4
Bella and I finished eating in silence and headed over to the gym, dumping our trays on the way out. Maggie and Liam were in front of us, constantly looking over their shoulders at us. Each time they did, I could feel Bella tensing up more and more. It took a great deal of effort not to go over and beat both of their asses. So Bella had a fucking nightmare; that was no reason to be acting like she was going to kill both of them in their sleep. Stupid motherfuckers.
The moment we walked into the gym, I felt Bella relax. Looking down at her, I noticed the smile forming on the corner of her lips, eyes sparkling as she took in each and every thing in there. Being in a gym, surrounded by ropes, punching and speed bags, hearing the sound of gloves connecting, those were the sounds of Bella's life.
Slipping my hand into hers, I smiled and pulled her over to where ten or so other people stood with Phil Dwyer. He looked over at us, smile growing wider and nodding his head. Maggie and Liam stood on the other side of the group, watching with anticipation. Perhaps it would be easier if Bella explained to them what was going on, but she wasn't ready and she shouldn't have to. She'd done enough explaining to people, and it was time they just dealt already.
"Well, I'm hoping everyone got settled into their dorms without any problems." Maggie and Liam both rolled their eyes at Phil's statement, but he didn't seem to notice. "Now-"
"Fuck, I thought I was going to be late," panted Missy, rushing into the gym, blond hair flying behind her.
"You were," muttered Phil, tightly. "I know I told you to be here fifteen minutes early."
"Eh, I was busy," she said, shrugging her shoulders. Missy looked around and spotted me and Bella, smile growing. "Hey, it's my favorite elevator peeps!"
Bella blushed. "Melissa-"
"It's Missy, Philip," she gritted out, turning and glaring at Phil, as did the rest of us.
"It's Phil, Melissa," he muttered, jaw clenched tight. Shifting nervously from one foot to the other, he gritted out, "Don't make me call mom."
Missy threw her head back and laughed. "Do it, see if I care," she snickered, shaking her head as she walked over and stood next to Bella, who was shaking with silent laughter. "Pulling the mom card. That's lame."
"Missy!" exclaimed Phil, throwing his hands up.
"Sorry," she giggled, looking over at me and Bella. "Told you I know what you were going through."
"Brother?" asked Bella, nodding to Phil, who was still glaring at Missy.
"Oldest of five," sighed Missy.
"Missy!" snapped Phil, causing her to look over at him.
"Sorry," she said, putting her hands up. "Please continue."
Phil rolled his eyes and looked back at everyone, while Missy folded her arms in front of her and smirked. They reminded me of Bella and Carlisle, or me and Esme. It was almost like being at home. "Now, as I was saying before we were so rudely interrupted," Phil glared at his sister again, "we have an exciting, but difficult year ahead of us. We've been invited to several tournaments and depending on how we do at those, we have a shot at the NCAA tournament in March."
Everyone in the room, but me and Bella, inhaled sharply. Guess that meant it was a big deal. "Yeah, this is what we've been working on five years. We can do it, and we can win the whole damn thing but it's not going to be easy." Phil paused and looked around at all of us. "This team is the toughest, strongest, most disciplined group of fighters that I have ever seen."
"He's such a sap," whispered Missy, louder than she realized, as everyone turned and looked at her. "Sorry," she muttered, fighting the smile that sprang up on her face. "Continue."
Ignoring his sister, Phil did continue. "But we are going to have to dig deeper inside ourselves and lay it all on the lines." He smiled. "I have all the confidence in all of you." He paused as he looked over at Missy. "Except for you."
Without missing a beat, she flipped him off. Phil laughed. "In case you didn't catch it before, Missy's my little, annoying sister. She's transferring here from Florida State. She's a little bitch but you'll learn to like her."
"Wanker," coughed Missy.
Chuckling, Phil pointed to a short, stalky Native American boy with long, jet black hair and deep eyes. "Let's start with you, Embry. Introduce yourself and tell a little something about you."
"I'm Embry Call, Sophomore, and I'm from Oklahoma," he muttered.
Phil smiled and looked at the boy next to him; taller by almost a foot, thin with messy dark brown hair and bright blue eyes. "Next."
"I'm Benjamin Franklin, go ahead and laugh," he said, smiling. Of course, we all laughed. "Yeah, my parents through they were being cute."
"They were," giggled a girl standing on the other side of Maggie. She was tall, almost as tall as Benjamin, with dark olive skin, long midnight black hair that hung down to her waist, and intense eyes.
"Glad you think so," scoffed Benjamin. "Anyway, I'm a junior and I'm originally from upstate New York."
"I'm Tia Amun," replied the girl next to Maggie. "I'm a Freshman and I'm from Texas."
Maggie went next, explaining that she, too, was a freshman and Vegas. Liam placed his hand on the wall behind her, explaining that he came from San Diego and was also a freshman. After him went a short, thin girl who looked like she barely weighed in at a hundred pounds, maybe. She had short chin length brown hair and eyes.
"I'm Brenna Tanner, but everyone calls me Bree. I'm a Senior, from Flagstaff, Arizona," she explained.
Next to me, I felt Bella tense up at the mere mention of Arizona. I slipped my hand out of hers, sliding it around her waist as everyone else introduced themselves. Riley Biers went next. The blond haired, hazel eyed junior was from some small town in New Mexico called Clayton. I had never heard of it. Next to him stood Demetri Romans, a senior from Utah. He mumbled under his breath when he spoke, clearly uncomfortable being in the spotlight.
On his other side the last of girls went, Heidi Marks, a long legged blond with expressive blue eyes smiled at everyone as she spoke. "I'm Heidi, a Senior from San Francisco."
Phil turned and looked over at me and Bella, waiting for one of us to start. Pulling her to me a little closer, I took the plunge. "Edward Masen, Washington State. Freshman.
"Bella Cullen, same state and year as him," she muttered, nibbling on her bottom lip. Phil nodded minutely at her, before turning to everyone else.
"Well, now that we all know each other, we can get down to business," he started.
For the next hour, Phil droned on and on his expectations for us. He made it clear he didn't accept anything short of perfection and went for our training and our classwork. We were given a curfew and a contract to sign stating that we would not drink, do drugs, or act irresponsibly. Both Bella and I signed it without question, but a few of the others seemed a bit hesitant. In the end, they did.
Phil dismissed us, making sure everyone knew we started trying bright an early tomorrow morning, but asked me and Bella to hang back. As the others left, Maggie and Liam both looked back, shaking their heads and letting the door to the gym close behind them.
"Sorry I couldn't be there to welcome you guys yesterday," he said, hurriedly as he walked around the gym, flicking off lights. "Been a hell of a couple of days." Stopping in front of us, he smiled. "You getting settled and everything?" He asked. Without giving us a chance to respond he walked past us. "Walk with me."
Bella looked up at me before we followed him out of the gym and back outside. For only being in the middle of the morning, the heat was stifling. "It's going to be a hot one today," he sighed, walking down a pathway. Bella and I trekked after him. "I meant what I said in there. We have a good team, a strong team, but they are going to need leaders. Someone willing to push them harder than they've ever been pushed. Who don't stop fighting when the odds tell them that they have no chance of winning?" Looking over at us, he smiled again. "Know anyone like that?"
"Not going to happen," snapped Bella, stopping in the middle of one of the courtyards. Phil folded his arms in front of him as he faced us. "No."
"Bella-"
"We're freshman," I snorted. "Nobody is going to listen to what we say."
Phil sighed, running his hands over his face. "Look, I never said it would be easy, but I need you, ok? If our program doesn't start showing some progress, and sooner rather than later, we won't be here next year."
"What?" I asked, heatedly. "You gave us each four year scholarships to fight here!"
"And I hope like hell I can stick with my word. When I made those offers, I didn't know that our program was on the line here," he explained. Shaking his head, he continued. "There are people at this school that would love nothing more than to see us fail. They feel we are a waste of time, space, and money. Now, we've had a handful of backers who, thankfully, disagreed with them and have helped fund our program but they are losing cred with the other alumni. If I can't give them a successful program this year, then we are done, over, and nothing I do will stop it."
Phil paused. "I know this is a lot to ask, and it's not fair for me to expect you both to take this task on, but I can't do this on my own. None of the others have what you have."
"What's that?" Bella asked.
"Heart," he replied. "Fire, determination, whatever the fuck you want to call it." Chuckling, he went on to say, "The first time I saw you two fight in Seattle-"
"Vegas," interrupted Bella. "We were in Vegas."
"No, you were in Seattle, last fall." He smiled. "The look you both had on your faces, the power behind each punch. You were brilliant but I didn't approach you then."
"Why not?" I asked.
"Because you weren't ready," he explained. "You both were holding back. When I saw you fight, really fight, in Vegas, I knew you both were ready to be here, to lead this team."
"We're not," insisted Bella.
"You are, you are just too scared to say fuck everything else and do it!" Phil took a deep breath, trying to calm down. "Please, just think about it. That's all I'm asking."
Bella went to protest, but I slipped my arm around her waist, and said, " Ok, we'll think about it."
"Good, now go get some lunch and get settled in," he laughed, turning and walking away. Bella waited until he was out of earshot before she turned and glared at me.
"What the hell are you thinking?" she asked.
"I'm thinking there was no way in hell he was letting it go until we agreed to at least think about it," I scoffed. "Come on, let's go eat."
"It's crazy to think we can lead anyone," muttered Bella, letting me hold her hand as we headed back toward the dining hall.
"Yeah, crazy," I agreed.
Bella and I headed inside and grabbed some lunch, opting for just a sandwich, grapes, and a bottle of water before heading back upstairs and finding the same table we had sat at this morning. Maggie and Liam were sitting at a large table with the rest of our team, minus Missy, Benjamin, and Tia. They both looked at us before quickly turning away. Bella gave me a look before we sat down and started eating. We had just finished our sandwiches when Tia and Benjamin joined us.
Benjamin looked over his shoulder, noticing our roommates staring, even if they did try to look away. Turning back to us, he asked, "Is there a reason Liam and Maggie-"
"Mags," Bella reminded him, smirking. "She insists on being called Mags, remember?"
"Right," he nodded. "Is there a reason Liam and Maggie are staring at you two?"
"I'm crazy," said Bella, bluntly.
"Oh, you, too, huh?" he asked, before I could say anything. "Nice not being the only non-crazy one here, right Tia?"
"Yep," she smiled, laying her hand on Benjamin's shoulder. "Us crazies like company."
"Crazy, huh?" snorted Bella, leaning forward and placing her elbow on the table. "Just what makes you crazy?"
"Well, the fact that I left New York to come here," chuckled Benjamin.
"Lame," scoffed Bella, leaning back.
"What do you have?" he countered, smirking.
"I have terrifying nightmares about people, who are dead, slaughtering everyone I know," Bella spoke, bluntly.
"Who doesn't," smiled Benjamin, while Tia looked shocked. "I'm in love with liberal."
"Oh my god, anything but that," mocked Bella, shaking her head. "How dare you!"
Tia laughed. "Don't think my parents aren't asking the same thing. How could they have a daughter who dares thinks outside of the box?"
"Oh, the shame," I snickered, placing my arm on the back of Bella's chair.
"I know," sighed Tia, turning toward Benjamin. "Of course, it may be more of my dating outside of my race that has them upset."
"You're from Texas, right?" asked Bella. She nodded. "How did you met him?"
"In Vegas last year." Tia smiled bigger. "We were at the same tournament that you and Edward won."
"Oh, I don't remember you," mumbled Bella.
"I got my ass kicked in the first round by that bitch you beat to win," explained Tia.
"I made it to the fourth round before Liam beat me." Benjamin gestured back to where Liam, Maggie, and the others sat. Looking over his shoulder, I noticed Maggie watching us with a frown on her face. She turned away quickly, and I turned my attention back to our table.
"Anyway, it was the morning of the finals and we were both sitting up in the stands getting ready to watch your match, Bella. I looked over and noticed him staring at me," mused Tia, dreamily.
"I was not staring," muttered Benjamin, blushing around his ears.
"You were staring, probably at my boobs," giggled Tia, leaning up and kissing his cheek.
"Yeah," admitted Benjamin. "But they are really nice boobs, right Edward?"
Bella looked up at me, eyebrow raised. I cleared my throat. "I hadn't really noticed because I love Bella and all other girls are obsolete."
"Good answer, Baby," laughed Bella.
"Smooth, Man, real smooth," nodded Benjamin.
Tia rolled her eyes and went on with her story. "So there he was, just staring at me," explained. "Me, being the shy introvert that I am, went over and sat on his lap, planting a wet kiss on his lips."
Bella and I both laughed. "I, um, clearly didn't expect that and nearly threw her over two seats as I jumped up and ran out of the arena."
"Why would you do that?" guffawed Bella. Benjamin shifted his eyes down to his crotch. "NO!"
"Yep," he admitted. "When I came-" Cue more laughter. "Fuck, when I walked out of the restrooms, Tia was waiting for me," he went on, ignoring me and Bella, who were laughing so hard we had tears. "You two are jerks."
"Oh, come on," giggled Bella. "That's right you already did."
Benjamin's lips twitched as he fought the urge to join us. Finally, he gave up and started laughing with us. "I guess I did."
"That's just..." I trailed off, shaking my head. "Wow, can't believe you admitted that to two people you just met."
"Me either."
"So how did you two meet?" asked Tia.
"Your basic story of boy forcing friendship on girl, even though she told him to fuck off a hundred different ways," replied Bella.
"Not a hundred," I muttered.
Bella smirked. "Ninty-nine, then."
"Whatever," I scoffed. "I got you, didn't I?"
"Yeah, you got me," she murmured, laying her head on my shoulder.
Tia smiled. Bella blushed.
"Tia, we should get going, still have to get to the bookstore and buy our books," said Benjamin, standing up.
"Ugh, so do we," grumbled Bella, pushing her chair back from the table.
Bella and I tossed our trash as we followed Benjamin and Tia downstairs and out of the dining hall. Somehow, it had gotten even hotter, and way more humid in the half-hour that we had been inside. The bookstore was crowded, students rushing around trying to get their books before they sold out. The more they pushed, the angrier Bella got, and the more I feared for their safety. Finally, I sent her outside with Tia while Benjamin and I got all our books paid for.
We said goodbye to Benjamin and Tia and headed back to our dorms. Missy was working at the front desk, or flipping through an issue of Entertainment Weekly, actually. She smiled as we walked by and laughed as we stepped into the elevator, commenting that we had better be careful. We ignored her. The door to Bella's room was wide open and Maggie and Liam were sitting on her bed, flipping through a magazine. When we walked in, they both looked up at us, just staring.
"Hey," muttered Bella, dropping her books on her bed.
"Hey," they echoed back, watching her every move like they were afraid to breath. Bella rolled her eyes, looking back at me.
Turning back to Maggie, Bella said, "I know that my nightmare was scary or whatever, and I can't promise that I won't have another one. I could tell you everything, let you know all my dark secrets, but I'm not."
"You're not?" she asked.
Bella shook her head. "I shouldn't have to in order for you to like me."
"I do like you, Bella. I'm just freaked the fuck out," Maggie said. "You weren't just crying in your sleep. You were screaming, thrashing around like someone was holding you down." Bella flinched and I slipped my arms around her. "I don't need to know all your fucking secrets. I need to know that I don't have to worry about you freaking out every fucking night!"
"I can't promise you that I won't have nightmares," groused Bella. "You don't understand."
"Of course, she doesn't understand," muttered Liam. "You aren't explaining anything."
"Why should she?" I asked, a little pissed off. "It was just a nightmare, not like she was throwing shit. She's fine now, and that's all that should really matter."
"Guess the rumors are true then," mumbled Maggie, and Bella tensed up.
"Rumors, huh?" she gritted out, fists clenched together. "Listen to all the fucking rumors you want, I don't give a fuck."
Bella turned and walked out of her room, leaving me, Liam, and Maggie there. The latter two stared at her with their mouths wide open. I chuckled darkly and shook my head. "You know," I said, causing them to look over at me, "she's been through this all before. The rumors, the whispers and gossip."
Pausing, I brought my hand up to the back of my neck. "She doesn't deserve to be treated like this just because she doesn't want to explain about her nightmare." Turning, I walked over to the door, gripping the handle in my hand and said, "Remember, that rumors are a dangerous truth to believe."
With that said, I shut the door and walked down to my room, where Bella and I spent the rest of the day, laying on my bed and pretending that we were back home.