Author's Notes:
Thank you all so much for the reviews. I appreciate it and I'm sure my twin does too! I personally would like to ask to hear from you all too... what you think might happen, what you liked/ didn't like... the usual. It merely helps me think of things for the next chapter . Thanks again. Enjoy.
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"You can't stop me from falling apart, because my self destruction is all your fault"
Open Wounds by Skillet
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Time was missing... Bella was freaking out. She could remember going to see Grandma Marie, and she cried so hard she ended up falling asleep against the old woman.
The problem was, she couldn't remember anything after that. And it was Monday morning! She was terribly afraid. She emailed her professors and told them she was taking a personal sick day. The wished her well and sent her homework back, along with reading and notes. Edward had responded that he was quite put out with her and perhaps some time apart would do them well, especially as she had missed church and Sunday lunch with no warning.
She made an emergency appointment to see her mother. She often felt sad at the fact she needed an appointment to see her mother. She often wished she had fond memories of pre-professional Renee like she did with her father. Girls always seem to at least have a basic set of same memories with their mothers- haircuts, makeovers, shopping, making cookies. With her and her mother she had memories of missed birthdays, finding ways to fit into her mother's schedule, etiquette lessons and the like. All her happy times were with Grandma Marie.
Upon arrival at her mother's office, she was greeted by Reginald (Yes, Reginald and no, you could not call him Reggie). He gave her a stern look that silently told her how lucky she was to be getting a same-day appointment. He informed her mother that she'd arrived. She waited for almost 30 minutes; a punishment, she was sure. Reginald finally told her that "The Mayor" would see her now. Not her mother, not Mrs. Swan- The Mayor.
She entered her mother's office and was swiftly barked at to close the door and sit down. She did as she was told and looked at her mother respectfully. Renee Swan.. She sat in her crème-colored leather chair, not a smile on her Botox-given face. Disapproval burned in her eyes hotter than Hell-fire. Not one light brown hair was out of place on Renee's head- dyed light to mask the grays and to make her look more youthful. Her mother didn't even have a stray hair that had shed off naturally on her black jacket, nor black trousers. She could only guess the shirt underneath was black as well. Renee was simply a dark person.
"Isabella. You should be in class. This better be important for you to interrupt my day, ignore your education and shirk your daily responsibilities."
Bella cleared her throat before replying softly, "I'm missing time..."
Renee almost growled, "Edward told me about that whore mark on your neck. It's no wonder you're missing time! How could you do this to me, Isabella?! You were always taught to remain pure and chaste until you married. Now you're causing a scandal!"
Tears jumped to Bella's eyes but she refused to let them fall.
"I don't mean missing time as in missing my monthly. With all due respect mother, I am still a virgin. I will even go be tested in your presence AGAIN if that is what you wish. I meant missing time as in physical time. I can remember nothing after falling asleep at Grandma Marie's and that was a few days ago. I woke up this morning in my own bed and noticing it was Monday."
Renee stood, slamming both hands down on her desk.
"THAT WOMAN! You were told about visiting that woman. She would let you run free like a bohemian! She was ripping apart your delicacy, turning you disrespectful. How dare you go see her!"
"BUT I NEEDED HER!"
"YOU NEED TO BE COMMITTED!"
Silence hung heavily in the room. Renee cleared her throat and sat down, folding her hands together.
"Perhaps the stress of college is too much for you. Perhaps we should allow you to drop out and focus more on being DUTIFUL and LOYAL to Edward. We could start you on the right track for a charity foundation to take up your time. I made excuses for you at church on Sunday, so it wouldn't be hard to say the stress is too much on your fragile psyche and-"
"I beg your pardon, mother? No. Edward is not even speaking to me any longer. He doesn't believe me though I've never lied to him before. In fact, he wishes for time apart even though I've had no indiscretions."
She fought to maintain her dignity underneath the glower of her mother, "You will do as I say, Isabella. If you do not obey, there will be consequences. You know this. You've always known this. You're acting out and it's all the fault of the horrible crone."
"C-consequences like what?"
She felt so small.
"If you do not obey, if you do not keep yourself in good community standing, I will disown you."
"Father won't let you do that!"
"YOUR FATHER WILL DO AS I SAY!"
Bella let out a shaky breath, fighting against herself to keep from sobbing.
"Mother..."
"This appointment is over. If you do not attend the charity auction with Edward tonight, I will take my actions publicly tomorrow. You are lucky in a sense that you have your scholarship and that your father was soft in buying the residence you have now in cash, placing your name on the deed. You have already received your trust fund from your Grandfather Swan, but there will be nothing from your parents. I will disown you if you do not comply.. As for your missing time, I suggest you find it."
Bella stood, feeling almost sick. She did not say goodbye, she knew when she was dismissed. She went home almost in a daze. She should have known not to come to her mother for help.
She tried to call Edward once she got back home but he summarily dismissed her as well after a few moments on the phone. He denied taking her to the event. He told her that he would inform her mother herself, but she knew it was over. She wondered how Renee would make it public. Would she call a press conference? Announce it in the paper? Renee would surely play the victim.
She went to take a shower, but stared into the mirror beforehand. She almost couldn't bear it.
As her own eyes met her reflected eyes, she could almost feel her mind fracture. It was physically painful. Flashes of her, flashes of Izzy, flashes of memories or dreams or- ANYTHING!
She was drowning.
She didn't know what was real, what was false- She didn't know if she would live or die. She tried to call 911 but her body began to jerk with pain and she fell against the wall. She was yelling something, but she couldn't hear it at all.
Black began to cloud her vision.
This was it. She was crazy and she was dying. She would never understand. She only hoped that the news would hit before Renee made her announcement so that they couldn't say it was suicide.
Before her vision went completely black, she swore she saw Angela.. The normal Angela.. Standing over her and trying to lift her into her small arms. Bella tried to tell her she was too heavy and to leave her, but all that came out was:
"You're the girl from the party."
But Bella didn't know what party, she hadn't been to one ever. Angela seemed to yell to someone, and then everything went dark.
She felt free, then she felt nothing.