Disclaimer: The characters belong to the Stephenie Meyer. I do not own or claim to own them. Any and all grammar errors are mine and not the betas' who edited this chapter.

Playlist: Mariah Carey – Emotions

Chapter 4 – Emotions

I was nervous as I sat outside Dean Uley's office. I was told a student had arrived late for a meeting with him an hour ago, causing him to run ten minutes behind schedule. It was not a major problem — an inconvenience, yes, but I was prepared to wait, having arrived five minutes early.

Edward was sitting next to me, holding my hand and running his thumb slowly over my knuckles. It provided little comfort at the moment, but, boy, did it feel nice.

"It'll be fine," Edward whispered, his breath tickling my ear.

"I'm just scared."

"He already believes you. He just has follow-up questions."

"And that is why I'm scared. I have no idea what he is going to ask." I dropped my head, gazing at the floor. I hated waiting, but I understood that the dean was a busy man.

I heard a door open and looked up. I blanched, eyes going wide.

Lauren was walking out with Dean Uley.

Was she there spewing false lies about me? Wasn't what she had said bad enough? Had she report her suspicions?

I tightened my hold on Edward's hand. My breathing hitched slightly, and I looked over at him. I had to be crushing his hand, but he said nothing. I loosened my hold, and he gave my hand a gentle squeeze.

Lauren noticed me then. A sneering smile slowly appeared across her face. I cringed further into Edward, not knowing what her smile meant.

"Well, well, the Academic Whore makes an appearance once again today." Lauren regarded me, her eyes moving up and down, taking me in. "Hmm, no book bag. Oh, don't tell me…"

Oh no, what was she going to say? There were a few other students near, but not as many as had been in the student center the day before.

Lauren seemed to notice. Her voice rose. "… you're sleeping with Dean Uley, too."

Edward released my hand and made to stand. I put a restraining hand on his leg. Lauren was not worth the fight.

Dean Uley was right there. Surely he'd heard what Lauren had just said. I watched as he turned from talking to his secretary, a look of shock mixed with anger filling his features. He was glaring at Lauren, brows drawn together.

"Miss Mallory, back in my office – now," Dean Uley yelled.

"What?" Lauren exclaimed, turning to face the dean.

"In my office now," he repeated, pointing to his open door.

Shocked, Lauren walked back into the office she had just exited.

"Miss Swan?" the dean questioned, approaching me once Lauren had followed his orders.

"Yes," I answered timidly.

"I see no need to speak with you now concerning your complaint, after what I just heard. If you would stay a little longer, though, you have a right to know what is to happen next."

"Sure."

Dean Uley returned to his office. "Have a seat, Miss Mallory," he yelled. "Apparently, you have learned nothing from your last indiscretion."

"I have learned my lesson."

The door slammed closed. Edward and I were sitting near the closed door and could still hear.

I could imagine him handing her the form I had filled out.

"I did not harass her," Lauren said, outraged.

"Sit back down, Miss Mallory."

Had she intended on coming out here?

Edward wrapped his arm around me and pulled me against his chest as what Lauren said the day before played loudly inside the dean's office. I was grateful he was with me. I don't know if I would've been able to handle sitting out here listening without him.

"Now, Miss Mallory, tell me why you don't consider that harassment?"

I held my breath, waiting to hear how she was going to respond. I really shouldn't be listening, but I couldn't help hearing the dean's loud voice.

"I'm waiting," Dean Uley shouted.

"I can't!" she shouted back.

Lauren looked appalled and dazed when she exited the dean's office. She didn't even glance at me as she rushed toward the stairs.

"Miss Swan," Dean Uley called from his doorway, seemingly calm.

I nodded.

He came out of his office and sat on the other side of me.

"I do have one question for you. How long has Miss Mallory been harassing you?"

"Since the beginning of this semester," I replied. "It was harmless at first and easy to brush off as her being jealous. Yesterday was just too much."

He shook his head. "You will be hearing from the student conduct officer. My hands are tied as to what I can do. I wish I could expel her."

"Why can't you?" Edward asked.

"Because, son, this matter is not of grades; it's a violation of the student code."

"I understand," I replied. "So if she approaches me, then I am to report it to you?"

"No, any further contact from Miss Mallory should be reported directly to the Dean of Students." He handed me a printout. "Use this case number," he said, pointing to the highlighted area. "The Conduct Officer is investigating and has asked me to speak with you. With the holiday, you might not hear from the officer until December."

I was unsure. "Am I being investigated?"

"No, Miss Swan," he said, sitting on the other side of me. "Your claim is being investigated only. The audio file you provided clearly proves it was Miss Mallory; though it doesn't prove you were her target. Why didn't you say anything?"

"Nothing I could've said would've helped my situation then. It would've only fueled more ridicule."

"There's no way you could know that, Miss Swan." He gave me a grandfatherly look. "If it weren't for a fact other students reported the incident, other than the young man who was with you yesterday," he gaze went to Edward, who was sitting behind me.

I looked over my shoulder and Edward had his eyes closed. It looked like he was asleep. Was he listening? "Can I know who this other student is?"

"I'm not sure. The students are strengthening your claim. Come with me." He stood, waiting. "I'll have to look up the incident to find out if I can tell you."

I followed him into his office. Two diplomas were hanging between the two windows. I was nervous, though I didn't need to be. Dean Uley was helping me.

"Please have a seat." His demeanor remained calm, and I relaxed, taking a seat in front of his desk. He typed a few things into his computer. "Here it is," he said, continuing to read silently. "One student is the same witness you mention in your statement. They gave a very detailed and accurate description of you and Miss Mallory. There should be no question on who was targeted."

I was trying to process all this new information. Another student had come to my defense and was the same student I had mentioned in my statement. The only student I had talked to was Angela. I didn't even know her. All she had given me was the link to an audio file.

"Miss Swan, are you all right?" he asked. "You're awfully quiet."

"Yes, Dean Uley. I'm just trying to figure out why she, or anyone, would…" I didn't know what I was trying to say.

"Help you," he finished for me. "You'd be surprised at their reasoning. To give you a brief idea, all the witness statement can be summed up by in a few words. They couldn't stand by and watch a fellow student being bullied."

I was stunned and didn't know what to say. "Is there anything else I can help you with?"

"Yes." On the drive back from Seattle, I had decided to let the dean know what happened when I was at the library earlier. "I had to leave the library because of the looks and the passing comments. And Lauren made comments when she saw me outside the library."

"I'm sorry to hear that, Miss Swan. I'll send out a general message to all the humanities and social sciences students, and a message to the other deans asking them to do the same with all their students. What did Miss Mallory say?"

"She called me the horrible, demeaning name and nothing more."

"I want you to send an email to the conduct officer about this incident, Miss Swan. The more you provide, the harsher her punishment." He stood, coming around his desk, kneeling in front of me, next to the chair. "The university does not tolerate bullying or harassment."

"I know. I feel bad for Lauren, though. Is that asinine?"

"No, it shows you are human, that you care about what's going to happen to her."

"She hurt me. I shouldn't care."

"Yes, she did hurt you and you did what you had to do based on her actions. No one can fault or punish you for that," he said, taking hold of my trembling hands. "Just from our conversation so far, I can tell you hated reporting her. Am I right?"

"Yes," I admitted.

"Then, why, Miss Swan, is it wrong for you to sympathize with Miss Mallory's plight?"

"Because I'm the victim — I should hate her, not feel sorry for her."

"I can't tell you how to feel. If I was in your position, I would hate her for what she called you. You showing compassion for your tormentor is rare."

"I do want her to be punished."

"And I can see that, Miss Swan, from your complaint." He gave me another grandfatherly look.

I relented to his point. It was fine for me to sympathize, as long as I reported the harassment.

"Now, let the university investigate and hand down the appropriate punishment."

"Thank you, Dean Uley."

He smiled gently at me before standing and extending his hand. "No, thank you for bringing Miss Mallory's untoward behavior to the university's attention."

~~~ LB ~~~

"How did it go?" Alice asked, slamming her books down on our dining room table, startling both me and Edward.

I looked up from the book I was reading. "Uh?" When had she gotten home?

"The dean…" she prompted.

"Oh, Lauren showed her true colors in front of Dean Uley and is now running the risk of being expelled," I told her.

"Wow, never expected him to expel her," Alice said.

"He hasn't," Edward remarked, stretching as he leaning back. "He's sending her to face the disciplinary board."

"Wait. Doesn't the student code state she be put on probation first?" Alice asked, looking at me.

"I don't know about probation. I guess what she said sends her to the board for punishment." I waved my hand. "Not to mention, Lauren believed what she said wasn't harassment."

Alice's mouth hung wide open while shaking her head in disbelief. She looked like she was about to say or ask something else.

I peered over at Edward, giving him a pleading look, not wanting to lose it again. I had broken down as soon as I walked through the front door. I was relieved I didn't have to deal with Lauren in class the next day, but her accusation hurt.

The dean's words were still running through my mind, but I felt so conflicted.

"How was your day, Alice?" he asked.

I was grateful he took Alice's focus away from me before she could ask more.

"Good, really good. I'm going out with Jasper tonight."

"Am I going to meet him?" he asked.

Alice bit her lip.

"Is he picking you up?" I asked, giving her a quizzical look. Was there a story there?

"Yes," she answered, eyeing her brother. "I don't want you scaring him away. I really like him."

"When have I ever scared anyone away?"

"Paul, Eric, Tyler, and Mike," Alice rattled off.

"And all were wrong for you." His phone vibrated and he picked it up from the table, looking at it. "Emmett," he announced. He disappeared down the hall, phone attached to his ear.

"You have got to help me get ready. Jasper will be here in a half hour. Hardly enough time to get ready, but I was so stunned he asked me out, all I could do was nod," she said, pulling me down the hall into her room and shutting the door.

"So Jasper really asked you out?" I settled on her bed, knowing her plea for help was only an excuse to continue talking to me.

"Yes. We ran into each other in the student center, and he just asked. No preamble, just an 'Alice, would you go out to dinner with me tonight?'" She was tossing top after top next to me in rejection. "Argh! I don't have a thing to wear."

"You have more clothes than me. Where's Jasper taking you?"

"That's true… and I'm not sure. The only other thing he said was he would pick me up at six and to dress comfortably."

That wasn't much to go on. I started picking through the tops she had discarded. "Here," I said, handing her a navy satin top. "Pair it with your stonewashed jeans, ballet flats, and a cream tank."

She turned and looked at me. "How do you do that? Pick one top and know exactly what to pair it with?"

"You've seen my closet. I have the bare minimum of tops, but lots of pants and skirts. It's all about picking the appropriate top for the occasion and then accessorizing."

"You know, for an English major, you have a keen fashion sense."

"And you're the self-proclaimed Fashion Queen."

She started giggling. "I am." Through our combined laughter, she asked, "How was your lunch with Edward?"

"Great. Edward did a good job of getting my mind off my troubles."

"Did you make him drink 'Kiss and Tell'?"

"Yes and when he was shooting back the second, I told him the drink's name."

"Did he spit it out?"

"Nope, he swallowed it and started talking. My mom picked up the tab."

"I told her not to."

"You know her; she doesn't listen. I did prevent her from telling him anything, though." Oh, that reminded me, I had to call her and Dad.

"Like Edward would care that your mom owns the restaurant," she said, glaring at me as she pulled on her stonewashed skinny jeans. "I didn't."

"And when I first took you to the restaurant, I knew you. I hardly know your brother."

"Okay, so it wasn't such a bright idea listening to where he wanted to take you."

I glared at her back. Edward had wanted to take me to the best steakhouse in Seattle. "He told me you made the reservation."

"I did. He told me where. I'm glad he got your mind off of things." She paused, glancing at me through her mirror. "So, why did you skip class?"

I explained quickly what had happened in the library, when I met Edward outside, and how the dean was going to try to help.

"Wow! Lauren sure did ruin two of your days."

A knock came at Alice's door before I could respond. The day had actually ended on a high note.

"Jasper's here," Edward said, popping his head in through the door. "I let him in, but haven't really told him who I was other than my first name."

"Thanks. I'll be right out."

"And, Bella, your cell's ringing." Edward left, closing the door.

"We still need to discuss one thing, Ali." Your brother, I mouthed at her curious look. "It can wait until you get home from you date. I'll want the basic details." I said as I jumped up from the bed and raced to the dining room table. I had a missed a call from Dad. Immediately, I called him back as I walked out the back door and sat on the deck.

"Hey, Bells. I didn't think you would call back so soon. Thought you would be at the library."

"Normally, Dad, you would be right, but with recent events, I believe it's not healthy for me to study at the library tonight."

"What's going on?"

"Is Mom with you? She should hear this, too."

"I'm here. You're on speaker," Mom answered.

"You're not at the restaurant, are you?"

"No, we're at home," they answered together.

"Now, please tell me why Alice called me sounding worried?" Mom asked.

"Did Alice tell you anything?"

"No. All she said that it was not her place, but she did tell me she was worried about you and that you were going through something and needed to get away from campus."

Now that surprised me. Alice was usually the first to interfere and let our parents know when either of us was in trouble. Better to just say it fast. "I'm being harassed by a fellow English major."

"What?" Mom said.

"How long?" Dad asked.

I chose to answer Dad's question. Mom's really wasn't a question, and she'd understand. "Since the beginning of the semester. She went too far yesterday, and I reported her to the Dean of Students. It's being handled by the university now."

"Why didn't you call us after it happened?" Dad asked.

"Because I was incoherent and didn't want to think any more than I had to."

"All right, we understand," Dad said. "What is the dean going to do?"

"The Dean of Students turned it over to the humanities dean, Dean Uley. Dean Uley is sending her to face the disciplinary board."

"Exactly how was she harassing you, Bells?" Mom asked.

I sighed, drawing my knees to my chest. I knew this question was going to come up. "I don't want to go into any detail," I said as a preamble. "It is mainly hurtful lies and false accusations. She made a very loud accusation in the student center yesterday. Edward came to my rescue and convinced me to report her."

"Who's Edward?" Dad demanded.

"He's Alice's brother and very sweet. He brought Bella in for lunch today," Mom explained.

"Am I going to meet him?"

"We're still going to Forks for Thanksgiving, right?" I asked. I hoped the plan hadn't changed.

"Of course we are," Mom answered. "Esme called after the two of you left to let me know Edward was coming home."

"Why did she call, Mom, other than to tell you that?"

"I'm bringing dessert, and she wanted to make sure there would be enough since this is the first year we'll all be together. When she originally invited us, she told me Edward wouldn't be coming home, but him bringing you to the restaurant…"

"Mom," I said, cutting her off. "He's in town because he's transferring to WWU."

"I didn't know that. Is he staying with you girls? I'm worried about you two living alone."

"Yes. Don't worry." I looked over my shoulder when the back door opened.

Edward stepped out on the deck. He smiled, his eyes sparkling, when he saw me.

My heart fluttered at his smile. "Okay," I said in response to whatever Dad had said.

"Bells, are you even listening?"

"Yes."

"Then what did I just say?"

Oh no, I had no clue. I had been distracted by Edward. Wow! That was another first. I never got distracted by guys. I had always stayed so focused on what was going on around me — my studies, conversations. Lord knew my last boyfriend had tried to distract me. Nothing he did ever distracted me like Edward's smile just did.

"Something about Thanksgiving."

"That's what I thought. You have no clue what I said," Dad teased. "We'll let you go. See you next week."

"And please call if whoever is harassing you doesn't stop," Mom added.

"I promise. Love you both. Bye."

I felt better. Mom and Dad trusted me to come to them if I needed their help. They didn't know more than I was willing to tell them, but I was sure they were going to ask me again next week.

"Emmett is unable to break away tonight but is free tomorrow night," Edward said once I had put my phone down next to me. "He was thinking a triple date. He talked to Alice quickly before she and Jasper left, and they're in." He rubbed the back of his neck. "I'd told him I'd check with you, and let him know."

"Date?" I asked with a raised brow. I would have classified lunch this afternoon as a date. Didn't he? I was about to ask when he replied.

"Yeah, date." He was looking out across the yard. He turned to look at me, leaning against the railing. "Would you please go out on a date with me?"

I took a deep breath, looking away while thinking two things. First, he hadn't considered lunch a date. Second, what better way to explore the strange feelings I still couldn't place a name to? He was paying the ground a lot of attention, shuffling his weight from foot to foot. "Okay."

His head whipped up, surprised. I smiled shyly at him. He smiled back at me.

"I'll let Emmett know you and I are in then."

~~~ LB ~~~

A/N: I love and appreciate reviews. Why not leave one?

Don't understand what's going on, let me know?

Want to guess what's going to happen next, drop me a line. I don't always tease the chapters, but I do have a blog in which I post updates, A Mystery of the Heart. The link (copy & paste-able) is on my profile.

Big thanks to all the PTB betas' who helped me get this chapter edited (LoveLeVampyre, shelikesthesound, EvilPumpkin, and dreamgirl87). I'm only getting more excited about this story, not discouraged.

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