Learning to Trust Chapter 37, a twilight fanfic

DISCLAIMER: Same disclaimer. I don't own anything, just the way I choose to use the characters.

Chapter 37 – School Lies

BPOV

The weekend went by quicker than I thought it would. Edward came over every day to spend time with me and he was able to keep my mind off of what I was going to be going back to on Monday.

The one thing that I didn't fail to notice as Edward and I spent time together was the fact that none of our other friends had come around. I wanted to ask him about that because he admitted to me on Saturday morning that he had told them what had happened but I'm not sure that I really want the answer to the question of why they decided not to visit.

When Monday morning rolled around I found myself anxious about going back to school. Unfortunately Charlie had received a call over the weekend stating that he was needed at the school for a meeting so I wouldn't be able to see Edward this morning. Once I finally finished getting ready for school I made my way to the kitchen.

"Morning Bells, what do you want for breakfast?" Charlie asked.

I just shook my head. "Nothing, thank you. I'm not very hungry."

I could tell by the look on Charlie's face that he wanted to say something but he didn't. Instead, I noticed him grab a granola bar, as we were getting ready to leave the house. We didn't say much on the way to the school. By the time we got there I was starting to go into full-blown panic mode.

Apparently Charlie noticed that my breathing had changed because he turned to me after he parked. "Are you okay?" he asked.

"I'm fine," I stated through shaky breaths.

"Take some deep breaths. You need to calm down, everything is going to be okay," he tried to reassure me.

I did as he asked and worked on slowing my breaths down. "Dad, am I going to be in trouble?"

"No, you did nothing wrong."

"Then why did you have to come here?"

"I'm sure it is just so that we can discuss what happened to you and to figure out what needs to be done to ensure that nothing like this ever happens again."

I knew he was right, but there was still a part of me that was afraid of having to face Lauren and Jessica. Charlie and I had discussed it and I knew that I would have to face them in Court. After charges were filed on Friday I was informed that I would have to testify against them at some point in the future. I had accepted that but that didn't mean that I am prepared to face them right now.

After a few minutes Charlie asked, "Are you ready to go in now?"

I nodded because I still wasn't sure if I could find my voice. As Charlie and I made our way to the school I could feel the eyes of the other students on me. The one thing I hadn't let myself think of when I was pressing charges against Lauren and Jessica was what other students would do when they found out. I had to force myself not to shutter as I made my way into the school with Charlie by my side.

Right before we hit the Principal's office I noticed my friends out of the corner of my eye. Or rather all of them except Edward. I noticed Alice watching me but she didn't make a move to come over to say anything. I tried to put that out of my mind as I prepared to follow Charlie into the office.

Charlie, noticing my posture tense, put his arm on my back and ushered me into the office.

"Chief Swan, let me let Principal Smith know that you are here," Mrs. Cope said.

"Okay," was all Charlie said before ushering me over to one of the chairs by the wall.

We sat there for a few minutes before Principal Smith made his way out of his office and over to where we were sitting.

"Chief Swan. Thank you for taking the time to come in and visit with me. I wish it were under better circumstances. Why don't you two follow me into my office."

I wrung my hands but got up and followed them into Mr. Smith's office. After we were both seated Mr. Smith turned towards me.

"Isabella, I presume you are feeling better. It's good to see you back at school."

"I am feeling better sir. I am glad to be back at school as well." I told him.

Mr. Smith merely nodded to let me know that he heard what I said before he turned his attention back to Charlie.

"Chief Swan, I called you in today to discuss this matter that seems to be taking place between Isabella and Ms. Mallory. It has come to my attention that you have chosen to bring charges against Ms. Mallory for the alleged incident that occurred last week."

I watched Charlie's face and I could tell that he was getting angry. "Mr. Smith, with all due respect there was not an alleged incident. My daughter was assaulted while she was in your care and ended up having to be hospitalized."

"Let's not get upset. Right now we have the word of Isabella against Ms. Mallory. Rest assured that the incident is not being taken lightly and the school is investigating this incident."

"Please explain to me why I shouldn't get upset. I think it is pretty clear what happened. Bella has been through enough that she shouldn't have to worry about being assaulted and harassed while she is trying to get an education. Now I understand that an investigation needs to be done into Ms. Mallory and Ms. Stanley's actions, but explain to me what the school is doing to protect the other students, namely my daughter, in the meantime."

If I didn't know that Charlie was on my side I would be scared by the look he was currently giving Principal Smith. Since all I wanted to do was be able to go to school without problems, I just sat there quietly as he stared the Mr. Smith down.

"I assure you that we the safety of our students is of the utmost importance. Like I said an investigation into the incident in the bathroom is being undertaken. However, at this time we simply have the word of Isabella against the word of Ms. Stanley and Ms. Mallory." Principal Smith stated exasperatedly.

The tension in the room was palpable and I found myself fidgeting in my seat. I kept looking between the two men as they continued to argue back and forth. Somehow it didn't surprise me that the principal wouldn't want to take action against Lauren and Jessica. After all they were both cheerleaders and I am a nobody.

I was brought out of my thoughts when Principal Smith stated, "I understand that you want to be there for Isabella, however, before this incident there has been no report of Isabella having any problems with Ms. Mallory and Ms. Stanley. In light of the events I have also called their parents in and spoken with them about the claims your daughter has made."

"And," Charlie asked.

"Well, it seems that, according to the other girls, Isabella has been harassing them and went as far as to have her friends threaten Ms. Mallory."

"Are you referring to the incident that apparently took place at a party, which was off school grounds, prior to the break?" Charlie asked.

"You were aware that your daughter's friends made these threats."

"It seems that I am a whole lot more aware of incidents that take place not only off school grounds, but also on school grounds that you seem to be. Yes, I am aware of what took place at that party and I have seen the tape of that interaction. I let the parents of those involved know and we have discussed with them that while their intentions were noble, they went about things in the wrong way. I also think that if you are going to bring up those actions of people outside of this school then they, as well as their parents, need to be brought in to give their side of the story. Thus far it appears that you are only interested in hearing the side of those individuals who have caused the problems."

"Chief Swan, I promise you that I am not trying to seem as if I am taking one side over the other. You may be right and further discussion needs to be undertaken in this matter. Please excuse me for a minute," Principal Smith stated before he got up and walked out of the door.

Once he had left the room Charlie turned toward me. "How are you doing? You know that he is wrong and none of this is your fault, don't you?"

I didn't know what to say. I was somewhat amazed that Charlie was sticking up for me in the way he was. I mean I knew he believed me about what happened, but other than after I returned from Arizona, I had never seen this fierce side of him. After a minute or so I was able to snap out of my revelry and look up at him. "I know," was all I could find in me to say.

Before Charlie got a chance to say anything else the door opened and Mr. Smith came back into the office. "I have called the parents of the other students that Ms. Mallory and Ms. Stanley indicated were threatening them and once they get here I will call the students in as well and we will hear their side of the events. Is that satisfactory?" he asked Charlie.

"No that is not satisfactory but it will have to do. In the meantime we need to discuss how you plan on protecting my daughter from these girls while you finish your investigation."

"Well, given that we have no proof as to what happened in that bathroom other than the word of those supposedly involved, I cannot suspend any of the students. I can make sure that the other girls are advised that they are not to have contact with or speak to Isabella until further notice. However, that will have to go both ways and Isabella will need to refrain from interacting with them as well."

I just nodded not knowing what to say. It is obvious that Mr. Smith has taken the side of Lauren and Jessica and I don't think that there will be anything that will be able to change his mind. I sat there hating the fact that Edward and the rest of my friends were being dragged into this whole situation and a part of me wanted to ask Charlie to give it up and see if I could just finish the year elsewhere.

Before my thoughts could get too far there was a knock on the door and Mrs. Cope stuck her head in the room. "The other parents are here."

"Take them into the conference room and pull their children out of class so that we can try to take care of this," he said to Mrs. Cope before turning back to us. "Why don't you follow me to the conference room and we will continue there."

Charlie and I both got up and followed Mr. Smith to the conference room. When we got there I wasn't surprised to see the parents of all my friends. Before we even had a chance to sit down Esme got up and came over to me, pulling me into a hug.

"I'm so sorry that I'm causing you guys problems. I wish you guys weren't being burdened," I told her as I fought the tears that wanted to fall as I stood there wrapped in her embrace.

I tried to pull away but she stopped me and held my chin so that I was looking at her. "You have nothing to be sorry about. I'm sorry that you have been through everything you have been through. You should be able to feel safe at school and I plan on doing whatever I can to make sure that those who need to be punished are."

I couldn't help the smile that fought its way onto my face. Despite everything Esme made me feel safe. Just as I was pulling out of her embrace there was a knock on the door and Mrs. Cope came in followed by all of my friends.

"Good, I'm glad you are all here. Why don't you each take a seat next to your parents and we will get started."

My friends all looked around trying to figure out what was going on but I couldn't bring myself to look any of them in the eye. This was all my fault.

Charlie put his hand on my shoulder and directed me to an empty seat next to Esme. After we were seated Esme grabbed one of my hands and Charlie grabbed the other.

Before Mr. Smith was able to say anything Carlisle spoke. "What is this about?"

"If everyone would please just calm down I will explain it." Mr. Smith responded.

The room suddenly got quiet and Mr. Smith cleared his throat. "Now it has been brought to my attention that things have been going on between your children and a couple of other students in this school. We are here to get to the bottom of the situation and try to find a solution that will be acceptable to all those involved."

Beside me I hear Charlie snort. Despite how uncomfortable I was feeling at the moment I couldn't suppress the smile that graced my face at Charlie's unhappiness with Mr. Smith.

"Like I was saying," Mr. Smith started again. "As you are aware Ms. Swan was injured at this school last week. Now I understand that she indicates that there were other students involved in causing her injuries."

All of a sudden I looked around and saw anger on all the faces of my friends and their parents.

"That is true. Now what are you going to do about it?" Esme asked.

"Well if everyone would just calm down I will explain. Now, the school is performing an investigation into Ms. Swan's allegations. However, in the course of our investigation it has been brought to our attention that the other students in question seem to be being harassed themselves."

I looked up and saw Rose's face contort in anger. "What do you mean they have been being harassed?"

"Well Ms. Hale, there are allegations that you have not only harassed these individuals but that you have also threatened them. What do you have to say in response to those allegations?"

"Rose," Carlisle said. "Let me handle this."

"Mr. Smith, it seems to me that you are putting a lot of credence into the allegations of these individuals. Do you have any allegations to back their stories up? How about what are you doing about how they have been treating Bella? Are you even putting any effort into that investigation?"

"Mr. Cullen, as I informed Chief Swan, we are investigating his daughter's allegations, however right now it is just her word against the word of two individuals. I am not discounting what Ms. Swan has stated, but you must agree that it is kind of suspicious that up until now Ms. Swan has never reported any type of harassment. " Mr. Smith stated.

I couldn't stop the tears that started to pour down my face. I couldn't sit there any more and listen to how I had apparently asked for this to happen to me. As I ran out of the office I didn't stop. I had a feeling that Charlie would understand why I couldn't stick around.

By the time I was home my chest felt like it was going to explode. I knew I couldn't just bottle it up inside anymore. I grabbed my phone and dialed the number I knew I needed to dial.

I waited as the phone rang. "Hello."

EPOV

After I left Bella's house on Friday I determined that I was going to do whatever I could to make her weekend good. I knew that she was worried about going back to school so I did whatever I could to keep her mind on happier things.

When I told everyone what had happened to say that they were livid would be an understatement. I literally had to have Emmett force Rosalie to stay home and to not go after Lauren and Jessica. I explained how Bella was pressing charges and convinced them that it would be better for us all to just be there and support Bella.

It was decided that they would wait to talk to her at school so that she didn't feel bombarded or overwhelmed. I promised to keep them informed as to how Bella was doing over the weekend.

When I got to the school I was met with the worried glances of my friends. "What's going on?"

Emmett was the first one to answer. "Bella and the Chief are here."

"Okay"

"Well they both went into the principal's office about ten minutes ago and neither of them have come out yet." Emmett stated.

I had figured that the chief would want to talk to the principal about what happened so I wasn't really surprised. I just shrugged. "I'm sure he just wants to make sure the school is taking care of the problem."

Unfortunately we didn't have an opportunity to discuss the issue any further because the bell rang and we all had to head off to class.

I found I had a hard time concentrating on class because I started to worry about Bella. My worry increased exponentially when during second period I was pulled out of class and told to go to the office. On my way there I met up with Alice and Emmett. When we got to the office we were met with Jasper and Rose.

"What's going on?" I asked Jasper.

"I don't know son. We were pulled out of class and told to come here."

Since we were all there Mrs. Cope directed us to the conference room. Once we were all in the conference room I looked around and was surprised to see not only our parents but Bella and Charlie there as well.

I saw that Bella was standing next to my mom and she appeared to have been crying.

Before I could go over to her Mr. Smith spoke.

"Good, I'm glad you are all here. Why don't you each take a seat next to your parents and we will get started."

I looked around and noticed that everyone seemed to be tense. I tried to catch Bella's eye and she was refusing to really look at anyone. I knew that whatever was going on likely had something to do with Lauren and Jessica. I took a seat next to my father and watched as Charlie sat Bella in the seat between him and my mom.

Immediately dad spoke, "What is this about?"

"If everyone would please just calm down I will explain it." Mr. Smith responded. "Now it has been brought to my attention that things have been going on between your children and a couple of other students in this school. We are here to get to the bottom of the situation and try to find a solution that will be acceptable to all those involved."

I looked around and saw the looks of confusion on the faces of my friends and family. Charlie must have said something under his breath because I saw Bella's face fall into a small smile.

"Like I was saying," Mr. Smith continued. "As you are aware Ms. Swan was injured at this school last week. Now I understand that she indicates that there were other students involved in causing her injuries."

I was instantly pissed. Was he really insinuating that Bella was making this up?

"That is true. Now what are you going to do about it?" mom asked indignantly.

"What do you mean they have been being harassed?" Rose spat.

"Well Ms. Hale, there are allegations that you have not only harassed these individuals but that you have also threatened them. What do you have to say in response to those allegations?"

"Rose," Dad stated putting his hand up to stop Rose from going off on Mr. Smith. "Let me handle this."

Dad was sitting next to me with his hand on my arm to keep me from jumping up. I looked around and noticed that everyone else was seemingly being held in place as well. Before I noticed it, Bella was up and out of the room.

It was then that all hell broke loose. Surprisingly before even the Chief could speak it was Rose's dad that spoke. "Are you telling me that this school puts more emphasis on the word of individuals who physically attack a student than on the word of the individual who was indeed attacked?"

"Mr. Hale please take a seat and let's discuss this as adults. What I am trying to say is that there are issues that have come up that need to be discussed. I'm not accusing Ms. Swan of lying about what happened to her, just indicating that not everything can be taken at face value and that is why there is an investigation being done."

My mom spoke next. "Clearly you have already taken the word of these individuals over that of Bella. Do you not even care about everything they have put her through?"

"Until this incident Ms. Swan has not reported any difficulties with these individuals. Whereas we have several people who will indicate that your children have been seen threatening these individuals in question."

Finally I couldn't' stand it anymore. "Yes, we had a confrontation with Lauren and Jessica. However that confrontation was done off school grounds and it was in reference to them continuously harassing Bella. Harassment that took place more than one time and on school grounds."

"It is Ms. Swan's word on that alleged harassment. She has never reported this harassment to any school official." Mr. Smith indicated.

"Nor did she tell any of us about it. It was only after we came upon and witnessed the harassment, more than one time, did we decide to intervene. And when we intervened we only told them to leave Bella alone," Emmett spat.

"That is not how they indicate it occurred."

Suddenly Alice pulled out her phone. "Here, we recorded the interaction," she said as she pulled the video up.

Mr. Smith was quiet as he watched the video. After the video was over he was quiet for a while. "I guess the investigation into the incident needs to continue. No matter what none of you are to say or do anything to these individuals. There is no evidence as to that they are the cause of Ms. Swan's injuries. Now you all need to go back to class."

I stood up and wanted to walk out of the school. Before I left the room Charlie stopped me. "Edward, I will check on her and text you to let you know she is okay."

"Thank you sir. I can't imagine how she must feel to know that the word of Lauren and Jessica is being taken over hers. This is part of the reason she has never told anyone about the stuff that has happened to her." I told him.

"I know son. It's time for her to know that people are here for her. I promise she will be okay."

At that I gave my parents a hug and followed my friends back to class. We would find a way to make sure Lauren and Jessica paid for not only their lies but also for what they did to Bella.