The rest of the day passed smoothly. I was glad to get off the bus. Most of the kids were all happy. They had seen friends they hadnt seen since last year. I was the only one who was happy just to not have any drama. Usually people liked to pick on me. Whether it was my clothes, or my weight, whatever they could throw. Today, thankfully, no one had even bothered. As first days went, it hadnt been so bad. Sure i wished that i could have maybe gotten into the cool crowd but i was okay. No one had ridiculed me at least. Everything had went okay. I walked to my front door. I opened the door and instantly knew there was trouble.

I could smell alcohol and vomit. Not a good mix i'll tell you that. My mothers car wasnt in the drive so that must mean it was just my dad. Usually my dad being drunk this early was never good. I edged slowly into the house. I didnt want to stumble into something i'd rather not. I dropped my book bag by the door and went in search of my father.

He was on the couch. Vomit was everywhere. Wow, not even 4 o'clock and he's hammered. I went over to him and tried to take the bottle out of his hands. I really shouldnt have done that. His eye jerked open. They were red and hazy.

"What are yah doin?" he slurrs. I try backing away. His hand grabs me by the shirt and holds me there.

"Answer me!" he spits. I could smell the whiskey on his breath. This was a bad one.

"Nothing dad, was just seeing if you were okay."

I could tell he was thinking. His eyes were swimming out of focus. His grip tightened even more. I tried prying his fingers loose. He had a strong grip for a drunk! I guess that angered him because he grabbed me with his other hand. His hand grabbed me by the face. I could feel his nails digging into my cheek. I pushed as hard as i could and that only made him hold tighter.

"Dad stop!" i screamed.

He didnt listen. I used all of my weight and threw myself backward. His nails scratched me as i fell back. I fell backwards onto my butt. My father was trying to stumble to his feet. That was my cue to get the hell out. I got to my feet and ran for the door. I didnt want to be around him when he was like this. Usually my mother handled this.

I grabbed my jacket and left the house. It was still light outside. Where was i to go? I didnt want to sit here with my dad. I could go see my mother. See if she had any money for me. I usually got an allowance but over the past few months i hadnt received one. Maybe i could get some money from her for a cell phone.

I walked in the direction of the grocery store. It wasnt too far away. Just a few blocks down the street. I clutched my jacket to me and tried to keep my mind off of things. This wasnt the first time he had laid his hands on me. And i knew it wouldnt be the last. My mother just turned her head when she saw the bruises on me. I guess that was her way of parenting.

I kicked a can that was beside the road. I would be there any minute now. I seen the archway for Goldmans Grocery. I pushed open the front door and went inside. Harsh lights awaited me. Goldmans was small compared to many other stores. It was also a little rundown. I couldnt imagine why it was even still open. Not many people came to this part of town. I looked along the registers til i found my mom.

I walked over, she was busy with a customer so i waited. When she was done i came up to the counter. My mother barely even looked at me.

"Mom do you have any money i could have?" i asked.

"What do you think? That money grows on trees?"

"No...but i need money for school things."

"Where is the money you made this summer?"

"I spent it on clothes rememeber?"

She sighed and grabbed her purse from under the counter. She rummaged through for a few seconds and pulled out her wallet. "How much?" she asked.

"40?"

She muttered under her breath and threw me two twenties. "Your welcome."

"Thanks."

"Did you stop in at the house?" she asked.

"Yeah...Dad's in one of his moods."

"Great... well see you later."

"See ya." i said.

I tucked the money into my pocket and left the store. My mother and i hadnt ever really been close. She was trying to deal with her marriage in the best way she could. And that way was the one that didnt include me. I had heard students making fun of me saying my mom was a whore. I didnt really listen to there words but somewhere down inside me i knew better. I had seen my mom with different men. I had witnessed the days when she didnt come home. My dad pretended nothing was even different. I felt sorry for those two. I thought parents were supposed to love each other?

I walked down the sidewalk. A few teenagers were off to my left smoking a cigarette. I didnt know their names but i knew their faces. They were a group of boys that were as poor as i was. I decided to not make any contact. A few years ago those same boys had yelled nasty names at me from across the street. I usually avoided them when i seen them. I didnt want any drama. I doubted they even really remembered me. They had their heads down anyway as i walked by them. The cloud of smoke drifted my way. I held my breath until i broke clear.

Okay, where to buy a cell phone? I could see an electronics store just down the road. That would have to be it. I crossed the street and made my way towards it. I never had a cell phone before. No one had ever really wanted to call. I opened the door and stepped inside. I could see many varying devices lining the walls. But where was the phones?

A sales rep came over to me. His glasses were thick and his mustache gave me the creeps.

"Can i help you?" he wheezed.

"Ugh, yeah im looking to buy a cell phone?"

"What carrier were you interested in?" he says. Carrier?

"Ugh, one that works around here?" i stammered. He looked at me a little closely. Well sorry, it wasnt my fault that i didnt know anything about them. He led me over to a display. I could see a few phones lining the walls.

"These work just fine for Forks. Do you know if you want a contract or a pre paid?" he asked.

"Pre paid?" i said, having no clue what a contract even was. Didnt i have to be 18 for one of those?

He pointed to a few select phones. Some of them looked like phones for the kind of phone did i even want? Probably one with buttons to text one because i wasnt really tech savvy. I saw one that had a nice keyboard under the main screen. It was cheap enough and it was green, my favorite color. That sealed the deal with me. I had him take that one out for me. He led me to the counter and explained the plans to me. Geez, so much for just a cell phone.

I left the store 70 bucks lighters. The phone was 30 and the plan 40. Thank god i still had some money left from summer, not that my mother needed to know that. I sat outside on a bench and started the process of activating it. After a long amout of wasted time i finally got it to work. The screens lights came on and everything was ready to go. I pulled up the menu and entered Edward's number. His number was the only one i had.

Should i text him now? I mean, he did give it to me. But i think he only meant for me to text him about the project. But what harm could it be to just send a 'hey' text or something. I figured why not. I had more courage when i wasnt looking at him. I opened the messaging up and sent him just a hello. I waited for a response. A few seconds later i got one.

Hey who is this?

Its Bella, was just seeing what you were up too.

No response.

I waited for a full ten minutes out on the bench. The sun was descending in the sky by that point. I really hadnt expected a response. Gosh texting was so infuriating! You text someone and they are supposed to text back right? Not make you sit here for hours wondering if they died or something. I was regretting even getting the phone. I paced for a few more minutes before i decided that it didnt matter. I was stupid for thinking that just because he gave me his number that he had wanted to talk. It was only for the project.

I decided to just go home. My dad was sure to be passed out somewhere. I could just slip to my room and suffocate myself with my pillow. I didnt want Edward's lack of response to poison my mood but i couldnt help it. I had felt courageous with that text. I had expected at least a formal text back. I should have expected him to not answer. I mean look at him, and look at me.

I wasnt ugly, but i wasnt gorgeous. I never wore make up, always had my hair up, and half the time i just threw on clothes that were clean. I was never really into the whole two hour dress up sessions. I was comfortable with who i was. But apparently that wasnt good enough for anyone else. I thought i was pretty in the fact that i was original. I didnt plaster my face with cover up to hide my pimples. I didnt wear eye liner to make my eyes look better then they were. I was original, i was as god intended. I didnt wear heels to make up for the fact that i was shorter than i liked. I was who i was.

I thought men wanted a girl for who they were instead of what they were? If i was a man i'd rather date a girl with a beautiful soul than just a beautiful body. I mean, beauty fades but your personality doesnt. What happens when they wake up and shes not as pretty as she was, are they going to leave her for someone else? Some days i was glad i wasnt a barbie look alike. How could you ever believe that they werent just with you for your looks? I was proud to be average. Average meant normal. Well, somewhat normal.

When i made it to the door i heard a beep beep from my pocket. What was that? And then i remembered, my cell phone! I quickly yanked it from my pocket. I had completely forgotten about it. My heart was beating furiously inside my chest. The only person who had this number was the only person i gave it too! I clicked the messaging screen and opened the message.

This might be a little awkward for you, but i really need to get out of the house. I dont know to many people yet and i was wondering if you wanted to go grab a bite to eat?

I about died. This just could not be happening!

I texted back with shaking fingers, Sure, where do you want to meet?