A/N:
Here it is! The Long One! If some of you are dancing right now then good! That is exactly the response I want you to have :) And, guess what, turns out that this one is 4.5k - whoa!
I'm not sure how intense things are going to get as I'm writing this over two days, but I know that it will have a certain extent of lemons. Not the full monty – or full lemony – but pretty dicey shit is going down.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy. As always.
Plus, Stephenie Meyer is the chick in charge of all these characters. Send thanks to her in the form of reviews for me :P
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter Five
Bella POV
It was Monday already. How come time goes so much faster when all you want it to do is fucking stop? I hadn't seen pretty boy since our encounter at the store, but I was dreading today. Dreading it so much that I was awake at five am. And I never woke up at five am.
Fucking goddamn it all!
Now Monday was here, the hours were crawling past. As if the universe wanted to draw out the unnecessary pain that would be my first awful day at a new school. Especially at the shitty Reservation High.
At six thirty, I gave up. I threw my half finished horror novel onto the floor and slammed my way into the bathroom. If I was awake, I would make sure Charlie fucking suffered along with me. This was all his fault, after all.
I met him downstairs when I was suitably dressed for my first day. It would piss him off... and that was really the point.
Black nail varnish, black halter top that showed just the right amount of stomach and boobs, denim skirt that showed off just a little too much leg... and knee high boots that even the gals on the street corners would find offensive. I had my hair down and it was curling nicely at the ends.
Today was looking up.
As I walked through the door into the kitchen, I heard Charlie choke on his cereal. Then I saw the river of milk running down his chin. It was so hard to stop the laughter that threatened to burst from past my lips.
Instead, I did a twirl and smiled at my father.
"How do I look?" I tried to sound like I was asking a serious question, curbing the smile slightly to avoid looking like I was trying to annoy him. Even though that was the whole fucking point.
"You look... uhmm..." Charlie coughed. "Nice, Bells."
"Really?" I choked back another bout of laughter. "It isn't too much, is it? I just want to look good for my first day."
"It might be a little..." he coughed again. "Much." He was trying to avoid any traps. Smart man. Though I knew a surefire way to catch out the bastard.
"In what way, Charlie?" I batted my eyelids and smiled sweetly at him. As if I really wanted to know his opinion.
"Well, the whole outfit... it's a little..."
"What, Charlie? What is it?"
"It is a little trashy."
Perfect. He had fallen for it. Now I wouldn't feel too bad for starting an argument... Hell, who was I kidding? I was just looking for a fucking excuse to start one.
"Trashy?" I yelled. "And you would know! You with your bullshit affairs and your bastard kids! Do I have any other brothers or sisters you need to tell me about, Charlie? Anything else that gives you the fucking right to call me trashy?"
"Isabella..." Trying to be forceful was not Charlie's forte.
"Maybe I'm playing up to my role, Charlie. The one you created for me the day you fucked a married woman!" And with that I stomped outside.
As soon as I got the the end of the drive, I experienced a really uncomfortable deja vu. I had nowhere to freaking go. No way to get to school... Not that I was complaining...
Then I felt a hand tap my shoulder. I knew it was Charlie before I even turned around. I wondered what the hell he could possibly want after all the shit I had just thrown at him.
"Bells, I'm sorry..."
Whoa. That was a surprise. He was apologizing for a fight that I instigated... Again, not that I was complaining. I simply crossed my arms and waited, knowing that there was more to come from the creases or worry that lined Charlie's forehead.
As I waited, I noticed how old Charlie was starting to look. All this affair crap was beginning to take it out of him. Being Chief of police, his job was sure to be more stressful because of everything... Then again, it was his own fault.
"I actually wanted to give you something today." I raised my eyebrow... this was unexpected.
"Something like what?" I realised I sounded ungrateful. "Like a slap?" I was trying to be funny. "I know I deserve it sometimes Charlie... Sorry about all that shit in the kitchen..."
"It's okay." He smiled and patted me on the shoulder. "And, well," he used the same hand to scratch the back of his head. "I got you a car."
"What the fuck? Are you shitting me?"
"No, it's just over there."
I turned around to see a 1950's chevvy truck parked behind Charlie's cruiser. It's red finish was almost the same colour as the rust the clung to the edges, it's wheels were balding, and you could just tell by looking at it that the engine would need work in the not-so-distant future. But I didn't give a damn. I fucking loved it.
"Whoa! Charlie! Thanks! It's... wow." I ran towards it and pressed my nose up against the driver's side window. "This is seriously mine?"
"All yours, Bells. A little welcome to Forks present."
"You're trying to buy me off, aren't you?" I laughed, causing Charlie to smile.
"Of course." He continued to smile as he walked towards me and handed me a set of keys.
"Where the hell did you find her?"
"Bought her off Billy Black. Jacob brought her round last night. I'm surprised you didn't hear... the engine isn't exactly subtle..."
"Then it's just the right fit for me. I'm not exactly subtle either, am I?" I laughed again. I couldn't help myself. "Thanks, Charlie. I think I'll take her for a quick ride before school."
"Sounds like a good idea, Bells. Have a good first day."
Charlie walked back to the house, shut the front door and walked into the living room. I saw him pick something up and head back towards the front door. He pulled it open and threw something out to me. I was surprised when I caught it, even more surprised when I saw what it was.
"You got me a backpack?"
"Got to be prepared. See you at dinner."
With that he shut the front door. I guessed it was so I wouldn't throw the bag right back at him. But I couldn't bring myself to be mad at him anymore. He may have won this battle, but he had definitely not won the fucking war.
I got into my new car, threw my bag onto the passenger seat and started up the engine. She boomed into life with an almighty roar. Fucking awesome.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The eyes had followed me as soon as I had opened the door of my car. It was as if all the dicks at the Rez high knew I was coming and were waiting for me to slip up. But I wasn't going to let that happen. I wasn't going to let them see how much their hate bothered me.
I tried to take in my surroundings, to figure out the best escape routes if anything got really serious. Though I was finding it hard to concentrate on the single story school made entirely out of red bricks. My eyes were starting to fucking bleed. It was as if someone had looked into my own personal hell and sent me here for their own amusement.
This day was set to be a god awful disaster.
I had thought the worst part of my day was when Jacob bounded over to my car and slipped his arm around my waist. Announcing to fucking everyone that he was my escort... and not specifying in what way. Now people were bound to think the worst. Again, not that I cared about their damn opinions.
But, no. I had been wrong. So freaking wrong that I wanted to go back in time and punch myself in the face.
Third period. Just before lunch. Biology. I had been sat next to my fucking half sister. Neither me nor Leah were best impressed with the situation. At least she had the rest of the bloody class on her side, all staring daggers at me as I took my aisle seat next to her.
Charlie wasn't wrong when he had said that we were going to share some classes, but I wished we weren't sharing them this closely. The teacher was surely taking the piss. He must either have it out for Leah, or for new kids. Either way, the situation was messed up... Now I was screwed for the rest of the semester. Sitting next to family that I didn't even know.
I wasn't paying attention at all throughout the lesson. Luckily, I hadn't been called on once. The only thing I was focused on was staying as far away from Leah as possible. Perched on the edge of my seat with my elbows hanging off the desk. Ignoring Leah's continuous stares as she obviously wished me dead.
Halfway through the droning lecture from Professor Mac-Shit-For-Brain... or whatever the fuck his name was, my pen rolled across the desk. Towards Leah. Godamnit! I went to reach over and grab it, but she got there before me. She rolled it in between her fingers, taunting me. I growled at her and extended my hand. Not giving her an option. She had to give it back to me. It was fucking mine after all.
Before I knew it, she had taken the cap off the pen and rammed it into my open palm. Hard enough that it drew blood. She had stabbed me with my own bastard pen! It was standing there, mocking me grotesquely, as it stayed stuck in the midst of my flesh.
As soon as it sunk in, I growled properly. I pushed back my stool, grabbed the pen with my other hand and threw it back in her face.
"You fucking bitch."
"Fuck off, bastard kid. Can't you see you aren't wanted?"
With that, I slapped her. Hard. So hard that her lip began to bleed. I grimaced at her as the rest of the class watched our fucked-up little family showdown.
Before anyone had chance to retaliate, before the teacher could shut up long enough to pay attention, before the rest of the class turned on me and ripped me to fucking shreds; I ran. I bolted out of that damn classroom and didn't even look back.
I only stopped at the girl's bathroom long enough to grab a handful of tissues to wrap up my still bleeding hand, then I hightailed it out of school and to my only sanctuary. I was so grateful right then for my new bloody car.
As soon as I started the engine, I knew where I was headed. One placed that I promised I would be. I had to go to Forks High... It was almost lunchtime, after all.
I didn't have a fucking clue where I was headed, all I knew was that I had to avoid Charlie's house and all aspects of the police force. Especially the station. I couldn't let it get back to him that I had skipped out on my first day of school... not after all the trouble he had gone through this morning.
It took me fifteen minutes of aimless driving around the middle of Forks before I found a sign that pointed me in the direction I wanted to go. This shit was not being made easy for me.
When I finally pulled into the damn parking lot, I stifled a scream as I noticed that there were no available spots for me to park. So I took some fucking initiative, drove right up to the front of the school, parked directly on the verge blocking any public access and almost destroying a bench. Brilliant.
The bell seemed not to have gone for lunch, so I was glad I could avoid anymore staring as I slammed my door closed and stomped off to find the cafeteria. It was almost twelve thirty. I guessed their lunch period began at half past the hour and, what would you know, I was freaking right.
I had just settled myself into a chair at a table near the back of the room when the flood of people surged in. I recognised most of the fuckers in my year.
There was Newton pulling his little slut Jessica by the hand, rumor had it that she was letting people pay her for sex now... Then came Tyler. He was a good guy as things go, but majorly whipped by his bitch Lauren. Angela, Ben and Eric followed meekly behind the power couples. The geeks, if you will. I had never heard Angela say a goddamned word, Ben was afraid of conflict and girls, and Eric was a horny bastard that tried to fuck anything that moved. He had tried it on with me once, but I had punched him in his too big mouth. Teach the cunt a lesson.
They saw me, I knew they did. Their stares weren't exactly inconspicuous. Coupled with the pointing and whispering, I knew I had made an impact. But I couldn't bring myself to give a fuck. There was only one person I was waiting for.
He arrived at my table without me even noticing. Leaning over me, causing me to jump and break from my staring contest with Newton, he whispered a greeting. I tried to contain my indiscreet blush as he took an available seat to my left.
"Hey." I grinned as he pulled his seat just a little bit closer to mine.
"Hey back at you." His smile made me thankful I was sitting down, it was as if my knees were turned into jelly. Christ, I wanted him so badly.
"Good first day?" I had to think of other things, less dirty things...
"Not really... I've been counting the hours until lunch. It's been quite a distraction. You're quite a distraction..." he leaned forward and tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear. As he leaned back, his cool hand traced the line of my jaw gently leaving me with a line of inexplicable goosebumps on my secretly smoldering skin.
"Well," I took a deep breath as calmly as I could manage. "It's nice to know that I have that effect on people."
"So, how was your day?"
"It could have been better."
I was honest, but I hid my right hand underneath the table as I grinned. I was still grasping a handful of tissue and didn't want him to ask questions. The fucking thing was painful enough without having to relive it.
"So..." He raised an eyebrow at me as he rested his chin on his hand.
"What?" I looked back quizzically and shrugged my shoulders.
"Are you ever going to tell me anything about yourself?"
"Hmm..." I pretended like I was seriously considering his question. "No."
"Why? I want to know everything about you. All about your life, your family..."
"Yeah fucking right." I snorted. I couldn't help myself. "As soon as I start talking about myself you'll be running a fucking mile pretty boy."
Fuck. Had I just called him pretty boy? Out loud? Fuck! Luckily, he either hadn't been listening or he was simply ignoring my remark. Whichever was the truth, I was bloody thankful.
I leaned back in my chair, trying to appear nonchalant, as I pulled the chair opposite me closer with my leg and propped my feet up. I couldn't let him see what effect he was having on me. So, I closed my eyes lazily as I folded my arms, hands still hidden under one another.
"At least tell me your name..." his voice had an edge that I liked. He wanted to know. Really wanted to know. Maybe he wasn't like the other walking hard-ons...
"Bella. Hey."
"Bella... is that short for anything?" His eyes lit up, greedily consuming the information I was allowing him to have.
"Isabella, but if you call me that I might have to break your face."
"Okay," he laughed. Not nervous laughter, just genuine happy friendly laughter. Fuck, I was liking this guy.
"Bella..." He practically purred my name, pulling me from my daydream. His voice was as powerful as his orgasmic crooked smile. God, I loved it when he said my name. I could imagine him saying it in so many ways...
"Edward." I raised my eyebrow and leaned just a little bit closer to him.
"I like it when you say my name." He grinned a fuckawesome grin that made me want to mount him.
Then the bell went. The fucking godamned bastard bell went. Edward's gaze didn't drop from my own, and I knew I would have to be the one to break it. That almost bloody well killed me, knowing that I would have to be the one to get up first.
So, I did. I scraped back my seat, stood up, pulled down my hitched up skirt and hid my still bleeding hand behind my back. I smiled sadly down at him as he sighed and got up too. How had an hour gone by so freaking fast?
"I've got Biology now, how about you?"
"I had it before lunch." I sighed.
He put his forefinger under my chin and tilted my head up so I had to look at him. I had never noticed before how much paler his skin was than my own. Not that it was a rare thing to find, I was part Native American after all.
"You don't go here, do you?" Edward whispered softly.
All I could do was shake my head in response. I couldn't quite make out the word 'no'. I wanted to rub at my eyes, but settled for blinking furiously. I didn't want to draw attention to the fact that my eyes were watering. I didn't even know how a guy was having such a fucking strong effect on me.
Suddenly, the finger was gone from my chin. Edward was bent down over the table and writing something on a piece of scrap paper. He folded it neatly and held it out to me.
"Come and see me. Tonight. Here."
I took the piece of paper from his hand and looked away from his beautiful green eyes. All other beauties in the world were shit compared to him. Unfortunately, I couldn't look back up as my eyes were watering too badly. Fuck it!
"Thank you," he whispered softly and kissed me on the top of my head. "For coming to see me anyway."
I was pulled into a hug and embraced not only by him but by his smell. Never had anything smelled so amazing in all my life. It was fucking intoxicating... but in the best possible way. His grasp was strong for a slim guy, and I felt safe. I don't care if I sound like a complete freak reject, but it felt like home. I never wanted him to let go.
But then he was gone. Walking away so quickly that I was afraid he regretted it. He didn't look back once. He just pissed off with no goodbye. I had to read that note...
I unfolded it and began to read as I walked back to my car. His handwriting was almost as incredible as him. I was lost amongst the letters for a while before I could even begin to read. Though, when I started, I never wanted to stop.
Bella, he wrote in perfect handwriting. Please don't be mad that I walked away with no goodbye. I simply couldn't bring myself to say it. I don't want it to feel like I'm never going to see you again. So, I refuse to say goodbye. I couldn't look back at you, otherwise I would never have left. Please, meet me tonight in the parking lot of Forks High. Let's say nine pm? I'll be here a little earlier, and I'll wait for at least an hour. I need to see you. Please. Be. Here. Edward x
He signed it with a kiss. A single kiss. My eyes teared up even more as I read the note over and over and over. Never wanting to stop. What a dick! How was he doing this to me?
I didn't hear someone following me until it was too late. I was within arms reach of my car, but was roughly pulled around the corner. A hand was clamped firmly onto my mouth and my back was shoved roughly against the corner of a hidden alley. I didn't know Forks High had any hidden alleys... places where no one would see you...
Newton leered into my face; breathing his hot, pungent breath into my partially covered nostrils. He looked me up and down, eye fucking me, before taking a lungful of air so he could launch into a little speech.
"Couldn't stay away, could you? You little bitch. What the hell is your problem? He is way too fucking good for you. You don't deserve to wipe the shit from his fucking shoes. I warned you. I told you to back off. But you couldn't listen. You never could listen, could you? Ignorant slut. Now I'll just have to teach you a lesson."
I didn't know what Newton had planned, but I didn't want to stick around and find out. I had to figure out my options, and fast.
So, I bit the hand that was still covering my mouth. While he was distracted, I kicked him in the knee and ran for the opening in the alley. I knew when I got there I could call for help, maybe even just run straight to my godsend of a new car.
But I didn't make it. Newton grabbed my hair from behind and spun me around. I fell onto my ass and scraped the backs of my legs on the gravel. He was leering over me, taking way too much pleasure in the blood that was slowly trickling from under me. The coppery smell of it clung to the air, from my legs and from the newly opened wound on my hand. I was thankful then that I'd never had a weak stomach. I had never been a pussy.
I was daydreaming. Fuck. My mind always chose the wrong moments to desert me. I had to focus on the matter at hand. I had to get away from this wackjob. Though I didn't know what options I had left.
Then, he was on top of me. Just fucking launched himself on top of me, scratching my legs worse on the ground. His clammy, disgusting hands were ripping at my top while his dick pushed hard against my thigh.
"Get the fuck off me!" I finally found my voice enough to growl. "What's your little dog Jessica going to think about this?"
"She'll think what I fucking tell her to think! Now shut up, bitch. It's time you learned your lesson."
His hands had pulled up my top enough so that it was almost smothering me, now he was getting to work on my skirt. It was right then that I wished I had worn more clothing. Why the fuck was Charlie always right?
Newton soon lost interest in my exposed breasts as he hauled my skirt down my legs. I had enough time to pull down my top as he tried desperately to stay on top of my flailing legs. But, as soon as my skirt reached my knees, I couldn't wriggle anymore.
My arms were pinned above my head with one of Newton's hands as his other ripped my underwear. I screamed as the elastic broke, but was soon stopped by an elbow to the face. I was seeing stars. My head was throbbing. I was sure my nose was bleeding.
Then I felt it. Jolting me from the clouds of pain. An intrusive finger being jammed inside me so hard I yelped. But Newton didn't care. He only laughed. Laughed then carried on. Each time pressing harder, scoring my soft flesh with his dirty fingernails.
I continued to writhe around, to try and dislodge the bastard, but he was firmly stuck on top of me. So I realised I would have to scream again. I didn't care if he broke my fucking nose, I had to get him off me.
I heard him unzipping the fly on his jeans. Now was my moment. I screamed. I screamed for all I was fucking worth.
I felt a blow hit me on the side of my already bloody face. My neck couldn't seem to support it's weight anymore. I almost knocked myself out when my head lolled backwards and smashed onto the floor.
Then I was being punched in the stomach. Someone was yelling. It had to be Newton, but I couldn't make out what he was saying. All I knew was that after each punch I wanted to fucking die. It was excruciating. I was already being tortured, so I screamed again.
A different voice suddenly appeared. I felt the weight of Newton being hauled off me. Unconsciously, I curled myself into a little ball to protect myself from further beatings. As I lay on the ground, listening to the shouting above me, I pulled up my skirt as far as it would go.
I was in the air. How had I gotten into the fucking air? Someone was carrying me. I blinked my eyes furiously and stared hard at the person below me. But it didn't make sense. It couldn't make sense. How the hell would he know where I was?
As I passed out, I wondered if my mind was truly messed up after the encounter with Newton... or if Jacob really had come to my rescue...