EDITED, RE-POSTED JAN 22
Title: Twisted Twilight
Author: Midnight
Beta: Moonlite
Synopses: A different version of Twilight. What if Renee never married Phil, but John Reed, a local cop. John is actually an alcoholic, and is abusive to Bella and Renee. It's after a brutal attack, that Bella decides to go to Forks to live with her Father. As Bella's life experiences have changed, so has our beloved story. See how!
Rating: T
Chapter: Three
Chapter Title: Frustration
Warning: Includes mention of violence, and rape.
Author Note: So, after seeing the movie, there are a few scenes/lines I thought were pretty funny, so I'll prob. include them, or something like them any ways. Also, I apologize for spelling; most of these have been written between the hours or 2-4 am when I cant sleep.
To everyone who reviewed, or marked as fav. Story or what not, I just want to say thank you! You're all amazing. Keep reviewing! Lol. Let me know what you think. For those of you who didn't review, review!
Special Thanks: Gothic Saku-chan, -Azn-Grl-Twilight-Fan-x2, Crystallized Hope, A is for Angel, MikuJin, Drama Kagome
That night I didn't sleep well, again. The wind and rain bothered me so much, I did research online for different sleeping techniques. Every time I got close to falling asleep, I began to think about Edward. His strange hatred, and then his sudden concern. When I was in the office, he was there. If he really hated me, wouldn't he just leave? I thought about what I should say, and what I wanted to say, but I knew that when it came down the wire, I'd chicken out.
Cluck, cluck, cluck. I made the cowardly lion look like the terminator.
Heavy deep-breathing techniques helped somewhat, but it was still around two a.m. when I feel asleep. When I did fall asleep, I soon wished I hadn't. Nightmare began to plague my dreams. The worst one, was the last one.
I was back in Phoenix, my old room to be exact. I looked at my calendar: a big, red circle was around the day. I cried out in fear, knowing it was going to happen all over again. He's coming. He's coming. A dark whispered voice echoed in my head. My heart began to race. But I couldn't run. I stood in the center of the room, frozen stiff. Make it stop, I cried, make it stop.
Bella! A distant voice yelled. It was soft, yet musical. Hang on, Bella!
Then John walked into the room, his face red with anger. I closed my eyes, and collapse to my knees. It was happening again, and I was powerless to stop it. No matter what I did, it would always happen again. I felt John's weight on top of me, and I started to cry. Then, suddenly, he was ripped off and there was this terrible, powerful growl.
"Bella!" I shot up in my bed, soaking in a cold sweat, Charlie sitting next to me. "Are you alright?" The light was on, his face stern. I was disoriented. He wasn't the one who had called out. I looked around the room, and regained my bearing. I was in Forks, far away from John.
"Bad dream," I chocked out finally, "it was just a bad dream."
"You where screaming." Charlie pointed out, confused.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you up. I-" The dream was fading fast, something about it was important. Something, but it was gone.
"I was already up. In fact, you should get up any ways. It's a little after seven."
"Right." I nodded quickly. "And thanks."
"Yup." Charlie nodded, and quickly left. I was shaking, something I didn't notice until now. Something about that dream. It was the same dream, but it was different.
But I couldn't remember why.
I moaned in defeat, and pulled myself out of bed.
School was better in one respect; I knew what to expect. Mike came and sat next to me during English, with Eric glaring at him the entire time. I suppose most people would find it flattering, but it just made me uncomfortable. People stared less, and kept their distance for the most part. At lunch we sat at the same table as Jessica, Angela, Eric, and some other people who I now recognized. It made me feel less like I was drowning in the water, and more like I was treading.
It also sucked; In Trig I got called on, even though I didn't have my hand up, making me hate Mr. Varner even more. In gym they made me play volleyball, and I smacked Mike on the back of the head. He laughed it off, as much as I'm sure it hurt. After that I kept both hands safely behind my back. Then proceeded to get smacked in the head by a ball myself. Perfect.
But the worst part of my day, was at lunch- Edward Cullen wasn't there. The other four Cullen's sat, same as yesterday, but without their brother. They looked strange without their younger brother.
It also made me feel strangely guilty. I attempted to avoid looking at their table, but failed. I kept waiting for him to come marching in, with his strange mixture of hate and concern for me. But he never came.
When I got to Biology, I held my breath outside the door. But he wasn't there, either. I sighed in relief, and went to my seat. Mike followed, talking about an upcoming trip to the beach. He lingered by my desk till the bell rang. Then he smiled at me wistfully and went to sit by a girl with braces and a bad perm. It looked like I was going to have to do something about Mike, and it wouldn't be easy. In a town like this, where everyone lived on top of everyone else, diplomacy was essential. I have never been enormously tactful; I had no practice dealing with overly friendly boys. And to be honest, I was worried about my anger lashing out at him if this kept up.
I was relieved that I had the desk to myself, that Edward was absent. I told myself that repeatedly. But I couldn't get rid of the nagging suspicion that I was the reason he wasn't there. It was ridiculous, and egotistical, to think that I could affect anyone that strongly. It was impossible. And yet I couldn't stop worrying that it was true.
When the school day was finally done, and the blush was fading out of my cheeks, from the volleyball incident, I changed quickly back into my jeans and navy blue sweater, I hurried from the girls' locker room pleased to find that I had successfully evaded my retriever friend for the moment. I walked swiftly out the parking lot. The lot was packed with cars zooming out, so I decided to wait. The music from the radio was loud, comforting. I closed my eyes, and just allowed the music to echo in my head.
When I did open my eyes, all of the other cars had left. Except that stupid, shiny Volvo. "Of course," I said to myself, "it would be them." Alice Cullen hoped in the drivers seat, with the other three remaining Cullen's following.
The car took over with great speed, and that's when I saw something that caused my heart to literary stop for a moment.
Edward Cullen walked out from the tree line behind the parking lot. I wouldn't have even noticed if I didn't glance into my rear view mirror before pulling out. I bit my lip, debating. He hated me, but he had to no reason to hate me. I could attempt to make amends with him, offer him a ride home as he obviously missed his. But if he was here, why the hell wasn't he in class?
I looked back in my mirror, and he was still standing there, looking shocked. Something about my presence surprised him; I got the feeling didn't happen a lot. My instinct's told me to run as the hair on my arms stood up.
But I ignored it. I put the car into reverse, pulled back, and fish tailed the ass out. I rolled down the passenger window, which now faced him.
"I saw you missed your ride, want one?"
"I-" He looked chocked up. Panicked almost. The cold wind blew alone my neck, causing me to shutter. "Don't think that's a good idea, I can walk. It's not too far."
"Edward, don't be an idiot, it's about to start raining any minute now." The sky was completely gray, as if to prove me point, drops of water began to form in my wind shield.
"I wouldn't want you to have go out of your way." He smiled politely, and took a step back.
"Just said it wasn't far."
"I-" now he looked frustrated. I could feel his anger creeping back in. Then the rain really started to come down.
"What is it about me that you hate?" I asked, my voice in a whisper. His eye brows creased and he took two steps so he was right beside the car, "I've done nothing to you, and yet something about me sets you off. Either you're just an arrogant jerk, who feels the need to intimidate me, or you're completely uncomfortable around me because you know what's under the sweater. So, you have two choices; get the car and prove me wrong about being an arrogant jerk, or, refuse the ride, and confirm my suspicion." If you were to ask me where the courage came from, I'd have to admit that I had no idea. The words flew out of my mouth before I could stop them, and by the time I was finished, my face was beat red.
"I'm not trying to be an jerk." He leaned on the side of the car, and looked in. He jaw became tight, same way it had in the office. I put the car in neutral, and revved the engine.
"Two choices." I repeated. His hand twitched towards the handle, but he looked like he was in some internal battle.
"Life doesn't always follow the rules. But you already know that." His voice was cold, yet attractive. What the hell was that supposed to mean? Tires squealed around the corner, and the shiny Volvo reappeared. "I guess Alice remember to pick me up. Thanks for the offer though."
"Yeah, don't mention it." A part of me was disappointed, another was completely ecstatic with relief.
"Come on, Edward." A high soprano like voice called. He looked back down at me, and smiled. His eyes where the honey brown again. What the hell? Had I just imagined yesterday?
"See you tomorrow." He said, and vanished with impossible speed. I rolled up the window, through the car into gear, and took off. My heart was thundering in my chest by the time I made it home. As I pulled into the drive way, I smiled to myself. I had done something which took courage, I stood up to him. Somewhat, any ways. But doing so only introduced so many more mysteries. Why was in the trees, and not in class? Why was Alice driving like a manic to get back? What was I missing?
Charlie burnt diner. Again. My steak would have probably been a crisp if I didn't notice the burning smell from upstairs, and come rushing down. Some how this man must have lived off of fried eggs for the last too many years.
After a short argument, we agreed that I would take over kitchen detail. No need for food poison, besides, I was home first any ways. Charlie seemed revealed, yet skeptical. My mother had been a very- experimental cook.
And for the first time since I'd gotten here, I checked my e-mail. I also almost threw my computer out the window when I did.
Bella,
I know you're upset, but don't you think you're over reacting sweet heart? It was just a disagreement, no need to exile yourself. John's even said he's already forgiven you. Please come home, sweetie. We miss you.
Love, Mom.
Rage didn't even begin to explain the emotions running through out my body. The worst part was there where three other e-mails, exactly the same, sent of different days. Just an argument? John had forgiven ME?
I didn't even justify the e-mails with a response. Instead I slammed the top of my lap top down, and marched right out of the house. I needed to think, to be alone. I only made it to the back step, though. I sat down, and put my head in my hands. Charlie had actually noticed my abrupt exist, and came to sit down with me.
"You okay, Bells?"
"No." I muttered, "Nothing makes sense. Mom's just- acting like none of this happened. She's sent me several e-mails, saying that John's forgiven me. He doesn't need to forgive me! I did nothing wrong!" I didn't notice I was yelling until my voice cracked. But once I started, it was hard to stop.
"And the kids at school treat me like some shiny new toy. They follow me everywhere, ask me stupid questions, and seem to fight over who gets to play with me next."
"Bella, don't you think you're overreacting- not about your mom- but about the kids at school?" Charlie looked at me with a concerned expression, "They're just trying to be nice."
"Yeah, I guess. It's just kind of annoying- I just want to vanish into the background." Charlie gently rubbed my back, then stopped.
"I know what you mean, kiddo. But, it won't last forever."
"Hey Dad, do you know anything about the Cullen's?" Since we where talking about school kids, any ways....
"Dr. Cullen is a great man, you know that." I nodded, "a brilliant surgeon. He could probably work at any hospital in the world and make ten times the amount he makes here. But his wife wanted to live in a small town. I had my doubts with all those foster kids, but they're all extremely polite, and educated. I've heard a lot of the teachers complaining actually, saying they're being corrected by them. Yet, everyone seemed to separate themselves from them, for no reason."
"They don't really fit in at school." I said.
"People in this town just don't seem to trust outside things. You're technically from here, so I guess it's different." Charlie surprised me by looking mad.
"Well, I'm lab partner's with Edward- the youngest of the boys," I shrugged. "He seems nice enough." Okay, so that wasn't a complete lie. He did seem nice enough to everyone else. And sometimes to me. I just needed some time to figure him out.
"You should be nice to him, try to include him with the other kids." Charlie looked pleased by the idea.
"Yeah."
"As for your mother, just ignore the e-mail. Don't delete them, but ignore them. I've started a police report, and once we get your statement, we can file it."
"I-" No, I was not ready to talk about this. Particularly with my father, who was likely to take his gun, that he'd never fired on the job, and go shot John.
"When you're ready, Bella." He whispered. I just nodded.
That night was finally quite; I fell asleep, exhausted, around ten, and didn't have one bad dream all night.
When I woke up in the morning, I was unusually edgy. Wide awake I showered in half the time, actually put on make up, took a blow dryer to my wet hair, which came out strangely straight. I brushed my teeth, said good bye to Charlie, and made myself coffee. The sun was shining, something that never seemed to happen here.
While the pot was brewing I searched for a travel mug. The only one I could find was a black one from La Push. The name sounded familiar, but I couldn't remember why. I think it was a beach or something. Deciding it didn't matter, I filled my mug, pulled on my black rain coat and slipped into a pair or runners.
Right as I walked out the door, I feel on my butt.
So much for my great start to the day. Thankfully, the coffee mug's lid was closed, so it didn't spill. I pulled myself upward, and laughed it off. The civic roared to life with its usual ease, and I was off to school.
The day seemed routine now. Jessica blabbed on about nothing most of the time, and Mike followed me like a puppy. When we walked into the cafeteria, I looked out of the corner of my eye towards the Cullen's table, but none of them where sitting there. Strange. I felt oddly disappointed after Edward had said he'd be here today.
"So, Bella you in?" I shock my head and looked up at Mike.
"Sorry?"
"We're going down to La Push in a couple weeks, you in? It's a beach off the rez." Mike repeated. I agreed, more to be polite, then out of desire. Beaches where supposed to be warm and sunny. And on top of that, water just added another element for me to fall on my butt. Particularly when frozen, like this morning.
When the bell rang I walked with Mike and Angela to Bio. Slightly annoyed, I marched in the door. Who did this Cullen kid think he was, any ways? Why was he so special? Was I just curious? It seemed like more then that.
I remembered back to the office, he'd been concerned for my well being. But then he'd left as soon as someone else was there? The whole thing was extremely unsettling. I felt like I was building a puzzle and missing half the pieces.
The rest of the week followed suit, except the sun which vanished Thursday afternoon, much to my disappointment. The Cullen's were gone, Mike kept ranting about La Push, Jessica hung on to his every word like there was going to be an exam on it, and Angela and I kept to ourselves.
On Friday, I entered the food line up with Jessica, confident that the Cullen's weren't going to be there.
I was half right. Well, mostly right. When we sat down, and I glanced up at their table, all of them except Edward was there. He was really going to owe me an explanation after this. A big one. I constantly tried to tell myself it didn't matter, but I knew I was only kidding myself.
Mike seemed to take my frustration personally, and constantly kept asking what was wrong, if he had said something. By the time we walked into the Bio room, I almost smacked him.
"Mike, seriously, I'm fine. The only thing that's bothering me, is you constantly asking if I'm okay." I ranted, and marched to my seat.
I was so blinded by my anger with Mike, that I didn't notice one important little factor.
"Hello." a quiet, musical voice said. I was so startled, I dropped my pen. Edward caught it mid-air.
"Thanks." I muttered as he handed it to me. My heart was racing. His eyes were that same warm honey color today. Curious. He was still sitting as far away from me ask the lab table would allow, but his chair was angled towards me. He was smiling slightly, and seemed more relaxed today.
"I'm Edward Cullen, I never got a chance to properly introduce myself before." Had I made the whole thing up? Was I really getting that antsy and paranoid? He was perfectly polite.
"Bella, but -I'm sure you already knew that." I stammered. A bemused smile caused his face light up, like he was enjoying some inside joke. "Everyone does."
"Yes, you have been the topic of gossip the last few days." This family didn't hang out with anyone besides each other, how did he know about the gossip? Unless he was spreading it. My face must have portrayed my anger, because he held up his hangs in defense, "No, no- not what you think. Believe me, no one know-"
"What you saw?" I asked, coldly. His eyes dropped guilty.
"I owe you an apology," he whispered, "you surprised me, was all. I know I acted inappropriately, and continued to do so."
"Yeah, well, don't worry about it." Who was I to hold grudge, any ways? Besides, he apologized and looked severely repentive. Almost a little too much.
Just then Mr. Banner started the lesson, saving us from an awkward conversation.
The weekend was uneventful; I went grocery shopping, did the laundry, cleaned up the house, and finished my homework. Charlie, unused to not being alone, spent more of his weekend at the station. At one point on Saturday I drove to the library, but it was so poorly stocked, I didn't bother to get a card. I was going to have to drive to Seattle or something to visit a book store. Good thing I had the civic, it had good highway millage.
Monday morning, people greeted me in the parking lot. I could recognized, if not name, every person at the school now. Which was an improvement from Arizona; half the time people would ask me if I'd seen someone, who was apparently in my grade, and I didn't even know they existed. It was colder this morning though, with a wind that could cut right through you.
Mike sat next to me in English, as per usual, and we had a pop quiz on Wuthering Heights. It was very straight forward.
All in all, I was feeling pretty comfortable in my new surroundings, more then I ever expected to here.
When we walked out of class, the air was full of strange, flying and swirling white things. People where cheering in excitement, and dancing around. I moaned loudly as the wind bit at my cheeks. "Ew," I muttered, "Snow."
"Don't you like snow?" Mike seemed confuse, like I'd admitted to hating ice cream or something.
"No. It means it's too cold for rain." Obviously. "Besides, isn't it supposed to come down in individual little flakes, these just look like the ends of q-tips."
"Haven't you ever seen snow before?"
"Sure I have. " I paused. "On Tv."
Mike laughed. And then a big ball of white mush hit him on the back of the head. We both turned around to see Eric walking in the wrong direction for his next class. Mike seemed to notice this as well, and bent over to collect some snow for himself.
"I'll see you at lunch, okay?" I said, still walking, "Once people start throwing wet stuff, I go inside. And stay there." He just nodded, his eyes on Eric's retreating figure.
All morning continued the same way, snow feel, people threw it at each other, and I walked around with a binder behind my hands for defense. Jessica though it was absolutely hilarious, but something about the look on my face kept her from throwing a ball of mush at me herself.
I also avoided Mike, as he seemed to be a target for snow snipers.
Mike and Jessica planed a snow ball fight in the parking lot after school, so I made a mental note to avoid the parking lot. As we entered the line, I looked to the corner table out of habit. All five of the Cullen's sat, laughing. Jasper, Emmett and Edward where all soaking wet from the snow. Emmett shook off the snow, and Alice and Rosalie leaned away. They where enjoying the snow day like everyone else. Except they looked like a scene out of a movie.
But aside from their laughter and playfulness, there was something different, and I couldn't quite pinpoint what that difference was. I examined Edward the most carefully. His skin was less pale, I deiced- flush from the snow fight maybe- the circles under his eyes much less noticeable. But there was something more. I pondered, staring, trying to isolate the change.
"Bella, what are you staring at?" Jessica intruded, her eyes fallowing my stare.
At that precise moment, his eyes flashed over to meet mine. I stopped breathing, my face bright red. I shot my head down, letting my hair conceal my face. But his eyes didn't look harsh when they met, or unfriendly. He did look curious, unsatisfied in some way.
"Edward Cullen is staring at you," Jessica giggled in my ear.
"Does he look angry?" I couldn't help asking.
"No," she sounded confused by my question. "Should he be?"
"I don't think he likes me very much," I confided. I looked up from under my hair to make sure Jessica was right; he looked amused almost.
"The Cullen's don't like anyone... well, they don't notice anybody enough to like them. But he's still staring at you.
"Stop looking at him." I hissed. Jessica snickered, but looked away. Mike interrupted us then- something about the above for mentioned snow ball fight. Jessica eagerly agreed and helped him plan. She couldn't have made her flirting more noticeable if she put up a sign. The only one who didn't seem to notice, was Mike.
As soon as I was sure she wasn't looking, I looked back towards the Cullen's. Alice smiled at me, then Edward turned to look. I felt my stomach turn; busted twice in one lunch. He waved ever so slightly. I nodded back. Then he turned back to his siblings. I could have sworn Alice giggled.
When the bell rang, I moaned loudly. I didn't want to walk to class with Mike because with my luck, I'd get hit by a snow ball. I attempted to put myself in the middle of the herd to avoid being hit. When we reached the door, everyone expect me moaned in union. It was raining, washing all traces of the snow away in clear, icy ribbons down the side of the walkway. I pulled my hood up, secretly pleased. I would be free to go straight home after gym.
Mike kept up a string of complains on the way to building four.
Once inside the classroom, I walked to seat attempting to ignore the voice telling me to run.
"Hello." Edward greeted.
"Hi." Mr. Banner walked around the room with an AV cart full of microscopes. Edward pulled one off, and put it in between us. On our desk there was already a box of slides. Class didn't start for a few minutes, and the room buzzed with conversation. I doodled on my note book. And Edward Cullen kept staring at me, like he was willing me to do something. Just as I was about to say something, the second bell rang.
Mr. Banner started class at that moment. I tried to concentrate as he explained the lab we would be doing today. "Working with you partner, you're to separate the slices of onion root tip cells into the phases of mitosis, then label them. Which ever team finishes first, win's the golden onion." He held up an onion, which had clearly been spray painted. "No textbooks, no cheating. Get started."
"Ladies first?" Edward asked. I looked at him smiling a crooked smile so beautiful, that I could barely look away.
"Or, I could start." He was clearly wondering if I'd finally snapped.
"No," I said, flushing, "I'll go."
Okay, I was showing off a little bit. I'd already done this lab, and knew what I was looking for. It was easy. I snapped the first slide into place under the microscope and adjusted it quickly to the 40x objective. I studied the slide briefly. "Prophase."
"Do you mind if I look?" He asked as I began to remove the slide. His hand caught mine, to stop me, as he asked. His finger were ice-cold, like he's been holding them in a snowdrift before class. But that wasn't why I jerked away. When he touched me, it stung my hand as if an electric current had passed through us.
"I'm sorry," he muttered, pulling his hand back immediately. However, he continued to reach for the microscope. I watch him, still staggered, as he examined the slide for an even shorter time that I had.
"Prophase," he agreed.
"Like I said." Edward smirked, and wrote it in the blank. His writing was so elegant, like something from the early 1900's, not 2008, where everyone types, and can't write.
We continued like that for the rest of the exercise; one of us identified, the other checked. Edward was careful not to touch me skin again, which struck me as odd. Had he felt it too?
We had finished the lab before anyone else was even close. Mike and his partner compared two slides again and again, and another group had their textbook open under the table. Which left me with nothing to do, but try not to look at him. Unsuccessfully.