Chapter 7: Tragedy revealed

After the swimming incident, Bella quit the team. She didn't tell anyone what had happened. She told Ms. Vitale that she wanted to concentrate on her first love of dancing. This was mostly the truth. In her junior year, Bella secured a scholarship to a prestigious performing arts college in Upstate New York. She didn't want anything to interfere with her goal.

Once James realized she wasn't a ghost, and that she didn't go to the authorities or school officials, the harassment gradually started again. His warped sense of pride would not let himself be beaten by a snobby little rich girl.

Bella stuck by her friends like Jessica, Tyler and Eric. Tyler half-jokingly called them 'MIV's' or, 'James's innocent Victims.'

To Bella's delight Jessica ended her blind crush on him. Eric admitted that James cut his violin strings in tenth grade and he cried the whole week. The 'MIV' list grew along with Bella's anger when she heard more stories. She tried to rally more support against him, but James reigned king.

During lunch on Friday, Bella sat idly in the auditorium watching the cheerleaders. They skipped around in their Daisy Dukes and chanting.

The girls were laughing and all out of sync. Mrs. Hanson was trying to lead them, but her presence was better suited in a classroom. A thought struck Bella. If anyone could set the story straight on Cullen, she could.

Teachers were usually above the scandalous rumors of students. Bella went down the aisle and climbed upon the stage. Mrs. Hanson was resting the back and placing her sandals on.

"Hi, Bella, did you enjoy that?"

Bella laughed. "It was certainly interesting. I wanted to know if I could speak to you."

Mrs. Hanson invited her to sit down. It was hard for Bella to open the conversation but her desire for answers overcame her fear.

"It's about another student in our class. All the students are saying terrible things about him, I mean, they're afraid of him, but I don't want to be."

"Have you spoken to anyone else about him?" She asked knowingly.

"Yes, and I can't believe everything they say is all true, especially not now."

Asking Mrs. Hanson to keep the matter in strictest confidence, Bella related what happened in Biology class, in the cafeteria, and even the pool. She kept the pool incident low-key. She decided against using names and was glad that Mrs. Hanson didn't press her for them. Mrs. Hanson listened calmly, and was surprised at the outcome.

"Now Bella, after your experiences with him, do you really believe that Edward Cullen would have done all the things he's accused of?"

"No! It's so ridiculous. Breaking cop's legs? You would think he'd be in jail. Do you know why they say all this stuff, Mrs. Hanson? I know something happened, something bad. I can see it in his face."

Mrs. Hanson took note of the deep sincerity in her voice and decided to share the tragic story.

" It was about a year ago. Edward and his brother Eric were home alone. They found their father's gun and it accidentally went off and killed Eric. Edward found the body. The story made it to the papers and the evening news."

Bella took a sharp breath because she wanted to sob. This was his dark secret. Flabbergasted, she stood up. The lunch period was ending.

"Thank You Mrs. Hanson, I'm glad I talked to somebody who knew the truth."

"You're welcome Bella. It's nice to know Edward has someone he can call a friend."

They walked out together and Mrs. Hanson went up to the second floor. Bella crossed her arms and leaned on the wall, lost in thought.

Being Edward Cullen's friend had not really crossed her mind and she felt very guilty. Could she befriend him? Would he allow her to? She was certainly going to try now.

-O-

As she turned the corner near the gym, Bella halted. James and Stan were leaning against the sports heroes' display. She spun around and headed to the other exit, but their voices were growing closer and she panicked.

She looked both ways and quickly barreled into a bathroom. It looked and smelled like the janitor took a permanent vacation. She jumped into the third stall from the left and slightly crouched on the toilet. The door swung open and James and Stan strolled in. It hit her with dismay that she was in the boy's bathroom." Fuck."

The two stood over the sink combing their hair. They kept gabbing about hot chicks and getting pussy. Stan fawned over Tanya Denali in English class. James agreed that she was a girl who knew he wouldn't, "Take no for an answer."

Bella shifted to keep her balance; she picked at her fingernails praying they would leave. Their voices drifted away and the door shut. She sighed and stepped from the stall.

James and Stan were waiting against the door, arms crossed, with mean smirks. She was in for it now. She backed into the door of an occupied stall and groaned. James waltzed up to her while Stan locked the main door.

"See Stan, I knew she was a cock tease, look at her in the boys bathroom!"

Stan did a 'nyuck, nyuck' laugh. "Nah, Maybe this is the only way she can a date?"

James's dark eyes pierced through her.

"No! I think she likes drinking out of our toilets, the water tastes better, since that's the case…"

James punched the stall she had been hiding in.

"Let's give her a drink! Come here, Stan!"

Stan sauntered over and snatched her right arm and James her left. Bella struggled, but they were stronger.

"Get off me you fucking assholes! Please Help!" She shouted loudly.

They kept laughing and dragged her toward the toilet. She planted her feet solidly on the tile, and in a desperate move pulled her body backwards, crouching for more resistance. She wasn't going down without a fight.

"This bitch doesn't give up!"

James lurched on her arm and she stumbled forward.

The occupied stall beside them was flushed, and like a giant awakened, Edward Cullen popped up instantly.

He tossed his barely smoked cigarette in the bowl and put on his jacket. James and Stan dropped Bella's arms and she fell on her behind.

"Hey Stan, let's get some lunch, okay?"

Cullen remained silent. He strutted from the stall to the sink and washed his hands very carefully, even digging under his fingernails. He was stalling until they left.

They elbowed each other and headed for the door. James couldn't resist a last comment.

"Hey Bella, we'll make sure to catch up to ya again soon."

Bella dusted herself off. The whole scene was amazing. Edward never said a word and they backed off in a heartbeat. She knew he had to help her. Edward finished and stalked out.

"Oh hell no you don't!" She said aloud.

She hurried after Edward; his gait was quick and she ran to keep up his pace. He headed straight out of school on the side of the football field. Bella stopped short. Even though the bell rang five minutes ago she didn't want to cut class.

"Grrr! Edward skipped out and he's my damn lab partner!" She thought angrily.

She left the building and caught him cutting across toward the bleachers. She called to him.

"Cullen! Edward! Edward! Please wait, I just want to talk to you! Please!"

Edward heard the desperation in her voice and reluctantly slowed down. He clicked his teeth and came to a halt; she always had an effect on him. "Fuck what am I? Pussy whipped?" he thought.

"What the fuck do you want, Bella? I already told you, I did what I did, and you don't have to keep thanking me. Why do you keep following me?"

He moved closer as a gesture of intimidation. Bella didn't flinch; he already proved he wasn't going to hurt her when he saved her life.

"Edward, I want to ask you something important. You know James has been out to get me for a while, you heard his threat before, It's becoming way too much, as much as I hate to admit this. I'm… scared."

She looked down and swallowed hard, fighting back tears. She traced lines in the dust.

"I'm listening." Edward said finally. A gut feeling attacked him; he couldn't deny that he was seriously attracted to her.

"I wanted to know if…you'd be my bodyguard. My protector? I would pay you of course! twenty-five dollars a week, and I can do your homework, I'm pretty smart, maybe the others will see you're not what they thought and hire you too. I have it planned out."

Edward looked at her incredulously. He didn't want all this pressure. The old familiar feeling of worthlessness sprang upon him.

"I…I don't think so."

He went back into school to get some tools from his locker. She followed and did a semi-dance around him. Edward forced himself not to look at her.

"Edward…all I want..."

He spun around. "Do you always get what you want?"

The comment caught her off guard, but she didn't give up.

"Okay, forget me, you'd be helping everyone in school! It could really be to your advantage. You would be a hero! You're my hero Edward. I want to be your friend, I owe you my life."

She spoke the last part about friendship and her life softly. For a moment they looked tenderly into each other's eyes, and then Bella proceeded begging.

"Please! I promise I won't bother you anymore, I know you don't want to be bothered; I know what happened to your brother and you…"

Edward's eyes flashed but his tone remained calm as he cut her off. "Oh you do, huh?"

Bella looked away sheepishly, then back up at him. There was a glowing intensity in her face.

"Okay, I only heard about it. I'm sorry. It must have been awful to know he died and you weren't able to do anything about it. You feel like it's your fault don't you? I know you do, and sometimes everyone around you make you feel that way too."

Edward listened for a moment in curiosity. She depicted his exact mind-set but it was like she took it personally. Bella snapped out of her thoughts. Her brown eyes implored him.

"Fuck what is she doing to me?"

Edward couldn't say 'no' to her. He wanted a friend.

"Alright Swan...Bella, I'll do it for twenty-five dollars a week until your big plan is over with."

Bella smiled brightly. As the last bell rang she jumped up and kissed him on the cheek.

She caught him off guard and he grabbed her. He held her off the ground and their faces nearly touched. Bella took the opportunity and hugged him tight.

"Thank you so much! You're a life saver!"

She waved goodbye and ran to her locker. Edward was dumbfounded. He had no idea what he was getting himself into. He softly touched his cheek and smiled.