9
"Ok," she said. She got up and went over and shut the door. "What's on your mind?"
"I can't cheer anymore," I said softly.
"Why not? Are you pregnant?" she asked.
"No, I'm sick. I have leukemia," I whispered as a tear slipped down my face.
"Oh, Bella, I am so sorry. When do you start chemo?" she asked. I looked up at her.
"Tomorrow," I said softly. "The risk involved with me cheering are really high and I can't risk it. So I have to quit."
"Ok," said Mrs. Goff. "Can you think of anyone who could take your place?"
"I was thinking about Alice Cullen. She and I are pretty close to the same size and she could wear my uniform. Rose would be able to teach her the cheers in time for the game on Friday," I explained.
"Ok, if she agrees then that is fine. Bella, if I can help at all, please let me know. I know its difficult to face cancer like this," said Mrs. Goff.
"You do?" I asked through my tears.
"Yes, I had breast cancer five years ago. Would you like me to talk to the girls for you?" she asked.
"No, I'll do it but I don't want them to know about being sick yet. Alice and Rose know but I don't want anyone else to know," I said softly.
"Ok, we can meet here after school," said Mrs. Goff.
"Thank you," I said softly.
"You're welcome, sweetheart. Congratulations to the both of you," she said softly. "I can tell you love each other very much."
"We do," I whispered. Edward and I left and made our way down to the cafeteria. Everyone turned and stared at us when we came in. Edward grabbed me a sandwich and a bottle of water and we went over to sit with the others. "Hey, guys."
"Hey, Bella. How's it go with Mrs. Goff?" asked Rose.
"It went good. We are meeting with the other girls after school so I can tell them I can't cheer anymore but I'm not telling them about being sick," I explained. I looked over at Alice. "Alice, do you love me?"
"Yes," she chuckled. "What do you want?"
"I want you to take my spot on the squad," I said softly. She started laughing hysterically.
"You're joking right?" she laughed.
"No," I said. She stopped laughing and looked at me.
"Bella, I don't know the cheers. I don't have a uniform," said Alice.
"You can use my uniform. We are close to the same size," I said.
"I'll teach you the cheers, Alice," said Rose. "Come on, please do it."
"Fine," she sighed.
"Thanks Alice," I said as the bell rang. I looked over at Edward. "What class do you have?"
"AP biology," said Edward.
"Me too," I said with a smile. "I'll see you guys later."
"Ok," they said.
Edward and I held hands as we made our way down to our lockers. I put my books from the morning in my locker and grabbed my biology and Spanish book. Edward grabbed my hand again and we made our way down to biology. We walked in and I went up to Mr. Banner. I handed him my note.
"I need you to sign this, sir," I said softly.
"Ok," he said as he read the note. "I'm sorry, Bella. Is there anything I can do?"
"I'm ok right now," I said softly. I pulled out my paper I had just finished and handed it to him. "I did finish my paper."
"Good," he said softly. "If you need to pull back on the college work a little, that's ok."
"Thanks. For now, I'm ok but I may need to once…" I trailed off. Mr. Banner signed my slip and handed it back to me.
"Just let me know," He said.
"I will," I whispered. I went back to my table and sat down next to Edward.
"College work?" asked Edward with a chuckle.
"I'm taking dual credit classes," I said shrugging my shoulders.
"How many?" he asked.
"All of them but music," I chuckled. He cocked his eyebrow at me. "I told you, I read a lot."
"I do too but I'm not that smart," chuckled Edward.
"I might have a photographic memory," I whispered.
"She's the smartest person I've ever met," chuckled Mr. Banner as he walked by us. "She could have graduated two years ago but she choose not too."
"Why?" asked Edward.
"Charlie," I said.
"Oh," said Edward. "He didn't want you to leave for school?"
"No, he said I wasn't ready to be in the big world," I chuckled. "I didn't mind. I didn't want to leave him, Em, Rose or Jasper. I get to take dual credit classes so I'm not to bored."
"That's good," he chuckled.
Mr. Banner started class. Edward and I finished our lab in about ten minute. Edward may not be as smart as me but is pretty fucking smart. After we were done, I laid my head on his chest and listened to him breath. It was the most relaxing sound I have ever heard. The bell rang and we made our way down to Spanish together. Mrs. Goff signed my slip and Edward and I took our seats in the back with Emmett, Jasper, Rose and Alice.
Spanish went by quickly. I struggle to stay awake. It seemed like it didn't take much to make me tired. The bell rang and Edward, Emmett and Jasper headed down to football practice. Rose, Alice and I waited for the girls to come in. About five minutes later, they came in. Lauren and Jessica looked pissed while Kate, Angela, Tanya, and Leah looked worried. They sat down and Mrs. Goff shut the door to her room. I got up and went down and stood in front of them.
"I won't be able to cheer anymore," I said as a tear fell from my eye.
"I knew it. Your pregnant," smirked Lauren.
"I am not pregnant," I sighed. I didn't even have the energy to get pissed with her. "I have my reason, which I am not ready to share with you yet. Alice is taking my spot on the squad. I hope that you all will give her a chance."
"That's not fair. She's new to this school," snapped Jessica. "She didn't even have to try out."
"Jessica, Bella has made her choice for her replacement," said Mrs. Goff.
"Can she even cheer? Can she dance or do any flips?" snapped Lauren.
"Yes, I can," said Alice.
"Prove it," smirked Jessica.
"Fine," snapped Alice. "Let's go down to the football field. I will prove it."
The ten of us made our way down to the football field. I saw Edward, Emmett and Jasper come out of the dressing room. They came running up to us. Alice stretched a little. She turned back and winked at Jasper. She started running and did several back handsprings in a roll with a backward tuck added on to the last.
"Fuck," muttered Jasper.
"So she can tumble. Can she cheer?" snapped Jessica.
"Yes, she can. She was a member of the nationals team until we moved here," said Edward. I turned and smirked at Lauren and Jessica who were dumbfounded.
"Alice is taking my spot. Treat her with more respect than you treated me or I will kick your asses," I snapped.
"Fine," they huffed. They turned and stomped away. I turned back to Edward.
"I'm going to head home. I'll see you after practice," I said softly. He pulled me into his arms.
"I'll miss you, wife," he whispered.
"I'll miss you too, husband," I whispered as he kissed me.
I heard a lot of people yelling and catcalling us. I broke away and saw Garrett, Ben, Mike, Tyler and several other boys cheering us. I just chuckled and flipped them all off. I kissed Edward again. Rose, Alice and I made our way back up to the school. I dropped my note off at the office. I dropped Rose and Alice off at Rose's house so they could start working on the cheers. I went to Charlie's and grabbed my guitar and a few other things. I got back in my car and drove back home. I walked in and found Esme in the kitchen.
"How'd it go?" she asked.
"It was a long day," I sighed as I set my guitar down on the table.
"Do you play?" she asked.
"Yes," I said softly.
"Will you play for me?" she asked.
"Sure," I said softly.
I got my guitar out and sat down in one of the chairs. I closed my eyes as I started strumming a song I had heard a few months ago by Isabella Whitlock a few years ago.
"I've been looking for you everywhere
But you weren't anywhere
I saw you in everything
Your shy crooked smile
Your bright shiny eyes
But I was fighting against Fate
Because you were standing right here
I wasted so much time
Worrying about what might have been
Instead of living for today
I was to busy fighting fate
Because you were standing right here
I closed my eyes
I saw you standing there
I wanted to kiss you
I wanted you to kiss me
To feel your arms around me,
holding me tight
To feel the tingle when you pull me close
I wasted so much time
Worrying about what might have been
Instead of living for today
I was to busy fighting fate
Because you were standing right here
Finally I stopped fighting
I looked in your eyes
I saw you crooked smile
It melted me heart
I wasted so much time
Worrying about what might have been
Instead of living for today
Because I was to busy fighting fate
Because you were standing right here
I stepped up and kissed you
I felt your lips on mine
I felt the tingle when I pulled you close
I could feel you arms around me pulling me tight
Fate finally won when I opened me eyes
Because I finally saw you standing there"
I opened my eyes and saw Esme with tears pouring down her face.
"You're very talented, Bella," whispered Esme.
"Thank you," I said softly. "I love to play. I've been writing music for as long as I can remember."
"You sound like Edward," chuckled Esme. She came over and sat down next to me at the table.
"Esme, tell me about what you meant about me making him happy."