Hey sorry this is late guys, haven't sleep in the last 24 hours, got home this morning at 7:50 totally not cool.

K I know this is short, but if I get around 20 reviews I'll put up the second half of it straight away [EPOV - things get a little heated between him and Bella], otherwise it will probably be a Mon or Tues update.

Big thanks to my beta Angel, and my dudettes VPJ and TCL they rock - check out my favs to read their stories cos they are awesome. Massive thanks to everyone who has reviewed and especially to those that review every chapter - you guys keep me writing lol.

xxx Char

17. To Be Expected

….

BPOV

So most of the day had gone exactly as expected, in every one of my classes people would stare and start whispering when I entered. The unfortunate sod who sat next to me either tried to ignore me or would engage me in conversation more than normal. I could only expect it was meant to be an act of comfort, but to be honest the latter was worse. It was awkward for a lot of people, I could see that, but I couldn't deal with the attention. I wanted to disappear and blend in like I usually did. I had definitely come back to school too early.

After every class one of my friends would be there waiting for me to walk me to the next. I didn't know if I found it annoying that they were babying me or sweet. Sometimes it was Emmett which was fun because he would crack jokes in an effort to get me to laugh and if anyone ever looked at me strangely Em could usually get them to look away with a crack of his knuckles, it was rather amusing to watch. Jasper was quiet as usual, Alice wouldn't shut up which was normal and Rose would fill me in on everything I had missed while I had been gone. I guess it was a bit hypocritical given my current situation but I liked the gossip. Especially the bit about how Lauren had tried to show off in front of the football guys during cheer practice and had broken her arm in the process; that was a new low even for her.

I hadn't bumped into James all morning which was kind of a relief, I was starting to believe that he wasn't going to be here, but considering they had a game today it was unlikely. At lunch the guys would be at a ball meeting so there was nothing to worry about when Alice came to walk me to lunch. I sat with her and Rose, given Mike wasn't there and I didn't have any other real friends besides him Angela and Jess. Ange sat with us which was nice given that I knew Rose intimidated her, but to be honest Rose intimidated most. There were a lot of awkward silences during lunch, seeing as I didn't have much to share besides what had happened. I didn't have to take off my scarf all day, and no one had asked about it, or seemed to think much of it which was good.

I wasn't looking forward to Bio which today I had last period straight after Math. I didn't miss the fact that Edward hung back this morning when everyone else hugged me and I didn't know why. I was worried and apprehensive, did he know something? He had looked at me questioningly when I answered Emmett's question and I worried that I may have let something slip. I was a terrible liar. But so far I had managed to convince everyone else that I had no idea who had hurt me--why would he be any different?

After an awkward lunch I made my way to Math with Rose. Her class was out of the way so I told her I could walk myself the rest of the way. Big mistake, that's when I saw James for the first time; he was leaning against his locker talking intently with Laurent, his arms folded across his chest. I immediately froze mid step panicked and completely stopped breathing. I cursed myself internally for not walking a different way.

Shit, shit, shit, what do I do? Keep walking or turn around? Turn around…definitely.

Just as I was about to follow through with my decision Laurent looked up catching my eye, he cocked his eyebrow at me and smirked, he nudged James in the side and nodded in my direction as he looked up. He instantly stood straight, uncrossing his arms and stared, his eyes wide. He then began to make his way over to me.

"Bella?" he called out looking at me slightly confused.

SHIT. I was speechless and unable to move, I didn't know what to say. I just wanted to run but my legs wouldn't work.

"I heard you were back." His eyes bore directly into mine as he spoke. "Bells…" He took a deep breath frowning in the process. "I'm s…"

"Don't…" I whispered interrupting him, raising my hands in front of me. "Don't come any closer."

"Bella…" he groaned as he took another step forward. Without reservation he reached out and touched my cheek with the back of his hand, softly stroking it. I flinched at his movement and I watched as mixed emotions flittered across his face. I took a large step backward and finding my courage I glared at him.

"Don't touch me," I choked out before I turned on my heel and took off toward the girl's toilets, which were just down the hall. By the time I got there I was hyperventilating; I shut the door behind me and locked it, collapsing against the frame, sliding down to the tiled floor in a fit of tears, squeezing my balled hands against my head.

God is this how Jess feels when she sees Laurent? Is this why she doesn't come to school?

I balled up one of my fists and put it into my mouth in an effort to muffle the sobs that raked my body. I couldn't do this, I couldn't be here.

"Bella?" James called banging on the bathroom door causing me to yelp in shock, he followed me? I was far too busy trying to get away from him; I hadn't even realized he took after me.

"Bella open up we need to talk." He pushed down on the door handle. I didn't answer him in the hope that he would give up and leave me alone.

"Come on Bella, I know you're in there," he spoke quietly.

"Go away," I whispered so quietly unsure that he would even here me.

"Bella, look we need to talk - I love you Bella." he paused before he continued, "and I know you love me too." I shook my head in response to his reasoning.

"No…No I don't," I cried out my voice wavering as I spoke only halve truths. I knew I still had feelings for him, but there was no way I was ever going to take him back – it was in my nature to forgive, but I had already given him a second chance and he blew that – big time.

"Yes you do Bella," he said softly contradicting me. "I know you still care about me, it's why you didn't tell anyone the truth," he spoke in a hushed voice.

"Yet…" I threatened, although I knew I didn't sound very convincing. It was silent on the other side of the door and I was beginning to think that maybe he had taken my threat seriously and left – but I was wrong.

"No one would believe you." There was a dangerous edge to his voice as he growled. I stopped breathing again and buried my face in my knees. He was right, who would believe me now? I decided not to answer him, what could I say?

"DAMN IT BELLA," he shouted slamming the door with his fist in impatience, causing me to snap my head up in fright. "Open the door now!" I pressed my body against the door harder in an effort to prevent him access as I felt his body slam into the door, buckling it. I pressed my feet against the opposite wall in order to give myself leverage.

Shit. I closed my eyes as the tears flowed freely down my cheeks and I pressed my hands to my ears in an effort to block out everything. I desperately willed him to go away.

Please I begged internally, make it stop…make him go away.

"Is there a problem here?" I let out a sigh of relief as I heard Mr. Banner's voice come through the thick wood behind my back.

"Uh no sir," James replied. "It's just that Bella locked herself in the bathroom sir."

Damn.

"I see, well you better run along to class James you're late, I'll deal with Miss. Swan." I heard James grunt in response and I listened to his heavy footsteps as he trudged down all.

I groaned internally remembering that Mr. Banner was still out there, now I have to explain this to him. After a few moments Mr. Banner spoke, "You can open the door now Bella, he's gone."

I opened the door slowly worried that this might be a trick, but I only found Mr. Banner standing there with a sympathetic look plastered on his face. Great just what I need, I thought sarcastically.

"Bella…I can't begin to understand what you have been through, but if you need some time to yourself you can go to the sick bay – I'll write you a note." I nodded solemnly at his words.

"Thank you sir," I whispered. He put his hand on my shoulder.

"If there is anyone you need to talk to Bella my door is open – I have a free period before junior Bio most days." I smiled politely and nodded again, I always liked Mr. Banner; he was one of the kindest teachers and definitely my favorite. "Of course you could try talking to your friends too, like James; they care about you and want to help. So try not to push them away." He raised one eyebrow as he offered the advice and one more sympathetic look before he left.

Hopelessness enveloped me immediately and once Mr. Banner was out of sight I stepped back into the bathroom closing the door quietly behind me. I didn't think I would be able to make it to the sick bay, and I didn't want to run the risk of meeting James on the way there. So I waited out the period in the bathroom, alone with myself - which wasn't the best of things.

Gahh; I'm such an idiot. I fisted my hands in my hair pulling tightly. I spent the rest of the period in the bathroom, hating and berating myself for the stupid decisions I'd made in the past week. In the end I came up with a list.

Stuffed up with Jess, I couldn't and didn't protect her from Laurent or herself.

Didn't listen to Jake, ruined our friendship

Got Mike into a fight with Jess and Laurent.

Let Edward get between James and I.

Gave James a second chance.

Lied about what James did to everyone.

Letting both James and Laurent get away with what they had done.

Came back to school when I was definitely not ready.

In the end I was just driving myself crazy, not to mention I was becoming sorely depressed thinking about how stupid and pathetic I was being. I finally managed to stop the tears and I tidied myself up in the bathroom mirror, repositioning my scarf in the process. I took numerous deep breaths before I decided to go to Biology. I had made the decision to come to school, and I was going to stick with it.

I opened the door just as someone pushed on it; the forced slammed me into the wall behind it. Victoria entered and as she saw me she sneered.

"Watch yourself," she spat, as she made her way to the bathroom sink with Lauren in tow. "As I was saying," she continued talking to Lauren as if I wasn't there, applying bright red lipstick that matched her fiery red hair as she spoke. "Some girls just love to make up shit in order to get attention, I mean look at Jessica Stanley." She rolled her eyes and looked at me pointedly; Lauren followed her gaze towards me and smirked. I had no doubt who Victoria was referring to when she said 'some girls.'

I stole from the bathroom without a backward glance. How can people be so mean? I thought. The tears that I had fought to contain returned, running down my cheeks as I all but sprinted down the hall. I made no effort to clean them up, and took no notice of the people that had turned to stare. I absolutely understood now why Jessica didn't want anyone to know what happened to her, why she didn't want to turn Laurent in. It was because of vicious girls like Lauren and Victoria. They could make your life hell without even thinking about it.

I was the first to arrive to class and I was thankful that the room was empty during the previous period. I took my seat and opened my folder doodling as I pushed every thought from my head. I dried my eyes quickly as the first people strolled through the classroom door; I ignored them not looking up as they entered, continuing to draw on the piece of paper in an effort to distract myself. I created a wall between my classmates with my hair, just so I couldn't seem them staring at me. That's why I didn't hear Edward as he approached.

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