The Dark Side of the Moon

10. Scary Stories

As I sat in my room, trying to concentrate on the third act of Macbeth, I was really listening for Charlie's cruiser. I looked out of my curtain and suddenly, he was there. I panicked and raced down the stairs, plating his food and setting it on the table just as he walked in the door.

"Isabella!" He hollered. "What the hell is this I hear about you fucking fainting? You waste of space, couldn't take what I gave you, huh? Come here!"

He grabbed me by the arm hard enough to leave a nasty bruise, before the punching began. I fell to my knees in agony as he continued to kick me all over and continue his endless tirade of derision.

The clicking of his belt brought me back and I tried to squirm away but he knocked me down again before stepping on my back.

"You take what I give you, bitch!"

Eventually, the world faded into blackness.

————————

I wasn't looking forward to Friday, and it more than lived up to my non-expectations. Of course there were the fainting comments. Jessica especially seemed to get a kick out of that story. Luckily Mike had kept his mouth shut, and no one seemed to know about Edward's involvement. She did have a lot of questions about lunch, though.

The worst part about Friday was that, even though I knew he wasn't going to be there, I still hoped. When I walked into the cafeteria with Jessica and Mike, I couldn't keep from looking at his table, where Rosalie, Alice, and Jasper sat talking, heads close together. And I couldn't stop the gloom that engulfed me as I realized I didn't know how long I would have to wait before I saw him again.

At my usual table, everyone was full of plans for the next day. Mike was animated again, putting a great deal of trust in the local weatherman who promised sun tomorrow. I'd have to see that before I believed it. But it was warmer today — almost sixty. I decided that if Charlie was going fishing again, I could chance it to sneak out with the group. Maybe the outing wouldn't be completely
miserable.

I intercepted a few unfriendly glances from Lauren during lunch, which I didn't understand until we were all walking out of the room together. I was right behind her, just a foot from her slick, silver blond hair, and she was evidently unaware of that. "...don't know why Bella" — she sneered my name — "doesn't just sit with the Cullens from now on."

I heard her muttering to Mike. I'd never noticed what an unpleasant, nasal voice she had, and I was surprised by the malice in it. I really didn't know her well at all, certainly not well enough for her to dislike me — or so I'd thought. "She's my friend; she sits with us," Mike whispered back loyally, but also a bit territorially. I paused to let Jess and Angela pass me. I didn't want to hear any more.

The school bell rang, and I made my way to biology.

Towards the end of the period I began to feel very, very sick. I'd only eaten an apple for lunch. I must have eaten too quickly, or my body was really so unaccustomed to the food that it was rejecting it, as little as it was. Gym was even worse in my state.

I changed quickly into my regular clothing after class, nauseated and very uncomfortable. I had one shoe left, and I hastily attempted to tie it before Jessica or Lauren found me. Suddenly, my hair was yanked backwards, pulling me against the metal lock on the locker behind me. I groaned in pain, sure that it would leave its mark along with the others. Jessica's face looked over me, nostrils flared as she sent a punch to my gut. I held my tongue.

"WHAT were you you doing with Edward Cullen?! Huh? You think because you're new here that you can just waltz up to any guy like the slut you are and reel him in? You don't belong here, trash."