"He jests at scars that never felt a wound." --Romeo & Juliet (.1)

CHAPTER TWO - WOUNDS REOPENED

I was dead. I could barely make it to my car in the morning to drive to school.

Even the red truck was telling me to turn around, and go back into the house to sleep. I wouldn't listen.

My eyes were half closed as I drove into the intersection, and I kept wondering if I was going to crash. The possibility didn't seem too far-fetched. I had this road memorized like the back of my head or hand...or something like that.

I stopped at Starbucks to get some well-needed caffeine. I couldn't go on without it. I walked back to my truck, and as I sat down, I slowly took sips, letting the warmth fill me. I closed my eyes as the heat swam down to the back of my throat.

And for some reason, I smiled. For some reason, I felt happy...calm, relaxed. My hands felt tingly, my body felt mushy. I was far from even trying to open my eyes now.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Something was hot, it didn't feel right. My stomach was burning, I wanted to scream. Why was everything so black?

I shot up straight.

Shit.

I had fallen asleep.

No, no, no ,no, no. I was going to be late! I looked down at my hot stomach.

The coffee was stained into my clothes. That's why I was so hot. I started muttering things to myself, not really knowing what I was saying. I had fallen asleep in my car, and spilled coffee on myself while I was sleeping. I looked at the bag that was underneath the seats. I opened and pulled out jeans, and plain blue t-shirt. I kept this underneath here, just in case.

I pulled the extra clothes out, and looked out the window. No one seemed to be in the parking lot. I pulled off my shirt, and then my jeans. I was now sitting in my underwear.

I noticed that there was a big red splotch on my stomach from the burn. It tingled with even the slightest touch. I couldn't do anything about it now, so I would just have to wait till I got home. No matter how much it killed me. I slipped on the shirt with ease, but had a bit of trouble with the jeans. They were more difficult to get on especially with the small space in my car.

I buttoned them, and put the dirty clothes in my bag. I turned on the car, and noticed that I was half an hour late. School started at 8:00, it was 8:30. And it would take me another ten-fifteen minutes to get to school.

I raced out of the parking lot, and into the highway with my car. I didn't want to got too fast, seeing as my car wasn't that durable in the first place. But, I was passing everybody, going 75 m.p.h in a 60 zone.

Why did I care so much anyways? It was just school, and I wasn't even that late.

Maybe because school and college were my only way out of this hellhole.

I made to school in record time, in only five minutes.

I grabbed my bag, and made a lunge out the door, running to the entrance of the huge school. I walked in, and ran down the halls to get to History.

I made it to the door, I could hear the teacher's voice, she was already well into the lesson. I hadn't even checked into attendance, but I didn't care. I opened the door, and everyone stopped to stare at me.

"Bella? Why are you so late?" She asked.

"I'm sorry Mrs. Heifner," I replied, out of breath. I knew I was a mess, with my hair messed up, and my face all red.

"Just take your seat please," she sounded angry.

"Okay."

I walked toward my desk, all the way in the back of the class, and sat down. I pulled my notebook out my backpack, and started scribbling down notes about her lecture on Napolean and his brilliance at winning the hearts of the French.

Being a junior really sucked. The anticipation of senior year, and graduating almost made me want to poke my eyes out. My thoughts were wandering to moving away from James, moving away from here...

I looked up, and I unexpectedly met a pair of green eyes.

My heart stopped, my face got hot, and my breathing quickened.

Why was Edward Cullen staring at me?

His eyes were zeroed in on my arm. I looked down at it, and almost gasped.

There was deep red stain there. From the coffee. Damn it. I guess I missed it.

He probably thought that I was late because something happened to me, something bad. I looked up again, he was looking at his notebook.

It's like he could see through me.

He was absolutely gorgeous. His auburn hair, and his mega-killer eyes were to die for. Every girl in the school had their eyes on him. His father was famous doctor, Carlisle Cullen. And his mother, Esme Cullen was known for her work in charity.

Every female, even teachers in this school watched him. However, no one ever approached him anymore due to the fact that they had been rejected so many times. Plus, people were scared of him, yes scared.

They knew he was bad news.

He was very quiet, and thoughtful. He would be late to class many times, and always gave you a look that was lethal. Like he was ready to kill you. I found him once, when I was leaving the back entrance of the school, smoking.

That's what he did when he ditched class, and who knew what else.

His quiet nature made him irresitably sexy.

But I didn't want anything to do with him, absolutely nothing. I just couldn't take it.

I had my whole life planned out.

I didn't understand what was wrong with him. I stared at him a lot, and most of the time, he would catch me. Of course, my face would burn hot, and I'd look away. He was just so...intriguing. He had moved here in the eighth grade. Even back then he was quiet even though every one tried to talked to him. Especially the females.

"However, his absolute brilliant plan to invade Russia didn't go so well. You'd think that Hitler would learn from that, no? But he made the same rookie mistake a hundred years later when he was defeated in Stalingrad. Napolean at least was smart enough to..."

I was snapped out of my daze, and went back to taking notes.

The bell rang soon enough, and I left the class.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Straight afterschool, I drove to the "Wildcat."

Yeah, pretty creative name for a strip club. It was just so ridiculous.

There were a whole chain of them too. I had to work here every night, except for Sunday. Yeah, James was just so prefect.

The greatest dad in the world.

I spit on that name, dad. He doesn't deserve it, especially since he wasn't even my real father. No one could replace my real parents.

My hands tightened on my steering wheel. Why the fuck did I spend so much of my time, riding in this goddamn thing?

I walked into the club, and saw that everyone was crowded around the table.

I walked over to Rosalie, who was laughing with the other girls.

"Hey Bella!" Rosalie engulfed me in a hug. I laughed.

"You're starting to hug like Emmett!" I squealed.

"I learn from the best!" She threw her head back and laughed, but all of a sudden her face changed. She got serious.

In a low voice, she whispered, "Aro's in charge tonight."

Aro?

"No!" I said. He hadn't been in here for months. The last time he was in charge, everything went horribly. For me, at least.

He owned the whole chain of "Wildcat," strip clubs across the country. He never had time to come here, he was busy "working."

"What happened to Mark?!" I asked. Mark was so much nicer, he actually understood my situation.

"Out today. But really, Aro wants to drop by for a little visit." She shook her head. I got very scared. I didn't want to go through this.

I buried my head in her neck, and she kissed my hair.

"It'll be alright sweetie. I promise." I looked up at her with a sad expression.

"Rosalie, you've been saying that forever."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The same as yesterday night, we were in the dressing room. New costumes, however, still as inappropriate. I was tensely awaiting when Aro would come in.

"Hey have you seen my bronzer?" Jessica asked me. I was sitting at my dresser, dazing off.

"Huh? Wha- uh no. I haven't." She sighed and walked away. My head was in my hands as I was staring at the mirror. I hated wearing so much makeup, it made me feel, I don't know...dirty. Like I was wearing a mask.

When I came here, I guess I was. Because this wasn't the real me.

Just then, Aro walked in. I noticed it when I looked in the mirror. I swiveled around in the chair, fear settling in.

"Okay, here's the list of tables." He didn't read them like Mark had, he just pinned them up. We each took a look.

I had table six this time, apparently. So, just like, yesterday, we got in line.

I peeked out the door at my table, to see who was there tonight.

My stomach churned at the sight that I saw.

I could clearly see the figure of Edward Cullen sitting at a table with several other guys.

I wanted to die. This could not be happening.

What the hell was he doing at a strip club anyways?! I didn't know him well, but I knew he wasn't a sleazebag. Rosalie was right behind me standing in line, I turned around, and she saw my horrified expression.

"What?" She asked, putting a hand on my shoulder.

"Three minutes!" Aro called out, before leaving.

"That's Edward Cullen out there."

"Really?! Gosh he's yummy. But him coming here totally ruins his personality. He's just so hot, I mean if I wasn't with Emmett..." She kept babbling on and was completely missing the point.

"Rosalie!" I yelled.

"What?"

"He goes to my school! He'll spread the word around, everyone will find out. James will kill me, people will call me a whore. My teachers will never look at me the same way again, people would hate me! Rose, I can't! They won't even understand that it's not something I want to do!" I was close to the verge of tears. I blinked and they all started cascading down my cheek.

"Relax. Shhh." She rubbed my back soothingly.

"No!" I ran over to Aro who was standing at the door. I knew it was impossible, but I had to get him to change my table. That way, maybe I'd have a chance of getting through the night without Edward recognizing it was me.

"Aro? Can I switch my table with someone? Please?" I asked him, sincerely.

"Are you kidding? Absolutely not." He looked at me with hard expression.

"Please, I-"

"Shut up. I don't want to hear your shit. Just freaking deal with it, okay? I have enough to handle without you crying your eyes out. Now wipe your tears before you go out there looking like that."

My hands tingled. One punch at his face, and he would be out. Just one. Rosalie pulled me back. I was heaving with anger, and fear. I got back in line.

The music started and we all got in order. We walked out slowly, our high heels clicking in perfect rythym. We got onto the main stage. We were wearing long, see-through jackets that we took off, and threw off the stage. People clapped, we danced some more.

Afterwards, we parted our seperate ways. I sighed. Moment of truth.

Maybe not.

I was hatching a plan in my mind.

Quickly, while no one was looking, I ducked. The room had gotten dark at this point, which was all part of the show. I ran to table six, and got under the table just as the flashing lights came up. I hoped no one would look under the table I was supposed to be at to look for me.

I heard their voices.

"Hey where's our chick?" One of the guys...maybe Edward's friends said.

"What the hell? Why does everyone else have one?" Another man said.

"Good. I didn't know that when you guys said you wanted to surprise me with a stress-reliever, you were going to bring me to a strip club?" I heard the smooth voice say. My heart beat quickend.

"Chill out Edward, it's cool," someone said. There were about ten guys at this table.

I knew because I was counting their feet.

"No. I'm leaving. I can't believe you guys would do this. I'm not into it, okay?" I heard a chair squeak, and Edward got up. He was wearing black sneakers. They looked expensive, I remember admiring them at the store a few weeks ago.

He had good taste.

I shook my head. I was in a life-changing situation here, and too busy thinking about shoes. Or maybe I was just overly-dramatic.

"Dude! Just sit down man. Yeah, there's definitely something wrong with you if you're not into naked girls," his friend said.

No, there's something wrong with you.

"Nah, I'm gonna go." Then I heard an all too familiar voice. My faith had been restored back in him as I realized he was forced to come here, he didn't want to see strippers willingly.

"Is something wrong gentlemen?" Aro asked. I could see his feet too.

His shoes were pretty nice actually.

Ugh! Stop it!

"Yeah, we don't have anyone here, dancing for us. Dude, and we paid extra for the V.I.P section," someone said.

I could almost see the shocked expression on his face. I heard his crumpling paper as he, probably, tried to figure out who was supposed to be at table six.

"Excuse me, I'll go find your dancer." There was evident anger in his voice.

The lights dimmed again, it was half over. All part of the show.

Well now, since Edward had left, I could get up. It was dark, and I crawled out from under the table, and onto the table as the lights started up again.

"Whoa, magic!" A guy said.

Idiot. It was a brown haired guy. He was actually pretty handsome.

I smiled, and saw Aro watching me. Ugh, he was gonna kill me after the show.

I got right into the beat of the music, and turned around.

As I did, I noticed pair of green eyes that weren't supposed to be there at the table. I almost stopped in the middle of my routine.

My heart started up again.

He wasn't supposed to be here! I thought he had left.

However, I kept a straight face.

I made eye contact with him, and he realized who I was. As I spun, I saw his mouth open, in shock.

"B-Bel-" He couldn't make out the words. He was shocked and horrified at seeing me here. I could see it in his eyes.

I started taking off my shirt, and did a belly roll. Edward looked down.

He actually looked down.

And for some reason, I smiled. He was too modest, he'd never been to a strip club before, and I don't think he was every going to come back.

The rest of the guys on the other hand, started slapping my ass soon as my skirt came down. They stuck huge rolls into my underwear and bra.

Ah, so they were rich. Just like Edward.

I look at him. He was still staring at the table, twiddling his thumbs around. He looked extremely uncomfortable. I danced for a few seconds more, a few more hip shakes, and shimmies, and I stepped down.

Aro walked over with someone else, and told them that she would take over from now. Edward finally looked up, he had been looking away for the whole dance, and he met my eyes.

They were full of questions.

I walked away. I needed my paycheck tonight. James was expecting to pay the bills tomorrow, and he needed my help getting in something for it. I walked to the office in the back of the club, where the bathrooms, and lounges were.

I walked into the office, and Aro was sitting at the desk.

"I need my paycheck, Aro," I told him.

"What makes you think you are getting a paycheck after that stunt you pulled tonight?"

This was ridiculous. I needed that paycheck, or James was going to kill me.

"Aro...please. I need it. James will kill me, you know that."

"Not my problem. It's enough that we give you so many excuses. We let you stop taking off your clothes when you get to your underwear and bra, and we don't let the other men request to sleep with you. Just like you wanted. I don't know why Mark lets you do that, anyways."

"Please Aro! I don't even want to work here, I never did! And you know that. You know I'm forced by James. That's why Mark lets me stop."

He looked angry, he looked at me in rage. He stood up, and grabbed a hold of my shoulders.

"You are the one that needs to stop all of your crap. You are going to be full-time now if you keep doing that! And you know what I mean by full-time." He shook my violently as he talked.

I blinked in shock. I turned around and walked out.

I gasped. A certaib someone was standing there. He was on his way back from the bathroom, and he had heard everything.

My pathetic life story, and how I was forced into this horrible job. I was crying now. He was looking at me, but didn't say anything.

I pushed past him, and ran into the bathroom.

I cried in there for I don't know how long. When I got out, he was gone.

I walked back out to the front, and everyone was gone. We were closing up. I went to table six, hoping I could get a few more bills in to compensate for the paycheck Aro refused to give me. I hope that somebody left tips.

There was a few bills lying on the table. I gasped. It had to be at least $600. I didn't know who had given them, it was in front of the chair that Edward had been sitting at. This, and everyting else I had collected tonight should be enough to pay James.

I smiled, despite the circumstances.

I changed, and walked the back. The same repetitive thing over and over again. I pulled my hood up as I saw a bunch of men getting into their cars. Some of them I recognized from the table that I was working at.

I walked down the sidewalk, and noticed a silver, shiny Volvo. It look new, and glossy. As I passed it, the windows rolled down.

"Excuse me?" I heard someone say. I hoped it wasn't a perv. I knelt down and looked through the window.

There sat Edward Cullen in all his glory. My eyes widened.

"Would you like a ride home?" I barely hesitated. His beautiful face was inquisitive.

"Yeah."

Review! You know you want to! =D