Chapter 3

I had just settled down to read the next act of Shakespeare's Hamlet when the receptionist voice sounded over the intercom, I was to report to the principal's office.

What does daddy dearest want now?

I shut my book and shoved it into my bag, listening to the snickers and hushed conversations. On my way to the door, I heard one girl I barely knew whisper to the boy seated in front of her

"Ten bucks it's got something to do with Bella Swan"

I glared at her as I walked, her face turning slightly pink and she looked down at her book almost immediately.

As I walked down the hallway, I racked my brain, trying to come up with a reason why he would have called me out of class.

I got nothing

I reached the administration office and pushed opened the heavy door. Mrs Ricky, his rosy cheeked receptionist, told me to take a seat; Principal Cullen was apparently busy at the moment.

After a few minutes, Carlisle pulled open his office door and motioned for me to come inside.

He sat down behind his large, very organised desk and sighed. He eyed my as I stood in his office, arms folded. A few silent seconds passed and he finally spoke to me

"Edward, I asked you to come meet with me…again, because we need to talk about you academic performance" He fiddled with the papers in front of him

This was the 5th time is as many months that I'd been called into the principal's office, and about the 25th conversation I had with my father about my 'Academic Performance'

I was getting a little bored of them, in all honesty.

"Your attendance to classes has been very poor over this and last semester, which your perfectly aware of and I thought after our numerous conversations, you'd improve as we got closer the end of year, but you haven't." he looked up at me; his eyes scrutinising my face I tore my eyes from his, letting them rest on my shoes.

What did I care? I was the star player of the football team. I was a god in this school, everyone fucking loved me. if I wanted something, I took it. In a few weeks was our final game of the season, scouts from the 6 top colleges where coming to that game. I could have my pick of colleges.

"And you're bringing this up now because?" I asked, uninterested.

"We have less than three months until the end of your senior year, you need to get sorted" he said, flatly

"So, that's why I think it's a good idea for you to join 3rd period Art, and shall continue to do so until the end of the year."

My jaw nearly hit the floor.

"No way! I'm not doing it, Carlisle" I spat out, angrily

"I'm sorry but I have no choice, if you do not go to that class, you will not graduate. Simple as that." He said firmly. He continued "And if you do not graduate, you will not get into college" he rubbed his forehead with his fingertips.

Anger rippled thought my chest, and I felt my fists ball at my sides.

"You can't do that" I said slowly, through gritted teeth.

"I can, and I will" was all he said.

My fists clenched several times before either of us spoke.

"Dad…" I spoke softly. I felt betrayed, he was my father and he was going to let my future slip though my fingers because I was failing a couple of classes.

"I've tried telling you this would happen, but you never listen. Believe it or not I'm trying to help you out, son."

"Bullshit!" I was fuming. If the person in front of me hadn't been related to me, I quite possibly could have punched him in the jaw.

"You do know that Bella Swan is in that class right?" I asked him. Maybe he would reconsider if he knew she would be in that class.

"I am aware of that, I tried to get you in another class, Edward, I did. But Mr Albert was the only teacher that would take you. Almost all the other classes we have here are based on final exams; the students have been learning the material for a year. It would be impossible for you to catch up in time for the final exam. This art class is the only way you can graduate

"But its Bella Swan, you know what happened last year. She needs her head checked or something"

"I remember what happened Edward" Carlisle voice became stern "but I also know what you did Edward, Bella was not totally to blame."

I walked over to the chair in front of his desk, suddenly feeling exhausted. I flopped down in the seat; resting my head on the back of the chair my eyes focused on the view outside the window behind were Carlisle was sat.

"But why does it have to be that particular class, couldn't I join Chemistry or… God even, gym. Something that's not that art class" I asked, quietly.

I could handle gym.

"This art class is the only subject that offers enough credit in a six week time period. Depending on how you do, obviously" he said calmly

"Obviously" I mumbled

"I'm serious, if you don't get higher that a grade D on this, you'll be held back, I may be your father but I'm still the principal of this school." He sighed and shook his head

All the air rushed out of my lungs in a long sigh.

"I know you can do this Edward, you just need to get your head down. I've done all I can, the rest is up to you."

I was about to answer him when the phone on his desk rang, he pushed the speaker button and Mrs Ricky's bored voice sounded

"Mrs Newton is here to see you"

"Thanks Grace, tell her I'll be right out" he pushed the button again and his gaze returned to me

"I'm asking you Edward; please don't do anything stupid"

I nodded, too shocked to speak.

We both got up from our seats; I stood there, looking at my shoes once again.

Carlisle walked around his desk and stopped in front of me, putting both his hands on my shoulders

I pulled away, rolling my eyes as I headed for the door.

"I'll see you at home" he called after me as I exited the office.

As I walked out, Mrs Newton got up from where she was sitting. She was a nice lady; she used to make the best peanut butter cookies, back in the days when Mike and I were friends. She was happily married for 15 years until her husband died a few years ago. Mike's been fucked up ever since.

"Edward, so nice to see you" she grinned.

"Hi Mrs Newton" I managed to say.

"Haven't seen you around our place for a while, I suppose it's because Mike has been studying hard for finals."

That might be because your sons a complete tool

"That's properly why, you know Mike" I said smiling. A few seconds later Carlisle opened his office door smiled

"Mrs Newton, please come in." he gestured for her to enter.

"Well Edward, try not to be a stranger" she smiled at me and walked into my fathers office.

"I'll try" I said as I began walking again. Carlisle frowned at me and proceeded to shut his door.

She really had no idea what Mike was really like, I thought to my self as I walked.

I can tell you now, he was not studying. He was properly snorting coke off the back of his chemistry book.

His drug habits where the reason we don't talk anymore, drugs are not my thing. So I cut him loose.

I took my time walking back to class; I'll admit it, i was pretty pissed off.

When I finally got back to English, people were busy reading and taking notes.

"Everything ok bro?" jasper whispered as I took my seat, I didn't turn to look at him, I just nodded my head

"Just peachey" I murmured