Disclaimer: We all know what I do and don't own. I don't own SM's work.
"Miss Swan, stay after class." Mr. Monroe called around the time that I woke up from my nap...during class.
"Yes Mr. M..." I whispered, sinking back into my seat as the class laughed at me. I didn't really care though. I hadn't really cared about anything in a while.
The rest of class went slow. I didn't even try to stay awake, because I was exhausted. I hadn't been able to sleep for the last week and a half. I didn't know what was keeping me from it, but instead, I stayed up all night. I didn't do homework, I didn't study, I did nothing but listen to music and read books. Dumb books – stuff that I never would have read.
Someone shook me awake towards the end of class. I had hoped that it was Edward, but then I remembered that he was in a conference all morning. That's why he wasn't here in class – keeping me a little bit more awake. Mr. Monroe was standing over me, a grim smile on his face. I pursed my lips, knowing that I was in trouble if I slept right through the bell. He motioned for me to follow him to his desk, and so I dragged myself across the room. I sat down across from him and watched as he shook his head.
"Isabella, I know that you're aware of your recent...lack of work ethic." He spoke, crossing his arms in front of him, and I nodded drowsily. He sighed. "I know it's been hard for you...since everything...but you need to get your act together. You and I both know that it would take you all of ten minutes to get the work I give you done. You could have it done in class. But instead, you're sleeping. Which, I'm starting to think that you're not doing at night. When, if you had to, you could do your homework also. I'm really not happy with what I'm seeing. I was one of the firsts votes that got you into this program, and I can be the one that gets you out."
"Okay..." I whispered.
"Bella." He spoke seriously now and I looked at him. "I will have you removed if you don't get your act together – this week." He told me and I sighed.
"I can't do it. I can't do it anymore. I'm not a senior, I shouldn't be in this class." I told him and he sighed, rubbing at his temples.
"Yes you can. You've passed with one-hundred percent for six months. You've always had one-hundred percent, Isabella Swan. Don't try and push it off now." He looked pointedly at me and I shrugged, feeling my eyes tear up.
I didn't want to talk about it. Not with him – not with anybody. So, I averted my eyes and pretended like I couldn't hear him. That was something that I'd become well at over the last few weeks. I guess I wasn't good enough, because Mr. Monroe had yet to break his stare. This only made me feel more embarrassed, and made me cry. My shoulder's shook, but I still hadn't looked up yet.
That's when the door opened, and in walked who I probably needed the most. Outside of the reason for this mess. Edward walked in, his eyebrows raised as he eyed my seating arrangement during what was supposed to be my lunch period. He greeted Mr. Monroe, and then sat down across from me too. I looked back down, not wanting Edward to know how stupid I'd been.
"Bella," He breathed.
"She's not responding to me. Maybe you can get the point across." Mr. Monroe muttered, getting aggravated with me.
"Bella, you really need to get these grades up. I thought you wanted to be in these classes? Remember? You were the one who wanted to experience senior year before you were forced to graduate. Not me. Not Mr. Monroe. And not Rose. I know you miss her...we all do. But that's not what you need to focus on."
"She's gone Edward! I know it wasn't her. In the beginning, she didn't even want me here! I wanted to be her. And I shouldn't have ever wished to have that – I never thought that I would literally have to replace her. I'm not good enough. I don't deserve it. I-...I..." I sobbed harder and Edward sighed, wrapping his arms around me. I froze when I thought about the fact that Mr. Monroe was watching. "Edward, what're you doing?"
"Bella, I know about everything. Edward told me about it. If you two weren't so close in age, and had a connection outside of school...quite frankly I'd have turned both of you in. But...I know Edward. And I know you. Okay?" Mr. Monroe sighed and I smiled softly, wrapping one of my arms around Edward.
"Thank you, Mr. Monroe..." I sighed.
"And Bella," Edward sighed. "You're so smart, beautiful, and everything. You and Rosalie were very equal in greatness. Besides, everything happens for a reason. Rosalie told you that you will do great things in life – great things for the world. Maybe she was just meant to be an angel."
"You think?"
"She looked like one. Her name worked for the part."
"You always know just what to say..." I sniffled.
"Yeah, well, only when I'm with you. I love you." He breathed and wrapped his arms tighter around me.
"I l-love you too." I cried, and then choked, because I tried to yawn at the same time.
"Would it be okay if I took her home, Dylan?" He asked Mr. Monroe, who shrugged and nodded. Edward turned back to me. "You need a nap, Belle. And then you need to actually sleep tonight."
"I don't know if I can..." I sighed, my throat tight.
"You will. I'll come over...we'll have hot-chocolate and watch dumb, romantic movies. You'll feel better – better enough to sleep. Okay, honey?" He sighed, brushing some hair out of my face and I nodded. I knew that I didn't have a choice.
I sighed as I drove home. Edward was busy picking up the movies, while I was assigned to pick up food from the market. I walked down the aisles, making sure to pick up all of our favorites. I was surprised to turn the corner and see Jessica Stanley and Lauren Mallory talking. They were two of my former bullies, and I had many issues with them.
I paused, stopping to listen in on them.
"She's stupid. I can't believe that she wasn't the one to die. Rosalie was a bitch, but at least she wasn't a mousy one." Jessica laughed and I felt my face grow warm with anger.
"Yeah. Whatever. As long as we've been ridden of one less Swan." They both sniggered at Lauren's comment and I shoved my cart out of my way, making a bee-line towards the pair of idiots.
"Are you guys fucking stupid?" I screamed and pulled my fist back. I punched Lauren square in the jaw.
I began pounding on her, as hard as I could. Jessica got behind me and attempted to pull me off by the hair, but I turned and began kicking her. She screamed, crawled back, and ran off. I turned back to Lauren, who was trying to bite my arm, and I smacked her as hard as I could. She rolled us over so that I was on the floor. I jammed my knee into her stomach and rolled us both back around. She screamed out as I punched her with a snap.
"Get off of her!" Jessica screamed as we kept at it. I felt arms wrap around my waist and watched as a police officer grabbed Lauren.
"You called the police?" I screeched at Jess and she glowered at me.
"You're beating the shit out of her! What was I supposed to do?"
"Not make comments about my sister! You're so fucking stupid!"
"You have the right to remain silent," The officer that grabbed me began reading my rights and I stopped talking. I glared at Jessica and Lauren as he pulled me off and down the aisle. Stupid bitches had no right ot talk about my sister, or me.
"I hope you guys burn in hell for the shit that you said!"
"Bella," The man sighed and I looked up.
"Who are you?"
"Jessica told me your name. I'm officer Eleazar Salazar. You should probably stop talking, as you're being arrested." He ran a hand through his dark hair as he stopped in front of his cruiser. I rolled my eyes and looked at my toes as he put me in handcuffs.
"She said some hurtful things about my sister. I bet you didn't know that my sister died to weeks ago. She was killed in a car accident. After months of picking on me, she had the nerve to talk shit on my sister!"
"Well, you shouldn't have hit her." He told me and I shrugged, knowing that in the long run – they both deserved to have the shit beat out of them.
He took me in and had me go to a cell. I sat down and leaned up against the wall. I was still tired from my lack of sleep, so, I decided that I should rest before I have to call anyone. He shrugged, letting me do so, and went back to whatever he was doing. I, on the other hand, laid down and went to sleep on the bench. I hadn't had such a relieved rest in a while.
EPOV
I ran up to the doorstep and began pounding on it. Bella was supposed to be at my place an hour ago, but she never showed. I was praying then, praying that she was at her house. Maybe she'd stopped by her house and fell asleep. Alice pulled the door open, and looked very annoyed with my incessent pounding. I looked passed her, and didn't see any of Bella's things.
"Where's Bella?" I asked her and she cocked her head to the side.
"Bella's not home...she said she was going to Jane's for a while. Well, the grocery store first."
"Well, she never showed up." I told her and she put her hands on her hips.
"Where would she be?"
"I don't know...but she was struggling in school today. What if she got hurt or something?" I asked her and she looked deep in thought.
"You, go to the hospital, and ask around. I will go and call around. Maybe she's with somebody, you know?" Alice offered and I nodded. I was already on my way to my car by the time that Alice went back in and closed the door.
"God dammit, Bella," I muttered to myself. "You better be alright..."
I drove the long drive to the hospital. I walked in and found my mother and Carmen Salazar talking. They looked deep into the talk as I arrived. My mom raised her eyebrows and said, "speak of the devil." when I walked in. I asked her what that was supposed to mean and she looked at Carmen, who pursed her lips and checked her phone.
"It seems your girlfriend was arrested in Port Angeles a little over an hour ago." She informed me and I grabbed my hair.
"And you guys didn't tell me?"
"Eleazar just got off. He said Bella wouldn't wake up, so he left his partner there to wait for her to make her call. Apparently, she beat the crap out of some Lauren girl while at the market." She shrugged and I groaned.
"Where is she?"
"County Jail."
"That's an hour from here! Jesus Fuck," I huffed and turned to leave.
"Don't tell me that you're going to pay bail, Edward." My mother, Elizabeth raised her eyebrows and I stopped.
"Of course I am." I frowned at her. "It's Bella."
"I won't let you take the money from my account, if those are you plants." She spoke seriously and I felt like hitting her.
"What do you mean you won't allow it?" I asked, anger filling my every pore.
"She's clearly caused a lot of trouble these last few months. Besides, our accounts are set so that you can't take money from them and put into the jail system without our signatures." Mom explained and I felt my eyes tear up.
"I guess I'll be paying with my own money then, huh?" I asked and walked out on her.
I had money in my own account that I could use. I was saving it for emergency. I guess an emotionally screwed Bella would count as an emergency. I got into my car and called the bank as I made my way to Port Angeles. I was thoroughly pissed as I did so, too. The bank let me unlock the money, and I was happy as I got out of Forks.
BPOV
"Edward?" I woke with a start, having dreamed of Edward.
"Won't find an Edward here." Muttered the officer on the other side of the bars. That's when it all came flooding back at me.
"Shit..." I sat up. "What time is it?"
"It's after seven." He mumbled, flipping through a newspaper. I pursed my lips and ran a hand through my messy hair.
"Can I...you know...use a call? I need to call someone."
"Yep. Come with me." He stood and unlocked my cell. I came out, and he led me through the procedure that would get me to a phone. Once I was in, I called Edward, and was relieved when he answered on the first ring.
"I'm about twenty minutes away, don't worry."
"I don't...I need you to get money from my mom." I breathed.
"No. Don't worry about the money. Just stay safe and warm. I'll be there soon." Edward reassured me and I sighed, instantly relaxing.
"Thank you. I love you."
"I love you too, sweet-girl."
I hanged up the phone slowly and sighed. The officer came back in and led me back to the cell that I'd been in. I frowned as I sat back down on the bench. I felt a little better after my nap and talk with Edward. I was happy that he was picking me up – I really didn't wan my parents to know about that night.
When Edward came in, he quickly paid bail and helped me on out. I thanked him profusely, and followed him out to his Volvo. When we got out there, he started it, and turned on the heat. It was snowing and pretty cold out by that point. I smiled at him as he handed me a blanket that he kept in the back. Once we were settled, he pressed his hands over his face and sighed. He looked stressed.
"how come you didn't call me?"
"The truth?" I asked and he nodded. "I was tired. I didn't want to see anyone."
"You scared the living shit out of me. I couldn't find you...I even went back to your house and asked Alice for help. She didn't know where you were." He murmured and I nodded slowly, realizing just how stupid I was today.
"I'm sorry..." I whispered softly.
"And this," he took my hand into his and lightly kissed my bruised knuckle. "Fighting, Bella? Honestly?"
"Lauren...She said something about how we were lucky that Rosalie was dead. I couldn't handle it Edward. I'm sorry." I whispered, my voice thick with unshed tears.
"Don't cry," He breathed. "You just really scared me. I didn't know what to think. I have to say...I'm proud of you standing up for yourself."
"I wasn't standing up for me – I was standing up for my sister." I told him and he smiled, wrapping his arms around me.
"I love you so much, Bella. You really need to be careful with yourself. You really mean something to me." He rocked me a bit and I wrapped my arms around him. I sighed, happy to be in his arms again.
"Thanks for helping me."
"Thank you for being okay," he winked and pulled away. I smiled as he pulled out.
We made plans to watch our movies sometime else as we drove home. Edward reassured me that it was okay. I thanked him more times than I could count, and he made calls to a few people, telling them that he'd found me. I guess he really had been worried. This only made me happier as we kept on talking the entire ride home.
When we got to my house, he promised to pick me up in the morning for school. I thanked him, kissing him on the lips before getting out and going up my steps. I waved at him as he drove away. When I walked in the door, it would be an understatement to say I was surprised to find my mother sitting in the living room. She was looking at me, her arms wrapped around her legs, and her eyes exhausted.
"Mom..." I whispered and she shook her head at me.
"You should have called me. Why didn't you call me?"
"I fell asleep."
"The officer said that you'd called some guy first – the one from the funeral. Is he who brought you home?" She asked me and I nodded grimly, sitting down across from her. I kept my eyes down, not wanting to really talk to her. She hasn't said a word to me until this week. Where did she have the right to complain here?
"I fell asleep...and I knew you'd be mad."
"Damn right I am! I didn't know where you were, and then Alice said that you were missing. I called the police only to find that you'd been arrested for beating somebody up!" She yelled and I looked at my feet.
"The girl was talking about Rosalie..."
"You should have called me, Isabella Marie Swan!" She screamed and I shook my head.
"What's the point? You haven't talked to me in more than a month! You lost your favorite daughter – I'm sorry. There's nothing I can do. You hurt my feelings. I had no reason to call you!" I cried and she rolled her eyes at me.
Was she fucking kidding me?
Beat her up too! Miss Irresponsible cheered.
"Mom...I can't believe you! You...I try my hardest, but you know what? I'll never be Rosalie. I wish you could love me...for who I am! Like the person who I did call does! Why did you ever have me? You obviously don't want me. You don't care about me. I hate you, mom! I hate you for hating me, when I have no choice. I have no choice!" I screamed and turned to go to my room.
My mom called after me, but I didn't answer. I merely slammed and locked my door when I got up there. I was more than furious with the woman. I went straight to my bed and cried. I knew that I would be crying for a while. I just didn't get it – she can mourn all she wants. But when was she going to just grow up and be my mother?
I didn't get it.
I was just about to lay down and go to sleep when my phone began to ring. I froze, and looked up to see the unknown number signal popping up. Slowly, I reached out and picked up the phone. I was surprised by who was at the other end of it.
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