CHAPTER 43 – PLAYGROUND
Imagine Dragons - Radioactive
I'm breaking in, shaping up, then checking out on the prison bus I'm waking up, I feel it in my bones
This is it, the apocalypse
Whoa
Enough to make my systems blow
Welcome to the new age, to the new age
Welcome to the new age, to the new age
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, I'm radioactive, radioactive
A/N: Love this song – been waiting to use it. Anyway…awesome reviews again. I was quick to write this update as a thank you.
I had gone through the lessons the first two lessons in a daze but Angela had been a great distraction from the penetrating stares. She entertained me with stories of her weekend babysitting job and in return I told her about my experience as a waitress. She grimaced with the mention of Jenny – apparently I wasn't the only one that didn't appreciate the mouthy red-haired lady's company.
What pleased me further was that she had respected my privacy and fished for information. All she did was tell me that she was there for me, if I needed to talk.
We had been set a group research task in World History where Jasper, Alice and Angela joined me in finding information on the Battle of Marathon. This had been all too easy but for Angela's sake, we had to pretend to be flicking through the dust-collecting history books for research.
Finally we were packing up after a long English literature lesson where I spent the hour ignoring Mr. Mason's glances as well as everyone else's stares, excluding Angela of course.
Ben was leaning on the doorway, patiently waiting for Angela and I turned away when he bent down to kiss her but somehow the image was embedded in my thoughts. However it was not Angela and Ben, for some reason the vision had morphed into me and Edward.
"Hey Bella" the chirpy voice of the young Newton boy pulled me out of my thoughts and I blinked, focusing on the enthusiastic bright blue eyes boring into mine.
I took a small step back when realising just how close we were. Then forcing a friendly grin, I offered a small nod, "Mike"
Angela and Ben had already begun to walk towards the cafeteria so I began to trail after them. Mike didn't get the message because he hurried his steps to keep up with my pace. When hearing his laboured breathing, I slowed my steps, feeling sorry for him.
Once he was at the same pace as I was, he jumped into the conversation I had been trying to avoid, "So what's the deal with you and Cullen?" he questioned, still breathless.
My footsteps faltered with his question and although I knew it was one of the things people wanted to know, I wasn't sure how to answer it, "Deal? There is no deal" I laughed it off but it was too strained, "He's my friend" I added but the label didn't seem to do justice for what Edward was to me.
Alice was my friend – so was Jasper, Emmett and Rosalie but Edward…it was different. He wasn't just a friend to me - he was…more…?
"Oh" he seemed pensive, considering my words for a moment before a wide grin stretched across his face. This unexpected reaction made me feel he smiled, "Good" his cheeks started to redden and I felt myself the fear creep into my veins with the penetrating gaze he fixed onto me, "That's good"
I made a move to excuse myself, "I better get goi-"
My words were cut off when he placed his hand on my elbow to stop me, "Wait!" he pleaded so I relented with a sigh and turned back to him, waiting for him to speak. "I was really worried about you when you didn't come in on Friday" he confessed with a sad smile but his wary eyes told a different story.
"Just a headache" I shrugged it off to keep up the pretences.
He nodded before the wide grin returned as he released a breath, "Well I'm glad to know you're feeling better"
"Thanks Mike" my voice wavered because I had taken notice of how he was slowly inching his way towards me. In a panic, I took an inconspicuous step back, leaving a decent amount of space between us.
I felt impatient because I wanted to see Edward again so I made a move to leave but he was quick to step in front of me. In defeat, I slumped my shoulders and looked at him in question, wondering what else he had to say to me.
"I was also wondering if…" he paused, awkwardly scratching the back of his neck as he suddenly became interested in his shoes.
"What?" I urged in a voice that was harsher than I had intended.
Still not daring to look at me, he began to rock on the back of his heels and rubbing his palms together, "I-I was just w-wo-wondering i-if maybe you and I could go somewhere on Saturday" he finally splattered out and I felt myself go cold with shock from the unexpected.
"What?" my eyes were wide but I wasn't even looking at him.
He was hesitant as he lifted his head and his doubt-filled eyes met my own unblinking ones, "I-I mean we could go someplace and eat" he looked flustered, his cheeks reddening with each word that left his mouth, "Maybe even watch a movie? I heard that Love Spelled Backwards is Love was playing on Saturday. We could watch that or if you had another move in mind, I wouldn't mind – It's your choice really" he continued his rambling but I was only half-listening.
My head was a whirlwind and I couldn't focus on any of the thoughts that whirled through so I shook my head to clear out my mind, "I'm sorry. What?" still not sure about what just happened.
"Bella!" my life-saver arrived, wrapping his arm around my waist to comfort me. It was like an immediate response to relax into him.
Lifting my head up, I met his eyes with a grateful grin as I greeted him, "Hi" I breathed.
"Hello" he replied, the topaz of his eyes gleaming under the florescent lights but I could also read that something was troubling him. All too quickly, he tore his gaze away from me and onto our spectator, who was dumbfounded as he stared between us. Edward then composed his features into a friendly smile but his the hardened eyes told a different story, "Hi Mike" he managed to say through his gritted teeth.
Rudely, Mike ignored Edward's greeting because he focused onto me once again, "So Bella, about Saturday…?" his whole demeanour had changed. He was no longer stumbling over his words, he had squared his shoulders and now had a determined look in his eyes.
It was now my turn to stutter as I searched for some kind of excuse, "I-I uh-"
Thankfully I had Edward who's grip on my waist tightened as he glared at Mike, "Sorry, Mike but I was actually going to take Bella hiking this weekend" his expression was unfathomable and I grew tempted to snoop through his thoughts.
Mike was taken back as his eyes looked between us before falling to Edward's hand. Understanding then flooded his eyes but was then overwhelmed with what I could read as being betrayal and pain, "Oh! Oh okay" he took a step back, "It's cool. No big deal" he was flustered once again as he took another step back but this time, he stumbled over his feet but thankfully righted himself before hitting the floor. "I'll see you later" he tried to redeem himself before making a quick getaway, bowing his head to hide his flaming cheeks.
"Wait Mike!" I broke away from Edward.
Thankfully he stopped and turned around but still didn't meet my eyes as he grunted, "Mmm" I could still feel his shame and pain.
With a small sigh, I did something I didn't think I ever would, "I think you should take Jessica" I offered and smiled when he snapped his head up in surprise which pushed me to see this through, "I know she'd love to…eat with you" my tight lipped smile broke into a grin.
He didn't notice because he was now falling into his spiralling thoughts, "Jessica…huh" he murmured to himself and began to wander towards the cafeteria but then caught himself as he turned back to look at me, "Thanks Bella" he seemed genuinely pleased. Hopefully this would put a stop to his any more ideas about us being together.
"No problem" I replied and watched as he trailed off to go have his lunch.
The familiar touch on my shoulder made me release the breath I didn't know I had been holding. Turning around to face him, I watched as his gaze moved from where Mike had exited and back to me, "That was nice of you" he congratulated me.
"What can I say, I'm an angel" I replied in a childish voice, with my palms clasped together.
Edward laughed and I swooned when he wrapped his arm around me and kissed my forehead, before leading me towards the cafeteria. However, the minute we stepped inside, I took note of how the loud chatter died down as hundreds of pairs of eyes were now fixed onto us.
Edward was had probably noticed my immobilized state because he distracted me by steering me towards the Cullen table, "I bought you lunch" he whispered in my ear.
This helped in diverting my attention from the student body as annoyance overwhelmed my stage fright, "You shouldn't have done that" I murmured back, the anger added an edge to my voice.
He must have noticed the irritation in my tone because his voice was softer when he reasoned, "Well, I don't eat mine so it makes sense for you to simply share with me" I glared at him, angry that I couldn't find fault in his logic and he knew this because he smirked.
Something else hit me and I was forced to pull away from his hold, much to his confusion so I explained, "Wait, I have to talk to Angela" suddenly feeling guilty having forgotten about her. I didn't want her to think that I was abandoning her so I could sit with the Cullens.
"She's over there" Edward pointed her out and I caught her still in Ben's loving embrace.
"I'll see you soon" he bent down to leave a lingering kiss on my forehead again and even though he was dazzling me, I could hear the sighs and shocked gasps of the girls that swooned over him.
With shaky legs, I made my way towards Angela's table while trying to clear my head.
When both of them noticed I was approaching, they broke apart from each other and I smiled at Angela's bashful expression, "Hey" I waved, feeling horrible for having interrupted them.
"Hey Bella" Ben smiled sweetly before turning back to Angela; "I'll go get our food" he scurried off but not before doing what Edward did and kissing her cheek. I knew that he had taken the opportunity to get the lunch because he knew that I would need to speak to Angela alone.
What was it with men and paying for the food?
Angela regained composure as she rested her chin onto her hands as she glanced at the Cullens and then to me, "Guess, you won't be sitting with us?" a wicked gleam in her eyes as she said this.
With a guilty sigh, I slipped into the chair opposite her, "I-I guess I can move to your table. I'm sure Edward won't mind" I tried.
She hitched an eyebrow with an almost offended look, a gasp breaking from her lips, "Are you kidding?" she outbursted and the table behind hers heard, all of them craning their necks to eavesdrop onto the conversation, so she lowered her tone, "It's Edward frickin Cullen" she hissed and I giggled, "There's no question about it" she moved back to get a good look at me, "Now go" she waved me off, "Have fun" a smile on her lips.
"I'll see you at Gym?" I resigned, happy that she wasn't angry at me.
Her lips twisted into a dark grimace at the mention of Gym before she finally waved me off once again.
Smiling at her, I stood from my seat so I could finally go see the rest of the Cullens again. However, my happiness was short-lived because when turning around, I had the pleasure of having my path blocked by the lovely Lauren Mallory.
Oh Joy.
This time no Jessica ranked her side and I scanned the cafeteria, smiling when I saw her talking to Mike but my victorious smile fell when she finally spoke, "It won't last you know" she sneered loudly with the sole purpose of gaining attention of the whole cafeteria.
Including the Cullens.
I caught how Edward made a move to get up but thankfully, Rosalie hissed an order for him to sit back down. In question, I looked at her and she whipped her head around to look back at me and then whispered, "She's got this" she smiled. I knew that those words were more for my benefit than Edward's.
She was right.
I could do this.
Focusing my attention on the petty attention-seeking human and actually felt pity for her, "Sorry what?"
She took a defined step closer to me and locked her icy stare with mine as she snarled, "You and Edward, it won't last" a burning anger both in her voice but also within her because I could feel the flames of her envy.
"Jealousy does not look good on you" I crossed my arms over my chest as I peered at her.
"Of you?" she wheezed out a dry laugh, "Per-lease" she burst into a fit of giggles but I simply stared at her, waiting for her to hit me with her best. Once she was done laughing at me, she fixed her glare onto me again, "I am like so not jealous of an ugly freak like you" she said this, probably expecting me to lash out at her but I took another turn.
"I feel really sorry for you" I spoke after a few seconds of drawn out silence.
The victory that had ensued was dulled and the murderous glare returned as she growled, "What" the blood rushing to her face and her hands balling up into fists which I found amusing. As if she thought she would manage to hit me?
"I find it sad that you have such a low self-esteem that you need to put other people down" I murmured and watched as she stood there, stewing in her shock and anger. Not giving her a chance to say something else, I took my own step towards her so I whisper in her ear, "Furthermore, what happens with me and Edward is none of your business" my menacing voice sent a chill down her spine and I knew I had her attention. Moving back, I looked into her eyes once again when adding, "…you got that Lauren?"
"I find it sad that you think something is going on with you and Edward" she retorted with a snort and I felt the monster within me fight to get out and the burn ablaze in my chest.
"I'd stay away from me, if I was you" I warned her.
She laughed, only angering me further as she teased, "Ooh I'm so scared" she laughed once again and I felt my control waver when she challenged me, "What you gonna do?"
A menacing smirk lifted my lips as I spat back, "Keep pushing me and we'll find out" as I continued glowering at her, I could feel the monster within slowly slip put of its cages and the urge to show her just what I was 'gonna do' grew. How easy it would be to end it all…?
Her icy glare wavered under my glare and I caught how her body shivered once again. Still I should appraise her for still standing there, even if she was struck with fear. The increase in her heart rate and smell of perspiration was enough to lead me to that conclusion.
The small hand on my shoulder made me jump and the darkening thoughts spiralled downwards with the reminder that we were being observed, "Bella…" Alice whispered to me, an underlying warning within her tone.
"What are you doing?" I questioned when she began to pull me away from Lauren.
She leaned in to whisper, "Making sure that you don't reveal yourself to anyone" she sent me a meaningful look and I understood what she meant. She must've seen me doing something to Lauren but I found that hard too believe. Would I have really hurt her?
I already knew the answer to that question.
While we made our way towards the Cullen table, I took deep breaths to calm myself and then masked a grin when I heard Emmett's boisterous laugh, "That was AWESOME!" he looked proud of me.
"Wow" Jasper muttered, "I'm just glad I'm in your good books" he added.
As I took my seat, I sent him a dark look to scare him, "That's what you think" but then quickly smirked to let him know that I was joking.
Alice gave an evil smile as she murmured, "I don't think Lauren will be trying anything else in a while" he inclined her head towards the other side of the cafeteria and we followed her line of sight. We all shared a laugh when we saw Lauren dazedly stumbling out of the cafeteria.
Edward was quick to lace his fingers with mine and then tugged my hand to steal my attention, "Are you alright?" he worried over me.
"Perfect" I beamed and then fell back so I could rest onto his chest. He broke his hold onto my hand so that he could wrap his arm around me. "Just perfect"
A/N: Needed to knock the Queen Bee down a notch. Love it?
Guest – Thank you for reviewing. Hope you liked this update.
cecilia4059 – 'Pitiful nobody' – correct. Hope you enjoyed her being taken down a peg. nice psychoanalysis of Bella – you really pinpointed what I was going for. Thank you for your reviews and your support.
jbrjaw27 – Let's hope their won't be any setbacks. Highly doubt it – right now they'll be moving forwards in their relationship.
Twilight Rocker 12 – Lauren is awful which is why I took great pleasure in writing this update.
IzzyPure – If you loved the last Lauren bit – hope you loved this one.
I wonder what's FootGuy's problem – have you tried talking to him?
Teacher's shouldn't be bullies – there should be some kind of t-shirt or poster with that. Hope you have a good week this round.
dj071688-Coppertop – Oh no, definitely didn't want Bella to simply stand there and take it – hope you enjoyed seeing the claws come out. Thanks for the review, Copper.
– Yay! Oh, you're so sweet. Thanks for your review and compliment. It's awesome to know that you're a 'Once Upon A Time' fan.
Valentine Rain – High School QBs are the worst. Hope you liked reading about Lauren's crown being taken. Thanks for the review and for still reading.
A/N: Thank you ALL for reading and reviewing. I have to say that I have the most amazing reviewers – thank you all.
Next chapter I under construction so please be patient…
