I thought this chapter would be a bit longer, but it still is pretty big. Anyways, hope you enjoy it :D I definitely had fun writing. And I love your reviews!!
You're better than a hot -looking beat up Edward...no wait, maybe not.
I hopped off to my morning class.
Biology—cringe. Mike was in this class.
But, funnily enough, when he glanced at me, he was about to say something then paused and kept walking, he looked shaken up. I just shrugged it off, grateful for whatever turn of events had turned his mind off me for once.
It sounded conceited, but it was Mike—he could only think of one thing for an extended period of time—and since he was always coddling over me... It all fit. But, his sudden reluctance was unexpected but greatly invited.
I was going on a real date with Edward tonight in Port Angeles, we were going to see a movie or something...maybe have dinner.
I was off on my own cloud of Edward, not noticing my surroundings, so I blushed a deep red when the teacher asked me to answer a question I knew nothing about. I hadn't been listening, hadn't even been aware there were other people in the room. Woops. He frowned at me and asked someone else. I
bit my lip and tried to buckle down and concentrate. Mr. Berty had to leave the room to go get the equipment for our lab today, so I sat doodling across my binder, very careful not to scrawl Edward's name...or his eyes...or his lips... I looked down, realising I had drawn all three. Fuck it! I quickly destroyed all trace of my pictures, rubbing them out with my eraser, nervously glancing around to see if anyone noticed. Apparently nobody had...except one.
He hesitated at his desk for a moment then resolved formed in his expression, he put on a cocky grin and made his way over to my lab table. "Hey, how's it going?" I glared him down, not opening my mouth to reply. I put my attention back down to my binder.
"You're writing his name all over your notebook?" he scoffed. I glared again, harder.
Damnit, why couldn't looks kill?
He rolled his eyes at me. "You just wish it was you." I murmured. He snorted.
"Well, at least I'm not a tool like Edward." He spat. I stared at him incredulously and laughed.
"You think you're not?" I asked, disbelieving his stupidity, he was even more dumb than I thought.
"I'm not!" he whined. He cleared his throat, realising what a douche he sounded like, maybe that's what I should call him from now on.
Douche. "You could get a lot more from me." He winked. I glowered at him. "Awwh, don't be like that," he whinged.
My hands were balled into fists as he slid into the seat next to mine. "I can give you everything you ever wanted. You'll be begging for more, baby." I could feel the bile rising in my throat when he whispered that in my ear. "Fuck...off." I told him, speaking slowly enough so Douche would get it through his thick fucking skull. His blue eyes twitched a bit.
"Ohh, I like the way that sounds," he murmured. I felt his hand creep up my thigh. I swatted it off.
"Keep your fucking hands to yourself!" I hissed, nobody noticed, they were wrapped up in ignorance. I stood up, needing to get out of this claustrophobic chamber, he was so close I could smell him. I didn't like it. I pushed my chair back and ran out of the classroom, leaving my books behind. I'd get them later.
I was outside the cafeteria taking in deep breaths of the moist morning air around me. A hand grabbed at my wrist, turning me around.
"I said, fuck off!" I shouted. Douche just smirked, leaning closer, rubbing up against me. With that, my anger boiled over.
"FUCK YOU, YOU FUCKING PIECE OF SHIT. GO DIE IN A FUCKING HOLE, YOU FUCK!"
I brought my hand forward, punching him in the eye. "Argh! Bella, fuck!" I shook my hand out, god it hurt. But god, was that fucking worth it. I scowled down at his pitiful form, crouching on the damp grass, weeping. "Touch me, come near me or talk to me again, and I will guarantee your eye won't be the only thing hurting." I warned under my breath, he nodded.
I turned away, smiling.
Bella: one. Douche bag: zero.
Yes, today was excellent.
I even got back to class before the teacher did, so he didn't notice my absence, so no detention there. I felt strong. I felt so fucking great. I had never cursed that much in my life. But it just came out, acid flowing free from my tongue. But I didn't even try to stop it. He got what he deserved. I flitted down the hallways and into Gym.
Although it was a pretty crappy subject, it still couldn't dampen my heightened spirits. We were doing volley ball—joy. Oh, well. I ran into a few people—and that was before I had left the change rooms. When I was out on the court, I hit four people in the head, tripped over my own feet, and managed to scratch some girl accidentally.
I apologised profusely. She said it was okay. I didn't believe her, she just wanted me to shut up. I didn't really know her name anyway, no loss of friendship there at least. After taking down half my team when I tripped, coach Clapp, blew the whistle for the end of the lesson.
I was grateful, really needing to see Edward again. I changed swiftly, flying through the Gym doors and into my English room. It was already half full, Edward was sitting in his usual seat in the back. I grinned and blushed at seeing him, he grinned back, his eyes alight. He scanned me as I came closer, I tried in vain to hide my bruised hand, nonchalantly hiding it behind my back. His eyes narrowed.
"Hiding something are we?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
I shrugged. "I don't know what you're talking about." I said innocently. He caught my hand as I turned to sit down. "Hey!" I complained. He held it gently, examining closely, leaning in, his brow furrowed. Then, understanding flashed across his face. Then...then there was anger. He glared up at me. "What did he do?" he asked, his voice hard.
"He was being a creep. I punched him. He cried." Edward blinked. "He...what?" he giggled.
"He cried?!" That seemed to satiate his attention. I sat down, grinning. "Yup," I answered. "Like a little girl." He sighed, wiping at his eyes. "Oh, you are just awesome." He leaned over the aisle, planting a kiss on my lips. The teacher cleared his throat then, eyeing us pointedly. After getting our attention, he began with the lesson.
I couldn't help but smile whenever I heard Edward snigger about Douche—I mean Mike.
***
It was an hour drive to Port Angeles. And it was a Friday, so we had plenty of time to be out late with no school in the morning.
Edward took me to his house first up, saying he had something to show me. I walked in, feeling comfortable there now, not like a person—it would be a while before I could feel like I belonged here as a person—more like a piece of furniture. Like a lamp or coffee table.
I frowned at myself, I was comparing myself to appliances and furniture. Maybe I should go see a shrink. Snapping me out of my reverie, Edward took my hand, leading me down the other side of the massive living room to his piano. "You do play!" I exclaimed.
"I knew it!"
He grinned and motioned for me to sit. I did, bouncing with excitement. He sat down beside me, his fingers trailing gracefully over the keys.
It was beautiful, not a melody...just notes, he was warming up. I waited, watching his face.
He was concentrating. Then he closed his eyes, leaning his head back slightly, taking a deep breath. And without opening them, he began to play. No words, there were no words. Such a beautiful tune...unbelievable...breath-taking. It was as harder to describe the beauty of this than it was a sunset...or the Mona Lisa.
I sighed, closing my eyes. He ended it on a slightly higher note then a low one. "What was that?" I squeaked, amazed and awe-struck. He smiled my crooked smile, wiping at a tear that had streamed down my cheek. I hadn't realised. "Something you inspired." He answered simply, smiling again.
"You—wrote...you wrote that...for me?" I whispered. He nodded, sliding closer, cupping my cheek.
"But music can't compare to you." He kissed my forehead, grazing his lips down my temple. Oh, was he good at this.
I knew I deserved it, from teasing him this morning. From playing so sweetly, to playing so dirty, all in a matter of seconds. His lips kissed my cheek gently, moving to my jaw, my ear-lobe. I shuddered, turning so I was straddling the piano bench. He turned too. I was breathing in quick, shallow breaths.
He smiled against my skin, making his way down my neck and to my collar bone. My hand reached around his neck, combing through his hair. Two can play at that game. He paused, his breathing hitched. I smiled, trying to stop myself from laughing victoriously.
But then his lips moved to the hollow at the base of my throat, going back up to my chin. I groaned, sighing.
"Alright, you win." I granted. He leaned back, grinning widely. I rolled my eyes and stood up. I had come to realise how attracted I was to Edward, and I knew I would only want more.
I blushed at those thoughts, turning pink, I swivelled around, blocking Edward's view. He came up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist, his lips travelling down my neck again.
Oh, crap...he...what? Oh...what was I doing? Er...Edward...Mmm, Edward. Wait, no. Huh?
Even my thoughts were incoherent. He stopped at the corner of my mouth, his lips lingering.
"You're the dangerous one." I told him, repeating his earlier words.
He smiled, turning me around to face him. Oh, thank goodness. I thought I was going to explode with impatience. His mouth came down on mine, gentle yet passionate. I clutched his shirt, his hands were holding my face. My tongue traced his bottom lip and I thought I would faint.
Motherfucker, I was battling with myself.
Stay cool. But he was the first to break it. "Okay. You win now." I laughed. "Yay!" I clapped, feeling like a parody of Alice.
"Come on, we should go." I nodded, grabbing his hand and towing him back out the front door. He started the engine after buckling me in, the purr of the Volvo was so different to my truck, so much quieter. I was grinning the entire ride there. We chatted about trivial things, mostly about school. It was pleasant.
I was having a great time without even trying. We were reaching the town outskirts now, the deep forest was starting to thin out, spotted in places with small cottage houses or businesses. It was beautiful, really. It was around five o'clock, so I suggested we saw a movie first.
Edward bought the tickets, not allowing me to, of course. We had a little while to wait before it started so we went browsing through the small shops that were still open. An antique jeweller's seemed to catch Edward's attention. He dragged me in there and we had a look. I stopped by a heart shaped diamond-looking pendant bracelet. It was magnificent.
So beautiful. But the price tag made me cringe internally. Quickly looking away before my heart broke, I decided to explore the section at the back. There were sterling silver rings and necklaces. I bit my lip, considering buying something.
I decided not to, I shouldn't waste my money...I needed to save it for college anyway. When I turned back to the front, Edward was at the counter, black shiny credit card in hand.
My eyes widened. I warily walked up to him, he ignored my probing eyes and walked me outside. He sat down on the park bench, I sat beside him. He pulled out the box he was concealing and balanced it on my knee. I looked up at him, my brow furrowing in a worried expression. "Whenever you see it, you'll be reminded of me. You'll know I'm always with you...in some way." I opened the small white box, knowing what I would find. The diamond heart bracelet.
"Edward, I—" I shook my head. "I can't take this," He shook his head then.
"Please?" he begged, leaning forward, gazing up at me under his eye lashes. I was hypnotised. "O-okay," I stuttered.
"I will." He grinned then, clasping the bracelet on my left wrist before kissing it, then kissing me on the lips. "The movie is about to start, we should get going." I nodded, still in a trance. I didn't really understand the movie. It was pretty low-budget, crappy horror movie with tomato sauce and plastic heads. Edward didn't like it either.
We pretty much laughed all the way through, especially when a girl in front of us screamed. That just made us erupt into a fit of giggles. I cried because I laughed so hard. We strolled hand in hand outside into the cool air. I could smell the ocean off the docks close by. It was calming.
The salt and sand was a heavy perfume in the air, but not unpleasant like most beaches in the pacific North West. We were laughing about the movie some more, making our way back to the Edward's car.
We had to park a fair way away, the limited car park was full when we arrived.
Edward stuck close by my side as we walked the dark and murky back streets of Port Angeles. We had to walk in front of a seedy bar named Paulie's. There were drunk men stumbling out of it and puking in the gutter. I made disgusted face, squeezing Edward's hand tighter.
"Oh, hey baby!" one slurred, staggering out drunkenly onto the sidewalk in front of us. Edward pulled me behind him slightly, angling his body so he was shielding me. But the guy held no threat, just as he took a step forward, Edward poked him in the chest and he fell backwards, rolling over then started snoring into the pavement.
"Hey, wait!" another slurred in a husky voice. I was closest to the entrance now, Edward was trying to pull me away. "Ugh, another one." I muttered. "Yo, Bella!" they called. I stiffened. Oh, no! That voice had haunted my dreams.
That voice was the one I heard hiss threats in my ears. My breaker.
"Jacob," I choked out, ready to vomit like the drunk men on the ground. His tallish build staggered out into the street lit opening. Edward's hands had appeared around my arms. I couldn't move, I couldn't speak...I was paralysed.
"Edward," was all I said, but in that one word, I could hear and Edward could hear the fear and distress.
Without another moment passing, Edward now stood in front of me. But Jacob kept talking.
"I wanted to talk to you. You need to listen this time." Edward took a step forward then. "You will never talk to her again." He threatened. His voice even frightened me. It was the voice grown men could be afraid of. He seethed with hatred, of fury. Something flickered in Jacob's eyes.
He leaned around so he could look at me. I held on tight to Edward's jacket, trying to glare but failing. He spoke then, sounding almost like a dog's growl. "You told him," he accused. "Didn't you? It was just sex! You fucking wanted it!" I just stared, eyes brimming with tears. All my bravery from my brawl with Mike had dissipated. Jacob's hand reached forward to touch me, Edward's hand flew out, grabbing his wrist and bending it the other way. He threw him against the brick wall, pulling his bent arm all the way up his back. "Argh! Get the fuck off me!" he shouted.
"It was not just sex," I said, my voice shaking, on the verge of more tears.
"It was rape."
Edward flinched, he didn't know all this yet. What a way to find out—kind of at the perfect time actually, Jacob in his capable hands right now.
I could see his hands tighten, one was on his neck, and I knew he yearned to kill him right there. I was trembling, unable to control my emotions. Edward glanced back at me, I met his eyes. The muscles in his jaw tensed but he let go of Jacob, letting him slide to the pavement. He stood over him then.
"Stay the fuck away, or I'm calling the police." He warned, and I knew he hated to involve the police, I knew he would rather take care of it himself. I finally found my feet and ran. I ran. Edward was behind me, easily keeping up. I was sobbing, too. It was hard to breathe. I reached the car and collapsed onto the road. I sobbed loudly, my whole frame was shaking. "Bella," Edward said, his voice was contorted.
"Bella. Come here," he said, whispering. He picked me up off of the wet road and sat me down in the car. He left the door open and kneeled on the sidewalk in front of me. "Bella. Please, don't cry." He begged in a pained voice. "I can't stand it." His voice wasn't the furious growl it had been before, but he sounded like he was in agony.
I sniffed, wiping at my eyes, the sobbing coming to a halt.
"Now you know," I breathed heavily. He nodded.
"I know. But that doesn't change anything between us. You're still the same. Still beautiful, still smart, still Bella." He smiled half-heartedly, placing his hands on either side of my face.
I let out a broken laugh, sniffing, still blinded by tears.
I watched Edward as his eyes grew darker...a shadow passed across his features. He shut his eyes, breathing heavily but his thumb was stroking my cheek. I put my hand over his, holding it there. His teeth were gritted together, his lips a hard line. He let out a deep breath, scowling at the ground beneath him. He shook his head.
"I should have known..." he whispered to himself. And so quietly, that I wasn't sure about what he actually said, he added, "But that won't matter for much longer."
I would have said something, but what?
Don't go and hurt the guy who raped me? Even mentioning the fact again would just make him want to do it more.
I sighed, anxious and torn. He glanced up at me then, leaned forward and kissed the tip of my nose. He put his forehead against mine, his fingers sprawling through my hair.
"Don't worry now. You're safe." He promised. It was meant to sound reassuring, but his voice was still dark and calculating. He let go of me then and closed my door, running around to his side and hopping in. "I'll take you home, okay?" I nodded, not trusting my voice.
***
The moonlight shone a glistening crescent against the shiny hood of Edward's car.
We came to a stop on the kerb outside my house.
Charlie was on the graveyard shift again, I observed, eyeing the empty space his cruiser usually occupied. I guess I would just go to bed early.
"Do you want me to stay with you until your father comes home?" Edward suggested, tenderly cupping my cheek. I leaned into his hand.
"No," I sighed. "It's okay. I've calmed down now. Go home." I smiled weakly. He frowned, biting his lip. "Are you sure?" it seemed he wanted to more than I did, which was surprising to say the least. It felt like it was more for his benefit...he didn't want me to be alone, he wanted to stay with me, for his sanity and mine, I supposed.
I nodded. "Go on. Go get some sleep. I'll call you in the morning, okay?"
"Okay." He responded morosely. I smiled, kissing him goodnight. He brushed the hair back from my face, stroking my cheek with his fingers. "Night, I love you." I smiled. "Love you, too." He responded, worry still etched in his face. I got out of his Volvo, waving at him.
He waved too, watching my back until I closed the front door behind me. I waited for a few moments, switching the lights on.
Then after a while, I heard his Volvo's engine fade into the distance. I sighed, turning back to lock the door when the phone rang. I started, my heart skipping a beat. "Hello?" I asked in a shaky voice.
"Hey, Bells. It's Dad." I sighed in relief. "Hey, Dad. You on the graveyard shift tonight?" I asked curiously, walking over to the couch and flopping down, exhausted.
"Yeah, kiddo. I am. I just wanted to call and tell you I won't be home until two," he murmured apologetically. "Okay," I sighed. "Make sure you feed yourself." I reminded him, a slight smile on my lips. "Sure thing. Night, honey." "Night, Dad." I heard the dial tone.
I left the phone on the sofa, forgetting about the locks, but turning switching the lights back off.
I dragged my feet up the stairs, they felt so heavy. I yawned, half way up, stretching.
I hadn't realised just how drained I was. I reached my bedroom, breathing a sigh of comfortable relief once my head hit the pillow. But sleep evaded me...even if I'd only been waiting a few minutes for it to consume me. I twisted my wrist around to let the diamond bracelet sparkle in the moon light. It was beautiful. I could feel my eyelids drooping...finally!
But I heard the front door slam. Jerking upright, my heart hammering.
"Dad? I thought you were on the night shift?" I said, frustrated that he'd waken me up.
I marched out of my bedroom, stepping groggily down the staircase. I stopped at the bottom. The lights were still off.
"Dad?" I asked, uneasy.
I small shiver started up my spine, a bead of sweat trickling down my neck, although it was a relatively chilly night—I took that as a bad omen. I turned into the living room, checking to see if he hadn't passed out on the couch. Nope, nothing, I observed, glancing in that direction. Huh. Maybe I had imagined it. My dreams were becoming so vivid.
Because I was paranoid, I breezed over to the front door and locked it, feeling better after doing so. I had forgotten the lamp on the coffee table by the living room. I walked over, leaning down to switch it off.
Then, footsteps that were not mine sounded behind me. Hot breath breathed down the back of my neck... "I told you not to tell," he whispered...I didn't even have time to scream.
:O OH my goddd! I hope you guys liked it! :D I loved this one.
Umm, oh and to one of my favourite reviewers who said Mike should be named Douche, your wish is my command. ;)
LOVE 3