THE PLAY
Disclaimer: All the characters are of SM
"But Mr Berty ! " Bella cried "I can't play this role .You know how clumsy I am ! I don't like to face crowd "
"You are one of my intelligent students. My mother wanted to see her play enacted on stage. I have to TRY to fulfill her wish before she dies . I know the story is not so wonderful . But still! "Mr Berty's brow furrowed in tension as he continued pleading to Bella.
"Please! You know how they are, they can't work hard you agree maybe then, the other students would agree too"
He looked like he was going to cry. Why can't she be just like others" sorry Mr Berty .I can't do it "and move away. After she heard the reason she steeled herself to say the words .
When she saw her professor's hurt look which so resembled Jake's depressed and hurt face now a days, the words got stuck in her throat.
Her dad had gone easy on her grounding on the condition that she meets Jake but she couldn't bear to see her happy Jacob loosing his spark . She hated now hurting anyone anymore now!
"Yes sir, I will do it!"Bella found herself saying in spite of willing to back out. The professor's smile lit up his face like lights in Christmas tree .
The old face which was anguished few moments ago, now looked so happy." thank you so much Bella! My mother will be so happy .I will see to it that your studies will not be affected by the play "said Mr. Berty and went away happily.
Bella was sitting with Edward in her living room while completing her calculus home work.
"Am I correct that you are in the play of Mr. Berty's?"Edward said in his ringing voice. "Yes "she replied and told all that had transpired between her professor and her for the play.
"And what, about your studies! It's not even a college event. The story is utter crap!"Edward sounded so much like an elder brother to Bella but she didn't tell retort back as she continued solving her sums.
After few minutes, Bella replied "he told me not to worry about it, he will talk with other teachers to overlook me and the other students for two months. Seeing how sensitive the issue is , I don't think our professors will oppose him" she said while closing her book and letting a long sigh , relieved that her work is finished at last.
"You know, he approached me too. I managed to wiggle out fine. I didn't need my mind reading skills for that. What role did he offer you, love? "asked Edward while playing with Bella's hair and smiled her favorite crooked smile." she could not help but smile back at such a gorgeous man .
"The lead role-Kristen. And , what 's yours?"Bella asked curiously.
"Can't believe it, the villain of the story –Robert . It's so laughable that Mr Berty's still searching for the protagonist who has to be cute looking, energetic….."huffed Edward.
"Really, then I will be saved from falling on my face on stage in front of Berty's mom on her birthday " Bella replied happily as she took Edward's cold hand in hers.
Unexpectedly, he began to laugh and said "Do you think I will let you fall in front of everyone in the play. If you are in the play….I am in it too"
Edward kissed her chastely on the lips. Bella fumed internally, he was her boyfriend for God's sake! He was supposed to kiss her properly when she was in dumps so she would feel better. Edward and his damn rules! thought Bella
1 week later
"Bella, you left your project at my home yesterday." said Jacob while running towards Bella through the students chit chatting in the parking lot of the forks high.
Bella and Edward were talking with their professor Mr. Berty regarding the play when Jacob came running.
He had decided to start it anyway without the protagonist for now.
"Thanks ,Jacob! I would have been in a mess without it. I will come with cookies later in the evening. Thank you once again for coming here to bring my project! "Bella said while hugging Jacob.
"Really, Bella" and he smiled when Bella looked up at him after hugging him back warmly ;they were not supposed to meet today but she needed to thank him for coming for her inspite of running patrols to protect me against Victoria.
He needed rest Bella thought as she saw how tired Jacob looked . As soon his eyes met with Edward; His smile crumpled and a hard mask returned on Jacob's face.
"Bye Bella! See you in the evenin" Jacob whispered and turned back to run home.
"Bye" said Bella sadly, she hated Jacob to see so sad but she couldn't leave Edward. Edward would be deeply hurt if she left him now. She couldn't make him sad because she couldn't bear him to so sad for her choices.
It was too late to go back, everyone would be so sad and she loved the Cullen family too. She couldn't turn back on the family who had made her feel wanted in their close knit family, she had never felt warmth of a family.
"STOP! Mr. Black! Jacob stopped in his tracks when he heard his name being called. He turned around and found out that he was being called by Mr. Berty. Edward growled slowly when their professor ran like a mad man behind Jacob.
"Can you please, spare some time from your work?"said Mr. Berty to Jacob and then he started talking animatedly with Jacob.
Bella caught Edward snickering on seeing a baffled and confused Jacob. She gave him such a fierce glare that he stopped it hurriedly and started choking as air entered in his nostrils in a wrong way.
"I am 17, sir. I have not even acted in a skit in childhood." said Jacob exasperated.
"Oh don't worry, my lad! I will handle it. Let me talk to your dad" as he took and noted down Jacob's number" I will train you in no time, son"
One more fan of Jacob, Bella sighed. She felt little nice that inspite of not being a student of her school he had respected Mr Berty's feelings. Unlike other seniors;especially Edward who had tried to wiggle out.
Was Edward really so gentle and noble as he showed before her thought Bella while clutching her project tightly.
A/N: Thanks for reading! Read and PLEASE review.