Stephenie has it all. I just decided to play with her characters and add some of mine.
Pictures of the characters on my web, here: http:/ newdawn-newday-newlife . webs . com/ residentadviser . htm. As you know by now, remove the spaces.
On FB you find me under the name of Cherry Bella. THANK YOU, GUYS! I never expected so many reviews or story Alerts/Favorites or hits. You are great! This is seriously my only story to recieve such feedback! I may update every week, I'm not sure yet.
Pre-read by TeamAllTwilight.
"Bella!" I heard a voice calling for me, but I didn't want to come around. The reality was cruel. "Bella, love, please." I concluded that he wasn't aware of saying that word. Maybe he called everyone that.
I opened my eyes and saw his relieved face. His long arms hugged me to his chest. I pushed against him and scrambled up.
"What was that?" I asked in a shaky voice.
"She's out of her fucking mind!"
My eyes wondered to Jessica, who was watching us with rapt attention. "I have proof," she whispered.
"I told you that I won't listen to your stories! Why do you insist to ruin this?" Edward groaned, reaching for me again. I dodged him and went to her.
"I'd like to see the proof," I said, slowly. I felt like I was living a parallel life. One I always dreaded. Some skank coming back and wanting him back for whatever reason, never such a human-like reason. I looked at the picture in her hands and it was a small newborn boy. I tried to remember if I saw her in the past few months and how she looked or if I saw her at all. I couldn't remember. I didn't want to believe this.
I wanted to take Bob's advice and not overreact, but it was impossible. The little baby looked too much like Edward.
"Bella, please, don't believe her," he begged, coming behind me and wrapping me in his arms. "I always use a condom."
"It happened last August, after the first game," Jessica told him.
"I don't believe shit," Edward insisted. "Let's go, Bella."
He stirred me out and I couldn't oppose him, he was stronger.
"I'm alone here! I can't take care of him!" Jessica cried from behind us and as much as I didn't want to believe her, she couldn't be that good of an actress. When I glanced back, there were tears steaming down her cheeks and she was hiccupping, looking at the picture in her hands.
"She can prove it with a DNA test," I told Edward.
"On whose fucking side are you?" he turned to me.
"I don't know," I said honestly.
He turned to her, his arm still around my neck. "Look, run some DNA tests. If you dare, that is."
"That will take weeks!" she shouted. I could see a crack in her good act. Maybe she was kidding. I really wanted her to be kidding. "Fine, I will. I'm telling you, we slept together that night and I tired countless times to tell you that I was pregnant, you never even looked at me after that!"
"Whatever," he grumbled and stirred me out. "I never hit girls, but mark my words, if she's up to some shit to break us up, I'm going to beat the shit out of her."
"Are you sure, she's lying?"
"Yes, Bella. Let's forget about her, please. Do you want to go to the party or go to your Dad?" he asked casually.
"You still want that?"
"Of course. I promised."
We went back to Bob's house where the party was held. Did we really need a party after every entry? I didn't feel like partying right now. My head was full of Jessica's threats and Edward dismissing everything. He took my hand when we entered the house and squeezed tightly on it.
"Can we go, now?" I whispered.
"I'll get our bags. I packed a few things while you were sleeping."
What I'd seen in the arena was the old him all over again and now he came and said this, showing me how truly changed he was. Was it only an act for me? Had he truly changed? I was looking forward to the car ride for questions and answers. We had to talk about this.
Edward turned me to him, moving the hair from my face then leaning to kiss me. "I'll be a second," he whispered. His breath filled my nostrils and left me drunk on his scent. I had gotten so used with everything that had to do with him that I couldn't conceive such a thing. I couldn't lose him.
"That was awesome!" Alice took me in her arms when I entered the living room.
"Thanks," I murmured, catching Bob's eye. He sighed and ducked his head. He knew I knew.
"We're leaving. I told Mom that we won't be back for a few days or so, but remind her." Edward joined us, putting an arm around me.
"Where are you going?" Alice asked, surprised.
"My Dad's," I told her. "I promise to prepare for the next song."
"That's good. It's in two weeks." She nodded and hugged us both.
"All I remember that happened is a party after that stupid practice, not game. She's even stupid! It involved booze and weed and you know how I was then. But really, I wouldn't have done such an idiotic thing. Not even under the influence of alcohol or substances or whatever," Edward confessed. We were on the highway, on our way to Forks.
"Hypothetically, if it's true. What would you do?" I asked in a small voice.
"Hypothetically," he stressed the word, glancing at me. "I'd use money from the account Esme and Carlisle have for me and give her a monthly fee or whatever it's called. I'll still be with you."
"Without asking if I could accept such a thing?"
"Bella, I made mistakes in the past! I fucking told you, I'm not perfect! And trust me, she is wrong."
I hope so, I said to myself. We fell silent for the rest of the drive, Edward shooting me worried glances, but not saying anything.
"For the sake of this small escape from Alice and reality, let's act as if everything is okay." I found myself saying when we entered Forks.
"I can do that. I can forget all about Jessica, if you want." He nodded.
"Good," I said and sighed in relief. We were going to be fine.
I gave him directions to my house and he parked next the cruiser.
"Aw crap! It's worse when I see it. Does he have a gun?"
"Yes, but it's away from him when he's home," I reassured him.
"Don't you dare open the door," Edward shouted when my hand went to the door handle. I shot my hands up and laughed loudly. Edward rounded the car and opened my door, helping me out. But without any gentlemanly pleasantries. We weren't as good as I had hoped. This Jessica episode had put a mark on both of us.
"Let's meet the cop," I sang and dragged him to the front door. Charlie didn't even know I was visiting, let alone staying over with my boyfriend! I hoped it went well.
"He knows we are coming, right?"
"I haven't called…"
"Whoa! Wait a fucking moment, Bella! He doesn't know! He'll shoot me!" he said, panicked.
"Calm down. Nothing will happen." We were in front of the door and I was waiting for Edward to calm the down, to knock.
"Does he even know you are dating?"
"Not really."
"Bella!" he yelled, the color on his face disappearing rapidly. "Holy fuck! Are you insane? I'm not going in there."
"Edward, he won't hurt you."
"Has he met any other boyfriends?"
"No." Not that he had what to meet.
"Do you really want me dead, Swan? I'm the first fucking guy you bring to your cop daddy?"
Before I could answer, the door opened and Edward yelped and hid behind me. "I'll be good, I promise. Don't let him kill me," he whispered in my ear.
"Isabella!" I hated when Charlie called me that.
"Hi, Dad!" I said and went to hug him. It felt a little awkward, but that was because Edward was still attached to my back, breathing down my neck in short, quick pants.
"And who is this young man?" He surely knew the answer. Our little quarrel could have been heard from inside, surely.
"Umm my boyfriend, Edward," I said slowly, blushing.
Charlie looked amused behind me and then he met my eyes and cracked a smile. "He's just scared of you. Don't make it worse," I threatened him, reaching for Edward's hand, which was suspiciously clammy.
"Edward, hello," Dad said in his direction. I haven't seen Edward acting so strange in my life. He jumped next to me and put his hand to his forehead in a military salute. I bit my lip not to crack up when he answered.
"Sir, hello, sir." He even thumped his foot on the ground. Charlie was a cop, not a marine!
"Oh, no need for such greetings. Call me Charlie," Dad said, clapping Edward's shoulder, who recoiled a bit but offered a small smile. "It's good to meet you."
"Likewise, sir."
"We'll get the bags. I want to stay a few days over," I told him. Dad nodded and I took Edward back to the car. "Loosen up, Cullen!"
"How the fuck should I do that?"
"Take Rose's advice and take that stick out from your ass," I giggled and took the backpack from the backseat.
"Look, Swan. I haven't met the parents of the girl I've been with in my life! No wait, I think I met one set of parents," he said thoughtfully. "That doesn't count. It was the party after the prom and everyone was mingling. My date for that night introduced me to her Mom."
"It's as good as it gets. He won't kill you. I think he even likes you," I promised. Charlie had accepted this too fast, but I was glad he seemed okay with the whole thing.
"You think?" Edward asked, puffing his chest, grinning at me.
"Yes, silly boy. What's not to like at you?"
"Everything?"
I rolled my eyes and closed the car's trunk door. We went inside the house and I smelled cooked food.
"Are you cooking?" I wondered.
"Sue dropped by."
"Sue?" I echoed, surprised.
"Oh yes, you must remember her. Seth's mother," he explained.
"Yes, I know who she is," I said, still shocked. I was glad he had found someone else in his life and I knew that he wasn't faking when he said that he liked Edward. I hoped, he wouldn't screw this by whatever the result of Jessica's tests were.
My old room was turned into a storage room, but I didn't complain. I slept next to Edward, on the couch. I showed him around Forks, we went to La Push beach and we adventured into the woods. He told me that Jacob was from here, actually, which surprised me. In everything he said, he tried to prove me that he was changed and that he was sure Jessica was lying. I started to know him even better, he admitted that he knew how to play the piano and the guitar. I wasn't allowed to tell anyone about the piano. He told me all his favorite things from food, drinks, books to where he'd like to go, what he'd like to visit. I answered back to every thing he said, telling him about my own passions. I felt like I was losing him. I didn't want to leave Forks. If we went back, I knew that reality would come back.
Unfortunately, the day we planned to go back, Edward got a phone call during breakfast.
He excused himself and rushed outside. It was Jessica, I could tell that. I had an idea, but I had to run it by Edward first. We could ask his father if she really did those tests, just to be sure she wasn't lying or swindling the tests.
After a few hugs and promises to come back, we were on our way back to his house.
"So that was Jessica," he said after we were out of Forks.
"I figured as much. What did she say?"
He stiffened and groaned. "I still say she's lying. And the second we get back, I'm calling Carlisle."
"That's what I wanted to tell you!" I exclaimed, glad we were thinking the same thing.
"Great, but…" he swallowed hard and looked at me. "I'll drop you to my house then go to Seattle. I need to talk to her."
"Eh… can't I co-"
"I'm not taking you with me to that bitch! I'll tell Esme that I'll sleep at Bob's or some shit."
"What? You're not coming back?"
"Not tonight. There are too many fucking hours to drive."
We went back to the campus a week ago. Edward was always busy, trying to deceive Jessica's plans. He didn't want to accept the truth as much as it hurt. I had stopped talking to him three days ago and every breath hurt.
I was on my bed, staring at the ceiling, trying to tune Tanya out as she told me about her summer. Why did I care about that? My phone ringing saved me from the torture.
"Yeah?" I asked, not moving from my position.
"Come to my room. I have a plan," Bob told me.
"I won't do it. I thought I had made myself clear."
"Bella, don't be difficult. You worked so hard and people love what you did."
"I don't want to see him," I hissed.
"He won't be here. Scouts honor."
I sighed and agreed to go over there. To my surprise, Alice was there too. They wanted me to sing with Bob the last two songs.
"You're mad!" I decided.
"Then talk with Edward," Bob snapped. "You won't even listen to him."
"What? I don't want to hear his excuses!" I glanced at Alice, not wanting to say more than necessary. She had no idea what was going on.
"I know what happened. Everyone knows. That lying bitch," she said, venomously. "Bella, you have to listen to him."
"Fine. I'll sing it with you, as long as neither of you is saying a thing about Cullen."
Bob didn't have a voice whatsoever. The guy tried, but I feared no one would like this.
We had three days until the show and Alice bugged him every second until he exploded on the night before.
"Look, Shorty! I'm doing my best, but she won't talk with Edward. Coach screamed his head off at him because of how poorly he played. I'm in the middle. I can't do this shit. I fucking regret signing them up, okay?"
"First, don't call me Shorty. Second, you can do it. People won't know it's you," Alice said smartly and put a mask in his hands.
On the show day, I was a mess. Bob looked lost at the sight of my tears.
"We'll be fine," he whispered and hugged me slowly.
I could hear the boy band and even they sounded good. They had chosen the song The Boys Are Back from High School Musical. Why did I have to sing such a hard song? Oh yes, Alice.
I had to admit that Bob looked very funny in his phantom costume, especially with the black mask. He rolled his eyes and led me to the stage. We were after the boys this time and Tanya was the last.
I didn't even give everything I could on the stage, Bob tried to sing it as best as he could and at the end, by some miracle, we were going further along with the boy band.
"Thanks. You have no idea how much this means to me, especially because it's your fault," I said in the backstage after changing my clothes back.
"The least I could do. Listen, Bella," he started. I sighed and listened to him for a first. "He is a mess. It's really not my place to say this stuff, but Jessica was bluffing. She was never pregnant, she just wanted him back. The photos are Photoshop. He is no longer the Edward I saw the past few months."
"Bob, he chose her when he promised that he won't care about this."
"He just wanted to make sure he was right. Come on, Bella. Have you even seen him?" he asked, putting his arm around my shoulders, stirring me out.
"I don't have to see him. I should have known it was too-"
"You don't understand? He didn't do anything! When he was wrong, I knew it and never took his side but now, he is right. You are wrong," he whispered.
"Bob, don't guilt trip me. I just need some space and time to think…"
"Come tonight to the practice. It's in half an hour," he decided.
"No way," I shouted, squirming out of his arm, or trying to, at least.
"Come on, Bella. You're captain's girl."
"I'm not and never was!" I hissed.
"Don't be like that." He took my hand and dragged me to the arena. I had no choice but let myself be dragged.
We entered the court and he was leading me to a chair when I saw Edward. He was dribbling a ball, not paying attention to it. He looked really bad, Bob had been right. Was it because I wasn't talking to him?
"Hey, Cullen! Look who I got here!" Bob yelled, shaking our clasped hands in the air. Was this his trap? I didn't like it. Edward looked up and froze, letting the ball fall and roll around. He gaped at us then narrowed his eyes at Bob.
"What the fuck is your problem, Gravel?"
"What? I brought Bella here. You missed the show."
"I wasn't invited anywhere. Did you have fun? Is it good to replace me? You sang with her, you got her and now you just need Shaw to give you my position."
Bob shot me a panicked look. "It's not like that, dude! I'm not with Bella!"
"You're always with her, lately! Drop the acting. I'm sorry, really, Bella," he addressed me. Then he whirled on his heels and disappeared to the locker rooms.
"Well crap, that wasn't planned," Bob muttered.
"I'm going back. There's one more song on the big night. I'll call you when Alice puts rehearsals. And you heard the drama teacher, we need to sing again this one," I told him and left the arena. I felt bad for giving Edward the wrong impression, but I couldn't just forgive him. If he hadn't promised me that we'd stay together no matter what happened to Jessica, I wouldn't be so mad.
The next few weeks flew by and I threw myself in watching silly movies like High School Musical and Camp Rock.
"Are you trying to brainwash yourself?" Rose asked from the doorway of my room. I was midway through Camp Rock, again.
"It's really good," I said nonchalantly. It was silly and for teenagers in love with that guy, but oh well!
"You know the songs by heart. Don't fret. You'll do great and-"
"The phantom isn't a problem! But he will have to take off the fucking mask for the other song," I moaned.
She grinned and hugged me. Was she on some idiotic inside joke I wasn't on? When Demi's character started singing This Is Me, I couldn't help but sing along. The final song. I tried to turn Joe's voice in Edward's, imagining how it would sound. Much better. I burst in tears by the end of the song.
"You're both so freaking stubborn!" Rose moaned. "Is it that hard to kiss and make up? I never thought it will be like this once you finally realize you love each other."
"We didn't… He hasn't… We hadn't said it." I finally dragged the words out.
"Then he's a douche! But I swear, I thought you did. He calls you 'love'."
"He doesn't realize it," I mumbled.
"Oh Bella," she sighed and hugged me closer. "Forget about this thing for a few days. Come to my room and let's have some fun." I agreed with her. I needed a break from everything.
Review. It's official. Everyone hates Jessica. :)