Chapter 26: Phoenix
So the direction involving Johnny giving Bella a ride home, is the one that ultimately won. If this wasn't your vote, I still hope you continue reading.
Thanks,
LBV

Bella POV

Rose and I sat in silence for a little bit. "Look, Bella, it's none of my business knowing where you were, or what you were doing. I just want you to know, that if you want to talk, I'm here." Rose said. "Thanks, Rose. And I may take you up on that offer. Just not now, if you don't mind, I'm gonna get to bed. I'm sure I will see you tomorrow." I told her. She smiled. "Good night, Bella." Rose said, walking out of my room, shutting the door. I could vaguely hear her telling everyone down stairs that I was going to bed. I fell asleep soon after that. I woke up to the sound of my alarm ringing. The normal way I would get up Monday through Friday. But today, today was anything but 'normal'. Johnny is over. I don't feel any different. Now what? My life is one big question mark. I sighed, and got up. Not wanting to face the day. I woke up sometime in the middle of the night to send my phone a text message, telling Johnny to meet me behind the parking lot before first bell. I hope he got it. I was to lazy to take a shower, so I put my hair in a messy bun, and put on jeans and a t shirt.

"Are you ready?" Emmett grumbled. He was sitting at the kitchen table, keys in hand. "Sure." I said, mimicking his tone. I grabbed my bag, and followed him to the jeep. The ride to school felt like my first day all over again. Awkward, and uncomfortable. We pulled into school, and got out of the in silence. Emmett began walking towards the main entrance, I went the other way, I had to see if Johnny got my text. "Where are you going?" Emmett asked me, as if I were a baby. "I'm gonna smoke some dope, wanna come?" I snapped back, not stopping to talk, just continued walking. He didn't follow, I wasn't expecting him to. I'm not a five year old, Emmett doesn't need to know where I am going every waking moment. He isn't my keeper, I'm my own keeper. I don't need him, hell I probably don't need anyone. Just live a life alone. That way I don't have to worry about getting my heart broken. Sounds alright with me. I turned the corner from behind the gym, and saw Johnny leaning up against the wall. Arms crossed over his chest. I walked up to him, and he didn't say anything.

"Aren't you going to say hi?" I asked him, mimicking him. "Hey." He said, smiling a little. "Cell phone?" I asked. "Ah yes," He reached into his pocket, and handed it to me. "Just to let you know, you have about a hundred missed calls. A lot from Emmett, and some one named Alice. There are some from 'My Bitch' and 'My Other Bitch'. I don't even want to know." Johnny chuckled. "Thanks, Johnny." I said in a whisper. "Don't worry about it, I mean, it's the least I can for ruining your love life, right?" Johnny asked. I didn't answer. "Are you coming to the game tonight?" He asked. "Nah, I don't have a reason to. Emmett is mad at me, Edward dumped me. I think I'll stay home tonight." I told him. "Bella, last night, what I said, I meant it. Okay? The reason I said it wasn't just cause I was stoned. I mean it, I really am sorry. For everything." Johnny said, his ice blue eyes blazing with apologies. "I know, Johnny, I know. See you around." I said, and walked back the way I came. I felt oddly free. Like not having Johnny has a safety net, was actually my escape from my past. To bad your memories never go away. If they did, I would forget last night ever happened, and re do it all over again. Leaving out the part where Edward broke up with me. I checked my missed calls. Between Alice and Emmett there was a total of 83. And between Lexi and Jason, 17.

The morning passed slow. It was weird not seeing Edward's face after every class, meeting me at the door, ready to grab my books from me. I didn't like it. Not at all. I was planning to avoid lunch at all costs. I could always be a wimp and eat outside…alone. Or I could walk in there, and face him. It's not like I broke up with him, he broke up with me. So I have every right that he has to sit at that lunch table with my friends. Well, aside from Emmett, he's mad at me. I sighed, and walked into the cafeteria. Everyone turned to look at me. Their eyes followed me as I got into the line, and got my lunch. It felt familiar. The way people were acting around me. Just like Phoenix, watching my every move, whispering to each other. What's that saying, history finds a way of repeating itself. The only empty seat at our usual table was across from Edward. I tried to get the image of last night out of my head, as I sat down. The whole table turned to look at me. "What?" I asked. "Haven't you been hearing anything?" Alice asked. "No, should I have?" I asked. "They are all talking about you." Jasper said, waving his hand around the cafeteria. I looked, and sure enough, everyone turned away from me, acting all innocent. "Oh. Why?" I asked. "Don't you know anything?" Alice asked. "Apparently not." I said. "It has something to do with this morning behind the gym." Rose shrugged. Oh, that's what has everyone in an up roar. "No one exactly knows what happened. Or if they are they aren't telling the whole story. Or, people are probably changing it to make it more interesting." Alice said. "Like, 'Bella Swan is a total nympho', or 'Bella Swan is beyond pathetic.', or my personal favorite, 'Bella Swan is a complete psycho.'" I said.

That's what everyone thought of me back in Phoenix. "I thought you didn't hear them?" Alice asked. "I didn't." I shook my head. "But how did you know that's what the people thought?" Alice asked. "Past experience." I shrugged. "Care to elaborate?" Emmett asked. "Nope." I said. I looked up, and met Edward eyes. They weren't as alive as they once were. He didn't look away like I expected him to. He sat there staring, I felt like he could see through me, not in the I'm invisible sense, more in the he understands me. But how could he? He doesn't know me. No one does. When I started to blush I had to look away. "I'm gonna go. See you guys later." I said, got up, and walked out the caf, eyes following so much for a clean start. I sat in biology, I was dreading this class, Edward and I were forced to sit together. Damn. The bell rang, and people started filing in. they looked at me, and whispered to each other. I rolled my eyes, imbeciles. I heard the stool next to me slide out, and I felt the electricity. Edward. I looked at him, and he was staring down at me, so I looked any where but him. Mike Newton, was staring holes in the back of my head, I turned around and glared. "Take a fucking picture, okay? It will last longer." I told him, then turned back around. Edward was laughing, he was actually laughing. My heart rate quickened.

Mr. Banner came in then, telling us we are watching a movie. Of course we are, I groaned. The lights went out, and the TV illuminating the room. The lighting made Edward look even more amazing, if that was even possible. I had to keep my hands in a fist to stop myself from reaching out and touching him. I was a little pleased to see his hands in fists as well. The movie ended, right as the bell rang. I was putting my book into my bag, when a white folded piece of paper landed in front of me. I looked up, but Edward was already gone.