Remember, I own nothing related to Twilight!
Edward POV
Bella was cracking up in the passenger seat, tears, streaming down her cheeks, as she laughed at me. I was frowning as I stared out the windshield. I had made the mistake of telling her about the time I was dared by my brothers to streak through an old lady's bingo club wearing nothing but a cowboy hat which led to my arrest, and how one of the old ladies came and bailed me out offering to be my cougar.
"The image…in, hahah, in my he-head, is…oh my gosh…SO FUNNY!" Bella was gasping for breath and fanning herself. I found her incredibly beautiful in this moment.
I rolled my eyes and sighed. "Remind me to never tell you anymore stories."
Bella calmed down, only giggling here and there. She looked at me and placed her warm hand on my thigh. I stopped breathing and looked at her. Bella was looking at me through her lashes and it was driving me insane.
"I'm sorry Edward, forgive me?" Bella whispered sweetly.
I nodded, dazed by her innocent expression. Damn her. I was putty in her hands. Bella smiled victoriously and I rolled my eyes, grinning. After going to the grocery, Bella decided she wanted Chinese for dinner. She called her and Kelsey in an order and we picked it up on the way home. The smell, though unappetizing to me, was causing Bella's stomach to rumble. My Volvo was loaded down with groceries. Milk, frozen food, fruit, boxed dinners, pasta, cans, cereal, anything and everything that Bella and Kelsey could like was in my car. Bella had been planning a surprise for Kelsey's birthday while we were out. She was going to enlist Esme's help to make a cake, Rosalie to decorate, and get Alice to makeover Kelsey. We were going to get her gift on Saturday.
"How are you going to convince Kelsey to let Alice dress her up?" I asked with a hint of disbelief.
Bell crossed her legs in her seat and twirled her hair. "Well, despite popular belief, Kelsey is very girly. She loves clothes. She loves shopping. But with no money, she has put her love for fashion on the back burner. Carlisle said she should be released from her bed by her birthday this coming Friday. So, Alice will swoop in and make the kill." Bella seemed proud of her plan.
We pulled into the drive and I parked the car. Bella got out and proceeded to help me with the groceries. In a matter of minutes, the groceries were in the kitchen ready for Esme to sort. Bella flitted to the car for the Chinese food and handed it to me. As I was holding the food, Bella retrieved two canned drinks for herself and Kelsey. Bella took off for Kelsey's room and I was right behind her.
Laughing was coming from the other side of the door. Bella looked at me in shock and I shared her look. I knocked on the door and was ordered to come in by Kelsey. I opened the door and Bella stepped in first. Zack was sitting on the bed next to Kelsey. They were watching a movie. Kelsey was looking better and she was smiling. Bella's breath hitched as she watched the exchange.
"Hey Bells," Kelsey said cheerily, "what's in the bag?"
Bella walked forward and sat the drinks on the bed. "Chinese food!"
Kelsey's eyes lit up even brighter at the mention of her favorite food.
"Why don't y'all join us?" Kelsey asked as she looked to Zack for approval. Zack grinned and nodded.
"Sure. Edward can you get us some chairs or something?" Bella asked me politely.
I nodded and sat the food on the bed before dashing out of the room. I grabbed the king sized inflatable mattress and some sheets and pillows and ran back. Bella helped me set everything up and we settled onto the mattress as Bella and Kelsey began eating their dinner. Zack had changed movies. We were watching a Disney movie the girls loved, Princess and the Frog, when there was rapid knocking at the door.
"Come in." Kelsey called around a mouthful of food.
The door swung open to reveal my other siblings. Alice was bouncing excitedly.
"Can we join in the movie marathon?" Alice asked excitedly.
Bella looked over at Kelsey, who had noodles hanging out of her mouth. Kelsey shrugged and slurped up her noodles. Alice took that as a yes and waltzed in with the others behind her. Emmett and Jasper were carrying their respective air mattresses. They set them up in different spots and snuggled up to their significant other.
We spent our night like this. Watching movies and talking. Every time Bella laughed or smiled I fell deeper in love with her. I decided I was going to tell her soon. Possibly Saturday, if not sooner. Kelsey and Zack were slowly beginning to bond, though Kelsey was more hesitant than Zack. Eventually my siblings left to spend time together. Kelsey asked for more pain medicine and was knocked out. Zack stayed with her while Bella and I departed to her guest room. Bella changed and got into bed, asking me to join her. I happily obliged of course. As Bella laid sleeping, she sighed my name, causing me immense happiness. My long, immortal life was looking up.
Bella POV
I wasn't sure how long I had been asleep. It was going on three in the morning when I finally gave in to my tiredness. I didn't feel very good. Actually, I felt like I had been hit by a semi-truck. I groaned and shifted, which turned out to be a major mistake. Immediately, my thighs clenched together and my eyes flew open.
"Bella?" Edward asked alarmed. He tried to move me, to look into my eyes, but I refused to comply.
I leaped from the bed in a blur and locked myself in the bathroom. I sat on the toilet and pulled down my sleep pants and underwear and was mortified to see the half-dollar sized red stain.
"Bella?!" Edward called in a frantic voice as he knocked rapidly on the door. "What's wrong?"
I blushed a fiery red and tried to keep the embarrassment from my voice. "Nothing…I um, am having a girl issue."
Edward was silent. I could only imagine the look of confusion on his face.
"What are you talking about Bella?" Edward was really worried. I sighed and then groaned.
"Edward, please just leave me alone long enough to shower and get ready for school and I will explain later. Tell Esme not to make me breakfast. Please." I told him gently.
I could feel Edward was hesitant, but he walked away and I was left alone. I relaxed on the toilet and groaned again. After another moment of self-pity, I cleaned up and jumped in the shower. The hot water felt amazing on my skin and it released some of my tension. Eventually I got out of the shower and dried off carefully. I decided to forgo looking cute today and settled on comfy. Searching through my bag I found a pair of loose, dark gray sweats and my favorite worn dark, blue long-sleeved, t-shirt. I got ready to put my underwear on and realized there were no pads or tampons in my bag. I cursed and decided to conjure one up. I lightly touched my panties and concentrated on creating a pad. After a second, a lightly scented pad appeared and I sighed in relief. I quickly put on my clothes and turned to the mirror. My hair was still wet, but I didn't care. I towel dried it and left it alone to finish airing out. I brushed my teeth and settled on not doing any makeup today. After slipping on my beat up black vans, I left the bathroom in search of Edward.
I found him in his room looking out his glass window. His tense body showed worry and I could see the reflection of his furrowed brow in the glass. I quietly made my way over to him and wrapped my arms around his middle. Edward jumped, startled, but relaxed once he realized it was me. He turned around and wrapped me up in his arms.
"You okay?" He asked seriously.
I nodded my head and opened my mind. It's my…time of the month. I was hoping he knew what I meant.
After a moment, realization dawned on his face and he looked sheepish.
"Sorry. Anything I can get you?" Edward asked sweetly.
I smiled at him and shook my head. "I just need to run to the store before school."
Edward nodded, picked me up bridal style, and ran me downstairs. I released a squeal of protest and giggled as we flew through the house. Edward sat me down and grinned at me. I rolled my eyes and laughed as I headed for the kitchen. I rummaged through the cabinets until I found my strawberry Pop-Tarts. I grabbed a package and then plucked a can of Coca-Cola from the fridge.
"Is Kelsey awake?" I asked Edward, who was casually and sexily leaning against the counter with his arms crossed might I add.
Edward listened for a moment before shaking his head no. I nodded and decided to just see Kelsey after school. Edward held my free hand as we walked to the car. He opened the door for me and then ran around to his side and started the car. I looked at the time on the dash: 7:10 a.m. We had plenty of time. Edward took off and I relaxed into my seat. I was dreading this school day.
I knew when I walked into class and Lauren Mallory smirked at me it was going to be an eventful day. Edward had been very forgiving with my mood swings as well as the other Cullen's. Though Emmett had received plenty of smacks throughout the day. We were sitting at lunch now. I was munching on an apple as the others pretended to eat. Lauren had decided to move her table closer to ours today. She was being brave because Kelsey wasn't here. I had been ignoring her comments all day, but my patience was wearing thin. Edward noticed this and did his best to comfort me. Right now he was rubbing my back and it was helping. The bell rang dismissing lunch. We all stood and left the cafeteria. As we were walking down the hall, Edward mumbled under his breath.
"Mallory's behind us." He growled softly and pulled me close.
At that moment, the she-devil in question was walking past us talking to some girl, Amanda, I think was her name.
"Yeah, I don't know about you, but honestly, I like, think that their parents, like abandoned them because they're like, freaks ya know? That was probably, like, the best decision anyways." Lauren "whispered" this to her friend.
I stopped dead in my tracks.
"Bella?" Edward asked cautiously.
Lauren kept talking. "Actually, I heard that they killed their parents. And the reason Kelsey is gone is because she was arrested for killing them."
I didn't register the fact that Alice had yelled for Edward to grab me, I didn't hear Edward yelling my name, I didn't notice the way Lauren was gasping for breath under my grasp, all I was focused on was ending her life.
Lauren was pinned against a locker, my hand around her throat, squeezing. She was clawing futilely at my arm and kicking her legs.
"Say one more thing bitch." My voice was a growl but I didn't care.
Her face was turning red and now blue from lack of oxygen.
"I can't hear you. Say something you stupid bitch." I knew my eyes were almost black and I was using too much force. Oh well.
If I squeezed a little harder… Suddenly I was pulled off of Lauren. Lauren fell to the ground, crying and gasping. Her neck was red and bruising from the force I had asserted. Amanda helped Lauren up after she finally stopped gasping like a fish. Lauren glared at me, but didn't make a move forward. Amanda was smart and kept quiet.
"What's your fucking problem?" Lauren croaked out. She winced at the pain.
I fought against the arms holding me—Emmett and Edward—but they had a good grip on me.
"If you say one more thing about me or my sister, even so much as a thought, Edward and Emmett won't be there in time to stop me. You think being choked was bad? Wait till Kelsey finds out what you said." I smirked at the end. Lauren was terrified of Kelsey.
Lauren gulped at the mention of Kelsey. A teacher appeared out of nowhere, breaking through the crowd of people we had created. It was the AP English teacher.
"What is going on?!" She demanded in her shrill voice.
The teacher took in the way Emmett and Edward were holding me and the fact that Lauren was crying.
"That freak Bella Swan just tried to kill me! Then she threatened me!" Lauren wailed with bugged out eyes.
I glared at her and made a move towards her, even though I couldn't go anywhere, and took pleasure in watching her flinch back.
"Quit being dramatic Mallory. If you hadn't provoked her, Bella wouldn't have attacked you." Rosalie quipped from her spot next to Alice.
Lauren glared at Rosalie. "Shut it Hale!"
Rosalie raised an eyebrow and started walking to Lauren. Lauren screamed and hid behind Amanda. Amanda's eyes started to water in fear. Rosalie's advance was stopped by Alice grabbing her arm.
"Enough!" The teacher, Mrs. Blake, shouted. "Bella, Lauren, Amanda, and the Cullen's report to the office now. Everyone else get to class!"
Everyone scampered off whispering about the fight. Emmett let me go and I fell into Edward's arms. I was fighting back tears now that my adrenaline was wearing off. He was soothing me as we walked to the office. Lauren and Amanda sat on one side of the room, while we occupied the other. Lauren was faking more tears and glaring at me. I rolled my eyes and leaned into Edward, happy to see Lauren become angry at our embrace.
One by one, the Cullen's, and Amanda were called into the office. When Amanda walked out, she looked sheepish as she fast-walked past Lauren. Lauren glared at her as Amanda ran off. Alice was the last one called in before me and Lauren. When she walked out, Alice winked at me and I smiled at her. I loved my physic pixie. Finally Principal Greene called us both into his office. Lauren shoved me aside, walked in first, and began crying and wailing. I sat down in my seat and rolled my eyes.
"Principal Greene! Bella choked me and verbally threatened me when I did absolutely nothing to her! My neck is going to bruise and if anything Bella needs to be arrested for assault! No, she needs to be expelled! My father—"Lauren's monologue was cut off by Principal Greene raising his hand and giving her a tired look.
Lauren, thinking she had won her case, smiled smugly at me and snickered. Cue eye roll. Principal Greene cleared his throat and sighed.
"Every witness I called in here said that you, Ms. Mallory, have been making rude and snide comments to Ms. Swan all school day. Each witness also informed me that Bella had not made a move to attack you until you brought up her parents deaths. Every witness also testified that you did indeed attack Ms. Mallory, Ms. Swan." Principal Greene turned to me and waited for my answer.
"Yes I did sir." I told him honestly.
"See! Expel her!" Lauren demanded.
She was really wanting me to beat her head in, in front of the principal wasn't she?
"Lauren, since you provoked the fight, you are suspended for three days and cannot cheer in the next three games, or upcoming pep rally," Lauren let out a shriek of protest, Principal Greene ignored her and turned to me, "Bella, you are suspended for three days and will have to stay three days after school."
I nodded and accepted my punishment. Lauren on the other hand was furious.
"That is not fair! That bitch should be expelled!" Lauren screamed.
"Oh, I'm sorry Ms. Mallory. Let me change my punishment." Principle Greene smiled kindly, but I could see the mischief in his eyes.
"It has come to my attention that you have been having a little too much fun in the janitor closet, Ms. Mallory." Principal Greene narrowed his eyes at Lauren.
Lauren's eyes widened, her heartbeat picked up, and I could smell the fear coming off of her. She began stuttering and trying to defend herself. I smirked and enjoyed the show.
"Enough Ms. Mallory. Your parents are on their way and ah, it looks like your accomplice is here now. Come in Mr. Matthews." Principal Greene greeted someone behind me.
I saw an angry Mark Matthews standing in the doorway with his even angrier parents behind him glaring daggers at their son. Matthews was a star athlete at the school and his parents had a good name and were well off. I was loving this. Lauren's eyes were rimmed with tears, but I didn't feel sorry for her.
"Ms. Swan, your suspension starts tomorrow and will last through Friday and Monday with your after school duty following that. In the future, please control your temper." Principal Greene was attempting to be professional, but I could see the humor in his eyes.
I grinned before getting up and squeezing past the three people in the doorway. I left the office and found Edward waiting for me, along with Alice. Edward had worry lines on his forehead. They immediately disappeared when his eyes caught mine. Once I reached him I was pulled into his embrace.
"I was worried about you!" Edward exclaimed.
I rolled my eyes at his over-protectiveness and pulled away with a smile.
"I told him you were fine Bella." Alice chirped.
"Thank you Alice. I'm suspended for three days and then I have three days of after school detention. As for Lauren…she had it pretty easy, until Greene dropped a bomb on her." I smirked at that. Lauren was an idiot.
"Well, I just happened to have a vision of Lauren hooking up with Mark in the janitor's closet and everyone know Mark keeps pot in his car. It was simple really." Alice said smugly.
"Thank you all-seeing Pixie." I replied sarcastically. Edward chuckled and Alice stuck her nose in the air.
"I will not take offense to that comment because to make up for it, you are going shopping with me Sunday." Alice said evilly.
I groaned and put my head on Edward's chest. Edward's chest vibrated with laughter and I punched him lightly.
"Oh Bella, tomorrow after we get home from school we are all going to your apartment to move everything out." Alice informed me.
"Sounds good." I said with a yawn.
Alice, Edward, and I made our separate ways to our last classes of the day. Unfortunately mine was gym. We didn't have to do much other than watch a health video. As soon as the bell rang I was out the gym doors and waiting at the silver Volvo for my Edward.
Yes, my Edward. While watching the movie in gym class, my mind had wandered to Edward. He consumed my thoughts every minute of the day. When we touched, I always felt a jolt of electricity. He made my already rapid heartbeat faster and butterflies dance in my stomach. I loved him. It was an easy conclusion to come to. But, there was a small part of me, in the back of my mind, that worried. Kelsey's words played through my mind. Getting close to Edward…just to have him taken from me…it would kill me. Especially since I knew there was still the chance that our past could come back to bite us in the butt. I hadn't told Edward about the vampire looking for us…
"Bella? Love, are you okay?" Edward's velvet voice broke me from my thoughts.
I blinked and came back to reality. Edward was standing in front of me, watching me worriedly. I smiled and reached out for him. The familiar shock of electricity jumped between our hands as our fingers laced together.
"Yes, I'm fine. Do you think Esme would be up for making some stuffed green peppers tonight?" I asked to distract him from asking me about my thoughts.
"I'm sure." Edward smiled lovingly and opened my door for me. I got in and waited for Edward to get in and drive off.
I made the resolution to tell Edward on Saturday about my troubles.
(still Bella POV)
When we arrived home, Edward followed me upstairs. Kelsey was awake now. We flew through the house until we reached the room Kelsey was confined to. I knocked on the door and after Kelsey called us inside, we walked through the door. Kelsey was sitting upright, I happily noticed the only thing hooked to her now was a blood drip. Her bruising and swelling was almost gone completely. She was still in her casts, but I was sure she would be out of them in the next week. Right now Kelsey and Zack were playing cards. It looked like some complicated game but they were enjoying it.
"Hey y'all." Kelsey smiled at us before turning back to her game.
"Sup." Zack said as he raced to put down and pick up cards.
We waited for them to finish. Zack won, but just barely. He grinned and Kelsey pouted before rolling her eyes and smiling softly.
"What game was that?" Edward asked curiously.
Kelsey looked to Zack for explanation. "It's called James Bond, but I don't know why." Zack answered.
Edward looked thoughtful for a moment. I turned to Kelsey.
"How was your day?" I asked conversationally.
"Good. Zack went hunting briefly and Esme made me some breakfast. When Zack came back he looked me over and we've been playing cards ever since." Kelsey said with a grin.
I smiled back, happy that she wasn't slipping into depression over being bed-ridden.
"How was yours?" Kelsey asked in return.
Edward chuckled from beside me and I hit him in the chest before hissing. He lifted his arms in surrender and stopped chuckling. Kelsey raised her eyebrows and gave me her 'mother Kelsey' look. I sighed before groaning.
"Well, I kind of got suspended for three days and then I have three days of detention." I told her sheepishly.
Kelsey's eyes bugged out of her head. "What happened?!" She demanded.
I winced at her tone before explaining. "Lauren Mallory happened. She said we were the reason our parents died and that you weren't at school because you were in custody for their deaths."
I waited for her to explode. 5, 4, 3, 2…
"That bitch! Zack, unhook me. I'm gonna limp my crippled ass to her house and fry her to a slutty crisp! Wait till I get a hold of her!" Kelsey was yelling profanities and attempting to unhook her blood drip.
Zack, gently, grasped her good hand and pulled it away from her tubing. Kelsey glared at him and narrowed her eyes and hissed. Zack gave her a look and began rubbing his thumb across her hand. He started murmuring to her quietly and I watched in amazement as Kelsey's eyes softened as he spoke to her. Kelsey dropped her head and nodded. Zack smiled at her and kissed her hand. Kelsey returned his smile and looked up at me.
"Did she at least get punished?" Kelsey asked exasperated.
I nodded. "Well, it was only school suspension and then cheer suspension, but then Mr. Greene found out about her and Mark and now I don't know what happened to her."
Kelsey looked moderately satisfied and sighed.
"Good. Uh, Bells, can you help me do something?" Kelsey asked nervously. Her cheeks were turning pink.
"Of course." I said honestly. "What is it?"
"Zack talked to Carlisle today…and I'm not free from my bed until next week. So, I was wondering if you and maybe Alice or someone could, uh, help me, shower or something?" Kelsey mumbled the end part and her cheeks got redder.
Suddenly, the door burst open and there stood Alice. In her petite arms were clothes, and shower necessities. Alice was grinning.
"I had a vision you wouldn't let me dress you up, so this is a good close second." Alice beamed as she sat her stuff on the bed before shooing the boys out of the room.
Edward and Zack mumbled goodbyes before Alice slammed the door in their faces. She then turned back to us.
"Okay, we have to wrap your casts so they don't get wet. Then I will help you to the bathroom with Bella and we will get you squeaky clean!" Alice chirped as she pulled out some garbage bags and hot pink duct tape.
Kelsey groaned when she saw the duct tape but didn't complain out loud. Alice and I made sure Kelsey's casts were good and covered before carefully unhooking her and carrying her into the bathroom.
We shampooed and conditioned Kelsey's long tri-colored hair. Kelsey washed herself as best she could and I hit the spots she missed. Alice had bought lavender body wash, Kelsey's favorite. After helping Kelsey rinse off, we helped her out of the shower and dried her off quickly. Alice wrapped Kelsey's hair in a towel and carefully cut the garbage bags off of her arm and leg. We then carried Kelsey back to her bed where Alice had clothes ready. They were simple clothes: a pair of black, Soffee shorts and a purple t-shirt. Alice towel dried Kelsey's hair and braided it into a fishtail braid down her back.
"Voila!" Alice said as she stepped away from Kelsey's hair.
Kelsey looked visibly brighter now. She smiled happily and sighed.
"Thank you guys. I feel a hundred times better!" Kelsey grinned happily.
"No problem! If you need anything else, like, say you change your mind and want a makeover, just let me know!" Alice said hopefully as she skipped out of the room.
Kelsey and I laughed at her hopefulness.
"I feel a lot prettier now. I was feeling like crap being around Zack and looking all dirty." Kelsey admitted.
"I'm sure he didn't care. He was just happy to spend time with you." I told her as I started for the door. "I'll tell him it's safe to come back in and then I'll put in a supper order with Esme. How's stuffed green peppers sound?"
"Wonderful! Thanks Bells, love you." Kelsey said as she reached for the remote.
"Love you more!" I replied as I walked out the door, Zack was coming up the steps and I rolled me eyes at him and smiled.
"Impatient much?" I teased.
He stuck his tongue out and walked into Kelsey's room. I chuckled before racing downstairs in search of Esme. My stomach rumbled in agreement. After finding Esme, I told her about dinner and offered to help cook. Esme gladly accepted my invitation and we began cooking. I felt so at ease with Esme. She was quickly becoming a mother figure. I didn't think anyone would ever fill that role. But Esme was doing it perfectly.
Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. Sorry it's been so long since an update! I will do better! Next chapter we learn about what trouble is plaguing Bella and Kelsey. Review please!
