Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight, Stephenie Meyer does.
All too soon, it was Bella's first day of high school. It was also the first time since 6th grade that Bella had been without Jacob Black.
"I'm scared, Emmett." Bella said. She was standing in front of the mirror putting on make-up while I shaved.
"I know you are." I mumbled, trying to not cut myself while shaving.
"I think I'm sick." Bella said. I automatically reached my hand over to feel her forehead.
"Nope, you're fine. No fever." I said.
Bella heaved a seemingly endless sigh.
"That was a long sigh. What's bothering you?" I asked.
"I hate school." Bella said.
"At least give high school a chance, Bella. It could be different." I said.
"Or it could still be hell." She quipped back.
I sighed now. It was getting harder and harder for me to convince Bella, and myself, to go back to school. Day after day the other children tortured this beautiful girl and I could do nothing but stand and watch unless one of them threatened physical violence.
Bella kissing the side of my neck brought me back to reality.
"Mmm, that's nice. What's that for?" I asked.
"For being Emmett." Bella said. She walked out of the bathroom and down the stairs to the kitchen. I followed her down and poured us our usual cocoa puffs.
"You look stunningly pretty today. What's the occasion?" I remarked.
"Being drug through the flaming fires of hell doesn't feel so bad if you look good." Bella said.
I finished my breakfast and washed the dishes while Bella went upstairs to brush her teeth. I sprinted up the stairs. I loved surprising her with hugs at random moments. Charlie was still asleep. I walked in the bathroom without knocking.
Bella was leaning over the toilet retching up the contents of her breakfast and, from the sound of it, last night's dinner.
"Are you okay, honey?" I asked her.
She nodded. "I couldn't help it, Emmett. It just sort of happened." Bella whispered, looking ashamed.
I knew she couldn't help it. She was always like this during the school year. This had been happening to her ever since that fateful night when Lauren and Jessica teamed up to make her life hell.
"I know, sweetie." I said.
"Sexy girls don't get sick." Bella said, curling up into a ball on the floor.
"Where did you get an idea like that?" I asked, lying down beside her and wrapping her small body in my arms.
"I don't know." Bella admitted.
She rested her head against my chest. I lightly brushed her cheek with my fingertips and she leaned into the caress.
"I'm sorry, Emmett." Bella said.
"You're sorry? For what?" I asked.
"Getting sick." She said.
"You couldn't help it, Bella. Let's go brush your teeth." I said.
I ended up brushing her teeth for her and then I picked her up and carried her to the truck.
"I love you, Emmett." Bella whispered against my cheek as I put her in the front seat.
"I know. Thank you." I said. I'd made a pact with myself that I wouldn't tell her that I loved her again until she was 18. She was almost 16 now. I had two more years of torture to wait.
I reached over her small body to fasten her seatbelt. Her lips touched mine in a gentle, soft kiss. I loved the feel of her satin-like lips against mine. I could taste this month's lip-gloss flavor on my lips when she would finish.
"Mmm." I rumbled against her mouth.
Bella broke the kiss.
"Emmett, can we move on?" She asked.
Uh-oh I was in dangerous territory now. Bella really could put me there with one small phrase. Hell, yes, I was wondering when you would ask, my mind wanted to respond.
"Move on how, Bella?" I asked.
"Well, most of the other girls at school are french-kissing by now." Bella said.
"Most of the other girls at school aren't in love with their bodyguards." I responded.
"But I want to." Bella whined.
"Don't get pushy, Bella. We will sometime, I promise. But right now we're late for school." I said, untangling her hands from my neck and shutting her door.
"You're no fun sometimes, you know, Emmett?" Bella asked."
"I know. I have a surprise for you." I said.
"A french-kiss?" Bella asked.
"Drop it, Bella. No, just some music." I said.
"Rent!" Bella squealed.
I popped it into the CD player in the truck.
Bella bounced excitedly in her seat as I started the ignition. 'Seasons Of Love' came on and Bella skipped it. ' Rent ' then came on and I drove onto the street.
Bella cranked the volume until I had to tell her to turn it down.
"If it's too loud, you're old." Bella yelled at me and then stuck her tongue out at me.
So we arrived at Forks high school with speakers blaring 'Rent' at top volume. I pulled in to a spot and quickly cut the engine.
"That was fun!" Bella squealed.
"Chief Swan will probably arrest us for noise pollution." I said. I got to Bella's side of the truck and opened the door for her.
"Thanks, Emmett." Bella said, as she slid down and grabbed her backpack from me.
"What the -? You weren't wearing your seatbelt, were you?" I accused.
"Nope." Bella said.
"Bella, what if we got into an accident?" I asked.
"I trust you." She said.
"What if you got seriously hurt?" I asked.
"So? Who cares what happens to me?" She asked.
"Oh on. You are not turning this into a 'poor Bella' session, damn it!" I yelled.
"It's not like anyone cares, Emmett." She said.
"I care. I care about you very much." I said. I flexed my hands so I wouldn't be tempted to take her in my arms.
"Really? You don't tell me you love me. You don't kiss me like you mean it. You don't even hold me as much as you used to. You don't give a damn about me, Emmett McCarthy." Bella's voice was caustic and it was eating holes in my soul.
If she only knew how much she meant to me. If there was only some appropriate way for me to show her how much she was my universe. Without thought, I had her in my arms.
"Never say those words again, Isabella." I growled.
I held her amazing form close to me. I leaned down and I kissed her. It was a soft kiss and I pulled back only for an instant.
"I love you, Bella. I have always loved you. I will always love you. I mean it." I whispered against her lips.
I pressed her to me again and this time my lips crashed down on hers. My fingers tangled in her hair and my tongue ran across her lips.
She gasped and my tongue slowly explored her mouth. My entire life at that moment was kissing Bella.
"Emmett." Bella breathed against my chest. My name was a cross between a whisper and a whimper. There was no need for any more words. I took her hand and led her into Forks High.
"We're late for first period, Bella. Come on." I said, as responsible Emmett took over, threatening to kill irrepressible, irresponsible Emmett and together Bella and I walked to the office to get late passes for our first day. This was going to get interesting.