Chapter 1.2

Jessica's POV

We were in Rio. The hot, sunny city on the coast for five days. I couldn't wait to get out and get a tan. Between the choice of Canada and Brazil, who would choose Canada? It's basically Forks but colder.

The fact that I was here with Mike made it all that much better. I could wear short, revealing clothes with the excuse of the weather. It would lead him on and then I could get some. We'd been together before and it was good. I guess it could be better but I'd rather have him than no one. Even though he was with Bella and now gone, I can't stop thinking about being with him. He's hot. Edward Cullen could get a job as a male model any day.

You can't talk about him around Bella though. It's like she's hanging on by a thread and any moment she'll shut down for good. She won't have a conversation with you as she can't seem to process the words. At lunch she sits alone at the Cullen's old table, starring at the doors. She only ever wears a black button down that I'd seen him wearing a few times before.

The mini bus pulled to a stop and everyone piled out, there was Mike, Tyler, Ben and Eric who were all sharing a room and then Lauren and Samantha were sharing a room. Angela and I offered to share with Bella as she needs people there for her.

I saw Mike turn to me but I noticed Bella still in the bus. Turning round to her, I took her hand.

"We're here Bella."

She nodded subconsciously and allowed me to pull her from the bus. I kept her close by me, taking the position of protecting her. Letting go of her hand, I pulled my suitcase along behind me. Mr Banner stopped at the reception desk and checked us all in.

"I would like to ask you to keep the noise down when walking along the second floor hall. We have a guest whose been staying for a while and doesn't appreciate noise. He seems rather depressed and heart broken. I've never seen anyone so sad before. Just be careful and if you do see him, then it's just best to avoid him."

"Of course. We will be quiet. Thank you."

Seeing that Angela had taken Bella into her side, I stood beside Mike. His free arm wrapped around my waist and squeezed my bum. I was in booty shorts, ready for the hot weather.

"We'll find sometime. I can't resist you all week in those."

Raising an eyebrow at him, I chuckled.

"And what if I don't want to?"

"You will."

…Was his only reply before walking off with Tyler, Ben and Eric. I noticed Bella had stopped and went over to her. Close by her, we made our way up the first lot of steps until Mr Banner turned to us all.

"So the boys and I are on this floor and you girls are up one floor. Drop your bags and change if you want. There's a restaurant round the corner where we'll be eating every evening. We'll meet in the lobby in about half an hour though. Each day I'll give you a pack of worksheets to go through and I expect them all completed and handed back on Friday. If not you'll be back after school to do them. No guys are allowed in the girls rooms and vice versa. If I catch anyone in the wrong room, you will move into my room. There's a spare bed for anyone who needs it. Do I make myself clear?"

We all nodded, not wanting that to happen to us. Bella hadn't seemed to heard anything and stood there staring down the stairs. Angela and I held back and took each of her arms, leading her up the stairs.

I left Bella in Angela's capable hands as we sat for dinner. I became distracted by Mike and his hand that wandered up and down my thigh.

"There's a disabled bathroom at the back of the lobby in the hotel. Meet me there after dinner."

"I'm looking after Bella tonight."

"But you know you love it."

He was right. I loved the idea of it and the prospect of being caught. Looking over at Bella, I knew she would need me. She's defenceless in the world and no matter how jealous I am that she got even a small amount of time with Edward, she's still my friend. I mean she did set me up with Mike for prom and that brought his attention off her and onto me.

"You could bring her along if you wanted. Cheer her up a little."

I wanted to slap him so badly for that comment, but his fingers hand slipped under the hem of my shorts and brushed my thong. He was making it more and more difficult to resist. I took a deep breath and pushed his hand away from me.

"Tomorrow Mike. I promise. You know I can't stay away for too long. For me, will you wait?"

Giving him the puppy dog eyes, I pressed my fingers into the bulge in his shorts. He nodded dumbly and I pecked his cheek before turning back to my food. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Bella take some pills and bring her knees up to her chest. She didn't touch her food; just staring at the plate.

I never really noticed quite how badly Edward's departure had taken on her. I would never wish the pain, she looked to be in, on anyone. One look into her sunken eyes and you'd see the loss she'd faced.

After we'd finished eating we all sat around for a while before heading back to our rooms. I watched as Bella climbed into the single bed and unbuttoned her shirt. Angela and I didn't take long before we too climbed into bed. We were sharing a double bed, but it wasn't bad. It kind of felt like a sleepover from when we were kids.

We must have been asleep for a while because we heard a piercing scream. I jolted from the bed, falling to the floor as the scream continued and circled around me. My eyes land on the crippled form laying across the room on the single bed.

Rubbing my eyes, I leapt up and ran from the room. I saw Lauren and Samantha open the door to their room. They watched as I ran down the hallway in search of Mr Banner's room. Mike had told me which room he was in, so I ran straight for it and banged on the door as hard as I could. A bleary eyed Tyler opened the door.

"Where's Mr Banner's room?"

"What?"

"Where is Mr Banner?"

Pointing of down the hall, he yawned widely.

"164."

I set off down the hall and quickly found the door but not after running past it. Banging this door, it flew open and an angry Mr Banner stood in front of me.

"Sir, Bella's screaming."

"Come on then."

At a fast pace, he followed me back down the hall and took the stairs two at a time. The door to my room was wide open and the two from next door was standing in the doorway. Mr Banner made his way straight over to Bella, who seemed to have calmed down. I hovered between the door and the bed, wanting to give Bella some space.

There was some whispering between the three of them and then Mr Banner left the room, closing the door behind him. Angela took my hand and pulled me to the bed.

"Just give her some space. She said she had a nightmare."

"More like a murder."

"I think it was about Edward."

"You don't say."

Shaking my head, I looked down as we both climbed back into bed.

"Sorry Angela. I'm just tired and scared for Bella."

"I am too. Go to sleep. If Bella wants to sleep, then she'll sleep."

We both lay our heads down, pulled the comforter up and tried to sleep. Angela fell asleep first. I just watched Bella leaning against the wall and smelling her shirt. Sleep finally took me but I didn't have any more dreams.

The next morning, on the way to breakfast I saw a head of bronze. I thought I'd imagined it at first and let it go. Throughout the day there was a nagging sensation in the back of my mind though. The head of hair was somehow familiar to me.

Mike and I disappeared in the afternoon for two hours and no one questioned it. We had a great time. We'd started in the bathroom before going to his room. He could always help me forget my worries.

More screams came that night. I didn't get Mr Banner though. Both Angela and I sat with Bella for a while before I climbed back into bed. I couldn't imagine what Chief Swan had gone through having to listen to the screams every night. I felt really sorry for him.