Chapter 18: Bella's Pov
I sat up from my place beside my bed on the floor. Every inch every centimeter of my body ached. I tried to open my right eye but didn't succeed. I tried with my left eye all I could manage was a little peek. I focused all my energy on being able to open my left eye to a squint.
It was sometime during the day I couldn't really tell since the clouds covered the sun. I got up slowly feeling each of my muscles tense with each move. As soon as I was able to stand my right arm made its way to place my hand over my right rib cage. I knew then that this is the worst beating Renee has given me. I limped over to my bathroom and made it to the sink before I coughed up blood I knew I was in deep trouble. I limped over to the bathtub and began to fill it with warm water. Hopefully the warm water will sooth my muscles. I slowly removed my clothes while wincing at each movement. Finally my efforts didn't go to waste and I was able to take off all my clothes. I turned off the water and stood there naked with my side facing the mirror. I was so afraid to see the damage so instead of looking at myself I just made my way into the bathtub. My skin was so sensitive that the water felt like a boiling pot to me but I knew I just had to settle in.
I sat in my nice warm tub listening quietly as my mind raced. How many times has Renee done this to me? How many times has, Charlie just stand by and watch what happens? What had I done to deserve such parents like this? What had I done to be sentenced to a life such as this? I was so occupied with my mind that I didn't realize I had submerged my entire upper half of my body into the water, and I did nothing to correct it.
"EDWARD" my mind called, that was all it took for the flashbacks to start.
Flashback
I was sitting down on one of the sofas in the living room with the Cullen children. It was nice to be settling down with a book. I was seated with my back against the armrest, my feet on the seat cushion and my knees brought up to my chest, only to be used as a book holder as I read. Jasper and Emmett sat on the ground in front of the 42 inch wide screen TV playing some video game, with guns, blood, and some ugly looking creatures. Alice and Rose sat on another sofa giving each other pedicures and manicures. Alice wanted to do mine as well but I insisted she wouldn't, after all I'd just be biting on my nails. The toxin in the nail polish would only get me sick. On the other half of the sofa I sat on was Edward. He was off listening to his Ipod while watching his brothers play. He'd occasionally laugh here and there as his brothers fail miserably and had to restart the round or something like that.
"Bella?" I heard someone call. I looked up from my book and saw that it was Edward. "What you reading?" he sang. I couldn't help but giggle at how girly he just sounded.
"Keeping the Moon." I replied.
"What's that about?" he asked I set my book aside and sat cross-legged. I noticed that his body was now facing me. His feet dangling off the couch as he rested his head on his left arm. I couldn't help but laugh at how much of a chick he's acting. "O MY GAWD! JASPER!!!!" that made me laugh even harder as the others broke out with laughter. "Jasper you made me act all girly!!! You suck!" Edward cried.
I resettled myself into the position I had been in earlier and began to read where I left off. Everyone went back to what they were doing all except Edward. "What" I asked innocently. I could feel my cheeks flare up as I noticed he's been staring at me.
"I still want to know what the books about. I just wouldn't have asked like Jasper made me." Edward said with a scowl in Jazz's direction.
"Edward you're so up tight you need to loosen up and take a joke." Jasper said with a chuckle. Edward then chucked one of Esme's throw pillow at Jasper. "Damn it Edward I'm busy playing a game here!" Jazz said.
"Well you weren't too busy to make me act like a chick were you?!" Edward retorted. "Anyways, Bella, what's it about?"
"Its about an over weight girl that moves to a small town to live while her mother travels because she's some big weight-loss author. In the small town she finds love and happiness. I've already read it but its one of my favorites." I answered him.
"Why is that?"
"Well…" I cleared my throat obviously a bit uncomfortable by his question.
"Bella, you don't have to be uncomfortable with us. You know you can tell us anything." Jasper said.
"Well…" I said again now aware that each Cullen was waiting for my answer. "Well…it gives me the sense, that love and happiness is out there for even the ugliest person. That maybe just maybe there's love and happiness out there for me too." I whispered quietly. I wrapped my arms around my legs and rested my head on my knees as I let the tears fall.
"Bella" Edward called now seated next to my feet. He rested his hands on mine offering some comfort. "Bella look up at me please."
I did as he asked placing my chin on my knees but I closed my eyes.
"Bella look at me please" he repeated.
"Edward." I breathed out.
"Bella whatever made you think that you are not worthy of love or happiness is beyond me. But let me tell you this…you're stuck with us now; you're stuck with me now. If you ever need anyone of us we'll be there just call. That's all you have to do." He kissed my forehead and gathered me into his arms.
End of flashback.
I sat up catching a big breath as soon as I surfaced. Just thinking about them gave me a boost to stay alive. Edward gave me a reason to be alive. I'd take all the beatings from that retched woman I call mother just to be able to see Edward in school, to be able to see him at all.
I got out of my bath soon after that little epiphany. I still wasn't able to fully open my eyes but I could still see with my squinting left eye. I put on a large shirt that appeared as a night gown while I had it on and went down stairs. I saw Charlie in the living room watching the game on his real love the flat screen. He was so into it that he didn't even see me coming down the stairs and make my way into the kitchen. I went up to the freezer to get me some ice for my bruised eyes. Hopefully the ice will help with the swelling. I also got me a glass of water to take Nyquil hopefully that'll knock me out so I don't deal with the pain I'm in.
"Bella!" Charlie cried causing me to look up at him. "Oh Bella I'm so sorry!!! I'm glad you're alive though you've been out for three days" he said while taking a few steps forward.
I raised my free right hand to signal him to stop from coming any closer. Three days, I've been out for three days and they didn't even bother moving me from the floor. Waking up on the bed would've been nice well nicer. Three days they didn't even come to check if I was alive or not. Jeez how much could I really mean to them seriously.
"I called the Newton's and told them you were really sick still. That you weren't even going to school this whole up coming week. I'm sure you don't want to go now anyways."
I slowly raised my head giving him a better look of my face. The big intake of breath he took told me that I was really fucked up this time. He was right I especially do not want to go to school this week. I hope that's enough time for everything to heal because I don't think I can handle not see Edward more than that.
I turned from my father to head back up to my room. I didn't even care to take notice of where that devil woman currently is. I'm sure she's out with her friends making like she's the greatest person ever. Ha I hope she gets hers one day I hope she does.
I got to my room and locked my door. I couldn't risk having that bitch coming into my room and beating the shit out of me even more. I laid down on my bed and placed the ice flat on my face just enough to cover till my mouth. I flinched at the contact but it had to be done. I didn't even notice when I fell asleep.
It was Wednesday middle of the week, only four more days till I see Edward. It still confused me how I actually felt about him. However, I knew it was something more than just friends.
"Isabel-la!" my Renee sang.
"Coming" I yelled back. I got off my bed and headed for my bedroom door, stopping when I came across a mirror I had hanging behind my door. The swelling went down a lot. I can see and open both of my eyes. My lip still had a cut but the bruises are begging to fade a bit. Yup I'll be healed by Sunday, I hope. Surprisingly mother hasn't been too much of a bitch lately. She tells me what to do still and yells for me constantly. I made it to the kitchen where Renee sat happily in her chair with a cup of tea. "Yes mom?"
"I have some news to tell you!!!" She said cheerily.
"Yes?"
"We got a maid! So you don't have to do anything around the house anymore."
"Really, wow, that's a total relief on my part." I said as I let out a breath.
"Oh wait I have even better news!!!"
"Really what?" I asked getting a bit excited. I actually felt like charging her to force her to tell me what it was.
"YOU'RE MOVING OUT!" she cheered!
A/N: I know its not much. I'm really sorry about not updating for awhile its just been really hectic. There have been some suggestions about getting a beta from my friends that read this story but I cant sorry. I just feel that it wont be my story if someone else writes the story. Well I hope you liked this chapter. Things are getting a bit more exciting aren't they. Hopefully I'll be able to update this weekend but I make no promises. Just hope I do. Haha.
REVIEW PLEASE!!! It really does motivate me to update sooner.
TwiLust!
