.

“Bella, we have to tell Renee, or maybe you can talk to my dad.” I shake my head.

“You just need to tell someone, anyone,” Alice says as I rest my head on her shoulder. She brings the blanket up to cover us both as we sit on my bed.

I hid myself in my room all weekend. Renee was oblivious to what was going on since she was always with Phil. I didn't mind though; I wanted to be alone. Alice never left my side, which I loved her even more for. Monday was here all too soon, and I wasn't ready to face reality. I never told Alice everything that happened at the bonfire; I just wanted to forget it.

“No. I don't want to. I'm fine,” I whisper. Alice huffs beside me and wraps her arm around me.

“Can you please tell me what happened then? So that I know you’re really ok.” I sigh, bringing my head up to stare at her.

“You look so hot,” Jacob said all breathy and deep. I smiled because that was the first time he's ever told me that. He usually called me “beautiful” or “gorgeous”. He wrapped his arms around my waist and rested his forehead against mine.

He told me that he loved me. He told me that this was what I wanted, what I needed. But his eyes told a different story as the lies fell uncontrollably from his lips. His hot breath dragged along my neck, and hot, vile kisses were planted firmly. One of his rough callused hands slowly slipped underneath my pink shirt while the other crept up my leg, slowly slipping into my shorts . I jerked away from him, caught off guard by his actions.

“Why are you doing this, Bella?” He asked as he grabbed my right arm and pulled me closer to him.

“I don't know what you’re talking about,” I told him as I nervously tried to zip my jacket back up. “We just can't do this right now, not here. Let's just go. Please?” I pleaded, hoping that he would understand.

He lifted his head up to stare at me. His eyes were dark, full of anger and lust. It wasn't supposed to be this way. I wasn't supposed to be held against my will in a parking lot. I wanted to be desired, loved, cherished.

“I watch you shake your tight, little ass in front of me. You think I don't notice, but I do. I know you're playing hard to get, you sneaky little bitch.” He squeezed my cheeks together, forcefully putting his lips over mine. His mouth had a horrid taste to it, and his breath was revolting. “You are mine,” he whispered against my lips.

I tried my hardest to break free from his forceful touch but failed miserably. He removed his hand from my cheeks and snaked it down underneath my tank top then caressed my stomach.

“Please let me go.” I panicked, squirming underneath him.

“I love it when you beg,” he whispered at my ear. My whole body started to shake as I tried to fight my way out. I searched my back pocket frantically for my cell, hoping to get Ali on the phone.

“Fuck! Stop moving!” He yelled, pushing my arm away from my pocket. I suddenly felt a sharp pain shoot across my face and realized that he had struck me.

A smirk danced across his lips as he slid a finger into my hair tie and pulled it off. My hair fell around me, shielding me from his eyes.

“That's better,” Jacob whispered. He grabbed a fistful of hair and yanked my head back.

“JAKE! PLEASE STOP!” I cried out, silently begging God to send someone to me, anyone.

He pushed me against a van and continued on with the torture. Every limb in my body went numb, and silent tears fell from my eyes.

“That's all I remember, Ali,” I state as I get out of bed.

“You don't remember anything after that?” Ali questioned.

“You’re safe now, chocolate eyes.”

“No,” I lie.

I didn't really care what I looked like today. I wasn't in the mood to spend time on my wardrobe. I threw on some old jeans and a grey hoodie and put my hair up in a ponytail. Alice eyed me the whole time, probably pissed that I was dressed like a hobo. She never said anything though, which I was thankful for.

“You sure you're okay, Bella?” Alice asks me as we make our way to our classes. “There is still time to bail.”

I look at Ali and smile, grateful that she is so concerned. “I'm fine, really,” I assure her.

She hugs me tightly and tells me goodbye and that she will meet me for lunch. I briskly walk to Spanish, only to get shoved roughly against the vending machine.

“Hey slut!” I hear someone yell at me.

Tanya, of course. I really didn't need this right now. I feel the heat start to rise up in my chest and flow to my cheeks. I am infuriated. I watch her stalk off with Victoria as they giggle and taunt me further.

“Hey BITCH!” I yell out to her without thinking.

She stops and turns menacingly around. Her high heels scratch loudly against the brown linoleum floor.

Oh shit.

She walks all too quickly and is already standing in front of me with Victoria smiling next to her.

“What did you just say?” Here we go with the questions.

“I think you heard me or else you wouldn't be standing here,” I snap, standing my ground. She's silent while she adjusts her purse around her wrist.

“I heard about you and Jacob Black,” she finally says as she turns toward Victoria and giggles.

I am caught of guard by her bluntness. No one should know about that.

“W...what?” I question.

“Is it true?” She asks as she looks at Victoria and laughs. She inches closer to me, putting her red stained lips by my ear. “About you sucking his dick?”

I step back, looking straight in her icy blue eyes. “Who...who told you that?” I can feel my breathing start to pick up.

“So you don't deny it?” She giggles. “I was right; you are a slut,” she sneers at me then walks off with Victoria right by her side.

I realize I am not alone; an audience surrounds me, encircling me in my own mortification. Whispers of rebuke and blame linger heavily in the air. I run for it, towards the backdoor to maybe find comfort in Charlie's Volvo. I am not going to stay here and let them judge me for something that has never happened. As I make it out the backdoor, someone grabs me by the arm. I turn to see Jacob, and I quickly yank my arm out of his rough hand.

“Leave me alone, Jake!” I yell, wanting to make it very clear that I don't want him here.

He puts his hands up as if to surrender. “Bella, I just want to help you,” he says concerned. “If you don't want my help, fine. Have it your own fucking way. You're just going to make it harder on yourself,” he says as he reaches for my arm and grabs it roughly.

“I just want to help, baby! I'm sorry about Friday,” he tells me.

“I am not your baby!” I yell at him.

“Get...your fucking hands...off of her,” a familiar voice demands from behind me. Jacob's face turns white as he lets go of my arm. He starts walking backwards, staring at me.

You are mine. He mouths.

I drop my head, pulling my hoodie closer to my body, and turn to face Edward.

I raise my head slowly to stare at him. But what I am met with frustrates me; it is pity and sympathy.

“I can take care of myself,” I tell him. I walk around him, making my way to my Volvo. I can hear his boots drag along the pavement as he tries to catch up with me.

“Really?” He says sarcastically.

I stop, annoyed that he thinks I always need saving, like I am some poor, helpless creature.

“I don't want your help,” I state, turning to face him.

He walks up to me, standing so close that I can feel his cool breath on my face. The feeling of electricity passes smoothly between us. The intensity of his stare overwhelms me. I have to look away for a second.

“I know you don't want it,” he whispers, moving closer to my face. “But maybe, just maybe…you need it.” He slowly takes a few steps back, still locking eyes with me. He turns away and walks toward an old, rusty red truck, leaving me dumfounded by his accusation. I didn't want or need his help.

I jump into my Volvo and speed home, realizing at this moment how much I hate Charlie.

I hate him for leaving me, especially when I need him the most right now. I hate him for leaving me with Renee, who doesn't even give a shit about me anymore. I hate him for leaving me with someone like Phil. I hate him for giving me the idea to change because right now, it is pointless.

I pull into the driveway, since Renee isn't here, and hurriedly run to the house. I stop short when I notice Phil sitting on Charlie's favorite chair, holding his picture in his long, frail fingers. The door slams behind me, and I jump slightly, looking at Phil who has noticed and grins as he pats the cushion next to him.

“Come here,” he calls to me.

I cautiously make my way to the couch and sit down.

“Why are you here, Phil?” I didn't like that he was here without Renee. It made me feel uneasy.

He still had my dad's picture in his grasp. “It’s a shame your dad died,” he utters. “He was a great man.”

I stare at him in confusion. He never met Charlie.

“What do you mean?” I question him. “How would you know?”

He sets the picture down on the coffee table and leisurely gets up. I stay on the couch, confused as the words, “He was a great man.” repeat in my head. He reaches the front door and stares at me with an all too knowing look in his blue eyes.

“Bye, Bella.” And with that, he was gone, leaving me confounded with what he just told me.

I pick up Charlie's picture and go to my room to tack it back up. I sit on my bed with Phil's words still reeling in my head. I start to remove my hoodie but stop when I see a piece of paper fall from the pocket. I pick it up, unfold it, and read it.

Choc...Bella. I hope you...

Please meet...Call me if you need anything.

876-9087

-Edward

I stare at the note for a little while longer before tossing it to the floor.

I didn't need his help.