A/N: ok so many people have been asking for longer chapters, so here it is
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I turned the corner when I was walking home from school. I saw two people who looked like they were fighting, but I couldn't really see anything. I could hear their voices rising. I mean, I hate being rude and intruding on other peoples conversations, but this seemed more like a fight. I walked as close as I could so I would be able to hear. I hid behind a Toyota Prius. It sounded like one person was screaming
"Why the he** do you think you can do this to me?" I heard the guy scream.
"Ugh! Me do this to you? My goodness, you're the one who cheated on me!" the girl screamed back.
"And your point?" the guy questioned. Why do you think you can do this to me?
"Huh, 'cause when I found out it broke my heart. I really like you!" the girl exclaimed.
"Boo-hoo. God, stop whining. I mean, I'm still with you aren't I?" he protested.
"Why do you just stomp all over me?"
This got me and I thought back to two years ago, when I was hurt so badly I almost gave up hope.
FLASHBACK:
January 27, 2007, the Wildcats finally made it to state. Preston was so excited the whole school was all riled up. I had gotten a text message from Preston to come to his house. He told me that the coach was letting them bring along some people on the bus.
I drove to his house and pulled up the drive way. I walked up the front steps and knocked on the door. I waited until I heard the door click to turn around. I came face to face with James. I still didn't feel comfortable around him, but when he moved aside I walked through the door. He told me to go upstairs to Preston's room, so I followed his demand.
I went into his room to find it empty. I checked in his bathroom, but I didn't find him there either. I wonder where he went. Hmmm, well I guess I'll just wait on his bed. I climbed in and put his headphones for his CD player on. I hit the gray play button and closed my eyes to the great songs of Cavashawn. I was content with sitting here until Preston showed up. He couldn't take that long. I mean, he did have to get to the game at some point.
About six songs later I was listening to my favorite song on the album called Just Because. Right when I heard the song I smiled. I felt the weight on the bed shift, signaling another person was on the bed. I didn't open my eyes 'cause I loved this song and Preston could wait.
I could feel someone hovering over me. He leaned down, his mouth by my neck and kissed it gently. It tickled so I giggled. Then he lifted up and kissed my lips. When he pulled away I could smell alcohol on his breath. This didn't seem like Preston. He wouldn't drink before the big game. I opened my eyes and quickly shut them out of shock. James was still on top of me. I struggled underneath him to get out of his grasp. When I tried to scream nothing came out because his hand was over my mouth. I struggled again to get away but I was trapped.
"Didn't Preston tell you the other day that he got his phone taken away?" James asked in a mocking tone then laughed. The silent tears rolled down my cheek as I realized that I was not going to be saved, since Preston wasn't coming home. Why, why me? I thought to myself. I opened my eyes after a moment of thought to see James lift off me. I thought he was going to leave me alone and not do anything, but right before I could move he slapped me on the face. He kept slapping me over and over again. After he'd slapped me about a dozen times, I felt the blackness slip over my eyes.
I woke up a while later and not much had changed. Except for the fact that I am now clothe less and my face was swollen. I could barely move my mouth. I suddenly felt a sharp pain in my wrist. I looked down and my eyes found my wrist was in an irregular position. I wanted to scream, but I knew that would wake James up. He was passed out on the floor. I quickly got off the bed and tried to put my clothes on. It hurt to pull my shirt over my head because it pulled on my wrist.
I walked down the stairs and jumped into my car. I turned the car on with my right wrist (the one that wasn't hurt) and backed out of the driveway. I drove myself to the hospital which was ten minutes away from Preston's house.
I walked through the front door to the front desk and asked to see a doctor. The recipient at the desk gave me a strange look but pointed toward a seat on the opposite side of the room after handing me a stack of papers to fill out.
After twenty painful minutes, a nurse came out and said my name. Ugh. I hate it when people call me Isabella I followed the nurse into a room. She stuck an I.V. in me. Oh, how I hate those stupid things. The nurse left after she checked a few things. About five minutes later the doctor walked in. Dr. Smith was familiar to me, not only do I see him a lot, he is my mom's friend from High School. His kids go to school with me.
"Hey, Bella. What happened?" he asked as he checked my wrist. He hit it wrong and I winced in pain. "What happened to your face?" he just had to ask.
"Well, when I was falling down, I hit my head on the railings and steps," this time my lie came more naturally.
He looked at me cautiously before speaking again. "Bella, these bruises on your face don't look like you ran into a wall. It looks like someone repeatedly hit you. Is there something you would like to tell me?"
"No, because nothing happened with anyone. I fell down some stairs when I was heading out to go to the game," I replied a bit harshly.
"Okay, fine, but I'm just looking out for you, Bella," he stated. "I'm going to have to set this in place, Bella."
I knew it would be painful, so I nodded and turned away. I felt him grab my wrist and then I felt a sharp pain as I cried out.
"I'm sorry, Bella. I'm going to go get some plaster so we can make your cast," he said as he walked out of the room. Silent tears rolled down my cheeks, but these were not the only tears I had shed that night.
It had been three days since the incident. Three days since Friday. Three days since I'd talked to my friends. Three days and 36 missed calls from Preston. I had locked myself up in my room, only coming out to eat or get something. My mom and Phil were getting worried, but I didn't care. How would I be able to tell anyone? I don't want to go back to school. Ever. I can't even imagine talking to Preston. Just being near him will make me sick; make me scared of what will happen. Scared that I will have to see HIM again. But I am being forced to go. My scholarships count on it. I really want to go to college far way from here. To get away from everyone and start fresh. I mean, sure I would miss my mom, but there is always the phone or email. And plus, my mom had Phil now.
I slowly drive my car into the parking lot. I took a deep breath and grabbed the keys, putting them in my purse. I stepped out of the car and watched my black All-Star converse High-top shoes walk along the pavement. I blocked all sound out. Well, at least I tried to. It's not so easy with a school full of people around you.
I walked into the commons where everyone met in the morning, and found a seat at a table in the far right corner. I sat here so right once the bell rang I could make a break to my first class. I sat down and reached into my bag to get out my book. And there I sat silently reading one of my favorite Jane Austin books "Mansfield Park". I didn't even notice someone sit next to me until they tapped me on the shoulder. I looked up and my eyes met someone who I trust and I let out the breath I was holding in. My eyes met one of my best friends, Bethany Applegate.
She looked between me and my cast with a quizzical look. "Hey, Hun, what happened?" she questioned with her hand pointed towards my cast. Man, I thought no one would notice.
"Oh, it's nothing. You know how I am," I replied casually.
She laughed a bit. "Well, where were you last night. We looked forever?"
"After I fell down the stairs, I didn't feel good enough to come, but I feel bad 'cause Preston wanted me there."
"Oh, alright. Well I'm glad that's settled. Whoa. I just noticed that the bruises kind of look like handprints. Did someone hit you?" she questioned.
I almost had a nervous breakdown, but I composed myself. "No. No one hit me. Why would you say that?" I retorted. Right when I said this the bell rang and I hopped up out of my seat. "Look, I got to go, but we'll talk later. Bye."
I quickly walked down the hall, passing some people on the basketball team, hoping he wasn't there. I kept my hair down so it hid my face. I walked faster when I got near them. I almost made it to my first hour class when I heard my name being called.
"Babe, stop! Please, Bella. Bella!" I could hear him saying behind me. I didn't want to stop though. I couldn't face him. He looked t much like his dad. When I see him, I feel sick and start itching all over. I got inside my first hour Consumer Ed. Class. I was breathing heavily, I was so scared. He wasn't the one who did it, but he was the first one to take my innocence. But this was never going to happen again. I wouldn't let it.
"Bella, Bella, are you okay?" a voice and a finger took me away from my reverie.
"What?" I questioned not knowing what was happening. I mean, I heard them say things, but I didn't understand what they were saying all I heard was 'blah blah blah'.
"Do you feel okay?" my teacher asked.
"Not really," I replied truthfully.
"Well, why don't you go to the office, Hun," she told me sweetly. She had asked if I needed someone to escort me down to the office, but I declined.
I walked through the halls, towards the office. I looked in the window of the class that Preston was in. I could see him laughing at one of his friends, but then his head turned towards the door. I knew he say me because when he looked towards me his smile turned into a frown, but then a smile again.
I got to the office and they let me go home. I got into my car and drove. When I got home, I went up to my room and crashed on to my bed. My stomach churned, and I ran to the bathroom. Once my stomach was empty, I stepped back into my room. I felt my eyes start to droop and soon found myself falling asleep. I woke up to someone shaking me.
"Hmmm, one more minute," I groaned. My mom laughed.
"Honey, Preston's down stairs. He wants to talk to you," she said lovingly.
"No, mom. I don't want to see anyone. I don't feel good."
"Come on, honey. He said he really needs to talk to you. he said it was important," she prodded.
"Alright! I'm coming down, I guess."
I made my way down the stars. I could feel the apprehension in my body I walked into the living room to find Preston sitting on the couch. I crossed my arms and diverted my gaze from him. He got u and walked until he was right in front of me. He wrapped his arms around my waist trying to pull me closer to him.
"What's wrong?" he whispered in my ear.
A chill went through my body. All I could think about was that slob, James. About how he ruined my life. "Nothing," I replied harshly.
"Are you sick?" he questioned.
"Yes, my stomach is upset."
"Well, I hope you get better, baby," he said sweetly.
"Why weren't you at the game last night?" he asked.
I held up my left wrist and pointed at it.
"Whoa, babe, what happened this time?"
"I fell down some stairs on my way to the game," I lied.
"You want to come with me to my house?" he asked.
All of a sudden, I felt extremely sick. I ran towards the bathroom. My mom came in about three minutes later and asked if I was okay. I told her to tell Preston I couldn't come. I heard the front door close and sighed with relief. How would I be able to date him if I can't even be in a room with him for more than ten minutes?
When I snapped out of my reverie, I realized the fight had gotten worse.
"She was my best friend. How could you do this?" the girl screamed.
"Baby, I didn't know," he replied.
"Yeah right! I don't believe you! And don't call me baby."
When I saw the first push, I decided that I should break this up.
"So now I can't even call my girlfriend baby?" the guy questioned incredulously. He pushed her after saying this. She pushed him back, and he replied with a slap across the face. I would see that the girl was crying. I ran between them. At once, I recognized the couple.
"Hey. Hey!" I yelled trying to get their attention. "Stop! Hey, knock it off!" I screamed.
The boy then turned to me and pushed me. "Stay out of this, Bella!" he yelled.
"No, Edward, stop. This is wrong," I retorted.
Suddenly, all of the memories of Preston and James came back, out of nowhere. My head started spinning. I could hear them talking to me, but I couldn't make any words out.
"How would you know, Bella?" he questioned angrily.
I could hear them again. I guess that's a good thing.
"Because, my boyfriend did this to me. Maybe you didn't take her innocence, but pushing and hitting a girl is just as bad," I retorted hoping my words would get through his head. And then the tears came. I told the girl to leave and go home. I could see Edward talking to someone on the phone. I had been crying for three minutes when I heard footsteps coming closer to me. I could tell that they were running. When they called out, I suddenly knew who it was.
"Bella, are you okay?" Emmett asked with a soft voice. I guess he was trying not to scare me. I couldn't really talk, so I just nodded my head. Emmett turned towards where Edward was pacing.
"What the he** did you do, Cullen? Emmett yelled.
"I…I…I don't know. She just started crying and having a mental breakdown," he replied.
How could he lie right now? It's just wrong. He did this to me. I glared at Edward.
"Yeah right. What did you do? She can't just cry all of a sudden. Well, she probably can, but… what were you doing before this happened?"
"Carmen and I were fighting and she came and broke us up," he stated. It wasn't really a lie, but he still wasn't saying that he hit her and me.
"Why don't you just get lost, Edward? Ever since Meagan you've been an a**hole who doesn't care about anyone but yourself."
Edward looked from Emmett to me and the down towards the ground. He turned on his heels and walked away. Emmett then turned towards me.
"Are you ready to go, Bella?"
"Yes, I guess," I replied with a hoarse voice. I really hope that Carmen chick is alright. Maybe I should talk to her tomorrow.