Here's the second chapter. I'm not really sure if anyone actually likes this story or not. Quite a few hits but only 1 review so far. It's my first Twilight story. It might suck but I can't tell. Hit the button at the bottom and let me know if I should continue or not. It won't hurt my feelings if you hate it.
Oh! Thanks, 2cool4school for the review!
First Day of School and New Friends
Alice looked over at Bella and Edward forlornly. It was the first day of kindergarten for the two five-year olds. They were standing in front of the school each holding their respective parents' hands. Alice was really going to miss playing with the two of them today. Even though Bella and Edward were best friends, Alice considered Bella her best friend. Alice thought that Bella was so much fun even though she was really quiet and shy except around Edward. It was so funny to watch Bella falling all the time and yelling at Emmett. The best part of being around Bella was playing dress-up, but Bella never really seemed happy about that. In fact, she seemed quite annoyed. Alice had no idea why. Dress up was so much fun!
For their part, Bella and Edward looked like they wanted to run away…far away. They both looked at all the other students running around the playground and then up at their parents.
"Daddy? I don't think this is a good idea," Bella stuttered.
Charlie crouched down to look at Bella eye-to-eye. "Aww, Bells. Don't worry about it. Your mom will be right across the hall and you'll see Emmett at lunchtime and recess! And if any of the other kids pick on you, just tell them your dad has a gun!"
"Charlie Swan! You did not just tell your daughter to scare kids with your gun!" Renee yelled while the Cullen parents laughed.
Emmett walked over and got in between Charlie and Bella throwing an arm around her shoulders. "Belly Bean, now remember what I taught you. Just a quick punch to the gut if anyone picks on you and remember to not to keep your thumb tucked inside your fist."
"Emmett Swan! You're just as bad as your dad!" Renee yelled again. "If your teacher gives me a bad report on you today, no more cookies for a month!" That got Emmett to shut up pretty quickly.
"Well, good luck with class today! See you guys at lunch!" With that, Emmett was running off to find his first grade classroom.
"Guess he doesn't need his mommy and daddy to walk him to his first day of class anymore, huh?" Charlie said chuckling. He looked back at Bella and said, "What do you say, kid? Ready to brave the world of kindergarten? It won't be so bad. I promise. You get snacks, a nap, lunch, and recess! Man, I wish I could go back to kindergarten!"
"I wanna go to kindergarten, too!" Alice suddenly yelled out. Then she threw her tiny little arms around Edward's waist and started sobbing. "I don't want you to leave me all alone!"
Edward looked around and saw other kids and their parents staring at them. The little girls and their mothers all ooh'd and aww'd and stared at Edward like he was even cuter than little puppies and kittens. You could even almost see little dream bubbles pop up over the mothers' heads with an adult sized Edward who looked suspiciously like Carlisle marrying their daughters who looked suspiciously like their mothers. Esme also noticed the look on the mothers' faces and threw an arm around Carlisle's waist grinning while Carlisle chuckled dazzling all the mothers…and some of their daughters. Edward blushed and tried to remove Alice's arms from his waist, but she tightened her death grip. Edward settled for patting her on the head and said, "Alice, you'll see me at 3! Besides, you start pre-school next week. You'll have a lot of fun there!"
Edward and Bella didn't attend pre-school. Instead, they mostly stayed home with Edward's mom unless she had a client to meet. During Esme's meetings, they were off to daycare at the hospital where Carlisle worked. Esme and Carlisle decided to enroll Alice in pre-school so that she wouldn't be so bored without Edward and Bella around. For the first four years of Alice's short life, she never went one day without seeing Edward and Bella. The Cullens and Swans even spent Christmas together!
Carlisle finally stepped in and unlatched Alice's arms from Edward's waist, but she quickly threw herself at Bella almost knocking her down. Edward had to throw out an arm to help Bella stay on her feet.
"Alice! I'm coming over right after school! Your mom is picking me, Edward, and Emmett up, so my mom can stay and finish up some work. We're even having dinner together! We'll play then. I promise!" Bella loved Alice. Edward might be her best friend, but Alice was her best girl friend.
Alice backed away from Bella slowly sniffling. "Ok, kids. Let's get inside." Carlisle finally said.
The small group quickly found Bella and Edward's classroom. Renee looked at Bella and Edward and said, "I have to go meet my students now. If there are any problems, come across the hall and find me. Bella, be good for Mrs. Masen, ok?" She bent down and gave both Bella and Edward a hug and scurried off to meet her own set of nervous kindergarteners.
Edward and Bella walked into their classroom side-by-side and saw complete pandemonium. Kids were running around screaming while a nice looking lady stood in the middle of the room greeting one set of parents and their frightened looking daughter.
Charlie looked at Edward and Bella and said, "Come on you two. Let's go say hi to Mrs. Masen. You've already met her before, remember? You saw her last year when you came with me to pick up Emmett? She's been a good friend to your mom since she started working here a couple of years ago. Look! That little girl looks pretty nervous, too. Maybe you two can be friends with her."
Mrs. Masen looked over and saw Charlie, Bella, and the Cullens. "Hey, Charlie! Hey, Bella and Edward! I've been so excited to see the two of you in my class," she said bending down to give Bella and Edward hugs. She looked at Esme and Carlisle and introduced herself before turning back to Bella and Edward. "Bella, Edward, this is Angela," she said pointing to the frightened girl they saw earlier. "She's going to be your new classmate. Why don't the three of you go over to that table and color? There's also some clay if you'd rather sculpt something!"
Bella and Edward looked over at Angela who whispered, "Hi," to them. They both said a quiet "hi" back to her and turned Charlie, Esme, Carlisle, and the sniffling Alice.
"I guess we'll see you later then," Edward said trying to be brave. Bella just gave her father a puppy-dog glance that read, "How could you abandon me here?" and tried not to cry.
Charlie, Esme, and Carlisle gave both kids a quick hug, wished them luck, and told them they'd see the two kids soon. Edward and Bella then turned to Alice who threw herself at Bella and then Edward. All the little girls in the room ooh'd and aww'd once more causing Edward to turn bright red and Charlie, Esme, Carlisle, and Mrs. Masen to laugh.
"Ok, that's enough Alice. I'll see you after school," Edward said patting her on the head and then lightly pushing her away. Alice threw herself at Carlisle's legs and he bent down to scoop her up.
"You'll have fun today, Alice. Your mom said she'd take you out for ice cream when Bella, Edward, and Emmett get out of school today to celebrate surviving the first day of school!" Carlisle tried to soothe his little girl's sorrow, and Alice only managed to crack a tiny smile through her tear-filled eyes.
"Hey, Alice. I have to go to the mall later to pick up a dress that I had to get altered. Maybe we can look for a new dress for you!" Esme said knowing that Alice would perk right up. Just like that, Alice's face lit up with a bright smile.
"Ooh, YAY! I already know what dress I want. It's pink and…" Alice was chattering away about her dream dress, but no one was really paying attention. Bella and Edward looked over at Angela and pointed to the table with the coloring books and crayons.
"Wanna go color, Angela?" Bella asked quietly. Angela nodded and the three ventured off to the tiny, empty table in the corner. Bella and Edward pretty much decided that they liked Angela enough. She wasn't overly outgoing or anything but neither were they. Hopefully, once they got to know each other a little better, Angela would open up a bit.
Two little girls wandered over to the trio's table and approached Edward. "Hiya!" said the little blonde girl closest to him.
Edward eyed the girl warily and responded with a gentle "hello."
"Wasn't that you hugging the little girl earlier? The one that looked like a little doll?" said the brunette girl standing next to the blonde.
"Man! They're going to tease me now!" Edward thought. "Yeah," Edward said slowly.
"That's soooo cuuute!" Both girls responded at the same time. Edward and Bella inwardly groaned.
"Wanna play house? I can be the mommy, you can be the daddy, and Jessica can be the baby! I'm Lauren by the way. Lauren Mallory. And this is Jessica," said the little blonde girl pointing to the little brunette.
"Well, I don't really wanna play house. I'm coloring with Bella and Angela," said Edward pointing at his best friend and his new friend.
"But why? They're so plain! And look at them! They're not even wearing pretty dresses like us! You're way too good for them!" Lauren said eyeing Bella and Angela with disgust.
"Yeah. Look at her," said Jessica pointing at Bella. "She's wearing holey jeans and a hoodie. She looks like she hasn't even brushed her hair. And she's so pale! She looks like a vampire or something!"
Bella shrank down in her chair and blushed. The truth was she had brushed her hair, but she had picked up Edward's habit of running her hands through her hair when she was nervous. Let's just say she was really nervous today and her hair resembled a haystack.
"Leave her alone," Angela said quietly.
"What did you say?" Lauren shrieked.
"I said, 'Leave her alone,'" Angela said in a much louder voice surprising both Bella and Edward.
Edward finally spoke up to defend Bella. "That pale girl with the holey jeans and hoodie is my best friend. I think you should leave now. I don't want to play with you and I never will!"
"You just made a big mistake," Lauren sneered grabbing Jessica's arm and flaunted over with a flick of her hair.
"Thanks, guys," Bella said smiling. Angela and Edward smiled at each other and then at Bella. The three continued with the coloring and began a quiet conversation until Mrs. Masen called the class to attention and began teaching.
Edward, Bella, and Angela had a blast in class. Mrs. Masen brought out the guitar and they sang songs and did an art project. Class flew by and suddenly it was lunchtime.
The three friends filed in line to walk to the cafeteria. On the other side of the hall, Renee's kindergarten class was also walking in a line to the cafeteria. Bella looked at her mom who winked at her. "How's class so far, Bells?" Renee asked quietly.
"It was ok. Made a new friend, got teased, sang a song, and colored," Bella replied.
"Teased?" Renee asked in a worried tone.
"Yup. I'm ok, though. Don't worry. Angela and Edward saved me," Bella said happily. "Oh! This is Angela," she said pointing in front of her. "Angela, that's my mom. She teaches the other kindergarten class."
"It's nice to meet you, Angela! Maybe you can come over some time and have a sleepover with Bella," Renee said smiling at Angela.
"Nice to meet you, too," Angela responded quietly smiling back.
As they waited to enter the cafeteria, Renee told Bella that she would see her on the playground during recess, and Bella walked with Angela and Edward to line up for food. All three picked pizza, an apple, and a pudding cup along with a tiny carton of milk to wash it all down. As Bella was reaching for her carton of milk, she saw Emmett walking in. She was about to wave at him when a little, pudgy blonde boy walked up and snatched her milk carton away. Emmett was already walking quickly to Bella to defend her when someone yelled, "James Hunter! You better give her milk back!" Bella turned and saw a little blonde girl with blue eyes standing with her hands on her hips looking angry. That was someone Bella definitely did not want to mess with!
Meanwhile, Emmett had reached the group and was standing next to Edward with a look of complete awe on his face. Edward heard Emmett mutter, "Angel," under his breath. Edward could kind of see what Emmett meant. The girl was pretty and her golden hair seemed to glow under the fluorescent lighting of the cafeteria giving her a preternatural quality, but the sneer on the girl's face made her look more like a tiny devil than an angel. Edward was already kind of scared of the girl but would never admit it. He didn't want Emmett to make fun of him for being scared of a girl.
The milk thief, James, quickly returned Bella's milk and slowly backed away, but there was something sinister about the look he gave both the blonde stranger and Bella. Emmett cleared his throat and James looked at Emmett instantly frightened by the sheer size of the first grader. "I think it's time for you to walk away now," Emmett growled. James whimpered and scampered off.
"Rosalie Hale," the little blonde girl said confidently while sticking out her hand for Bella to shake.
"B-b-b-ella S-s-swan," Bella stuttered completely scared and shaking Rosalie's hand.
Suddenly, a loud booming voice was heard. "Rosie-posey! Already scaring off the little kindy-garteners?" Everyone turned to see a blonde boy standing next to Emmett. He was about the same height as Emmett but lanky.
"Jasper Hale! Stop calling me Rosie-posey! You know I hate when you call me that!" Rosalie screeched.
"Aww…Rose. You know I'm just kidding around. Just like when you call me Jazzy!" Jasper said and then suddenly his eyes got really big as if he didn't mean to say Rosalie's nickname for him out loud.
"Jazzy!? Ha! That's so funny, dude!" Emmett said clapping Jasper on the shoulder. Anyone else would have buckled under Emmett's weight, but Jasper just grunted and rolled his eyes like he was used to Emmett's overly enthusiastic affection. "I'm Emmett by the way. Thanks for saving my sister," he said to Rosalie.
"So you're Emmett," Rosalie said eyeing Emmett. "Jazzy's always talking about all the trouble you two get into. Mom and Dad think you're a bad influence."
Bella, Edward, and Angela slowly backed away from the Emmett, Jasper, and Rosalie hoping to make a quick get-away so that they could find a quiet table in a corner somewhere. A lot of students were already staring at the small group and the three did not want any more attention. Emmett noticed them getting away and bellowed, "Hey, not so fast, little munchkins! Let's all eat lunch together!"
Emmett didn't really want to eat lunch with his little sister and her friends, but he noticed the look on that kid James' face as he eyed Bella. He knew that kid was up to no good and there was no way Bella would ever defend herself. "Maybe Rosalie will rub off on her," Emmett thought.
Edward, Bella, and Angela headed towards a table in the back corner when Emmett stopped them. "Hey, guys. Not back there! Let's take this one!" The table Emmett was pointing to was dead center of the cafeteria where everyone could see them. Bella blushed, Edward grimaced, and Angela ducked her head quickly hiding her face with her hair.
"Man, they're wimpy," Rosalie thought. "I like this table," Rosalie agreed aloud.
The six new friends ate lunch together and talked. Well, Emmett, Jasper, and Rosalie did most of the talking. Bella, Edward, and Angela mostly listened politely. They did find out that that Rosalie was in Renee's kindergarten class and that she really liked Renee. Bella and Emmett beamed when she said that.
Jasper, who was sitting next to Bella, asked her quietly how she was liking Mrs. Masen's class. Bella had met Jasper a couple of times and thought he was pretty nice. She had no idea how he ended up befriending Emmett. Jasper was normally pretty reserved unlike Emmett who liked to show off, but when he was around Emmett he tended to open up quite a bit. Apparently, Emmett gave Jasper a quiet sense of confidence. Or maybe Jasper just figured Emmett would always look like a bigger fool than him. Either way, Jasper was Emmett's best friend.
"It's ok. Mrs. Masen is really nice. We didn't do much, but Daddy said there's not a whole lot to kindergarten," Bella replied.
Just then, Mrs. Masen walked up to the group to let them know that it was time to head back to the classroom.
"Why hello, Mrs. Masen! How are you this fine day?" Emmett said batting his eyelashes and then bowed.
Bella and Edward groaned while Mrs. Masen said, "I'm doing quite well today, Mr. Swan. You're charming as usual. Still wreaking havoc, though? I see your partner in crime, Mr. Hale, sitting next to you."
Jasper tipped his head and said, "Hello, ma'am."
Mrs. Masen laughed and sent the kids to empty their trays and get in line to go back to class.
"See you guys at recess, munchkins!" Emmett yelled.
Rosalie and Bella exchanged smiles and headed off to their respective line of kindergarteners. "See you later, Bella!" Rosalie said quickly and Bella nodded enthusiastically. Renee saw the exchange and smiled. "Oh, thank God! Bella's making friends! Rosalie's a sweet girl. A little pushy sometimes, but she just seems a little protective of others. She'll probably give Emmett a run for his money one day," Renee thought.
Later on the playground…
At recess, Bella ran off with Edward and Angela to find Emmett, Jasper, and Rose. The three were playing on the merry-go-round when Lauren and her friend Jessica showed up.
"Hey, Eddie," Lauren said flipping her hair.
"Oooh...does Eddie-kins have a girlfriend?" Emmett teased. Edward rolled his eyes at Emmett and turned to Lauren and Jessica.
"Don't call me Eddie, Lauren. The only person who is allowed to call me 'Eddie' is Bella."
"Alright, Edward. Whatever. I was just wondering if you wanted to be boyfriend-girlfriend for the day," she said giggling and batting her eyelashes.
Emmett and Jasper howled with laughter. Rose looked at Lauren disgustedly, Angela looked shocked, and Bella got a funny little feeling in the pit of her stomach. "I hope Edward doesn't drop me for Lauren. Who will I play with then? I like playing with Angela, Rose, Emmett, and Jasper, but it won't be the same without Eddie," Bella thought.
"Girls are gross, Lauren. Eww. Bella, Angela, Rose, my sister Alice, my mom, Mrs. Swan, and Mrs. Masen are the only girls who aren't gross. I think you should leave me alone now. Good-bye," Edward said shuddering at the thought of having a girlfriend. "I really hope Lauren never tries to kiss me! Kissing is so gross! EW! GERMS!" Edward thought.
"You'll be sorry one day, Edward Cullen. One day, you're going to beg me to be your girlfriend. I promise you that!" Lauren screamed. Jessica took Lauren's arm and led the crying girl away.
"Wow, Eddie-kins! Already breaking girls' hearts, huh? You know it's never too early to start thinking about having a girlfriend," Emmett said waggling his eyebrows at Rosalie.
"One. Don't call me Eddie-kins. Two. We're FIVE, Emmett. I'm too young for a girlfriend. And three. Just shut up!" Edward yelled.
"Touchy, touchy, Eddie-kins!" Emmett said laughing
"Emmy, leave him alone!" Bella said dragging Edward and Angela to the swing set. "You shouldn't let him get to you, Edward. You know he's an idiot sometimes. He's just trying to make you angry."
"Whatever," Edward huffed.
"Look! There are three swings free!" Angela said trying to cheer Edward up.
The three picked up their pace to try and get to the swings before any of the other kids got to them. Just as Bella was about to sit down in one of the swings, something came out of nowhere and knocked her down to the ground on her little bum.
"OW!" Bella yelled.
"Thought you were SO cool, didn't you? Having that girl Rosalie and that first-grader sticking up for you in the cafeteria. Well, guess what you're just a little cry-baby!" The bully, James, was back and it looked like he was gunning for Bella. Rosalie and Emmett embarrassed him in the cafeteria, but they weren't around now to protect Bella. James started pulling on Bella's hair really hard – hard enough that tears were forming in Bella's eyes.
Angela ran off to find a teacher while Edward tried to get James to let go.
"It hurts so bad!" Bella thought. "Do I tell him my daddy has a gun? What was it that Emmett said about my thumb? Oh, yeah! Make sure it's not tucked inside my fist!" With that Bella balled up her little fist and punched James as hard as she could in his pudgy gut. James staggered backward, letting go of Bella's hair, and knocking Edward into the ground at the same time.
Bella sat there holding her head and crying when she saw a big group of teachers heading their way. Her mom was the first one to reach her and drew her into a huge hug.
"Are you ok, Bella?" Renee said patting her head and looking her over. One of the first grade teachers, Mr. Stewart, grabbed James and dragged him off to the principal's office while lecturing to him about picking on girls.
Bella was nodding her head and sniffling when Emmett exclaimed, "WAY TO GO, BELLS! Did you remember not to keep your thumb tucked inside your fist?"
Bella smiled half-heartedly and Rosalie smacked Emmett in the back of the head.
Edward was still sitting on the ground and Bella looked over at him. Edward looked sheepish and said, "I'm sorry I couldn't protect you, Bells. I tried, but he just wouldn't let go of your hair. I'm really sorry!" Edward's face was red and it looked like he might start crying.
Bella crawled away from her mom and sat next to Edward grabbed him in a hug. "It's ok, Edward. I know you tried. James is REALLY strong, though! It's not your fault he's a big meanie."
Renee walked over to them and grabbed them both into a hug. "Come on, you two. Let's go inside and get a snack. What do you say?"
Renee took a quick detour to the cafeteria and asked for two cookies and two cartons of milk and then walked Bella and Edward back to the teacher's lounge, so that Bella could rest on the couch. She and Edward were sitting side by side swinging their legs back and forth when the assistant principal walked in.
"Ah, Renee! I was looking for you! James has been expelled. Mr. Stewart called his parents and they're on their way to pick him up now. It seems the no tolerance rule for bullying applies to even kindergarteners on their first day of school!" The assistant principal looked over at Bella and asked how she was doing.
"I'm fine," Bella said blushing. She hated having all the attention on her.
The bell rang signaling the end of recess. Bella and Edward stepped into the hallway and saw Emmett and the rest of the gang. Angela and Rosalie rushed over and gave Bella hugs.
"So, what'd you guys get? A granola bar or something?" Emmett asked pulling Bella into a headlock.
"Nope," Bella said smugly. "We got cookies!"
"COOKIES! Aw, man! I love cookies!" Emmett yelled. Everyone laughed. Then Jasper nudged Bella and cocked his head in the direction of the office.
James was being dragged out by a tall, lanky man dressed in a nice suit.
"That's it!" The man said. "You're being homeschooled! I'm so sick of you picking on people! Your mom and I never raised you this way! And picking on a girl? What is wrong with you?!?"
Edward looked over at Bella and asked her if she was alright.
"Yeah. I'm great! I pack a pretty mean punch!" Bella said smiling.
"And it's all thanks to ME!" Emmett exclaimed.
"Yeah, because it's really all about you Emmett," Jasper said smacking Emmett in the back of the head.
The group laughed and headed off to class.
