Tripping The Prom Queen
Chapter 18: Better Than Revenge
Author's Note: Finally! I'm back! Sorry for the delay! My laptop died rather unexpectedly and I had to get a new one. Hopefully, this chapter was worth the wait!
Thanks for your patience and to all those who read this. Special thanks to the reviewers: CLAYMOREBN, EsmeAliceRose and SonJamae98!
Chapter 18: Better Than Revenge, Part 1
"Bella!"
Edward's voice reverberated through the trees, tense and afraid. Darkness had fallen and the temperature was falling fast.
"Bella. Please! Stop!"
For once, Bella remained immune to Edward's entreaties. In fact, she barely heard them, so preoccupied was she with her own thoughts.
How could he! With her! The one person I truly hate!
The girl who just a few weeks ago… was my best friend!
"Bella!"
She kept running, twigs crushing under her narrow feet, as she plowed forward. Her heart thudded uncomfortably in her chest. Though she could barely breathe, she kept moving.
"Bella! Please! Just let me explain!"
Yeah! Right!
"It's not what you think!"
"OWW!"
Her foot tangled in a tree root. She flew through the air, landing ungracefully on her stomach.
"Bella!" Edward's voice echoed, now even more scared than before.
And closer…
"I'm fine!" she hissed, carefully sitting up.
"Are you?"
"Yes!" she insisted, heat flooding her face. "I can take care of myself, you know!"
"Yes" Edward replied, lowering himself to the ground beside her. "You were certainly outrunning me back there."
"Hardly!" Bella snapped.
Edward's heart sank.
Just a few minutes ago… We were so close… Now, she's so angry! So far away! And I can certainly understand why…
I have to fix this! Bring her back…
I can't let anyone spoil this. Us.
She needs to know everything…
"Bella. Please. Let me explain. Just look at me."
She avoided his eyes.
"Don't let her ruin everything."
He had selected the perfect words. Bella looked up. His emerald eyes were cloudy, but determined… worried, but hopeful still. She could not ignore them even if she wanted to.
And, deep down, she didn't want to.
Maybe… he really does have an explanation for all this… Especially with all the crap that's been going on lately!
"Ok"
"Ok" Edward sighed, taking a deep breath, pausing and carefully choosing his next words.
"After you left last night... We did the second set… It was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do! I was so worried about you. All I wanted was to be with you!"
"When we finally finished, I looked at Jasper. He understood. He went to settle our business with the club manager and I went backstage to grab our stuff so we could come right over."
"Then, suddenly Rosalie shows up. Drunk out of her mind. And high on something."
"Rosalie doesn't take drugs …" Bella mused.
"Well, she did last night." Edward insisted. "She threw herself on me, then kissed me. I don't know why…"
I do Bella thought. To hurt me.
Not unlike… why I went after Emmett.
"I pulled her off me." Edward continued. "She just laughed and walked away… I didn't want this...All I wanted was you."
"I wanted that, too." Bella said wistfully.
"I still do." Edward finished.
She didn't reply. She couldn't. Words, images, and sounds tumbled relentlessly through her mind.
It's all… too freaking much! I can't deal with this anymore!
"Please" Edward whispered.
His luminous image glowed in the velvety blackness, alabaster skin and copper hair, tugging at her heartstrings.
Something that I can count on… Something that doesn't change…
Something I can trust.
"I believe you."
"You do?" Edward exhaled.
"Yes" Bella pronounced. "With everything else that's been going on, it makes perfect sense."
"I would never lie to you." Edward promised. "I'm so sorry."
"I know."
"Are you okay?"
Are we okay?
"No" Bella replied. "It's all too much. Everything's out of control!"
"I know." Edward replied soberly. "If I could stop it, I could."
"I know…"
But you can't do that. It needs to be me. I'm the only one who can stop it!
"I have to stop it." Bella announced.
"How are you going to do that?"
"I… don't know."
She shivered.
"It's getting colder." Edward announced somberly. "We'd better go."
"Ok"
He held out his hand and helped her up. Carefully, they made their way back through the increasingly frigid forest, finally reaching the spot where he had left his car.
"What the…"
Bella glanced at him questioningly. He pointed at the expensive automobile. The windows were shattered. He then walked cautiously around the vehicle, inspecting it for further damage.
"All the tires were slashed."
"No" Bella gasped. "I'm so sorry…"
This is my fault too…
"No" Edward insisted. "It's not your fault."
"What are you doing?"
"What my dad always told me to do" he answered. "Calling the police…"
"But I shouldn't need to tell you that!" Edward finished teasingly, before stepping away to make the call.
Or maybe you do… Bella mused. Maybe it's time I…
She withdrew her own phone.
Four new messages… All from Alice… All wanting me to call her. With increasing urgency.
"Do it." Edward told her, reading her mind again. "Someone's going to need to come get us out of here, anyway."
Bella nodded and dialed.
Twenty minutes later, Alice's florescent yellow Turbo peeled through the blackness, and came to a graceful stop right next to Edward's damaged car. Another car, belonging to police officers was parked a few feet away. Two officers were surveying Edward's automobile, checking the wreckage for clues. Another was taking Bella's and Edward's statements.
Bella finished her report and walked over to her friend.
"This is so awful!" Alice erupted.
"Yeah…"
"Are you okay?"
"No…"
"You saw it?"
"The picture. Yes. It's all too freaking much!"
"And…" Alice's voice trailed off.
How can I tell her this… Except I have to!
"Don't tell me. There's more." Bella replied knowingly.
"I'm afraid so…"
Quickly, Alice told Bella everything she had learned that night, leaving out only who had discovered it for her.
This isn't right! I want to tell her! She should know! But Jacob insisted! Stubborn idiot!
She should know! And she will!
Someday!
"Rosalie did that, too!" Bella erupted, as another car pulled up.
Dad… Of course, they called him.
And maybe… that's not such a bad thing!
"What are you going to do?" Alice asked, already knowing.
"Tell him. Everything." Bella proclaimed. "It's the only way to stop this crap!"
"And see that bitch behind bars!" Alice grinned. "Where she belongs!"
So why do I feel… so guilty. She deserves it!
"Where she can't mess with me anymore! Or Edward!"
"Go!" Alice squealed unnecessarily. Bella was already at her father's side.
"Dad…" she said confidently, banishing all fear from her voice. "I need to tell you something…"
While Bella confided in her father, her nemesis was alone, in her darkened bedroom, writhing in pain. Her suffering continued for the entire weekend.
"Two days!" Rosalie mumbled to herself. "This fucking headache just won't stop!"
Again, one slender, shaky arm reached into her nightstand drawer for two more aspirin. She then picked up the bottle of water on the tabletop.
"Empty!"
Rather than stagger to the bathroom for more water, she swallowed the pills dry. They crumbled in her throat, leaving their bitter taste in her arid mouth. Rosalie choked them down, then lay back on her stack of oversize, rose satin pillows, curling up miserably under the matching comforter.
What the fuck is wrong with me! Why am I so sick!
And I can't remember a damn thing!
What the hell did Bitchtoria give me!
Irate, she now found the strength to reach for her sleek, silver IPhone. It was turned off, and she waited impatiently for the few seconds it took to power up. Finally, she hit Victoria's number.
No answer! Of course not!
No messages either…
Whatever!
Wait!
Her throbbing head blurred her vision. It took a while for her raw, aching eyes to absorb the image on the screen.
Her own image
I did… that?
The picture cued her weary brain and triggered her memory of Friday night.
We were at that dump in Seattle! Because Edward's band was playing there… And Jessica still wants his ass! Like that's ever gonna happen!
Lame! But there was nothing else to do
Besides, I knew Emmett would be there…
Victoria drove… Jess, Lauren and I drank some on the ride over…
Victoria didn't drink at all! So not like her!
Emmett was there! Sitting right up front with Bella! Of course!
Until she threw herself at Edward! Then he went after that slutty bartender! Ms. Boobalicious 2012!
He… didn't notice me at all!
I felt so awful… But I didn't say a word! Then Victoria dared me to kiss Edward! And I did it!
Why the hell not? Knew it would piss off Bella! And maybe make Emmett jealous…
Except… that didn't happen! He doesn't care! Never has!
Never will…
He doesn't care! And neither does anyone else!
My head's freaking killing me!
Pissed off, she smashed her head into her pillow, trying to will herself to sleep. Her eyes were closing when the doorbell rang.
What the f…
Ignore it! They'll go away!
Except whoever it was wouldn't leave. The bell continued to shriek relentlessly.
"Okay!"
Throwing her robe over her bare shoulders, she staggered through the empty house.
How dare someone barge in like this! I'll tell them exactly where they can go! And what they can do when they get there!
She swung the heavy door open.
"Chief Swan"
"Rosalie" he nodded. "Are you parents' home?"
"No. They are at a gallery opening in Seattle."
"We'll call them." Chief Swan nodded to his deputy, who obediently started dialing.
"What's going on?"
"You need to come with us. Now"
"Why?"
"We have some questions for you."
"Some questions" Rosalie thought, six hours later. "They kept me there all freaking day! Unbelievable!"
Her parents had joined her at the police station. Their irritation at having their weekend disrupted quickly morphed into complete rage when their daughter was formally charged with vandalism and harassment.
"And distributing child pornography." Chief Swan added, grimacing.
"Bella's not a child!" Rosalie snapped.
Hardly! She's the backstabbing slut who stole my boyfriend and now got me arrested. She's trying to ruin my life! She won't get away with it!
"She's under 18." Chief Swan explained.
"That's not even her body!"
"Shut up!" Mr. Hale exploded. "You're in enough trouble already!"
"But she knows damn well I didn't do a thing to her!"
Like it's my fault the other kids pick on her. They always have! Because she's so pathetic! Such a wuss!
I was always the one protecting her.
None of this is my fault!
No one had to do this for me!
At least… I didn't ask them to!
"She can go" Chief Swan finally announced, sliding Rosalie's paperwork into a file.
"You'll be hearing from our attorney!" Mr. Hale hissed.
"Yes" Bella's father replied calmly. "The court will notify you when she needs to appear."
"This isn't happening!" Mrs. Hale protested, shoving Rosalie out the door and into the car. "What will everyone think!"
"Mom, please! I didn't do anything!"
"That's not how it looks!" Mr. Hale said icily. "We'll discuss this at home!"
Her parents stayed ominously silent for the entire drive home, not speaking one word to her or even to each other.
I'd think they'd be angry! Screaming! Why aren't they? Why won't they talk to me?
The car stopped in front of their house.
"Go right upstairs. Stay in your room!"
"Father…"
"Do exactly what I say!"
"You've caused too much trouble already!" Mrs. Hale spat.
"But I didn't do it! Any of it!"
Neither parent replied.
They don't believe me!
"Please…"
"Go! Now!"
With uncharacteristic speed, Rosalie flew up the stairs. As she headed down the upstairs hall, she heard her parents finally erupt, two hostile volcanoes spewing red-hot venom.
They hate me! Probably, they always have!
Quickly, she slammed her door.
No use! I can still hear everything!
Her parents' words scalded her like flames.
"So ashamed"
"She's not our daughter."
"What are we going to do?"
What the hell am I going to do?
She stayed in her room until Monday morning. Her parents' fury ended quickly- almost too quickly. Still neither her father nor her mother sought her out. Eventually, Rosalie changed into her favorite Victoria's Secret red satin pajamas and slid into bed.
She was far too upset to sleep. However, as the sky lightened she began to feel a little bit better.
So… My parents are jerks! They always have been. Whatever!
Wait till I get to school! Everyone will know that little bitch is a snitch!
She just did herself in!
Satisfied, Rosalie dressed in her favorite pair of dark jeans and a scarlet cashmere sweater that slid casually off one creamy shoulder. High heeled Jimmy Choo boots clicking, she made her way downstairs.
She drove confidently over to the school parking lot. Stopping the car, she saw a similarly pricey vehicle a few feet away. Edward strolled out from the driver's side to open the door for Bella. She smiled at him as she stood up. He took her hand and together, they walked into the school.
Let's see how long that smile lasts, bitch!
Why am I shaking?
Steeling herself, Rosalie strode into the building. As always, heads turned as she passed. However, they weren't the covetous stares she was used to. People stepped carefully out of her path, trying to stay as far away from her as possible. No one spoke to her.
Just like my parents! What the…
At the very end of the long corridor, she saw Lauren and Jessica standing by their lockers, engaged in uncharacteristically serious discussion.
For once… I'm actually glad to see them!
I can't believe it… I… need their help!
"Jess… Lo…"
"We're not talking to you!" Jessica exploded. "Not ever again!"
Not you too!
"PMS much?" Rosalie snapped
"What part of "get lost" is too complicated for you to understand!" Lauren replied, throwing one of Rosalie's favorite expressions back in her face.
"What is up with you two?"
"Well, what do you expect!" Lauren said, stepping protectively close to Jessica, who seemed about to cry.
"I didn't do anything to Bella!"
"Yeah, like we give a crap about her!" Lauren snorted. "We're talking about what you did to Jess."
"You hooked up with Edward!" Jessica wailed. "You know I like him!"
"I didn't!"
"Then what's this!" Lauren sneered shoving her phone in Rosalie's face. Rose swatted it away and it clattered onto the floor.
"Hey!"
"It was a dare! A joke! Victoria dared me to do it!"
"You didn't have to!" Jessica yelled, angry now. "Besides, that's not what she says!"
"And what exactly has she said?
"She told us you were making fun of Jess." Lauren explained. "Saying she wasn't woman enough for Edward"
She isn't Rosalie thought. But I never said that…
At least… I don't think I did.
"You told Victoria... She'll never get him! But I can! I can have any man I want!"
Except one
"So then you said… I'll prove it! And you walked right up and kissed him!" Lauren admonished.
"You don't care about me!" Jessica screamed. "You don't care about anyone but yourself!"
"Will you just shut up! Everyone's watching!" Rose pleaded.
"So what!" Jessica retorted. "I don't care! Maybe it's time everyone knew what a total bitch you really are!"
"Maybe!" Lauren snorted.
"I can't believe this." Rosalie replied. "Victoria's lying to you. Why do you believe her over me?"
"Why wouldn't we?." Lauren said. "Victoria never hooked up with anyone we wanted!"
No. Just the rest of the hot guys in town
'We've been friends since grade school…" Rosalie stammered.
"Have we?" Lauren replied sarcastically.
"And since when does that stop you!" Jessica added.
"What the…"
Rosalie stared first at Jessica, then Lauren. What she saw in their eyes confirmed her fears.
They don't trust me at all! They saw how I turned on Bella! They think I would do the same to them!
"We know everything!" Lauren threatened.
"You know absolutely nothing!" Rosalie snapped. "And you're coming with me right now!"
"And why would we do that!" Jessica insisted.
Because you're total freaking drama queens! Gossip is your life!
"We're going to talk to Bella!" Rosalie announced.
She swiveled. As she expected, Jessica and Lauren obediently trailed behind. Other students followed them.
No one wanted to miss this.
Bella now stood with Alice, besides her own locker. Edward had reluctantly left her there, while he went to stow his own belongings.
"I'll be fine." she whispered.
"Ok" he replied, wondering.
Why do I have such a bad feeling about this?
Trepidation powered him, as he sped away, anxious to return as quickly as possible.
Alice grinned widely, as Bella stared at her boyfriend's gorgeous, retreating backside.
"You two seem to be doing okay."
"Yes" Bella confirmed.
"So?"
"He did!"
"When?"
"This morning!"
"Finally!" Alice squealed, hugging her friend. "About time! I want details!"
"Ok…" Bella smiled dreamily, recounting the events of that morning.
Bella sat at the kitchen table, picking at her breakfast. She couldn't imagine eating.
She also couldn't imagine going to school that day.
Not after her father had actually arrested and charged Rosalie.
She's spent how many hours in this house. Bella had thought. This is just so messed up!
But she deserves it! Pictures don't lie! And neither do the tests the police ran and the evidence they gathered.
The officers had done their own scans of the infamous "Homecoming Queen" website, legally confirming what Seth and Jacob had illicitly discovered. They found other evidence as well. In the back seat of Edward's car was a very expensive black silk Hermes scarf, with the initials RH embroidered in the lower left hand corner. Bella easily recognized it. The scarf was Rosalie's favorite.
It's obvious. She did it! Even the police know it, or they wouldn't have charged her!"
Moodily, she stirred her cereal, watching the clouds thicken outside.
Really don't want to go out there. Doesn't it ever stop raining in this town!
Suddenly, a car pulled up outside.
Edward
Within seconds, she reached the front door, swinging it open just as he reached it.
"Hi" he said.
She could barely see his face. His muscular arms cradled the biggest, most gorgeous assortment of wildflowers she had ever seen. There were violets, forget me nots, daffodils and many others she couldn't identify, in every color of the rainbow.
Like the meadow…
"Bella? Can I come in?"
"Yes"
Edward carefully carried in the elaborate bouquet, as Bella closed the door behind them.
"There are three things I want"
"Yes?"
"First, to give you these."
He placed the flowers in Bella's hands.
"So beautiful" she murmured. "Like the meadow"
"Exactly" Edward smiled. "But these came from a florist in Seattle."
Bella smiled back, understanding so much more than his words.
Edward would never have taken them from the meadow, destroying them, killing them. He would never tamper with such a magical place.
Our place
I love him.
Reverently, she laid them down on a table.
"What's the second thing?"
"Bella" he breathed. "Will you go to the Homecoming Dance with me?"
"Yes. Of course I will."
"Good"
"And… the last thing"
"This!" Edward announced seizing her shoulders and sliding his lips slowly, sensuously over hers.
OMG Bella thought, feeling her bones and everything inside her start to melt. "It's too good. Too easy. I want more. With him"
Reluctantly, Edward stepped away and ended the kiss.
Too easy… Too easy to be myself with her.
"Was there anything else you wanted?" Bella asked breathlessly.
Yes. Everything. With you. Only you.
I love you
"Not at this exact moment" Edward said, gazing into her dancing eyes. "Well, maybe one thing?"
She looked hopefully up at him.
"Can I drive you to school?"
"That's how it happened!" Alice squealed delightedly.
"Exactly!"
"You're so lucky!"
"I'm so happy!" Bella replied.
However, when she turned, her stomach flipped. Rosalie was stalking down the hall towards her.
"Here comes trouble!" Alice hissed softly. "Stand your ground!"
"Don't worry!" Bella replied, marshalling every bit of rage and pain her former friend had ever caused her. "I've got this!"
"Bella!" Rosalie smiled sweetly, venom dripping from her perfectly shaped mouth.
"Yes"
"We're going to talk! Now!"
