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Disclaimer: I obviously don't own Edward or Bella... any of the characters, really... not even the dirt on the silver Volvo... but I like to play with them a little bit...
So, this is the beta-ed version... Thanks a million to MeteorOnAMoonlessNight for helping me with this story!
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Chapter 4: A nice apology…
BPOV
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I didn't raise my head when Emmett, Jasper, and Edward returned to the table, but I could actually hear the principal asking Mike Newton to accompany him to his office. Stupid blondie-locks, ken-faced, Newton. He must have a problem with Edward to treat him like that. I caught Emmett mumbling something to Edward and he nodded, pulling out a cell phone and waiting. I could see red marks on his face and neck and I wanted to ask if he was okay, but I think I ran out of opportunities to do that for one day. Besides, he started speaking on the phone.
"Hi, Mom… No, I'm okay now, Emmett just likes to exaggerate things… No, it's actually about Alice… Yeah, well, she was defending me again... I know, Mom, I've told her all that before… Well, it's not like I can stop her... I know, I'm just letting you know Principal Greene will probably call you or Dad in a bit... I know. Love you, too, Mom."
Emmett sighed as soon as Edward hung up the phone. "Mom is pissed, huh?"
"Yeah. She told Alice to stop getting in trouble at school."
"Well, it's not like she went and picked a fight just to prove she could. She was helping you, Ed," Rosalie said with a scowl.
"I know. I kind of feel guilty she's in trouble now," he said, lowering his head. I couldn't stay quiet any longer.
"Why do you feel guilty? Because Newton is dumb as hell and he's a bully?" He looked at me and blushed. "Seriously? If he has a problem, then how is that your fault? Have you talked with the principal?"
"Don't even bother, Bella. He doesn't want to do anything about it. He prefers to keep suffering in silence," Jasper said, and I looked at Edward.
"Bullying is serious, Edward. Why do you let Newton do that to you?"
"I don't know, Bella. Leave it alone. " His face was red all over. Even his ears were red. Give it a rest, Bella. It's enough for today.
"Why? I mean it, Edward. He's an idiot who thinks that he can rule the school by being a jerk."
"So what? I'm not gonna say anything. Emmett tried to make me. Alice did, too. These two have since they got here. I'm not gonna do anything. Leave it alone!" Edward said in a growl that ended in a coughing fit. Great, Bella. I thought we agreed to let it go.
I sulked in my chair. I admit that I don't know a thing about Edward and Newton's problems, but I had suffered from bullying down in Arizona when I was 13, more or less. Kids can be cruel, but it doesn't mean we have to suffer in silence. Emmett, Jasper, and Rosalie were looking at their food and didn't say anything else until the bell rang. Edward got up out of his chair so fast, the thing toppled backwards and he left the cafeteria. Jasper sighed.
"Come on, Bella. I'll show you the way to the Biology lab," Jasper said while I picked up my stuff.
We walked in silence until we stood outside the lab. When I started inside, he stopped me.
"Bella, don't take it personally. I mean, what Edward said to you. He just prefers to keep quiet and not bother anyone. He's like that."
I nodded and went inside where I found Mr. Banner at the desk. He smiled at me and pointed to the board while giving me my book. There were the 'rules' for the Advanced Biology class.
· Take your book and find your name on the lab sheet.
· Find your partner and your lab table.
· No, you cannot switch seats.
· Yes, you'll be stuck with your partner for the rest of the year.
· Make sure to read the instructions and follow them.
I tried to find my name but couldn't, because all the people in class were at the board either complaining, or jumping in joy about their seats. I preferred to wait until it cleared a little bit, but Mr. Banner called my name.
"Miss Swan? You're placed next to Mr. Cullen, over there." I smiled and he returned it. "So you don't have to wait until everyone gets to their seats."
I thanked him and searched for Edward with my eyes. I found him almost at the back of the lab with his chin perched on his hands waiting for the class to start. He looked at me and smiled shyly while blushing. I took it as a good sign and headed that way to take my seat. On my place at the lab table was a folded sheet of paper. I looked at Edward but he evaded my face.
There on the paper was the same flower he was drawing all morning. The only touch of color on the paper was an elegant script at the bottom of the page that said "Sorry". I looked at Edward again and this time he was watching me. I grinned and nodded and he returned it.
The day was as normal as a first day of school could be after that. I didn't see Alice until the end of the day and we didn't have art class because the teacher was absent that day. My torture will wait a few more days. Once in the parking lot, I turned around and saw Emmett, Rosalie, and Jasper next to the flashiest cars around the lot: a red BMW and a huge cobalt blue Jeep. Edward started going that way and I saw Alice getting closer to the group. I wanted to know what happened to her, so I went that way.
"Mr. Greene was so mad… especially since it's the first day back and everything. But, hey, Mike was a jerk and I wasn't gonna let him knock my twin around," she was telling Emmett while he laughed out loud. Jasper and Rosalie shook their heads, watching Emmett.
"So, Alice, what's the verdict?" I asked, because I didn't want her getting a suspension on the first day of school.
"Detention tomorrow after class. But I was lucky. Mrs. Cope was at the cafeteria when Mike went stupid, so I didn't get into too much trouble," Alice answered with a smile while hugging her brother. "Mom was still mad with me, so I'm probably grounded. But it was worth it."
"It's always worth it. Well, I guess I'll see you guys tomorrow, okay?" I waved while going to my truck, and then halfway there, I remembered the drawing in the pocket of my hoodie. "Hey, Edward?" He looked at me, still with Alice's arm around his waist "I have your-"
"It's yours now, Bella. See you tomorrow." He smiled and climbed into the Jeep. I couldn't help but grin.
Actually, that grin was still on my face a couple of hours later when Charlie found me making some sandwiches for dinner. He just raised an eyebrow.
"I take it you had a good day at school?"
"You could say that." You should try to wipe the grin off your face, Bella… yep, that isn't working…
"Everything okay, then? Made some friends?"
"Yeah. Met some jerks, too, but it was normal. You might know my new friends. The Cullens and the Hales?"
"Oh, Dr. Cullen's kids. They're good kids. The girl has some sassiness and the boy is quiet. Emmett is a force to reckon with. The Hales are nice people, too."
"Yeah, they're all nice."
"Well, I'm glad you made some friends and that you like your school so far." He grabbed a can of soda from the fridge and I gave him his sandwich so he could go and watch his baseball game on the sofa.
When he left, I went to grab my backpack so I could go get started on my literature homework while I ate my sandwich in my room. A paper fell out and when I picked it up, my grin was even bigger. It was real; there was the pic of the rose with the word "Sorry".
Well, I've got something to put on my bedroom wall, now…
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AN: Hello, everyone. So, this chapter was a little difficult to write. First of all, I was bullied all through High School because I got the best grads of the entire school so, my classmates weren't really happy about it, while it wasn't something physical, the psicological stuff was even worse. And then, while editing this chapter in the morning, a small earthquake happened. Cool huh? NOPE.
Thanks everyone for the support, it's been amazing. I'm a little behind with reviews and stuff, but I appreciate every single one of them. Be on the lookout for a pretty surprise soon enough, because I know this chapter is tiny, I'll reward all of you.
See ya soon!
AYEN