A/N: I know, I know. I told a certain person that I would update early because I got five reviews, but…things…got…in the way a little. Sorry!

This chapter is dedicated to readhead232! I'm sure you know why. If you want people to know, then that's fine, but it's not my story to tell.

*WARNING: This chapter is somewhat…sensitive in parts. No offense is meant to anyone!*

Enjoy!

If Everyone Cared

"Aren't…you…a vampire?" She nodded.

"But you can't talk?" She shook her head, bowing it. I put my fingers under her chin and gently raised her face to look at me.

"You can't see either, can you?"

She raised her free hand and signed to me.

No, I can't. And my name is Bella. Bella Swan.

BPOV

There was something about him, but I couldn't pinpoint what it was. Something that made him seem…safe. Trustworthy. Someone I could talk to. I couldn't explain it, but I felt like I had known him forever, even though I had just met him and only knew his name. The only problem?

I couldn't talk to him. Unless he could understand me.

"Bella…" he whispered. Problem solved.

I nodded in his general direction. For some reason, he was harder to see than the others. I could tell he wasn't a vampire from his scent, but I could usually see humans. He was a fuzzy spot in my shadowy vision. The other four were human shapes, varying in how dark or light they were by what they were dressed in, but he was…nothing. Just a fuzzy spot. All I could see was his outline.

"What are you talking about? Is that her name? And what was she doing with her hand just now?" the big one asked. From what I could tell, he was burly, but all muscle. He had broad shoulders, and his hair was a little on the dark side, so it was probably brown. From the shading, it looked like it was curly.

"Yes. Her name is Bella Swan. And Alice was right. She can't talk. She can't see, either. Although, you look like you can see Emmett. Can you?" I nodded, my head falling slightly to the side.

I'm not completely blind. I can see things on a grey scale. If something is light colored, I see it as a really light grey. If it's dark, I see it as a dark grey or black. I am able to see their basic shapes, I signed to him. I saw what might have been a nod.

But I can't see you, I signed slowly. I can see each of them, even if they kind of blur together at the edges when they stand really close, but I know there are four of them. You are a blur that…kind of…blends into the shadows of my surroundings. I can see your outline, but not your features. I don't know why, though, I finished, shaking my head slowly.

"Edward, what is she doing? And how come it looks like you're talking to her?" the big one, Emmett, asked again.

"She's using sign language, and yes, I am talking to her," he said shortly, like Emmett was interrupting something important. I tried to find him, and might have seen him with his chin in his hand. This was really frustrating.

All of a sudden, a wave of calming energy surged over me, and I looked at the other male vampire. He smiled a little, his light hair partially covering his eyes. I figured he was blonde. He looked to be of a slimmer build than Emmett, but there was no denying the toed muscle fighting with his shirt.

"That's Jasper. And what you just felt was his power. He can read and manipulate emotions." I turned to Edward ad he seemed to be looking at Jasper. He shook his head and turned to me.

"The little one with the short black hair is Alice, and the tall, model-like one with the long blonde hair is Rosalie." They both waved at me, the small one looking a little more hyper than the other. She jumped up and down as she waved, and I smiled.

"Oh! We only have four and a half minutes until the late bell rings! We've got to get going!" she said suddenly. I cocked my eyebrow at her and she laughed, a small, bell-like sound emanating from her mouth.

"I can see the future. It's my power." I nodded and she smiled at me, walking up and taking my hand.

"Have you gotten your schedule already?" She asked.

I nodded and went to the back of the truck, crouching down so I didn't knock myself out. I bent down and opened the small box I kept back there, pulling out a few sheets. I looked at each of them, squinting. I couldn't make out the small print, even though I could clearly tell there was black writing on the white paper. I sighed and stood up, bringing the papers back to where they were waiting. I sat down next to Edward again, and handed him the papers, hanging my head.

I can't read them. The print is too small, I signed. He nodded.

"It's okay. I know how it feels not to be able to do things." I looked up at where his face should have been, and got frustrated once more. I couldn't even tell what he meant by that with my vision.

"This is the one you need. The others should go back where you got them. They look kind of important," he said turning to me. I held out my hand and he gave me the three sheets. I put them back in the box and grabbed my bag before jumping off the tailgate, landing gracefully on my feet.

I turned around and waited for Edward to follow, but he didn't. He just sat there, looking like he was hesitating to…do something. But, again, I couldn't figure out what it was.

Emmett walked over, and that's when I noticed the chair. The wheelchair sitting so close to the tailgate of my truck, it's no wonder I didn't notice it before. Then I noticed something else. How what I imagined where Edward's legs just seemed to dangle, not really moving of their own volition.

Emmett wrapped his arm around Edward's waist and Edward slung his arm over Emmett's broad shoulders. He easily lifted Edward down to the chair, gently setting him down while Alice messed with something that could have been on the ground for all I knew, and went back to Jasper's side.

Edward came to my side and looked up at me. I tilted my head to the side slightly, confusion covering my face. He just chuckled and headed for the main entrance.

"He's paralyzed. That's why he said he understood your frustration with not being able to do things by yourself. He hasn't for the past year or so." I turned to see Jasper standing next to me, his arm wrapped around Alice's small waist. I nodded slowly, understanding washing over me.

"Come on. We're going to be late," Emmett said, walking by with Rosalie's arm hooked through his.

I shook my head and headed after them, quickly catching up to Edward, since he didn't seem to be rushing towards the school. I looked around and noticed a female figure standing on the sidewalk right at the slanted part where Edward would have to go. Her hands were on her hips and she was tapping her foot impatiently. Her dark hair was styled, but I couldn't tell exactly how. I walked right next to Edward, listening as his breath turned slower as he got closer to this girl, like he was dreading her impending nearness to him.

"Bella?" he whispered. I looked at him, making sure not to walk into his chair.

"I need to ask you a really big favor." His voice was wary, but there was a need behind it that kept my attention fully on him. I put my hand on his shoulder to tell him to go on, since his gaze was locked on the girl ahead of us. He started slowing down more, and I corrected my pace to match his.

"Umm…I need some…help…with this girl," began shyly. I tensed. Was someone bothering him? Or did he not know how to approach her? He cleared his throat, bringing me back to reality before my mind went off on one of its usual tangents.

"She…just…won't leave me alone," he finally managed to spit out. He sounded ashamed, and I gave his shoulder a squeeze. Apparently, my first guess had been the right one. The only problem was when my mind started thinking of all the different things he could be talking about. He continued before I could get too far.

"She's been bothering me since I started coming here last year. I started living with the Cullens and switched schools. She just keeps trying to get with me, and I'm getting really tired of it," he sighed. I could see a faint change in the colors on his face and neck, and guessed he was blushing. I put my free hand out in front of him.

Edward, what is she doing to you? I asked, making sure to sign slowly so that he caught every word. The color of his face and neck got darker and he completely stopped. I did the same and stood so that I was partially facing him, but still able to keep my hand on his shoulder.

"She stands in front of me in the hallway so that I have to stop, and then sits on me. She tries to kiss me, but, thanks to the others, that's as far as she's gotten," he said, not looking at me. I nodded.

Okay, I'll help. Do you have any ideas? He smiled, I think, and nodded.

"I have one, but it won't work forever. See, everyone knows that I never let anyone push my chair, that I'd rather do it myself. So, since we have every class together, which is really weird, you could just walk while holding one of the handles behind me. I won't be alone for her to pounce on, and she'll hopefully get the hint and leave me alone. It's not much, but it's all I've got at the moment," he explained, finally turning to face me. I smiled brightly for the first time in I don't know how long and nodded.

It's worth a shot. But it looks like we can save that for later, if you want. She's heading inside. He turned towards the doors and sighed in relief.

"Thank God! Okay, let's go," he said, heading towards the doors. I followed right next to him and we walked into the Biology room right before the late bell rang.

*~-~*~-~*

EPOV

The teacher gave me a sympathetic look when we came in, stopping Bella so he could introduce her to the class. What really got me annoyed and ready to hurt someone was when he asked her to tell the class something about herself. She just frowned while he tried to convince her it was okay, thinking she was nervous even though there was no hint of it on her face.

"Mr. Banner," I said, trying to keep my annoyance and anger hidden as much as possible. He looked at me, and Bella tried signing to calm me down.

Edward, don't. It's okay. He must not have read the note yet. Calm down. I shook my head back and forth fiercely. Mr. Banner looked between the two of us, confused.

"No, it's not okay. He should have known before you even entered the room! You shouldn't have to go through this!" I was on the verge of yelling at this point, the other students' heads swiveling between myself and Mr. Banner.

I couldn't understand why I was feeling so protective of this girl. I had just met her today, and yes, both of us were disabled, but I couldn't find anything else that could have triggered this. I didn't get a chance to dwell on it, with Mr. Banner breaking into my thoughts.

"Mr. Cullen, would you care to explain what you are yelling about? What shouldn't Ms. Swan have to go through?" My anger boiled up again, threatening to spill over.

"You're trying to get her to do something she can't! And if you'd have just read the note the office should have given you, you would know exactly what I'm talking about!" I said, slamming my hands, palms down, on the table. Several people around me jumped, surprised by the silent kid's sudden outburst.

Mr. Banner looked at Bella, confusion still all over his face. She smiled shyly, looking at the floor. Her eyes darted to me, and I nodded fiercely. She looked back at Mr. Banner and raised one hand, using just that one to sign her explanation. He just cocked his head to the side, his confusion visibly growing as she finished. He looked at her blankly, and she looked like she would have been blushing if she could.

He just kept looking at her, waiting for her to explain what she just did. She looked down at her feet, fascinated with her old grass- stained sneakers. The rest of the class continued to sit on their butts, either staring at her or resorting to whispering to the person next to them.

"Wow, she's a smart one, isn't she?" the person in front of me said.

I couldn't take it anymore. I taught myself to just ignore it, that I wouldn't have to listen to it for much longer. The problem was I couldn't ignore it if it was about someone else. Especially if the people talking had no clue about the person they were talking about. That was the case here. If I could have stood up, I would have been knocking over desks.

"Shut up, you freaking idiot! You have no freaking clue what you're talking about!" The kid, Lucas, turned around, smirking at me.

"Oh, yeah, Cullen? What is it that you know that I don't? It can't be much," he finished, causing his friend to burst into laughter. I felt my fingernails biting into my palms, but ignored it, focusing on the de bags before me.

"Mr. Cullen and Mr. Blake! Knock it off!" Mr. Banner yelled, finally reacting to something instead of just standing there.

I caught Bella's eye and she shook her head, her eyes showing shyness and regret. But what that regret was for, my mind was too hyped up with anger to think about. Mr. Banner turned back to her and she stood so that she was facing him, but the whole class could still see her. She raised her hands to chest level.

I can't answer because I can't talk. I am mute and almost completely blind, she signed, the message flying right over Mr. Banner's head. He was looking at her confused again, and Lucas decided to open his mouth again.

"What, she have Tourettes or something? Is that what you were talking about, Cullen? Her little spazzes?" He started laughing, but stopped abruptly when I managed to launch myself half way across the table between us. His eyes grew large, but slowly smirked when he remembered I couldn't get to him.

I felt hands grab under my arms and help me fall back into my chair without hurting myself. I looked out of the corner of my eye to see Bella's light blue t-shirt and looked up at her face. She wasn't looking directly at me, not that I expected any different. She seemed to be trying to focus on the table, and I followed her gaze.

There wasn't anything on the table that I could see, so I highly doubted that she saw anything I missed. I looked at her again, leaning so that my face was almost directly in front of hers.

"Bella, what are you looking at?" I asked. She smiled softly and shook her head, standing up and wrapping her arms around herself. She took one hand away and signed quickly before replacing it.

It's nothing. Don't worry about it.

"Are you sure?" I asked. She nodded and I heard laughter, immediately resulting in my blood boiling again.

"Are you so desperate for a friend that you've started talking to someone without them even saying anything? Now that is a new level of lame, even for you!" Lucas said, falling into another fit of laughter.

Bella's head whipped around and she looked like she was on the verge of full out growling before she caught herself and settled on one of the worst glares I had ever seen. Even with her small pupils, you could see exactly who the recipient was, and the fact that she was throwing very sharp daggers at him with those eyes. The whole "If looks could kill" thing popped into my head, and the sight that followed wasn't very pretty. Mr. Banner walked up, his face bright red.

"Mr. Cullen would you care to explain what is going on, since you seem to know so much?" He practically growled.

"Well, let's see. That stuff she was doing with her hands is called sign language. And she can't tell you anything interesting about herself because she can not talk!" I almost yelled. Bella put her hand on my shoulder to try and calm me. I looked at her.

"Should I just tell them the other thing, as well, since this seems to be a moment of discovery for some of us?" She shrugged and turned her head towards the window, leaving the decision to me. She kept her hand on my shoulder, letting me know she would back me either way.

"What are you talking about now, Mr. Cullen?" Mr. Banner asked, clearly wanting to know everything before this had a chance to happen again.

"She's almost completely blind. She can only see…what was it? People and basic shapes?" I asked turning to her. She turned so I could see half of her face and she nodded.

I can see where things are if they aren't too small, but everything is on a basic grey scale. Just shadows. I nodded and turned back to Mr. Banner, repeating what she said. He nodded and sighed, running a hand through his thinning hair.

"Is that it, Mr. Cullen?" I thought for a moment and nodded. He turned and walked to the front of the room.

"Well, I know none of you are going to be able to concentrate after what just happened, so take the last…" he looked at the clock his eyes widening slightly, "ten minutes to talk. Keep it down and remember I gave all of you time to catch up with your neighbors today when we start the actual work tomorrow." Everyone cheered at first, but it quickly turned to a groan.

Bella sat down next to me, moving her chair closer to mine and sharing my armrest. She tried making jokes to me, trying to cheer me up, but it wasn't helping. I just couldn't get his words out of my head. They kept repeating over and over, taunting me. Causing me to remember everything I had to deal with. Everything I tried to ignore, thinking I had succeeded. Apparently I hadn't.

The sympathetic glances, quickly turning away as I got closer.

The whispers picking up from where they left off once I passed the people involved in them.

The glances that pity when they're not being sympathetic.

The people that treated me like a social leper, walking along the farthest edges of the hallway just to avoid me.

I jumped when I felt a hand on my arm, squeezing gently. I turned to find Bella trying to find my eyes, fruitlessly searching for something she couldn't see, and visibly becoming more concerned and frustrated at the same time. I put my hand over hers and she smiled, a smile that seemed to brighten the area around us even with everything that had happened such an extremely short time ago. And the amazing thing was it actually touched her eyes, brightening her perfect features, as well.

It hit me, right at that moment, just how much worse she had it than I did. I could see the people talking about me, looking at me. Avoiding me. I could put a face to the voices. I could defend myself. Tell them how much they didn't understand. How good they had it, having full control over their bodies.

But Bella couldn't. Her vision gave her only a figure. Everyone looked exactly the same as everyone else. She would never know the people who tormented her. She would never be able to defend herself on her own. She could only take the blows or move away, to a school where no one would know about her. It wouldn't solve the problem. Nothing would solve it.

I passed my thumb over her knuckles a few times, deciding. I wouldn't let people hurt her. I would make sure she was happy. No one would be able to hurt her while I was around.

No one.

A/N: Well…that was different from what I planned…Oh, well. What did you think? The song from the title, as many of you should know, is If Everyone Cared by Nickelback.

Favorite part? Favorite line? Something you would like to see happen if I can get it to fit?

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