Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight Stephenie Meyer does. All human; All AU

I sighed as I sat outside Miss McDuff's office. The secretary Candy smiled at me. I heaved another sigh.
"This is the third time this week isn't it, Emmett?" Candy asked me, still smiling.
"Yeah." I said, shrugging unconcernedly.
"It's only Tuesday you know." She said.
"I know. I just come here because you love me so much." I said, winking at her.
"You're just a big teddy bear, Emmie." Candy cooed.
"Careful, I've been known to mutate into an irritable grizzly." I warned her.
"Hah!" She scoffed.
I made sure she went back to her paperwork before I let a smile creep over my face.

I'd been here so many times that the hard bench beneath me felt comfortable. The seconds didn't drag by with dread like they did for so many other kids. To be honest, the principal's office was the only place that felt like home to me here at St. Marks Preparatory school. I was here more often than I was in class. This wasn't my fault, it really wasn't.

"Come in, Mr. McCarthy." Miss McDuff called to me.
"Thanks." I called back.
"This is not a privilege, Mr. McCarthy." She called.
I muttered a quick "See you," to Candy and turned to walk into Miss McDuff's office.
"Coming." I called, groaning inwardly.

"So, Mr. McCarthy, we meet again so soon?" Miss McDuff quizzed.
I swear the woman was eighty-five at least and swift as a hornet's sting. She looked and sounded so frail it was a wonder that anyone was afraid of her at all. But all the students at St. Mark's Prep were terrified of her.
"Yes, Ma'am." I said.
"Do you mind explaining why?" She asked, gently.
"It wasn't my fault, Ma'am." I said, feeling like a five-year-old in the dentist's chair.
She dismissed my explanation with a wave of her hand, "That's what they all say, Mr. McCarthy. Why are you here?"
"I shoved Peter's head in the drinking fountain," I sighed.
"Exactly. But you also held his head down in the fountain and kept re-dunking him yelling that you were going to kill him."
"Yes." I said. Why lie? She was bound to find out anyway.
"Why?" She demanded.
"He called a freshman girl a whore. Girls don't deserve that kind of treatment." I said.
"Which girl?" She asked.
"I don't know her name, Ma'am." I admitted.
"This is the eighteenth time this month you've defended an unknown. Why?"
"Someone has to do it, Ma'am."
"You're valedictorian, Mr. McCarthy. You can't afford to do this. Parents complain about you all the time. 'That violent Emmett McCarthy, the boy's a menace.' That's what they say." She sighed.
"I'm sorry, Ma'am." I said.
"I have been left with no other choice, Mr. McCarthy. I'm very sorry but I'm going to have to expel you," she said, her tone making clear what her words could not.
She didn't want to expel me.
"I'll be packed and gone within the hour," I said, turning to go.

"Excuse me, Mr. McCarthy, but I don't believe that I dismissed you just yet," Miss. McDuff called.
"Of course, I'm sorry, Ma'am. Was there something else you wanted?" I asked.
"Sit down, Mr. McCarthy. Do you want to tell your father or should I?" She asked.
"With all due respect, Miss McDuff, I'm eighteen. My father doesn't need to know." I said.
"So what are you planning to do?" She quizzed.
"I don't know. I'll get a job." I said, shrugging.
"Don't you shrug at me, Mr. McCarthy. I think I've found the perfect job for you." She handed me a newspaper clipping.
I sat back in my chair and read:
Wanted: bodyguard, 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Must be physically fit, pleasant, able to drive, tall, and muscular. Further questions? Please contact Renee and Charlie Swan. 555 –2727. Forks, Washington.

"Is this for real?" I asked.
"Quite real. I've spoken to Renee and Charlie just this morning." She said.
"How am I going to get to Washington?" I asked.
My concern was justified. I was at school in Massachusetts.
"I think that can be arranged. After all, you have an entire second semesters tuition right here," she handed me an envelope.
"You're kidding, right?" I asked.
"I assure you, I am not joking in the least." She said.
"What about my truck?"
"Here are your keys." Miss McDuff passed them to me.
"No way." I said.
"Yes, way, Mr. McCarthy." She said.
"Okay, well, thanks, Miss McDuff." I beamed at her.
"Get going, boy. You have a job to do."
"Yes, Ma'am." I saluted her as a joke and walked out.
She sighed, "Expelled, and such a brilliant boy too..."
I couldn't resist one last retort, "I heard that," I called.
"Well, don't let it go to your already overly-large head." She snapped.
As I left her office I heard her chuckle and say, " Emmett McCarthy. Damn, I'm really going to miss that boy."
I smiled as I got into my ancient red truck. Forks, Washington, huh? I revved the engine and headed on towards my next adventure.