Bella's POV

I constantly found myself glancing up at the clock of my final period class, waiting for the shrill school bell to dismiss us. Eventually it sounded and I couldn't help but smile. Finally! I chanted in my head, we're no longer grounded.

It had been a gruelling month of hard work and menial labour to make Lois forgive us for going out that night. I'd never seen a woman so angry before! I knew I shouldn't have gone to that party and I warned Malcolm and Reese not to go, but that doesn't change the fact that I went. And it was a little fun to be honest I contemplate making my way outside

But I don't plan on being grounded again! I thought determinedly. I couldn't stand it when Lois was shouting at us, I almost cried. It was... so... scary. I shuddered at the memory. The worst part was that neither Reese nor Malcolm had spoken more than simple things like 'Can you pass the ketchup?' to me over the past weeks. Dewey was still sweet but I still felt like I was on the outside looking in.

I knew I should get my mind on to happier topics so I reached into my messenger bag for my report card that we were just issued with today. I traced my fingers over all of the As scrawled across the page in different shades of red ink before sighing with satisfaction. I wasn't a social butterfly by any stretch, but at least I had my top notch grades too make me feel better.

Suddenly I was knocked out of my blissful trance by the sound of muffled sobbing. I followed the sound to the back of an old oak tree that was partially hidden from the school yard. I wanted to help.

Reese's POV

Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! I repeated to myself over and over again I hate myself!

'Are you alright?' a timid yet genuine voice asks from above where I was sitting, giving me a fright. I hadn't heard anyone approach. I quickly wiped my tears away and glared upwards, ready to beat up whoever planned on making fun of me. I make eye contact with the familiar blue eyes I see daily, only this time they're filled with concern and worry.

'Oh, it's you,' I murmured looking down at the ground.

Bella crouched down beside me, 'What's the matter Reese? I heard you -'

'I WASN'T CRYING OK?' I lashed out and immediately felt bad as she flinched. 'It's just- Why am I such an idiot?!' I casted my view away from her face. I could tell she was trying to figure out what I meant even though it was a pretty blunt question.

She must have notice my screwed up report card by my foot as she reached over to pick it up and unfold it. I cringed as she read each D and F I was given. The latter was the most prevalent. 'I'm so stupid,' I whisper.

'YOUR NOT STUPID!' I was startled by Bella's sudden proclamation. She had never raised her voice before. 'Reese,' she began again, shyness returning to her words, 'you're definatley not an idiot so don't call yourself that or put yourself down.'

'But my brother's a genius and I'm just Reese the bully. I'm hopeless.'

'No, your not. Don't compare yourself to other people. Just because academics isn't your strong point doesn't mean you're a failure! You have many great talents,'

'Yeah like what?'

'Well, you're an excellent chef,' she smiled, 'And you're the bravest guy I know. Your strong and great at thinking up plans to get what you want-,' she raised her arm to rub my arm comfortingly but I drew her into a hug. Awkwardly I pulled back quickly, just as surprised by her at my sudden action. I hadn't meant to hug her but my body just... took control. We both look away from each other, our cheeks flaring.

'Hey! I mean, thanks for cheering me up and all,' I don't know where to look

'Um,'

'What?'

'It's just I,'

'Spit it out!' I was getting impatient

'It's just that I could tutor you, I mean I got straight As and all...'

My surprise must have registered on my face clearly because then she added 'I mean if you don't want me to I understand!' quickly.

'No, no, it's fine. I probably need it anyway,' I waved it away. She face lit up and she stood up and walked away. She truly was a nice person, more than just a girl with big knockers and she seemed to see whatever good there was in me...

Whatever! I'm a bully; a mean cold-hearted thug. Why would a girl even want me as a friend? Why would anyone? She probably just has something messed up in her head. Oh well, she'll be tutoring me now so I guess we'll be spending more time together

'I think she likes you,' a voice taunted above me. It was a boy hanging from his underwear on a high branch; that'll teach him to spill his lunch on me.

'Shut up Jeremy! Do you want me to put you up there tomorrow aswell?' I threatened, kicking the tree so that a few loose leaves tumbled to the ground.

'N-no sir!' he responded immediately.

AN: Please leave a review on what you think. I'll probably be updating this story weekly/fortnightly from now so stay tuned for the next chapter :)