Loves a Game, Wanna Play?

Chapter tTwo- Valentines Day Part One

Isabella's POV.       

        Today I have to wear something I haven't worn in eight years, not since my mom died, but a deal is a deal. I dig into the back of my closet a soft pink knee length dress. Not too fancy but not to casual, perfect for today. I do my hair and makeup quickly finishing just in time. My bangs are in a braided crown while the the rest flows gently down my back, my make up is light pink eyeshadow lip gloss and blush, and a light layer of brown mascara. I looked natural having artificially added my old natural color back to my face, color I lost many years ago.

        *ding dong* The doorbell rings throughout the house, crap I forgot to tell him to text instead of ringing the bell of knocking. Please whatever mythical god is out there watching over the people on this earth don't let the bell wake my father. At one time he was loving caring nice and protective, but after mom's death he changed. He started drinking and now the least little thing can cause him to become violent. He hits me a lot and yells but things could be a lot worse. Luckily the style I normally wear hides the marks his alcoholic rage left on my skin. I look down and notice the bruises showing faintly on my legs arms and neck from the night I  snuck out to meet with Chris, he caught me sneaking back into my room earning me an hours worth of beatings not that anyone notices or cares.  

         I rush to the door but before I make it safely outside he reaches me. He yells at me saying "What are you doing you worthless whore?" when he pulls his hand back i whimper knowing that to say a word would only make things worse, but before the  strike can hit its mark a loud knocking echoed through the house followed by Chris calling out saying "Isabella, Is everything alright, come on were gonna be late." Hearing this only enraged him further so I said "Please you can punish me when I get home, but if you hit me now he will know and you will go to jail. I won't turn you in but he would please I don't want to lose you to daddy. Please." By this point I was on the verge of tears both from fear of my dad and the thought of losing him to.  After all if I was a better daughter he wouldn't beat me.He grabs the front of my shirt and whisper yelled "You better make this a great day because tonight will be the worst night of your life." With that he released me and I escaped out the door and ran right into Chris. 

        He easily caught me even with the giant teddy bear dozen roses and box of chocolate he was juggling, he looked at me his eyes widened in a cross between worry, and awe. "Bella, are you ok? what was wrong? What happened?" "Its a really long story, and maybe in time I will be able to trust you enough to tell you the whole truth but until then please understand that the only reason I can't tell you is because it's not safe. Oh ya by the way were not going to school today. That is if you don't mind skipping so I can uphold my side of the bargain." "Of course I don't mind skipping school with the most beautiful girl I've ever been with. by the way Happy Valentine's day these are for you." He said with a genuine smile on his face. "Thank you, this is very sweet of you." I say with a slight smile on my face. We never celebrate anything in my house anymore. "So what do you think of the real me?" "Bella you look amazing, why don't you dress like this all the time?" Come on you drive and I'll explain on the way." He opened my door and helped me climb up into the cab of his truck, it was a black 1956 Ford F-100. He climbed in and said "You do know I can't start driving unless I know where I'm going right Bella?"

Chris's POV.

"Oh ya, right head to the cemetery, just on the other side of the  forest outside of town." " Okay, as you wish my lady. Now why don't you dress like this more often? you look amazing though I have to ask are you extremely clumsy or do you fall a lot?" I could tell she didn't want to answer but the bruises on her legs and arms had to come from somewhere and while I have an Idea I'm praying that I'm wrong."No I don't fall a lot and I'm not clumsy." Her eyes widened as she realizes what she just said in an attempt to distract me she quickly yet almost fearfully said "This is how I dressed all the time eight years ago. Never would you see me without my hair done or in a girly getup. I could win any beauty pageant I entered getting the highest score in all categories, but just before February my mother became very sick all of a sudden, and the doctors couldn't explain why. Because they didn't know what was wrong with her they couldn't help her. After twelve nights in the hospital she was getting better so they sent her home she died the next night february fourteenth, the day of love is the day of my moms death. She and I were really close and she was the only one who believed in me. Once she died I stopped entering contests and started trying to fade into the background, to do so I had to change my look and attitude. It took a while but soon enough everyone forgot about Isabella Clare the girl who stood out and made everyone smile. Now I'm just the weird quiet girl with perfect grades. It's better that no one notices me, it's easier that way." that last sentence she said so softly I wasn't sure I had heard her right. I wish I could make her see how great she is. No I can't care because I have to be what everyone expects me to be. If I disappoint them who knows what would happen, but it's ok to care just as a friend right?