The Twilight Twenty-Five

thetwilight25[dot]com

Prompt: Book Store

Pen Name: maxandmo

Pairing/Main Character(s):ExB

Rating: M

Multi-chapter

Photo prompts can be viewed here: thetwilight25[dot]com/round-six/prompts

I don't own Twilight. Thanks to everyone who's reading and especially to those who review:) Extra special thanks to Twilly for encouraging me to write and Sarah for beta'ing! Luv ya's! (maxandmo on Twitter and Maxandmo Fanfiction on FB)

9. Book Store

Bella walked over to retrieve her forgotten book that was laying in the sand. Books were such a huge part of her life, and she counted on them to get her through the rest of it. She spent endless hours reading to Charlie. Some days he would sit quietly and listen, and other days he read them to her. She got him subscriptions to Sports Illustrated and Fishing Weekly, and it seemed to be one of the highlights of his week.

One of the things she loved about the facility he was in was that there was a stocked fishing pond located right on the property. Charlie loved to use it and had become friendly with several other residents who shared his same passion. He said that he felt like he lived in a college dorm with the bonus of not having to go to class. Bella had no regrets about her decision and had proven that she'd do anything for her father.

Mike had started out as not so bad until he knew that he had her right where he wanted her. He turned into a complete belittling asshole. Bella knew that it became a power trip to him. The Prince of Sporting Goods was given a girl, just as he'd someday be given the keys to the sporting empire.

She knew he had a crush on her for a long time and couldn't understand why now that he had her, he treated her like garbage. He expected her to be seen and not heard, yet complained that she was boring and too quiet.

It bothered Mike that she preferred spending time in a book store rather than with him. She felt that she couldn't win with him but really didn't give a shit.

Bella sat down on the sandy beach and didn't realize that she'd started to cry until teardrops began rolling down her cheeks. As she pulled her knees into her chest, she became furious at the bruises she saw on her arms. She could take Mike saying nasty things to her; Charlie had taught her the sticks and stones saying years ago. It was when he manhandled her that she began to hate him.

She didn't feel as if she was being abused or anything because he didn't actually hit her, but she surely didn't appreciate when he put his hands on her at all. It started with little taps to get her attention and had lately grown into him physically grabbing and moving her.

He had no tolerance for her klutziness and had also started to trip her when she wasn't paying attention. It was no wonder that she preferred to be at a book store rather than with him. Fuck him, is what she wished she could say. The thought of actually having to do that on their wedding night was enough to make her gag.

Bella forced herself to get up and head back to her room. She was hoping Mike was still asleep since he was a belligerent drunk the night before. She didn't feel like dealing with his hungover ass once again. He acted like he was still in high school.

And if he mentioned one more time how she should get some tits like Jessica, Bella swore she was going to junk punch him.

Thinking about Jessica made her think about Edward Masen. A blind person could see that he was good looking but there was much more to him. Bella only hoped that Jessica was smart enough to appreciate him.

Taking a deep breath, Bella was thankful that she made a friend on her trip and would take what she could get regarding Edward. She felt drawn to him but they both belonged to other people.

She gasped at the realization that he might actually think she could like, let alone love, someone as shallow and callous as Mike, but it wasn't as if she could tell him that she couldn't stand her own fiancé without explaining that she was using his family to help her own.

She quietly opened the door to their room and was startled to see Mike sitting in the chair she had slept on.

"What the fuck did you do? Fall down like usual?" he spouted.

She looked at herself and would have laughed at her appearance if it wasn't for his angry glares. She was not only wet, but had stand stuck to her entire bottom half from when she sat down.

"I guess I didn't realize I was still wet when I sat down," she muttered making her way into the bathroom.

Before she could get inside Mike grabbed her arm to stop her. "Why are you wet in the first place, Isabella?"

Mike was waiting to see of she would dare lie right to his face.

"I, uh, went for a swim."

"In your fucking clothes? You have a swimsuit, or should I say a fucking leotard in your suitcase."

"Yeah, I know. Let go of me Mike. I already have bruises."

"I don't give a fuck. You're such a klutz anyone who knows you wouldn't even question why you have bruises. They're used to it. Not to mention, you're so pale you're almost see-through." He thought he was so funny he even made himself laugh.

"Why don't you get yourself out of those wet clothes. Hurry up, I'll be waiting right here. Oh, and try wearing your fucking ring for once!" he shouted as he tossed it her.

He let her go, and she quickly went into the bathroom to escape his presence.

Mike was going to show her how lucky she was to have him as soon as she cleaned herself, and the trail of sand she left, up. He undressed and laid on the bed waiting for her to finish showering.

Bella took as long as possible getting cleaned up. As she rinsed off under the lukewarm spray, she thought about what Mike said to her. He had a point; she was a klutz, was also pale and did bruise easily.

She was relieved that he hadn't pressed her on what she'd been doing on the beach.

Yes, Mike's a jerk-off. Please review with some nasty names for him. You're going to need them come next chapter...