Never look back unless you are planning to go that way.

-Henry David Thoreau

Bella POV

"Bella, hey," Mike said to me in biology. I turned to look at him.

"Hey," I said weakly.

"Um, can I talk to you…alone?" he asked me, glancing at Edward.

Edward wasn't paying any attention anyway.

I nodded slightly and got off of the stool that was provided as a seat to me in biology. We made our way into the back of the class, where all of the science equipment was stored.

Mike rubbed the back of his neck nervously.

"What is it, Mike?" I said angrily.

"I uh…were you okay yesterday?"

"What? Yes. Why do you keep asking that?"

"Because…you didn't look okay. Call me stupid sometimes, but I'm not blind."

"Why is it any of your business?" I spat.

"I thought we were friends."

"Yeah, whatever," I scowled and started to walk away.

"Bella don't you walk away from me like that," Mike said in a pushy, agitating manner.

"Mike, stop."

"No."

I was about to open my mouth, because Mike had a pretty strong grip on my arm that wasn't bandaged. So it was the bruised arm…

"She said stop, Newton. Let her go."

I turned to see Edward staring daggers at Mike. I don't know how he got here without me able to hear him.

"Mind your own business, Cullen," sneered Mike.

"Why don't you take your own advice, asshole? She said leave her alone so leave her alone."

"Fuck off, Cullen. Why don't you go fuck Jessica Stanley or some shit? Leave Bella to me. You already had your chance to fuck her."

I could not believe what I was hearing. I stood frozen, I couldn't even move.

The next thing I knew Mike was on the ground and Edward was wailing punches on him. He was really messing up Mike.

I saw Lauren Mallory come in from the hallway. What a time for her to pass by.

"What the fuck, Bella? Why are you just standing there? You fucking freak," she scowled, trying to pull Mike and Edward apart.

I just ran into the hallway, against the lockers. I lost it there. I broke down and started sobbing uncontrollably.

I heard the door open. This big bulky goth kid was taking Mike to the principal's office but went the opposite way, to avoid me or Edward.

Mr. Banner was taking Edward to the principal office passing my way.

I looked up from my hysterical crying fit and looked at him.

He looked at me, eyes filled with anger. But when he saw me his face weakened.

"I'm sorry, Bella," he whispered as he past me.

I couldn't stop staring at him until he and Mr. Banner passed the corner.

I didn't know what to do. I felt like dying right there. Fuck Mike Newton. Fuck them all.

The next day Edward wasn't there and neither was Mike. They were both suspended for the rest of the week, which only counted as two days.

I sat with Alice at lunch, she talked my ear off but that was okay. As long as she didn't try to get too personal with me. I could use a little human contact after all this time of no Edward Cullen and an alcoholic father plus that loser prick Mike Newton.

I glanced at Edward's table, even though he wasn't there. I couldn't help but notice Rosalie. Today she wasn't exactly staring at me or anything, but when she glanced at me and saw me looking at her, her shoulders slumped and she looked down at her fingers.

I don't know what that's about. She always is sending me sympathetic glares.

Alice asked me if I was doing anything this weekend and if I wanted to hang out.

I said I had a lot of studying to catch up on.

She looked disappointed but I didn't really want a friend. I kind of wanted to tell her to back off but I couldn't work up the courage to do that. Her face would probably be so hurt that I don't really know if I could stand myself to the only girl who has talked to me. She probably heard a lot of bad rumors and gossip about me too from the other students. But she chose to ignore it. I had to give her that.

Biology and Art passed by quickly. The whole day people were paying extra negative attention towards me. Everyone was snickering and whispering to each other. Still though: new day, same shit.

I just walked, looking at the ground ignoring all of the stares. I accidentally bumped into someone and my books fell. I didn't even look to see who it was I just scrambled to get my books on the floor.

"Oh, I'm sorry," the voice apologized and I saw a figure slouch next to me.

I looked at the manicured nails handing me my books and looked forward. It was Rosalie Hale.

"Um…its okay. I mean, I'm really sorry. It was all of my fault," I said, shyly, still uber reserved.

"Oh, don't worry about it, sweetie. I don't think you should be carrying all those books with that bandaged arm," she said, taking my books from me. I looked at her in awe.

"I can get Emmett to escort you to each class, he won't mind," she giggled, as if we were old friends. But when she smiled, I could still see that sad pity in her face.

"Um, no I'm fine. This is my class," I said, taking my books from her. I walked away quickly. I didn't want to look back. She probably looked so sad. She'd been really nice to her and I gave her the cold shoulder like I do everyone.

But my motto is to never look back, just look forward. That's the only thing that can really get me to tomorrow without losing my sanity.

xoxo, B.