5. Confrontation (2)
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I almost ran from Jess's back to Forks High before I remembered I had driven. I made it back to school by Lunchtime so I knew exactly where that sorry excuse for an ass would be.
I entered the cafeteria still seeing red; I looked around before finding the table where the usual jocks hung out. James caught my eye and waved me over before turning back to Laurent jokingly pushing him in the arm. I began to storm over there when someone caught my arm.
"Hey Bella are you ok?" A velvet voice asked. I turned to see Edward staring at me, his gorgeous green eyes filled with concern. I felt my anger flounder as I looked up at him.
"I'm fine, let me go." He looked at me searching my face, obviously noticing that I was lying, his grip on my arm continued.
"She said let her go." I turned back around to see James standing in front of Edward and I. His fists bawled, he didn't look at me but stared straight at Edward with a look that caused me to shudder. Edward dropped my arm and for some unknown reason angled himself so he stood in front of me.
"I'm sorry I meant no disrespect. It's just that I was concerned that she was upset." Edward answered evenly trying to keep the situation under control.
"And what does it matter to you? Bella is my girlfriend, she is my concern. And in future you should keep your hands off her, if you are fond of keeping them that is." James' threatened. Edward raised his hands before backing away from James, he looked pointedly at me concern still showed on his face. He smiled reassuringly when he caught my eye before he turned and left the cafeteria. James turned to stare at me. Aware that half the school was staring he slipped his arm around my waist.
"So do you want to tell me why you managed to have the new guy all worked up with concern for you?" He asked with a coy grin on his face. Before I could answer someone interrupted.
"So what did that toss-pot want?" A voice that had me seeing red again called from behind. I spun breaking James' hold on me and rounded on Laurent.
"YOU PIG!" I screamed. Laurent looked shocked and took a step back, then peered over my shoulder at James.
"Uh you want to tell me what's got your missus knickers in a twist Jimmy?" He jeered. I took another step towards him before pushing him in the chest. I caught him off guard and he stumbled backwards before tripping and falling flat on his arse. I took another step towards him.
"What you did to Jess, is disgusting and you won't get away with it." I kept my voice low, it was only now that I realised that Jess probably didn't want the entire school to know what had happened and this confrontation was not going to help. James caught my wrist and whipped me round. His face was red with embarrassment; clearly he didn't like the fact that I was causing a scene with his best friend in front of most of Forks High.
"What the hell is going on Bella?" He seethed, his face inches from mine. His grip on my wrist was beginning to hurt.
"The reason why Jess has changed, why she has been hurting herself. Is because of him." I pointed at Laurent while still facing James.
Laurent didn't miss a beat. "Jess asked for it! She was practically begging for it, Bella you should have seen her. And I must add she liked it too." The way he said it made bile rise in the back of my throat. I turned to face him, trying to pull myself from James' grip but he wouldn't let up. It was then that I heard Mike scream.
"I WILL KILL YOU!" He screeched. I realised too late that Mike had been in the cafeteria and had not only witnessed the confrontation but had also been within earshot. He launched himself from across the room barrelling into Laurent. Laurent was quick though and much larger, he had Mike within seconds by the throat pinned against the wall.
"Your little bitch loved every second of it Newton. Practically begged for seconds. You should be happy, I broke her in for you. And I'll tell you what she's not a bad piece, if you know what I mean." He looked at Mikes face appraising his reaction. "But you don't know what I mean do ya Mikey boy? That's probably why she came to me; she needed a real man that could satisfy her." Mike screamed in defiance and managed to break Laurent's hold before taking a swing. Laurent ducked tackling him to the ground throwing punches that unlike Mikes did not miss.
"Stop him!" I begged James. Mikes face was covered in blood and he was barely putting up a fight. "James please!" James looked at me, his eyes distant and shook his head. I looked around panicked before laying eyes on Emmett and Jasper. Jasper was being held back by his sister Rosalie so I turned to Emmett.
"Emmett do something!" I cried. Emmett appeared to be in shock from the entire situation but snapped out of it and jumped on Laurent pulling him from Mike dragging him to the nearest exit. It was Alice who went to Mike's aid. But Mike was in such as state he couldn't see straight and began to struggle with Alice slamming her into the table. It was then that Jasper reacted, pulling from Rose's grasp and hurrying to Alice's side. It was Mike's friend Ben that managed to get him under control before leading him from the room through the opposite exit to Emmett and Laurent.
"Why didn't you do anything?" I turned to James, I was so angry that tears blurred my vision.
"Bella calm down, I was trying to hold onto you. I didn't want you to get hurt." He explained.
"But Mike..."
"Mike shouldn't have attacked Laurent, Bella. He should have known better." I looked at James in complete shock.
"You have to be kidding me; did you not hear a thing that was just said?" I screeched.
"I heard one story Bella." He seethed through clenched teeth. "Now would you keep down your voice, people are staring." I ripped myself from his grasp.
"You think I'm making this up?"
"No I think that there are always two sides to a story Bells and Jess isn't exactly the most reliable person of late." James continued to keep his voice low. "Now cut the shit Bella I've had enough. I've got class; I'll meet you by the car after school." He stormed off leaving me feeling like I had just been slapped in the face, tears stinging my eyes.
I turned to see that Jasper was talking anxiously with Alice trying to make sure she was alright, they were standing very close and Jasper had one arm protectively wrapped around her. Even in the state I was in I thought the situation odd, Jasper had never once shown an interest in any female in the school but he now held Alice in a way that suggested that she belonged to him. James had always said it was because I was taken and the second best prize was his sister who belonged to Emmett. I always thought the comment was stupid, since when could Rosalie ever be thought of a second prize? She was extremely beautiful, smart and rather kind. She was one of the only cheerleaders I could stand besides Jess. I was completely plain next to her.
Thinking of the devil, Rosalie was making her way over. She noticed I was staring at Alice and Jasper. "I was starting to think that my big brother was gay." She joked lightly before turning her attention to me. "Are you ok Bella?" I shrugged not sure how to answer. "Do you want to talk about it?" I shook my head, I couldn't speak I wasn't sure that I could hold in the tears. She appraised me and obviously found that I was of no immediate danger of breaking down as she announced that she was off to find Emmett, I wish I was that sure of myself.
The bell rung making me jump but it took me awhile to register and I then realised I was going to be late for Biology.