Chap 7

Stupid, I thought as I slammed the door of poor Charlie's house who is now taking abuse. I made a promise that I will not fall in love with anyone since in the end I'll be the one hurt. But…..Edward felt different and made me want to talk to him and hang out like a normal person.

Am I normal… am I someone worth being friends with me if they found out about my past or what I've done. The lying, the stealing, and even the drugs and alcohol ruined me and made me someone not even my own mother recognized. I went to the bathroom and stared in the mirror breathing deeply.

I was pale with dark circles under my eyes from the lack of sleep and how frail and skinny I was. Turning quickly away I thought how anyone could ever like me since of how hideous I look. Jared always said I was too fat and always put me down.

God, I was blind of Jared and how he treated me. Him abusing me, putting me on a diet, and even introducing me to drugs and drinking. I stepped away from the mirror and walked downstairs. Jared can't hurt me here because he doesn't know where I am and he probably forgot about me anyway. Now is my chance to be who I really am and escape the past and never return.

I then smiled and went to the kitchen to make some food for me and Charlie since I don't even think Charlie knows what the oven is and why its there. Makes me wonder how he survived on frozen meals for years.

I got the ingredients out for what I needed and started preparing. After preparing and putting the casserole in the oven I sat in a kitchen chair and did my homework until the food was done. When the timer beeped I got the casserole out of the oven and left it to cool while I put my schoolwork in my room.

When I got back downstairs I heard the cruiser pull up. I went to the kitchen and started serving the casserole and putting the plates on the table.

I heard the door open and close with Charlie coming into the house. "Smells good Bells", Charlie says as he hangs up his police belt. "Thanks", I respond and got me a glass of water and sat down to eat.

Eating dinner with Charlie is awkward since neither of us know what to say to each other. "How was school today", asks Charlie looking down at his food. "It was good, everyone was welcoming".

Well almost… not like the bitch Lauren but Charlie doesn't need to know that. "That's good", and Charlie goes back to eating. "Do you know about the Cullen's", I ask curious to know about them. "Ah, the Cullen family, Esme and Carlisle are great people who do a lot for this town". "Carlisle is a doctor and Esme is a designer". "Their children are well behaved and can do no wrong and even the Hales are just as behaved". "I met Alice and Edward today in two of my classes", I told Charlie. "You'll love Alice, she's easy to get along with but Edward does take some time because he mostly keeps to him self", Charlie tells me while smiling.

I smile and go back to my food thinking about Edward. Maybe that is why he acted as he did in class and I was being a bit rude so I probably deserved his behavior. We finished dinner and Charlie said he'll wash the dishes because I cooked so I went upstairs to go to bed.

I lay down and smiled to my self thinking about today. Charlie and I are getting along and I met interesting people even if some were a little bit rude. I close my eyes and drifted off to sleep.

I am sitting on the couch watching T.V. when the door closes and heavy footsteps can be heard. "Bella, I'm here", Jared says while coming in the house. I look at him not saying anything as he gives me a menacing look. "Why are you sitting here doing nothing, your going to be lazy and fat and I won't allow that when your with me"! He stalks over to me and grabs my hair and throws me into a wall. "I have no choice now since you can't do anything right", he picks up a knife and walks over to me. "This wouldn't happen if you would obey me", and he stabs the knife right into my chest.

I jolted up and breathed heavily as I try to catch my breath.

I look at the clock and the numbers read 4:35am. I decide to get up and get a shower since I was sweating really badly. As I turn on the shower and get in I thought about the nightmare I had.

It had scared me and almost seemed real as if I was being stabbed by him. I was frightened that he would come and find me and kill me but a part of me hoped that he forgot about me and I was safe.

The water started to turn cold and I got out and dried myself off. I went to my room to get dressed for the day and heard Charlie start to get up so he can go to the station. I still had lots of time before school so I got out my favorite book "Wuthering Heights" that was falling apart.

At 6:30 I checked my e-mail for any response from Renee but there was none. Guess she is busy with Phil and having fun instead of worrying about her screwed up daughter. Harsh but really I want her to not worry about me since it's just better that way.

I then went downstairs to see Charlie finishing up his breakfast of eggs which is pretty much the only thing he can cook. "Morning dad", I greeted as I fixed myself a bowl of cereal. "Good morning", he said while getting up and got his stuff. "Bella", he said before going out the door, "I'm going to be down at the station late tonight, are you going to be ok". "I'll be fine", I replied and with that he left.

I finished my breakfast and drove to school in the usual slow pace that my truck can go. When I arrive at school it started raining.

Great, and I forgot my umbrella. I sat in my truck for a minute seeing if the rain would lighten up but instead it starts to get heavier. I sprung a few curses out of my mouth and ran out into the rain but I didn't think about the slippery concrete and with my clumsiness I slip when running through a puddle.

As I'm falling a hand shoots out and grabs my elbow catching me before I fall. "Thanks", I said as I look to come face to face with none other than Edward Cullen. "Your Welcome", he replies smirking at me, "Do you have an umbrella".

I shake my head, "forgot it, guess I should just store it in my truck because it always rains", I mutter. He chuckles and puts his umbrella over my head and walks with me to go inside.

It puzzled me how different he is today than yesterday but I won't let that make me get close to him since anyone would do that for someone. Also doesn't he have a girlfriend who isn't with him which is weird.

I look around and don't see her anywhere which I'm grateful for. We get in the school building and I turn to look at him. "Thanks but you didn't have to do that".

"Why"? He looks at me confuse, "I couldn't let you get wet from falling in the puddle because you'll get sick". "Well…. Don't you have a girlfriend wouldn't appreciate you sharing an umbrella with me and doesn't she usually ride with you"?

"I could care less what she thinks since it would be rude for me to let you get sick from the rain and she drove herself today so it doesn't matter". I nodded with my eyes wondering around looking for any signs of attack but thankfully she wasn't here yet.

"Well I need to get to class", and with that I left without waiting for a reply. When I sat down all I could think was Edward's gorgeous green eyes that had concern for me and how his muscles in his arm moved to catch me. I quickly shook those thoughts out of my head because I was not going to fall in love with him….But I think I already have.

Took a long time but I had trips to go on and then writers block but I'll try to get the next chapter up soon but I'm worrying about my driving test I'm taking on Monday so I'm hoping I pass but I'm sure I will. So review I would like to hear your thoughts.