Chapter 22 – Enough
I watched as Alice and Bella drive away. I knew she was safe with Alice. In the living room, Rosalie had a smug look on her face as I came down the stairs. "You have an opinion, Rosalie?" Rosalie smiled, "Yes, I do and honestly, I agree with Esme and Alice. Leave her alone for now." My eyes narrowed, "Since when do you care?" Rosalie stood from the couch, "Because, after today's fight, I have a new found respect for Bella. She has said what I have wanted to tell you for decades. You are the king of overreaction." "Rosalie!" Emmett scolded. She shook her head, "Hear me out. I am the first one to show absolutely no interest in your relationship with Bella, but seeing her today has changed that. I know in the past I showed no interest, but I have to say this. Edward, you have to remember Bella comes from a different time than us. Back when, a man had to raise his voice and a woman would shut down. That's clearly not how it is today. Bella has her own opinions, thoughts, wants and ideas and if you want to have her back in your life and keep that relationship, you are going to have to accept the fact that she is going to do things that you won't agree with, but you are going to have to live with it."
I was dumbfounded by that speech. I blinked slowly. What was I doing? My confidence in that Bella and I being together again overpowered my better judgment and I may have pushed her further away. "So, what would you recommend?" Rosalie put her hands up, "Now, that's up to you." I have never seen her that mad. Maybe I should apologize. I really don't want her mad at me. Emmett was worried about Bella. "Give her until tomorrow, Emmett. She needs the night to calm down." Emmett was still worried. He didn't mean her any harm and he didn't like Bella being angry with him. She had the fury of a newborn vampire. I would hate to see her as one. She would be hard to control. Jasper contemplated Bella being a newborn vampire for some time, while, I waited for Alice to come home. It would not surprise me if she stayed with Bella tonight. She still needed protection. This one that hunted her, we haven't found any trails of him in a sometime. Had he given up? Now, that was wishful thinking. He had a reason for hunting Bella; to avenge Victoria.
I paced my room all night until it was time to go to school. Esme and Carlisle were due back today, but I was not worried about that. I had to get to Bella. I had no idea what I could do to make things up to her. I had no idea what her mood was going to be like. In the parking lot at school, I waited in my car. "Bella, let's just get through today." Bella sighed, "I'm more concerned about Emily. I don't want Sam to lose his temper again." I know he was the one who scarred her face and body. They pulled into the parking lot. Alice jumped out of the car, but Bella took her time. Her face was worn; didn't she get any rest last night? "Alice, did you keep her up all night?" She looked at me from across the parking lot, No! She must have had a nightmare, because she was tossing and turning. Alice and Bella walked towards class and I lingered behind. I made myself late to class. We had two weeks of school left and it was time to review for finals.
Bella focused on her work and spoke to me when we had to work together. She didn't go beyond that. When she was quiet, she would bite down on her lip and her eyes would be downward. She clearly had a lot on her mind. Once again, I wished that I could read her mind. There was a wrinkle in the middle of her head; she was worried. At lunch, she didn't eat or say much. "I don't know what her problem is, today." "Lauren, just leave her alone. You don't know what she's going through." I was glad to see Jessica Stanley finally being a sincere friend to Bella. "What could she possibly be going through? Her rich ex-boyfriend's parents buying her a new car. What was it? A bribe so she would be with Edward again? Or the Indian boy that looks like a grown man trying to get her to be his girlfriend?" Bella sighed, "Lauren?" Lauren Mallory looked up at her, "Yes." "Could you do me a small favor?" Bella's voice was unusually sweet. "What?" Bella half-smiled, "Well, I'd just like for you to… shut the hell up." Lauren's mouth fell open and her eyes widened. Everyone around the table looked at Bella in shock. "I know you think you're queen bee of the school, but no one gives a damn about you. You are way too young to be this bitter. And for the mere fact that you're still holding on to the fact that Tyler wanted to take me to the prom, is petty. It was a year ago, get over. And, if you say one more word about me, your body will be missing. And the police chief's daughter; so no one will suspect me."
Bella got up the table and stormed out of the cafeteria. Alice and Angela looked straight into each other's eyes. They got up and went after her. Damn, she has really changed. She told Lauren off. Jessica stood and went with the others. I can't believe she spoke to me like that. She is going to pay. I stood, "Lauren, were I you, I'd let it go." I took up Bella and Alice's book bags and went into the parking lot. "Bella, where did that come from?" Angela asked in astonishment. "I'm just tired of her and so many things. I'm just getting them off my chest." I stood around the corner. "Yea, first Jacob, then Edward and now Lauren. Bella, I have never seen you so mad." And I mean never. "Alice, like I said, I am tired and they needed to hear what I had to say." Edward, just leave our bags and get out of here. She may not be done. The girls talked until the hour was over. I did as Alice suggested, left their belongings and went off to class. Bella was a much stronger person that I gave her credit for. How much strength did she gain when I was gone?
I felt better than good telling Lauren off. The look on her face was priceless. I haven't felt this good in a long time. My mood had improved so much; I was able to look past my anger at Edward to speak with him. "Edward?" He looked at me, "Yes?" "What happened yesterday…." "Was my fault." I shook my head, "No. I was in a bad mood from Jacob and I just…." "No, Bella. I saw you weren't in the best mood and I shouldn't have talked about him like that. I promised I wouldn't and I broke that promise." I shook my head, "Well, if it makes you feel better, when he gets like that about you, I get just as mad with him." He half-smiled, "Still, I knew better. I won't do that to you again." The roar of an engine interrupted us. "Jacob." Jacob dismounted his bike and strode over to where Edward and I stood. "Bella, I need to talk to you." "Jacob, I'm not standing here by myself." He sided, "Bloodsucker." "Mongrel." I shook my head, "Good enough." Jacob took my hand and walked us over to his bike.
"Bella, I want to apologize." I looked at him, "Really?" "Yes. I just went crazy when I found out you went to Florida with Alice. And you were right. Part of me wanted you to ask me." I smiled, "I don't think Charlie would have gone for that. Besides, Sam needed you here." His arms wrapped around me. "Jake… can't….. breathe." He let me go, "Sorry." His eyes were focused on something behind me. I looked back and I saw Edward leaning against his car, with his arms folded looking at us. I groaned in exasperation, "This is getting ridiculous." "He's the one watching us, like you belong to him." I opened my mouth to say something, but I snapped it shut. This was starting to get out of hand. I had to make a choice and soon. Maybe I shouldn't choose either of them. It's not like I deserved either of them. "Jake, let's go to First Beach." This was a good opportunity for me to check on Emily. Jacob beamed, "Great." I smiled, "Just give me one second." I turned back and Alice stopped me, "I already spoke to her. She'll meet you on the beach." "Thank you." I got into my car and followed Jacob to La Push.
