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

Chapter 38 – Emotional Aftermath

BPOV

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."

I start to freak out. Maybe making this call was a bad idea. My hands are shaking so badly I am having a hard time holding the phone. I'm about to just give up and hang up the phone when I summon the courage to speak.

"Hi, this is Bella Swan. Is Dr. Biers available?" I ask even though I know that I called his emergency number.

"Bella, this is Riley. What's going on?" he asks seemingly able to sense my tension.

My courage is quickly waning. "Um, sorry to bother you. It was a mistake. I will talk to you at my next session," I quickly spit out and move to hang up.

"Bella, please don't hang up. You are not a bother. Please talk to me."

The tightness in my chest won't quit. I try to talk but I can't seem to catch my breath. "Bella, I need you to calm down and breathe with me. Is there someone there with you?" Riley asks.

I try to slow down my breathing but I can't seem to take control. Despite the tears and inability to breathe properly I am finally able to squeak out, "No, I'm home alone."

"Okay, since you don't have someone with you I want you to listen to my voice. I need you to take slow even breaths. I am going to count and you follow along like we have done in the past."

Riley started to count and I struggled to match my breaths to his counting. Finally after a few minutes I was finally able to gain some control and the tightness in my chest was getting better. Riley continued to help me through my breathing until I was left with just some sniffles.

"Better?" he asked.

"Yeah. Thank you," I replied quietly.

"There is no need to thank me. Are you feeling better?"

"Well, I'm not sure. I actually feel kind of stupid that I can't seem to get through anything on my own."

"Bella, you are not stupid. This is what I am here for. What brought this feeling on? Actually, why don't we begin with what happened."

I take a deep breath and fight the tears that once again want to escape. "Today I was supposed to go back to school. Anyway, Charlie had to go with me because we needed to meet with the principal since I filed charges against the girls who attacked me." I said through the tears that were once again making their way down my face.

"Did something happen at school Bella?"

"Yeah, when we got there Charlie and I were taken into the principal's office to discuss the incident."

"Okay, what happened in the principal's office?"

"Um the principal basically accused me to lying about what happened and then told me that the girls who attacked me had accused me of harassing them." I told him through my renewed tears.

"Bella, what happened then?"

"I couldn't stand to sit there and listen to yet another person tell me that everything is my fault. I got up, left and came home when I called you. I'm so sorry for bothering you."

"Do not apologize for calling me. I am so proud that you did. Tell me, what would you have done a month ago if the same thing happened?" he asked me.

"I probably would have just locked myself away and try to pretend it didn't happen." I told him truthfully.

"Exactly, and now you are starting to recognize that you have done nothing wrong and you are reaching out for help. Now, how would you feel about an extra session this afternoon? I think being able to talk about it is going to really help you."

"I will have to check with my dad, but if you are sure that it isn't too much of a bother I will be there."

"Good, I will pencil you in for 3:00. Don't worry Bella you did nothing wrong. I will see you then." Riley told me.

"Thank you. See you at 3."

I hung up and just sat there looking at the phone. It wasn't more than a few minutes before I was brought out of my thoughts by a knock on my bedroom door. I jerked up to see Charlie standing there.

"How are you feeling Bells?" Charlie asked.

"Better now." I told him honestly.

"I take it that was Riley on the phone."

"Yeah, sorry I probably should have asked you first before I called him." I said quietly.

Charlie left his post by the door and made his way over to me. He gingerly took a seat on the bed next to me and grabbed my hand. "Bella, don't apologize for calling him. You never need my permission to seek out help when you feel you need it. I'm just glad that you felt safe enough to talk to someone about what happened today."

His words surprised me and I found myself looking up into his face. I could see the pain all over it and it hit me that he really did believe and love me. "I'm sorry for taking off. I just couldn't sit there anymore. I kept thinking back to Arizona and mom saying how nobody loves me and everything that has happened to me is my fault. I promise that I haven't harassed those girls dad." I said through the tears that were now streaming down my face.

Charlie surprised me when he pulled me into a tight hug. "I know you haven't. You did nothing to cause those girls to do what they have done to you. You know that they are in the wrong and not you, don't you."

I shrugged noncommittally because I wanted to believe what he was telling me and before going to school today I did believe him. The problem is that I don't know what to think anymore.

He grabbed my chin to make me look at him. "Sweetie, I know you have had to endure far more than anyone your age should ever have to deal with, but you have to see how strong you are. What those girls did was wrong, but this time you stood up for yourself. That takes a great deal of courage."

"Yeah, but then I ran away, again." I said softly.

"You didn't run away. You took yourself out of a situation that was becoming too much for you to handle. Where did you go when you left? Did you hide, no you came home and you called someone to help you. There is nothing wrong with taking yourself out of a situation and finding someone to help you. I'm proud of how you handled yourself today."

As I looked into his eyes I could see that he was telling me the truth and that he was proud of me. "You're not ashamed of me."

"No, I could never be ashamed of you. I can never tell you just how proud I am of you. Bella, I know we have talked a little about what happened with your mom, but I don't know if I have ever truly made you understand just how sorry I am that you have had to deal with everything you have. Honestly, I look at you and I am amazed how strong you are."

"I'm not strong," I argue.

Charlie shakes his head. "You don't see it but you are so very strong. Bella, I can honestly say that I don't think I would have been able to deal with half of what you have. Not just the physical abuse that you have had to deal with but the emotional abuse as well. You amaze me every day because despite everything you have gone through you continue to push through your fears."

The tears are now rolling down my face. I still don't necessarily see any strength in me, but to hear Charlie say these things makes me feel like there is a reason to continue pushing forward.

I don't know what to say in response so I just tell him thanks.

"What are you thanking me for?" Charlie asks me.

"Just for not giving up on me. For being here for me even though I seem to bring you more problems than anything since I have been here."

"You have not caused me any problems since you moved here. All you have done since you moved here is make my life better."

I fought the tears that wanted to escape my eyes as I looked at him. "But if I hadn't moved here then you wouldn't be forced to deal with all the medical bills I have created, nor would you have to deal with what happened in Arizona, or even with the school."

"Bella, while I wish I didn't have to deal with any of those things I would not trade anything about having you be here with me. You being here has made me the happiest father around. None of the other stuff is even remotely your fault. Together we will get through this."

I can't explain how much of a weight seemed to lift off my shoulders as Charlie told me this. Sure he has been telling me that he loves me and that he would always be here for me, but for some reason I could see that he wasn't just saying the words. He means them. I can't seem to stop the tears that are pouring down my face. Charlie just holds me as I sob into his chest.

After about ten minutes I am finally able to get control of myself. "Better," Charlie asks.

I look up at him and offer him a small smile. "Yeah."

"Good. Now how about we go downstairs and get something for lunch. Then we can make our way to Riley's office for your appointment."

I looked up at him, perplexed. "How did you know about that?" I asked.

"Well, I got here not too long after you did. I heard you talking to him, but I didn't want to interrupt. I'm sorry for listening, but I just needed to make sure that you were okay," he tells me.

"It's okay dad. I'm glad that you were here," I tell him truthfully.

We head downstairs to the kitchen to find something for lunch. "Is soup and sandwiches okay with you?" Charlie asks.

"Sounds good." I tell him honestly. "How about you heat up the soup and I will make us some grilled ham and cheese."

"Alright," he says as he gives me a kiss on the forehead.

We both moved to opposite corners of the kitchen to gather what we need for our tasks. After everything is gathered we meet up at the stove and work side by side until lunch is ready.

Lunch is eaten in a companionable silence. When we are about done the ringing of the telephone interrupts the silence. "I'll get it," Charlie tells me.

As he goes to answer the phone I move to clear the table. I put the leftover soup in the refrigerator and start to wash the dishes. I can hear Charlie talking on the phone and from his side of the conversation I can tell that he is talking to an attorney. Not wanting to pry I try to block out the conversation, but from what I do hear I can tell that it has something to do with me.

Once the dishes are done I leave the kitchen. I notice that Charlie is sitting in his chair taking notes while he continues to talk on the phone. He looks up when he notices me enter the room. I motion that I am going to head up to my room and he nods his head in acknowledgement.

When I get upstairs I notice that I have a little over an hour before I have to be at Riley's office. I grab my iPod and put on my relaxation playlist. I lie back on my bed and listen to the music as it soothes me.

I must have dozed off because I jump when I feel a hand on my leg. I look up and notice Charlie standing there with a sheepish look on his face. I pull off my headphones and sit up.

"Hey, it's time to go." Charlie tells me.

"Okay," I reply as I get up and grab my shoes.

"I will meet you downstairs."

I nod to let him know I heard him. Once I have my shoes on I grab my phone and shove it in my pocket. I make my way downstairs and thank Charlie as he hands me my jacket.

The ride to Riley's office is quiet. Part of me wants to ask what his phone call was about but I don't want him to feel like he is being forced to tell me. I look out the window and let myself get lost in the scenery.

After we park Charlie turns to me. "Do you want me to stay with you?"

I really would like him to stay, but I don't want to force him. Instead I turn to him and say, "If you want to stay I would be more than okay with that."

I can tell by looking at him that he is relieved that I am not shutting him out again. We make our way inside. Before I have a chance to tell the receptionist who I am Riley comes out of his office.

"Bella, I'm so glad that you came in. Are you ready to go back?"

I look over at Charlie and he smiles at me. "I will be right here waiting for you when you are done," he tells me.

I feel better knowing that he is here with me so I follow Riley back to his office. "Have a seat," Riley tells me as he moves to grab us both bottles of water.

Once I am seated he hands me my water and takes his seat across from me. "First, let me tell you how happy I am that you decided to call me earlier. I can't even imagine how you were feeling, but instead of shutting people out you reached out and that shows real progress."

I nod at his statement because I really don't know what to say.

"How are you feeling after everything that happened today?" Riley asked.

"Honestly?"

Riley nodded.

"I guess I feel conflicted. There is a part of me that is extremely upset that even the school seems to think that I deserve what happened to me, but there is another part of me that is resigned to the fact that this is how my life seems to go."

"You have every right to be upset. Not only have you been through a great deal in your life, but you were also physically assaulted. It took a great deal of courage for you to speak out against your attackers and for an authority figure in your life to question you the way the principal did basically validated all the things that your mom has been feeding you. Is that kind of what was going through your mind during the meeting with the principal this morning?"

"Exactly. The entire time that Principal Smith was talking it was like listening to Renee. Here is just one more person saying that I'm worthless and I deserve the treatment that I am receiving. I just keep asking myself what I have done so bad in my life to have to continue enduring this constant abuse," I told him through my tears.

"Bella, you have done nothing wrong. The principal wrong for what he said. Do you believe me?"

"I want to believe you, but it's hard." I say through the sniffles.

Riley hands me a tissue. "Bella, would it be okay to bring your dad in here."

I shrug because I really don't care. Charlie has already seen me in tears today so this isn't anything he hasn't seen.

Riley got up and walked out of the room. A few minutes later he came back in with Charlie beside him. Charlie took a seat next to me and he reached over and grabbed my hand. I looked up at him and he gave me a sad smile as he squeezed my hand.

"Charlie, Bella has told me what happened when you guys went to the school today. She has indicated that she feels like she is constantly fighting and it feels like the world is against her. What is your impression of what happened today?"

Charlie turned his body so that he could look at both Riley and me as he spoke. "Well, what went down at the school was completely wrong. The principal was out of line for not only the way he spoke about the situation, but also for the manner in which he did the investigation."

"Okay, how about how Bella reacted. Did she do anything wrong?"

"No, absolutely not. Bella was far more composed than most people her age would be. I don't blame her for walking out when she did."

"Why is that, Charlie?"

"Well, by the time Bella walked out. The principal was trying to make her the bad guy, despite physical evidence to the contrary. The principal was completely in the wrong."

"Even though I wasn't there, based upon what both of you have told me I have to completely agree that the principal's actions were completely out of line. Now how are we going to help Bella move forward? I would venture to guess that even though she hasn't said anything Bella is afraid to go back to school. Am I right?" Riley asked me.

This was one thing that I hadn't vocalized. I nodded because not only was I afraid of what was going to happen when I returned to school, I was terrified. I mean if the principal didn't believe me, would there be anyone there to protect me.

I didn't realize I had started shaking until Charlie pulled me into his side. "Bella, I promise that you have nothing to fear when you go back to school. Can you trust me on that?"

Again I nodded.

"Charlie, is there something being done to ensure Bella's safety?" Riley asked somehow knowing that the question was floating in my brain.

"Actually there is. After Bella left the principal was made aware of what had been actually taking place. Once the meeting was finished Carlisle called the head of the school board and explained the situation to him. There is a meeting between the school board and the parents on Wednesday night. I have also spoken with an attorney and we are in the process of ensuring that a protection order is put in place. I know it doesn't sound like a lot but I promise that I am doing everything I can to ensure that you are safe at school Bella."

I nod and throw my arms around Charlie. "Thank you for always being here for me."

"Don't ever feel the need to thank me. You are my baby girl and I plan on making it my mission to ensure that you are safe."

Charlie and Riley talked a little bit more about what needed to be done to ensure that Lauren and Jessica were kept away from me. Before I knew it Charlie was ushering me out of the office and back to the car.

"How about we grab some ice cream before we head home."

I smile at him and say, "Sounds good."

As Charlie drove I pulled my phone out of my pocket so that I could text Edward to let him know I was okay. I felt bad for not doing it earlier but Charlie had assured me that Edward knew I was okay.

I sent Edward a quick text to let him know that I was on my way home and that I would call him when I got there. Right as I was about to put my phone back in my pocket I felt it vibrate. I smiled thinking that it was Edward. What I saw however caused the blood to drain from my face and I dropped my phone.

Lying bitches will pay for all their transgressions. Go die and make the world a better place.

The number that the text came from was blocked. I don't know how long I sat there but the next thing I knew Charlie was pulled over and yelling into his phone. I don't even know what he said because I couldn't hear anything as the tears started to pour down my face. It is never going to be over.

AN

First, I am happy to say that I hit 100 reviews. I thank each and every person who has taken the time to read and review this story.

Second, next weeks chapter may be a day or two late. I am going on vacation later this week and I am not taking my laptop with me. I will try to get it up on Tuesday next week but I can't promise.

Please let me know what you think. Until next week, enjoy!