Chapter 10: First Day Back

Emmett's POV

When I was getting ready for school, I wasn't thinking about how I was now a senior. I wasn't thinking about what I was going to where. I wasn't even thinking about the classes I was going to get, or the teachers I'd meet, or even the new coach we were getting for football.

I only thought of Bella Swan. I only saw Bella when I closed my eyes, when I'd fall asleep reading, when my mind drifted off in thought. I only imagined my Bella.

I arrived at school early, hoping to see Bella there, but she wasn't. I walked to the guidance office to see if there was anyone special that had the same schedule as me.

"Mrs. Cope?"

"Yes, dear. Come right on in, Mr. Hale," she smiled.

"Isabella Swan wanted me to pick up her schedule for her." Okay, so it was a lie. Whatever.

"Actually, you just missed her. She came in here, got it, and left without saying a word. Her brother was with her and did all the talking. Is something wrong?" she asked.

I shook my head. "May I see her class list, please? It's important."

"It's not allowed, but I guess I can make an exception." She printed off Bella's schedule and handed it to me.

I muttered a "thanks" and began to read.

Isabella Marie Swan

DOB: 8/13/1990

Period 1: Pre-Calculus…Mr. Bides

Period 2: English 12…Mrs. Connery

Period 3: Chemistry Honors…Mr. Price

Lunch

Period 4: Gym…Ms. Destill

Period 5: U.S. Government…Mr. Collins

Period 6: Study Hall…Mr. Ashton

None of our periods were the same, except for Study Hall.

But all seniors took study hall last period, so they could go home early.

Then, it dawned on me.

Jasper did all the talking. I knew that Bella and I had signed up for the same classes and requested the same periods last year. That wasn't something she would want to change. But someone else did.

"Excuse me, but what did Jasper Swan say exactly?" I questioned.

"He wanted Bella transferred out of all of her original classes. He chose new periods for her."

"Thank you, Mrs. Cope. You were really helpful…"

I walked out and saw Bella and Jasper leaning against his Audi, arguing. I walked over and pushed him out of her face. They were mere inches away.

"What's going on?"

"Jasper feels as though he's in control of my life. Well, news flash, you're not!" Bella yelled.

Jasper grabbed her wrist gently, but as she tried to yank it away, his grip grew tighter. "Bella, stop. You're making a scene."

"Making a scene?! Is that all you're worried about?! Not the fact that your sister wants to be with someone you forbade?! Not the fact that she hates you for all your worth?! Which, hold on, let me guess…You're not worth fucking shit, you dick!" She was getting out of control. Angry tears weren't falling like they usually did. It was like she learned to control them. "And just in case you haven't noticed…I'm turning eighteen tomorrow. I'll be a legal adult and out of Charlie's house soon. You won't have to worry about me, just like you haven't for the past thirteen years. Now, if you don't mind, I'd appreciate it if I could have the circulation flowing into my hand again."

He didn't let go, just stared in disbelief, so I pushed him away, and he finally let go. I wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her with me to the guidance office.

"Bella would like to request to have her old schedule back," I said, as kindly as possible with the anger running rampant through my body. I handed Mrs. Cope a fifty dollar bill, and she changed it. "Thank you."

We left and headed towards our first period together - U.S. Government.

We still had ten minutes before the bell, so we stopped at our combined locker. "Bella, are you…are you okay with seeing me again?" She nodded. "Are you mad at me?" She shook her head no. "Bella, talk to me." She looked down, tears threatening to fall. "What's wrong? You can tell me anything…"

"I remember too clearly," she whispered.

My brows furrowed in confusion. "Remember what?"

"The rape, the beating, John. Especially John. Almost as if it had all happened yesterday, and seeing you again puts everything back in perspective. I'm really not worthy of your love, Emmett."

"You're worthy of anything I give to you, Bella. You know that."

"Do I?" she sighed. "Emmett, I don't think we should keep seeing each other. The past two months have been horrible, but I think that if I continue to put faith in this relationship and it ends, that I would be immensely more devastated. I still want to be your friend."

Was she seriously saying this? Was she just joking?

"Is this a joke?" I asked.

"I wouldn't joke about something like this, Em. I really, truly love you, but it's not going to work out. Not now." Then, she turned on her heel and walked into Mr. Collins' classroom seconds before the bell rang.

I stood there, not knowing what to do, what to say.

She was my life, had been for the past year and three months. When I first saw her in the distressed state she was in, I knew she was the one for me. I knew that I could connect to her like no one else because she, too, felt pain like I had.

So, I ran. Down the hall and out the front double doors. I didn't stop when I reached my car, I kept running. I ran along the sidewalk, across the streets. I ran for miles, for hours, and due to my football training of four years, I had the endurance to do so. I kept running in a straight line, and by nightfall, I was just inside Alaska's borders and exhausted. I stayed at a hotel that night.

In fact, I skipped school and stayed in that hotel for a week.

Carlisle called and left a voicemail saying that he told the school I had mono and understood if I needed a break. Esme was in the background begging me to come home.

Alice gave me a call and said that I needed to get my ass in gear. She said she's nobody's number one without me around. She missed me, but I ignored her ring tone, and I just listened to her message at a later time.

Edward called saying that I shouldn't risk my future like this, to come home, but I let that go to voicemail also.

Rose called, but I didn't even answer that one. She yelled into the phone, asking why I didn't think of taking her with me. And then, she said, quieter, that she drove my car home and washed it for me.

Then, my one and only called - Bella. Seventeen times. She said she was sorry, but she wasn't going to take back what she said. We couldn't be together. She told me that my family was worried, she was scared for me, and that Jasper was sad that I left, but was happier when she told him why - she dumped me.

Jasper called, too, apologizing for his behavior. He said he was just trying to protect his baby sister and didn't want her to be in a vulnerable position, and that it was stupid to think his best friend could or would ever do that to Bella, and I could understand that. He was the one person I called back.

"Hello?" he answered.

"Hey, Jazz. It's me. I'm sorry. I should've stayed away from Bella, like you told me, from the start."

"Man, it's okay. I forgive you if you forgive me. I was a total ass. Please come home. If not for me, if not for Bella, then for Rose and Esme. You don't know what it's doing to them…"

"I'll think about it," I said, then hung up.

He tried calling back, but to no avail. I did not answer.

I stayed in Alaska for another week, then I finally made my decision.

I was going back home, back to school.

And I was going to completely and utterly ignore Bella Swan for the rest of the year.