Wow guys thanks for all the reviews you are totally awesome!! - So I'm giving you this chap a day earlier because more reviews =faster update lol :) :)

Next update hopefully Friday - but I'm really busy so no promises, but heaps of reviews will get me going lol. It will have a little more drama then this chap - this one is really just going through the motions.

16. Liar, Liar

….

BPOV

Charlie allowed me to stay home from school for the week. But by the time it was Thursday I had had enough. I was going insane, being at home with nothing to do didn't help me get past what had happened. But then again I wasn't sure if I would ever be able to move past it. I mean my boyfriend, who I loved and trusted, flipped a switch and half strangled me to death, it wasn't something you could easily forget.

And then there was Charlie who found one reason or another to come home at least three times a day, to check on me. It was getting tiresome. I couldn't handle all the looks he was giving me, the ones that said 'I'm waiting to see if you're going to lose it.' He was constantly on edge, and I could tell he was filtering and monitoring everything he said or did. It wasn't really fair of me to be annoyed with Charlie it wasn't his fault that I woke up every night screaming, covered in sweat and incoherent. That would put anyone on edge. But I needed some normality I had to return to school soon, I think being at home was making my paranoia worse. Every creak or house noise would cause me to jump out of my skin, every time a tree branch scraped my window I would scream causing Charlie to come running.

I couldn't handle another day going over and over what had happened to me. It was getting old. Yes James had attacked me, quite viciously. Yes I was terrified of it happening again, but what was I going to do about it? I had already lied to my father and my friends. If I went back on that, if I decided to do something about it, it would be so easy for James to turn it around and say I'm lying. So I was stuck there was nothing I could do, and nothing I wanted to do. I know it sounds stupid but I still cared about James and people would think I'm insane to say that I don't blame him but I don't, not completely. That wasn't the same guy that attacked me. That wasn't my boyfriend. I wanted to get him help so that I could get the old James back, but I didn't know if I would ever be able to take him back, I wasn't sure if I could or if I even wanted to. I just cared enough to know I wanted to help him.

The night when James attacked me was a long one. Charlie had returned home from getting takeout because he could no longer hold out until I got home to make dinner, only to find his hysterical daughter bruised and battered on her bedroom floor. Charlie was brilliant, he sat up with me all night, soothing my tears and comforting me when I lost it over and over again. He would ask me questions about what had happened but when I clammed up he would back down and sit there silently, rocking me gently back and forth. I don't know what I would have done had Charlie not been there that night, he was perfect. He was able to calm me down over and over and he did remarkably well with the tears thing. I could tell that what had happened was hurting him; I kept seeing the silent anguish in his eyes and I felt it in his fists which he pressed them against my back as he hugged me. Worse still were the tears that managed to sneak their way down his face. The protective side of me wanted to return the favor and comfort him, but that side of me was overpowered by my sense of worthlessness and fear. I needed my daddy.

That night Charlie stayed in my room cuddling and talking to me until I fell asleep, I don't know how we both fit on my bed, but somehow we managed, even with him there I wasn't able to fight off the nightmare. My scream startled and woke us both, causing him to fall to the floor with an audible thump. It took me awhile to calm down after that and a lot of convincing on Charlie's behalf that no one was in the room with us. It was hard work but he finally got me to go back to sleep.

Monday morning was down to business, I awoke to find that Charlie was no longer in my room and I completely freaked. He rushed upstairs and apologized for leaving me alone, but told me that we needed to eat, he left again assuring he would only be a few seconds. I couldn't help the panic that rose within me as he left. He returned quickly as promised with breakfast and then uncomfortably demanded that I told him what happened. Just as I had the night before, I lied. I don't know why I did. James should pay for what he had done for me, but I was completely and utterly confused and definitely messed up.

So I told Charlie that I didn't know who attacked me. The story went that I had walked home from James's, in the dark, which I usually did, Forks was small and reasonably safe; when I was attacked. I said I didn't catch a glimpse of who attacked me and I had no idea who would and why. Charlie couldn't understand, because to him strangling a stranger without an ulterior motive made no sense to him. I had to reassure him constantly that the perpetrator had not done anything else, and by anything else I knew he meant something sexual.

After I had calmed down Charlie rang the station and informed his colleagues of what had happened – much to my horror. This would mean that by now everyone would know that the Chiefs daughter had been attacked on her way home by someone unidentifiable. This would be the hottest gossip and would have all the girls making up horror stories about how they are sure they were followed home the night before. I knew it was petty, but that's how people reacted to these types of situations, everyone wanted to be in on the drama; to have a little attention. All I wanted to do was forget it had happened and I didn't want anyone to know.

I guess it was my own fault I should have just told Charlie it was James, god I had no idea why I didn't. I don't think it was because I was protecting him, I was just so unsure of what had actually happened that I didn't know what to say when Charlie asked me who had caused the grotesque marks on my neck. I guess I was partly ashamed of what had happened, deeply embarrassed and then terrified of the consequences. What would happen if I said it was James? I was scared that people wouldn't believe me, that everyone would turn on me and call me a liar and not only this I was afraid of what James would do if I said anything, I know it was pathetic, but I couldn't say it was him.

Charlie was punishing himself every chance he got, he had convinced himself that if he had of been home none of this would have happened. I tried to reassure him that there was nothing he could have done, because the so called 'attack' happened further up the street. To be honest if he had of been home, there was no way I could have lied about who had hurt me, and a small part of me believed that if Charlie's cruiser had of been in the drive then maybe just maybe James wouldn't have hurt me. But the small part of me that believed that was very small. James had lost control in that car, and he was definitely not the same person. Remembering his terrifying expression sent shivers up my spine, he had been unrecognizable.

There was also that nagging part of me that had me believe that I was to blame. If I just hadn't of bought up his name then none of this would have happened, I would tell myself. But that was stupid, so what I made a comment about Edward, there was no way I deserved what James did. Or did I? I knew I was pushing him when I said it I had provoked him and provocation is a legal defense. I was completely and had completely screwed up and I knew it.

You would think that going back to school would be the last thing I wanted to do. But maybe I was just really fucked in the head. Yeah I know James would probably be there, but I wasn't afraid…no… that was a lie. I was scared shitless. But I wasn't worried about being at school with him; I would be safe there…I think. So it was Thursday morning and it had been less than four days, but I was ready. If I had to spend another minute in this god forsaken house I was going to completely lose it.

I looked in the mirror after my shower taking in my appearance. I didn't look too bad…actually I looked like shit.I had dark circles under my eyes, the result of countless sleepless nights and I looked paler than ever. I hadn't been eating well, I just didn't feel like it, and initially it had hurt to not to mention Charlie's cooking was rather questionable at the best of times. The marks on my neck were the worse; there was basically a handprint there. Five dark circles spotted my neck, exactly where his fingers and thumb had squeezed. It looked bad, really bad. Every time I caught Charlie looking at them I could see that he was on the edge of losing it, both to his anger and his sadness. It hurt him deeply that this had happened to me and despite the fact this caused him to be annoyingly overbearing and protective, it was still very sweet and it warmed my heart to know how much he cared.

Makeup managed to cover my paleness and my bags, but the bruises on my neck were still visible and I took to wearing clothes that covered it up. It didn't help me though, I could still see the marks there on my neck it didn't matter how much I covered them up, they were still there and it made me deeply self-conscious.

Charlie wasn't the least bit happy about me returning to school and I couldn't tell if it was because he was worried about me and my stability given the last few days or if it was because he couldn't watch over me like a hawk and make sure I was safe every five minutes. It was probably a bit of both.

It wasn't lost on Charlie or me that James hadn't come to visit, nor had he called but I lied to Charlie about that and said I had told James I needed to be by myself. This pleased Charlie immensely for some reason and I was starting to get the feeling that maybe he didn't like James or partly blamed him for what had happened. More than once he mumbled something about the fact that James should have driven me home; if only he knew.

I was worried about what James would say or do if I ran into him today, I kind of hoped like hell he wasn't at school, I was nervous and had no idea what I would do. Ignore him? It's not like he could expect anything from me in the form of a relationship anymore, could he? What the fuck am I thinking? Why am I going back to school?

Of course Charlie voiced the same concerns, saying it was too early and I should take more time. What he forgot was that I am a bloody stubborn person and what he said only added fuel to the fire. I was going back to it was more than stubbornness and boredom, I needed to go back to school for me. I needed to prove to myself that I was stronger than this. Bigger than what had happened to me. In a way I wanted to show myself and James that I wasn't scared. I wasn't weak.

The only good thing about the whole incident was that Jake was talking to me again. As soon as Billy found out, Jake rushed over. It felt good to have him there, he took me in his overly warm embrace and told me over and over again how sorry he was over what had happened between us. It was good to have him back again, and Charlie was very pleased. Jake was the first person to get me to smile, since James had hurt me and even stayed over one night, sharing a bed like old times. It didn't feel weird at all, sure we were older, but he was my Jake and it was good to have him there, he calmed me down and got me to relax and become myself. It didn't stop the nightmares though.

Jake and I had our serious conversations too, if anyone was as hurt about what had happened to me as Charlie was, it was Jake. He didn't take it well and got into one or two fights with Charlie about why they hadn't found the 'bastard' who had done it. This made me feel bad; it wasn't Charlie's fault they hadn't found anyone yet, it was mine.

Jake was a little more skeptical about why James hadn't come to visit, often dropping hints about his dislike for James and how he wasn't good enough for me. But this soon stopped once he realized how upset it made me; even though he thought it did for other reasons. He was right though, I was so stupid for not listening to him in the first place.

Jake was even more worried about me going to school, not because he thought I couldn't handle it, he told me more than once that I was as 'tough as nails', but because he couldn't be there to make sure it was safe. More than ever I wished he didn't go to school on the res. He demanded that he drove me to school today, and I was happy about that. Jake was like an addiction, he made me feel warm and safe and loved, much the same as Charlie but different, because Jake was my best friend and he knew me even better than my father. He knew not to look at me like I was a fragile child, he went on treating me basically the same as before, and for that I was truly grateful, I needed the normality. Being with Jake allowed me to calm down, and eventually I stopped overreacting and freaking out at every noise.

Angela, Ben, Alice, Rose and Mike all called at various different times once they heard; they all asked if they could come and visit. I told them I wasn't up to it. I didn't need any more people coming around and freaking out over me--Charlie had that one all covered. I told them I would be at school later in the week.

I was worried when Mike called, I had up until that moment forgotten I had promised to go and visit Jess. He told me not to worry and that he had been with her all week. He told me she didn't know about what happened yet; she thought I was sick. I was relieved because I didn't know how she would take it, it worried me that it might make things worse for her. I made a promise to myself that I would go and visit her, and I called her on the phone to tell her I was sorry I hadn't come and seen her but would definitely come when I was better. To be honest she sounded like she was doing well and that relieved some of the weight that seemed to be constantly boring down on me these days.

So it was Thursday morning and after spending an hour in the shower arguing with myself over what I was doing, and another hour trying to cover up the un-coverable I was ready. Needless to say Jake's patience was wearing thin.

"Come on Bella… man girls sure do take their time," he moaned as I descended the stairs. I glared at him which got him to shut up immediately.

"Well I'm sorry that I don't mind smelling like a dog unlike some people." Jake rolled his eyes at my sarcasm. He jumped quickly over the back of the couch landing in front of me; he wasted no time taking me in large arms squeezing me tightly. I rested my head on his chest taking in his woodsy smell; which immediately comforted me; reminding me of home. It wasn't lost on me that in the short time Jake and I had been apart he had grown immensely, he was a lot taller, and thicker and if possible more handsome that ever. He looked a lot older than he was and I could tell he was proud of the way he looked. His usually long hair had been cropped short and I wasn't sure if I liked it or not.

"Wow Jake, I bet you turn girl's heads. Have you been working out?" I asked in awe of his beauty.

"Nah Bell's, I'm all natural," he joked squeezing me tighter. I twisted out of his grip and punched him lightly in the arm. A goofy grin spread across his face and he took me in a headlock, ruffling my hair.

"Ouch Jake stop, or I will have to spend another hour up there." He quickly let go of me and looked at me with mocking fear.

"No please don't," he begged.

"Oh shut up." I rolled my eyes. "Let's roll." I said with as much confidence as I could muster. Jake grabbed my hand as I turned to leave, stopping me. His expression turned serious.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" he asked.

"As sure as ever," I mumbled looking at the floorboards. "Let's just do this."

"'Kay."

Not letting go of my hand, Jake lead me out the front door and to his Rabbit which was parked on the road. It wasn't alone, next to it was Emmett's very obnoxious jeep and in it were Rose, Jazz, Em and Alice. I back tracked a step, pulling Jake with me and my hand flew to my throat, checking that my scarf was still there. I didn't want them seeing. No one really knew what my injuries were and I kind of wanted to keep it that way.

"Uh do you want me to tell them to go?" Jake asked in a whisper, sensing my unease. He was good like that he always knew exactly how I felt and could almost read me like a book. Almost, I had been certain he would catch me out about lying what had happened, but he hadn't, for which I was relieved.

"Nah its ok, just a little bit nervous," he looked at me as if to say I was crazy. And I knew what he was thinking; this is how it was going to be--all day. People were going to be staring, asking questions and whispering behind my back. I just had to get over it.

I forced a smile on my face, something I never had to do with Jake - with him I never had to fake my emotions with him it was natural, and I waved at the gang as they hopped out of the Jeep.

"Hey Bells," they called in unison.

"Hey guys," I called back. I made short work of the introductions. "Alice this is Jake. Jake this is Alice, and you know the rest of the guys." It wasn't lost on me that Edward wasn't with them, for some reason that relieved me.

Alice smiled her small sweet smile at Jake, but I could see that she was staring at us weirdly. That's when I realized I was still holding Jakes hand. Oh bother, more explaining to do. I hated when people didn't understand Jake and me, it got on my nerves. I quickly dropped Jakes hand in an effort to stop her staring. It seemed to work. Jake however didn't seem to notice and put his arm around me pulling my weight into his body.

"Uh, we came to see if you wanted a ride," Alice piped up her forehead scrunching up as he watched Jake. Stupid little pixie.

"Oh thanks," I smiled. "But um Jake already offered to do that." I couldn't help but laugh as Alice pouted, it felt good to laugh.

"Damn," she muttered.

"All G," Em said, putting his arm around Rosalie as he spoke. "We will just meet you at school then." I nodded. That wasn't a bad idea; once Jake dropped me off I would need someone there to make sure I don't flip out or something.

"You sure you don't want to go with them," Jake asked once we were inside his car.

"And miss getting my first ride in this beast," I patted the dash and shook my head. "Never." Jake laughed and his goofy grin returned. He took my hand in his and gave it a gentle squeeze.

"Ready?"

I nodded. "Bring it."

….

EPOV

So I was standing there like a complete fool waiting in the car park for my stupid sister and my new friends to arrive with Bella. Alice had banned me from coming with them this morning, citing that their wouldn't be enough room for Bella if I did. Whatever, she was just didn't want me around Bella, 'complicating things', as she so called it. I thought it was a dumb idea anyway, Charlie or James or someone would most probably be giving her a ride to school. But Alice insisted that Bell's close friends needed to be there for her. Stupid pixie, I thought to myself. Alice had known her all of a week, well barely, and she already called herself one of Bella's close friends.

Look who's talking. You're in bloody love with her. I rubbed my face with my hands. Would this inner battle ever be won? I did not love Bella, that wasn't possible; it was more like a lust thing. I lusted after Bella – wow that sounds creepy. I rolled my eyes, definitely starting to lose it.

To be honest, being away from Bella for the last couple of days had made things better. That was until I found out what happened to her. I did wonder why she wasn't at school, but thought that maybe she had been sick, everyone seemed to be sick. I didn't worry at first, and as the days went on I was able to wake up without her name on my lips and constantly in my mind. Yes being away from her had made it a tad easier to get past my feelings, I was already forgetting what she smelled like and that helped, a lot. But then Alice came home crying last night, and I don't know how I hadn't heard the rumors that were flying around - the Police Chiefs daughter had been assaulted as she walked home.

It still caused my skin to crawl, and my blood to boil. I couldn't believe that anyone would want to intentionally hurt Bella; she was so beautiful and fragile. And smart, sweet, sexy, selfless…Ok maybe things aren't better.

When I found out I all but lost it, Alice begged me to stay with her and not go. She clung to me, telling me that it wouldn't do me any good that it wouldn't be good for either of us, that Bella needed her boyfriend not some guy who she barely knew. That night I smashed one of Esme's collectables in frustration, let's just say mom's not too happy with me right now – and it didn't make me feel any better. What I really wanted to do was smash the face of the bastard that hurt Bella and if I ever found out who had, I would.

I was definitely a glutton for punishment. I was waiting in the car park because I wanted to see Bella. Knowing that she had been hurt and I couldn't see for myself that she was ok, well as ok as she could be, drove me insane. I wanted to hold in my arms and touch my lips to her soft porcelain skin, not to mention her perfectly pink mismatched lips. I sighed. I wasn't managing to forget about Bella Swan at all.

Emmett honked his horn, bringing me into the real world as he parked next to my silver Volvo that I was leaning against. I instantly noticed that Bella wasn't with and I wasn't sure what to make of that.

"Told you she would be getting a ride with Charlie," I stated sarcastically as Alice jumped from the cab.

"Nope, not Charlie," Alice said looking thoughtful. "Or James," she added when I opened my mouth. I shrugged oh well whatever maybe she drove herself.

Just then an old red Volkswagen drove in the school gate, pulling in next to Emmett's jeep. A tanned guy who I hadn't seen before hoped out of the driver seat and walked over to help his passenger out. The guy was built and looked around our age maybe a year or two older and although I hadn't been at Forks High long, I knew that he didn't go here. You would definitely notice someone of his size and from the looks of the girls in the parking lot who were standing there with their mouths hanging open I was definitely not wrong, he didn't belong here. The guy was wearing a black singlet and dark wash jeans, I only noticed because it seemed ridiculous, he had to be freezing. Show off, I thought bitterly. He looked kind of dangerous; not only because of his build but for some reason I instantly didn't like him.

I was about to turn back to Alice and ask her how Bella was getting to school, when I saw that this new guy was helping the chocolate angel from his car himself. I felt every muscle in my body tighten as I watched him take her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. She was beaming up at him causing me to instantly see red. Jealously was not a fun feeling. He grabbed out her books from his car and handed them to her. They seemed to be speaking about something and Bella shook her head in response. He laughed and then pulled her into a tight hug pressing his lips to her forehead. I felt my body twitch. What the hell was going on? Was she not with James anymore? I couldn't help the instant sadness and anger that hit me. If she had left him, it was not for me, it was for this new guy. I was beginning to doubt Bella's taste in men, not that I thought of myself as a better catch than this guy….well actually I did. James was a tool and whoever this poser was didn't seem much better.

"Calm down Edward," Jasper whispered in my ear. "God you're so fucking obvious." I rolled my eyes but I didn't take my eyes off Bella and this new guy, and I didn't like it at all when she gave him a kiss on the cheek as she left him to walk over to us.

"It's just Jacob Black," Rosalie said to both Alice and me. Apparently Alice was just as confused as I was about the scene before us. "Her best friend," Rose added rolling her eyes when we continued to look at her like idiots.

That looked a little bit more than best friend material, I thought to myself.

Bella looked rather nervous as she walked towards us. I felt a little bad, it must be kind of daunting coming to school where everyone would be full of questions, wondering what exactly had happened to her.

"Hey guys," she waved as she approached. Emmett being Emmett whipped her up and spun her round in a giant bear hug. I couldn't believe what he was doing, was he serious? Wasn't she hurt or something?

"Missed you millions Bells," he laughed as she pleaded with him to put her down. She winced as he did so. Instant realization hit his face. "Oh god, did I hurt you?" She shook her head slightly and looked at the ground.

"That was real nice Em," she whispered, a single tear ran down her cheek and I had to fight the urge to wipe it away for her. Both Rose and Alice followed in with a hug, and then so did Jasper. I wasn't sure what to do. I knew Alice wouldn't approve so I didn't move and inch. Emmett cocked an eyebrow at me as I hung back and I shrugged. I knew he knew that I had feelings for Bella, I'm pretty sure Alice told Rose and Jazz, so of course he would know. I was just trying to do the good thing like Alice said and hang back. I knew if I hugged her now and took in her sweet smell I was going to lose a lot of progress in the forgetting about Bella plan.

Emmett being tactless Emmett decided to jump in with the first question. "What happened to you Bella?" I didn't miss the glare that Rose through him, and neither did he. "Sorry I didn't mean to…"

"No it's ok," Bella interrupted him, looking at the ground. She looked extremely uncomfortable. "Um, I'm not really sure. There's not much to tell, I was just walking home and someone attacked me."

"And you have no idea who?" Emmett continued; Rosalie smacked him in the head. I couldn't believe he wouldn't shut up either. But I was also grateful, I wanted to know just as badly.

"Nope." She shook her head softly and I caught a small flicker of emotion in her eyes that I couldn't place. "No idea," she sighed.

Was she lying?

It was a stupid thought, why would she be lying? But something didn't feel right; there was definitely something I was missing, something she wasn't saying. I could see it in the way she answered Emmett's question, she may not have been lying but she definitely wasn't giving us the whole truth.

Did she know the person that did this to her? Statistics inferred that this was likely to be the case. I just couldn't figure why she would be covering for the bastard, if that was the case. Which it probably wasn't, I was known for jumping to conclusions. But I had a sixth sense for things like this, just as Alice would claim she could see things happen before they happened, I had a knack for reading people. Bella was a little more difficult than most, but it was rather easy to tell when a person was keeping something from you, when they were lying.

I looked at her questioningly and when she met my gaze she blushed and quickly looked away, I could see her posture tense and her hands tighten around one another. Yes, there was definitely something she wasn't sharing, something she was holding back.

And I wanted to know what.

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