Again, thank you to those who have -favorited, followed, and reviewed. You all are my Ramen. Always wanting more lol. Thank you for your kind words. My dad's passing has been hard. Especially for my kids. They were grandpa's kids. Especially my youngest since her grandmother passed away before she was born. My dad wasn't there for me and my siblings when we were younger, but he made sure to be there for our kids (his grandkids) to make up for it. Even though my niece and nephews didn't appreciate that as they should have, my kids did. Again, thank you to those who sent their well wishes. Love you all.
Chapter 8: Thems the Breaks
It took a couple of weekends for Ava and Bella to get the hang of their new schedule. Once Mr. Acer found out an offer had been extended to Bella and that she passed her "test" at the publishing firm as well, he adjusted her school schedule as well. She did test out of some of her classes. So at least for the spring semester, she will be going half day like Ava.
As far as accommodation was concerned, it turns out the company has a contract with a hotel that's located a couple of blocks away. When staff from different companies come in for corporate visits, they have them stay at this hotel. The Crystal World Hotel, or nicknamed "The Crystal", is not exactly top notch, but it's close. Ava and Bella have their weekend stay covered from four in the afternoon Friday till noon on Sunday every weekend. Any extras they charge they must cover, however. Which was fine by them.
It was the end of January that found Ava and Bella at a crossroads though. It seems Mike had told a different story as to what happened that night at the Christmas show.
Charlie had just brought it up at dinner.
"What do you mean he said we're at fault?" Bella asked, shocked.
"He said you punched him for no reason and that Ava shoved him," Charlie said as he took a bite of his food.
"Dad seriously. You know Isa. But have I given you a reason to think I would do something without reason?" Ava asked folding her arms across her chest.
"He gave his statement. And his mom and dad are backing him up. I need you two to go down to the station and give yours. I can't take your statements by myself seeing as how I'm your dad." Charlie sighed, more than irritated at the situation. He knew his girls were innocent.
"This is ridiculous." Ava said, throwing her hands up in the air. "There were witnesses. How could he think he'd get away with it."
"Witnesses?" asked Charlie.
"Yes, half our classmates watched the show," Bella said rolling her eyes.
"Well, if you could get at least three of them to come forward and provide statements, and if those statements are against Newton, then you will be fine." Charlie said as he got his pad and started writing everything down.
"This is completely stupid," Bella mumbled falling into her bed.
Once Ava closed the door to their room, she took out her phone and started dialing.
"Who are you calling?" Bella asked, turning over on her bed to look at Ava.
"The Ghostbusters." Ava said smirking at Bella. Bella just rolled her eyes. "Reinforcements sis. Newton is going down." Ava whispered harshly.
The phone rang twice before the person picked up.
"Hello?" came the voice.
"Ang, problem." Ava muttered.
"Ava, what's wrong?" Angela asked.
"You of all people will understand." Ava said. Bella just listened intently.
"What?" Angela sounded confused.
"Newton." Was all Ava said.
It took a few seconds, but it seemed Angela understood. "When?"
"Can you make it to the station before school tomorrow? I'm sure our dad will call the school for an excuse. Also, if you could get Jessica and Lauren. They may not want to help Bella and me. But I'm sure Newton's behavior towards them in the past will surpass that." Ava side glanced Bella.
"Sure. I'll call them right now." With that Angela hung up.
"Well, that was fast." Bella said looking at Ava.
Ava continued to look at her phone screen before sighing and putting it on the table. "Once we started back after break, I pulled Angela aside and went over scenarios in case Mike opened his big mouth. Jessica and Lauren didn't really want to participate but I noticed they would glance over during our conversation. Which means they were listening." Ava said as she went to her bed and sat down. Looking out the window. It was a clear night. Clear enough to see the stars.
"I guess I know why you chose Angela," Bella said looking out the window too.
"She's trustworthy. And I know she can talk the others into helping." Ava looked at Bella.
"I know you don't like confrontation Isa. But life tends to throw more of what you don't like at you than anything else. But the goal of this, is to keep him from acting like an ass to anyone else." Ava continued to look at Bella who just nodded her head in response.
The next day found the two girls in the police station.
"I honestly never thought I'd be here unless I was visiting dad for some reason." Bella murmured.
"It's unfortunate. I thought I'd never be back here," Ava sighed in response.
Bella looked at her sister. "I'm sorry Ava."
"Nope, not your fault. You have Newton to thank for this shit," Ava said just as Charlie walked in with people behind him.
Those people were the Newtons. It took all of Ava's strength not to go and strangle the lot of them.
"Okay, I have my information here." Charlie said. Ava took a good look at him. It seems he was trying his best to be civil as well.
The Newtons took a seat on the other side of the desk. They were out in the main part of the building where everyone could hear and see them, apparently the Newtons wanted to be out in the open.
'They think they're going to win, and everything will look bad for Isa and I. Well, let's play.' Isa thought to herself while she managed to put a kind smile towards the Newtons.
"Charlie I really hope we can get this squared away. This business with your girls needs to be put to a stop. Harming an innocent boy, really." Mrs. Newton said as she was patted by her husband who looked mad.
Charlie looked like he wanted to yell. "Mrs. Newton, I have to look at all the facts and if there's any witness statements…."
"Witnesses? I don't see any witnesses. Mike said there was no one around. The girls just bullied him. Honestly Charlie come on now," Mr. Newton slammed his hand down and made everyone jump except Ava who just looked Mr. Newton right in the eye. She stared him down to a point where he even looked away.
Then she looked at Mike for the first time since they sat down. "Bullied huh? That's what you're going with? You went to put your hands around Isa's neck, and you're saying that we're bullying you? You really are a coward."
"Now see here young lady," Mrs. Newton stood, "I don't know what your story is, and I don't care to know really, but how dare you say my son is cowardly when he's just reporting what you did!" Mrs. Newton said.
Ava shot to her feet. She stood a few inches taller than Mrs. Newton, so Mrs. Newton took a few steps back. "Mrs. Newton, the fact that you're acting the way you are, and the type of face Mr. Newton has means you know something is going on. I'm not dumb, far from it. I don't really care if you want to know my story or not, because it seems you're the type of people I don't want to be around. With my backstory, I've been around a few times, I've been in different and difficult situations, most being not my fault, I've had to survive. I've been beaten to the point of almost dying, trust me when I say I know the signs. I don't care who the person is or who the people are, if you think I'm going to let anyone, and I mean ANYONE lay a finger on my sister, or father, the two people who I never knew existed, whom I just found in my life, who now mean more to me than anyone or anything, you are dead wrong lady. I have reasons for everything or anything I do in my life, if you have an ounce of integrity in you, let that show now. Otherwise, Newton here is going to get an ugly wake up call." Ava finished as she still stood with her arms crossed looking at all three of the Newtons who were shocked into not saying anything.
No one saw the other cops and office people stop what they were doing to listen in.
"Are we late?" came a voice from behind them.
The Newtons, Ava, and Bella turned to see Jessica, Angela and Lauren standing with their arms crossed looking at Mike in particular. Who visibly gulped seeing the three girls.
"Um, no not at all." Charlie said standing to greet the young ladies.
"What's the meaning of this?!" Mr. Newton raised his voice as he stood up as well.
"Witnesses, Mr. Newton," Angela said taking off her gloves. Seemed it started snowing outside.
"I beg your pardon?" Mrs. Newton said. "Mike said there was no one. How can you know what happened?
"Mr. and Mrs. Newton, you know me, I don't lie. And I usually don't get into other people's business," Angela started, "but I won't stand by anymore regarding Mike. He threatened Bella, there are witnesses. Not just here." She finished and pointed towards the entrance. Where stood half the class just staring at Mike with looks of hate.
"My…. My goodness," breathed Mrs. Newton. "Mikey?" she asked.
"Mom, please, they're, they're lying!" Mike shot up and begged his mother to listen to him.
"We're all willing to make statements. Enough is enough." Angela said, crossing her arms in front of her.
Charlie can't pull together fast enough to wipe the look of shock off his face. But once he did his face was contorted in anger. Staring at the Newtons.
"If we proceed, and it does come out that Mr. Mike here did threaten Bella, and Ava was protecting her, Mr. and Mrs. Newton you both will get in trouble as well for knowingly protecting him. Now, do you still want to proceed?" Charlie looked at them with a stern face.
"Mike seriously don't embarrass yourself. Like Angela said, enough is enough. You've hurt me, Lauren and who knows how many others. You just messed with the wrong twins. Just fess up," Jessica said.
"Ms. Stanely, I had no idea," Mrs. Newton started.
"I haven't said anything to my father yet. But yes, Mike has hit me in the past. It's ultimately why I broke up with him. I don't associate with him anymore except in groups because of that. But if he and you don't back off, I will make my statement and provide pictures. Lauren has pictures as well." Jessica said patting her backpack. Lauren nodded in agreement.
"I believe that is enough." Mr. Newton said. "We'll retract what we said. We're sorry for wasting your time Chief." He looked at Bella and Ava. "I'm sorry. If you all would ever come to our store, no payments. Again, I'm sorry for all this. We just want to protect our son, but I can see," he looks over at everyone in the front, "how cruel that is to everyone he hurt. I didn't know it was that bad. We'll take responsibility." Mr. Newton nodded to Charlie and walked away with Mike and Mrs. Newton in tow. Mrs. Newton was harshly berating Mike all the way out. Mike just hung his head nodding.
"Thems the breaks Mikey," someone from the crowd said as everyone around snickered.
"What do we do now?" Bella asked as she sighed.
Charlie sighed too, "I'll take care of the paperwork here. You girls go to school. If anything comes up give me a call. But I think you should be okay."
"Alright Dad, see you this evening." Ava said, getting her bag ready.
"Actually, girls I have a case I need to do. I'm leaving on plane tonight, so I'll be out of town for a few days." Charlie said writing in his folder. The girls looked at each other and waved the others off. Saying they'll see them at school.
"Thank you all, for your support," Ava said waving at them. The others nodded their heads, and everyone headed out.
Bella and Ava sat back down in front of Charlie.
"What case?" asked Ava.
"It's nothing bad, just the police department needs some help. Like I said I'll be back in a few days. Will you girls be okay while I'm gone?" Charlie asked, looking at them worriedly.
The girls looked at each other then nodded to Charlie. "Of course, dad, don't you know who you're asking?" Bella asked laughing.
"Yes, yes, I know you two are the most capable girls I've ever encountered. I don't know if that's a good thing or bad thing though," Charlie laughed as well.
"I would believe it's because of you dad. We're both like you, I'd take that as a good thing." Ava said nodding to Bella to get her bag.
The girls got ready once again, "We won't keep you, please be safe and call us once you're settled." Ava said.
"Of course," Charlie said getting up and going around his desk to give each girl a hug. "You both remember to lock up and stay together if you can."
"Yep," Bella popped the 'p', and the girls waved once more to Charlie, and he waved back. They made their way out of the office to Ava's bike, and they headed off to school.
Hello all. Well where do you think Charlie is heading off to? Also, there is a twist coming up in the next chapter. It involves someone in the Cullen family, and no it's not Edward, but this person in intrical to how some of the drama will play out in this story. Give me a guess! Until next time my loves.