Standard disclaimer...Don't own, SM does, just borrowing...yada yada yada...we've all read like upteenth times...
I have a C2 Community Mystic Stories! I offer a place to get help with your stories! I don't read slash though, so I would need a staff member who does!
If you want your story added, PM me or JustJo94 with your pen name and story name!
BPOV
Sighing, I sat down on the window seat, leaning against the wall, scanning my place, wishing I could move. But, when you live above a butcher shop and have cheap rent, moving isn't such a grand idea.
My place consists of a tiny kitchen with appliances from, I swear, 1960, though the stove and oven still do work, and a small refrigerator. Not having the extra cash and living here alone, I didn't see the point in getting anything large.
There's a bathroom across from the front door. It's painted a light, sea foam green and consists of the typical bathroom stuff: a shower, sink, and toilet. It's not all that pretty, but a bathroom is a bathroom.
The rest of the place is a living room slash bedroom. My furniture consists of a futon mattress on the floor next to a dresser, a coat rack for hanging clothes on, a coffee table that doubles as a kitchen table and a used CD player I found one day. I keep what little music I have in a kitchen cabinet with my books. Got to store them somewhere.
Turning my attention back to the window, I listen to the soft pitter-pattering of the rain, watching the people below rush every which way to get out of the rain. Glancing over at the clock on the wall, I groan, knowing if I don't leave now I'm going to be late for work. Standing up, I grab my purse off the coffee table before heading over to the door and slipping on my raincoat before grabbing my umbrella and heading out, shutting and locking the door behind me.
Gripping the stair rail I navigate down the rickety, old steps carefully, having no desire to misstep and possibly fall through. Getting outside, I open my umbrella and ponder my options. Walk to work or take the bus. Shrugging, I decide to walk, since it really isn't raining all that hard and the streets aren't very crowded. Besides, I could use the time to think.
Thankfully I work as a stagehand at the MGM Studio, cleaning, carrying things, and running errands. Basically, anything that needs to be done. Another good quality about my place is that it's just up the street from work, allowing me to walk. Seeing a man walking towards me I unconsciously move out of touching distance.
I don't dislike my job, but I can't say I'm thrilled about it either. But, seeing as I can't afford a car or college, my job options were limited and I made enough to survive. As much as I would like to have a degree, I know there was no point in keeping false hope. I'd learned that lesson well over the years. Eighteen years in the care of Social Services teaches you a lot. Survive. That was the only thing that was important. Surviving. I needed to work, not hope to go to college.
Stopping at the corner where I needed to cross, I sighed, blinking away tears. It didn't do any good to dwell in the past. Focus on the present. Get through the day. Survive. Just survive. Wiping my eyes with the back of my hand, I watched as the walk sign came on and ran across the street, not wanting to be late. Walking towards the security gate, I opened my purse, pulling out my clearance pass.
"Morning Bella."
"Morning Dean. How are you doing?" I asked, showing him my pass and staying out of touching distance. I never thought about the action, I just made sure I was never within touching distance if I could help it. At times it drove my co-workers nuts, but they still warned any new people working with to not touch me. Not everyone listens though, and they find out the hard way that they should have.
"Just fine. Head on in." He answered, nodding towards the back.
"Thanks Dean." I started heading towards Studio Six, putting my clearance pass away and not paying attention to where I was walking, causing me to bump into someone, who dropped their purse.
"Oh my god! I'm so sorry!" I freaked, leaning down to pick up the dropped purse before it was ruined and freezing as a distinctly male hand grabbed it before I could. Touching distance. He was within touching distance. Calm down Bella. Calm down. No, don't start hyperventilating. Deep breaths. Deep breaths.
I knew it wasn't working, my breathing was coming in shallow gasps and my heart was beating a mile a minute.
Please don't hurt me. Let me go without hurting me. Please. I didn't mean anything. I know I should've been paying closer attention. Don't hurt me. Just please don't hurt me. I started chanting over and over again in my head, waiting to see what he would do. I watched him pick up the purse before grabbing my arm, causing my instinct to take over. I couldn't get hurt. I didn't do anything wrong! Screaming I jumped back, forgetting I was leaning down and managing to successfully land on my ass.
"Oh my! Are you all right? What did you do Edward?" A high-pitched voice asked. Trembling I ignored her question, looking at every possible direction I could run in to escape if I needed to. No quick actions though. Wait. See what he does. If I bring attention to myself he'll hurt me. "The poor girl's terrified! Look what you did!"
"I didn't do anything. I merely attempted to help her stand. Here's your purse." A soft, velvet voice that wrapped around me like silk answered.
"Well, for nothing she sure looks terrified." A deep, loud, bass-like voice cut in, causing me to look in its direction, seeing someone walking towards me. "Let me-"
Scrambling to my feet, I shrieked, backing away, keeping my gaze on the people in front of me, but not registering exactly who they were. Slowly, I started making my way towards my umbrella, intent on grabbing it and leaving as soon as I could. Before I got to it though, I saw someone else pick it up, closing it and handing it to me.
"Here you go Bella."
Glancing quickly towards my friend Angela, I took the umbrella from her before returning my attention to the males in the group, needing to know where they were. I was still terrified and on high alert, reading to run, but I relaxed a little knowing Angela was here to help me. I'd told her of my problem and that it stemmed from my childhood. She knew how she could help me and what she could do to accomplish that.
She wrapped her arm around my shoulders, asking, "Bella, are you all right?"
Nodding, I looked at her again for a moment.
"I'm sorry, Ms. Hale, Ms. Brandon. I'll get Bella out of your way." Angela spoke calmly, rubbing her hand up and down my arm.
"It's nothing. I was too busy talking to my friends and not paying attention to where I was going. It's really my fault." I heard the high-pitched voice say, recognizing it now as the voice of Alice Brandon. Turning my attention briefly towards the voice, I saw that it was indeed all 4'11" of Alice Brandon. She was stunningly beautiful, something I'd never be. I was too scarred. She had pale skin, bright, blue eyes, short, spikey, black hair, and large eyes. I was reminded of a pixie every time I saw her.
"N-n-no, I-I-I w-w-wasn't p-p-paying a-a-attention," Unsurprisingly I stuttered. It was a bad habit I had when I was scared.
"Bella, calm down. Your fine." I heard Angela whisper in my ear.
"I'm sorry for anything I did to upset you." Velvet voice apologized. I shot him a brief glance, making sure he was still out of range of touching me again.
"Ms.?" Alice asked.
"Angela. Angela Weber." I knew Angela well enough that I was able to hear the smile in her voice. It wasn't often one got to converse with the movie stars, and not only was she doing that, but they were nice, too.
"Angela…you don't mind if I call you Angela? Good. If I may, is she…Bella? Is Bella going to be alright?" I could hear the concern in her voice. Was she actually worried about me?
Sighing, Angela asking, "Did anyone touch her?"
"Edward tried helping her stand and Emmett tried afterwards." Alice replied, clearly baffled.
I felt Angela nod. "Bella has some…some serious issues with males and touching, something to do with her childhood. It terrifies her to have them touch her."
"Oh!" Alice breathed out and started walking towards me. Surprised, my eyes went wide. "I'm Alice Brandon. It's a pleasure to meet you! Sorry for bumping into you earlier. We weren't trying to hurt you, just lend a hand. Are you free for coffee?"
Blinking, I stared at her in wonder. How had she done that? She'd uttered all of that in one breath. And, she was asking me to coffee! Me! I was baffled as to why. There wasn't anything all that interesting about me. Taking a deep breath, so I wouldn't stutter, I replied, "No, I wasn't paying attention to where I was going. And, I'm sorry. As much as I would be nice to have coffee with you, I'm supposed to be starting my shift."
"Oh! We'll walk with you so you don't get in any trouble. I'll just let them know that I held you up. Good?" She had a bright smile that was full of life and energy, two things I didn't think I'd ever felt.
Glancing over her shoulder, I looked at the three men behind her. They were all tall and muscular. The one with blonde hair and blue eyes was the tallest. One of them looked like a football player or wrestler. He had curly, brown hair and brown eyes and was second tallest. The last one had messy bronze hair and striking emerald green eyes and was the shortest.
Alice noticed where I was gazing and looked back at them for a moment before returning her attention to me. "Don't worry about them. They'll follow behind us and make sure no male comes near you."
As I looked at her, eyebrows furrowed and confused, she added, "It makes sense to me! They can clear the way!"
"Alice…" Velvet voice growled, annoyed. He had the bronze hair.
"Oh hush, Edward." Alice shushed him, turning back towards me and point everyone out. "The one that just growled is Edward. Not only is he one of my bodyguards, but he's one of my older brothers. He plays the piano beautifully and is a lot strong then he looks.
Edward rolled his eyes, sighing, clearly use to this. Alice continued, ignoring him. "My other older brother is Emmett. He's the one in the middle. He may look fierce and terrifying, but he's really a teddy bear to those he loves and protects. He's also a bodyguard. The boys like to fight. Apparently this lets them do it legally. But, what do I know? I shop."
I gave a small laugh, causing Angela to glance at me in surprise. I rarely laughed, but Alice sounded genuinely baffled by this male behavior. It was as if she couldn't understand why they'd want to do that over shopping.
"And last, but not least, the last bodyguard, Jasper Whitlock, who's also my boyfriend. Stay away from the topic of the Civil War around him. He's a history buff with that. Isn't he a doll? So tall and sexy. I love him to death!" Alice beamed up at me and I just stared at her, nodding. I didn't know what else to do. "Come on, what studio?"
"Six." I answered, just before she started tugging Angela and I along behind her. Rosalie Hale stood on her other side and the guys walked behind us. I was trying hard not to think about them being behind me or think about any of this, for that matter. It was an entirely new experience and I didn't know what to think or do.
Angela spoke up as we were passing Studio Four. "This is me. I'll see you later Bella."
I nodded to her, too uncertain to talk aloud, wanting the quiet of my thoughts.
"Wait here Bella while I go in with her." Alice chirped, walking with Angela into the studio, a distinct bounce in her step.
Spinning around, I stared at the three males behind me, fully ready to escape if I had to.
Can't be trusted. They're behind you. They can't be trusted. Keep your eyes on them. You don't know what they're going to do. My mind told me.
They were watching me, looking concerned, but I knew that could easily be a lie. Edward took a step towards me. I watched him cautiously, knowing if I ran it would most likely end badly for me. If I didn't run, I wouldn't get hurt as bad. My mind knew this. It kept repeating it over and over and yet my body said move. You need to move, stop trembling and move! Biting my bottom lip, I looked at Edward who looked baffled at my reaction.
"Edward! Alice will be pissed if you terrify her anymore. Step back. Geez, she looks like a deer caught in the headlights." I looked in the direction of the voice. It was the guy with curly hair. Emmett. I watched him grab Edward's arm, pulling him back away from me.
This was…new. He'd protected me. He hadn't let me get hurt. He didn't even know me. I stood there staring at them, not knowing what to do. I'd never been in this type of situation. They always hurt me. I had the scars to prove it. How was I supposed to act now? What did one do when a guy protected them?
He was lying. He had to be lying. His face was too calm. He was just waiting for the perfect chance and now obviously isn't it. It was the only explanation I could come up with. He was going to hurt me at some point. He was three times the size of me, he could easily kill me. I took a step away from them, a small part of me I thought long dead wishing I wasn't right.
"Come on!" Alice chirped, coming out of the studio and taking my hand, continuing towards Studio Six, either oblivious to my fear or ignoring it so as not to make me uncomfortable. Before I could figure it out, she said, "Here we go. I'll go in with you. Give me your cell phone and I'll program my number in it. What time is your lunch? I'll pick you up and take you out. I just know we're going to be best friends!"
My head felt like it was spinning. How did she manage to speak so fast and yet never seem to take a breath? Looking at me feet, I replied quietly, "I don't have a cell. My lunch is at three."
"You don't have a cell phone?" Rosalie Hale breathed, speaking for the first time, her voice sounding like music. I shook my head no. "Why?"
Why? Because I didn't have the extra cash for it. Because it wasn't a necessity of life. It wasn't critical to my survival and if it was critical to my survival, it wasn't important. "I just don't. I need to-"
"Oh! Of course!" Alice grabbed my hand, pulling me into the studio.
As we entered I heard the director call out, "Ms. Swan, you're late!"
He started walking towards Alice and I and we met him halfway. Before I could apologize, Alice spoke up. "She's not really late. I held her up over a minor thing and it's really my fault."
Alice smiled sweetly at him, keeping a grip on my hand. I remained staring at the floor.
"Ms. Brandon. A pleasure to see you. Ms. Swan, is this true?" He turned his attention to me after shaking Alice's free hand.
"Yes," I said quietly, looking him in the eyes.
"You'll forgive me for making her late? It's really not her fault and I don't see why she should be faulted for it." Alice pouted, looking at him with puppy dog eyes. If she gave me that look, I was pretty sure I'd do whatever she wanted.
Sighing, he answered, not looking entirely pleased with the situation. "Of course, Ms. Brandon. However, please don't do it again. Ms. Swan, since you've never been late, I'll let this time slid."
Nodding my thanks, I smiled at Alice, waving goodbye before heading off to start working. As I walked away, I felt a strange sense of loss. I didn't want to leave her. She felt…she felt almost as if she were a part of me somehow. Sighing, I pushed the feeling to the back of mind for analysis later.
"Bella!" Alice called out and I turned around, looking at her. "I'll see you at three. Just wait outside the door here."
"Alright." I answered, smiling slightly and wishing the time passed fast so I could see her again.
APOV
I left Bella, heading back outside to my family. Walking over to Jasper, I hugged his waist, resting my head against his chest.
"Alice?" Rosalie asked me.
"She needs us. She really needs us." I replied to her unspoken question. "She's broken. Something really bad happened to her. Did you see how she was when I came back out of Studio Four? What happened?"
"Edward took a step towards her and Emmett pulled him back. She stepped back. She never said a word, so I don't know what she was thinking." Rosalie answered.
Edward ran his hand through his already messy hair. "What could have been done to cause that reaction though?"
"I don't know. But I do know that she needs us and we're going to be there for her." I shook my head, wanting to cry.
"Don't worry, Ali. We'll do something. If she really needs us, we'll be there for her." Jasper said, hugging my tighter.
Nodding, I took out my phone. If we were going to help her, I wanted as much information as I could get so we knew what we were up against. Dialing my lawyer, I sent up a prayer that he'd be able to find something on her.
BPOV
The first part of my shift paced with amazing speed, thankfully. But, as the clock got closer to three o'clock, I was starting to debate whether it was a good idea to go to lunch with Alice or not. I did want to see her again. But…she was Alice Brandon, famous movie star. Why would she want anything to do with me?
More importantly, would I be able to stand being in such close proximity to three rather large males? I hoped so because despite my reservations, I did desperately want to go. I'd always been too shy to ask for autographs and never had any friends, and the chance to get to actually meet a couple of the stars and possibly have one as a friend, was just too good to pass up. There was only one way to accomplish either, I needed to go. Grabbing my purse, I walked outside to wait for Alice.
As I leaned up against the wall I heard one of the other stagehands call my name, "Bella!"
Turning my head towards the voice, I saw Mike running up to me. He was one of the people who refused to listen that I didn't want to be touched. I avoid him at all times because he took every opportunity to touch me or try to touch me. He hadn't listened last time either I thought as he grabbed my wrist.
Shrieking, I tried to back away from him, only to find the wall in my way. I was trapped between him and the wall. Trying to tug my hand free, I started hyperventilating, my heart going a mile-a-minute again. He ignored my shriek, just looking at me oddly for it. I felt tears stinging my eyes as I tried getting away. I needed to get away from him. I need to run. Run far away. I didn't care how much I'd get hurt later I needed to get away from him, now.
"Please, let go!" I pleaded. "Please!"
He ignored me, continuing to look at me weirdly. "Calm down. I just want to see if you want to go to lunch with me."
Before I could reply, someone stepped between us, grabbing Mike's hand, causing Mike to whimper and I figured they had a tight grip on Mike's wrist.
The moment the mystery man, he was too big to be a woman, started talking, I knew it was Edward. They were both too close for comfort and one was touching me. I had to get away! Couldn't they see that? Couldn't they see my pain?
"Please!" I sobbed, tugging on my wrist.
Edward growled at Mike. "Let her go. She doesn't want to be touched."
"Hey man! I'm just asking her to lunch here. Take a hike and let go of my wrist." Mike demanded.
"Let go of her."
"Bella, babe, come on, let's get out of here." Mike looked around Edward and straight at me, smiling.
"Let me go! Please!" I shrieked, petrified. Oh god! They weren't letting me go because they were going to hurt me! I knew it. I just knew it. It's what they always did. Males. They hurt the weak and I was the weak. I started all out sobbing. If they were going to hurt me, there was nothing I could do. I was too small, too weak. "Please, please, let me go!"
"Let her go!" Edward snarled, causing Mike to laugh. I cringed, feeling as if I were listening to nails on a chalkboard.
"What are you? Her bodyguard? She's a stagehand."
"I'm one of three to be precise."
I glanced around Edward seeing Jasper and Emmett behind him looking just as mad. I was dead. I couldn't fight all four of them. They were much stronger than I. Knowing I wasn't going to get out unscathed, I stopped struggling, sliding down the wall, crying.
"I've had enough of this." I heard Emmett say, but I didn't look up until I felt Mike's hand removed from my wrist. Glancing up, I saw Emmett holding Mike by the throat against the wall. "Touch her again and you'll regret it."
Mike glanced down at me, looking terrified, before nodding and getting dropped by Emmett like he was a hot potato. I stayed where I knew running wouldn't do me any good. Pulling my knees up, I wrapped my arms around them, trying to make myself as small as possible.
"Bella? Are you okay?" Alice asked softly kneeling in front of me.
"Bella?" I heard the director ask and I wondered who'd had him come out.
"Bella, can I see your wrist? I want to make sure he didn't hurt you." Edward asked softly and quietly, kneeling next to me and arms length away.
I looked at his face, slightly blurred from my tears, searching. Was he telling the truth? Why would he care if I was hurt if he was lying and was going to hurt me? If I was going to get hurt more, there was no point in checking for injuries. Taking a chance, I felt for the first time in years a small spark of hope.
"Are you lying?" I choked out scared he was, hoping he wasn't.
"No. I want to help you. Will you let me do that? Only what you allow. Nothing more."
Was he…was he actually taking into account my feelings? He was. He was…I didn't know what. Was he protecting me? I shoved the thought aside, unable to deal with it. Tentatively I held out my wrist, feeling Edward hold it, examining it, treating it as if it were glass and would shatter at any moment.
"What the hell happened out here?" The director demanded coming up to us.
"Some idiot-" Emmett started and I interrupted him momentarily so the director would know who it was.
"Mike. It was Mike."
Nodding, Emmett continued. "Mike grabbed her wrist and wouldn't let go, even after she asked him to."
"I'll talk to him," The director said angrily. "Bella, you have the rest of the day off."
I was thankful I was already crying, because if I hadn't been, I would have started to. "No, please, I can work."
I pleaded with him. I couldn't afford to miss the rest of my shift. I needed the money.
"No. I'd rather you go home." He replied firmly. Damn. This wasn't good. Taking a deep breath, I resigned myself to the fact that this next paycheck would be a little tight. Wonderful.
Edward let go of my hand, saying "It just looks bruised."
I nodded, standing up and wiping my eyes. I wanted to go home. I didn't have the cash to go out to lunch now and I really wanted to just be alone, safe.
"Come on, you're defiantly coming to lunch with us now." Alice said, pulling me along.
"Please, I'd just like to-" I started saying, only to be interrupted.
"You're coming. End of story." Alice said.
"Don't argue with her. She'll get you to come along anyway." Jasper spoke up and I said nothing more. I'd make it through. I always did.
This story is posted over at Twilighted. I am looking for a co-author. Must be a registered user on Twilighted, as that will be the main posting site.
Okay, so I started another story...This is not actually based on a true story or anything, though, sadly, I scared my mom when she read the prologue. It hit home for her. I wasn't trying to do that, but I did.
So, I suggest that you go read it, because I'm looking for a co-author! Yes, I, MysticIce24 am looking for a co-author. This is going to be an emotional based story. I have it rated NC-17, because honestly, while I have an outline, I'm still not sure what's going to happen.
Co-author requirements:
I am looking for a co-author (1) on this. I have chapter one started in my head. But I will not continue without a co-author. If you desire to co-author with me, please send me a PM with:
Your name, a story you've written (preferably completed, but long enough to get a sense of your writing), and the reason why you want to co-author with me (THIS ONE IS IMPORTANT), penname on Twilighted
I'm going to give a week for people to apply. If I don't have a lot of applicants, I'll give it one more week and then decide out of who applies.