I own nothing Twlight.

Chapter 10 - Love The Way You Lie (Part 2)

"Bella!" My mom had yelled this morning to make sure I was awake.

"Bella," Jacob had smiled at me as I slid into his car.

"Bella?" Mr. Parker had asked during Biology. "Bella?"

I felt a tap on my shoulder and suddenly I realize I'm still in Biology and Mr. Parker is still calling my name. Jessica and some of my other former-friends giggle, and I hear one of them whisper the word "burnout."

"Are you with us?" Mr. Parker asks, from his position by the chalkboard.

No.

"Yes," I reply.

He just smiles at me apologetically, as if he's sorry for even bothering to acknowledge my existence. I don't mind. It reminds me that I'm still alive.

With Christmas break just weeks away, everyone else has also already mentally checked out so I don't seem like that much of a loser in comparison. The lecture resumes in front of me, and I'm free to once again let my mind wander.

I lose myself in my thoughts, my escape from this world, my memories. And I'm finding it harder and harder to pull myself out of them because at least with the memories, I know what's coming and what to expect.

Jacob had showed up at my house one night at 2 a.m. He had thrown some rocks up at my window to get my attention. I came down to meet him and we sat in his car. He didn't speak, didn't say one word. He just cried and I held him.

I didn't need to know what had happened, the bruise forming on his temple was explanation enough for me. It was then that I realized I could never get away. We were one in the same, two broken pieces that somehow fit together. His father had broken him and, in turn, he had broken me. The only difference between us was that he had me to cry to and I had no one.

I was screaming for help and no one could hear me.

I'm walking towards the parking lot when I feel a presence beside me. It's foreign, but familiar at the same time.

"Hey," Emmett's voice fills my ears.

"Hey," I reply, continuing on.

We must look like quite the pair, his gigantic frame coupled with my meek one. I could feel the eyes of everyone on us as we walk down the hallway.

I don't say anything, instead waiting in silence for him to tell me what he wants so I can exit the building and make it to Jacob's car without him seeing the two of us together.

2:36 p.m.

"Are you doing okay?" he asks, putting his hand on my shoulder to halt my movements.

"Yes," I reply dully, sick of that question. Sick of every question.

He just stares at me for another minute, as if he's trying to think of something else to say. I want to tell him it's okay, we were never really friends to begin with so he doesn't have to pretend concern.

2:38 p.m.

"Alice is really worried about you," he goes on.

The shock must be evident on my face, because he continues.

"I know something happened between you two, but she cares a lot about you," he runs his fingers through his short hair in a very Edward-like move.

"She shouldn't worry about me, I'm fine," I repeat the same lie I give everyone when they bother to ask. "I just have a lot going on right now."

2:40 p.m.

"I need to go," I say, pushing his hand off me and walking away.

I push through the doors leading to the parking lot, feeling the soft drops of rain hit my face. Jacob isn't here yet, another afternoon safely made to the willow tree.

"Bella, wait," Emmett jogs up beside me, following me to the tree.

I freeze, not having realized he was still behind me. He needs to leave, he needs to leave now.

2:42 p.m.

"Emmett, I'm fine," I plead. "Please, let me be."

He just shakes his head, not accepting my answer. Doesn't he realize that he's doing more harm than good?

"No you're not," he steps in front of me, standing between me and the parking space. "Edward is worried about you, he doesn't say it but I can tell in the way that he looks at you. Bella, Edward doesn't worry about anyone but himself."

He's trying to press into me the significance in Edward showing concern for another actual human being, but all I can see is Jacob's car pulling into the lot behind him.

2:44 p.m.

Before I can get another word out, Jacob has parked and is out of his car, coming to stand between me and Emmett.

"Is there a problem here?" Jacob asks, putting his arm protectively around my shoulders.

Emmett steps back, clearly surprised by Jacob's sudden appearance. I'm not. I know that Jacob can appear out of anywhere within the drop of a hat.

"No, man," Emmett puts up his hands defensively. "I just wanted to see if Bella was okay."

I want to tell Emmett to shut up. To stop worrying. To get out of here so I could deal with the consequences of the situation he has created for me.

"Bella's fine," Jacob's voice is full of controlled calm, but I know it is all a show. He is seething.

"Why don't you let her answer?" Edward suddenly comes up next to Emmett.

I want to start crying, I want to shout, I want to yell. Don't you see what you are doing? You're trying to help but you're only making it worse. Every word they say is another hit, another mark, another bruise.

Jacob just looks at me, waiting for my response. I can feel his grip on my shoulders tighten. He doesn't need to worry, I know that I need to protect him. He is all I have.

"I'm fine," I repeat my earlier comment. "Lets go, Jacob."

Emmett just laughs, not a funny laugh but a "is this for real?" laugh and turns to go. It doesn't take much to convince him to mind his own business. Edward doesn't budge from his spot. He looks at Jacob, seeing something that I don't. I can see his eyes, at first I see a note of genuine fear which is quickly replaced with pure hatred.

"Edward, come on man," Emmett has stopped a few feet away, having realized Edward hasn't been following him. "It's not worth it."

He's right, I'm not worth it.

Edward looks at Jacob for a few seconds longer before his gaze turns to me. The hatred drains out of his eyes and there is a sadness in them now that I have never seen before.

"I'm sorry," he says, turning to go.

Jacob pushes me towards his car forcefully and I'm not even afraid anymore. I'm resigned to what is coming because I should've known better.

For the first time, the punch comes before we're even fully out of the school parking lot and I think to myself, it won't be too much longer now. He's getting less careful.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoO

The snow starts to fall around midnight. I sit in a chair by my window, watching each flake as it makes its way to Earth. Each one so unique on its own before joining the others on the ground, becoming unrecognizable and unremarkable.

I hold my arm close to my chest, the pain radiating through it even hours later. I'm pretty sure this is the closest Jacob's ever come to breaking a bone.

My iPod player is quietly playing music next to me, creating a soundtrack to the night.

On the first page of our story,

The future seemed so bright.

Then this thing turned out so evil,

I don't know why I'm still surprised.

Even angels have their wicked schemes,

And you take that to new extremes.

But you'll always be my hero,

Even though you've lost your mind.

I'm in my truck driving before I realize what I'm actually doing. The OxyContin has a way of doing that, controlling my actions and I'm just along for the ride.

I don't know where I'm going, I just drive, letting my mind figure out where it wants to go. The snow has started covering the roads, causing them to become slick. My truck fishtails when I come to a stop at the only redlight in town. There are no other people out on the roads, the town of Forks goes to bed early.

I try to drive ten and two, the way my father showed me when he first taught me how to drive, but the movement sends a searing pain up my injured arm.

For some reason, I am not surprised when I finally come to a stop in front of The Lake Mansion. I cut the lights, not wanting to wake any of the house's occupants. I step out of the truck, pulling my coat closer to my body. The snow keeps falling, flake by flake.

My feet crunch against the frozen grass as I make my way towards the dock. It's so dark, I have to move extra slowly to keep from hitting a patch of ice. How funny, after everything, to die from falling into the lake and drowning.

I can tell that the water has started to freeze and I wonder how long I would last in there. I make my way to the end of the dock, the snow has slowed down, just tiny flakes falling now. I move to sit, but lose my balance, catching myself by throwing my hands in front of me. They hit the dock hard and the force sends fire up my arm. I hear a scream sound out, echoing through the darkness. It takes me a second to realize it was my own scream and I bite my lip to keep from further crying out.

I watch the house to see if any lights come on, but none do. The snow soaks the seat of my jeans as I sit, legs crossed. I cradle my arm, letting the tears fall for the first time since Jacob hurt it. I had been trying to protect my head, but he had grabbed my arm, twisting it until we had both heard the snapping noise. The OxyContin had made me feel nothing, but it was now wearing off and the pain was excruciating.

My parents hadn't noticed the pained expression on my face throughout all of dinner. Or maybe they were just so use it, they thought it was my regular face.

My chest heaves in sobs, uncontrollable. How did I get here? Who have I become?

I put my head in my lap, letting the tears overcome me. Everything hurts all of the time, I just want it to stop.

A hand suddenly touches my shoulder and I jerk upward, startled and embarrassed.

"Hey," Edward has lowered himself so that his face is inches from my own.

I turn away, wiping the tears from my cheek. I try to stop them from coming, but they just continue.

"God, you're shaking," Edward says, his breath coming out in puffs. "You're soaking wet, Bella."

I try to speak, but nothing comes out.

"Can you stand?" he asks, rising.

It's then that I notice he's dressed in nothing but pajama pants, a t-shirt and a pair of slippers. And I thought I was the crazy one.

I move to stand, but as soon as my arm reaches to brace myself against the dock, I cry out in pain. Edward doesn't say anything, he just reaches down, picking me up. He cradles me while I cradle my arm. There are no more questions or words as he makes his way up the stairs, to the house. There are no lights on and he doesn't move to turn any on as he makes his way through the rooms.

I want to protest, to insist that he let me walk, but there is nothing. I am nothing.

He carries me up to the elusive third level of the house that I've always been curious about, but never dared ask to see. He hugs me tight to his body and it reminds me that I haven't been hugged in so long. It feels good and warm and safe.

He sets me gently on his bed, taking my shoes and jacket off as he does. He's careful not to disturb my arm too much, but even the slightest movement is painful. I feel warmth coming up around me as he pulls his blanket over top of me.

It's still pitch black in the room when I wake up. I glance at the clock and see that it's 3:34 a.m. I have slept for a couple of hours, but it feels like minutes. My entire body aches as I stretch, holding my arm to my chest as I sit up.

As my eyes adjust to the darkness, I can see Edward lying on the couch on the other side of the room. He's lightly snoring and his shirt has ridden up, revealing a sliver of skin. He even looks stunning in his sleep. Asshole.

I find my shoes next to the bed and quietly work to slip them on, which is a lot harder to do with one hand. I grab my coat and think I'm home-free when the room suddenly illuminates in soft light. Edward is standing by his desk, having turned on the lamp.

"Where are you going?" he asks, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.

"Home," I answer, then make my way towards the door.

He's in front of me instantly, holding the door closed.

"Are you serious? Bella, you need to get your arm looked at," he says, looking down at my arm now hanging limply at my side.

"I just sprained my wrist, it's nothing," I move to push passed him.

He doesn't budge.

"And you just fell and hit your cheek on the ground? And you bumped your leg on the edge of a table? And bashed your lip too hard on a cup?"

I glare up at him, feeling rage fill me.

"You don't know anything," I fire back.

"I know more than you think."

I just shake my head in disbelief, everything is crashing down and it feels like I'm suffocating under the weight of my own lies.

"Just let my dad look at your arm and then you can go," he reaches out to touch my cheek, but I step back before he can.

"This isn't just some fire you can put out," I see the hurt in his eyes at my words. "This isn't the kind of break you can fix."

We both know I'm not talking about my arm.

"I can't just stand here and watch you burn," he says, more gently now. More careful.

I want to hug him, to tell him that he's the first person in so long that has actually cared. That has actually looked at me and saw something. That hasn't just accepted the lies I told him and went on with his life.

But I don't.

"I'm already ashes," I smile sadly at him.

Before he can respond, I move around him and open the door, not looking back as I quickly and quietly leave the house. The snow has picked back up, falling in giant flakes, so big they almost look fake. I brush off my windshield as fast as I can, afraid Edward will come after me to try and stop me again.

Forks looks like a town straight out of a fairy tale as I drive through it. It's still too early for anyone else to be up, the snow still sits on the ground untouched, undestroyed.

You would never be able to tell that there is so much damage and decay underneath it all, everything looks so perfect.

This is my last thought before I hit the patch of black ice.

This is my last thought as the truck flips over and over.

This is my last thought before everything turns dark.

A/N: I probably won't have the next part up for at least a few days. I know, sorry, I suck. Please let me know what you think.