|: Cigarettes and Candy :| Carlisle... - Chapter 9: Chapter 9

Declan's POV.
I spent the next Saturday with the Cullens, and continued to spend most of my free time with them. I miss Bella, but I know she's so close to figuring out their secret.
Edward has actually started talking to her and the two of them seem to get along just fine. She has lots of questions and he likes playing this game. Edward likes watching Bella try to put the piecing together, but how is he going to react once she finally figures it out?
I stood from my bed with a sigh and went over to my dresser. Grabbing out a fresh tee shirt, I picked up my switchblade and put it in my pants pocket just in case.
Bella invited me to go up to Port Angeles with her, Jessica, and another girl named Angela. They want to look from dresses for an upcoming dance I completely forgot about. It was Jessica's idea to invite me, whether she thinks I need a dress too or was just being polite I don't know.
I know Bella also wanted to go to a book store for a secret book I wasn't allowed to know about. Whatever it is I'm assuming it has to do with the Cullens or just immortal lore in general.
I gathered my things like my wallet, keys, and a second knife and made my way downstairs. I stopped to brush my teeth and check my hair in the mirror. The green is fading, I'll need to dye it again soon.
When Jessica's car pulled up in front of the house, Bella and I said our quick goodbyes to Charlie and headed out.
I sat quietly in the backseat and panicked about the fact that I've never really talked to Angela. We've met a few times but she's shy and I'm shy so we've never really had a conversation.
When we reached her house I took a few deep breaths as she walked out to the car. Bella said she is really nice and great to talk to and I want to be her friend. I'm just really bad at talking to new people.
She opened the door and quickly slid into the seat next to me. I slid over closer to my door and tried not to panic at the fact I'm seated so close to a stranger.
"Hi, Declan." She said softly.
I smiled and nodded back at her.
Jessica was a fast driver so we made it to Port Angeles quicker than I expected. The girls talked about the dance and boys. Bella stayed pretty quiet as the two talked about Jessica's date with some boy named Mike.
All I know about Mike is that he asked Bella to the dance and she told him that she's leaving town. She's not, but I understand why she wants to lie about it. A few boys had asked her and I'm sure she just wants to let them down easy.
I watched the boardwalk out the car window as Jessica drove to a large department store.
I decided to return to the conversation when I heard Jessica say, "people ask you out here and you tell them no."
Bella wasn't as popular as she is in Forks, I don't really understand it either. Don't get me wrong, I love Bella but she isn't as interesting as everyone likes to think. She rereads the same books, does the laundry, and likes naps. She's just like everyone else, but the people of Forks put her in a pedestal.
"Well, except for Tyler." Angela added.
What? Since when?
Bella gasped, "excuse me?"
Wait? Bella didn't say yes to Tyler? What is going on?
Jessica narrowed her eyes, "Tyler told everyone he's taking you to prom."
Bella's eyes went comically wide, "he said what?!"
"I told you it wasn't true", Angela said as we got out of the car.
I followed the girls to the dress rack and scolded Bella in my head for telling Jessica I like fashion. I do, but I like men's fashion. Not that men can't wear a dress, but I wouldn't.
"That must be why that girl Lauren doesn't like you." I said to Bella as we reached the dresses.
Jessica moved to the other side of the rack, "that's exactly why, you're right." She called.
I watched the girls shuffle through clothes awkwardly before I heard Angela call me.
"Declan? Come look at this!" Her shy voice called.
I walked around the rack to her side and looked at the long, pale pink dress she was holding. Her other arm had some dresses of pastel colors.
"What do you think of this?" She asked, her face hopeful.
She's including me, I realized. She noticed me not knowing what to do and called me to participate. Bella promised that she was nice but this is like Carlisle level of kind.
I looked between her and the dress for a moment. "That shade would look amazing on your olive skin, especially in pictures."
She smiled, "follow me to the dressing room?"
"Sure", I said and we walked side by side to the dressing room.
She went in and I stood outside the door while she changed, there to give her my opinions and "zip her up" if she needed help. Whatever that means.
"Do you know a lot about cameras?" Angela questioned through the door.
"Uh, I know a bit." I moved closer to the door so she could hear me better. "My friend, Adam, he's in school to be a photographer. He's done a lot of commission work on dances and proms and such. You start to notice some things."
"Does he live in New York City like you did?" Her voice was growing more confident every time she spoke to me.
"He did, but he moved upstate for school." I explained.
Well, apparently, zipping someone up means helping them zip up their dress. Why would they put the zippers on the back so the wearer couldn't reach it? What kind of design is that? It's just pants without pockets, what good are they?
She moved to the bigger mirror and smiled. She looks amazing to say the least, the dress does compliment her skin and it brings out the warmth in her hair.
Jessica and Bella came into the room then both of them gasped and Jessica even clapped. Angela blushed harder then I've ever seen anyone blush before. That's saying a lot when one of my closets friends is Bella.
"Angela! You look gorgeous!" Jessica all but shouted.
"Really, you look great." Bella nodded in agreement.
Jessica decided on a blue knee length dress after some encouragement from Bella. Then the four of us went to find the shoes, I should probably make Bella buy some new shoes finally. She's been talking about getting new ones forever.
As the Angela tried on a pair of pink heels excitedly, I looked down at my own boots. They're old and worn out but I couldn't afford new ones even if I was ready to let these ones go.
I was brought back into the conversation when Bella called for Angela for a second time.
"Is it normal for the Cullens to be out of school a lot?" Bella asked.
They are out a lot, more then the average student. I usually sit outside for the whole lunch period because I don't want to sit in the cafeteria alone. At the same time I don't want to sit with anyone else either.
"If the weather is nice they go backpacking, the doctor too. They're all real outdoorsy." Angela answered without question.
Once the girls were done shopping, Jessica and Angela decided to bring their bags to the car and then go down to the bay. Bella said she wanted to visit the bookstore and I insisted on going with her.
Before the two walked off to the car, Jessica pointed us in the direction of the bookstore. Which we had no trouble finding the bookstore but it wasn't what Bella was looking for so we moved on.
We walked the streets of Port Angeles until my sense of direction was completely messed up. We are lost, that's the truth. Bella doesn't know where we are and neither do I.
That's when I noticed the men, four of them. They were laughing and joking but they were following us. Without question they are following us.
"Bella," I mumbled. "The men behind us, they're following us."
"What!?" Bella did exactly what I should have told her not to. She looked at them.
Before she turned back one of them called, "hey, there!"
Bella please don't, I thought.
"Hello." She said back before timidly turning her head away.
God fucking dammit.
I walked with more confidence, trying not to look lost or nervous. I still went whichever way Bella wanted, which was a mistake now that she knows we are being followed.
"Hey! Wait!" Another called.
Fuck, why won't they leave? I don't want to do this, I shouldn't do this. The weight of my knifes felt heavier. I hope I don't have to do this.
Not until we turn the corner did I realize they were cornering us. I saw a group of two men ahead of us. We are being herded, they want us and they caught us.
We were in a wide ally created by a few rear exits of some buildings. It seems darker and colder each step the we took towards the men ahead of us.
The two ahead of us walked faster and within moments, they were directly in front of us. They stopped and waited as Bella and I tried to walk around them. I could still here the men behind us, their steps becoming quicker.
As we took the final steps to get around the two men one reached out to grab my arm but I quickly stepped forwards and pushed Bella away.
I shoved her hard enough for her to almost fall but she got the message and stayed behind me.
I turned to the six men and went to shout and growl but Bella spoke first.
"Stay away from us," Bella warned in possible that least intimidating voice she could.
"Don't be like that sugar," one of the disgusting men said.
One stepped closer to me and Bella from behind me gripped my jacket. I could feel her shaking and her fear was just making me more furious. She just wanted to have fun with her friends and these fucks think they're gonna ruin that?
"Get out of my way fag!" He swung at my face but I wouldn't move away from Bella.
I took the punch to my nose and I felt blood instantly flow, I could feel my lips bleeding too.
I feel to one knee as quickly grabbed my knife from my boot as the men shouted. I saw headlights coming down the ally but I wasn't finished.
I pulled out my knife and stabbed it as hard as I could into the man's thigh. The one who punched me screamed and fell to the ground as I ripped my knife out of his thigh and stood up.
The car nearly hit one of the men and then nearly hit Bella before a man stepped out.
Son of a bitch, it's Edward Cullen.
"Get in", his angry voice said and I watched as Bella scurried into the car.
I walked slowly around the car and watched as the man I stabbed writhed on the ground clutching his leg.
I got into the backseat of the car and pulled on my seatbelt while I held my nose to keep blood from getting all over the car.
Edward got back into the driver seat and pulled away, "put your seatbelt on." He said to Bella.
As he was driving he pulled a rag out of the glove box, tossing it back to me. "Declan, cover your nose with this."
I did as he said and leaned my head back and closed my eyes. I zoned out the conversations Edward and Bella were having as I tried to calm myself.
I just stabbed a man, I did. It was self defense but still, I stabbed him. I've never stabbed anyone before. I've gotten into my fair share of fights but it's never gone so far and to knifes.
No one will know, but I'm sure the Cullens will. Charlie won't know, so he won't be upset but the Cullens? I don't know how they would feel knowing I so heartlessly stabbed a man.
Carlisle will be so disappointed. That's what's truly upsetting me. I spent so much time trying to get the Cullens to understand I'm not like the ones they hear about. I'm not like the ones of my kind who drink endlessly from whoever they feel like.
However, apparently, I'm the kind of guy who stabs people. So much for being nice, I just want to be nicer. I'm not a terrible person, but I'm definitely not a good person.
"Tell Jessica and Angela I'm taking you home," Edward said, his voice sounded strained.
"We were supposed to have dinner together." Bella protested.
Edward, turned to glance at me for a moment, "I need to take Declan to Carlisle, his nose might be broken."
Then Bella turned to look at me, I tried to keep myself from looking bloody but both my hands were covered. Her eyes connected with the bloodied rag and she quickly turned back around with a heavy huff.
"Don't mind the blood Bella, just forget I'm back here. I'll stay quiet." I spoke, the last thing we need is Bella throwing up in the Volvo.
"Okay," Bella said through gritted teeth. "I'll tell Jessica and Angela you're taking me home. But then we are gonna have to talk."
"Fine," Edward gritted back.
Shit, what's happening now? Are they finally gonna talk about the whole vampire thing?
We pulled up to the small Italian restaurant we had planned to meet the girls at. I moved around trying to get out of my seatbelt in the darkness.
"Declan? Stay here." Edward told me. "You don't want the girls to panic."
Fuck, he's right. I hate when he's right.
"Alright, but try not to take so long, my face hurts." I explained.
Don't get me wrong, I can't take a punch. It's just been a while and your mind forgets pain. It hurts but I'm not worried, I know my nose isn't broken. It's doesn't hurt like that. It just feels bruised.
I watched the exchange between the girls and Bella and Edward from the tinted windows. Jessica's face is clearly surprised but not disappointed to see Edward. What does she see in him I don't get it. He's just been rude to everyone then randomly shows up? Why is she into that.
Well, maybe I'm biased. I much prefer a different vampire.
The pair headed back to the car with two giggling girls watching them.
"I'm not going into shock" Bella said as she climbed back into the the car.
"You should be," Edward stressed, "any normal person would be. You don't even look shaken."
Bella blushed, "I feel very safe with you."
I scoffed, "how sweet. Now can you two please have the conversation we've all been waiting for?"
Bella's head whipped around to look at me, "you know about that?"
"I know everything Bella. Now go on."
I let the two talk and I stayed silent in the backseat, looking out the window. Bella took the news very well, she stayed calm and collected.
Edward explained much of what they are and how they live. He explained how some of his abilities work like his mind reading and enhanced hearing.
He didn't give away my secret, and I respect that. I didn't really want to tell Bella about me, she doesn't need to know. Edward didn't tell her and that's how it could stay for a bit. I'll tell her eventually but not now.
Meeting someone who turns out to be a good vampire is hard to handle, but learning that a kid you've known basically you're whole life is a different kind of vampire? That's a lot to handle, and I don't want our relationship to change.
Edward pulled into the police station upon Bella request when she saw all the police lights.
All the police cars had their lights on, which doesn't make much sense when you realize they're coming from the station.
"That's Carlisle's car," I pointed out and Edward nodded in agreement.
"You two are on first name bases now?" Bella questioned swiftly.
I just rolled my eyes and kept looking around the parking lot, trying to find the emergency.
Edward parked in the nearest spot and told me to stay in the car again. Only this time, I didn't listen. I need to get some air but I also need to see what's going on.
The three of us walked towards the front doors and that's when Carlisle walked out. He noticed us instantly and stopped at the bottom of the stairs.
"Carlisle, what's going on?" Edward asked, curiosity evident in his voice.
Carlisle looked between my bloodied face and Edward. "I could ask you the same thing." He paused, "there was another animal attack."
The way he looked at Edward, and the way Edward responded show me that's it's not an animal attack. The pair were having some sort of silent conversation.
"Bella, you should go inside." Carlisle turned to her. "The victim was your fathers friend."
She nodded and said a quick goodbye to Edward before slipping through the police station door.
"Now," Carlisle began, "let's take a look at your nose, shall we?"
I followed Carlisle to his car without question, he put his bag on the hood and told me to sit next to it.
He quickly examined my nose, apologizing after every small wince I let out. He determined that it wasn't broken and I let out a sigh of relief.
"Are you going to tell me what happened or will I have to ask Edward later." He stated, crossing his arms over his chest.
I shrugged, "just some guys." I rubbed my sore nose.
"Some guys? Declan, tell me what happened?" He said sternly.
I don't like it when he talks to me like that I've learned. It makes me feel small and guilty, which I'm not guilty. I didn't do shit! It was the other guys, not me! Well, I did stab one.
"Some guys were following us. When they cornered us, one punched me. It's fine nothing really happened." I explained with another shrug.
"Nothing really happened?" He repeated.
I huffed, "can you stop repeating me? It's fine, nothing happened."
"You were punched in the face, Declan. You were bleeding, that is something." He seemed just as irritated as I am.
I hopped of his hood with a scoff. "Can you just take me home? Please?" I added in a small voice.
"Of course." He said, his voice turning much softer.
I climbed into the passenger seat of his car and put the bloodied rag in my pocket. I'm sick of looking at it and my nose and lip isn't bleeding anymore.
"It looked worse than it was," I started as he pulled onto the street. "All the blood was from my lip piercing cutting into my lip. I knew that was a risk but I wanted it anyway, also I didn't think anyone would punch me in the face anymore."
His fists gripped the wheel tighter, "what are you saying? That you used to get hit a lot? How am I supposed to take that?"
I stayed silent until I recognized Charlie's neighbors houses. "It's not important anymore."
Carlisle pulled up in front of Charlie's house and sighed heavily. "Why are you here?"
"What?" I tried to ignore the question, that's the one question I don't want to answer.
"Why are you here? Why did you move in with two people who you aren't related to?" He questioned again.
"Have you been thinking about that a lot?" I asked him.
He nodded, his grip still tight on the steering wheel. "I've thought of witness protection or maybe you've been given some odd court ordered punishment."
"Both of those are wrong, but I don't want to talk about it." I pulled my knees up to my chest.
He looked at me for the first time since we got into the car. His face was sad and nervous. "Can we please, it's not good to keep things bottled up."
I stressed and thought for a minute before my hands went up to pull and my hair, I thought briefly about the rubber band in my wrist.
"Declan, shh, don't do that." Carlisle gently moved my hands away from my head.
I sighed and opened up my car door and stepped out. I took a few deep breaths of the cool outside air before leaning down to talk to Carlisle.
"Come by tonight? I'll let you in, we can talk." I requested.
He smiled slightly and nodded.
I nodded back and closed the car door. I rushed to the front door while pulling my key out of my pocket. I unlocked the door and closed it behind me on my way in.
Leaning back against the door, I repeatedly snapped the rubber band against my skin. It's the only way I know how to fend off the upcoming panic attack.
I rushed up the stairs to wash my face before deciding to take a cold shower. I inspected my bruised nose in the mirror and mumbled a few curse words.