Chapter 16 - Boost

EDWARD

I had just stepped out of the school building to head to my car, when I heard Tyler taunting Bella. Emmett was standing there looking torn between doing something and keeping his cover. In the end, I made the choice for him. I was running at top speed over to the small group, their backs to me. Emmett noticed me first and looked relieved.

Tyler gave Bella a hard shove, but Emmett caught her, and I jumped on Tyler, beating the shit out of him. I felt someone start in on my back, but I grabbed the fist that hit me and pounded it down into Tyler.

We all heard the coach's whistle blow, and I felt the other guy on me being pulled off. I saw Emmett holding Ben back, and the coach had Eric. He told Tyler and I to back away.

"Now, what the hell is going on here?" the coach said glaring at all of us.

"He was picking on Bella and shoved her. She's on fucking crutches for god's sake! Why can't the asshole leave her alone and stop picking on a helpless girl!"

The coach turned to Emmett. "Is that the truth, McCarty? You seem like the only sane one here."

"Tyler shoved Bella, and Edward came out of nowhere at him," Emmett said like he was describing a scene in an action movie. The coach rolled his eyes. Mine found Bella standing back a ways staring at the ground. Tyler was spitting blood, and I couldn't help but smile.

"Tyler, you're on probation as it is for harassment. One more move like that, and you'll be shipped off to an alternative school. Edward, you'll see me tomorrow during your free period for detention."

I grimaced, but it could have been worse. At least this way, I could keep it from Carlisle that I had gotten into trouble.

"Tyler, you're coming with me to call your mom. You'll be suspended for starting the fight."

"Starting…I didn't start anything! McCarty told you, he came out of nowhere!"

The glare the coach gave Tyler made me smile. Tyler shut up and followed the coach. Emmett and the other two boys followed behind. Emmett gave me a wink and a discreet wave to Bella, before he disappeared behind the doors.

I turned to Bella, who was still looking at the ground. When I lifted her chin, she had a slight grimace. "Are you okay? I didn't think Eric would jump in like that," she asked.

"Eric is more of a pussy than Tyler." Then something struck me as odd. "You didn't think Eric would jump in? Are you saying you planned this?"

"You said you wanted to beat up Tyler, and I wanted to do something nice for you, since you were helping me out, so I mentioned to the coach that Tyler was harassing me and asked him to keep an eye on me, as I crossed the lot to your car. I knew Tyler wouldn't be able to resist trying something."

"Then what took Coach so long to step in?"

She shrugged. "Maybe he thought Tyler deserved a good beating, too. Coach Clapp and my dad are good friends, too, by the way. They watch the game together."

I started laughing. "So, you set it up, so I could get away with beating up Tyler?"

She shrugged again.

"Girl, you're a fucking genius. I think you're going to fit right in with the rest of us just fine."

BELLA

It had been four days since Edward had uttered the words that made my heart leap. He thought I would fit in just fine. Unfortunately, I didn't feel like I was fitting in. I had no idea what the plan was or what was going on. I just knew Alice was crazy excited and was sure we were going to have an amazing time at the dance.

Her enthusiasm didn't stop me from becoming a nervous wreck, though. Thankfully, Alice had given me some kind of skin cleanser, and so even though my face was still breaking out a little, it wasn't nearly as bad. I had a couple of small zits under my jaw next to my neck, but they were pretty hidden. At least I hoped they were.

I was dressed in casual clothes, waiting for Edward to come pick me up. I heard a knock on the door, and my father answered it.

I hobbled down the stairs. My ankle was doing a lot better, but I didn't want to push it. I was really hoping to wear my shoes tonight.

"Esme is expecting you at 7:00 p.m. this evening for dinner, Chief Swan. Don't forget your camera," Edward said with a smile. It was amazing to me how cool he was around my father.

My dad seemed just as happy to have him around, too, which made me even more nervous. I didn't want him making any comments and messing things up for me.

Edward helped me to his car, just like he had all week, when he had been taking me to school. He asked how my ankle was doing, and I told him it was doing a lot better and that I had taken some more pain killers in hopes to wear my nice shoes and do some dancing.

His smile was brilliant. "Oh, we're doing more than dancing tonight, Ms. Swan," he smirked, leaving me to wonder what the hell the plan was once again.

We pulled up to the Cullen's home, and as he was helping me out of the car, a long black Limo came pulling up next to us. Edward clapped his hands and ran over to the limo door. He flung it open, and a tall blond guy came out and hugged Edward. "Jazzman, I'm so glad you're here. I want you to meet Bella."

I blushed lightly at Edward's excitement to introduce me to his friend.

"Good evening, Ms. Bella, it's nice to finally make your acquaintance," he spoke with a thick southern accent and gave me a mischievous wink.

Edward cleared his throat, shoving him away from me. "So, who did you get for your date?"

"Ms. Rosalie Hale, of course."

"Rosalie Hale, Dean Hale's daughter?" Edward asked shocked.

Just then, the driver got out of the limo and nodded to Edward. "What's up, man?"

"Demetri! Fuck, Jazz, you stole the Dean's limo?"

"Stole is such a harsh word, Edward; we just borrowed it, isn't that right, Demetri."

The Demetri guy just shrugged. "Sure, man, whatever you say. You want me to help you with the blonde?"

"Help? Help?" Edward said a little panicked.

Jasper nodded yes to Demetri, and I was a little shocked to see him pull a thrashing blonde-haired girl out of the back of the limo, who was tied up and gagged.

"Oh, fucking hell, Jasper!"

"Don't worry, man. She'll settle down. I told her I had proof her boyfriend, Royce, was a sick fuck, but she didn't believe me."

"You're dating Royce?" Edward shouted at the girl hanging over Demetri's shoulder. "What the fuck are you thinking? Didn't your dad tell you we had video evidence of him attacking a girl? It got thrown out of court, because it was a camera on private property that the owner was not aware of. Fuck, Rosie, I know you're pissed at your dad, but there's no way we're going to stand by and let that sick bastard hurt you."

"See, told you!" Jasper said in a sing-song voice.

I saw tears start to run down Rosalie's face. "You guys need to let her down and untie her already!" I said stepping forward to comfort her.

Demetri looked to Jasper, who nodded at him. "Do as the lady says," he sent me another wink.

Once Rosalie was ungagged, she shouted at Jasper, "You bastard, when we get home, my daddy is going to kill you!"

"Or thank me more likely, when I tell him you were sneaking out with Royce when I caught you."

Rosalie growled, and I wondered if Jasper was really going to get away with kidnapping the dean's daughter.

"What on earth is taking so long? We haven't got much time to get ready!" Alice yelled from the porch.

"Coming," I said, hopping as I moved my crutches in her direction.

"Why don't you go freshen up with the girls, Rose?" Edward said, and I heard her shoes clack angrily up the driveway behind me. She passed me easily, and I watched as she stormed into the house.

I heard Edward sigh.

"Oh, come on now, don't be upset," Jazz implored. "You know I couldn't leave her to be hurt."

"Yeah, I know, I just hope the dean sees it that way."

"He will. I have video of Royce bragging about his plans for tonight. I also have video of him setting up his room for her. The fucker had some sick shit planned. I know the dean will be more than grateful for my interference."

EDWARD

Once the girls were out of sight, I went over to Demetri and gave him a man hug. "Good to see you, man. Jazz better keep you out of trouble for boosting the Dean's Limo."

"You know Jazz; he keeps you out of trouble by keeping you in it. I'm sure I'll be fine."

"Yeah, you're right," I said knowing it was true.

"Thanks for the vote of confidence, even if it was a little late coming," Jazz said. "Besides, we could use an extra pair of hands the others don't know about. It'll make us seem more like ghosts appearing everywhere."

Yeah, tonight would be epic.