Chapter 16: Izzy vs. The World

Izzy's/Bella's POV

Well after my little stunt in the kitchen, Carlisle and Esme decided to have a little chat with Emmett and I about safety. Emmett looked all together embarrassed about his actions even after I told him it didn't bother me. After sternly telling Emmett to be more careful now there was a human in the house, Esme and Emmett left. I was a bit confused by this, but turned towards Carlisle. He looked disappointed.

"Izzy you need to stop this kind of behaviour."

I instantly tensed up. I didn't like being told what to do regardless whether I respected Carlisle or not. It was written in my DNA now and I couldn't stop my reaction.

"What kind of behaviour Carlisle?" I snapped. He sighed and laced his hands together in front of him.

"This childish act is a bit pathetic. Really Bella, do you honestly think Edward has not been hurting since he left Forks?"

"What? How dare you?" I snarled. "You have no idea what he put me through."

Carlisle rubbed his forehead and looked up at me with his butterscotch eyes.

"Be realistic Bella. He left for your safety."

I bristled angrily and I felt my teeth clench.

"No! He left because I bored him."

"Excuse me?" Confusion marred his perfect features.

"Oh wait he didn't tell you? That's funny cause that's exactly what he did."

"Bella I don't understand?" He stood up and walked around his desk. I stepped back and he stopped. I was suddenly scared. Not of him, but of what was happening. This wasn't what I wanted. Drudge up painful memories. I had made it a point not to think of that day since the Cullen's came back into my life. I didn't want to loose my composure in front of anyone. Alone in my apartment was another thing all together.

"Bella you needn't be scared of me," Carlisle said softly. I let out a harsh laugh and he flinched. I took another step back and looked at the wall.

"He told me that he didn't love me anymore and that I was nothing more than a distraction to him," I murmured, my eyes boring into the wall.

Carlisle gasped and my eyes snapped to him. He leaned against his desk like he needed support. He looked confused and sad.

"Oh Bella I'm sorry for my sons actions," His voice was full of sorrow. I straightened up and growled at him. Carlisles eyes widened.

Why was everyone apologising for him?

"You don't need to apologize for him Carlisle. It's redundant," I sneered taking another step back. My heels came flush with the door, and I splayed my hands against the wood.

"But you must realize-"

I hissed. "I don't need to realize anything. Your son is a selfish control freak, and when things don't go his way he turns tail and flees. I don't understand how you can be so proud of him."

I stopped when Carlisle straightened up and took a determined step towards me. He frowned deeply at me.

"Bella I understand that your hurting at the moment but don't suggest to think you know Edward the way I do-"

"Edward doesn't even no who he is," I stated, cutting him off. His frown disappeared and was replaced by a pleading look.

"Bella I'm sure if you just went to him and talked-"

"I am not talking to him about anything. I only wanted him pay for what he did to me, but obviously I don't have any kind of effect on him anymore so I guess I'll be going."

Wait… what?

That wasn't part of the plan.

Well it is now.

"Bella you don't nee-"

"Yes I do," I sighed heavily and pushed myself off the door. "I was foolish to think that this was were I belong. I thought you were all so beautiful and exciting when I was a teenager, but now I realize your all just as pathetic as us humans."

Carlisle stumbled back and I froze. Vampires don't stumble.

You hurt him Izzy.

They hurt me.

I turned around and grabbed the door handle. I let out a shaky breath and leaned my head against the warmth of the wood.

"I'm sorry Carlisle but I have to go. I love you all, but I just can't deal with this," I whispered, stepping back and pulling the door open.

"If you run your just as bad as he is," he called after me.

I know.

I ran to the garage and jumped into the Bugatti. I gripped the steering wheel hard until my knuckles turned white. I gunned the engine and peeled out, skidding against the gravel. I glanced in my rear view mirror I could see Esme and Alice standing on the porch. I couldn't focus on their faces because my eyes filled up with tears.

"Goodbye," I whispered.

I grabbed my phone and flicked it open. I punched in the number angrily and held it to my ear.

"Hello? Izzy?"

I sobbed.

"Iz? Baby what's the matter?"

"I'm coming home Kirk. I don't want to talk about it I'm going to the bar. Please meet me there. I need a drinking buddy."

Yeah time to kill a few memories.

"Yeah sure I'll see you in 15 ok."

"Okay."

I closed the phone and threw it on the passenger seat. I punched the gas and manoeuvred around a truck. As I took the turn off I looked in the rear view mirror, and saw that Alice was following me. A canary yellow lamb is kind of hard to miss. I cursed and continued driving 'til I found an unused driveway. I whipped the brake on sharply, and I jumped out of the car before it finished coming to a halt.

Alice-" I yelled but stopped.

Edward got out of the car.

"What are you doing here?" I sneered, turning my back and stalking back to my car. Suddenly he was behind me holding my arms against my side.

"I came to take you home Iz."

Yes take me home.

I shook my head demolishing the thought. He spun me around and I found myself staring into his honeyed eyes. I desperately wanted to say something snarky to him, but I felt all my anger drain from my body. I leaned into him.

"I don't belong with you. Bella may have, but I definetly don't," I whispered into his chest.

He laughed and his hands snaked around my body and crushed me to him.

"Silly Izzy." He murmured softly into my hair, "Bella didn't belong with us. Yes, she was apart of our family, but she stuck out like a sore thumb. You however fit in perfectly."

What was he saying?

"Please come home Izzy. I don't think Esme could handle this."

My heart constricted. Rose and Alice had filled me on just how hard it had been on Esme. I really didn't want to hurt her. I sighed.

"Edward I just need some time. I need to figure out some things."

Yeah like why are you letting him touch you

Because you love him

He hurt you.

He nodded. "That seems fair."

His head snapped up and he looked confused.

"What is it?" I asked, suddenly tense. I turned slightly and scanned the environment. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, but then again I didn't have vampiric senses.

"I'm not sure. Just be careful, ok."

I rolled my eyes and nodded. He smirked and the next thing I knew we were kissing. I'm not sure who started it but I didn't care. I wrapped my arms around my neck, and his hands cupped my bottom lifting me up and against him. I instinctively wrapped my legs around his waist and he moaned.

Well this is new.

My hands grabbed fistfuls of his hair and I used them to pull him harder against my mouth. He obliged by opening his lips and sucking my bottom lip. I gasped as the feeling caused electricity to pool in my stomach. I pulled away and looked at him. His eyes were black with lust and he was panting slightly. He smirked as he lowered me to the ground.

"You know… just a little incentive to get you home faster," he murmured. I stepped back, putting my hands on my hips and frowned at him.

Get it together.

Stop fawning…it's disgusting.

"Wasn't much of incentive Cullen," I snapped trying not to sound like he hadn't affected me at all. He smirked again and I wanted to deck him. His hand reached out, but stopped and he lowered it. He looked at me sadly.

"Just come home Izzy."

Ew smooshy moment.

Say something, it's awkward.

"Oh yes that's what they all say. "Come and live with me in peace and safety, away from all the Wangdoodles, and Hornswogglers, and Snozzwangers, and rotten, Vermicious Knids."

Oh god word vomit.

"Whatever helps you sleep at night Izzy," he chuckled turning towards the lamb. I growled and stalked towards the car. I slammed myself in and waited for Edward to go before I melted into the seat.

Oh my god. Where did Edward learn to do that?

Who cares it was good.

He still needs to pay.

Yes but that can't happen unless your near him idiot.

I slammed my head against the steering wheel trying to get my thoughts to make sense.

"Ow."

Good one stupid.

I rubbed my head furiously before starting the engine up, and driving the rest of the way to Duke's. Kirk was standing at the front pacing. I parked the Bugatti around the back and walked slowly to him.

"What happened?" He asked pulling me into a hug. I shook my head against his shoulder before pulling back.

"To be honest I have no idea. But I really need to get drunk."

He laughed as he led me inside. "Yeah things are so much clearer when you pissed."

"Exactly," I chuckled, settling myself down on a stool. It was a Monday night the only night when Duke's was closed. Only Carl was here, standing on the dance floor whispering furiously into his cell phone. His eyes kept snapping up to me before scrunching angrily. His lips curled viciously over his teeth. He looked like he smelt something nasty.

"Wow! Is Carl pissed at me?"

"Nah. I mean he wasn't happy when you quit, but you know Carl he gets pissed easily."

"Yeah that's true. Who is he talking to?"

"Um dunno," Kirk answered walking behind the bar, and he grabbed the vodka bottle. He poured two shots and handed them both to me. I smiled and skulled both of them back in quick succession. From behind me Carl was getting louder.

"What do you mean? Are you fucking serious? Shit."

I raised my eyebrows before turning to watch Carl stalk behind the bar. Carl visibly stiffened and I stared at him.

"What's up Carl?" Kirk asked tensing up. Seeing Kirk tense made me tense as well. I gripped the edge of the bar and watched Carl carefully. His head snapped to me his eyes boring into me. Suddenly he winced and his eyes widened.

"I've… I've got to go out for a minute," he stuttered, running for the door. I glanced at Kirk and grabbed the JD from behind the bar. I unscrewed it and skulled it. Kirk grabbed it, spilling alcohol everywhere. I ignored it and grabbed a glass. I pointed to the door where Carl had disappeared through.

"He is so weird," I murmured.

"Mmmm," Kirk nodded, still looking at the door, worry sketched on his face.

Just then a sound I never thought I'd hear again keened through the air. It was the cry of a wolf and it was close. Too close.

Jacob?

"Izzy! Get in the back now," Kirk said grabbing my shoulder roughly from over the bar. He gave me a pushed and I almost toppled from the stool. I steadied myself and glared at Kirk.

You should check if it's Jake.

Don't let on though.

"No, Kirk I want to see," I said standing up and I took a step towards the door.

"Isabella get in the back now," he yelled. I turned slowly and stared at him shocked. I had never told him my full name. No one knew it. His face was furious, but his eyes had nothing but worry. From outside growls pierced the air, followed by vicious snarls. Snarls that could only belong to a vampire. My mind couldn't make any sense, clouded by alcohol.

"Kirk what the fuck is going on?" I snarled as I watched him jump over the bar. He grabbed me roughly and pushed me behind him. The door flew open and I half expected to see Carl standing there. The person was shadowed by the light streaming in from the street, but I recognised her immediately.

Victoria.

"I'll explain later Bella," Kirk whispered, pushing me gently.

"It's Izzy now," I hissed. It was stupid but I couldn't wrap my head around the situation.

"Bella go now. I'll hold her."

Right!

"Kirk you can't hold her. She's a vampire."

Guilt kicked me fair in the stomach as I revealed this horrible truth to one of my closet friends. I didn't want him involved in my world.

He nodded. "I know."

Shock and anger coursed through me, but they were quickly overridden by Victoria crouching and then springing. She had Kirk against her teeth before I even registered her jump.

"Should I turn him my dear Isabella?"

Stall.

Save him.

"Why? He'll only kill you once he's changed,"

She nodded thoughtfully and Kirk struggled feebly against her gip.

"I guess your right," She murmured and she threw him across Duke's. I watched in horror as he collided with chairs and tables before coming to a stop against the wall. I couldn't tell if he was alive or dead, and I was torn between lashing out at Victoria and helping my friend. Victoria seemed to notice my internal struggle.

"Oh he's alive… just." She sneered and I turned slowly back to her.

"Why? Why now?"

"Oh dear little Bella," she purred as she circled around me, playing idly with a lock of my hair.

"You honestly think I wouldn't have killed you sooner if those damn wolves hadn't stopped me."

I couldn't stop the gasp that escaped my mouth.

Wolves?

Jacob. The pack.

She grabbed me roughly by the jaw. "Bella, I'm not going to kill you. Not yet anyway."

She giggled and the sound made my stomach roll. I willed myself to get a hold of myself. I had always known she would come for me. To be honest I thought she would have delivered my death sooner. Her scarlet eyes danced with excitement and I smirked. She froze and released me.

"What?"

"You haven't been laid in a while have you?"

She stared at me like I was mad before tilting her head back and laughing. I stepped back and the move silenced her. Once again she was staring at me.

"Grown cocky have we?"

I shrugged. "Gotta grow something, don't I?"

I took another step back and she looked at me quizzically.

"Are you okay Vicky?"

Oh yeah asks the maniacal bloodsucker if she's fine and dandy.

Her brow furrowed and she shook her head as if clearing it of something. I grinned but quickly hid it. I took another step back and her eyes snapped up at me. She smiled evilly and I felt a shiver slid down my spine.

"I'm fine Isabella. Now you're here."

You sure 'bout that bitch.

She reached out and grabbed my arm painfully. I winced under the pressure, and surprisingly she held me more gently. I looked up at her confused.

"Can't have you damaged yet my sweet," she giggled. As she dragged me out the door. I stumbled as I tried to keep up with her. I glanced around, looking for Carl. I choked back a sob when I saw him, bloody and naked. He was surrounded by fur that could only belong to that of a shape shifter.

My mind swarmed with all this new information. Carl had never liked to be touched…because he was running a constant one oh four temperature. He was always away on business trips…to relay information back to the pack. He flinched when I came in…because he smelt Edward on me.

"Oh didn't you know? They were protecting you," Victoria smiled sweetly. "There was always one wolf near you Bella…and you were so unaware."

I looked up at her.

"You fucking bitch," I snarled. I didn't even see her hand whip around, but I certainly felt it. My head snapped with the force of her slap, and my world suddenly dipped into shadow.

"I'm going to have to teach you some manners, Bella," I heard her say before I was consumed by the encroaching darkness.