Chapter 2
"I got to go baby, the fucking cop is on my back again." I moaned down the phone.
"Fuck him, Bella." Jasper's gorgeous voice reached me and my heart squeezed tight. I missed him so much. "Seriously gorgeous, don't let him get to you, you're better than all of those small town fuckheads."
I laughed at him and looked over at his hat sat on my vanity. "Well J, if I wanna eat then I got go out and mingle with the small town fuckheads. What sort of self-proclaimed bachelor doesn't have cereal! Phone me later, baby. Tell Rose I miss her."
"Okay, Darlin' have fun." I sighed – like that was gunna happen.
"Bye," I could hear the ennui in my voice and Jasper chuckled sympathetically at me.
"Bye, baby." I clicked my cell closed and stood up from my bed and walked over to the vanity.
I put Jasper's hat on my head and scrunched up my hair, touched up my eyeliner and reapplied my lip-gloss. I looked at myself in the full length mirror and smiled. I was hot.
I was wearing a Kings of Leon band shirt that Rose and I had cut and stretched up; the sleeves had been cut off, the neck line was wider and hung off one shoulder showing off the strap of my black bra and the previously straight bottom hem was recut so it was shorter on one side – today I had pulled it tight across my torso and tied a knot in that side. I teamed it with a pair of low-rise tight black skinny leg jeans; there was a section of my tanned stomach on display, and black converse. I was wearing my usual necklace, a thick black cuff on one wrist and lots of bands on the other. I gave myself one final look over before I grabbed the Electra's keys and headed downstairs.
I was on my way to the front door – my father had already given me a credit card for food and anything else I might need so there was no need to speak to him now – when he called me into the lounge.
"What?" I snapped as I stood directly in front of the large flat screen. Charlie tutted at me and looked me up and down.
"Go upstairs and change." He ordered, directing his eyes to the bit of TV he could see.
"Excuse me?" I put my hands on my hips, glaring.
"Go upstairs and change," he enunciated each word slowly.
"No," I looked at him incredulously, "Who the hell do you think you are to tell me what to wear? I mean you obviously have no sense of fashion," I scoffed at his worn plaid shirt and pale jean pants.
"I am your father, young lady..."
"Only on paper," I interrupted him, he shot me a frustrated and confused glance, "you haven't been my father for ten years, ever since Renée had the good sense to get out of this shit hole and dump your sorry ass." He flinched under my harsh words. "So you don't get to tell me what to do, Charlie."
"I am you father." He repeated, "And while you are living under my roof you will do as I say."
I laughed at him, "Or what? You'll ship me back off to Phoenix? Think it through!"
Charlie's scowl deepened. "I will ask you one more time, Isabella then there will be trouble. Go and get changed."
"No." I turned my back on Charlie and slammed the door on way out.
It didn't take me long to find the store; there wasn't a whole lot of Forks to get lost in. I parked my baby in the back of the small lot and ran to the store entrance, trying to avoid as much rain damage to my hair as possible. I grabbed a basket and wandered the aisles grabbing the necessities: pop tarts, coffee, coke, gum, pot-noodle and chips. There was only one staple of my diet missing; cereal.
I looked up at the box I wanted, way up on the top shelf. I put my basket down and stretched as high as I could, my shirt slipped up my waist and my fingers just brushed the bottom of the shelf.
"Fuck!" I muttered.
"Need some help babe?"
I spun around and came face to ... chest, with a man mountain. "Sure," I smiled up at him. He had short dark tightly curled hair, soft eyes and was built like a cage fighter. He had a white top pulled tight over his muscled chest and shoulders and low riding jeans. He was cute. He had a spliff tucked behind his ear- my type of guy.
He took a step towards me forcing me to step back into the shelf; he reached above my head and easily plucked the box from the shelf and dropped it in my basket.
"Thanks," I stepped out of his reach and began to walk away from him.
"Hey!" he called me back; I turned round and raised an eyebrow at him. "I haven't seen you round here before?"
I laughed at him, "Dude, I know we're a way away from civilization here, but seriously? That's your line?!" To my surprise he laughed along with me, his booming laughter made me laugh more and I took a few steps back to him.
"But seriously, I haven't seen you round here before, you new?" His eyes still twinkled with his laughter.
"Yeah I guess I am new." I grimaced hating the label already.
"So, what brings you to the asshole of Washington?"
I dropped my basket to the floor, "My mother. She sent me here when she decided I was too much trouble to keep around. So here I am, in Shit Hole U.S.A. about to go out of my fucking mind after only a day here!" I chuckled darkly at the end of my little rant and looked up to see Mr-Man-Mountain holding back his laughter. "Its fine," I raised my arms up, "Laugh it up, big boy." As soon as the words left my mouth he bent over double, hands on his knees and howled with laughter.
I stood there watching him with a small smile on my face – my first genuine smile since I got here. I scanned the aisle and saw an old couple watching us with a frown and angrily whispered words; I smiled sweetly at them, flipped them the bird and then waved as they stormed away. I looked back to Man Mountain to find him watched me with tears in his eyes and red cheeks from his laughter.
"Girl, I think I love you!" He burst into more laughter and this time I laughed along with him.
"Emmett?" A sing-song voice called out and Man Mountain looked up.
"Over here, Pixie!" he shouted back, a second later a short girl practically skipped round the corner and leapt onto Emmett's back.
"I could hear you laughing from the other side of the store!" She pinched his side and he howled in laughter before pushing her off. "What's tickled your funny bone?"
"Alice Cullen, this," he gestured to me, "is..." I raised an eyebrow at him, "fuck! I don't know your name!"
"Bella Swan." I supplied for him.
"This is Bella Swan, and I think I love her."Emmett turned to smile secretively at Alice, "she just flipped off the Burts!" he grinned back at me.
"Pastor Burt?!" Alice asked Emmett with wide eyes, he nodded back at her.
Alice stepped away from Emmett and moved closer to me, "Hi Bella, I'm Alice." she smiled at me sweetly.
"Hey Alice." I returned her smile. Her smile slowly turned into an amused frown.
"Bella Swan as in Charlie Swan, the chief of police here?" she asked.
I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, that would my deadbeat dad."
"Tough break!" Emmett came over and placed his hand on my shoulder.
"I can handle him." I shrugged. I wasn't worried about Charlie at all. What's the worst he could do? Throw me out? Awesome, I'd go back to the sun or move in with Jazz and Rosie.
"You know what: I think if anyone can it's you, Bella." I smiled up at Emmett. "I think you're gunna be a breath of fresh air to this backwater town, Belly, you're just what we need round here." I raised my eyebrow at him in question.
"So I'm guessing you guys don't like it in Forks?" I picked up my basket and began walking down the aisle with Emmett and Alice on my heels.
"You're kidding right? We hate it!" Alice used her hands a lot when she spoke, and I could practically see the excitement sparking through her. "Me and my brother Edward moved here with my dad three years ago and we're very slowly going crazy!" I nodded at her. "When there are just three people who know what fun is, things can get kinda repetitive, you know."
"I can imagine." I frowned; I would not let my life end up like that. I would shake this town up until it forgot what boring and quiet felt like.
I put my things on the counter and paid the cashier, "So what year you starting in Belly?" Emmett spoke again. "You are in school, right?"
"I'm a senior." I held Jaspers' hat on my head when the wind blew my hair in my face; at least the rain had stopped. "What about you guys? You in school?"
"We're seniors too!" Alice squealed at me and Emmett smiled.
"Well, awesome!" I smiled at them as I led the way to my baby, when my back was facing Alice I rolled my eyes at her squealing – that would get real old real quick.
Emmett whistled and looked down at my car in awe; I unlocked the door and threw my bags on the back seat. "Alice, Emmett, I'd like to introduce you to my baby!" I smiled proudly at my car and ran my hand over the silver trim on the door.
"She's gorgeous!" Emmett crooned. He bent closer to the car and peered in the window, then made his way around it, running his hand across the doors.
"So, Alice, what is there to do here?"
"Nothing." She offered with a small smile. "We've tried to throw a few parties, but the people of Forks don't know what fun is!"
"Well, how about we try again?" I crossed my arms on my chest and lent on the side of my baby, "Want to throw me a welcome party?"
"Bella, I'd love to!" she practically jumped up and down on the spot.
"Awesome, I'll bring the sweeties, and we'll see if we can shake this town up a bit."
"Whose gonna shake the town up? 'Cause I wanna see that!" Emmett came back round the car and put his arm around my shoulders that were shivering from the cold.
"I am, Emmy." I nudged him with my hip when he lent against the car as well. "I gotta do something to keep myself sane!" I reached my arm around Emmett and plucked the spliff from behind his ear. "Got a light?"
I put the spliff in my mouth and Emmett leant in close and shielded it against the wind as he lit it. I inhaled deeply and closed my eyes, letting the hot smoke burn my throat and heat my body from the inside. I released the smoke slowly before taking another hit and passing it to Emmett.
We chatted freely while we smoked and exchanged numbers. Alice promised to find me at lunch tomorrow and introduce me to her brother, who she was sure was going to love me. Emmett opened and closed my door for me and I pulled out of the store with a smile and a slightly better feeling about this whole thing.
They both seemed real nice – if a bit eager, but I guess it's normal to be excited about the new girl. Soon they'd see just how 'exciting' I could be. I'd give them something worthy of their overactive-excitement. I chuckled to myself thinking about all of the things I could get up to in a new town where nobody knew my reputation. There was only one thing that would make my day perfect.
I pulled my cellphone out and speed-dialled 1.
"Hey Bitch, what's up?" Rose's beautifully familiar voice made me laugh again. "What's got you so happy B?"
"You and that sex-god brother of yours got any plans this weekend?" I drove past the school and stuck my middle finger up at it.
"Ew, B! And no of course not, what would we do without you?!"
"Good." I smiled knowing her answer to my next question, "Want to come to a party?"
"Like you even have to ask!" Rose laughed at me. I pulled into the driveway of Charlie's house and killed the engine. "The cop letting you have a party?"
I laughed as I reached round to get my bags from the back seat. "Nope," I popped the 'p' happy with myself, "I met some people at the store and convinced them to throw me a welcome party."
"Isabella Swan, you are my hero!" She laughed, "So you've already got the small town fuckers wrapped around your little finger – I like your style!"
"I thank you Miss Hale." I opened the door, making sure I slammed it closed and walked to the kitchen. "But these two aren't from Forks and they're pretty okay." I put my bags on the small table, took a giant bag of chips and a can of coke and went up to my room ignoring Charlie's call. "They had weed anyway which is already more fun than I thought anyone here could be."
"So you like them?"
"Well they're certainly no Rosalie Hale," I laughed down the phone,
"Damn right!"
"But I think they're about the best I'm gonna find till I get you two back."I sank onto my window seat, threw the window open and pulled the spliffs Jasper gave me out of my bedside drawer. "They seem just as bored with Forks as I am - and they've been here for three years!"
"I'd have killed myself already." Rose had come to Forks with me once last year when I had to come and collect some stuff from Charlie's house. We were only there for a day and a half in total but we were both about ready to slit our wrists.
"Me too."
"So what are they like?"
"They're okay, I guess," I lit my spliff and spoke while I held the smoke in. "Emmett seems okay, and Alice is very ... energetic and excitable." I exhaled.
"Emmett?" Rose's voice spiked in interest.
"Uh huh." I took another suck at the spliff.
"Bella! Give me the details!"
"Chill babe!" I laughed at her impatience and she tutted at me. "He's tall, short brown hair, built like a mountain, looks like he could be the quarterback, walks round with a cigarette behind his ear, bored of Forks, wants some excitement, said someone needs to shake this fuck-up of a town up a bit." I smiled. I was so the person for that job.
"Mmm," Rosie hummed down the phone, "Sounds interesting, he single?"
"Because that would stop you?" I scoffed.
"It never hurts to know what you're up against."
"I'll find out tomorrow..."
"And get me a picture!" Rose interrupted me.
"How am I supposed to do that?!"
"You're Bella Swan, bad girl of Phoenix! I have faith that you'll find a way." Rose pepped me up.
"Yeah okay, whatever." I flicked the butt of my spliff out the window and took a big drink of coke. "You're not even here yet and you're already checking out the boys."
"No point in wasting time B, and what's the chance of their being two guys like him there in Shit Pit? I need to make my claim, now." She had a point there.
"I don't know, Alice said something about her brother." I shrugged. I lazed out on the window seat with one leg hanging out of the window and pulled the chips closer. "I guess he could be like him. I'll let you know tomorrow."
"You gonna go?"
"I guess so, it is my first day. How much trouble you think I can cause on my first day?"I asked Rose with a smirk.
"Not as much as if you were with me!"
"Well I can certainly prepare them for us." We laughed together for a minute and I swung my leg where it hung out the window.
"They're not going to know what hit them!" Rose laughed and for a minute I had to hold my breath and squeeze my eyes shut to stop myself bursting out in tears, I missed her so much. "Shit! Tyler's here."
"Does he know you're leaving yet?" I smiled at Rose's reaction, but it was a watery smile; my tears were still fresh in my eyes.
"Fuck does he! Fucking idiot keeps hanging around me. He won't take no for an answer."
"That's probably because you already fucked him, Rosie. Maybe he thinks you're just playing hard to get?"
"Maybe I should just dick kick him!" She growled. "I was wasted for fucks sake; I'd have done Brett fucking Slater if he was there!"
Throwing my head back and holding onto my stomach, I released a loud laugh. Brett Slater was the class looser, who had a massive crush on our Rosie. He left letters in her locker, followed her to class and asked her to every single dance. Rose didn't return his infatuation.
"I'm serious, Bella. It was a mistake!" I heard someone knock on Rose's door and she swore under her breath.
"I got to go kick some weedy boy ass, babe. Talk to you later."
"Good luck.
"Thanks, I'll tell J we're coming down at the weekend."
I heard Rose call Tyler in before she hung up the phone and I cracked up laughing again. I felt sorry for Tyler; Rose could be a total bitch sometimes. I could just imagine her standing there with her hands on her hip ripping into him. My head hit the wall as I cried with laughter.
At that moment Charlie burst into my room with a red face and anger in his green eyes. I laughed at him.
"Isabella! What are you smoking up here?" He walked into my room, scowling. I shrugged my shoulders and laughed at him.
"Why? You want some daddy?"
"You are grounded young lady. I want you to come straight home from school." My laughter doubled; my stomach hurt and the tears in my eyes had made my vision blurry.
Charlie watched me for a minute longer his face getting redder every second, until he stormed from the room muttering something about calling my mother under his breath.
Forks already seemed more fun than I anticipated. I pulled another spliff from the bag at my feet and fired up, still laughing to myself.