Chapter 7
"He ATTACKED you?" Navy was absolutely floored, not believing Rick laid his hands on Kendra, though the dark handprint black and blue bruises that covered her neck spoke volumes. "What the hell did your dad say?"
"I didn't tell him." Kendra held her hand up before Navy could berate her, really not wanting to argue about this. "He was scared off by someone from the reservation." Her voice had dropped to a low whisper, both of them walking down the hallway.
"Whoa, are you serious?" Navy knew it couldn't be Jake because Kendra knew who he was and, judging by how she spoke about her mystery savior, it was someone neither of them knew. "Did you get his name?"
"No."
Kendra absentmindedly moved her hand up to the dark pink turtleneck she wore with a black vest and blue jeans, her way of hiding the bruises. She knew it was wrong not to tell anyone about Rick's attack, but that would open up a can of worms she simply didn't need right now. Regionals were a little over a month away and the last thing Kendra needed was controversy, knowing she had to win at least third place to advance to nationals.
"You need to tell someone about this, Kendra." Navy stated, sighing when Kendra shook her head stubbornly. "You do realize that if he thinks he can get away with it once, he'll more than likely try again?"
"Yes I know." Kendra couldn't help worrying about that, wondering when Rick would strike next, swallowing hard. "I just…I need to get through regionals and he would just cause a bunch of problems. It's more trouble than it's worth, Veya."
"I'm sorry, but a guy grabbing you by the throat and threatening you IS worth the trouble of saying something, Dra." She argued promptly, refusing to drop this, both girls stopping just before the staircase.
Kendra pulled Navy out of people's way, knowing they were rushing to class, her serious grey eyes locking on worried hazel. "You have to promise me you won't say anything to ANYONE, Naveya." Navy knew she was serious because Kendra NEVER used her full name unless it was extremely important. "I know you think I'm doing the wrong thing, but I respected your decision about not harping on you about Jacob. Do this for me, please."
"That is so not fair, Kendra! Jacob doesn't hurt me!" Navy hissed angrily, not believing Kendra would throw that in her face, sighing when tears stung Kendra's eyes. She could clearly tell how afraid her best friend was, knowing she had no choice except to agree not to say anything. "I'll take it to the grave, but I don't like it, Kendra."
Smiling shakily, Kendra embraced Navy tightly, letting a few tears slip down her cheeks. "I didn't say you had to, but thank you for respecting my wishes about this." She whispered, pulling back to wipe away her tears, sniffling slightly. "Come on, we need to get to class before our perfect attendance is destroyed."
Navy rolled her eyes and simply nodded, shouldering her book bag, suddenly wondering where Kendra's was. "Did you forget your bag today?" She asked curiously, causing Kendra to nod.
"Yeah, I left it at the rink on accident. I'll get it today when I go practice." She replied, knowing the teachers would understand, both girls heading to World History.
World History was their favorite class because, not only did they have it together, but Mr. Daniels was easy on the eyes…at least to Kendra. The teacher was cute, but nobody compared to Jacob Black in Navy's eyes. They took their seats in the middle and Navy pulled her book out while Kendra asked Mr. Daniels if she could borrow one. Mr. Daniels gave her one without hesitation, knowing Kendra very rarely ever showed up without her book. That was another reason why the girls liked this teacher so much; he usually understood when promises arose.
Navy looked up when the door opened, Bella Swan walking in alongside Edward Cullen, both of them looking sheepish as they handed over their written excuses. Edward was very fluent in his motions as he guided Bella to her seat, topaz eyes only for her, and Navy knew Jacob would blow a gasket if he ever saw that. She bit her bottom lip and looked down at her notebook, beginning to write notes down while Mr. Daniels began the lecture again. Navy was totally oblivious to the fact that Edward Cullen was not only immortal, but could read every mind in the classroom aside from Bella's.
This meant Edward knew exactly how Navy felt about Jacob Black.
When class ended, Mr. Daniels having assigned a study packet for an upcoming test, Navy walked out behind Kendra, both of them having Biology next. Though before Navy made it to class, she was stopped by a quiet voice, slowly turning around as hazel eyes locked on topaz. It was Edward Cullen and he was alone, Bella not attached to his hip.
"Naveya, correct?"
"Navy." She corrected evenly, holding her books against her chest, knowing she didn't have much time to get from World History to Biology. "Is there something I can help you with?"
"Yes, actually, there is." Edward took a step toward the girl, his eyes narrowing slightly, trying not to be rude about this, but refused to back down. "I would greatly appreciate if you did not think poorly about Bella."
Navy blinked several times, wondering if she heard him right, arching a very slow eyebrow. "Umm I don't think anything bad about her…" She watched Edward's eyes turn to nearly black, swallowing hard, actually taking a step back.
"Please be kind enough not to lie to me in my presence, Naveya." Edward refused to call her anything else, his fists clenched tightly at his sides. "I assure you she does not have remotely any of the feelings as you do for Jacob Black." His face scrunched up when he spoke that name, a funny taste being left in his mouth. "Thank you for your time."
Navy could only watch him walk away, wondering what in the hell was going on, raking a hand through her hair. Then she realized she was trembling and not in a good way, causing her to swallow hard. What did Edward Cullen mean by her thinking poorly of Bella and how did he know that? An even bigger question entered her mind as Navy headed down the hallway…how did he know how she truly felt for her best friend?
After Biology, it was time for lunch as Navy robotically walked in the cafeteria, still completely blindsided by her earlier brief conversation with Edward Cullen. She sat down at the table, waiting for Kendra, and pulled her sandwich out slowly. No matter how hard she tried, Navy could not get Edward's words out of her mind, glancing over at the Cullen table with worried eyes.
"Hey, are you okay?" Kendra asked, sitting down beside Navy, who looked to be a million miles away.
"Yeah, I'm fine…" She whispered, immediately lowering her gaze when the Cullens began looking over toward her, suddenly feeling very self-conscious.
Meanwhile, at the Cullen table, Edward was being berated by his adopted sister, Alice, for his stupidity. "Edward, do you have ANY idea how dangerous this is?!" She exclaimed quietly, the rest of the Cullens staring a hole through him.
"She had to be warned." Edward stated simply, wrapping a protective arm around Bella's shoulders, eyes narrowed to slits. "Nobody is going to take her away from me."
"Edward, please calm down. She is Jacob's best friend, I asked my dad about her. Apparently, they've been friends since they were little." Bella replied softly, looking down when he refused to look at her, clasping her hands together in her lap. "Edward…"
"You were a complete fool, Edward." Rosalie spoke up, a hint of annoyance laced in her tone; beautiful golden locks flowing down her back in loose curls. "You nearly destroyed our cover because of how overprotective you are of her." A hint of disdain came into Rosalie's voice on the word her; not liking the fact her adopted brother was dating a human.
"I'm sorry." Bella whispered solemnly, feeling Edward's arm tighten around her shoulders, slowly looking up at him with tears in her eyes. "Can we get out of here?"
Edward nodded mutely, shooting a deadly glare toward Rosalie, and stood up swiftly as he guided Bella out of the cafeteria. Rosalie, Emmett, Alice and Jasper all watched them, shaking their heads in disbelief. Ever since Edward started dating Bella, things hadn't been the same and the Cullens knew they would only get worse.
"I can't believe he actually threatened her." Alice murmured quietly, gesturing toward Naveya Dawson, feeling Jasper grasp her hand underneath the table. "We have to tell Carlisle."
"I think you two are overreacting." Emmett stated, leaning back against his chair. "I mean all Edward did was told her to stop thinking poorly of Bella."
"EXACTLY!" Rosalie growled, nudging her husband angrily, wondering what was going through that thick meathead of his. "That's the POINT, Em! He put our existence in jeopardy with what he said! He told her he knew what she was thinking basically, you don't find that just a LITTLE dangerous?"
Emmett sighed heavily, lowering his head, knowing he couldn't disagree with his wife. Edward had definitely crossed a line, but he would've done the same thing for Rosalie had the roles been reversed. He knew Jasper would for Alice because love made people do crazy insane things…like put their existence in jeopardy.
"I mean don't get me wrong, I do NOT like the fact that he's already risking our existence by being with her." Rosalie immediately stated, wanting to make it absolutely clear she was against this relationship. "Why couldn't he have gone with Tanya?"
"He doesn't love her, he loves Bella." Alice stated evenly, standing up from the table as well, deciding she'd had enough of lunch for one day. "I'm telling Carlisle about this just in case that Dawson girl decides to open her mouth about what Edward said."
The Cullens couldn't help agreeing with Alice, tossing their untouched food away, and walking out of the cafeteria.
"Girl, will you stop daydreaming?" Kendra grunted, clearly not amused with her best friend, who had her eyes fixated on the Cullen table. "What's wrong with you?"
Navy bit her bottom lip, wondering if she should tell Kendra what happened, deciding she had absolutely nothing to lose. "Edward Cullen stopped me outside of World History and had a small…talk…with me about Bella." She closed her eyes, wrapping her arms around herself, feeling chills run throughout her body. "Kendra, his eyes…"
"What did he say?" Kendra demanded, eyes narrowed, wondering who these guys thought they were to intimidate poor defenseless girls. "Navy, you look like you're either going to faint or throw up."
"He said he…knew what I was thinking. He didn't say it in those words, but the basic gist of it was he wants me to stop thinking badly of Bella." Navy's voice was a mere whisper by now, staring straight ahead, knowing she sounded absolutely insane, but it was the truth. "Then he proceeded to tell me that Bella had absolutely no feelings for Jake like I do and walked away. Kendra, how the HELL does he know how I feel about Jake?!"
Kendra didn't say anything for a minute, trying to wrap her mind around this. "He said he KNEW what you were thinking?" When Navy nodded, Kendra looked more confused than ever. "But…how is that possible? So he basically said he reads minds?"
"He didn't say THAT, but it sure as hell sounded like it. Kendra, NOBODY knows how I feel about Jacob except you. I've mastered hiding my feelings from him and you know I'm right." Navy was officially freaked out, swallowing past the lump in her throat, more chills forcing their way throughout her form. "I can't help how I think either, so what the hell am I supposed to do?"
"The next time he threatens you, you go straight to the principal and report it." Kendra ordered, not even suggesting it, eyes narrowed when Navy just arched an eyebrow. "Don't even suggest the same thing for Rick."
"Why shouldn't I? You're the one who said it yourself you didn't want problems arising with Rick. So how is this any different?" When Kendra actually sat there somewhat stunned, Navy decided it was time to change the subject, knowing she was right.
Before either girl could say anything else, the cafeteria door slowly opened, causing all eyes to fixate on the individual. He was an outsider and didn't belong with the pale faces –that's what the people on the reservation called people from Forks-, but he had a delivery to make. Ignoring their shocked gasps and narrowed eyes, he squared his shoulders and walked over to where Kendra Nelson stood, her book bag in his hand.
Navy blinked when a near six foot tall russet colored guy came walking up to them, watching Kendra slowly turn around as their eyes locked again. She knew instantly this was the guy who saved her friend the night before and wanted to give him the biggest hug, thinking it was incredibly sweet that he was returning her bag on school grounds. Normally, the reservation students weren't allowed on Forks High School property, but it seemed as though this guy didn't care.
"You left this at the skating rink last night." His raspy voice was low and soft, slowly handing over the book bag to a shell-shocked Kendra, smiling softly. "I know I shouldn't be here, but I figured you'd need that for classes."
Kendra couldn't help staring up in his deep brown eyes, swallowing hard, trying to force some sort of response to come from her mouth. "Thank you." That was the best she could muster up, watching him nod once before walking away.
"Get up and go after him!" Navy ordered as she practically shoved Kendra out of her seat, holding onto her bag, knowing she didn't have much time. "GO!"
Kendra didn't know why she was doing this, but felt she had to thank the guy somehow. She took off out of the cafeteria, everyone having witnessed the moment, honestly not caring. The Cullens were currently in a group as she rushed past them, spotting the guy a few hundred feet from her.
"HEY!" She called, knowing she was making a huge spectacle, but Kendra couldn't let him get away from her.
He turned around with a black eyebrow raised in wonder, tilting his head slightly to the side, and waited for her to run up to him. He couldn't help smirking at how heavy she was breathing from running, folding his arms in front of his chest. She was absolutely adorable for a pale face, though her best feature was no doubt those hypnotizing grey orbs.
"Yes?"
Kendra bit her bottom lip, staring deep into his eyes again, holding her hand up in a one second gesture to catch her breath. "What's…your…name?" She asked in between gasps, blushing when he chuckled at her.
"You ran all the way over here just to ask me that?" He couldn't help asking, finding it extremely amusing, watching her nod emphatically. "Jared….Jared Tinsel."
"Well Jared Tinsel, I want to thank you properly for what you did for me today and last night." She said, once her breathing became normal again. "If you'll let me that is."
"Depends how you want to do that." Jared sounded a little skeptical, watching a soft smile cross her lips as she stepped toward him.
Without a word, Kendra cupped his face in her gentle hand, feeling as though it was burning because of how hot his skin was. It didn't matter as her lips softly touched his, her entire body shivering from the contact, slowly pulling back, blushing furiously. Jared just stood there blinking and Kendra simply winked before heading back to the cafeteria, a triumphant smile on her face.