Author's Note: I'm so sorry about the delay, but I was sick and school is hectic lately. I read through this story, but not that carefully. So if you find a mistake, point it out please. I'm taking a break from writing until after winter break starts. I just need to focus on other things right now. I'm losing my inspiration, so I need a break. But I will get back to this, promise.
Chapter Thirteen
Suffering in Silence
Third Person POV
Date: Wednesday, September 18th, 1978 Time: Morning
Place: Oakville Elementary School; Upstairs Classroom
"She's such a freak. Never talks to anyone," Beth said. The dirty blonde was sitting at her chair, ignoring the math worksheet in front of her. She was already failing, what would one worksheet have done? Next to her was a green-eyed Vicky, whose math grade wasn't much better.
"I know. She's always doing her work. She has no life. I bet when she gets home, she just does her homework all day. You're not going to invite her to your party, right? Because she'll so ruin it," Vicky replied. Beth scoffed.
"Of course not. Weirdoes aren't allowed... Did you hear? My mom's moving the party to the beach!" Beth said. Vicky smiled.
"No way!" She replied. The students around them shushed them.
"This party is going to be so fun! I would hate to not be invited," Vicky whispered. The two continued to chat aimlessly, until Bella walked by them. Then their chatter took a more insulting route.
"Think she's going to cry herself to sleep?" Beth asked.
"Actually, I think I'll be having my own fun in New York. My family is going on vacation," Bella replied. The two girls turned around to see Bella wave at them, then smile and walk away.
"She's going to New York?" Beth said indignantly. She huffed and crossed her arms, glaring at her blank worksheet.
"You're still a weird little girl with no friends. Your fashion sense sucks and at best, your average. Your family only loves because they have too," Beth hissed as Bella walked back to her seat. Beth knew that Bella heard her, since Bella's steps faltered for a second. Beth glared at the brunette, as she sat down in her seat and laid her head down.
"Hey, do have any idea what the answers are?" Vicky asked. Beth rolled her eyes.
"Just copy from Kevin. What else is he good for?" Beth answered her. Vicky nodded and turned to get the work from Kevin. Beth watched and copied off the same paper. She later got an "F" on the worksheet.
After an extraordinary long period of time spent on science that went right over her head, the teacher dismissed the class for lunch. Beth went with her group of friends to the cafeteria. On her way, she tripped Bella and called her a klutz.
After eating a delicious meal that her mother had packed her, Beth spent the lunch gossiping with the other girls. Talking about this, chit-chatting about that. They flicked food at students and made snide remarks. Entering the classroom, Beth was in her best mood that day. She only stepped on two of Bella's papers when Bella dropped them!
"What a little witch," Bella muttered, picking up her papers. Beth continued on her way to her chair. Bella sat down in her own chair and sighed.
Date: Friday, September 27th, 1978 Time: Afternoon
Place: Oakville Elementary School Playground
"God, she's looking over here," Kevin said to Jared. He and other kids were playing kickball, one of Bella's favorite games. Four makeshift bases were made out of book bags and books. Bella was sitting about ten feet away from the game, watching the kids play. While she liked watching other kids have a ton of fun playing her favorite game, she would have preferred playing it herself.
"Dude, don't make eye contact, or she'll turn you to stone!" Jared replied. Kevin shuttered and glance fearfully at Bella. Bella was acutely aware of the look, having received it enough times for her to lose count. While deep down Kevin knew that the rumor was just a rumor, something about Bella scared him. It scared a lot of the kids who were old enough to be aware of danger, but not old enough to be fooled by a pretty face.
"Should we ask her to play? I think she wants to," Alicia, the new girl, asked. She had just started school in Oakville and didn't know anything about Bella and her family. She was a nice girl and didn't understand why Bella was being left out.
"No!" Jared, the team captain, answered. Alicia took a step back in surprise and then slowly returned to the game. After a few moments, one of the other girls, Lily, came over to Alicia.
"She's a freak. No one plays with her. Ever. She's a creepy little girl; I heard she eats babies for breakfast," Lily informed Alicia. Alicia looked appalled.
"What? That can't be true," Alicia replied.
"I heard she's secretly an alien," Vicky said. Alicia shook her head and glance at Bella, who(despite a chill going down Alicia's back) seemed like a regular 10-year-old girl.
"Why would you make up stories like that?" Alicia asked, turning back to the two gossiping preteens.
"Why would you defend her?" Lily asked.
"Yeah, why? She's a creepy little girl with a creepy family and creepy books. If you're going to be her friend, then you should go over there and be weird with her," Vicky said. She looked at Alicia and crossed her arms. Alicia glanced at Bella before looking back at Vicky.
"No thanks," Alicia said. Vicky nodded and went to home base, since it was her turn to kick. Alicia looked back at Bella and offered her a small smile. She might have felt bad for the brunette, but she wasn't about to risk her friends. Bella caught the smile and didn't hold it against her. She knew first hand how hard it is to not have friends.
After another game, Bella walked up to one of the teams. She was sick of waiting in the sidelines and figured the other kids would be in good mood. She had to at least try.
"Hey, can I join in?" Bella asked. She walked over to Toni's team, with had one less player than the other team.
"No, we have everyone we need," Toni replied. Bella looked around and counted the kids playing again.
"But you're one short?" Bella commented, when she finished counting. Toni just repeated himself.
"I'm really good. I can kick really, really far," Bella insisted as a last ditch effort.
"No," Toni relied. Bella sighed and walked away. She spent the rest of recess in the classroom, reading. When the class comes back in after recess, one of the boys took Bella's book. The boy's name was Martin, and he wasn't a very good reader. As a result, he made fun of anyone he caught reading.
"So, instead of having fun like a normal girl, you come in here and read? You really are creepy. What is this, a book of spells? Because you'll need one if you ever want friends," Martin said, looking disgustingly at the book.
"Shut up and give me my book," Bella replied. Surprisingly, Bella had yet to reach her limit even though all the kids in her class have avoided her like the plague and treated her like something you flush down the toilet.
"Shut up you ugly little bug. I bet no one would even notice if you disappeared. I bet no one would care," Martin taunted. Bella knew that wasn't true(because she had disappeared before and her family freaked out when it happened). However, it still hurt her to hear that.
"Give me my book," Bella said.
"Fine, here's your stupid little book," Martin replied, tossing the book back at Bella. Bella caught it effortlessly.
"Just because you can't read, doesn't mean books are stupid," Bella stated. Martin tensed and glared at her.
"What are you talking about? I can read! I just-just don't like to," Martin replied, stuttering a little due to nerves.
"It's okay, you know. If you want, I can teach you," Bella offered.
"Why would I want to learn anything from a butt-head like you? Your icky freak cooties might rub off on me," Martin answered. Bella sighed as he walked away. She returned to her book, which was about a brilliant young girl.
Date: Tuesday, October 11th, 1978 Time: Morning
Place: Oakville Elementary School; Upstairs Classroom
"What's wrong with Freakella?" Vicky asked Lily. Bella was quiet that morning, even for her. The lesson hadn't started yet, so the class was just talking. Bella was staying out of it all and had her head down. Alicia was Bella's neighbor and, despite not being her friend, she was worried for the little girl.
"Hey, Bella. Is something wrong?" Alicia asked. Bella picked up her head. While her face was cautiously stoic, her chocolate-brown eyes had lost some of its warmth.
"Do you really care?" Bella asked. Alicia hesitated before shaking her head no.
"I'm just curious," Alicia replied. Bella sighed deeply and set her chin on her arms.
"I got into a fight yesterday with my sister. It was stupid; I used something of hers without permission and it broke. She got mad, yelled at me, and now she won't talk to me! Completely ignored me. I don't like fighting with my sisters," Bella explained, getting more upset. She blinked back tears and laid her head back down.
"Hey, I'm sure she'll forgive you," Alicia said. Bella gave her a small smile which Alicia returned until she saw Vicky looking her way. Then Alicia went back to pretending Bella didn't exist. Bella sighed softly and laid her head back down. The teacher came into the room and started the social studies lesson.
While Bella kept her head down and seemed to the outside world as being asleep, the teacher never called on her. The teacher, Ms. Allen, knew that Bella was too smart to be in the class in the first place, and didn't make a big deal that she wasn't paying attention. And according to the gifted teacher, she was even too smart for the gifted program. Had it been any other child, Ms. Allen would have been all over them.
"Ms. Allen, Bella's sleeping," Lily said.
"No, I'm not!" Bella replied, never lifting her head. Lily crossed her arms and scoffed. Ms. Allen just continued on with her lesson. When lunch came around, the children all hurried off to the cafeteria. Bella stayed behind the group, being the last to reach the cafeteria. She had her lunch tightly gripped in her fist and sat in a remote corner.
Bella took out her sandwich, prepared to eat fast. There was a new rule that you couldn't eat outside anymore, so she had to eat in the cafeteria with the other students before she could escape outside. The temperature had dropped outside, making it cold enough to need jackets. As Bella knew, that meant that few kids will be outside. So in a sense, the playground was hers.
As Bella finished most of her food, she took out her dessert. A couple of home-baked brownies that Bella actually helped make. Bella took a big bite out of one, enjoying the chocolate taste.
"You are fat. You eat way too much," Vicky said, passing by Bella. She was on her way to throw away her food, when she saw Bella eating her dessert.
"I have a fast metabolism. I have to eat," Bella replied. Her eating habits were never something the other kids could stop, not because they didn't make her feel bad, but because Bella couldn't eat less without a crippling hunger overcoming her. While her hunger had leveled out and stayed consistent for many years, it was strong. Missing a snack meant horrible stomach cramps. Nothing those kids said could keep Bella from eating.
"Yeah right. That's just an excuse fat people use so they can pig out," Vicky replied, walking back to her friends. Bella finished her food and left the cafeteria. She spent the reminder of the lunch period outside, enjoying the crisp October air.
Date: Tuesday, January 7th, 1979 Time: Afternoon
Place: Oakville Elementary School
'Please don't notice me. Please don't notice me. Please don't notice-'
"Hey, freakaziod!" Bella heard a voice shout. She sighed and faked a smile, turning to look at Jared. Bella discreetly hide her small stuffed toy behind her back pact. It was a little stuffed kitten that Jasper had won for her at Santa's Enchanted Forest, a fun fair they went to over winter break.
"That's not my name," Bella answered. 'Why can't they just leave me alone? I know I'm different, and on some level they know that, but do they have to be mean?I've never done anything to them. And it's not like I 'm a monster or anything... Well, I AM half-vampire, which I just could be considered a monster...But I don't hurt anyone! I don't deserve this...'
"So, what did you do over the break? Contact your home planet," Jared asked. Bella took a deep breath to get rid of any rising anger and hurt.
"No. I spent time with my family," Bella answered shortly.
"What did you do?" Jared asked offhandedly.
"Why do you care?" Bella replied.
"I don't," he answered quickly.
"And I don't have to answer," Bella stated. Jared glared at her, but Bella met his gaze coolly. Bella would never stoop to their level, but she wouldn't always back down. She didn't really stand up for herself, more like stood her ground.
"Your eyes are dull." The words just slipped out of his mouth; Jared wasn't really thinking about insulting Bella. He just noticed that her eyes seemed different, duller. And without a mouth filter, he blurted them out.
"Thanks," Bella replied dryly. She wanted him to leave already. She wanted to go home already. She turned to her back pact, ignoring the bully in front of her. Jared lingered, but eventually left to find his friends.
Date: Friday, May 14th, 1979 Time: Afternoon
Place: Oakville Elementary School Playground
Bella was sitting happily in the playground, playing with some of the other fifth graders. It was nearing the end of the school year, and the teachers realized it was pointless to try to teach anything. So, after an unsuccessful morning, all the fifth grade teachers let their students out to play.
While Bella didn't have any friends in her class, the students in the other classes were a different story. On that particular day, Bella was playing with four kids from Ms. Darcy's class. They were playing tag and Bella was it. Bella chased nine-year-old April, who tripped over her pink shoelaces and got tagged.
"No tag backs!" Bella shouted, running away. April laughed and got back onto her purple sneaker wearing feet. She looked around and started chasing Harry.
"Tag! You're it," April yelled. She ran away from the redhead and bumped into Mia, who was knocked down.
"Sorry, Mia. Didn't see you," April apologized whiled helping her up, "You're just so little, you come out of no where."
"I am not little!" Mia stated outraged. All the while, Harry managed to sneak up on the two girls.
"Tag, Mia's it!" Harry announced, running away. April followed his example. Mia pushed her beach blonde hair out of her face and started chasing the others. Mia managed to tag James.
"I'm getting Bella," James said, chasing Bella. Bella scoffed at him.
"Yeah, right! Just try to tag me," Bella replied to the older boy. He was held back in kindergarten and in first grade.
"Alright. And when I do, I get your dessert," James said.
"Fine. But I'll let you know, I once had a three-hour long game of tag with my brother Emmett," Bella bragged.
"No way," Mia said.
"Seriously," Bella replied. Bella dodged and ran away from James, who had tried to sneak up on her.
"You'll have to do better than that," Bella said. Bella played cat and mouse with James for about ten minutes until he gave up.
"Alright, you win. You are the ultimate tag player in the world. Let's play something else," James said.
"What should we-" Mia's question was cut off by a teacher. It was time to go back to class.
"Well, bye guys," Bella said, walking back to her class.
Date: Wednesday, May 19th, 1979 Time: Morning
Place: Oakville Elementary School
The last day of school at Oakville was a big deal for the fifth graders. It was graduation day for them, and they get to come to school all dressed up. The students were in their respective seats, waiting for their graduation ceremony to start in the local banquet hall.
Bella was sitting up straight at her desk, reading her newest book. With her purple taffeta dress with a sparkly tulle underlay and a sleeveless bodice with ribbon embroidery and sequins, if you hadn't known she was rich, you would have by looking at her.
The room was large, as most banquet rooms are, and had a color scheme of sliver and lilac. There was ten plate settings at each table, with forks and knives that baffled the other children. Oakville was a small town, but it wanted its students to act like it wasn't. And apparently, that meant making a big deal out of finishing fifth grade.
While the other students tried to figure out what the extra utensils were for, Bella just flipped through her book, trying to ignore her sisters who were trying to get her attention from the back of the room. Melissa, Adriana, Esme, and Carlisle were there for Bella, which Bella appreciated. But she wished her sister would shut up!
Bella heard a general quieting down of the children and took that as a sign that the ceremony was starting. She gently set the book down on the table.
"God, I'm bored! When are we gonna eat?" Vicky whispered to Beth. Unfortunately, Bella was seated at the same table as them. The two continued to mindlessly chatter until the food was passed out. Bella, true to her teaching, set a napkin on her lap and used the appropriate utensils. She ate in small bites and chewed with her mouth closed. The same could not be said for the other children.
As Bella finished her food, the ceremony started up again, this time the awards part. She dainty wiped her face with the edge of her napkin and turned toward the stage. This was the moment Bella was looking forward to, ever since Alice hinted that she should.
While Bella disagreed with the school's decisions about who to give the awards to, she wasn't about to pass up a chance to get her self-confidence boosted.
"First is the gifted program award*. This award is given to students who are part of the gifted program. First award is for... Isabella Cullen," the principal announced. Bella smiled gracefully, got up from her chair, and strolled to the stage. The gifted program was fun for Bella, while it didn't challenge her in the slightest, the assignments were better and funner than the ones in her regular class.*
After Bella got her award, she took a quick picture on stage and sat back down. She set her certificate under her book and her trophy over it. Bella sat back in her chair and ignored the envious stares of her peers. The principal called the names of all the other gifted students.
"Next is the Academic Achievement Award* for all the excellent students in this school. First up is... Isabella Cullen," the principal announced. Bella once again got up and strolled to the stage. The principal handed the award to Bella, who smiled for another picture.
Next were two awards that Bella didn't qualify for, but before long, the principal announced the music and journalism, both of which Bella received. She joined the journalism club halfway through the year. And the music award was a given. Once again, the other students glared at Bella, but she didn't care. Maybe if they spent less time making fun of her, they could have gotten an award too.
After the rest of awards were announced, and Bella clapped for all the students receiving awards. No one at her table got one. Finally, all the awards were handed out and all that was left was a short dance. Bella grabbed her awards and handed them to her family.
"You are such a book worm, sis. I'm so copying off you in middle school," Adriana said, in lieu of a congratulation. She gave Bella a hug. Melissa smiled and hugged her too.
"Come on, let's go dance," Melissa said. The three girls left to join the group of fifth graders. Bella danced with her two sisters, enjoying the fact that no one dared to make fun of her while Melissa and Adriana were there.
While the year started out sucky and she felt like quitting and being home schooled half-way through, it ended alright. She has her two sisters by her side, a two-month break from school in her future, and two silent bullies who finally shut the hell up.
Life was good. Every good.
AN: The gifted program and academic achievement awards were real awards I got in elementary, along with a journalism and art award. I don't really remember the ceremony, just remember being called up to the stage a lot. And also, the gifted program rocked! It was fun and I loved my teacher! The only down side was that I failed my states and capitals test in social studies because I had no idea we were taking the test and I didn't study. :( But Bella didn't have that problem, she's too smart.
And if you didn't read my other note, I'm taking a break until after winter break started. I can't focus.
If you have any questions or comments, review or PM me. I'll get back to you eventually.