Chapter 15 - Restraint

EDWARD

It took everything in me not to take off and beat Tyler down. I could put him in the hospital, making him miss the dance and save us all the trouble, but Alice wanted to be smart about it. She had heard of some of the things we had pulled off in military school, so we could escape to have fun and also get back at some of the jerks and teachers at my old school.

Hell, I wanted to beat Tyler until he told me what was up, and then we could make our plan, but again, Alice wanted to wait for Emmett. I was surprised to find out that Emmett was so willing to help. I was like Jazz, still wary of his loyalties, but Alice assured me she had been talking to Emmett, and he was all Team Swan now.

I didn't know how I felt about my sister talking to Emmett, though. Maybe I could get Jazz to bring a bug, so I could listen in on the conversation; or better yet, one that would let me listen and butt in, so I could say back the fuck off my baby sister. Yeah, I should ask him about one of those. I would also need a nut guard, because I was sure Alice would want to hurt me once I used it.

That was one thing I had learned from Jazz, planning for repercussions and having solid alibis. Once I had started hanging out with Jasper, the headmaster was thrilled. I had been a troublemaker, but Jazz; he was supposedly a saint. He was excellent when it came to framing jerks. He kept the assholes in trouble and us on the dean's list. The only reason Jazz never went home for good behavior was because he was from a Texas military family. He was expected to graduate and then go to West Point. There was no out for him. I had to admit, though. He was a strategic genius. The military would definitely benefit from his joining.

I looked at Bella's small frame sitting on the bed. She and Alice were talking about the dance. She actually looked happy to go now that the truth was out. I could see that she trusted me, trusted us to keep her safe, and I started to feel guilty.

Truth was I felt a little like an ass for yelling at Bella for trying to back out of our date. She had explained how she had heard Tyler wanting to plan something to get at us and did everything she could think of to get out of the date just to spare me.

She swore she originally had wanted to go on the date with me, and she even got a job to earn the money to buy her dress. I really felt like an ass when I heard that. Her dress was really pretty, and I didn't want anything to happen to it, or her. My protective streak went into overdrive. No one would be touching my date. She was mine, and her father would be entrusting me to keep her safe, and that was just what I would do. If there was one thing to be said about Edward Cullen, he was a man to be trusted. I would not let Chief Swan down.

BELLA

Edward looked like a caged animal pacing my room, like he was ready to attack. Alice had taken him out in the hall and supposedly calmed him down. I didn't know why he was so pissed. He wasn't the one they were really after. I guess he didn't like the idea of having something pinned on him.

I listened to Alice, as she called Esme. "Yes, Aunty, Jasper Whitlock from school, the one who helped put Edward on the straight and narrow, so he could come back to us. He and a date will be attending prom with us. I assume they'll be needing a place to stay. Yes, his date can stay in my room, and I think him staying in Edward's old room would be perfect. Thank you, Aunty," she said hanging up and turning to look at me. "So, we're going to need another set of tickets. If I give you the money, could you buy them?" she asked.

"Why can't you?"

"Because I'm a sophomore, silly. Only juniors and seniors can buy tickets. Emmett already bought ours, and Edward bought yours, so you're the only one who hasn't been crossed off the list."

I guess at least this way I was sure to be part of the plan.

I was surprised when the next morning, I heard my father talking to someone in the kitchen. I started moving into the hall, but before I could get down the stairs, my father was at the bottom of them and smiled up at me. "Hold it right there, button. The Cullen kids told me you hurt your ankle." He came up the stairs and picked me up with ease.

I hugged my daddy and kissed his cheek. "Thanks, Daddy."

Edward and Alice were waiting in the kitchen.

"We've come to give you a ride to school," Alice said a little too cheerfully, as my dad set me down at the table.

I was relieved, when I saw that Edward was holding a pair of crutches. Thank heavens he would not be carrying me around school all day. If that didn't make a scene, I didn't know what would.

I ate some toast, and then Edward helped me to the car. My dad seemed to really like Edward, which was just weird. I think it helped that Alice was there, talking excitedly to my dad about the dance and insisting he come to dinner and take pictures for my mom to see.

Once we reached the school parking lot, Alice passed me some money. "Don't forget to by Jasper's tickets," she said excitedly and hopped out of the car as soon as Edward opened her door. He stood in my doorway with his hand outstretched, and I blushed. He wasn't doing this because he liked me; he was doing it because he was a gentleman, I reminded myself. It was obvious, but I noticed Alice had waited for Edward to get her door. It was something she expected.

He helped me to lean on the side of the car, as he pulled out my crutches, holding them out for me. "Thanks," I mumbled.

He smiled widely at me. "You're welcome. You let me or Alice know if you need help with anything or if someone is giving you trouble."

I nodded, knowing just who he meant. He seemed satisfied, and we went our separate ways.

I made my way to the table where they were selling the prom tickets. I was surprised to see a sour-looking Jessica sitting there. I wondered how she had gotten roped into selling the tickets.

"Hey, Jess, can I get a set of tickets?" I said pulling out the money.

"Are you serious? You've got to be kidding me."

"Um, no," I said holding out the cash. She let out a huff and snatched the money from my hand.

"Are you alright, Jess?" I asked.

She looked up at me for a moment and took a deep breath. I could see she was holding back tears.

"Has Mike bought tickets yet?" I asked.

Her brow furrowed, and she looked down at the list. She shook her head no.

"Huh, I would've thought he would've bought some for you guys already."

Her eyes shot up to mine. "What do you know?" she asked a little excitedly.

"Um, nothing really, he hasn't asked you yet?"

Her shoulders slumped, and she let out a huff. I guess that would be a no. I would have to mention Jessica's desperation to him. Hopefully, that would give him the courage to ask her.

He was in my math class, and I sat next to him. I never spoke to him outside of chess club, but I figured I could probably get a few words out before he cringed away from me, freaking out that I was ruining his status.

"Mike, Jessica is freaking out because you haven't asked her to the dance yet," I whispered not looking at him, and when I turned to see if he had heard me, he was looking at me surprised.

"Really?"

"Yes. Why haven't you asked her?" I snapped. "She needs time to get her dress!" I whisper-yelled.

"She wants me to ask her?"

"Yes, definitely, you need to find her after class and put her out of her misery."

His smile was beaming. "Right, okay, cool. Thanks," he said, and that was the end of our conversation. I had nothing else to say, and I wasn't going to try and force him to associate with me more than required to turn Jessica's bitch-face off. By lunch, Jessica was beaming, and Mike was standing next to her and smiling just as wide. I was surprised when Mike nodded in my direction to thank me for the push.

I noticed Alice and Edward sitting at a table, deep in discussion about something, and Emmett was with Tyler, putting on a good show. I decided to go sit in the hall and eat where no one would bug me. Out of sight out of mind usually worked best for me. It would give me a chance to slip quietly into the bathroom when I was done with my food to pick my braces and brush my teeth. Last thing I wanted to do was talk to Edward with crap stuck in my railroad tracks.

When I met up with him in biology, he was waiting at our table. I slid the tickets to him silently, but he smiled at me. "Thanks," he said softly.

He seemed really tense. "You okay?"

"Yeah, it's just hard not to take Tyler out myself, but Alice doesn't want me sent away again."

"Don't worry; I'm sure you and your friend will figure out a way to get him that'll be more effective," I reassured.

He let out a sigh and nodded. "You're right. I just wish I could find a reason to beat the shit out of him before then."

I let out a chuckle. "If I can find a way for you, I'll let you know."

He smirked at me. "Thanks, Bella."

His smiled made it feel like we were really friends. I suddenly felt very guilty for watching him at night. It was probably a good thing my ankle was swollen. No way could I walk there and embarrass myself now by watching him. Once it got better, I would be sure to practice some restraint and stay away from his window.

Maybe.