Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

Obsession

By Mama4Dukes

Chapter #05:

On Wednesday, when Edward Cullen approached her, Bella checked her text messages while standing by her car. She tried to walk away, but he trapped her against the door by placing his hands on the vehicle, framing her body. He donned a greasy smile on his face.

“I want to apologize for Friday night. I tried to get to you, but a traffic incident delayed me. If I hadn’t been delayed, that savage mutt wouldn’t have got there first,” he griped in frustration. The fake smile had disappeared, and now his expression was furious. Bella noticed Edward clenched his teeth so hard, she thought they’d shatter. He kept balling his hands into fists, curling and unfurling them, and pressing them into the car’s driver’s side window frame. He was fuming like an angry pit bull, poised for attack, and his breathing was… his breathing… He wasn’t breathing. Cullen’s chest wasn’t moving up or down, nor did she feel any of his breaths, which she should have at this proximity. And then he traced an ice-cold finger around her black eye, making her shiver in fright. “If only I had gotten to you on time, this would not have happened. I’m here to tell you that it won’t happen again. I’ll keep you safe going forward. I’ll always keep you safe. You’ll always be safe with me.”

Fear thrummed through Bella’s veins as she realized that Edward Cullen was not quite normal. In fact, he was rather disturbing. Her heart began racing as panic overtook her body. She also thought that perhaps there was some merit to the folktale Leah had shared about the Quileutes and the Cullens. Was it possible that the Cullens were really from an enemy clan? Was Edward Cullen a werewolf? She gulped as she realized it was probable that the monster in front of her was inhuman.

Edward stepped closer, put his nose on her neck, and began inhaling-only he never exhaled, and there was not an inch of movement in his body. When he glanced up, Bella was met with a leer full of lust from the pervert. “The beat of your heart tells me of your desire for me, and your scent is tantalizing.”

Could this clod be more mistaken in his imaginings? She was scared out of her wits. Out of the corner of her eye, Bella caught sight of Tyler and his girlfriend walking toward his van, which was parked next to her car. A desire for self-preservation took over Bella’s brain. “You have three seconds to move away from me before I scream for help,” she ground out as she mentally counted to three and then yelled, “Tyler, help me!”

Bella’s stalker looked around wildly, obviously noticing Tyler angrily approaching them. “We’ll discuss your disobedience later!” Edward growled menacingly before running away.

Her mind numb and dizzy with fear, Bella lost her composure and broke down in tears. Tyler wrapped an arm around her.

“Edward Cullen just trapped me by my car, Ty! He scared me. I wasn’t sure what he was going to do.”

“You should report him to the school resource officer,” Lauren suggested kindly.

“She already has. She had to switch sections in chemistry because the guy is so obsessed,” Tyler explained.

“I’m so sorry you’re going through this,” Lauren replied sincerely.

“It’s not your fault. Thank you. Oh, and I’m Bella Swan,” she introduced herself through her sniffles and tears. There was no point in being rude.

“I know. Ty’s told me a lot about you. You’re Chief Swan’s daughter. I’m Lauren Mallory.”

“You need to get to your dad now. We’ll give you a ride,” Tyler said.

“What about my car?”

“Just leave it. There’s safety in numbers. He did something to the frame anyway.” Sure enough, when Bella looked, the top of the window frame where Edward’s hands had been was indented and crushed.

Tyler and Lauren dropped Bella off at the police station, where she rushed inside to find her father was on a call. She knocked on Ms Lahote’s door to see if she was free. When the psychologist motioned her inside, she broke into tears, explaining what had happened.

Julia broke a rule about physical contact with clients and put her arm around the girl until she calmed down. A few minutes later, when Chief Swan texted to say he was on a call and to head to La Push to Uncle Billy’s house, Julia took her there herself. Bella’s car was at the high school anyway.

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As soon as Bella explained what had occurred to Billy, he became alarmed. Clearly, Edward Cullen had some strange obsession with Bella, and Billy aimed to get to the bottom of it. He needed to communicate with Carlisle Cullen about his coven member.

“Hey, Jacob and Bella. Can you go to the tribal store and get the propane tank refilled? We need it for dinner tonight, and uh, pick up a few steaks and baked potatoes.” Billy turned to Julia. You and Paul are having dinner with us, right?”

“Yes. Yes, we will be staying.”

“Great. Billy reached for his wallet and gave the kids cash. Grab a family-sized premade salad, too.”

“And ice cream?” Bella asked.

Billy laughed, handing the kids an extra twenty. “And ice cream, make it chocolate chip. Get some cones, too.”

The kids grabbed the propane tank off the grill and began their trek to the tribal store. As soon as he saw they were gone, Billy addressed Julia. “I need to call the coven leader. This situation has become untenable.”

“I agree. Can you expel the boy?”

Billy shook his head. “I can, but it will make things worse because we wouldn’t be able to keep track of him. We need to tell Bella and Charlie everything tonight. That’s why I want Paul here.”

“And Jacob?”

“The changes are happening in him already. He’ll phase eventually, so I’ll tell him.”

“And how will you handle the other elders?” Julia arched a brow at him.

“Harry will agree with me, and Old Quil will have no choice but to follow our decision. Now would also be a good time to impart the legends to Leah. Sam and Emily have hurt her too much.”

With that, Billy called Carlisle Cullen to inform him of recent events. The vampire was shocked that Edward’s obsession hadn’t abated. Apparently, Jasper, their newest coven member, could feel emotions. He had informed Edward that he repulsed Bella, but the boy thought it impossible for anyone to feel that way about him. They discussed several other issues, including the fact that Bella was the imprint of a wolf and under Quileute protection. Billy added that the protection included Charlie Swan. Carlisle Cullen promised to speak to all his coven members and have a stern discussion with Edward before ending the call.

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Paul spotted Bella and Jacob walking past his house carrying a propane tank together. It looked like they were heading to the tribal store. He rushed upstairs to his room, hit his pits with deodorant, and changed into a clean shirt. Then he slicked his hair back with some gel in the bathroom and brushed his teeth. Yeah, he looked good.

He left his house and caught up with them at the entrance to the tribal store.

“Hi,” Paul greeted Bella and Jake.

“Oh, hey, Paul,” Jake said. “Did your mom tell you you’re having dinner at our house?”

Really? That was a surprise to him. “No, my mom didn’t say anything.”

“Well, Uncle Billy sent us to pick up propane and groceries. You can help us carry everything back.”

He’d take the propane tank so she could see his biceps. “Sure. It’s not a problem,” Paul replied, then turned to Bella. “The swelling in your eye seems to be going down.” He could tell she was gorgeous and had a nice smile, too.

“Thanks. I hope it goes away soon. Dad told me it takes a couple of weeks to heal completely. I’ve been icing it whenever I can,” Bella informed him. “But I’m so grateful you were there to help us. Thank you again from the bottom of my heart.”

Paul was embarrassed by the gratitude. “Aw, it was nothing.”

“Whatever you say.”

“But Bells, I can’t believe you dove in and fought those guys off, too. That was nuts.”

“I know, but I couldn’t let Paul fight them off himself. There were eight or nine of them versus one.”

“Well, I’m glad you’re okay, buddy. We should get the shopping done.”

Jake gave the propane tank to Old Quil so he could fill it, and then they quickly loaded up a shopping basket with groceries. When all was set and done, Paul took the propane tank and told Bella and Jake to grab the groceries.

“Are you sure, man? That thing is heavy,” Jake pointed out.

“Not a problem.” Paul hefted it over one shoulder, ensuring Bella got an eyeful of his sculpted bicep.

He noticed that she gulped before she became flushed, and the blush on her cheekbones clashed with the bruise on her eye. Maybe he shouldn’t have made her blush.

When they arrived at Billy’s house, Jake took the propane tank and went out to the back to hook it up while Billy went outside to grill. Bella put the rest of the groceries away. It was clear she knew the house well and felt comfortable there. Paul decided to help her.

“So, uh, what grade are you in?” He asked in an effort to get to know his imprint. She was undoubtedly a beautiful girl despite the temporary bruises marring her face. Paul already liked the fact that she was selfless. Despite her fear and not knowing who he was, she attempted to help him when he fought with the guys who attacked her friends.

“I’m a junior. You?”

“Cool, we’re in the same grade. I go to the tribal school, but I play baseball at Forks High. I know some of the kids there.”

“How does that work?”

“Well, the tribal school doesn’t have many sports opportunities, so we’re allowed to participate in the after-school sports offered at Forks High School. Our school isn’t that big, and our class sizes are small, so it helps that we’re allowed to participate in sports at Forks High School because it goes on our school record. It gives us opportunities we’re not normally given but need to attend a competitive college.”

“I like that. It’s probably also good for community relations, right?”

“Absolutely. And now that Chief Black is the principal, he’s expanded opportunities for community relations between Forks and La Push. For example, the homecoming dance at Forks High is open to Tribal School kids, and the Tribal School hosts a yearly bonfire inviting kids from Forks High School,” Paul explained. “There’s also a talent show combining the two schools.”

“Wow, I’m looking forward to both events,” Bella said, glancing up at him and down at her feet. Paul Lahote was a handsome guy-hotter than that Jasper guy who was dating the strange girl. Bella decided to be brave. She’d never openly flirted with a guy before; heck, she’d never even gone out on a date before. Her mother’s constant dating woes had made her paranoid about dating.

Plus, she had been more focused on softball, which she enjoyed tremendously. It was the only thing that Charlie and Renee both backed together. On other things, they fought and bickered, but when it came to softball, they were fanatics-going so far as to send her to camp every summer to hone her skills. Bella was about to ask Paul if his parents argued as hers did, then she recalled Ms. Lahote’s very personal story and realized he was the son-the result of the rape. Well, she had indeed done a great job raising him. Paul was at the right place, at the right time, and protected Bella and her friends. What a genuinely upstanding guy!

“So, uh, do you have a boyfriend?” Paul suddenly asked.

Was he talking to her? Bella looked around the house. There was no one else around. Ms Lahote had gone to her house to run an errand, and Billy and Jake were outside. “Uh, no. No, I don’t have a boyfriend?”

“Do you want one?”

Bella’s eyes widened. Was he asking what she thought he was asking? “I… I’ve never had one, so I don’t know.” Oh, what a stupid response! If Jess were here, she’d lecture her about taking advantage of opportunities. How was she supposed to know which opportunities to take advantage of?

“Are… Wh… Are you asking? I mean…”

“Yeah, I am. I like you.”

“But you don’t know me.” Bella shifted nervously on her feet, wringing her hands. “We just met the other night and in terrible circumstances.”

“Not all bad. We met that night, didn’t we? Besides, I don’t know many girls who would jump into a fight to try to protect me. That was really hot! Plus, you’re stunning.”

Paul hoped he wasn’t coming on too strong. Contrary to popular opinion, he’d never had a girlfriend. No one ever attracted his attention until Bella. When she dove in to protect him, he thought she was incredible. He was pretty sure the spirits got it right when they bound her to him.

“Me? Pretty?” Impossible, she thought. Bella felt she was nowhere near as pretty as Tyler’s girlfriend Lauren, Leah Clearwater, or any of her friends, for that matter. She was plain and didn’t really know how to be girly. Her mother never had time to share her knowledge of girl stuff, like how to do hair and makeup.

Paul regarded his imprint’s long, chocolate brown, wavy hair, framing her lovely face. He wanted to run his hands through them. She had high cheekbones, expressive eyes fringed with long eyebrows, and big, full lips. Didn’t she know how beautiful she was? Maybe he should sing One Direction’s “What Makes You Beautiful” to her? What if she didn’t like boy bands? Paul really enjoyed listening to boy bands-mostly because his mom had raised him on a good dose of the Backstreet Boys.

He was startled out of his internal musings when Bella suddenly blurted out, “Do you want to go to the Forks High School prom with me?”

“Sure. Yeah, I’ll go, but you must come to mine with me, too.”

Bella’s eyes widened in surprise. She had not been expecting him to say yes. She formulated a reply and nervously stammered, “Okay. Prom is good. Yeah, prom is great. “I’ll buy a dress!”

“Cool.” Paul was so happy; he felt like twirling her in his arms right then and there. Afterward, he wanted to get into his car, play One D’s “Kiss You,” and belt it out at the top of his lungs. He really had a boy band problem.

But for now, he had to tamper down his feelings of elation as Charlie Swan and the Clearwaters arrived for dinner, followed by his mother a few minutes later.