Alright, this story will be HEA, just so you know =). Special thanks to my first reviewer- KayJay112 (you guys should go check out her amazing story by the way)! So, Chapter two here we go, wish me luck!

She walks to school with the lunch she packed.

Nobody knows what she's holdin' back.

Wearin' the same dress she wore yesterday,

She hides the bruises with linen and lace.

The teacher wonders but she doesn't ask.

It's hard to see the pain behind the mask.

Bearing the burden of a secret storm,

Sometimes she wishes she was never born.

Mcbride

I felt Vicky stir at my side, I was afraid to look at the damage that was cause by my own selfish act.

"Belly... It's not your fault." I hate how she tries to make me feel better when it was just as bad as me doing it myself.

"It is my fault if you think about it, for gods sakes, it's my fault you were sucked into this hell hole in the first place!" She laughed humorlessly.

"I wont leave you Vic. Not until your safe." I said, my voice void of emotion, I still refused to look at her.

"Belly... Love... I am only your foster parent... You won't be here forever," I regretted taking a glance at her in that moment, a single tear sliding down my face at her sad smile. I still remember the day she took me in...

I was 14, just taken away from my home. My mother recently taken out of my life.

There was a very slim, gorgeous woman with a tall, well built man by her side walking around, watching all the children playing and interacting. We were all told about them, they were foster parents and were coming to pick me up today. I could tell the man was only here for the fire-haired woman.

"So... Where is Isabella?" She asked, her kind eyes still wandering. I pulled slightly at the long sleeves of my thermal. pointed at me and I let my chocolate brown curls fall over my matching eyes. I saw three figures walking slowly in my direction, slowly but surely. I was getting more nervous by the second. The woman stood in front of me with a smile that could light up the room but cause any pain in my heart from the the familiarity of it.

"You must be Isabella." She said with such a sweet tone it made my teeth ache and, impossibly, her smile grew.

"Bella..." I muttered with such distaste she was slightly taken back. Then she shocked me by laughing loud and hard, yet it still seemed to sound elegant.

"Of course!"

"So you're Victoria..."

"Vicky," She gave me a wink and a small chuckle, "And this!" She pulled the man by his hand to stand in front of me, "Is James." She said his name with so much love it was evident that she would do anything for him, yet I still shrunk back , away from him.

"I see." He gave me a light smile.

"Are these your things?"

"Mhm."

"Well... What are we waiting for?" Her words were soft and the smile on her face was contagious, I could feel the ends of my lips twitch. Slowly I slung my back-pack over my shoulder and followed Victoria our of the orphanage earning a few glares from the other girls who wished they could leave, little did they know, they would have regretted it all after a while...

"Vic... Its been two years, I don't think I'm going anywhere." I said returning her small smile and squeezing her hand lightly.

"There's always hope." I hated how she believed it too, that there could be hope for someone like me. It sickened me to my stomach that she could have so much hope and I just couldn't, I was jealous of how blinded she was by love, so blind she couldn't see the bruises that covered us both.

"How it end up like this? When it start going so bad?" I ask, tears rimming my eyes.

"I don't know Hunny... I don't know... Anyways, you should get to school."

"I am not leaving you until he leaves Victoria! So don't even try that shit with me." My eyebrows pulled together and I stared at her, trying to make her understand without too many words, her eyes slowly became accepting.

"Alright, alright. Now, what do you-"

"Victoria? Isabella? Come out, come out where every you are..." James sang, I could feel my heart hammering in my chest and I squeezed the life out of Vicky's hand right before bolting towards the door, leaving her speechless. Slowly I opened the door earning a long squeal of protest from the rusty bolts.

"Ahh, Isabella. What is my Victoria?" My eyes hardened at his words, he has no remorse, no shame, and it sickened me.

"Still asleep James. Are you hungry?" I asked, using everything I had to be civil, I had to , I couldn't do that to her again, I couldn't risk her life like that ever again. His smirk almost threw me off the edge, he knew I would do anything for her.

"No... That just alright, just remember my warning, will you?" He voice was smug as he slowly walked over to me, placing his repulsive lips against my forehead. He gave me a content smile and a quick wave of his hand as he walked out of the house, I didn't move from my spot until I heard him pull away in the civic. When I was sure he was gone I dashed back to my room. Vic's entire body shook from fear, not even for herself, but for me.

"Stop doing that Victoria." I said, once again void of emotion.

"You of all people should know I can't help but to worry about you. Now, time to get to school," As I tried to interrupt her she held up a shaky hand, "It's gambling day! If he wins everything will be fine... Just like the old days..." I gave her a small smile, she was back to the damn hope thing again. I place a small kiss on her cheek and walked out to the kitchen making her a quick breakfast and bring it back to her before heading out the door. When I had finally arrived at school it was passing period from first to second. I had heard there were new students coming here today, and thoughts were confirmed when I saw a silver volvo parked by the entrance . I quickly pulled into an empty parking space. I was fine with missing English; was an ass.

The day was flowing by quite quickly, no sign of the new kids, Cullens, I heard from all the gossip spreading already. Then soon enough lunch came around, my hell. As soon as I entered the room Lauren was sneering at me, stupid, blonde bimbo. I just let my head fall staring down at my converse tapping quietly as I made my way towards my table, stopping short when I realized it was being occupied. Occupied by the curly blonde haired, lanky boy who just so happened to be clutching my book in his hand.

I turned on my heals and left the way I came earning odd looks from some of the kids sitting at my table.

"Huh? Oh, hey! Wait up!" It was blonie's voice, I could hear his feet patting on the floor as they came towards me, earning glares from Lauren and Jessica. This only made me walk faster, this could not be happening! Only seconds after I exited the cafeteria I felt a hand encircle my wrist and I had to stifle my scream.

"Hi..." Best response you could think of after chasing me out of the damn cafeteria blonie? I was glaring at him, carefully avoiding eye contact, until I felt his hand slightly tighten around my wrist, so I just stared at were his hand was with wide eyes, slowly he released me and took a small step back.

"Uh... Sorry..."

"Yeah, can I help you, or something?" I said running my fingers thru my hair and he lamely scratched the nape of his neck and thrusted my book out before him, making he jump in response. All I could do was stare at it like it would attack me if I moved a muscle.

"Awh... Come on, I don't bite." He said with a small wink. Slowly I reached out, took my book cautiously, and grasp the book tightly to my chest. I took this chance to really look at him, he had a tall and lean; slightly muscular body. I looked up, his hair was in soft, tiny ringlets, and his eyes- my god his eyes! They were the most precious shade of dark blue. Just then his eyes met mine... Blue meets brown, and couldn't seem to tear my eyes away.

"Soo... I'm Jasper?" He stated, making it sound more like a question than anything. I gave a slight nod, "And... You are?"

"I'm Bella..." I said letting out a breath I didn't realize I was holding. He gave me a small smile.

"Well then, hello Bella." With that, he walked away, he just fucking walked away, damn egotistical douche bag. Even though it pissed me off to no end that he would just walk away like that, his piercing blue eyes wouldn't seem to leave my mind. I slowly loosened my hands from around my book and sat against the wall, cracking open the weathered book to my favorite part and sucked myself into a whole other world, well... Until the bell rang and I jumped up and ran to biology.

I took my seat next to the window by myself, no one came near me anymore once they realized I was hopeless. I felt a pair of eyes burning into my side and when I looked up, of course, it was Jasper. Really now, really? He looked away from me to and no matter how hard I strained my ears, I couldn't hear what they were saying. Suddenly his eyes were back on me and was point at me, or should I say next to me... The only other empty seat... Dammit! Slowly he made his way next to me, failing at acting rather nonchalant, I easily noticed him simper, making his eyes slightly squint in protest.

"Hello Bella." He said as he sat down. I completely ignored him, still irritated that he just walking away.

"Beeeelllllaaaa" He whispered in a sing-song voice bring back bad memories. No! I wouldn't let my mind wander, not here, not now. My breathing hitched and I closed my eyes, trying to ward off any memories that haunted me like nightmares.

"Uh... Bella? Are you all right?" He whispered, "Sorry if I did something wrong... Seems to be all I've been able to do lately, but I really didn't mean any harm..." I could practically see his face, he should know that this isn't his fault. I'm the one who caused everything, right?

Right.

"It's nothing- I mean you did nothing. It's just..." I trailed off, not even knowing what I would have said. 'Sorry, my foster parent beats me and what you said reminded me of him and his sadistic mind.' Ha! Yeah right, I snorted at my self and my seriously fucked up sense of humor.

"You don't have to tell me anything you know..." When I looked up to his eyes there was nothing but concern, that I didn't understand on bit. "If you want... Just say the word and I swear I'll leave you alone... But please do consider we don't even know each other yet, and I'm sure we'd be great friends." He gave me a wink and I was left totally dumb-struck. The worst part was, I wasn't even sure if I was more shocked at him actually wanting to talk to some one like me, or that fact I didn't want to tell him to leave me alone...

SHA BAM ! How was that ? ;)

Yes, yes, I know they are not terribly long, and I personally hate small chapters but I'm working on it, ya know?

Thanks guys.

Scritto con amore ,

XoXo. Isabel P.