School

Bella's POV

After a quiet lunch out Edward took me on a walk through the park in Port Angeles. We had a great time and I smiled properly for the first time in years. After the long time out Edward helped me to his room and lay with me as I drifted to sleep. He woke me up when Esme brought up some food for the both of us, before letting me sleep again, humming a soft tune to me.

"Bella, wake up. We need to go to school."

"Mmmmm."

"Come on Bella."

"No."

"Do you want to stay here today?"

I turned my head into his chest and breathed heavily.

"No. I'll get up."

"Do you want another ten minutes Bella? We can be a little late."

"Is that all right?"

"Of course. Just get some rest."

He held me as I closed my eyes and nuzzled into his chest. Eventually, I got up and ready for the day. Edward drove me to school in his Volvo and helped me to the office.

"Good morning Bella, Edward. I heard about your Father Bella, I'm sorry. Losing both your parents is hard. The whole town knows that he got arrested for no reason. There's a rally on Friday to see if we can have him released. I trust you will be there."

Tears sprang to my eyes. This stupid town believed my father innocent. Edward wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me to him.

"No. I can't make it. I'm very busy with everything going on."

"Okay then. You'll be with us in spirit though."

"Mrs Cope, could you change my schedule to match Bella's please? The police said to keep someone with her at all times. Since I already have Biology with her and she can't do phys-ed I thought it would be easier if I was in her classes."

"Sure. It's good to see you looking out for her Edward."

I smiled up at him and pecked his lips once she turned away.

"Here's a slip that you need to show all the teachers. I'm sure Bella can show you where to go. Have a good day you two."

"Thank you Mrs Cope."

Edward helped me into the hall and to our first class. He swung the door open and held it open for me. The class went silent as they watched me hobble into the room with Edward behind me.

"Good morning Bella. Take your seat, Edward you can go now, thank you."

"Actually, I'm in this class now. Mrs Cope gave me a note."

He handed it over to her and she read it over.

"Very well then. Take a seat next to Jessica."

I watched Jessica move her things to one side and slid her chair closer to the free space next to her.

"I'm supposed to stay with Bella."

"Alright then. Take a seat next to Bella."

"Thank you."

He followed me to the back of the room and helped me into my seat, taking my hand in his under the desk.

"Bella, we're going to have some problems from Jessica today. I just want you to ignore it the best you can. I love you alright? She's going to try and make you feel bad about yourself but don't listen to her. I'm sticking with you."

"Thank you Edward."

Lessons went by quickly as Edward helped me to and from the classrooms, holding me aside when the halls were too busy. At lunch we met up with the rest of the Cullens and sat at their usual empty table. That was when it all spiralled downhill.

Jessica strutted up behind Edward and placed her hands on his shoulders, sitting on his lap.

"Hey Eddie. I missed you at the weekend. You weren't at my party."

"I was busy Jessica."

"What with? I really wanted to spend some time with you."

"I didn't want to spend time with you Jessica so can you just leave me alone."

He tried to push her off his lap but she wrapped her arms around his neck. Emmett pushed his chair back, standing up and cracked his knuckles.

"Jessica could you stand up please?"

"Why? I'm comfortable here."

"Well my brother is not. So stand up before I make you stand up."

"I'm staying right here."

"No you're not."

He grabbed Jessica's waist and flung her over his shoulder.

"Attention people of Forks High. I'd like to let you know that Jessica is not wanted at this table and never will be wanted at this table. Please remind her that before she comes over here or I will personally remould her face. Does everyone understand me?"

A murmur of yes ran through the cafeteria as Jessica pounded on his back. Emmett put Jessica down and she turned to glare at me.

"This is all your fault. You bitch. Edward was supposed to be mine but then you come along and your father gets arrested. You deserved to have died with your mother all those years ago."

Tears sprang to my eyes as she shouted at me. Edward shot out of his seat and punched her across the nose. She fell to the floor with a thump, clutching at her nose. He bent down and picked her up by her collar holding her off the ground.

"Don't you ever, ever talk to Bella like that again. You don't deserve to talk to Bella. You will never be anywhere near as worthy as Bella. Don't ever, come near me or Bella again. Do you understand me? Do you?"

"Yes. Please put me down."

He threw her to the ground as she shook. Everyone watched as she ran out of the room clutching her nose. Edward turned round to me and wrapped me up in his arms.

"I'm sorry Bella. Don't listen to her. She doesn't understand, she never will."

I wrapped my arms around his neck and sobbed into his neck.

"You didn't deserve that. I'm so sorry. I should have pushed her away sooner."

"Just."

I continued to sob into his shoulder.

"Just shut up."

He lifted me into his arms and sat me on his lap. Stroking my hair, he held me to him, humming softly. When I finished crying I looked up at him and gave him a small smile.

"I'm sorry Bella."

"Don't apologise. It wasn't your fault. Thank you for standing up for me."

"I love you Bella. I'm not going to let anyone hurt you again."

"I love you too."

I leaned up and pecked his lips, an 'awwwwww' went round the room and I hid my face in his chest.

"It's okay Bella. They're happy for us."

"Why would they be? They've been nothing but mean to me."

"Angela likes you she's just scared of what would happen if she spoke to you."

"I'm glad she didn't. I don't want her to be an outcast because she spoke to me."

"When this all comes to a close you can talk to her. People will see what Charlie has done to you and will stop ignoring you."

"Do they have to know?"

"No. I'm sure we can keep the reason secret but wouldn't you rather people knew what he is? I think the town has a right to know as he was the Chief of police. I won't tell anyone if you don't want me to though Bella."

"I don't know. I want to tell them, but I don't know if I can. What if they think I'm a slut or something?"

"Then that's what they think but I know you aren't. Only those who really want to be your friend will believe you but you shouldn't care what others think of you. Only what I think and I think you're beautiful."

"Thank you."

I leaned my forehead against his as I pressed my lips to his.

"Are you alright now Bella?"

"Yeah."

"Do you want to go home?"

"No. I'd rather stay here."

"I'll stay with you every minute."

"Thank you Edward."

"No problem Bella. Let's wipe those eyes and we can go to Biology."

I looked round the cafeteria to see it empty.

"Okay."

He wiped my cheeks gently, smiling down at me. When he finished cleaning my face he helped me to Biology then Phys-ed. We sat on the side, watching as the rest of the class ran laps, trying out for the running squad. Every year I wanted to be on the team but couldn't. I pretended to be clumsy and if I suddenly ended up on the squad people would wonder. Once the bell rang Edward drove me to his and agreed I could go to work if he could come too.