BPOV

We had a few more beers and exchanged normal conversation. I learned that Edward moved here from Chicago. Things didn't work out there and he had to move in with his aunt and uncle Esme and Carlisle. Both were respected throughout the community. Esme is an interior decorator and Carlisle is a doctor. I realized that since he was staying with Esme and Carlisle than that means he would constantly be around their two kids Alice and Emmett. Both of them had been here for as long as I was which means that he would soon hear all about my awful reputation, if he hadn't already.

Alice was in my grade and Emmett had just graduated last year. Both of them had the ability to be super popular but they preferred to stay to themselves. They mainly hung out with each other and, for lack of a better word, their soul mates. Alice was with the mysterious Jasper and Emmett was with the beautiful but snobby Rosalie, both of which were also in college. My heart sunk when I received this information. I was sure that once Edward heard just how awful the rumors had gotten he wouldn't want to talk to me anymore. No matter how bad a person might have had it before, no one wants to hang out with a whore.

We left the bar and Edward followed me out to the deserted road, before I got a chance to speed away he beeped the horn for me to stop and pull over. I did so, and got out my car. I leaned on the driver's side door and waited for Edward to come over to me. He looked me in my eyes and caressed my cheek with his hand. His finger tips were calloused over as if he played a lot of guitar. I smiled at the idea of Edward being musical. He didn't seem to be the brooding type and to picture him laying on his bed playing some soft song on his acoustic seemed out of place.

"I heard the rumors about you. Some of them not so bad, some of them were completely fucked up," He said in a smooth whisper. Despite the soothing tone, his words wiped the smile right off my face. I looked up at him, my expression hardened slightly as I prepared for his harsh words.

"I'm not perfect Bella. I've had some shit go on in my life that you couldn't imagine, and I've had some pretty bad rumors spread about me too. We haven't even known each other for a full day, but I already know that the things that I've heard about you are only half truths. I know something awful must've happened to you that you're not talking about. I don't believe anything that I've heard, and I won't believe a word of anything unless it comes from you," I wasn't prepared for what Edward told me and I felt my face soften again. I almost wanted to smile, really truly smile, but it was something that I haven't done in so long that I was sure that if I did it would come out looking like a contorted wince. Instead, I offered a sigh. I wrapped my arms around him and breathed in his scent. It was a mix of cigarettes and his cologne; the smell was intoxicating.

"It's getting close to midnight, it's an hour back to Forks, and it's a school night. We should probably head back," I said with a chuckle. Edward let out a soft laugh. He looked down at me and pushed my hair out of my face.

"Yes, because we wouldn't want the parents to worry," He said. He lowered his face towards mine. His lips reached mine and he slowly, hesitantly, brought his lips down on them. His lips were just a soft as I thought they'd be. He pressed his body against mine and began to deepen the kiss. I gathered his shirt in my fists, trying to pull him closer to me. He tasted like beer, tobacco, and mint but I couldn't get enough of it. Then I started to feel a fear well up in the pit of my stomach.

I knew that I was kissing Edward and that he wouldn't hurt me, but I couldn't keep the fear away. I broke the kiss and looked up at Edward. I bit my lip as I looked at him from under my lashes. He gave me a crooked smile. I kissed his jaw and went into my car. He went to his car and we both sped off home. When I arrived at my house, I parked my car, and climbed the tree in front of my bed room. I reached my bed room, carefully opened my window, and climbed through. I thought I was slick sneaking into my room, but when I turned around after quietly closing my window I saw my dad waiting for me on my chair by the door.

"Hey daddy," I said, chuckling nervously. I was in for a long night. I wondered if Edward was going to have it this bad.

EPOV

Bella and I were on the same road for a while and I noticed that even her tail lights were sexy. That Nissan was a sleek car and it fit her perfectly. We finally split up when I went on the dirt road to my aunt and uncle's house. Who would willingly live away from the rest of humanity? Even I wasn't that antisocial.

I couldn't help but think about Bella as I pulled into the driveway. Even if she was as bad as everyone thought she was, even if she did have the capability to hurt me beyond words, I was ready to be her new victim. It was weird because I don't normally put myself directly in harm's way like that. I shut off my engine, leaned my head back, and just closed my eyes. I licked my lips. I could still taste her on them. I wasn't ready to pull away when she broke the kiss, but I understood from the way that she looked at me that she wasn't ready to go too far yet. I may not be a totally gentleman, but I did respect women and their boundaries. I had a feeling that she had been with a guy who wasn't as aware of boundaries as I was. Simply thinking of what could've happened to her was starting to piss me off, but I managed to calm myself before I got too hot.

I got out of the car and went into the house. I wasn't used to having to be considerate about other people in the house so when I slammed the door, accidently, I wasn't prepared to see Carlisle and Esme waiting for me on the couch. Carlisle motioned for me to take a seat on the chair across from them.

"No thanks," I said, in what I thought was a polite tone.

"Look son," Carlisle started.

"You aren't my father," I said curtly. I didn't like my own dad, and I didn't need anyone trying to act like I'm their son. Carlisle looked startled by my comment. He stood up and made his way toward me. He looked too much like my dad when he did that.

"There's a curfew in this house. 10 pm on weekdays 12.30 on weekends," Carlisle said to me.

"Ok?" I said in an insubordinate tone. Is that all he needed to tell me?

"You are expected to follow this curfew." I was 6' 1" and Carlisle stood eye to eye to me. One thing about the men in this family is that we were all tall. I raised an eyebrow at him in a disbelieving look.

"Edward, my brother put me in charge of you. He trusted me to take care of you and that is what I'm going to do."

"I can take care of myself," I said in a dark tone. I couldn't believe that Carlisle thought that just because he was my legal guardian he could try and tell me what to do. I'd never had a curfew before, and he expects me to start following one now just because he said so? Carlisle put his hand on my shoulder. I scowled at it and shrugged it off.

"Edward, this is my house, and my rules. You have to follow them if you expect to have a happy stay in this house," he whispered to me. He said it in a tone that reminded me even more of my father, a tone that seemed to warn but had a distinct tone of malice. Carlisle may not have realized it right then but he had made an enemy in me the moment he said that to me.

"Really now? And what are you going to do to me Carlisle?" I said, challenging in my tone. He may not know what my father did to me, but he knew I didn't have a happy childhood or a stable household, for him to actually go there with me showed me that all Cullen men were the same, tall and short tempered. I leaned closer to him and said, "You may walk around here with your head held high, but remember that I know who you are and where you come from. You are no different from grandpa and I don't trust you," I sneered. I decided to leave my dad out of it; there's no point in bringing in his dead brother. I'm sure Carlisle thought he was decent guy, no need to desecrate his memory. I can carry that burden on my own.

I walked up to the third floor where I had claimed my space. It was the only room on third floor so I wouldn't have to worry about anybody bothering me. As I was on my way up the second flight of stairs so that I could get to my room, I heard Alice say something.

"What?" I asked in as soft a voice I could. I was on edge and I didn't wanna start anything with my cousin.

"I said she's bad news. Bella Swan? I heard you were sitting with her at lunch. I saw her walk out of that room. You should leave her alone," I pinched the bridge of my nose with my thumb and forefinger. I ignored her and continued my way up the stairs. I was tired and actually ready to go to bed.

I flopped down on my bed and stared at the ceiling. I know it sounds cliché but I couldn't help but wonder why me? Why couldn't I have a normal childhood with a normal family? Why'd I get stuck with the dysfunctional family? At least it was easier when my dad was still alive. At least I didn't have to hide everything from everyone, even though the only one who knew everything was the person inflicting the harm. Now, I'm stuck telling versions of a truth. Not even necessarily the truth, just a truth.

"Fuck you dad," I said up at the ceiling, and took a deep breath.

Soundtrack

Wasting My Time Default

The Unforgiven II Metallica

This Moment Disturbed

Dear Lucid, Our Time is right Now Evan's Blue

Victim Trapt

Enemy Drowning Pool

(Per) Version of a Truth Mudvayne