So, I decided to update a new chapter tonight because I was so touched by the encouraging messages I recieved from my last author's note I posted. It's really amazing to see the support of so many people. To be honest, I've been having a really tough time lately. For a while, actually. I've just been dealing with so much and I don't have anyone I can talk to about this stuff. I had pulled away from this site for a bit, but posting on here helps me cope with all the stress in my life, so I decided to return.
I called attention to the guest reviewer because I want people to understand the effect that could have on someone when they bully them. Even though it's on the internet, things like that can cause serious damage, especially for someone (like me) who struggles with suicidal thoughts and depression. I'm a very strong person, but things get to me sometimes. And if it catches me on the wrong day, it can have some damaging effects. And I don't want people to get confused with constructive criticism and bullying. It's not okay to bully people who are putting themselves out there and using creative methods as a way of coping with things. If you don't like something, then please move on and find something else. There's no need to comment hateful things.
But, when I received all the support, I was so overwhelmed with happiness. I'm so glad there are so many people who enjoy my writing with all of my mistakes. I love writing and I will continue to post. Thank you all so much. I hope you enjoy this new chapter!
Chapter Eight
"How was your date Bella?" Angela asked as she walked into the teacher's lounge.
"How'd you hear about that?" I asked as I stirred my coffee.
"Alice," We both said at the same time.
"The date was okay. I guess it could've gone better." I shrugged.
She made a face, "That sucks. Was he cute?"
"Oh he was really cute. I never thought I'd be one for redheads, but he was pretty darn cute." I took a long sip of my coffee.
"Do you think there's going to be a second date?" She asked.
"I'm not sure. He didn't really seem that into me." I shrugged.
"What's important is that you got back out there, and you can start dating again," She smiled widely, "Maybe you'll even find Mr. Right."
I laughed, "You are a hopeless romantic."
"Being a hopeless romantic is a good thing," She started to the door, "Hey, don't forget the deadline is due today before six."
"I know," I sighed, "I'm on my way to do it now."
I grabbed my cup of coffee and walked to my classroom. This was my lunch/break time, which I used to grade paperwork. I didn't like to bring work home with me, that hindered the time I spent with Jake.
I sat down at my old computer, setting my coffee on the desk. As I opened gradebook, my cellphone buzzed. I opened the drawer I kept it in. An unknown number had left me a voicemail. I sighed, figuring it was a bill collector. I opened it to find out.
"Hey Bella, this is Edward, from Saturday night? I hope you don't mind, Alice gave me your number. I wanted to ask you on a second date. Perhaps this Saturday? If you're free? So just uh give me a call back. Um bye."
I replayed the message another time after I first listened to it. I think I might've been somewhat in shock that he called me for a second date.
I stared at my cellphone, wondering if I should call him back. I mean, I didn't dislike him. I didn't really know enough to say whether I liked him or not. He was perfectly nice and everything.
But, was he just calling me back for a second date because that's what was expected of him? Or did he genuinely want a second date? I growled and let my head drop onto the desk.
Damn it, why was it so hard for me to call this man back and agree to go on a second date? I dropped my phone into my drawer and reopened my gradebook. I couldn't worry about this now.
Final Period
"We've got twenty-five minutes left of class, I want you to partner up with someone and answer the questions in the back of the book, in full paragraphs. I want them by the end of the bell, or you won't receive a grade. I'm serious." I said as I sat back at my desk.
They partnered up, opening their textbooks. While they answered the questions, I finished putting the grades in my gradebook.
Ring! Ring!
When the bell rang, ending the day, all the students stood and put their papers into the turn-in tray on my desk.
"Thank you, have a good evening." I said as they filtered out of the classroom.
It'd be probably another hour before I could leave. I had to finish my gradebook. I reached into my drawer in grabbed my cellphone.
"Hey, mom."
"Hey honey," My mom answered, "How are you?"
"I'm fine," I said, "I might be a little late tonight. I have to finish my gradebook."
"That's alright, Jakey and me will have a great time."
"Okay, thank you. No candy mom. I'm serious."
She sighed, "A little candy won't hurt."
I laughed, "Where was this indulgence when I was a kid?"
"I'm his grandmother, I get to indulge him," She said, "Should I just make dinner tonight? Do you think you'll be that late?"
I looked at my gradebook, "Yeah. I might. I'm not sure, I just have to finish this gradebook. It's due tonight and I've got to send it in for report cards."
"Alright, dear, I'll save you a plate."
"Thanks mom, see you later."
I closed my phone and placed it on my desk. My fingers inched towards the keyboard, but my eyes stayed on my cellphone.
Should I call Edward back? Would he think I wasn't interested? I groaned and shook my head. I needed to finish my gradebook.
I was about halfway through my gradebook when I decided I needed a little break. My eyes were straining against the light of the computer screen.
I stretched as I walked to the teacher's lounge. I needed a hot tea to get me through the rest of this gradebook.
As I walked down the hallway, a familiar redhead turned the corner and started walking to me. I slowed as I recognized who it was.
"Edward?
"Bella?" He said, somewhat surprised.
"What are you doing here?" I asked.
"I'm here to see what's going on with the cheerleading squad," He said, "I got a call from the coach, and something happened so they're calling in all the parents."
I nodded, "Oh, yeah that situation."
His eyebrows shot up, "Uh oh, it's a situation."
I shrugged, "Its… girls being mean girls."
He sighed heavily, "Jeez. I hope Rosie wasn't involved."
"I don't know," I said, "I just heard about the situation in passing. I'm sure your daughter wasn't involved."
"I certainly hope so, I'd hate to think I raised a bully," He shook his head, "What are you doing here?"
"I uh work here."
He slapped his forehead gently, "Duh, that's right," he chuckled, "Um, did you get my message?"
"I did," I said, "I've been so busy today, grading and teaching. I was going to call you back, but the day got away from."
"Oh, okay," He nodded, "Well, I need to go see what's going."
"I wasn't blowing you off," I said when he started to walk away, "My day was really busy, I'm finishing my gradebook for report cards. I would like to go out again."
His eyebrows shot up, "Really?"
I couldn't help but laugh, "Yeah. Name the time and place and I'll be there."
He let out a relieved laugh, "Okay, yeah, I'll think of something."
I smiled, "Alrighty then, just call me and let me know where were going."
"Will do," He smiled, "Talk to you soon."
I continued to the teacher's lounge, blushing as I went. I guess I was going on a second date.
Edward's POV
Shock. I guess that was the best word to describe what I was feeling. I was in shock that Bella had actually agreed to go out again. I really thought she'd blow me off.
Well, it's great. I'm going on a second date. I'm making bigger steps then I thought I would.
I entered the gym. Several other parents were there to. Rose was sitting on the bleacher, her head down. I gulped and prayed that whatever happened, my daughter wasn't involved in it.
I sat behind her, my hand on her shoulder.
The cheerleading coach cleared her throat, "Today there was an incident that can be classified has hazing. I brought your parents in so they can understand that the kind of behavior displayed today will absolutely not be tolerated. The girls who were did this cruel prank have yet to be identified because no one will come forward. I can't do anything about what happened today unless someone gives me a name. If something like this happens again, we will shut down the entire cheerleading program this year and none of you will be back allowed on the squad next year. Parents, I advise you to talk to your daughters and let them know that bullying of any kind will not be tolerated. Thank you for coming in today."
The parents stood, some of them going to the coach and others walking out of the door. I tightened my hold on Rose's shoulder and walked her out to my car. I didn't need to ask the coach what happened, my daughter would tell me right now.
"What happened today?" I demanded once we were in the car.
"It really wasn't that big of a deal, dad," She said, her eyes wide at my tone. I rarely raised my voice to her.
"Rosalie Lillian Cullen, I am not playing. You better tell me what happened today. Right. Now."
She took a deep breath, "Some of the girls… just pulled a prank on the girls trying out. It really wasn't that big of a deal. I guess one of the girls got upset and told the principal."
I took a deep breath before I got to angry, "Rosalie, tell me what happened."
She looked down, "When the trying outs were in gym class, the other girls wrote stuff on the back of their shirts and cut holes into the back of their pants."
"Rosalie, did you do this?" I demanded.
"No, dad. Of course not." She said, her head snapping up.
"Do you know who did it?"
She shifted in her seat, "I guess some of the other girls. I don't know."
"If you do know who did it, then you need to tell the coach. Because you're just as bad as them if you don't say anything. Bullies like that are the worst kind of people and if they're going to act like that then they don't need to be on the cheerleading team."
"I know dad."
I started my car, "I'm serious Rosalie, I did not raise you to be like that. I also didn't raise you to keep quiet if things like this happen. I can't force you to tell me who did this, but I just hope that you don't go along with these mean girls. It's not okay. Because if I find out that you're apart of this, you'll be grounded so fast your head will spin. No more cheerleading, going out, and I'll start screening your friends."
"Okay, dad I get it. God." She said, thumping her head against the window.
"Don't give me an attitude about this, young lady. I'm not playing." I said.
She rolled her eyes, staring out the window. I knew my daughter wouldn't do something like this, she wasn't a mean girl. But it did worry me that she was potentially hanging out with mean girls. I didn't want her to be associated with bullies.
I took a deep breath; damn, I hated these parenting moments.
