Chapter 17

(Forks High School)

School has been odd. As I walk the hall aiming for the Rm 219, I cannot help but notice the odd looks aimed towards me. Must have to do with the fact that Claire is finally up from her coma. Her story needs to be spoken which will be nothing but lies. "Just in time for Christmas." I whisper walking into my classroom.

Ignoring the looks I head straight to my seat. The police questioned me yesterday. Turns out the Claire is deranged. She had three journals written about my father. Who does that? I take off my bookbag and place it on the desk. "Claire was crazy?" Chester asks walking up to my desk. "At this point, my life is okay. I'm not speaking on her, Chester." "What you are supposed to say. How's your arm?" I look at my bandaged arm. "Okay. Mostly feel it when I take a shower. Switched to baths." "Alright. Alright. Let us begin class." Mr. Cobbs says walking into the classroom.

Chester walks back to his seat in the back. I think he likes me, or does he? I shrug taking my notebook and pencil out of my bookbag. "Chapter 17. Who came tell me all that was spoken to be read?" Mr. Cobbs grabs the chalk and begin writing on the chalkboard. "The truth or the lies?" I hear a teenage girl asks. Is this about me? "Pertaining to ugl-" "This is English, Sandy. If you feel the need to bully, you can leave. The door is always opened."

"I apologize, Mr. Cobbs. I feel disgusted sitting with a lia-" "You can leave, Sandy. No one is forcing you to sit in my classroom." Is she gonna leave? What she gonna do? "I'm not, Mr. Cobbs." "Good. I suggest no more interruptions as this is a classroom for education. Forks High have a zero tolerance for bullying." The boy who pushed me did get expelled. "Let us begin."

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I'm seated in cafeteria reading text messages from Paul on my phone while eating on the fries. I've already ate the chicken leg and steamed vegetables. I'm surprised that lunch is getting good for this month. The holidays are bringing the cheerful sides of the cafeteria staff. "What's up, Mary-Ann?" Corey asks walking up. "Texting Paul." "Paul got a girlfriend. One that is on and off for years."

"What does that have to do with me texting him, Corey?" "Just that fact." "Whatever. What do you want?" "Just to let you know that Claire is up. She's talking. Her stories support an affair with your father." "Meaning what? What am I supposed to do with that information. I know where I stand and who I stand against. Don't step to me as though we are cool. We not friends."

"I know. Just wanted you t-" I catch the orange that's headed for my face. "Ooh!" "Wow." "Anderson, let's go!" Coach Mike calls out. The white kid gets up. "Sorry, coach. Ugl-" "Corey, get from my table." I say throwing the orange in the trashcan. I'm done with this conversation.

"The rest of the day was horrible." I say seated on the roof of Jacob's black rabbit. He's under the hood of his car doing something. "I bet. Bullying is bullying. At least you caught the orange." "Played baseball up until the tenth grade." I jump off the hood and land on my feet. "What about you?" I'm sure he's into sports with the body he has. I watch as his shirt rise up revealing his abs. I smile. Nice body, Jacob Black.

"Soccer." "Soccer is good. What you do to get those abs?" "Hunt. Eat. Sleep." I nod walking up to him and taking the leaf off his back. "Trying to hit on me?" "I am. A little bit." I take a seat on the ground. "You know what is funny about all of this?" "What?" He tosses the wrench on the ground. "Bei-" Howl! Howl!

"How often do the wolves act like that?" I'm hearing it more and more frequently. It seems like every single time I stop on the tribe, a wolf is active. "A lot. You should see the bears." Most likely being killers against the weak.

"Did you ever confront Paul for stealing your money after you paid him?" "He told you?" "A lucky guess. $600 is not worth your virginity. Now you're a problem in my sister's relationship." Sister? "Who is your sister?" "Rachel." He answers looking in my face. "I didn't know she was your sister."

"She is. She's dating Paul and expecting his baby. Did he tell you that?" "No. He keeps his relationship with Rachel very private. I'm not his interest, Jacob. I better go." "Just didn't want to hurt your feelings, Mary-Ann. Get you out before it gets worse." "I hear you, Jacob. Thanks." I heavily breathe out walking towards my car as my heart rapidly speeds up. Am I having a heart attack?

My vision blurs as dizziness takes over my body. I trip over my own feet and fall face first onto the ground. "Mary-Ann!" Jacob rushes to my side and turns me over on my back. He sits me up. "Are you okay?" "I am. Just having a panic attack. It will pass." I groan as my eyes roll in the back of my head. "Hey." He lightly taps my face. "I'm good, Jacob."

I fan myself. "Let's get you some water." He helps me stand and walk me into his home. He sits me on the couch and go into the kitchen. "I didn't know. I will never be that type of woman. Raised to never wrong another in a relationship." "My sister sees it another way." He runs a cup under the faucet. "I honestly do not care because that is between her and Paul. I'm not one to take drama and I'll tell it how it is, Jacob. If she wishes to get physical, we can go that route."

I don't care if she is pregnant. If she lays a hand on me, I'll be putting hands on her. Don't bring your anger to me when Paul is the one acting out on your relationship. Jacob hands me the glass of water. I thank him and take a couple of sips. He sits next to me. "You hate Paul? I can see it in your eyes." "I do." I laugh.