I do not own Twilight or its characters. Stephenie Meyer does.

Ch 2: Bear ( BPOV)

I sighed and tried to pull myself together before going into my next class, Biology. I hand the teacher the slip of paper. He took it and signed it, then spoke to me.

"New student right, Isabella McCarty." I point to where I have written I like to be called Bella. "You can take the seat over there by Mr. Cullen." I froze. I wasn't ready to face Emmett without breaking down. I turned to see the other Cullen boy, I believe Jessica said his name was Edward. I still avoided eye contact with him as I sat down. I felt his eyes turn to me even thought they were dark at the moment I saw hints of amber, indicating he is an animal drinker too.

"Class, we have a new student with us. Her name is Bella McCarty." I see out of the corner of my eye Edward's eyes widen slightly. The teacher started talking about mitosis and frankly I was a little bored. I saw Edward slide a piece of paper my way. The first thing I noticed is his elegant handwriting.

You're Emmett's baby sister aren't you?I looked at the paper, then stare back ahead not answering. So Emmett did recognize me and just didn'twant to acknowledge me? I bit my lip. I decide to ignore the curious vampire next to me hoping he would take the hint.

He misses you. He wasn't sure it was you at first. In fact, he thought he was seeing a ghost. Edward wrote. I ignored him again and I heard Edward sigh heavily. I looked over at him, he gave me a small smile and his eyes looked worried. Not irritated like I was expecting. Not threatening either. Why does he care?

I reached for the paper and wrote out a response. If he missed me so much, why did he never come back for me? Seems to me he is happy with his new family. I shoved the paper back at him just as the bell rang. I got up quickly to leave.

"Bella, wait!" I stopped as his hand grabbed my arm. A spark ignited on the skin making me jump. How did that happen, my shield is up? Edward looks taken back too. I jerked out of his hold.

"Emmett was beside himself after you left the cafeteria. Give him a chance to explain what happened, please?" he spoke very softly. I looked into Edward's eyes and was momentarily dazzled, I shrugged. I wanted to see my brother but I wasn't sure if it was a smart idea. "Wait for us, after school, please?" Edward asked politely, again I shrugged and then flee to my last class leaving Edward behind.

My last class is gym. The teacher doesn't expect me to participate today. I sat in the bleachers at watched. A blonde boy kept looking at me and winking. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. This boy clearly thought he was all that and more. I am relieved once the bell rang. I followed the teacher, or coach, whatever they call it in this school, to receive my locker and uniform.

Afterwards I quickly head out to my bike. I was chickening out, I wasn't ready to see Emmett yet. Behind me the blonde boy and another boy with brown hair were walking. I could overhear their conversation about me. Apparently these two idiots fall under the category thinking that because I was mute, I was deaf too.

Right now they were talking about which one of them could nail me first and how they could do it anywhere with me since I wouldn't be loud. I furiously whipped around reaching for my iPod, when an angry voice boomed across the parking lot.

"Who do the two of you think you are? Get the hell away from her." Emmett's face was livid. I haven't seen him that angry since they wanted to separate us. Edward and Jasper were both with him, each grabbing on to an arm holding him back. Edward was glaring daggers at the blonde boy. Jasper looked confused by why they were getting involved.

"Mike and Tyler, you idiots, just because she is mute doesn't mean, she can't hear you," Edward snarled. Both boys pale then turned bright red. They looked at my face and I just crossed my arms and cocked an eyebrow.

"Apologize to her," Emmett growled. Both boys shake, clearly frightened. I felt calming waves bounce off my shield. I saw Jasper glance at me quickly. Hmmm, he might be able to control emotions, interesting. I watched as the others calm down.

"Sorry," both boys squeaked in high pitched voices and ran off to their cars.

Emmett and I stared at each other for a moment. Jasper and Edward were no longer holding him. Emmett started to open his mouth. Before he could speak, the blonde girl from earlier, Rose, was in my face.

"I do not know who you think you are, but get away from my family and my husband," she hissed at me. For the third time that day I ran. I jumped on my bike, not stopping to put on my helmet. I heard Emmett yelling behind me.

"Baby doll, wait! Rosie, she's my baby sister," he sounded anguished. I sped off, fighting back my sobs, hair flying out behind me. Not long into my ride I sense I was being followed. I glanced behind me and noticed the silver Volvo. Edward is behind the wheel and Emmett is in the front seat. Instead of stopping, I sped up. Let's see if Volvo boy can keep up. I blasted away, taking a turn down a dirt road that said the road closed due to a bridge being out. I jumped the section in my bike landing on the other side. I heard the Volvo squeal to a stop behind me. I sped off continuing in case they got and tried to follow on foot.

When I reached my apartment I hid my bike well from view of the street. I entered to my apartment and sat down. I hadn't unpacked yet. Truthfully, I never kept a lot so I could travel easier and faster. Sometime I have to leave fast. I usually rented furniture or furnished apartments so I didn't have to worry about storage.

Maybe I should just leave. I don't want to complicate Emmett's life. My brother seemed to be happy and I didn't want to ruin that. Plus, I may have to leave if he finds me. I don't want to bring trouble into my brother's life. Emmett would fight and I want to keep him safe. I couldn't ask him to fight my battles anymore.

I remembered what it was like long ago, when we were children. I was forever being picked on and Emmett was always my protector. One time he was out numbered and by size. He ended up in the hospital hurt. I ended up with a broken wrist, which made signing hard.

(Flashback)

I was 10 and Emmett was thirteen. It was right before The Great Depression. Our family was considered Middle Class. So while were never without, we still didn't get spoiled either. It was a special treat if Father gave us money to get ice cream from a shop rather then making it.

I remember how it was a hot summer's day as we walked to the shop.

"Come on, Baby Doll. It's hot out here, let's get some of that ice cream." Emmett said excitedly holding my hand and swinging it. I tried to skip beside him, my foot tripped over nothing and I flew forward. Emmett grabbed me before I hit the ground.

"Gee I can't take you anywhere without you hurting yourself." Emmett laughed.

Not true. I stuck my tongue out at him and started walking in front of him in a huff.

"Baby Doll, don't be that way. I'm only teasing you," Emmett quickly caught up to me.

"What kind of ice cream you want? I was thinking one scoop of chocolate and one vanilla." Emmett grinned in excitement.

I think I want strawberry. I told him smiling back.

"Why did I even ask? You always get strawberry," Emmett rolled his eyes. We were at the shop and Emmett open the door and we went inside.

After we received our ice cream in cones, we headed home. I remember licking the ice cream that seemed to be melting faster than I could lick it.

"Hey Emmett, wait up!" a voice shouted behind us. I turned with Emmett and saw a group of five boys approaching.

"Just wonderful. What do they want?" Emmett muttered.

"Who is this, your girlfriend?" A boy with dark hair asked. He was a few inches taller than Emmett. The other boys were about Emmett's size or bigger.

"This is my sister, Bella." Emmett stated carefully, stepping slightly in front of me to protect me. I noticed he didn't bother telling me their names. I wonder what type of boys they were. Emmett went to public school, while mother homeschooled me, so I didn't know many around town. My family kept me well sheltered at the time. It was customary back then. Most deaf and mute children didn't attend normal school and my parents couldn't afford a special one.

"I heard about her, my ma says she is too dumb to speak." A second boy laughed taking a step toward us. Reflectively, I moved more behind Emmett.

"Leave her alone. She is not stupid. She was born without a voice. I happen to know she is smarter than you," Emmett snarled. I grabbed his arm trying to calm him. I didn't want him fighting when he was outnumbered.

"I think we can get her to talk." The first boy looked evilly at the others.

Before I knew what was happening I was being held by one of the boys. Emmett was being held by two. The other two boys started kick and punch at Emmett. I started to panic and cry. I tried desperately to get out of the boys arms that were holding me.

"Whoa, there. All you have to do is talk and we will let your brother go." He grabbed roughly at my hair to speak directly in my ear. I tried to kick and he pulled away laughing. He grabbed my wrist and snapped it, I gasped in pain.

"Leave her alone!" Emmett snarled before getting a fist in the jaw. I started sobbing and struggling. One the boys who were kicking at Emmett turned to face me.

"Come on honey, just say one little word and we will leave your brother alone." He moved to caress my cheek with his hand. I turned my head to tried to bite him.

"You wench," He slapped me then spat at me.

I loosened one shoe with my opposite foot then kicked as high as possible. Everyone paused to watch as my shoe went flying off and broke a window in a nearby house.

"What in the world" a voice floated out.

"Run," said the boy holding me. The others dropped Emmett and started running. Emmett lay on the ground unmoving.

I never forgave myself for being the cause of Emmett getting hurt. His response was different, he was more resolved than ever to take care of me. He started working out as if it was his life mission. After time, it resulted in his hulking frame today and his nickname ironically Bear.

"No one will ever be able to hurt you again, baby doll." He would tell me. It was different this time then with a school yard bully. I couldn't let Emmett get hurt or die because of me, again.

I briefly think of Edward. He was really cute and he seemed genuinely nice. But, who am I fooling. Why would he want someone like me? He deserved someone who is whole and doesn't bring danger with her. I couldn't bear to see him hurt anymore than Emmett.

I needed to hunt, I decided. Maybe that would clear my head, however, it was still daylight. I quickly finished my homework, which seemed tedious. It has been awhile since I have learned anything new. Afterwards I put in some time for my job. I worked as a medical transcriber. It pays my bills with a little left over for others things I may need. I wasn't rich, but I wasn't in need either. The beauty of this job was that I could do it from home without having to talk to anyone. I could also easily do it as a full time job in about the quarter of the time of most people.

When it was twilight I decided it was time to go out. I walked out of the apartment, taking a quick glance around. After seeing and hearing no one, I slipped into the woods. I started off running. For awhile I just ran to feel the wind fly through my hair. Running was one of the things I loved about being a vampire. After a good run, I slowed down to capture two elks. I then spot a mountain lion on the prowl. They usually put up more of a fight and I wanted a challenge. I crouched down but before I could pounce, another form beat me to it. I watched as the male vampire quickly caught hold of the lion, snapping the neck as the muscles in his arms rippling slightly. I couldn't look away as he bit into the neck draining the blood. As I watched I caught a glimpse of his bronze hair as he straightened up. He turned sharply in my direction and I stood still, hoping he realized I didn't mean to be threat. His eyes softened when he saw me. I give him a small smile and started to turn.

"Bella?" Edward called softly and I turned back around. "Can we talk a minute?" I searched my pockets, I didn't bring my iPod with me, but then I wasn't expecting to meet someone out here. I looked at him, I wasn't willing to lower my shield. So I signed to him, Edward seemed intelligent maybe he would know it.

Can you understand me? I asked.

"Yes, I know sign language. I am sorry about Rosalie. She didn't know that you are Emmett's sister. She feels incredibly guilty for acting the way she did. They are trying to locate you now through records." Edward told me.

They are not going to find anything I announced smugly. Then I frowned Emmett never talked about me?

Edward sighed. "You should talk to him about it."

I'm not going where I'm not wanted. Emmett doesn't need me complicating his life. I will just leave. I turned again but Edward's hand shot around the sleeve of my arm.

"Who says you're not wanted? Emmett has missed you, trust me. I know because I can read minds. When he first woke up all he could think of was you. That is all I'm going to tell you, the rest you can get from Emmett. Please, come back with me to the house. Everyone will behave, I promise. Emmett has been distraught all afternoon and evening, he truly wants to talk to you. Well, except for when you were on your bike, and then you scared the crap out of him." Edward smirked at the last part, I rolled my eyes. Emmett never let me do anything fun when I was human. He was extremely overprotective.

Fine. Lead the way. Or do you need to hunt still?

"I'm good. Follow me." He quickly buried the animal carcass then takes off running. I follow behind him.

A/N: I know some of you must hate Rose right about now, but she honestly didn't know. Hope this chapter allows you to see a small glimpse of why Bella is trying to keep her distance. Edward's POV next than the siblings will have their chance to talk.

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