Chapter 6

"Ugh, Bella, you look like shit."

Bella barely glanced up from her flask of soup, the snide remarks from Lauren were becoming more common. It had been a week since Edward left her in the woods, she was still hurting but Bella noticed her acting skills were improving, people believed her when she said she was fine. She was talking to her dad more which felt amazing, she realised how lucky she was to have him. Bella was slowly healing from the Cullens' departure, but she knew if there was any way to properly get over it would be to go down to La Push, she was still trying to muster the courage to do so. There was a little voice in her head that said there was no hurry to go down there, Paul's offer would be when she was ready.

School was ok, her friends were quiet but that was because they didn't want to offend Bella at their relief of having a Cullen-free school. It was just Lauren who seemed relentless in her little digs at Bella. She felt her restraint slipping. If she didn't have this nasty chest infection, she wouldn't hold back, but her energy was totally sapped. In that moment, Bella's biggest priority was to avoid spilling the hot chicken soup she brought from home. With her luck, she'd scald herself and stink for the rest of the day. She did hear Angela speak up in her defence, to which she shot her a grateful smile and wink.

"I mean seriously, are you just desperate for some attention or knight in shining armour?" Lauren snorted. Clearly, she was ignoring Angela and spoiling for a fight.

"Actually, I've got that chest infection that's going around school. But hey, when I was at the pharmacy picking up my antibiotics, the lady at the counter asked me to tell you your genital wart cream is ready." Bella glanced up from her soup as she delivered that blow with a wicked glint in her eye.

"Fuck you." Lauren spat.

"Nah, I'd like to avoid any STDs." She couldn't lie to herself, it felt good stooping to that bitch's level.

Bella and Lauren maintained their stare-off, Bella's face was calm, with one eyebrow quirked and Lauren was rapidly becoming red. On her periphery, Bella noticed her friends shaking in silent laughter. Seeing Angela stuff a napkin in her mouth to stifle her laugh made Bella smirk and snort. It was the last straw for Lauren. In a rage her hand flashed out and punched Bella's flask and cup of soup. Steaming chickeney liquid covered Bella's clothes and began burning her hand. She jumped out of her seat, shaking her hand, trying to dislodge the burning liquid and cool it down.

"You should not have done that." Bella's voice was low and controlled. She wanted to scream and shout about that bitch, but she was playing the long game. The calmer Bella seemed, the more rattled Lauren was and the more likely Bella was to get away with her revenge later. Lauren stood up, scowling with still pink cheeks.

"Whatya gona do? Tell Edward on me?" Her voice took on a babyish quality. By the gasps around the table, everyone knew that Lauren crossed a line. Bella felt her eye twitch as she fought to retain the high ground.

"Oh wait, you can't. He's gone." Bella remained silent. Lauren would not goad her into a fight. She did want this interaction to end so she could try and wash the soup off.

"He came to see me before he left. Told me to tell you goodbye." Lauren finished with a nasty grin.

"Jesus, Lauren. What the hell is your problem?" Jess squeaked. The rest of the table agreed with her.

Bella burst out laughing, she may have been hurt that Edward left, but she knew he had no time for Lauren. He would have left Forks as quickly as possible, probably as soon as he had left her in the woods. Bella's friends watched her anxiously, they wondered if she had finally lost it.

"Oh my god Lauren, if you wanted to piss me off, you really should have said something believable," Bella gasped in between laughed. She felt the tears roll down her cheeks.

"He did see me!"

"You really are pathetic, he went straight to sunny LA after he broke up with me. I mean come on. You had so much potential material with our nasty break up. You're just too spiteful for your own good, girlie." Bella felt strangely empowered. From the faces of their friends in the drab cafeteria, they were clearly in support of Bella. Lauren could see this too and whether it was embarrassment or she had finally lost it, she launched herself at Bella, tackling her to the ground.

In the leap, Bella whacked her head on the ground, leaving her dazed enough to allow Lauren to get a few good slaps in. Bella bucked her hips, dislodging Lauren from where she was straddling Bella. As the motion distracted the other girl, Bella reached up with both her arms and pushed Lauren off. Lauren fell to the ground and rolled a few feet away. Bella clambered to her feet when Lauren also stood up and went for Bella's hair. Winding her tacky fake nails into their target, Lauren pulled Bella closer to her. Bella punched Lauren in the gut, she had no patience for this. She was already feeling like shit, physically and emotionally.

This whole altercation lasted less than two minutes. Bella's punch forced Lauren to release her grip from Bella's hair and stagger back. Mike, who had been entranced by the 'chick fight', finally stepped in and stood between the girls.

"Bella Swan and Lauren Mallory! My office! Now!" The principal stood up from the teachers table and stormed out of the cafeteria, expecting them to follow.

Lauren's fury seemed to leave her as she followed Principal Greene into his office. Bella's head was throbbing, she felt small blisters forming on her hands and she couldn't stop her rattling cough. She really should have stayed home.

Principal Greene slammed his office door open and the two girls followed. Bella imagined he would be livid that he was missing out on Lasagne Wednesday. He pointed at the chairs in front of his desk. Wordlessly they both sat down.

"Your behaviour was disgusting today Miss Mallory. How do you explain yourself?"

Lauren's mouth opened and closed like a fish. She was on the hook for this, Bella thought wryly to herself.

"She provoked me! She started it all!" Lauren screeched.

"Your behaviour for the last week hasn't gone unnoticed, Miss Mallory. I must commend Miss Swan for not rising to your attempts to bait her. However, I do wish that you had approached a teacher about this Miss Swan"

Bella felt a wave of triumph burst through the humming pain. She fought to keep her face emotionless as she nodded looking from the Principal to his burgundy walls and pictures of Bavarian Castles.

"I… I…" Lauren floundered.

"At the very least you owe Miss Swan an apology."

Lauren turned to Bella and spat out a bitter "Sorry."

Bella nodded, as graciously as she could. Her stay calm tactics were winning this petty war.

"For your violent conduct and bullying of a fellow student, you are suspended for the next two weeks."

"But, Principal Greene! My mom will kill me for this!"

"Actions have consequences. You will wait here while I contact your mother. Miss Swan, if you would follow me to the Nurse's Office we'll make sure your injuries are tended to."

Bella slowly stood up, her body was already tight from the injuries she had sustained. She hobbled behind Principal Greene, leaving Lauren in his office, stewing.

The Principal paused outside the Nurses office, he turned to Bella with a sympathetic frown.

"Now Miss Swan, as I said, Lauren's behaviour hasn't gone unnoticed. Why didn't you report it?"

"I'm sorry Principal Greene, it didn't really bother me until today. I haven't been feeling great, I've spent my energy on remaining focussed in class."

He nodded, "Would you like to go to the nurse or should I phone your father?"

"My dad is really busy with this case from Seattle, would it be ok for me to leave now? I feel ok to drive."

"You are eighteen Miss Swan, so yes. I'll excuse you from classes for the rest of the week. I will contact your father to let him know you're going home."

"Thank you, sir," Bella smiled at her Principal, he returned it quickly. He was probably still envisioning Lasagne waiting for him at the teachers' table.

"Take care Miss Swan, we'll see you next week."

Bella made her way back to her truck, stopping in past the cafeteria to grab her bag. She explained what happened in the Principal's office. Angela and Jess were demanding that she text them when she got home safely.

"You sweeties, I'd hug you if I wasn't infectious." Bella grinned weakly. She was exhausted and desperate to leave. She left the cafeteria to choruses of cheers and get well soon sentiments. She smiled softly to herself as she made her way to her truck.

Until she entered the car park and saw Paul leaning against her truck. He didn't look happy.

A/N

Ok so I couldn't help myself. I had to write this tonight…

I hope you enjoyed it! I still stand by my plan to keep it weekly, but if I get sudden bursts of inspiration… you may get bonus chapters within the week.

This was the first fight scene I've ever written. I tried to keep it short and maybe dizzying, if Bella is already poorly then a physical fight might make her feel dazed. I'd be grateful for any feedback on it :)

I hope you all have a lovely week!