Bella POV-

It had been 5 days since my first day of school. 5 very long days. I had made many friends, who I finally grew to like- except for Lauren, who seemed like a snob. But that was the only good part of school. Edward had not stopped looking at me, I don't know if he knew I noticed him staring, but he would stare. I had tried to ignore it, as much as I could, but there was a few times I would glance over, narrowing my eyes. It wasn't just getting on my nerves, but it was starting to scare me. Jessica and, Mike and Angela had noticed it too and would offer to take me somewhere else. I was thankful for them times.

But biology was the worst- I would very simply ask him to stop staring at me, to which he replied he wasn't. I just didn't understand, what was my appeal? He would then continue to glance over at me, or talk to me, to which I ignored him, or showed the least amount of interest. I didn't want to know him; I didn't want to talk to him. His persona was strange- he has a cold voice, not the one where it showed hatred, but a voice that you hated, one that scared you. His posture was always rigid, like he was fighting with himself, and every day his eyes would grow darker (which if you ask me is rather weird). His whole self reminded me of Phil- and rationally, I knew I was probably being a little bit harsh, he's probably nothing like him. But there was something in my mind shouting "danger"- and it took up a wide space of my mind. And that's what controlled me most of the time, since Phil.

But I tried to forget these thoughts today. I was going to a bonfire with Charlie, Billy, and Jacob. I was sort of excited, to hear the legends of the Quileute tribe. I was thankful that they were willing to let "pale faces" hear their stories. It was probably because my dad had done so much for that community and they owed it to him, but I was still grateful to be allowed in as well.

At this point in time, I was standing in front of my mirror deciding on what to wear. I wanted to look decent, not to formal and not too shabby. I was deciding if black skinny jeans and a turquoise polo neck jumper were the best option, or pale denim skinny jeans and a plain white t-shirt.

I eventually decided on the turtleneck and black jeans and found some turquoise ankle boots to match. I left my hair naturally wavy and, left my face natural apart from some mascara and a peach lipgloss. By the time I was ready Jacob had arrived with Billy.

"Bella!" he grinned as I made my way down the stairs. "You look... pretty."

I laughed and smiled, my problems vanishing with his sunny voice- a contrast against Edward's cold voice. "Thank you Jacob, you look rather dashing yourself."

"Why thanks my lady." He winked and bowed.

I laughed and shook my head before he walked by myself into the car, Charlie wheeling Billy into the car.

The drive to La push was filled with conversation- Billy going on about everything I missed- Jacob being stalked by a girl, which I found rather amusing, to being chased by a flock of them. How he, Embry and Quill (his two best friends who I had met quite a few times) had become giant freaks that looked like they were on steroids.

Not long after we had arrived at the bonfire and me and Jacob sat at a log, which was one of the many surrounding the bonfire. Billy and Charlie sat opposite us with another two old men. We sat and talked for a while, eating and drinking before Billy cleared his throat to begin the stories.

I listened, intently for half of it- about the cold ones- which chilled me to my bone, and also brought me pictures of Edward. He fit the description in ways- his eyes, his voice, his skin, his posture. I shook my head- he couldn't be. These stories weren't true, they were just legends. I listened to the ones about the wolves, which sounded comforting, and interesting. If there were vampires, they would keep us safe.

About half way through my eyes wandered around the group and noticed a boy, or more like a man, sitting on the log next to me and Jacob alone. He was beautiful- his hair was black and short- his facial features sharp and defined and perfect. His skin was a dark russet colour and his body looked sturdy. He didn't seem to be listening, but more slouching, half asleep. He felt my eyes on him and looked over, and his eyes looked pained. Like something had happened. I couldn't tear my eyes away, instead I smiled slightly, to which he returned.

Throughout the rest of the legends, we would continuously glanced at each other, not caring that we caught each other. Jacob had fallen asleep a long time ago, snoring loudly as he lay down on the bench. I guess either the legends bored him, or he had one too many beers.

After the stories ended I shifted from my seat. I wanted to meet this boy; I wanted to know his name. I slowly wandered over, unsure if he would want to talk to me. He didn't hear me coming before I approached, and he peered over.

"I was...wandering if I could join you?" I asked in a small, unsure voice, my fingers fidgeting.

He slid over for me, and one side of his mouth twitched up. "Sure."

I tentatively sat down next to him and looked over at him, smiling slightly, "I'm Bella?"

"The chief's daughter?" His voice was deep and rough and...sexy. Woah Bella, don't get too ahead of yourself.

"Yeah." I said simply, feeling my cheeks turn a little pink.

"He's a good man, you're dad. Done a lot for me." His smile was small. "I'm Paul, by the way."

"Yeah he is..." I said before looking back to the bonfire, and watching the flames dance about.

"So why did you come over?" He asked, his eyes still upon me.

"You seemed lonely, and Jacob fell asleep so I thought I'd give you some company." I smiled, a feeling of confidence washing over me.

"Finally…" I heard him mutter, and I turned to look at him.

"What do you mean?" I asked, my brow furrowing in confusion and concern.

"It's nothing." He said and turned away before continuing. "I don't know why I thought of telling you this story, I hardly know you. But yet there's something in your eyes that's telling me you've been through something similar."

I was really confused now, I had no idea what he was talking about, but his voice sounded pained and I felt the need to comfort him. I reached my hand out slowly and placed it on his upper arm. I felt his muscle flex in reflex but soon relaxed. "What is it Paul? Tell me please."

"I…God…" He scrunched his face up and shook his head. "My dad. He was a business man- a really good business man. And my mum, she owned a bakery; she made cakes, really good cakes. To everyone, I looked like the luckiest kid on the Rez, getting all this money from my parents- probably had things bought for him. That wasn't the case though. My dad would go away for days on end for his job, and my mum would have to work her ass off to keep the house looking a clean state. Wh- when my dad came back he would abuse both me and my mum. Not just punching, but kicking, pushing anything that would cause us physical pain. He would rape my mum and make me watch. But when he was away, I would go to the gym and work up my physique so I could be strong for both me and my mum. But I wasn't any match for my dad. He was too strong. As soon as I was a teenager, I built up a reputation around here, the player, the bad ass kid, but really I'm just lonely. I'm just broken and vulnerable. He got put in jail a couple of days ago, thanks to your dad. And my mum was taken away for help- she had resorted to alcohol and drugs."

By the time he had finished, he was crying, and I mean full out crying. The strong boy I had just witnessed two minutes ago was in balls of tears. I hesitantly wrapped my arms around him and pulled him to me, whispering "I know. I know how you feel."

He just sobbed into my shoulder and I looked around the campfire, most people had cleared the place, except for Jacob- who was still fast asleep with many beers around him, Charlie, Billy and the other two old men, so there wasn't much witnesses.

I rubbed his back soothingly as he cried. It was heart breaking, it made me want to cry for him. But I understood how he felt- the pain, the fear, the brokenness, the weakness, the loneliness. It's what made the crying so heart breaking that this horrible man had managed to wreck such a tough boy, not just physically but emotionally.

I hardly knew him, but I already felt close to him. I knew his pain, I felt his pain, I shared his pain.

"How would you know?" He bit out harshly, looking up at me with fierce eyes.

I bit my lip, and pulled back a little, looking into his eyes. "I know went through something similar."

"How so?" He narrowed his eyes, pulling away more.

"I was 10. It was just me and my mum living in a house in phoenix. My mum was neurotic and care free. I felt like I was the one always taking care of her. I didn't mind really, I enjoyed keeping her in check whenever she did something crazy. Then she found Phil when we were at a sports game. They started to date, and he seemed really nice. Buying her stuff, taking her out for meals and spending time with both of us. Then a couple of years later he asked her to marry him. My mum of course said yes. She was ecstatic, and I was happy for her. I knew she had felt alone since she left Charlie, and she deserved to feel happy again. 2 weeks later he moved in to our home. My mum worked shifts so whenever she was out, Phil was in charge."

I took a deep breath to stop the sobs from happening. I couldn't bare remembering it. I didn't want to bring up the past- but something in me told me that I could, that I could tell Paul. He had been through it, he had survived and he had relived the past. I could do it too.

Paul was still looking at me, waiting patiently for me to continue.

"Nothing happened at first, but a month in he started shouting at me for not cleaning stuff away properly or coming back from a friends late. I shrugged it off at first. I thought he was going through a difficult time. But then it got worse, he would hit me, push me, grab me, shake me, punch me, kick me…anything. I didn't mention it to my mum; I was scared he would start with her too. I covered up the bruises with blusher. I soon got scared to face him, but if I hid I knew he would find me and it would be a whole lot worse. When he was drunk it was the worst…. He would rape me. He would beat me up so hard that I ended up in the hospital often, but I claimed it on my clumsiness. They were stupid enough to believe me. But just two weeks ago, my mum walked in on Phil, who was attempting rape. He shoved him out the house, and she was in tears- she was so disappointed in herself, so angry at Phil. She sent me to Forks where Charlie lived, so I could start a new life. And I have, but the scars are always there to haunt me. I'm not the excitable friendly girl any more. I'm a scared, insecure, and broken girl."

I had been crying through my whole speech, and I was so tempted just to stop and break down, but I knew I had to keep going, to tell Paul the whole story- maybe if he knew it wouldn't be so bad.

Paul pulled me to him this time, returning my gesture. He pulled my head to his chest and rubbed my back as he spoke softly, "I know I just met you Bella. But I can trust you, and I hope you can trust me."

I nodded my head and simply just engulfed myself in his large body. "I do. And I care about you Paul, I'm always here."

We cried into each other for a while- everyone had left by now- me and Charlie were staying with Billy and Jake. I don't know how long we sat there hugging, but I didn't mind, it was the most comfortable I felt since I was 12.

"I'm relieved that I finally have someone to talk to now- Jared, my best friend knows. But he doesn't understand." Paul whispered as he broke away.

I smiles and gave his arm a squeeze. "Well I'm here Paul. And I'm glad I can talk to you."

We talked for a while, about small things like our favourite movies and colours. We exchanged numbers and parted our ways. I made it to the Black's house and just slipped through the door. Charlie and Billy and Jacob were already in bed, so I found the room I always stayed in- Rachel's room. I had only met Jake's sister a few times since she moved away a while ago and never came back.

Sighing, I found Charlie had dumped my bag on the bed before he had gone to his room and opened it up to change into my Pyjamas- a blue t-shirt and grey boy shorts.

Climbing into bed I thought about tonight. I thought about how Paul had suffered so similar to me, but he handled it in a different way. Should I try his way? Make myself look tough to people, when really I'm a wreck? Did it work? Did it give you that little bit of confidence that you needed?

I didn't know, but maybe he could help me get through this. And maybe I could help him. I grabbed my phone out of my pocket and started texting.

Hey Paul. I was just thinking- maybe we can meet up tomorrow? Bella x

When my hand was about to hit the send button, but I freaked out. Would he text me back? Would he want to meet up?

I shook my head, he would. I had to make myself do it- I couldn't be scared little Bella. Not with Paul, he knew my biggest secret and I had to show him that I trusted him.

So I made myself send the message. And with that message sent, it was start of our new found trust and friendship.

Okay guys, I know I said I would make this chapter longer. But I couldn't I tried and it honestly just wasn't working. So let's just go with the flow- no promises and you'll just get updates whenever I update No promises for when. I'm sorry if the end sounded short and rushed but I wanted to finish before I forgot about it, and I've recently had a rough patch with my best friend so Im a little down about that. But don't worry Ill be back on track before no time (: Sorry for the long wait guys but here it is! Hope you enjoy!