16
I sat in class picturing the entire thing. I could feel the bat in my hands, as it flew gracefully in the air towards Tanya's head. I could feel the crunch of her skull and the snap of her neck, as her head soared from her shoulders. Then I would walk over to her open mouth and wide eyes, to stomp on her decapitated melon.
Tanya had become public enemy number one, and I was determined to make her pay. I looked at Angela and she smiled sweetly. I would do it for Angela, she deserved to have someone stand up for her. Edward didn't, but innocent Angela did.
"Edward," I said under my breath in anger. He didn't have a clue why I would be so upset. He almost dumped me over Jake, who never, ever, attempted to remove his clothing around me. But he didn't feel it necessary to tell me about some whore climbing into his bed when he first got here.
Just thinking about it made my blood boil, and then to know I had her all to myself when she asked about giving Edward to her…..I was ready to explode.
By the time evening sessions came I was too angry to even speak to Edward. I pulled my chair away from his and he cussed at me under his breath.
"What did you do, Bro?" Emmett asked.
"I didn't do shit," Edward said angrily.
"Edward has selective amnesia," I informed the group.
"So do I," Alice offered with her high voice, "When people say, 'where did you get that', I tell them I can't remember."
"You're adorable," Jasper said to her as he scrunched up his nose.
"If a naked man climbed into your bed, I'm sure you would remember," I glared at her.
Everyone looked at Edward, and Emmett boomed with laughter. "You don't remember Bella climbing into your bed naked?"
"Everyone shut up," Edward warned, but I didn't listen.
"It wasn't me, it was Tanya."
The girls gasped and the guys suddenly got very quiet. They all lowered their heads and wouldn't even look at each other. There was more to the story than I imagined. I turned to face Edward and gave him a look that said I demanded to know the story.
"Bella, I am begging you, stop right now," he pleaded.
Rosalie looked around the half circle and slowly stood. She walked to the front and looked back with a pale face. "Don't you get it, Bella? They all slept with her."
I looked around the circle and stood to face the three sheepish guys. "Safe zone, right Emmett," I yelled at him. "And just feign ignorance, right Jasper."
Jasper looked at Emmett and finally spoke up, "Don't be made at Edward, he didn't do anything."
I looked over at him and he was leaning on his forearms against his thighs, with his head down. I couldn't reconcile the admission she had been in his bed with the knowledge he didn't do anything. The room was perfectly silent until Esme walked in. Rose and I quickly went back to our seats and let our heads drop, too.
"This was not what I was expecting after today," she said warily.
Nobody would respond and she finally pulled up a chair and sat in front of us. "Who has the courage to start?" she asked.
I knew it should be me; I had caused the whole thing in the first place, so I raised my hand slightly.
"I think we need to talk about guys and why they do certain things," I said stupidly.
"Why can't it be girls, and why they do certain things, she did it," Edward said angrily.
"She's a sex addict, dickwad," I retorted.
"We didn't know that the first week," he defended.
"The first week?" Alice asked, "Then I forgive you, Jaz."
Rose and Emmett looked at each other and didn't say a word, telling us all they became physical right from the beginning.
Esme cleared her throat and tried to intercede. "I want you all to remember how scared and angry you were when you first arrived. Many of you acted out in your issues, so you could feel in control. I think it would be more appropriate to talk about today, not months ago."
I couldn't believe she was going to let the guys off the hook like that, I wanted Tanya burned at the stake for making Edward even look at her naked. And he obviously got a pretty good look if he knew the size of her breasts.
Group that night was anything but productive. Esme had to fight like crazy just to get a few words out of each of us. Edward finally came up with a solution.
"Esme, why don't we have another movie night, and take a breather from the drama?"
"Great idea, plan on Saturday evening. We will have a barbeque and movie night. You are all excused," she finally relented.
I began walking towards the door and Edward grabbed my arm. "I want to talk to you," he insisted.
I followed him to the back of the room and he leaned in to talk quietly. "I was going to explain it all, but I didn't want to get Jaz and Emmett in trouble."
"Will you tell me honestly why you didn't do anything with her?"
"I had my eye on someone better," he said, with a shy smile.
"Who?" I asked, wanting to make sure he was talking about me.
"A smart ass brunette, who got me hard by simply looking at me."
"You were mean to me back then," I accused with a blush.
"Yeah, well, you held your own, believe me," he laughed.
"If I ever catch you even looking in Tanya's direction, I'm going to set you on fire," I threatened.
"There is not enough antibiotics in the world to make me consider Tanya," he promised.
"I'm sorry I jumped to the wrong conclusion. You didn't deserve it."
He fell back and put his arms out to hold steady against the wall, pretending to be stunned, and said, "I think hell just froze over, Bella apologized."
"Why do you put up with me, I am an awful person," I said sadly.
"What happened to no more talk of being undeserving," he asked softly.
"You're right, damn you're lucky to have me," I laughed.
He pulled me against him and chuckled as he leaned over and kissed me. I put both of my hands in his hair and leaned all my weight against his body, pinning him between me and the wall. I could feel every detail of his body against mine and my good judgment quickly fled.
I arched back, pushing into him as he held my body securely in his arms so I wouldn't fall. Carlisle walked out of his office so Edward brought me back up, but didn't end the kiss. "I'm leaving," Carlisle announced, "get in the car or be left."
"You can leave him," I said to Carlisle when Edward pulled away.
"Jessica can jump off the roof," he said letting me know how difficult it was for him to leave.
Esme walked from her office and looked at us, "Bella, I was just coming to find you."
"Edward's having a sleep over and you might want to place a net under the dorm roof," I answered her.
"Edward is going home and you are going to your room, alone," she corrected.
"Why does Tanya get to whore around and nobody says a word," I complained.
"She is the subject of much discussion, I can assure you," Esme admitted. "I got a call and you won't be shadowing at court tomorrow. It has been pushed back."
"Okay, when do I go back?" I asked her.
"Friday, at the phone center again," she told me and I nodded.
"Can I tell Bella goodnight?" Edward asked.
Esme gave him a knowing glance and grabbed his arm, pulling him with her. "Go ahead and tell her," she said.
"Goodnight Bella," he yelled as he was pulled through the door.
I made my way back to the dorm room and found all the girls in deep discussion on what to do about Tanya. Rosalie was suggesting permanent disfiguration. Alice suggested stealing all her vibrators, but we were sure the school confiscated them when she arrived, and Alice really shouldn't be stealing.
"Maybe she needs a friend," Angela suggested, and it broke my heart.
"Don't be stupid," Lauren said angrily to her, "She's probably sleeping with Ben, too."
It was the perfect opening, the chance I needed to step up and tell her what a creep Ben was, but the memory of her lying bleeding on my lap, kept me quiet.
"I think we should do something to stop her from preying on guys," Jessica suggested, "Something that will keep her hiding in her room."
"Like what?" I asked.
"Like, shave her head," Jessica suggested.
"And her eyebrows," Lauren squealed.
"That would be too difficult to do and not get caught, but we can cut her hair," Rosalie said with an evil smile.
"Perfect," we all agreed.
We waited until three in the morning before we made our way up two floors and into Tanya's room. We used the light from Rose's compact and let tiny Alice make her way into the room. Angela gave us a long razor she snuck into the school after Christmas, and I was going to make sure she didn't get it back.
Alice came out less than two minutes later holding a long ponytail in her hand. We all jumped up and down and ran back to our room.
"What should we do with this?" Alice asked as she showed her trophy proudly.
"I know," Rose said, "grab a shoe lace."
"Not mine," Jessica yelled.
"You can use mine," Lauren offered and began pulling it from her shoe.
We all made our way to the front of the school, where a bronze statue of Lewis and Clark with a horse, stood proudly.
We tied Tanya's hair to the horse's tail and made our way back to the dorm before erupting in laughter. It was childish, and mean, and wouldn't solve anything. But we felt like we ruled the world, and girls like Tanya would think twice before messing with our guys.
The next morning we sat in the cafeteria waiting for Tanya to arrive, or word of her leaving school. She walked in wearing a really cute hat and we all wanted to scream with disappointment. The news slowly spread through the school and everyone began guessing who did it.
Tanya was convinced it was Angela and walked up to confront her. "Do you think I won't retaliate?" She said.
"I didn't do it," Angela said honestly.
"Do I look stupid?" Tanya sneered.
I stood and looked at her, smiling, and said, "Yeah, you do."
"I'm not talking to you," she said loudly.
"Then walk away from our table," I insisted.
"I'm not letting this go, and Ben enjoys me more than you," she said before walking off.
Angela looked stunned and I sat down and put my hand on hers. I didn't say anything and waited for her to put the pieces together.
"She had sex with Ben?" she asked me.
I nodded in shame and watched her eyes get wet. "Angela, don't let this set back your recovery. You are doing great and you don't need him."
"What would you do if it was Edward?" she asked me.
"I would dump him and be glad I was done with him," I said, but even I didn't buy the lie. "Why don't you talk to Ben about it, see what he says."
She nodded her head and stood to walk towards his table. He was laughing and joking with the guys, but his face became very serious when he saw Angela walking towards him.
Tanya jumped in front of her and grabbed Ben by the shirt and kissed him. She then pushed him away and turned to smirk at Angela. Jessica was headed to the table holding two glasses of juice when Tanya bumped into her, causing her to drop one of the glasses.
Jessica's eyes widened and her face molded into a look a pure rage. She threw the orange juice still in her hand right into Tanya's face, before pushing her so hard she fell onto a table, getting eggs and pancakes stuck to her clothes. Jessica wasn't done; she grabbed the hat from Tanya's head, revealing the butchered haircut, and began pulling her by the hair.
"You want your hair, look on the horse's ass," Jessica screamed at her.
It took three teachers to pull her off of Tanya, and Alice, Rosalie, and Angela all got their revenge. It became known as the 'hairy horse' incident, and Jessica was sure to go down in school history.
The week passed quickly and we were determined to stay out of trouble when Esme threatened to cancel movie night. We studied hard, worked hard in therapy, and stayed on our best behavior. When it came time to go to the barbeque we were so ready for a little fun.
It was amazing to see Edward in his home. He seemed relaxed and comfortable in his surroundings. Carlisle was busy with the grill on the deck and Esme was cutting up some fruit, when Edward put on some music.
The girls instantly began to dance and we soon had the guy's attention. They watched like we were pole dancing when we were only bouncing with each other to the beat of the music. I leaned close to Rosalie's ear and said, "I think Emmett is drooling."
"Let's give him something to drool about," she laughed. She leaned in and kissed me on the lips. All three guys jumped up from where they were sitting, and we fell over in laughter.
"You guys are so lame," Rosalie said. "We can be physical without seeing it as sexual and you guys can't even hug each other with becoming homophobic."
"That's not true; we are supportive physically all the time. We just don't do it in front of you," Jasper announced.
"You liar," Alice said.
"Yea," Edward chimed in. "It feels nice to be held by someone larger than me. It comforts me to be in Emmett's arms."
"Prove it," Rosalie challenged.
Emmett grabbed Edward and dipped him back in his arms, kissing him passionately as Edward raised his leg and wrapped it around Emmett's hip, causing Emmett's hand to run up Edward's leg and settle on his ass.
I began screaming in protest only to see Emmett bring Edward up to reveal his large hand over Edward's mouth. He was kissing his own hand not Edward's lips. "Stop, stop," I begged. "That isn't hot at all."
"Eddie can please me for an hour," Emmett teased.
"Come on Jaz, give me some sugar," Edward teased holding his hands out. Jasper grabbed his own crotch and said, "I've got your sugar right here."
"That is MY sugar," Alice objected.
"Why do guys like to see girls together, but it doesn't do the same for us?" I asked Esme as she entered the room.
Esme's brow furrowed and she looked around the room, "What has been going on in here?"
"Emmett and Edward are humping," Jasper announced.
"Don't pressure each other for sex, boys," she said as she set a bowl of chips on the coffee table.
"It is true love," Emmett said.
"You can both do better," she teased and we all roared in laughter.
Carlisle brought in the burgers and we all gathered around the table to make a plate and head back to the home theater.
"I want you to sit in the dining room," Carlisle instructed. "We are going to have a session as we eat and then you are free to do as you wish."
We were instructed to sit girls on one side, guys on the other, with Carlisle and Esme on the ends. "We are going around the table and I want you to say something positive about each person. It can be an observation, something you admire, a character trait, anything positive."
"Who wants to be first?" Esme asked.
"The first to speak or the first to be humiliated?" Edward asked.
"The exercise in not meant to humiliate, it gives you insight into how others view you. It is uplifting not degrading," Carlisle explained, "So, who wants to be first to hear the great things about themselves?"
"I do," Alice said as she bounced on her chair.
"Okay, let's go around the table, Emmett," Esme nodded.
"You're fierce, Alice. You just command respect," he said with a big grin.
She clapped her hands and looked at Edward.
"You have so much energy," he offered. "When I work out I think about you and push myself further."
"Ahhh," she said.
"Can I go last?" Jasper asked and everyone looked at Rosalie.
"You have great style, you should be a designer," Rose said adamantly.
"I love your laugh," I said. "Even when I am down your laugh can make me smile."
Alice giggled, making us all smile, and we looked at Jasper.
"Allie, you fill the entire room, you fill my entire soul, and you are the biggest little person I have ever known. I know you are here to work on kleptomania, but I am grateful you've stolen my heart."
Alice jumped off her chair and ran over to kiss Jasper passionately.
"What a con," Rose whispered to me.
"Rosalie, your turn," Esme said to punish her for the comment.
I spoke up since I was right next to her.
"I admire how decisive you are, you make a decision quickly, no matter how difficult," I smiled at her.
"I love you legs," Alice sighed, "I would love to have your long legs."
Jasper chuckled and said, "You keep me on my toes in history, I've never met a girl as bright as you are when it comes to remembering dates."
"You try so hard to overcome your…issue. It makes me believe in you," Edward said and Rose's eyes became wet.
Emmett's eyes fell and he wasn't able to look at her as he spoke. His huge body seemed to shrink as he obviously became emotional. "You make me….so….happy," he said as he struggled to keep control.
"Emmett," she called to him. He raised only his eyes to meet her stare. "No matter how I look, or how I'm feeling, you treat me like the most beautiful person in the world. Thank you, Teddy bear."
"Teddy bear, ooohhhh," Edward and Jasper laughed.
"Stop," Esme yelled at them. "Bella continue with Emmett."
"I love your enthusiasm, you are so willing to do anything," I told him.
"You should make me feel like an atom," Alice pointed out, "But you have never made me feel small. You treat everyone like an equal."
"Emmett, you are the smartest jock I have ever met," Jasper offered.
Edward turned and looked at the big guy sitting next to him and said, "You say what you are thinking, and that is rare in the world. And, I would give you an hour of Eddie love, anytime."
"Thanks, snookem's," Emmett teased. "I wish you were on my football team, you have so much strength and your skills on the speed bags are impressive."
I looked at Edward in surprise. He never made an issue about his athleticism and I assumed he was just not that into it.
"Edward, you've been a good friend, you've kept my secrets and have been there for me to confide in, but if you ever come near my junk, I will kill you," Jasper confessed.
"I don't share," Emmett said loudly and poor Carlisle looked at the guys with confusion.
"Edward," Rose began, "I am so jealous of your hair. I would give anything to have your hair."
Alice cleared her throat and smiled at Edward causing him to smile back. "I think you know what I like about you, you are always prepared, and I can't thank you enough," she giggled.
"You still owe me," Edward said as he folded his arms in front of him.
His eyes moved to me and I felt a chill run down my spine. I stared at him, having no idea how to sum up how I felt in a small amount of time. I forgot about everyone else in the room and spoke directly from my heart to his.
"I was nothing and you made me special. You made every ugly thing in my life disappear, the memories, the feelings, the words, and replaced them with love and music. I will always love you, Edward Masen."
Edward sat forward, resting his elbows on the table and covered his mouth with his hands. He was blinking quickly, trying not to cry, and his leg was bouncing furiously, shaking the whole table.
I reached out and put my hands on the table. He put his arms over mine and held them tightly with his hands.
"I can't breathe without you, Bella; I can't be me without your support. I have learned more about myself in my short time with you, than I learned my entire life without you. And when you sing..," he shook his head back and forth and closed his eyes, "You're perfection."
"Get a room," Rosalie moaned, snapping us out of our trance. I pulled back and Edward let out a loud breath.
"I like your spirit, Bella," Emmett said, "You're a fun chick."
"I like your smart ass mouth," Jasper laughed. "You can sure give shit."
"There is a side a Bella you guys don't know," Rosalie said as she put her arm around me. "She watches out for others. She is there when you need her, no matter what's going on in her life."
"Thanks," I mumbled and looked down in embarrassment.
"Bella is the queen of evil, and I mean that is a positive way," Alice laughed. "She does some really sneaky crap to make you face things. And she is so low maintenance."
"Thanks Alice, I think," I said as I shook my head.
"You are a unique group," Carlisle pointed out. "We usually have partnerships switch around through the group, or some kids hating others. I thought Bella and Edward were going to be the ones fighting all the time, but they've adjusted quite well."
"Yeah, because Edward can do it for a solid hour," Alice giggled.
Carlisle looked at Edward and asked, "Are you taking pharmaceuticals?"
Edward gave an awkward chuckle and looked at his food. "For the last time," I yelled, "It was a misunderstanding."
"I heard you say Edward lasted an hour in your panties," Emmett defended. Everyone sat quietly for a moment and a very disturbing image rose in their minds. They begin looking around the table at each other until Alice screamed in understanding.
"Oh my God, you wore her panties," she yelled.
I turned bright red, confirming their suspicions and made it much worse by saying, "Only because I accidently licked something disgusting on him."
Edward dropped his head into his hands and everyone roared in laughter. I tried to fix my statement, but nobody would let me speak. I finally gave up and let my own head drop down. I was dreading school on Monday and worried about the reputation I was now going to have.
We finished eating and everyone helped Esme clean up without being asked. It made her so happy and we felt a bit more mature. In the loud confusion Edward touched my arm and motioned for me to follow him. I walked behind his perfect body to his bedroom.
"Carlisle will get mad," I told him.
"I just want to tell you something, when you come for Valentine's, I don't expect anything," he looked emotional and I stepped closer and hugged him tightly. "I don't like them thinking…stuff, about you," he whispered.
"They are only joking, and it only matters to me what you think," I assured him.
"I think you are the love of my life," he said tightening his hold on me.
I was ready to confess something; I gained courage from the darkness of his room, and told him something I wanted him to know. "I want to put memories of you in place of him. I want you to make love to me, Edward. I want you to make me forget all about him."
He turned his face to kiss my neck tenderly and inhaled deeply. I felt goose bumps run down my body and I moaned at the sensation. He placed his hand behind my head and held me gently as he pushed me back, holding me suspended in the air as he kissed the exposed skin on my chest.
I had my eyes closed and gave in to the passion I was feeling for him. "Touch me," I whispered and his mouth moved to my breast over my shirt. I felt his hand begin to shake and he quickly lifted me back up. I thought it was muscle strain his arm was feeling, but when I looked at him I could see his mouth shaking, too.
I reached up and ran my fingers over his trembling lips and felt a tear land on my hand. "What's wrong?" I asked him.
"This is too much," he said softly. "This is too deep for two teenagers. I want you so badly, but not in some classroom or in some car. I want you to be in my bed, in my life, forever. Is it because I'm messed up?"
"No," I told him, hoping I was right. "Let's talk to Carlisle or Esme, see what they say."
"I don't want to jeopardize our weekend. I'm afraid they will stay if they think I want you in my bed."
I couldn't believe the predicament we were in. We were two juniors at a school for troubled kids, finding trust in a couple other than our parents, and consumed by love bigger than any teen hormonal crush. There wasn't a chance in the world this could work, but we were too blinded by love to accept it.
17
I couldn't even tell you what movie we watched. I was cuddled up to Edward's side and my entire focus was on him. I studied the length of his arm, the curve of his chin, the smell of his every breath. He pulled my leg over his lap and held it tightly, needing to feel me over him.
He would turn to face me and we would stare into each other eyes for long spans of time, never tiring of the intimacy we were feeling. His thumb moved slowly, back and forth over my inner thigh. I felt incredibly happy while feeling totally distraught. The contrasting emotions made me exhausted by the end of the night.
When it was time to leave I stood and waited for the others to leave the room first. Edward stood and pulled me into his arms and I began to cry. "Shhh," he said while rocking me back and forth. I was glad Esme didn't ask me to tell her what I was feeling, because I didn't even know.
I made my way to the van and sat against the side with my eyes shut. Nobody bothered me and I went right to bed when I got to the room. I was lying with my back to the room and felt someone crawl onto my bunk.
I sat up, hoping it was Edward, but it was only Angela. "Can I talk to you?" she asked.
"Sure, Ang, what's up?"
"Ben is trying to get me to go back to him," she whispered.
"Do you want to go back to him?" I asked.
"I don't know. I think I just want to take him from Tanya, or I want to throw him in my dad's face, but then when I really think about it, I want someone better."
"You deserve someone better, Angela."
She shook her head and looked at her hands. "I think I'm not a very deserving, of good things."
"You are probably the most deserving person I have ever met. Don't go back to Ben; some guy is going to be so lucky to win your heart."
She smiled and said, "I'm glad you found love, after what you've been through, you deserve it."
"It scares me, Angela. I love Edward so much, but we have everything against us. We don't even live in the same state."
"I thought he lived with the Cullens?"
"For now, but he will make up with his dad eventually, and then what?"
"Well, you need to become a rich singer, so you can go visit him all the time," she said as if she solved my problem for me.
I laughed and shook my head, "I think I ruined that opportunity."
"I want to give you something, Bella, but don't yell at me, okay?"
I nodded and she reached into her pocket and handed me a razorblade. I looked up at her, and she refused to meet my gaze. "I was feeling hurt, by Ben, and I just wanted to feel better."
"Did you use it?" I asked.
"No, but I really wanted to."
I hugged her tightly, too tightly, and thanked her for being strong. It would hurt so badly to know she cut over someone like Ben. She climbed down from my bed and smiled at me as she made her way to her bunk. Edward wasn't the only one I was going to miss. Angela was someone I would spend my life missing.
Edward and I became so focused on music, each determined it was our way to a future together, although we never actually discussed it. He pushed me to take chances with my writing and his compositions never ceased to amaze me.
He worked hard on his anger management and I gave the victim advocacy group my very minimal attention. We never talked about Valentine's Day, but we both watched the countdown on the posters in the cafeteria. The day before the dance Edward finally told me his plan.
"My cousin James is letting me use his car, so you can leave with me after the dance and I can bring you back on Sunday night. The Cullens won't be back until late Monday morning."
"I'm going to tell Jessica and Lauren I have an advocacy seminar or something, so they don't turn me in." I was playing with my ring nervously and he reached out and took my hand, looking at his mother's ring on my hand.
He exhaled loudly and said, "Are you sure you want to do this?"
"I'm terrified," I whispered and his head snapped up to look at me as I continued. "How can I leave Sunday? I don't want to be away from you."
He put his hand on the back of my neck and pulled me to his lips to kiss me. He didn't say anything, because there was nothing to say.
That night I packed a pair of jeans and some shirts in my back pack and tried to pick out my most alluring underwear. I had a hard time falling asleep and I finally dreamed of Edward.
The evening of the dance I was a nervous wreck. Alice fixed my hair and Rose gave me make up tips. I wanted to look special for Edward, pretending it was all for the dance, since we missed the last one.
When I walked into the gym my eyes looked everywhere for him, I walked around the crowds of people and noticed Angela talking to Ben. He was kicking the wall with his foot repeatedly and Angela stood with her head down. I instantly worried about being away all weekend.
"You look beautiful," a voice whispered into my ear.
I let my head fall back against his chest and I smiled with my eyes closed. "Oh, Bella," he sighed as his mouth moved back and forth over my ear.
I turned slowly as a song began to play and everyone paired off. He looked amazing. His hair was gelled to perfection and he was clean shaven. "You play dirty," I teased him.
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"You look so handsome, how can I keep my hands off of you?"
"I am seriously hoping you can't," he laughed. He pulled me onto the dance floor and we rocked back and forth without actually turning.
"How long should we stay?" I asked, anxious to be alone with him.
"Long enough for people to believe we aren't going to see each other for two days," he said looking around and nodding to people who acknowledged him.
Emmett led Rose closer to us and said a little too loudly, "You aren't licking anything, are you, Bella?"
Edward tensed and I brought my hand to his arm and flipped off Emmett.
"I'm missing some panties, have you seen them, Edward?" Rose asked.
"Yeah, Emmett gave them to Tanya," he responded making Rose flip him off.
Jasper and Alice showed up and we all stared at the large red stain down Jasper's shirt. Alice laughed and explained, "We were doing the intertwined arm toast and I got a little too excited."
"It looks like you murdered someone," Emmett observed. "Why didn't you change?"
"It's my excuse," Jasper said, confusing us all.
"If I get caught taking Alice to my room, I plan on using the shirt as an excuse," he explained.
"I don't think they will buy it when the shirt is off of you and Alice is on you," Rose pointed out.
"I don't mean to be rude, but I spend all day with you losers, I was some time with Bella," Edward said and then led me away.
"That was mean," I laughed.
"If we stop talking to them they will take off, and then we can take off," he said, making me smile. We got something to drink and I refused the cookies Edward got for me, I was too nervous to eat anything and kept looking at the clock.
After another hour of dancing and holding each other I was so ready to get out of there. I headed to my dorm room to get my pack and Edward went to his car to wait for me. I threw a brush and my bottle of perfume in my bag, and turned to run out of the room.
I ran right into Angela and knocked her back against the other wall. "I'm sorry," I laughed, and let my eyes follow hers to the floor. The razorblade she dropped was lying in the hallway, shining in the light.
I reached out and grabbed the blade and stood to confront her. Her face was white and she was trembling. I dropped my pack and grabbed her arm. "Did you cut, Ang? Are you bleeding?"
She shook her head back and forth and burst into tears. I pulled her into my arms and listened as she told me she wanted to die, she was begging me to just let her die. I brought her into our room and sat her on Alice's bed.
"Tell me what's wrong, is it Ben?"
She began to cry harder and grabbed onto me. I felt her shaking and I wished Esme was around. "Come on Angela, tell me what happened. Are you back with Ben, did he hurt you?"
"Bella, I'm pregnant," she said in a loud sob. "My father will kill me, and Ben wants nothing to do with me."
I sat in stunned silence. I was so anxious to have sex with Edward and here was a stark reminder as to why that wasn't a good idea. I remembered him sitting in the car, but I was too afraid to leave Angela in this condition.
"Listen," I told her, "you don't need Ben. I'm here for you; I will help you through this. Do you want to keep the baby?" I asked her.
"I can't raise a baby," she sobbed.
"Okay, do you want an abortion?"
"No, I believe it is murder," she said adamantly.
"So that leaves adoption, you can pick a family for your baby, the perfect family for your beautiful baby, okay?" I asked her.
"I have to tell my parents," she sobbed hard again.
"Angela, your father is a minister, he knows all about forgiveness."
She shook her head, discounting my assumption. "He told me I was evil and now he's right."
"You are not evil," I said shaking her shoulders. "Phil told me I was trash, they lie to control us."
"I'm so scared, Bella," she said lying her head on my lap.
The door opened and Edward looked at me with an irritated expression. I shrugged my shoulders and pointed at Angela. "Go ahead and leave," I said to his disappointed face.
"Are you kidding me?" he said in anger.
"I can't leave her," I said forcefully.
"What's wrong with her?" He looked at her with an angry glare and I was glad she wasn't looking at him.
"Edward, just go," I begged, not wanting to tell him and hoping Angela would volunteer the information.
He punched the bunk and exhaled loudly. "Bella, I've been planning this for weeks."
"This is an emergency," I said getting angry.
He looked at Angela and she finally looked over at him. She sat up and turned away from us to huddle on the bed. "Go ahead, Bella," she said in tears.
I stood and pulled Edward to the door. "I can't go, she will hurt herself." I pulled the razor from my pocket to show it to him.
"Then take her to the nurse, she isn't your responsibility," he insisted.
"What is wrong with you? She is my friend and she is in real trouble right now."
He looked at me in total shock. He could not believe I wouldn't just walk out the door with him. "You're going to stand me up, tonight of all nights, because she had a fight with Ben?"
"She didn't have a fight with Ben, this is much bigger, and yeah, I'm going to stand you up, go screw Tanya if you are that determined not to ruin your night." I regretted the words the moment they left my mouth, but it was too late.
Edward backed into the hallway and pointed at me, "You remember you are the one who sent me away."
"I just want you to be understanding," I yelled after him.
"Let's see just how understanding you can be," he said back and left the dorm.
I stared at the empty hallway, feeling like the night which was supposed to be filled with passion, cost me my boyfriend.
I went back into the room to find Angela lying on the floor sobbing hysterically. I knew without a doubt she would try to take her own life if I left. I would have to worry about fixing things with Edward later.
I sat against the bunk and pulled her onto my lap and cried right along with her.
I was up most the night talking with Angela. Everyone assumed I was the one in crisis and fighting with Edward. I let them believe it, because it was true, too. Alice came into the room first and said, "What is up Edward's ass?"
I just shook my head, not wanting to hear he left with Tanya, or he tore the gym apart. Angela and I moved into the restroom after everyone went to bed, so our talking wouldn't keep them up.
"Tell me the worst case scenario, Ang. The thing you fear the most about telling your folks," I asked her.
"My father will kick me out of the family, call me a whore, and tell the whole congregation about his sinful daughter," she cried.
"Okay, let's assume that happens. You can live with me in Forks and take online classes with me this summer and fall, and then we become roommates for college next January. Is that a plan?" I said, hoping she would find a small amount of hope.
"Bella, I am so afraid I will hurt my baby. I'm not cured," she admitted.
"Again, that is where I come in," I laughed. "I will tie you to my side and make sure nothing happens."
"I already ruined things between you and Edward. I can't mess up your life."
"Edward has to learn I am not his whole life, and when things get in the way he can't just freak out about it," I told her.
"Bella, don't be stupid. It's Valentine's Day, I'm sure he wanted to make it special for you. It may be the only one he gets to spend with you."
Her words cut like a knife in my heart. He wasn't just upset that he didn't get to have sex; he wanted to make it special, on Valentine's Day, for me. I was so angry at myself and began to truly worry he went to Tanya.
I grabbed Angela's hand and drug her with me up to Tanya's room. I opened the door, as silently as possible, and looked in. Tanya's bunk was still made and there was no sign of her anywhere. I felt my stomach drop and I had to lean against the wall for support.
"What time is it?" I asked Angela.
"Five-thirty."
"Will you go with me to the Cullens? I have to see Edward."
She nodded, after a bit of thought, and we ran back to our room to get dressed. It was after seven when we finally made it to the Cullen house. I paid the cab driver and worried when I didn't see James' car anywhere.
I rang the door bell, not worrying about waking anyone up, and was shocked when Carlisle answered the door.
"Bella, what are you doing off of school grounds?" he said with a bit of anger.
"I had a fight with Edward, I need to make sure he didn't freak out," I explained. I wanted to ask him what in the hell he was doing home, but that would give away the plans Edward and I had made.
He opened the door wide and let us in before telling me Edward was not home. Esme was dressed in a robe and making coffee in the kitchen. I pulled Angela by the arm to stand in front of Esme. "Ang, you really need to talk to this woman, tell her everything, I promise you will feel so much better."
I turned to Carlisle and said, "Can I talk to you?"
He led me to his office and I noticed how Angela's eyes got wet when I began to leave the room. I trusted Esme to handle the situation better than I ever could. Carlisle sat behind his desk and just as I pulled up a chair the phone rang.
"Excuse me, Bella."
Hello, Dr. Cullen speaking.
Hello Chief Swan.
I looked up in surprise and Carlisle smiled at me. I was sure the school saw me leaving and called my parents. I hoped Dr. Cullen would help me out.
We were wondering what happened to him.
I looked at Carlisle's sullen face and could tell something was up.
Is Jacob Black as student? Oh, I see.
Now I was beyond curious. I had no idea why my father would call Carlisle about Jake, unless Billy was going to send him to the program for some reason.
Do me a favor, lock him up, I will come get him tomorrow.
Carlisle hung up and looked at my startled face. "Seems we have found Edward," he said sternly.
"My dad arrested him?" I gasped.
"He was with a local boy; they trespassed on private property and destroyed a vacant building."
"Jake's a great kid," I told him. "If he was with Jake he wasn't doing anything wrong."
"Well, Mr. Ateara disagrees," Carlisle said firmly.
"He's a jag, he gets upset over any little thing. Jake can tell you," I demanded.
"I will let Edward explain, tomorrow. Now what did you want to talk to me about?"
It was hard to concentrate after knowing Edward was locked up in the Fork's jail, and by my father, no less. I wasn't sure where to start and wanted time to think things through.
"So tell me about your fight with Edward," Carlisle prompted.
"Oh, um…we got in a fight at the dance and I thought he might have gone off with Tanya, because I yelled at him and told him to go be with her," I felt ashamed of myself just repeating the words.
"Bella," he chuckled as he shook his head. "What is the one thing Edward hated his father for doing?'
"Cheating on his mother," I whispered.
"Do you really think he would be capable of doing what he hates so much about his father?"
I never considered that, but Carlisle didn't understand the whole situation. I looked at my lap and said, "I haven't slept with him. I want to, but…"
"Is Edward pressuring you?" he asked softly.
"Not at all, we both feel the same way, it isn't something we want to sneak around and do, like at school or in a car," I confessed.
"That is very mature of you both. I have to caution you, Bella, there are issues to consider because of your past. I'm not sure Edward is ready to handle something like that."
"I know, and he is fully aware of that, we have moved very slowly and I have never once had a post traumatic response. He makes me feel….loved."
"That makes me very proud of him," Carlisle said with a smile.
"Proud enough to go get him out of jail?" I pushed.
"He must learn consequences, Bella."
"But you don't know what happened, what if he has a good excuse…"
"Excuses don't always get you out of trouble. If he went onto someone's land to destroy something, he will suffer the consequences."
"But if Jake took him there, it wouldn't be his fault," I tried to defend Edward.
Carlisle only smiled and refused to talk about the situation any further. I sat back in my chair and sulked so he asked about Angela.
"She's pregnant, and her father is a minister, so she thinks she doomed to hell. I stayed up with her all night to make sure she didn't cut, but I can't stay awake forever. I'm really worried about her."
"You did the right thing to bring her here. Why don't you stay here for the day, get some sleep and we will work out a plan with Angela," he suggested.
"Okay, can I sleep in Edward's room? Since he won't be using it," I said with the saddest face I could muster.
"Sure, but respect his privacy and stay out of his diary," he said as a warning.
"Edward, keeps a dairy?" I gasped.
"No, I was only joking," he laughed and stood to walk me from the room.
I heard mumbled voices down the hallway, but headed right to Edward's room. I was surprised to see roses in a vase and candles around the room. He had planned everything to the last detail and I ruined it for him.
I lay on his bed and pulled his pillow tightly into my arms, wishing it was him, and noticed an envelope underneath it. It wasn't addressed to anyone and I didn't feel right opening it, even if it was possibly meant for me.
I inhaled deeply, basking in the pure smell of Edward, and drifted off to sleep.
I woke up to the wonderful smell of homemade bread and felt someone in bed with me. I turned to see Angela lying away from me, sleeping deeply. I crawled from the bed as quietly as possible and headed toward the wonderful smell.
Esme was beaming and gave me a huge hug as I entered the kitchen. I loved the way Esme hugged; she gave the best hugs in the world, next to Edward.
"You did the right thing bringing Angela here," she said to my smiling face.
"I came to see if Edward had a girl in his bed, so don't heap the praise on too thick," I admitted.
"Well, we came back for the same reason," she admitted.
"You thought Edward brought me here for the weekend?" I asked, trying to sound shocked.
She eyed me accusingly and I knew there was no way we would be able to pull something over their eyes. I finally sat down in a chair and huffed.
"Esme, Edward and I want to have sex, but not some quickie, or in a school closet. I want to take it really slow and wake up in his arms. Is that wrong of us?"
"No, not wrong, just not now. There is a huge responsibility that comes along with a sexual relationship, as you can see with Angela's situation. If you don't have the place for sex, you probably shouldn't be having it."
"But so many other couples are, and they seem happy."
"You and Edward have a unique situation. Your past makes it impossible for you to have sex without being immersed in love. And, Edward feels the need to belong to someone, possessing them completely before having sex."
"Can we get him out of jail?" I begged, wanting nothing more than to see him and hold him in my arms.
She laughed loudly and leaned in to say, "Carlisle is there right now."
I felt so much relief and chuckled as I put my hand over my heart in gratitude. I also hoped Charlie didn't get to rough with him, and gave him some slack for saving me in Arizona.
"Is Angela feeling better?" I asked.
"Yes, I'm going to set up a meeting with her parents. We need to get this into the open right away, so we can move forward with plans."
Esme cut a large piece of warm bread and spread some strawberry preserve on it before setting it in front of me. I couldn't help but think what a great mother Esme would be, and instantly decided to bring up the subject with Angela. There was no better woman to raise her baby than Esme.
I was just about finished with my bread when Carlisle and Edward walked through the door. Edward looked ashamed, and I noticed his hands were bandaged. Esme cut him some bread and motioned for him to sit. He didn't acknowledge me verbally, but he did sit right next to me.
"Your father says hi," he finally mumbled causing me to laugh.
"He's going to believe all you do is punch things," I said to tease him. He glared at me to show he was not in the mood for teasing.
"Jake knows better than to go on Mr. Ateara's property," I said, hoping he would clue me in as to what happened.
"Somebody wrote something about Leah," he said in explanation.
"Well, if it was that she is a sleazebag, skank of a whore, they were right."
Edward looked at me in shock and said, "You know they are dating, don't you?"
"No way, why would Jake date her?" I yelled.
"I'm sure it's because he can't have you," Edward grumbled.
"So if someone wrote something truthful about Leah, why are your knuckles bloody?" I asked him.
"First of all, it wasn't true what they wrote…"
I raised my eyebrows at Edward, showing him I didn't share his opinion, but he ignored the challenge.
"And I saw something I didn't like," he said softly.
I didn't ask him what he saw because it really didn't matter. The old shed had graffiti all over it from years of kids hanging out there. There was nothing so bad that Edward would have an excuse to bloody his knuckles.
"Edward, you can't keep doing this. You have to grow up sometime," I said angrily.
"I know," he said with his head down.
"Well, I owe you an apology," I admitted and he looked up in surprise.
"Man, I need some sleep, I thought I just heard you say you apologize," he said sarcastically.
"You're lucky I didn't come back with you last night," I whispered. "We would have been caught."
"I already told Carlisle, you don't need to whisper," he informed me.
"What?" I yelled.
"They have been very generous to me, I'm not going to lie to him," he said angrily.
"Was he mad?"
"No, he was…helpful."
I gave Edward a funny look and waited for him to explain. He took a bite of his bread and licked the lingering jelly from his lips, making me have very inappropriate thoughts. I finally huffed loudly to get his attention.
"What?" he asked with a full mouth.
"How was he helpful?" I said in exasperation.
"He told me to take you to a hotel," Edward said out of the side of his mouth.
"Should I call you Lauren, because you are such a liar," I said, hoping desperately he was not lying.
"Well, he said a lot more stuff, something about you needing to be eighteen, but the hotel was the only part I remembered," he chuckled, making me laugh, too.
"I thought you were with Tanya," I said softly.
He rolled his eyes at me and took another bite.
"I saw the flowers and the candles," I said.
He shrugged and continued chewing, so I said something to get his attention. "There's a girl in your bed right now."
He looked at me and picked up his plate to head down the hallway. I followed behind and watched as he opened the door to see somebody obviously in his bed.
"Who is it?" he asked.
"She told me she was the love of your life," I teased.
"Oh, her," he said nonchalantly.
I kicked his leg and he smiled while setting the plate on the dresser. He pulled me into his arms and laid his forehead on my shoulder as he sighed loudly.
"Tired?" I asked.
"Yeah, Charlie wasn't too accommodating."
"Was Billy mad at Jake?"
"Not really, he understood."
Angela heard us talking and sat up. Edward raised his head and looked over to see who was lying in his sheets. I turned around and leaned into Edward and smiled at her. "You're in my boyfriend's bed, I should scratch your eyes out," I said in jest.
She smiled shyly and began to climb out, so Edward put his hand up, "No, stay. I can go down the hall."
I pulled out of Edward's arms and held my hand out for Angela, "Come have some of Esme's bread." Angela stood and walked past Edward saying, "Sorry, the bed is all yours."
He walked over and fell face first into the warm covers.
Angela was eating some bread and chatting with Esme when the phone rang. I looked at the caller ID and saw it was Jake, so I answered.
"You're dating Leah," I said without a hello.
"Bella, did you bail Edward out?"
"No, Carlisle did. Did my dad really arrest you guys?" I asked.
"Not really arrest us, just tried to scare us a bit. He softened when he heard why Edward leveled the place," he said seriously.
"Well, my dad doesn't know everything written about Leah is true," I said in disgust.
"There wasn't anything written about Leah," Jake said angrily.
"Then why did Edward help you tear the shed down?"
"Because there was stuff written about you."
18
I didn't ask Jake what was written on that old shed about me. I could figure it out for myself. I wanted to feel grateful for Edward's willingness to defend me, but I felt sick that he had to know the gossip a small town produced.
I told Jake I would have Edward call him and snuck out of the room as Esme shared with Angela how to make homemade bread. Edward was asleep and even snoring softly when I entered his room. I looked at his bandaged hands and sighed.
I climbed in his bed and he moaned and turned over, so I snuggled up behind him and wrapped my arms around his waist. I closed my eyes and felt my body relax. I was aware the door opened, but I didn't open my eyes and nobody spoke, so I continued drifting off.
The door remained open and it was close to dinnertime when Edward's stirring woke me up. I felt him stretch and I tightened my arms, so he wouldn't leave. He turned to face me and smiled. "Am I dreaming?" he asked.
I nodded to the open door and he groaned loudly.
"I'm starting to think the top of the piano wouldn't be too bad," he said, and I wasn't sure if he was joking or not.
I took hold of his hand gently and kissed his knuckles. "I'm sorry you had to see that," I told him, speaking of the shed.
He tensed and his jaw tightened.
"Jake told me," I explained. "It's a small town, and people can be narrow minded."
"I think you are very brave, and I love you," he said seriously.
"Even though I ruined our night?"
"We'll have another one," he promised.
"I learned something this weekend, I trust you unconditionally," I told him.
"And you didn't before?"
"Trust is not something that comes easily for me, but you prove yourself over and over again."
"So now that you trust me, can you tell me what is going on with Angela?" he asked.
"She is pregnant," I said and watched his face react with shock.
"Ben?" he asked.
I nodded and he blew out a deep breath, "Wow," he said and ran his hands threw his hair.
"I'm so afraid she is going to take her own life. I think that is why the Cullens are letting us stay here today."
"Not for my benefit?" he asked with a fake pout.
"The door is open for your benefit," I laughed. "Can I ask you about the envelope under your pillow?"
His eyes looked at me warily and I quickly assured him I didn't open it. He looked nervous or flustered but finally said, "Yeah, I wrote to my father."
I only nodded. I didn't want to think about him making amends and going back to Chicago. I wanted to believe he would live with the Cullens forever and be close enough that we could make a teen relationship work.
He could tell I was thinking about something sad, so he reached over and kissed my cheek. I smiled and he ran his hand through my hair. The sticky tape around his bandages became stuck in the long strands causing pain for both of us.
"Ouch," I yelled as he hissed loudly.
"Don't move," he instructed.
"Stop pulling it," I cried.
"My skin is raw, and stuck to the tape," he said with a grimace.
"Well, you're not cutting my hair," I demanded.
"Just let me pull your hair up, so I can see the tape," he said as he pulled harder.
"Ow, that hurt's."
"Stop being a baby."
"You stop being a dick," I yelled.
"Carlisle," Edward screamed loudly, "Bella's talking about my dick."
My mouth fell open in shock and I tried to push him, but it pulled on my hair and I yelled in pain instead.
"Esme, help me," I screamed as loud as I could.
We were both stunned when nobody came to the room. Edward called out for both of them loudly and we strained to hear the sound of anyone else in the house.
"I think we're alone," Edward laughed.
"Great, we're stuck together," I cried.
"I can always cut it," he offered.
"I can always re-bandage your hand," I countered.
"You want me to rip skin from my body, so you don't have to cut your hair?"
"I'm not walking around looking like Tanya. Try to cut the bandage and not my hair," I finally agreed.
"Okay, roll over onto me and reach in the drawer," he instructed as we began to move slowly together.
I found the scissors and handed them to him. "Shit," he said in frustration. I can't cut with my left hand.
"Where's Angela when you need her," I said in disbelief.
"That was an awful thing to say," Edward laughed.
"You're laughing, not me," I pointed out.
"I have an idea, we can get the tape wet and it will come loose from my skin," he suggested.
"You want me to stick my head in a sink?" I said angrily.
"Oh, um…I was thinking shower," he said gaining my entire attention.
"We won't be able to get our shirts off," I pointed out.
"Not at first," he smiled and my heart began beating wildly.
"I don't have another shirt."
"And how is that a problem?" he laughed.
"I can't leave here naked," I said rolling my eyes.
"I have one you can wear."
"It will probably sting," I pointed out, thinking of the hot water on his raw skin.
"I'll be gentle," he said with a smirk and made me blush.
I bit my lip for a moment and finally said, "Let's do it."
We made our way awkwardly to the bathroom and removed our jeans and underwear. I tried not to stare at Edward, and his long shirt made it difficult to actually see him, but my short tight tee left nothing to the imagination for him.
He worked on his hand, pulling the tape in small steps, and we were both breathing heavy by the time he was finally free. I saw his blood running down the drain and looked at his poor wounded flesh. I unbuttoned his shirt and carefully removed it before pulling my shirt quickly over my head.
I reached back and up hooked my bra and let it fall from my arms. Edward stepped back and looked me up and down, making me fold my arms in embarrassment.
"No, don't be embarrassed," he said with a thick voice. "I love your body, you're beautiful Bella."
I felt tears form and I tried to keep the words from spilling out, but they just needed to be said, "He said I have a repulsive body."
I watched Edward's eyes come up to meet mine and he smiled at me. "You didn't tell me he was mentally retarded."
I let out a loud laugh and let my arms fall to my sides. "I wish I could be…untouched…for you," I confessed.
He stepped towards me and placed his bleeding hand gently on my back. I wrapped my arms around his waist and put my head on his chest. "Bella, you are perfect just the way you are," he assured me.
We tried not to get out of control and kept our touches light and exploratory. As soon as I was finished soaping Edward's body and washing his hair, he climbed out and left me to shower alone. I stood under the hot spray and visualized every inch of Edward's body with a huge grin plastered on my face.
When I entered the kitchen to find him sitting with fresh bandages, and his own huge grin, my heart leapt with joy. "That is now my favorite shirt," he said as I walked over to put ointment on his knuckles.
"You aren't getting it back; I plan on sleeping in it nightly."
I took a Q tip and gently coated each knuckle. He watched me carefully and finally whispered, "Bella, you really do have great breasts."
"Better than Tanya's?" I asked.
"There is no way in hell I am even acknowledging that comment," he laughed.
"You are a brilliant boy, Edward Masen. And, thank you."
We heard the garage door open and got busy with the bandages, hoping they wouldn't read too much into the fact we both had wet hair. Angela walked in first, holding a bottle of juice, and Esme followed with watery eyes.
"Everything okay?" I asked.
"Great," Angela assured me. "Are you ready to go back to the school?"
"Are you?" I asked her, meaning the need to cut.
"Yeah, Carlisle is waiting in the car."
I was anxious to get Angela alone and find out everything Esme told her. Something changed her dire mood into the elated girl I was looking at. But leaving with Angela meant being away from Edward.
I looked at him sadly and leaned over to kiss him goodbye. He watched me walk to the door and then called out for me.
"Bella, you can keep it, if I get to keep what you left," he said with a smile.
I thought about my simple tee, but then realized he was talking about my bra. I laughed and nodded my approval, so he winked at me. I turned to leave again when he called my name. I looked back and he had such a loving expression on his face.
"Thank you, for making Valentine's Day so perfect," he said sincerely.
"It was, wasn't it?" I responded with tears in my eyes.
He nodded and said, "Just what we both needed."
I was floating on clouds all the way back to the school. Carlisle parked the car and got out to walk with us. When I turned to head to the dorms Carlisle and Angela headed to his office.
"Ang, are you okay, do you need some support?"
She smiled a big smile and shook her head. "We're calling my parents; I'll be back in a second."
I watched her walk away with pride and couldn't believe how brave she was. When I got to the room Alice jumped up, "Where have you been?"
"At the Cullen's," I said honestly. "I wanted to spend Valentine's Day with Edward."
"Where's Angela?" Jessica asked.
"She went with me."
"Well, Ben has been looking for her and he is pissed," Jessica said with wide eyes.
"Ben's an ass, if he shows up again tell him to head upstairs to the virus," I said in anger.
"No, you don't get it; he is out of control pissed. He was ranting about not letting her ruin him and he had like war paint on his face…"
"War paint?"
"Yeah, like black and green camouflage shit."
I shook my head in disgust and was so happy Angela was no longer mixed up with him. I climbed onto my bunk and began looking over some homework I needed to focus on when I remembered why Ben was here. He had killed some kittens, and Edward told me his father was some supremacist psycho.
I felt panic rise in me and something in my gut told me Angela was in trouble if Ben found her alone. I threw my papers and ran from the room. I was screaming for Carlisle knowing full well he couldn't hear me so far from his office.
I slipped on the wet cement and fell to the ground, so I crawled on my knees to the door, holding on tightly to the glass to stand. I got the door open and ran at full speed toward the end of the hallway. I didn't see anyone and didn't hear a sound behind me, but I was suddenly pushed with a great force forward and sprawled onto the floor.
My knees and elbow burned as I slid on the tile, tearing the tender flesh. My forehead made contact with the ground and I could feel warm blood flowing from a wound. Just when my body stopped its forward progress a huge weight landed on me.
I made a loud grunting noise as air rushed from my lungs, but I couldn't suck in enough air for another breath.
I heard a familiar voice speak into my ear, "Don't move, Bella, and be very quiet." The weight on my back shifted and I sucked in a huge breath. My head ached painfully and I rolled to my side.
"What the hell, Emmett, you could have killed me," I said in struggled breathes.
"Shhh," he demanded and pointed to the stairway.
I saw Jasper leaning against the wall listening for someone or something coming down the stairs. I reached up to wipe the blood from my forehead and worried about getting Edward's shirt bloody. I glanced at Emmett's tense body and got suddenly very scared.
"What's going on?" I asked in a hushed voice.
He put his finger up to tell me to be quiet and then whispered louder than me, "Ben's gone crazy. The police are on their way."
I looked over at Jasper and he waved his hand to Emmett. The giant guy walked stealthily to the opposite side of the wall from Jasper and pressed his back against it. I could hear loud steps coming from the stairway and I crouched into a ball.
Jasper moved away from the wall about two feet, and when Ben stepped into the hallway he casually said, "Hey, dude."
Ben's attention was solely on Jasper and Emmett grabbed him in a bear hug holding him securely. Ben began thrashing, but nothing could get him out of Emmett's strong arms.
I saw men in uniform, moving in a formation throughout the school. I opened the door and called for help, sending a line of officers running towards me. Ben was quickly contained and a school official began checking my wounds.
My head felt like someone hit me with a hammer and as my adrenaline leveled off the pain progressed. Someone held an ice pack to the cut on my forehead and I screamed out in pain.
"Did Ben do this to you?" I was asked.
"No, Sasquatch over there body slammed me," I said glaring at Emmett.
"I saved you," he countered.
"You sure about that?" I questioned, as I shut my eyes from the pounding pain in my head.
"I think we should take you to the hospital and make sure you're okay," I was told.
I tried to nod in agreement, but any movement hurt my head. Emmett came over to see I was really hurting and he began apologizing profusely. I waited for an ambulance and had a hideous neck brace placed on me, before being rolled in all my glory through the crowd of students.
Esme showed up at the hospital moments after me and insisted on a MRI to check for any swelling on my brain. I just wanted some pain meds and a dark, quiet room. I heard Edward before I saw him. He was seriously losing control and I wished I had the ability to tell him to shut the hell up.
He came running into my room, as if he expected to see me receiving last rites, and grabbed my hand, rubbing my raw elbow against the stiff sheets. I tried to yell, but that hurt my head and caused me to cry.
"What happened?" Edward yelled at someone entering my room.
I was terrified that someone would tell him Emmett hurt me and Edward would head out to take him on. I heard Carlisle speaking calmly to him, explaining Ben had a psychotic episode and Emmett pulled me from his path.
The pain medicine in my arm began to finally take the edge off and I called for Edward, before I fell too deeply under.
"Are you okay?" he asked me.
"I was squished," I slurred, making Edward laugh.
"Well, Emmett could certainly squish you," he agreed.
"Can I get in the shower with you?" I asked, unaware of what I was saying.
"I think you should just rest for now," he advised with a chuckle.
"You have such a great ass, I love your ass," I said as I drifted away.
I woke up to a dark room with blinding pain in my head. I moaned and felt an arm move from around my waist.
"Bella, here's a pain pump, press this button if you are having pain," Edward said, placing my hand on a plastic device.
I pushed it greedily and tried not to move my head. Edward was lying in bed with me and ran his finger up and down my arm soothingly as he hummed me back to sleep.
The next time I woke up I instinctively reached out for the button, only finding empty space, and felt tears fall from my eyes. Within seconds the door opened and someone came into the room. I called out for Edward, but I heard a sickening chuckle and heavy breathing.
"You can't get away from me, Bella, I know where you are and I'm coming for you," Phil said.
I tried to scream and rolled away from him, smashing into the railing of the bed.
"Bella, Bella, what's wrong?" Edward said as his arms tightened around me.
"It's Phil, he's here, he knows I'm here," I cried as I tried to push Edward away.
"No, love, you're safe, you're in my arms. He's dead, remember."
I grabbed onto Edward's shirt, and pulled myself against his chest as I cried from the dream, which felt so real. "Don't let him touch me," I sobbed.
"Never, Bella, I won't let anybody hurt you, ever again," he promised.
"Don't leave me," I begged. I knew he would assume I was talking about the darkness of this particular night, but my heard was begging him to stay with me forever.
"I'll be here all night, and your parents are coming first thing in the morning," he explained.
I calmed down and let him comfort me in his arms. "I love you, Edward. I know that sounds so…small, but I don't know any other way to say it."
"I know exactly what you mean; I can't imagine a day without you. When I found out you were hurt…" He stopped talking and I tightened my arms, knowing how easily Edward turned to rage. I could imagine how out of control he was and didn't want to see his knuckles.
"I have no idea how Rose has sex with him without being crushed to death," I said without humor.
"I think he had a football flashback when he tackled you," Edward teased.
"How's Angela?" I asked.
"She's with Esme, just for added security in case this makes her want to cut."
I felt like I had at least done one thing right by introducing Angela to Esme. I had faith Esme would keep her safe, and I was really hoping Angela would see what a great mother she would be. But I had managed to ruin the perfect Valentine's, and it was pissing me off.
"Well, doesn't this suck," I said in disgust.
"It could have been worse," he pointed out.
"I doubt it, I get you alone in a bed and I can't move without excruciating pain," I complained.
"This is enough, just holding you in my arms and keeping you safe is heaven for me."
"You are the sweetest guy in the world," I said, as I felt the pain meds coming for me again.
"God, I love you," he whispered with his mouth against my head.
The door opened and my parents rushed in. My mom was hysterical and my dad looked at Edward like he was going to remove his arms if he didn't get them off of me. Edward moved to get out of the bed but I held tightly to him.
"Are you okay, honey," my mom asked ignoring Edward completely.
"Yes, I feel stupid. I was yelling for Carlisle loudly, sending Ben right for me," I told her.
"I don't know if you should return to that school, I didn't think dangerous kids would be there," she said in a panic.
"Mom, I'm a dangerous kid," I pointed out.
"You are not," she defended me.
"I set someone on fire; Rosalie wanted me gone the first day. It is a school of messed up kids, of course there are going to be issues. And dad, that was really mean to arrest Edward for defending my honor," I added.
I wanted to get that out in the open before the ability to speak left me.
"He broke the law," Charlie said as he glared at Edward again.
"Mr. Ateara is a freak and you know it," I said angrily.
"Bella, please," Edward said uncomfortably. He stood from the bed and excused himself to give us, as he called it, 'family time.'
I looked at my parents and asked, "So how's the reunion working out?"
My mom smiled and looked lovingly at my dad, causing Charlie to rub his neck in frustration. "So how do you want us to act, Bella? Do you want us to be all lovie dovie around you or not?"
"I don't care how you act," I said in shock as I fought the dizziness
"Well, when we told you we were working on our relationship you got pretty angry," he pointed out.
"You just don't understand," I cried. "I'm so angry, and frustrated, and scared, and it has nothing to do with you guys. I have my own life to navigate through, so do whatever you want."
Charlie stepped closer to the bed and leaned over tenderly to kiss my cheek. "You're my baby girl, and I did go hard on Edward. I'll apologize to him."
"Thanks, dad," I said as I began to fade.
The doctors told me I had to rest for two weeks, so my parents insisted I come home. I stayed in my room, missing Edward and worrying about Angela. My parents acted like teenagers, giggling and chasing each other around the house. If I wasn't so hurt, I would have been sick to my stomach.
Jake came by to see me one day and I welcomed the change in the monotony. "Are you really dating Leah?" I asked first thing.
"Yes, and she's really nice when you get past her bitchy exterior," he laughed.
"I only have one question, why?"
"We have a lot in common, Bella. We share a heritage and our families have known each other for a long time. What makes Edward so special? You guys have nothing in common."
"What does that mean?" I pushed.
"He just tells me stuff," Jake shrugged.
"Like what? You're freaking me out here, Jake."
"Do you know what he wants to be?" Jake asked and I felt horrible that I couldn't answer, but we had never talked about stuff like that.
"I thought maybe a composer," I said quietly.
"No, and he really wants to work stuff out with his dad."
I felt tears form and knew I would be losing Edward at the end of the school year. I just had to prepare my heart to let him go. I didn't know if I wanted to make him my first, well my first willing partner, or if that would be too painful.
"Jake, what was written on the shed about me?" I didn't really want to know, but Edward had read it, so I needed to know what was in his head.
"You know how petty people can be," he said looking away from me.
"I want to know, Jake, and you are the only person I would want to hear it from," I pleaded.
"Um…okay…it was something about…um..like hell and stuff," he was obviously uncomfortable.
"Word for word, Jake," I pressed.
"It said, 'Bella will burn in hell, along with all the daddy's she fucks.'"
I lowered my head and looked at my shaking fingers. I knew information made its way around small towns quickly and the fact I was going to the school I was, would give them reason to gossip, but I didn't realize they knew the reason I was there.
"Thanks," I whispered.
"Bella, I really respect Edward for what he did. He didn't tell Charlie why, I had to tell him. Charlie let him go after hearing it."
I nodded and tried to smile, "I'm lucky to know Edward."
"He can't fish worth shit," Jake laughed, making me laugh, too.
"He has other talents," I sighed and Jake gave me a sideways glance, so I offered more, "I mean he writes beautiful music."
"I wasn't implying anything," Jake laughed, "and he already told me your guys aren't doing to horizontal hump."
I looked at Jake in total shock. "What did he say?"
"I mean he wants to, but it's not working out….shit, Bella, don't make me rat out a friend," he complained.
"I was your friend first," I yelled at him.
"You were the annoying girl my dad made me play with, and then became the hot girl that rejected me, so when were we exactly friends," he laughed.
"You just met Edward, and only because of me," I pointed out.
"Are you jealous I'll steal him away?"
"No because obviously you like the whorish type," I said referring to Leah, but cutting down myself in the process.
"I'm leaving," he said in anger and left my room as I sat there sulking.
I knew I was being so immature by picking a fight with Jake, but I just couldn't seem to control my emotions where Edward was concerned. I picked up my guitar and began playing around with different lyrics I was working on.
The phone rang and I answered on the first ring, "Edward?"
"Hi, how are you feeling?" he asked with the sweetest voice ever.
"I feel like I should be at school, I miss you," I complained.
"Angela wanted me to tell you her father is coming to town next week, will you be back?"
"Absolutely, how is she?"
"Great, um, man, I don't know how to say this," he said with trepidation.
I felt my body tense and wanted to beg him to just stop talking. Something bad was coming, and quite frankly, I wasn't sure how much more I could take. I remained silent, listening to his breathing over the phone. He finally just came out with it.
"I'm going home."