22
I woke up the next morning feeling sore and a little achy. I stumbled into the bathroom and took a hot shower, letting the water beat down on my achy muscles. I quickly showered and dried off. Quickly pulling on my jeans, black t-shirt, and black leather boots, I headed into the kitchen where I found Esme sitting at the kitchen table with a dreamy look on her face.
"I didn't hear you come in last night," I mentioned, pouring myself a bowl of cereal.
"It was late," sighed Esme, smiling to herself.
"Did you have fun?" I asked, sitting across from her.
"Oh my god, I had so much fun, Edward," smiled Esme. "I know you probably don't want to hear about it but it was just…the best date I have ever been on."
"That's great, Esme," I chuckled, shaking my head at my big sister. "Just wait until Mom finds out."
"Don't tell her," threatened Esme.
"Or what?" I asked, cocking my eyebrow at her. Esme smirked as she stood up.
"Or I will tell her all about your girlfriend. Then I will email her the pictures I took of her in your arms after your matches," gloated Esme. My mouth fell open as I stared at her.
"You are such a bitch," I muttered.
"I am, aren't I?" she asked. "You've been warned."
I muttered under my breath as I placed my bowl in the sink. I followed her outside just as Bella pulled up in her mustang. Ignoring the smirk on Esme's face, I climbed into Bella's car. I leaned over and kissed her cheek before Bella headed toward the school.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
"Nothing," I chuckled, shaking my head. "Esme is playing hardball. She's threatening to send my mom pictures of the two of us if I tell my mom about her date with Carlisle."
"Wow, what a bitch," snorted Bella. "Carlisle was in a really good mood this morning. It was kind of gross."
"So was Esme," I said, smiling. I looked back over at Bella as she pulled her car up into her parking space at school. "So now that they know about us, does that mean we can be an us here at school, too?"
"I guess," whispered Bella, biting her lip.
"If you aren't ready, I'll understand," I said, grabbing her hand. She looked over at me and smiled.
"It's not that," smiled Bella. "I just…I just don't want to be real….mushy or anything."
"Ok, so I won't ravage you against the lockers," I smiled. Bella laughed and leaned into me. "I get it. It's ok. I just want to be able to hold your hand."
"That's fine," she whispered, softly pressing her lips to mine. "Thank you."
"You're welcome," I murmured.
Bella and I climbed out of her car. I slipped my hand in with hers as we slowly made our way into school. As we did, everyone would stop and stare at us. I could hear them whispering but I wasn't sure why. It's not like we don't usually come to school together. We stopped by our lockers and grabbed our books for our morning classes.
"I'll see you at lunch, ok?"
"Ok," whispered Bella.
I turned and headed down to my first period English class. As I took my seat, I could feel my classmates eyes on me. I swear it was starting to feel like my first day of school all over again. Jessica came in and took her seat next to me. She looked over at me and choked as she gasped, quite loudly.
"Morning class," said Mrs. Owens, coming into the room. She smiled as she looked around at everyone. Her eyes landed on me and widened. "Um, let's open our books to page fifty-two."
Mrs. Owens looked back at me again before she started her lesson. I couldn't understand what the fuck was going on with everyone. Why all the sudden was I so intersecting to everyone again? The bell finally rang ending class. Mrs. Owens looked back over at me before she darted out of the class. I sat there for a moment while everyone left. This had to be one of the weirdest days I had had here so far.
Sighing inwardly, I climbed out of my desk and headed out into the hallway. I saw Jessica whispering furiously to Lauren. They both looked up at me as I came out. I swear they both smirked before heading down the hallway. What were those bitches up to now? I headed down to my second period history class, trying my hardest to ignore the looks, whispers, snickers, that seemed to follow me down the hallway.
I went inside and took my seat next to Ben. He looked up at me and smiled but then suddenly narrowed his eyes at me.
"What the fuck happened to you?" he growled.
"Mr. Cheney, language," sighed Mr. Taylor.
"What are you talking about?" I asked.
"I'm talking about the fucking bruises on your face, Edward," hissed Ben.
"Mr. Cheney, that's it," snapped Mr. Taylor, standing up. "Why don't you go see Ms. Masen since you can't seem to keep your language under control."
"Fine," muttered Ben, grabbing his stuff. He looked back at me. "You had better be prepared to fucking answer me at lunch."
"NOW, MR. CHENEY," yelled Mr. Taylor.
Ben stormed out of the classroom, ignoring the exasperated look on Mr. Taylor's face. I closed my eyes and mentally smacked myself. I had completely forgotten about the bruises on my face from the tournament. No wonder everyone was staring at me and Bella. They probably thought I was beating her or vice versa.
I barely heard a word Mr. Taylor said through out his lesson. As soon as the bell rang, I was out of my seat and in search of Bella. I found her coming out of Mrs. Owens' class, looking pissed off. I grabbed her arm and pulled her into a corner.
"Do you realize that people think we've been beating each other?" I whispered.
"Yeah, I figured as much when Kate and Angela threatened to cut off you dick for me," muttered Bella. My mouth fell open and my eyes widen. "But I told them to fuck off and leave me alone."
"Gee, thanks," I mumbled, darkly.
"Hey, it's going to be ok," whispered Bella, placing her hand on my chest, fisting my shirt in her hand.
"I know," I whispered. "I just don't want people thinking that I hurt you or you me."
"We know the truth," smiled Bella. "That's all that matters right?"
"Right," I said, returning her smile. The bell rang and I sighed. "I guess I'll see you at lunch."
"Ok," she murmured.
Looking around to make sure nobody was around, I leaned down and gently kissed her. Bella smiled as she let go of my shirt and playfully pushed me away. I chuckled to myself as I headed down to my next class. Apologizing to Mrs. Goff, I took my seat and ignored the stares from my fellow classmates.
By the time lunch arrived, I had been gawked at, whispered about, and pointed out. It was annoying and getting old fast. I stopped at my locker and tossed my books inside before heading down to the cafeteria. I found Bella waiting for me outside the double doors. She looked up at me and a small smile played on her lips.
"You ready for this?" she asked.
"No," I laughed. "But let's get it done with, shall we?"
"Yes," sighed Bella.
She turned and threw the double doors open, slamming them against the wall as she walked in. I chuckled to myself as I followed her inside. Everyone stopped talking and looked up at us. Neither Bella nor I paid them much attention as we walked across the cafeteria. We headed out to where Ben, Angela, Garrett, and Kate were sitting, arms folded across their chests, glares firmly planted on their faces. I stopped in the door way and looked back at everyone.
"Enjoy your lunch," I yelled, winking. I turned back to Bella, who was laughing under her breath. "So how was class?"
"It was entertaining," said Bella as we took our usual seats at our table.
"What the fuck is going on?" growled Ben, looking from me to Bella. Garrett was cracking his knuckles while Kate and Angela glared at me.
"She smarted off one too many times," I said, shrugging my shoulders. Bella bit back her laughter as she turned into me. "Guess she learned her lesson."
"You son of a bitch," hissed Angela, lunging at me. Bella and I busted out laughing as Ben pulled her back.
"You think this is fucking funny," snapped, Ben, pushing Angela back into her seat.
"Yes," we said together.
"I should kick your ass just to wipe that fucking smirk off your face," growled Garrett.
"Ok, everyone calm the fuck down," laughed Bella, shaking her head. "Edward and I competed in a boxing tournament in Seattle this weekend."
"What?" asked Ben, falling into his seat. "Seriously?"
"Yeah," I said, rolling my eyes. "I can't believe you would actually think I would hit her."
"What were we supposed to be to think?" grumbled Angela. "The two of you come in here looking like you went a round or two in mortal combat."
"Why didn't you tell us you boxed?" asked Garrett, looking from me to Bella.
"It wasn't any of your business," I said, slipping my arm onto the back of Bella's chair. Kate gasped as she looked from me to Bella.
"OH MY GOD!" she squealed, bouncing up and down in her chair. "You two are together, aren't you?"
"Shut the fuck up, Kate," growled Bella.
"Aw, isn't that sweet, Jess?" said Lauren from behind us. Bella and I turned and saw her and Jessica standing behind us. "It's so nice to see freaks together."
"Explains the lesbian affair you and Jessie are having," smirked Bella. "Don't worry, Lauren, I won't tell the boys how you like to muff dive."
"You are so funny, Bella," smirked Lauren, pulling out a piece of paper from her back pocket. "I'm sure all your friends at the Arizona State Hospital miss you and your humor. Isn't that where they sent you after you killed your parents?"
