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Chapter 7 - Going Under

Now I will tell you what I've done for you
Fifty thousand tears I've cried
Screaming, deceiving and bleeding for you
And you still won't hear me, going under

Bella glanced up at the clock. Only 5 more minutes now. The day had been tortuously slow. Edward and Alice had picked her up that morning and driven her to school, intending to re-enroll and spend the day with her. After such a strange night, something as normal as school had seemed appealing. She'd had nightmares, and even Edward couldn't quiet them all. She hated the flashbacks the most. She'd had a few at school when someone had gotten too close and they always upset her. She felt hideous and broken. Edward had been so understanding. He'd explained that he'd seen flashbacks in other people's thoughts before and understood how confused she'd been. He'd reassured her that he would be with her all day.

Unfortunately, Mrs. Cope had kicked up a fuss, insisting that due notice had to be given, and that they could start tomorrow. The secretary hadn't caved, not even when Edward had tried directly to charm her. So she was alone. Now she regretted not taking a sick day, but at the time had not wanted to call Charlie for permission. Edward and Alice had had to leave the building and had gone home for the day, both to keep up appearances and to do ... something.

She knew that Jasper was in the woods near the school, where he'd intended to spend lunch break with Alice, but that didn't ease her loneliness. The old panic, familiar and painful, was there, buried under this new layer of optimism. She had floated through the day, buoyed by the knowledge that this was the last day to be alone in this way. It was odd not to feel like she was drowning, though maintaining it was a struggle.

Her classmates were still wary of her, not sure what to make of the zombie walking in their midst. She didn't often talk to them, and when she did it was short and uncomfortable. Though today was brighter, somehow, then the previous days she still felt the difference between herself and the 'kids' around her.

Though it seemed like it would never come, eventually the bell did ring. Bella gathered her things and walked straight for the parking lot, where she knew Edward was waiting for her.

She ignored her schoolmates as they shoved and jostled through the halls. She had to concentrate on the floor as they invaded her personal space. As she walked she reminded herself that they meant no harm, that they weren't trying to hurt her. Some acknowledged her and a few girls tried to get her attention, obviously wanting to discuss the Cullens.

She ignored all of them, looking forward to Edward's return to school tomorrow and the way he cut a path through the mass of students. She almost smiled, and was surprised to realize that the future felt more bearable.

Once outside, still looking down, she had more trouble fighting the flow of traffic, trying to angle her self towards the edge of the parking lot where Edward had to wait. The sun was out in all its spotty glory today, and it would keep Edward bound inside the car. She couldn't help but acknowledge the strange change in her own temperament. It had been a long time since she'd been hoping for sunshine.

She nudged the boy next to her as she made her way around a circle of friends talking to each other. He gave a low chuckle and blocked her path. Her head snapped up; she knew that sound. Paul. She looked around. Jared. Jacob. Embry. Quil. She was surrounded.

She knew she should fight, scream, do something to stop the nightmare from happening, but Jacob leaned over and whispered "Scream and we'll kill them.'' and she couldn't take the chance. She could see Jasper at the edge of the woods, trapped by a random ray of sunlight and the crowd. His expression was panicky as he spoke into his cell phone.

With Paul leading the way, Jacob on one side and Quil on the other, they wove tidily through the crowd. No one noticed, beyond a few girls who were eyeing the boys. It wasn't the first time the La Push boys had picked her up from school, and most of the high school kids were over it.

No one noticed the panicked expression on her face, no one cared that they were gripping her arms so tightly she thought the bones would break. They shoved her into the car, and drove away. She gave herself to the waves of red as the car turned away from all her hopes and dreams.

Jasper watched desperately as the wolves spirited away his sister. Edward and Alice had been caught by a hit and run, and would be too late to help. Edward was yelling at him over the phone, but the sound was drowned out by his frustration.

He'd failed Edward and Bella again.


Chapter Title and excerpt are from "Going Under" by Evanescence. Sorry for a short one - I dressed it up a little, and almost doubled the length. Transitions can be awkward.