14
"Bella, you don't have to if you aren't ready," said Lauren.
"Yes, I do. I don't want to come between you," I said softly.
"What is going on?" asked Jessica.
"I have leukemia," I said softly. Jessica gasped and looked over at Lauren.
"You knew?" whispered Jessica.
"Yes, I ran into her and Edward after her treatment on Wednesday at the hospital when I went to pick up my mom," said Lauren. Jessica looked back over at me.
"I'm sorry, Bella. I just didn't understand," whispered Jessica.
"I know you didn't. I asked Lauren not to tell anyone because I'm not ready for them to know. I didn't think it would cause you two to fight," I whispered softly.
"I should have been more understanding," said Jessica. "I won't tell anyone."
"Thank you, Jessica. I know I am going to have to tell everyone soon but I need some time to deal with it myself," I explained softly.
"Anything you need, you let me know, Bella," said Jessica.
"Thank, Jessica," I said softly as the bell rang. "Guess it's time for class."
"Ugh," they groaned together.
I just chuckled as the three of us made our way to biology. Jessica and Lauren both hugged me before they went to sit by Mike and Tyler. I went over and sat next to Edward. He wrapped his arm around my waist and kissed my cheek. Mr. Banner came in and started class. He gave us a pop quiz. I finished in about 7 minutes. I went up and turned it in and he just chuckled as he took it.
I went back and sat down next to Edward. I pulled out my music book and started working on the lyrics for my song. I tapped my fingernails on the table as I played the melody in my head. Edward finished his test a few minutes before the bell rang. He came over and sat next me again and watched me as I played the music in my head. It was very distracting. I tried to ignore him but he is so fucking hot. The bell rang and he started laughing.
"What's so funny?" I asked.
"You get the sexist look on your face when you are concentrating on your music. It's like pure joy," explained Edward.
"Edward," I whispered softly as I pulled his ear to my lips. "There is nothing pure about me."
"Fuck me," he mumbled.
"I plan to tonight," I chuckled.
He moaned as he wrapped his arm around my waist and led me down to the gym. We huddle in the corner with Emmett, Rose, Ben, Angela, Garrett, and Kate. The band started the pep rally and the other players went marching in. The girls did a couple of cheers before Peter went out to the middle of the gym with a mike in his hand.
"It's time to bring in our homecoming queen nominees," he said. "Our first nominee is Angela Weber. She is being escorted into the gym by Ben Cheney."
"Let's go, Baby," whispered Ben as Angela wrapped her arm around Ben's. He led her into the gym and over to her seat. He went and stood behind her.
"Next we have, Kate Denali. Kate is being escorted into the gym by Garrett Mitchell," said Peter. Kate looped her arm in with Garrett's. Garret had the biggest smile on his face as he led her into the gym. He was so in love with her. "Next, we have Rosalie Hale. Rosalie is being escorted in by Emmett Swan."
"Smile, Rosie," I chuckled as she and Emmett started into the gym. She turned and flipped me off. Edward and I just laughed. Emmett took Rose over to her chair and went to stand behind her.
"Our final nominee is Isabella Cullen. Isabella is being escorted into the gym by Edward Cullen," said Peter.
I held onto Edward's arm as he led me into the gym. He led me over to the seat next to Rose. I sat down and he moved to stand behind me. I saw a flash and looked up to see Charlie with a camera in his hand. He was sitting next to William, Catherine, Carlisle and Esme. Charlie looked down at me and just started laughing. I really had to resist the urge to flip him off. Alice, Lauren, Jessica, Leah and Tanya came back out and started a new cheer. I felt a tear slip down my face as I watched them. I know it doesn't make since but I loved cheering and now I couldn't do it.
Rose reached over and grabbed my hand gently. Edward started rubbing my back softly. I looked back at him and gave him a small smile. He leaned down and wiped my tears away and kissed my forehead. I turned back and saw Charlie wipe a tear from his own eye. I guess I didn't really realize how hard this all has been on him. Not only is he having to face losing his only daughter to the same disease that killed his wife but he stood by and let her marry a man she had only known a few days. He was much stronger than I ever realized.
I was shaken from my thoughts when I heard the band start playing the school song. The played the fight song next and everyone started leaving the gym. I looked around for Charlie but I didn't see him. I felt a hand on my shoulder and turned to see him standing behind me. He wrapped his arms around me and I let my tears go.
"I'm sorry, Daddy, that I said I hated you. It's not your fault. I am so scared and so angry," I cried.
"I know you are, Bella. I am too. It's not fair. I'm not supposed to have to watch you die. I don't want to lose you, Bella. I can't do it," cried Charlie.
"I'm never going to stop fighting, Daddy. Please don't give up on me. I am never going to stop fighting to live," I whispered.
"I will never give up on you, Bella," he whispered. He pulled away and wiped my tears off my face. "I love you, Bella. I am so proud of you for following your dreams. I know I've put a lot of pressure on you to become a doctor but I just want you to be happy."
"Even if that means studying music at NYU?" I whispered.
"Yes, Bella. You are an amazing musician," said Charlie.
"Thank you, Dad. That means so much to me," I whispered softly.
"I've got to go but I will see you at the game," said Charlie.
"Ok," I whispered softly.
He kissed my cheek and left. Edward kissed me goodbye and went with Emmett and Jasper to get ready for the game. Rose and I were dragged away by Alice who was squealing about getting us ready. We all climbed into my car and made our way back home. We locked ourselves into mine and Edward's room and played lets make Rose and Bella look like homecoming queens.
Alice fixed Rose's hair first. She left Rose's hair down but straightened it so that it laid flat on her back. Rose started working on her makeup while Alice fixed my hair. She pulled my hair up in a messy twist. She pulled a few strains of hair down around my face. She fixed my make-up, making my eyes darker than they normally would be. We went out and slipped on our dresses and shoes. We made our way downstairs where Carlisle, Esme, William, Catherine, and Charlie were waiting for us.
"Wow, you girls look beautiful," said Catherine.
"Thanks, Mom," said Rose as she hugged her mother.
"Thanks, Cat," I whispered.
"Let's get a few pictures before we head to the game," said Esme.
We both groaned but stood next to each other. Esme and Catherine took a dozen pictures while Charlie took nearly two dozen. Once they were done torturing us, we made our way out to the cars. I rode with Charlie since Edward had his car at school already. I could tell Charlie was struggling with his emotions. We pulled up in the parking lot and made our way down to the field. Charlie, Carlisle, Esme, William and Catherine went to find seats while Rose and I went to stand next to Kate and Angela.
The football team came out dressed in their uniforms. I ogled Edward's ass. I will admit it. He looked over at me and his mouth fell open. I just winked at him and blew him a kiss. They lined up on either side of us while we climbed into the back of the convertibles that would take us to our seats on the sideline. Angela and Kate got in the first one while Rose and I got into the second one. They drove us down to our seats and helped us out. We took our seats and they started the game.
The first half of the game went by very quickly. Edward was starting as quarterback. He was very good. He, Emmett, who played lineman, and Jasper, who was a wide receiver, played very good together. Garrett and Ben were both on the defense teams and they stopped the other team from gaining more than three or four yards. By the time the buzzer rang for halftime, we were up 35-0. Charlie, William, Robert, Angela's dad, and Laurent, Kate's father, came over to stand next to us. All the football players lined up on the sidelines with the cheerleaders while the band stood out in the middle of the field. Peter was up in the announcers box.
"Welcome to homecoming. Our first homecoming nominee is Angela Weber. Angela is the daughter of Ann and Robert Weber. Angela has been a member of the cheerleading team for four years, the basketball team for four years and an all state miler for the track team. She is the honors program and plans to attend University of Washington where she hopes to pursue her degree in English. Angela is being escorted by her father, Robert," said Peter. Angela and Robert made their way out to the field.
"Our next nominee is Kate Denali. Kate is the daughter of Irina and Laurent Denali. Kate has been a member of the cheerleading team for four years. She has been member of the basketball team for four years and the state champion for singles tennis for the last three years. She is in the honors program and plans to attend University of California at Berkeley where she is planning to pursue a degree in education. She is being escorted by her father, Laurent," said Peter. Kate and Laurent made their way out to stand next to Angela.
"Next we have Rosalie Hale. Rosalie is the daughter of William and Catherine Hale. Rosalie has been a member of the cheerleading team for four years. She has been co-captain for two years. Rosalie has been a member of the debate team. She is the three time state champion in Literary Criticism. She is a member of the honors program. She plans to attend NYU pursuing a degree in Law. She is being escorted by her father, William," said Peter. Rose gave me a big smile as she and William made their way out to the field and stood next to Kate.
"Our last nominee is Isabella Cullen. Isabella is the daughter of Charlie Swan and the late Renee Swan. Isabella has been a member of the cheerleading team for four years. She has been co-captain for two years. She is a member of the honors program. She has been taking dual credit college courses for two years. She was named to Washington's States who's who list for the last three years. She is a member of the Forks high school orchestra, where she plays both the piano and the cello, where she was recognized by the state as the musician of the year for the last two years. She is a three time state champion with academic decathlon team. She is planning on attending NYU and pursuing a degree in music. She is being escorted by her father, Charlie," said Peter. I could feel my face heat up with each word he said. I looked over at Edward who was grinning as Charlie and I made our way out to the field. We stood by Rose and William.
"Your third runner up is Kate Denali," said Peter. The little red headed flower girl went over and handed Kate her roses. "Your second runner up is Angela Weber."
"Fuck," muttered me and Rose as the little girl went over and handed Angela her flowers. That meant that me or Rose were the queen. I could feel Charlie chuckle.
"Your first runner up is Rosalie Hale," said Peter. "Which means that Isabella Cullen is our homecoming queen."