Warm Feelings Chapter 1:
The whole school knew, not just my parents, or me, or Mrs. Stanley, but the whole school. They all gave me awkward glances, and sly looks. It was not nice. There were whispers, more than fifty rumors about Jessica and me. I could not believe the time it took for the whole school, including the teachers, to find out. I refused the fact that it was my child. It, the child, was not. I was sure of it. I do not believe Jessica, no matter what she says. It…the child could not be my child. I sat down at our lunch table; I was the last one to join them.
"Edward, I can't believe you have the guts to be in school today." Rosalie said glaring at me.
"After what you did to Jessica, I cannot stand to see your face." She continued and stood up and left. She gave Emmett a look I knew so well.
Emmett looked at me then at Rosalie, stood up, and walked out of the cafeteria with her. Betrayed by my own brother, I thought angrily. I looked up at Alice; she gave me a small smile.
"I want to believe you Edward, I really do, but I'm afraid. I saw you go up to your room with her Edward at the New Year's party." Alice murmured casting her glance away from me. I could not believe what I was hearing. I stood up angrily and walked out of the cafeteria. I did not know where I was going, or where I wanted to go, but my feet automatically walked to the library: The quietest place in the whole school.
I walked to the very back ignoring the stares. Behind the bookshelves, there was only one table and it was occupied. She was sitting there with a book in her hand, and headphones in her ears. As if she felt my presence, she looked towards my direction. Her eyes were plain brown, but I knew that, that was not her real eye color. I had seen her too close to believe that a spirited person like her could have lifeless eyes.
She took her headphones out and then gestured for me to take the seat across from her. I gulped and sat down. She closed the book and placed it down then leaned forward and placed her elbows on the elbows and leaned closed to me.
"What is this rumor I hear Edward?" She asked softly. I told her. I told her about the lie, the truth and the rest. She smiled and listened.
"That…it can't be my child Bella," I murmured looking down at the book she placed on the table. It was her poetry book.
"Did you tell them where you actually spent your New Year's Edward?" She asked. Her voice was soft and perfect, beautiful and melodious, or perhaps genuine and honest. I shook my head at her question.
"Well there is your problem. If you don't tell them the truth you told me, then how do you expect them to believe you?" She asked. I looked into her eyes and desperately wanted her to take those contacts off so I could see her eyes.
"Stop contemplating life Edward, and live it." Bella said before standing up. She pushed her poetry book towards me, and at that moment, the bell rang. I did not go to class. It was not important as my life. Bella and I had known each other since sophomore year when she first moved to Forks. She ignored anyone who spoke to her; she believed that she did not need friends, especially not friends who just would use her.
I had met her in Port Angeles in the music store. She was looking for Debussy, and I knew exactly where it was. We talked, we kissed, and then we became friends. She was a difficult person to understand. She never did what was expected. She had long brown hair that reached her hips in soft waves.
I knew just how soft they were since I had run my fingers through it many times.
She was my friend, and we shared benefits. However, she was also my friend who I shared all my pain with and she understood me. She never judged me. I like her.
"Edward" I looked up to see Alice standing over me with relief written all over her face.
"What are you doing here Alice?" I asked her, picking up the book Bella had slid over to me and tossed it in my backpack.
"Looking for you," She scolded me, "Do you know, I asked like fifty people where the hell you were." She said angrily.
"I can't believe you Edward, why didn't you tell mom and dad that you were only with Jessica for few minutes before you left?" She asked me. I looked up at her surprised. How did she know? Did she not have a different opinion of me just seconds ago?
"Angela told me she saw you storming down the stairs soon as you and Jessica were in your room. She said you drove off leaving Jessica in your room." Alice said murmuring.
"I thought she was lying at first, but that isn't Angela. Why didn't you say anything?" Alice asked.
"Because no one is willing to listen to me" Except Bella, I added in my head. Alice looked away saddened by my response.
"Carlisle is just disappointed and Esme is bit shocked. They needed time when they first found out. Now they are ready to listen to you Edward." Alice said in a small voice.
"I can't believe they doubted me Alice. I would never jeopardize anyone's future like that." I told her. She nodded.
"I know big brother. Now come on, you have some explaining to do." She said, and I looked at her confused, but she kept walking.
Once in the car she started her inquisition. Emmett was sitting in the back. He apologized to me, for leaving me at lunch.
"I know that my little brother is too much of a gentleman to actually get a girl pregnant, no matter how big of a player you are." Emmett grinned. I frowned at that. I was not a player. My family simply did not see me clearly sometimes. Since the beginning of the year, I had been with one girl. How could no one see that? Yes, I had dated plenty of girls, but I did not sleep with them. They simply spread false rumors to get attention and suddenly I was the womanizer, a player, a man-whore. A misunderstood manwhore at that.
"So why did you leave Jessica in you room?" Alice asked. I did not know how to answer her. I had left because I had received a text from Bella saying she needed a ride home, because her car broke down on the highway. I was worried sick about her and immediately pushed Jessica off of me and ran to my car.
"I…got a call from my friend who was in trouble." I answered Alice. She looked at me unimpressed by my answer.
"That's it?" Alice asked, and she looked at Emmett.
"Who was the friend?" Emmett asked. I backed out of the parking lot, instantly my eyes fell on Bella getting in her car. I smiled. I looked at her with narrowed eyes then glanced back at Bella. She was sitting in her truck her hand on the steering wheel, but her eyes were on my car. As if, she knew, as if she knew that I needed her.
"Edward! Earth to Edward!" Emmett said shaking my shoulders from the backseat.
"I'm here Emmett, stop touching me." I growled at him.
"I see we are still PMS-ing." He laughed.
"Emmett, stop torturing Edward. He has lot of explaining to do." Alice said.
"Okay, we can play twenty questions while driving. Why are we still parked bro?" Emmett asked confused. I nodded at him and started the car.
And they started their inquisition.
I told them everything. Except Bella's name.
"So this friend of your is a chick right?" Emmett asked. I nodded.
"Thank god, for a second I thought you spent a night at some dude's house." Emmett said laughing. Alice had a contemplating look on her face. I don't think I had ever seen her so sad, and so angry.
"Alice are you alright?" I asked her once we reached our house.
"No I'm not. How could you not tell me all of this before?" Alice asked. She had tears in her eyes, I wasn't completely sure if they were angry tears or sad tears.
"I'm sorry Alice. I didn't know how to phrase everything. I know for a fact that I did not sleep with Jessica. And she knows I won't tell anyone the truth, because she thinks I care about my reputation." I said looking away. I was ashamed.
"You've changed." Alice commented and got out of the car. I followed her. Emmett was telling Esme everything that I had told him, in a much rowdy manner.
"Edward didn't bang Jessica." Emmett ended. "And he didn't knock her up." Emmett added giving me a thumps up. Esme looked up at me then at Alice for a better translation of Emmett's words. Esme ran at me, and gave me a hug apologizing, after Alice explained everything to our mother.
"I'm much to blame as anyone else." I told her. I hugged her tightly. I did not want to lose my mother's trust.
"Not as much as Carlisle and I." She told me then left my embrace to call Carlisle. Carlisle came home that afternoon, and yelled at me for not speaking up when I had the chance.
"How could you care about your reputation more than the family's name?" Carlisle asked me angered. I understood that anger, I felt ashamed and completely disgusted with myself.
"I don't know what I was thinking; I was stupid and not really mature enough to understand the situation. I needed time I guess, and now that I have it, I want to make everything right Carlisle." I told him abashed. I did not want him to think so low of me.
"You need to make this right Edward. And we all will help you in any way we can." Carlisle said hugging me.
"Thank you dad"
*End of Chapter 1*
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Thank You dearest Readers for giving this story a chance. I'll be posting the rest of the chapters as soon as I can.