Remember cuties! I do not own twilight or any of its characters except for Alexander (Alex) Swan. All praises are directed straight to the awesome Stephenie Meyer.

Chapter Two: Forgive Me

The next day, I woke up with a dizzying jolt not because of a nightmare but because of my painful 2-inch cut by the elbow. It felt like it's burning. I closed my eyes and prayed that the pain would at least lessen. I really hate taking showers with a swollen bruise because the pain seems to worsen. Darn that Cullen.

Ugh! Stupid football jock.

I yanked my towel off the rotating chair by my computer table and went at the bathroom. I was too annoyed to take my usual long bath so I got out dripping wet and my eyes squinted in pain. If there was no one in this house, I would have probably screamed that my hands were burning.

Crap! If that Cullen guy comes near me, I swear I would rip his arm off!

"Bells?" I heard Alex's muffled voice by the door. "Are you alright? I can hear some slamming and banging downstairs."

"That was nothing, Alex." I said while looking at my closet. I decided to wear something that wouldn't keep my bruise covered so I went for a white button-up polo shirt that was hugging my slender body and a pair of black skinny jeans.

"Bella, I want to talk to you." I sighed and opened the door.

"Come in."

He went inside my room and eyed me for a moment. "You look good today."

"Thanks." I muttered. I grabbed my towel and my pajamas and threw them in the hamper. I grabbed a new towel by the drawer and laid it in my bed. "Let's go."

"You're in pain." He whispered and grabbed my arm. "It hurts, isn't it?"

"Where's my converse?" I stalled. "Oh. There it is."

I wore my high-cut C's and got out of the room. "Isabella. Answer me."

"If I told you, would you leave me alone?" He gasped and I regretted saying it. He looked away from me and I walked towards him slowly. I sighed loudly and grabbed his hand. "I'm sorry, Alex. I didn't mean to say that."

He smiled softly and tightened his grip on my hand. I knew I couldn't bear the pain any longer so tears started dropping and I could hear myself sob. I hate having cuts and bruises because I'm a cry baby. I cry all the time. That's the only reason why Alex can't leave my side. The only reason why he's always taking care of me although I knew I'm old enough to take care of myself.

"This sucks." I said and sniffed as he patted my shoulders. He grabbed something in his back pocket and showed me two Chupa-Chups.

"Would you want some?" he asked me and wiped a teardrop with his thumb. "That was a dumb question. I know you want one. Here, take the new flavor."

"Their new flavor is bubble gum?" I made a face and handed it to him. "I'll stick with my Cola flavor."

He laughed and placed his arm around my shoulder as we went downstairs with sticks of lollipop sticking out from our mouths. We decided that lollipops are good enough for a breakfast meal—though Charlie disapproved of it 100%— so we went to school.

While we were on the road, I asked Alex some random things just to get me and him entertained but then it started to become a bit personal.

"How did you know I wasn't okay?" I asked him and pretended to not listen and looked outside the window.

"You didn't blush like you normally would when someone compliments you."

Oh. So that's why he knew. I'll keep that in mind the next time I'm in pain although I'm hoping there won't be a next time. I just love my brother. He can always tell what I'm feeling through my habits.

"Ever considered dating while I was gone? Did you go out for a date?" I asked him.

"Let's just say I never got intimate with someone." He laughed huskily and I pouted. I was keeping him from having a relationship. I'm keeping him from having a fun life. I'm keeping him for myself.

"Alex, I can take care of myself. Please. Let loose." I got so exasperated. "If you don't, I'll feel that it's all my fault and then I will become depressed, and then I will be at the hospital 24/7, and then I will die at an early age. Do you want that?"

"Bells—" He was about to argue with him when I placed my hand on my ears and sang the song he hated the most.

Too much love will kill you if you can't make up your mind…I sang louder and louder.

"I'm not gonna stop 'til you promise me you'll have fun with your life from now on."

"Okay, I promise." He yelled and I laughed in satisfaction.

"My singing was good wasn't it?"

"Shut up, Bells." We continued laughing until we reached the school premises.

-OoO-

"William Shakespeare is one of the aspiring literary authors in ancient times. He produced many works varying from Comedy to Tragedy. He became legend because of his famous work, Hamlet & the unforgettable Romeo and Juliet." Our professor, Mrs. Watkins droned on and on about the biography of Shakespeare and since I was on an Advance Placement Program back at Florida, I knew all about it.

"Psst." I cocked my head to the side and shook my head. I was probably just hallucinating. "Psst."

"Ms. Swan!" I literally jumped up and froze as our professor glared at me. "Are you listening?"

I nodded and smiled at her. "Really? Then would you mind telling me what the conflict on his writing was about? The one I said earlier."

I gulped and everyone turned their chairs and looked at me. They were all anticipating my answer and I could see it in their eyes that they were talking in their head saying 'She's dumb. She'll never answer that question.'.

"Over the centuries there has been much speculation surrounding various aspects of Shakespeare's life including his religious affiliation, sexual orientation, sources for collaborations, authorship of and chronology of the plays and sonnets. Many of the dates of play performances, when they were written, adapted or revised and printed are imprecise and so it was difficult for him at that time." I exhaled and bit my lip. The teacher gaped and stared at me for a couple of seconds before gathering her thoughts.

"Very well said, Ms. Swan." I sat down and allowed my hair to cover my face. The bell rang and I felt relieved. As I was hastily grabbing my book, one novel that I was currently reading dropped from my desk. I bended to pick it up but someone beat me to it.

"Thanks." I murmured and looked at the guy. I nearly fell of my seat at that point. It was Cullen with his green eyes piercing through my brown orbs. "What do you want?"

"I just wanted to apologize formally." I stood up and walked away from him. "Please. Forgive me."

"You were already forgiven yesterday." I didn't stop from my tracks and so he followed me. I was getting a bit overwhelmed by his presence and so I went by the girl's restroom. I stayed there for 10 minutes and as I got out, I slammed on his chest.

"Leave me alone."

"No." he said sternly. "For your information, I skipped football practice just to see you and I almost got detention because I hid behind some drawers at the back of your classroom. Students here couldn't cut class. But you made me."

I blushed on the thought and stared at him. "W-Why?"

"Why what?" his voice became cautious and I sighed.

"Why are you talking to me?" I asked and his facial expression softened. I never noticed how good the school's quarterback looks. His face was white yet there was a hint of redness to it. His lips were full and pink. His hair was tousled and shiny when light hits it and he was very tall but the best feature was his eyes. It was a soft green and it was very mysterious to look at.

"I wanted to." He scratched his head and showed a crooked smile that made me gasp. "I'm not really that mean. I am ballsy but I'm never the hater one."

I nodded and walked slowly. He kept up with my pace and I was glad he was willing to keep talking to me. "Then why did you sound mean yesterday?"

"I—I really don't know." He shook his head and I smiled. We went by the farthest side of the school where there were tress and flowers everywhere. I somehow discovered it while I was taking my free-time strolls yesterday.

"Earlier today, I promised myself that I would break your arm if I see you." I laughed at the thought and placed my bag on the ground. "The pain was excruciating."

"I'm really sorry. I thought you were okay so I didn't ask."

I snorted and stretched my hands to catch a falling leaf. "Everyone deserves a second chance."

"Then thank you for the chance. You know you're the first girl ever who made me cut football practice." Another leaf fell and this time, it fell on his hands.

"What an honor." I giggled and rolled my eyes. Am I flirting with this guy? Seriously? Jeez. I wonder how stupid I must look.

Ring! Ring!

I held out my phone and looked at the Caller ID. It was Alex. "Hey Alex."

"Where are you, Bells? Why aren't you here by the bleachers yet?" he asked me in a worried tone. I covered my mouth and grabbed my bag.

Shoot! He's gonna kill me if he found out that I was talking to the guy he was fuming about. Oh gosh.

"I'm on my way there." I said and snapped the phone shut.

"Wait. Where are you going?" Cullen asked me and I turned to look at him one more time.

"My brother's waiting for me." I said and ran again. "Nice meeting you, Cullen!"

"Call me Edward." He yelled his name pretty loud which made all the cheerleaders turn and basically looked for him like they were having a treasure hunt.

Edward. What a nice name. Edward Cullen. I thought to myself.

What do you think? I know. It's a bit boring. x)

I promise that I'll make it up to you on the next chapter.

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