AN: I got a review asking if the whole story would be set in jr. high, it won't. So no worries! It's just to help build things up!
Hope you guys are enjoying the story so far!
Lots of love,
Koala
Disclaimer: I don't own the Twilight saga! Stephanie Meyer does!
It's been two weeks since Edward started to act different. Things started to change as the day goes by. 2 days after Jessica's party, Edward started to wear contacts. 5 days after the party, he started to go to school with his bed hair. A week after the party, he started to go shopping with Alice for new clothes. Even though those changes started to take place, he was still my Edward with me. He played the games he used to play before everything changed, every time he would come over. He still played his piano for me, when I came over. We still sneak in each other's rooms from time to time. I guess things are still the same…Or so I thought.
I was late again because Emmett still hasn't replaced my alarm clock after stepping on it the other day, while I was cleaning my room. So I ended up not eating breakfast, looking worst than ever and panting as I ran towards the bus stop. As I approached the bus stop, my heart dropped. Edward wasn't there. It was impossible for him to take an earlier bus, because the one we would usually take was the earliest ride to school. The thought of me being early entered my mind. I'll just have to wait till he arrives.
15 minutes later, the big yellow bus arrived and there was still no Edward. I glanced one more time at the street that led to Edward's house before climbing into bus. Maybe he was sick. I guess that would explain why he wasn't there.
Being in school without Edward was boring. I ended up walking towards school alone, while everybody else was hanging out with their own friends. I was after all, branded as Fatty on the first day school. While walking towards the classroom, I heard a chuckle that sounded exactly like Edward's. I ended up running towards the door, and thank God, I didn't trip at all. As soon as I reached the door, I was panting, sweating and in shock.
There was Edward, sitting on top of Tanya's table laughing at whatever she said. They were both surrounded by everyone else laughing at whatever Tanya said. I walked in slowly, feeling my heart beat faster than ever, my hands sweating like crazy, hoping that Edward would see me come in and walk towards me, leaving everyone else behind. He did see me, I saw him glance at me before giving his full attention back at Tanya. I couldn't help but fell my heart drop and the world spin when that happened.
I sneaked one last glance at Edward before walking towards my table and heard the bell ring. I felt my body moving automatically, completely disconnected from my mind. I started taking down notes, and highlighted stuff that I didn't even understand. It felt like I was watching my own body do everything while I was floating up in the air. From time to time, I couldn't help but stare at the back of Edward's head, wondering what happened to us. I sighed, giving up and continued writing down notes till I saw a piece of paper thrown on top of my notebook.
Sorry for not being at the bus stop, Tanya's mom picked Ally and I up today. –E
Ohhh, so that's why he wasn't there. I scribbled back a reply, saying it was okay. I couldn't help but smile at the note and tucked it in my binder for safe keeping. At least he wasn't sick and Edward was still the same. Or was he? The nagging feeling came back, reminding me, that just a moment ago Edward ignored me when I came inside the room. But maybe he didn't recognize me? But then again, who wouldn't see the fat girl coming in the room. No maybe he was glancing at something else and didn't notice me—
"Bella, care to solve the problem on the board?" Mr. Jenkins the math teacher asked.
"Uhhh, I'm sorry Mr. Jenkins, I wasn't listening…"
"So she's not only fat after all, she's also stupid and deaf as well!" Tanya said out loud. Everybody started laughing and I couldn't help but stare at my notebook.
I heard Mr. Jenkins try and calm everybody down, but no one was having it. They kept laughing and laughing. I felt the itchy teary feeling my eyes get, before I start crying. I glanced at Edward, hoping he'd defend me like he usually did. But what Edward did, hurt me more than the laughter and the name-calling. He was taking down notes, looking at the board, like nothing happened. And that's when I knew. He wasn't the Edward I knew anymore.
I knew I couldn't go in the lunch room if Edward was gonna sit down with everyone else. So I decided to hide out at the library instead. Ever since the fiasco in Math, I haven't really talked to anyone, nor did I cry to let the pain out. I found it hard to be alone when news like that spread like wide fire.
As I walked towards the library, I knew no one would be there. It was a good time for me to finally let everything out. I quickly walked towards the end of the library, where the encyclopedias and the reference books were. I doubt anyone would go here, since after all, no one reads in this school.
I couldn't help but let the tears fall, as soon as I dropped my bag and slid down the wall. I must have looked like a hobo, if anyone thought of passing by. I cried my eyes out, trying to release all the pain. From the time we started school, to the day after the party and the days after that. Things changed, and I couldn't do anything to stop it.
I fell asleep right after my crying mess and felt someone put an arm around my shoulder and the other hand was trying to wake me up.
"Bella, I'm so sorry. I-I d-didn't know how to stop it all. I thought that maybe you were starting to get used to it, that's why I didn't defend you. You know we couldn't do anything about it anymore. When I realized you weren't in the lunch room, I knew something was wrong, and I knew, I hurt you more than they did. I'm such a fucked up best friend. I'm so sorry B. I'm so sorry."
I just let Edward mumble his apologies, silently wishing he would go away. But he didn't. I took a sneak peak at the clock and saw that one hour passed from the time we were dismissed. I missed afternoon classes. I slowly looked up, trying to fix my hair, and wiped away the stray tears away.
"You suck"
"I know. And I'm so sorry B."
I leaned my head on his shoulder, breathing in his scent. It was Edward, my Edward. He hasn't changed yet. I felt lean his head on mine, and held my left hand while bringing me even closer to him. Time stopped, and being home late didn't matter anymore. I just wanted to relish my time with him, before he disappears again.
"Let's do something on your birthday."
"Hmm" I said, playing with his hand.
"Let's eat out at Jenny's Diner. And afterwards, we could go to your favorite bookstore."
"You don't have plans with the others? It's okay if you do." I said, hating myself a bit for even trying to push him away even more.
"Nah, no one bothered to plan any hang out on that day. So it'll be fine." He grinned.
"You better not ditch me again."
"I won't" Then he kissed me on the head before going back to our comfortable silence.
This was the Edward I want, I needed and love. I just pray that he wouldn't be taken away from me anymore.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY BELLSIEEE~!"
"EMMETT ITS 12 MIDNIGHT, WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING IN MY ROOM!" I saw Emmett with a huge cake, with a balloon and a party hat on his head.
"It's your birthday, and I wanted to greet you first before that boy does." Oh right, I forgot to mention, my brother hates Edward. He thinks Edward was gonna steal me away from my dear crazy brother.
"You know he wouldn't take your place Em." I said, motioning him to sit beside me. "Now put that cake and balloon down, if you want a hug from birthday girl!"
Em gave me one of his special bear hugs, and I started to notice he was building some muscles!
"Em! You're bulking up!"
He smirked at me and ruffled my hair before standing up, "Of course, you can't join football when you're just a scrawny kid, can you?"
"OH MY GOD! You got in!"
"I did Bellsie! You were too busy with Eddie boy to even spend time with me anymore." With that, Em left my room after giving me, of course, a sloppy kiss on the cheek, a typical Emmett gesture.
I was about to head back to bed, when I felt my phone vibrate on the table. I wasn't really planning to check it out, after Emmett's "surprise" greeting. I was too tired to handle any other greeting after that. The phone stopped buzzing and lighting up for a min, then all of a sudden went back to life. It started pissing me off, which of course led me to answering it.
"WHAT!"
"…You're pretty cranky for a birthday girl." I heard him chuckle.
"E! What are you doing awake?"
"I'm outside your window, open it."
I looked out and saw him a few feet away the window, holding a gift. I held the phone between my ear and shoulder before opening up. He slipped inside and beeped his phone shut. I did that as well.
"Happy Birthday B." He said, hugging me tight.
"Oh E, you could have waited till tomorrow. I know how tired you are after shopping with Ally all day."
"It's ayt, I wouldn't be a best friend if I didn't do this now, did I?
We ended up, staying up all night on my bed, talking about everything. Well mostly Edward talking about his new "friends" and the things they'd do when they would hang out. It's not like I had anything new to say. My life was boring, all I did was the usual chores, and hang out at E's place every now and then.
I couldn't help but stare at Edward, as he would light up while he was talking, his green eyes shining, looking even brighter despite the dark room. His crooked smile, whenever he would glance at me from time to time. His smell, I couldn't help but hold his t-shirt and pull myself closer towards him, smelling his minty, wood scent with a mix of his cologne. It drove me insane. I realized, he even grew taller, just a bit. I had to look up at him now, compared to before where as I'd just look to my side and he was just there. This time with Edward, was one of the most priceless moments in my life. Something I'd never give up.
"E, love ya." I whispered. Hoping he'd get the message, that I wasn't saying this as a friend, but as someone who loves him.
"I love ya too, B. And happy birthday" He kissed the top my head and started to brush my hair with his hand, while the other played with my hand.
It was 5 am, and Edward had to go. He didn't want to get caught by both my brother and dad with him on my bed, and before slipping out the window he made me promise to meet him up at Jenny's diner at 5. I waved at him as he ran across the lawn, trying to get to his bike. He looked back and smiled at me before leaving. And that's how my birthday started.
I ended up sleeping in till 10 before Charlie had to wake me up to get ready for a birthday lunch at the lodge. I smiled at him and gave him a hug and a short thank you before slipping out and doing my girl time.
At lunch, I ate with my dad and brother at the lodge. We ended up laughing at the usual Emmett antics, the only thing that kept me and Charlie talking. My brother Emmett was the glue between Charlie and I. I grew up knowing full well, that the only person that could bring out any type of emotion from my father was my mother, Renee. I guess Emmett took after her, seeing Charlie reacting at so much to everything he said. It made me smile knowing that it was a huge improvement, compared to before. We left the lodge around 3, heading home.
As soon as we got home, the phone rang. Hoping it was Edward calling, I raced towards it, answering. It ended up to be my mother Renee, telling me happy birthday and was hoping I could live with her. As usual, I'd tell her I'd think about it, but knowing full well I couldn't leave Forks behind, when Edward's in it.
I waited till the clock struck 4:30, watching TV with Em, till I had to go. I rushed out, grabbing my coat, saying a quick bye at Emmett who just waved, his eyes still glued at the football game on the screen. I quickly paddled my across town, heading towards, Jenny's. I didn't even bother to dress up much, it's not like I wanted to impress Edward. He knew who I was and I didn't need to change that by trying even harder.
Luckily I arrived in Jenny's and Edward wasn't there yet. I ended up sitting in a booth by the end of the diner, ordering water while waiting. Jenny's was a local diner here in town. It had the usual diner feel but with a better vibe and better color scheme when it comes to the painting. Like any other diner, it served the usual diner stuff as well. But the ambiance of the place was more catered for the teenagers, compared to the older peeps. That's why it ended up as a local hang out for anyone.
Edward and I would usually meet up here whenever Edward had to go with Mrs. Cullen to the grocery to help. In the end he'd usually end up hanging here with me, ordering milkshakes and fries while talking about his piano lessons or his games. The memories of Edward and I started flooding my head when I realized over an hour has passed and he hasn't arrived yet. My train of thought was distracted by the waitress saying that I had to order something soon, or I'd have to leave. I looked around and outside the glass window, hoping to see Edward running towards the diner, before ordering a strawberry milkshake for myself.
Another hour passed and 3 strawberry milk shakes later, he hasn't arrived. I already saw numerous groups of kids going in and out of the diner, while I sat here waiting. It was already 5 minutes before 7 that I have chosen to finally leave. Before I stood up to pay for the milkshakes, I saw a wild copper colored haired guy walking out of Jenny's with a tall blonde.
It was Edward with Tanya. And they were both laughing like they didn't have a care in the world. And my heart broke right there. I ran to the counter near the door and paid for the drinks and went straight to my bike, which was locked up at the bike rack, right beside the entrance. I quickly unlocked the biked, took one last glance at Edward and Tanya, who were now in the intersection waiting for the pedestrian light to change, before I took off crying.
"Kiddo, Eddie's on the phone for you." Emmett said, poking his head through the door.
"I don't want to talk to him." I said, facing away the door crying.
"What's wrong Bella?" I felt the bed dip and felt Emmett's hand stroking my hair.
"Nothing. Can you just please go out?"
"Did he do anything to you?"
"I said, just GO OUT. OKAY? PLEASE. JUST LEAVE ME ALONE." I screamed, clutching the blanket closer to me.
I felt Emmett's pained look piercing a hole through the back of my head, before heading out the door, shutting it softly.
I was walking through the halls, heading towards the library, trying my best to avoid bumping into Edward. By the time I go to my spot, he was there sitting down, reading a book.
"What are you doing here?" I grumbled.
"Where were you yesterday?"
"At Jenny's where you weren't."
His eyes widened in surprise and before he could say anything else I cut him first.
"If you're going to say you were there, you weren't...well fine you were, I saw you with her." I said, preparing to leave.
I was already walking towards the exit when I felt his hand stop me. "I was there, in the booth near the door."
"Yeah, well I was there, in the booth at the back. Our booth."
"I'm sorry B, the waitress told me it was taken by someone and I didn't bother looking."
I sighed then slowly looked up at him, biting my lip. "Can I just have a moment alone please?"
He let go of my hand and nodded. I was walking away when I heard him call out after me. "You're walking away now, but I'll make sure to make it up to you with a bang." He said with confidence.
I looked back and tried to smile at him before walking away. I knew things were starting to change from the start, but I didn't actually think it would change this fast.
The bullying never stopped, from time to time, Edward would still help and defend me. But recently things were different. He started to pretend they weren't happening at all. After awhile, it started to bother me, and I couldn't help but bring it up to him
"You're not bothered by the bullying anymore? And the fact people still tease you for talking to me?" I asked leaning towards the locker besides Edward's.
"Not really. It's not like we can do anything about it. Plus anyways, there are better things to do, than waste our time, trying to stop it." He said shrugging. He bid goodbye and walked away towards his next class, leaving me there gaping at him.
Lunch came around and I walked towards the library again, nothing new. Ever since Edward started hanging out with everyone else, I started to hang out here. From time to time, I'd talk to this girl Angela who helped the librarian, but either way, the silence helped me stay calm from all this madness. Usually the last 15 minutes of lunch would be Edward's cue to join me, but he didn't today. And I knew that it was time to start letting him go. Staying with him, would only bother him. And I had to let him go if I really do love him.
It was a surprise to see Edward waiting for me at the bus stop the next day. I have gotten used to the fact, that there were days that Tanya's parents decided to pick Ally and Edward up from their house. But I guess of all the days, Edward had to pick today to ride the bus with me.
"B! It feels like I haven't we talked forever!" He said grinning.
"Well you've been busy. And I didn't want to annoy you with needy text messages or random phone calls, or even late night visits." I said, looking towards the street where the bus would usually turn from.
"Are you still mad at me about the birthday thing?"
"Nope" I said smiling at him, trying to convince him that everything was fine between us, even if it wasn't.
"B, I have to talk to you about something." He actually sounded serious for a minute there, and usually the conversations we usually have on the way to school were pretty light.
"What's up E? Did anything happen in the family?"
"No…I was thinking, what do you think about me and Tanya…dating? I mean you're my best friend. I need your opinion about all this."
My heart stopped beating for a second there. I couldn't help but stare at Edward after all he said. Was he serious? Tanya? The bitch of the school? The girl Edward thought, was pretty much stupid at everything? I took Edward in, and saw the changes that occurred after the party. His hair looked darker than usual, his eyes weren't hiding behind those frames he used to love to wear. He was wearing band t-shirts and dark jeans, with some random hoodie and throw in some converse. He started to look like one of those boys, he used to call goons! But his handsome face couldn't be compared to their hideous ones.
"Bella?"
"I'm sorry, I just couldn't register the shit you just said."
"B, I said, what do you think about me dating Tanya?"
"What do I think? Are you seriously asking me that? After everything she's done to me, to us! You're actually considering dating her?"
"She's not as bad as she was before B!"
"Really now, like she hasn't bullied me at all for the past few days? Seriously Edward, what the hell happened to you? I don't mind you getting all buddy buddy with everyone else, but dating someone who almost ruined our lives, my life! Is seriously out of the line."
"You don't have to be so judgmental Bella."
"Like you haven't been a few weeks ago?"
We were now panting and frustrated. Both of us were head to head when the bus came. And assuming from the looks everyone in the bus gave, I knew that we indeed looked like we just fought. And I knew that by the time we got to school, everyone would know, that Edward Cullen, has finally fought with Fatty. It wasn't a shocker, when Edward quickly huffed and climbed into the bus like the drama queen he was. He even sat next to Tyler and Mike at the back, while I sat all alone at the front.
The day passed, and Edward was still ignoring me. It was like we never knew each other at all. And every time I saw him with everyone else, my heart broke. I just hated fighting with Edward, why couldn't I just been happy for him, instead of ruining everything we had? It was such a stupid mistake, it's not like he'll even bother to look at me that way. He only sees me as a sister after all. I finally decided to talk to Edward and fix things before things got even worst.
I was eating breakfast alone the day I decided to talk to Edward and clean things up, when both Emmett and Charlie decide to go work out. I guess I had the house all to myself then. I was finishing up the pop tart I had, before rushing back to my room, checking my appearance out before leaving. I was wearing a pink Gur jacket, that said, 'Somebody needs a hug' and gray jeans with red converse. Edward gave me that jacket on my 7th birthday as a gag gift. He knew how much I hated the cartoon, Invader Zim. Or whatever that was called, and decided to give me the jacket to annoy me. I ended up loving the jacket in the end. Gur was so cute after all.
I ran down the stairs, and out the front door as fast as I could, grabbing my bike from the front lawn before paddling towards the Cullen's home. I wanted to catch Edward alone before Ally came home from ballet with her parents. I arrived in front of the Cullen mansion, the biggest house here in the neighborhood. Everyone knew the mansion belonged to the Cullen's. After all, they were the only family that had a glass mansion as a home. I never really understood the concept of revealing yourself to the whole world.
I walked toward the patio and pressed the door bell, hoping that Edward would be the one to answer the door. I felt the curtain by the side window move the second after I rang the bell, and the door open the second after.
"Bella." He said curtly.
"E, can we talk?" He just nods at me and gestures me to come in.
"I'm sorry about how I reacted today. It was so not me. I guess I was just jealous that you've been spending more time with her than with me and I—"
"B, what do you want me to say? That I'd stay with you forever? I asked you to understand me before, with that birthday fiasco. And it took you a day to get back to where we were. It feels like you've been over thinking things through, and honestly I feel tired waiting. It feels like I have to make my life separate, one for you and one for them. And I really don't want to do that. I want us to all get along."
"E I –I'm s-sorry." I said tearing up.
"Go B, just give me time to think things through okay? I really want this to work."
He gave me a wry smile before walking me out and we hugged before I left. As soon as I stepped off the patio, and I felt him close the door behind me, the tears that have been threatening to spill, slowly fell. And with the rain covering everything up, it just seemed like I was another teenage kid walking down the street, heading home.
