Chapter Seven: We're So Close


Bella POV

I knew Emmett and I had to get this debate done, but I couldn't be in the same classroom as him without feeling sick, let alone being alone with him. I figured we could do this over the phone, on Skype. And I had been right, we were able to do the whole project without ever seeing each other. But the debate had to be done together in the same room...and we were up next.

"Mr. McCarty, Ms. Swan. The floor is all yours." Our history teacher told us once every one was settled down. I took a deep breath and tightened my grip on my flashcard before getting up and waking to the podium. I looked up and saw everyone starring at me, and I felt like I was going to be sick, but Emmett gave me a light squeeze on my hand before I yanked it away.

"The actions the US took after Japan attacked Pearl Harbor was needed. Had we not bombed Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the Japaneas would had kept attacking us." I began, trying my hardest not to look at Emmett.

"Maybe so, but how can you justify killing millions of innocent people?" He argued.

"When you realize they killed hundreds of military men, and would have continued to kill."

"I am not saying the US didn't need to take action, but how is it justified? Sometimes, actions need to be made...but they don't have to be so rash."

"The United States was acting rash when they decided to use the atomic bomb?" I snapped. "What were they supposed to do?"

"Take more time to think."

"Sometimes, you have to be quick...or you will never get anything done."

"How is killing innocent people...getting anything done? Sometimes, things need to be talked about to make a smart choice."

"What was the US supposed to say? 'We know you killed hundreds...and hurt all of their families, but we need to talk?"

"Sometimes, all anybody needs is to be listened to." He said and I could feel the tears forming in my eyes. "Maybe if the United States government listened to the people, they could be convinced."

"Convinced of what? That is is wrong to bomb Japan?"

"That it's wrong to bomb Japan and kill...the best thing that ever happened to the US."

"If Japan was the best thing that happened to the country, they would not have bombed Pearl Harbor." I cried, as Emmett walked over to me.

"Maybe...Japan felt horrible about bombing us and wished they could take it back, but they knew they couldn't. Maybe they continued to pray the US wouldn't react and could look past everything Japan did to them." He said, cupping my face and wiping away my tears. "Maybe...Japan was in love with the United States he said and I looked up into his tear filled eyes, wanting to let everything go and be with him.

"Enough." The teacher yelled. "I don't know what this is, but this sure isn't a debate about World War II. Now, you two obviously are having problems, so I will give you a make-up debate but if this happens again, you will fail this assignment." She said and I looked around the room at everyone starring at us and suddenly grew hot. I wiggled out of Emmett's grip and ran out the room into the hallway.

"Bella! Bella, wait!" I heard Emmett call as his footsteps got closer. "Bells!" He said grabbing my arm and spinning me around.

"What, Emmett? What do you want me to say? That I forgive you? That I can just look past what you and Rosalie did? Well I can't!"

"But Bella...I regret it so much. It's the biggest mistake I've ever made."

"I believe you. I believe you regret it, and that you know it was a mistake. And I even believe you really are sorry. But I can't just forgive you, Emmett. I can't even look at you without wanting to cry."

"But we can work this out. Right?" He said, looking almost hopeful. But he was wrong, I couldn't. I pried myself out of his grip and began walking backwards.

"No...we can't. I can't look at you and not picture the two of you together. I can't." I said and turned around and ran out the doors to the school. I jumped into my truck and pulled it closed, letting my head fall onto the wheel of the car, letting myself finally cry. I couldn't go back into school once I had calmed down so I decided to drive to Edwards. He was doing home school until he felt safe going back to Forks High School. I ran up the steps and rang the doorbell the way we did when we were kids. Four fast, two held out, and three more fast. I heard his running down the steps and open the door, pulling me inside.

"What are you doing here?" He asked, putting a bowel of pretzels down on his bed.

"Emmett and I did our debate today..."

"Oh yeah, how'd that go?"

"Horrible. We ended up using it to discuss our issues."

"Really? How?"

"We talked...but we used Japan and the United States instead of our names...in front of the whole class." I sighed, flopping back onto his pillows. "He said he loved me." I told him and he let out a loud snort.

"Yeah, that's what love is. Sleeping with your ex girlfriend days before you go out on a date with the potential best girl on the earth."

"Potential best girl?" I joked and he brought me into a tight hug.

"Best girl on the earth." He whispered, kissing the top of my head. "I'm so sorry..."

"Stop beating yourself up about this. It's in the past. I'm over it." I lied. I wasn't over it, what he did would always hurt. But I forgave Edward, he was and always has been my best friend and these last few weeks without him sucked, and not being able to see him when I found out Emmett slept with Rosalie, made it even worse.

"You aren't over it, I've known you for nine years, Bella. I know when your lying through your teeth."

"Edward..."

"I never expected you to be over it."

"Okay, I'm not over it. But I miss you and just want whats the past to be the past and start fresh." I told him and he nodded and brought me into another tight hug.


Emmett wouldn't let up, he was doing everything in his power to win me back. I couldn't help but be flattered, no one had ever fought this hard for me. But as flattered as I was, I was even angrier, he wouldn't have to be fighting for me if he hadn't slept with Rosalie. After our debate fiasco, I grew a little bit more comfortable with him sitting at our lunch table. We were able to sit near each other in peace, and I didn't feel the need to be sick every time I was around him.

I was grateful for Thanksgiving Break to finally come around. I just wanted to be out of school, I wasn't being bullied as badly as I was at the end of last year or beginning of this year, but it still wasn't perfect. To be able to sleep, and read, and just relax without the thought of Rosalie and Emmett was comforting. But Thanksgiving Break couldn't last forever, and at some point I'd end at school again. Each day grew easier to handle, and with enough begging, Edward was officially allowed back into my life.

November passed by and it was finally December, the best time of the year. The first snow of the year had fallen and it reminded of Edward and I playing in the snow when we were in first grade, everything was so simple. Sex didn't exist yet, everyone was friends, and death wasn't an option yet. I smiled and pulled on my jacket, and ran outside, being sure not to fall.

"Bells? What are you doing?" Edward asked when he opened the door and saw me with my old sled in hand.

"Wanna be a first grader again?" I asked, pulling on my hat. A smile grew on his face and he let me in so he could grab his snow things. We ran to the park near our house, and began realizing how much we had grown. We were both growing cold when I saw Emmett's jeep pull onto the curb above the hill.

"You wanna leave?" Edward asked, pulling on the glove that had fallen off.

"No, I can be around him...just not with him." I sighed, walking up the hill.

"Hi, Bella." Emmett said ignoring Edwards presence.

"Hey, what are you guys doing here?" I asked.

"The basketball court is normally covered in ice, thought we'd come down and play some hockey." Jasper said, Emmett however couldn't keep his eyes off of me.

"Well, I think we're going to head out." I said, tugging on Edwards sleeve.

"Edward, you wanna play?" Jasper asked.

"I don't have skates." He said, Edward had never been into sports and never been asked to play sports. Ever. Not in elementary school.

"Here, you can have mine. Jasper's better than me he could teach you better anyway." Emmett said and I couldn't help but roll my eyes. He didn't come here because they wanted to play, he came here to find me and brought Jasper here to get Edward out of my way. Edward smiled and quickly grabbed the skates from Emmett's hands and ran off with Jasper.

"Smooth." I said, walking up the hill.

"What?" He asked, chasing after me.

"Don't you get it?" I yelled and I could see Edward and Jasper turn to look at me. "I don't want to be with you! I can't TRUST you, Emmett! How do I know that if I won't have sex with you, you just won't run to Rosalie again?" I asked and he looked at me stunned.

"How did you..."

"You butt dialed me when you confronted Rosalie that night. I heard what you said. You went to her because you knew I wouldn't have sex with you." I said, forcing away the tears I could feel forming. "Edward! I'm going!" I called and headed up the street. I had this strange feeling in my gut that I wanted to be with him. I wanted him to be the one to hold me when I cried, I wanted him to kiss me just cause, I wanted him to be the arms I jump in after we don't see each other for a while. I wanted to run back to him and be with him. But my head said no, and for once I was listening to my head.