her problems out she'd still be here today!"
It's a low blow and I know it is, but I can't help it, the words roll off my tongue before I can stop myself.
"Don't blame this on Mom! It was her own fault, now you need to leave, and take those fucking reporters with you. Mom's right, you need to think twice before opening your bloody legs, just because your friends a slut doesn't mean you need to follow her!"
It's definitely the last straw hearing both Amelia and Mom badmouth my friend.
"Don't you fucking dare speak about Alice like that! She's better than all of you put together!"
I slam my hand down on the countertop but the move does more damage to my hand than anything else.
"Just get the fuck out Bella! You're giving Mom chestpains."
"Oh fuck yourself Amelia! Stop fucking kissing ass and you might get somewhere."
I watch as Dad wakes up from his drunken slumber and stares at us all with hatred in his eyes.
"What the fuck is going on here?"
Great.
"It's her, she's starting on Mom." Amelia's quiet and full of wary as she speaks.
"What did the bitch do now?" We all know his question is about Mom, in his eyes everything wrong with this family starts with Mom. I can't say I agree with him when he's had a pivotal role in my fucked up upbringing too.
Even when she's not the one in the wrong he'll still turn against her. They're not united like couples should be. I almost wish he'd shout at me for once just so that I have proof that he could agree with my Mom on something.
"Don't you fucking call me a bitch! It's your daughter who started this."
Looks like round three thousand has begun.
"Who the fuck do you think you're talking to?"
He stands up and wobbles at first but finds his footing as he makes his way towards her.
"Oh you gonna come and hit me? Does that make you feel like a man?"
She pulls at my arm and pushes me towards my Dad.
"It's her fault, don't you dare try come at me."
My body has literally become paralyzed. My mind is reeling as it takes in what's going on. My Mom has literally just offered me up to my Dad as a punching bag.
"I'll do whatever the fuck I want woman."
He charges for her and before I realise what I'm doing I'm standing in front of her pushing her out the way. It all becomes a blur as I fall to the ground and feel fists repeatedly being thrown at my face and body.
I push at the body on top of me but he's too heavy, there's no way I can get him off me. I focus on my surroundings and try to use anything to my advantage, I reach up and grab a frying pan on the stove and hit it against his head, not caring that I could be doing real damage.
He falls to the side and clutches at his head, shouting for my Mom to call an ambulance. Oh, so now he wants her help?
I stand up and stare down at him, I stare at the psychotic man I've had to deal with for eighteen years.
"You crazy bitch! I'm gonna get you don-"
He doesn't get to finish his sentence as my foot connects with his stomach and he convulses in agony. It doesn't bother me that he's powerless, lying half dead on the floor. All that matters is that this man needs to feel pain. He needs to feel what I've felt all these years, what we've all felt.
"You fucking did this, you ruined this family!" I shout at him.
Arms grab at me and I turn to see Amelia pulling me back. I shrug out of her grip and take a few steps back, shocked at what I've just done. My back hits the wall and I look around at the kitchen and the mess I've helped create.
"Get out."
I look at my Mom who's staring at me with pure disgust, it's like she can't even stand to be near me.
"What?"
"I said, get out! Pack your things and get the fuck outta my house! Can't you see what you've done."
"Are you fucking serious? He fucking attacked me after I protected you!"
How did this happen? In a matter of days I've gone from the quiet, shy, boring one to, well, this.
They stare back at me, neither one of them speak. I realise I'm fighting a lost cause.
I run upstairs to my room and grab my small suitcase flinging in any clothes I come across. I pack like a crazed woman but it's quick and that's all that I care about right now.
I grab my phone and dial the only person I can count on.
"Alice, please. I-i need you to come get me. Please."
"Hold on, I'll be there in ten."
I end the call and heave my suitcase downstairs, I don't bother saying bye to anyone, I head straight for my front door but remember there's reporters outside waiting for me. There's no way I can leave my house, at least not through the front door which means I'll have to go through the kitchen and go round back.
I text Alice to let her know to pick me up round the back and drag my suitcase through the kitchen.
"You walk out that door and you ain't ever coming back. You're dead to me."
I don't want to admit it, but it hurts. It hurts like a fucking bitch. I look back at my Dad who's cradled in my Moms arms. Even now she'll choose him over me, him over any of us.
'Fuckoff, nobody wants you here anyway.'
I guess he was right.
I head out round the back and find Alice parked up at the end of my alley.
She gets out to help me with my suitcase but stops a few feet away, her eyes scan my face and I forget that I must be covered in bruises and blood.
"What the fuck happened? I'm going in there."
She walks past me but I grab at her arm, pulling her back.
"Please don't Alice, just take me to your place. It'll get out of hand and there's reporters everywhere."
She stares at me for a few seconds and then sighs, she picks up my suitcase and loads it into her boot. I go round the front and climb into the passenger seat.
"Well don't think I'm just gonna sit around and let them get away with this. We'll go to the police and get it sorted out."
"There's no point Alice, it's over. I'm out and I don't ever have to go back. Will you help me look for a new place?"
"No."
I look at her as she starts up her car and pulls out of the alley, making sure to avoid the reporters round the front.
"You're staying with me. Don't think you can get rid of me this easily baby."
I laugh at her endearment but stop once my ribs start to hurt. She notices my pain and turns serious.
"We need to get you to a hospital."
"I'm fine, besides it could attract unwanted attention."
"I'm not taking no for an answer Bella. We need to get you checked out."
I see that Alice is already headed for our local hospital and realise I can't fight her on this.
"Alice?"
"Yeah?"
"T-thankyou for this. Thankyou for everything. I know I don't tell you this much but, I er- I love you and honestly, I don't know what I'd do without you."
You're the reason I let myself live another day.
I don't speak the words out loud but they're true. Truer than anything in my life right now.
Alice is my anchor, I'd die for her and that's why I can't burden her with my problems, she doesn't deserve that.
She pulls out her phone and thrusts it into my face.
"Ok can you say that again? I need it recorded for proof that you actually are human, and that you have feelings like the rest of us."
I laugh again but the pain has become unbearable.
"Oops sorry. I better shut my mouth, my humours going to end up killing you."
"Yeah I think that's for the best right now."
Authors Note:
Well? Did you guys like it? Bellas family are nasty pieces of work aren't they? Review please and let me know your thoughts on this chapter!
The next chapter has been edited and is ready to be uploaded so as soon as I get to 100 reviews I'll upload! It was definitely my favourite to write, it's got everything in it, and it's quite lengthy so I hope you guys enjoy that.
Thanks for reading.
