Chapter 21

Bella was hoping to avoid Edward for as long as possible. She tried to convince herself that he meant he would see her in school the next morning, not at her house.

Who was she kidding? She knew exactly what he meant. He was going to be pissed, but what was she supposed to do, tell Charlie she couldn't do him a favor because her boyfriend wouldn't allow it?

She took a relieved breath when they were securely in their first class. Jacob sat in the back of the class so Bella followed suit and sat at the desk next to him.

Before the students were even in their seats the whispers began. It was the first day of school. Noone whispered about her like this when she was new. Maybe Jacob was a big deal because they weren't freshmen, or maybe it was his appearance. Jacob didn't seem to notice, he just stared at the desktop. Maybe he was just really good at ignoring things like that.

Bella caught movement in the doorway. Her brain told her it was just another kid from the class but a sick feeling made her look up. Edward stood there staring at her with a scowl on his face, his arms crossed in front of him. It felt like forever but was probably just a few seconds before he turned and walked away.

Her stomach twisted and all color drained from her face. She glanced at the boy next to her. His eyes were on her now, studying her.

Jacob lifted a brow in question. She shook her head. He shrugged and went back to staring at his desk.

At the end of class Bella told Jacob she would see him at lunch, then kept her head low as she quickly made her way to her second class. Alice was there and she cursed herself for not remembering that they shared a few classes.

"Hey, where were you this morning? I thought Edward was supposed to pick you up." The small girl asked. "He was looking for you in the hall just now."

Bella gulped looking toward the door. No Edward. She inhaled deeply to steady her nerves.

"No, I told him last night I had to do a favor for my father." Bella hoped Alice didn't pry further.

She was glad when her friend replied with a simple, "Oh,"

Bella repeated her; head down speed walk, to every class up to lunch. She hid in the bathroom just long enough for the lunch room to fill up.

Bella wasn't afraid of Edward, but she didn't like conflict and she knew Edward wouldn't confront her in front of a crowd, no matter how angry he was.

When she walked into the lunchroom she spotted Jacob sitting at a table by himself. Walking over she asked him how his day was so far. He shrugged his shoulder. Bella was about to invite him to sit at her table; even though she knew Edward wouldn't like it, When she felt someone come up behind her.

He placed his arm around her shoulders and squeezed her arm, hard. Bella fought her grimace.

"There you are love." Edward said with too much enthusiasm. "Lets go to our table and eat lunch."

He smiled brightly and his hand tightened even more. Tears filled Bella's eyes. She wanted to protest but couldn't seem to form words. He practically lifted her by the arm to guide her to their table.

Pushing her into a chair Edward hissed. "Where were you this morning."

Bella still couldn't find her voice. Seeing her friend visibly upset Alice interfered.

"Did you forget Edward? Bella had to do a favor for Her father."

He shot his sister a look that shouted, but out. Jaspers jaw ticked and he balled his fist on top of the table. Alice rubbed his arm to calm him down. She was getting tired of her brother's attitude. She couldn't help but notice it had gotten worse since he started dating Bella. She was also miffed he was monopolizing Bella's time. He not only pushed all of Bella's other friends away, he was starting to alienate her too.

Anger made her proceed . "You know big brother, not everything goes to your specifications. Bella needs her own time, she has responsibilities and friends that miss her."

"You should know what you're talking about before you open your big mouth." Edward growled at her. "Those so called friends don't care about her, they talk about her behind her back, and her responsibilities involve showing a murderer around the school."

The first was no surprise Edward had been telling her the things he overheard the people she thought were her friends saying for a while now.

The second, "What?" that shocked Bella back to her senses.

"That's right, apparently your new friend spent his first go at sophomore year in prison for killing a man last year." Edward sneered.

"That can't possibly be true, Edward." Bella didn't know where this bravery suddenly came from, but she was going to use it. "If he did go to prison for murder, he wouldn't be out yet, and Charlie wouldn't want me any where near him never mind asking me to show him around."

"You obviously haven't been listening to what people have been saying today." He countered.

"Because I don't listen to gossip. The kids in this school have really big imaginations." She insisted.

"Oh, and what about the teachers?" His obstinacy was profound.

"Edward, I doubt the police chief would put his own daughter in danger." The normally quiet Rosalie said.

"Oh, father knows best? Tell me Rosalie, How did that work out for you?" He said pompously.

Abruptly standing Rosalie turned and rushed out of the cafeteria.

Jasper stood bending over Edward and growled. "You better check yourself." Then followed the blonde girl out.

Alice stood, looked after the blondes, then looked at Bella. The predicament she was in looked like torture.

"I'm sorry." She mouthed then took off after the other two.

Bella started to stand up, a strong hand on her shoulder forced her back into her seat. "Where do you think you're going?"

Holding her chin up she answered. "I'm going to ask Jacob if he was in prison last year."

"Oh no you're not. You will never go near that boy again. I will not allow you to put yourself in danger."

Bella knew arguing would be pointless but she tried any way. "He's not dangerous. Let me invite him to eat with us and you could see for yourself."

"No." He said with no emotion.

"Please Edward, Charlie won't be happy about Jacob eating lunch alone." She left herself out of the plee.

"He's not." He said simply.

"What?" Bella asked, confused.

"He's not eating alone." Edward pointed to the boy in question.

Sure enough there was a particular blonde hanging off of Jacobs arm. Just like she did with Mike she was whispering in his ear. Unlike Mike, Jacob was leaning in to her. Bella couldn't see his face to read his expression, however she wasn't sure she wanted to.

Thank you for reading.