Challenging Humanity Chapter 3

Bella POV

Like I had agreed with Charlie, everyone will know the truth from the beginning. I am mute and everyone has to deal with it. I am actually excited to see everyone ignore me, at least that is what my friend said they would do in the email. I took my sketchbook to write large notes in markers, carefully separating them. 'Okay, just stay calm,' I prepared myself as I parked my truck in the parking lot.

Without looking around, I walked over to the office, and me being me, tripped on the curb.

Just as I was about to hit the concrete someone grabbed and stopped me from falling. I looked up to see bright blue sees, with a mischief filled smile, looking at me. "Hey I know I'm sexy, but you don't have to throw yourself at me." He responded to my utter shock.

He thinks I am throwing myself at him! Well that is one point to disabled children for respect. Obviously, this guy is full of himself.

I straightened myself up when I felt myself pushed two feet away from strong arms. "Get your grimy hands off my Emmy, he's mine!"

I looked up to see a model like girl looking at intensely me with hatred. Wow, I made an enemy by just falling on a guy. Whatever happened to being ignored? "Spread the word! He is mine!" the blond girl sneered at me as if I had snakes growing out of my head.

'Spread the word' I repeated in my mind, oh wait until I tell Chelsea and the gang about this! I could not hold it in much anymore and started cracking up. I followed Nathan's rule, 'ignore and leave middle of when someone is talking.' I walked the other way, leaving them confused.

While walking toward the office, I could not help but think of the coming day. I could still just leave, go to Charlie, and take up online classes like the ones that he suggested. No one has ever spoken to me that way, not to mention ever something so ridiculous!

I stopped walking for a few minutes to take a few breaths. If I walk away now, I will never be able to prove myself right or wrong. My friends would all match their faces with matching 'I told you so' looks. I needed to be strong, I just started the day, and I can not quit when the game has not even started yet. No. I needed to do this, if I back out now, I will not have enough courage to repeat this step again.

I felt flames of determination shoot through my veins as I entered the front office.

The secretary looked up at me as I handed Charlie's note to her.

"Oh, Isabella Swan, of course, we were all expecting you. The teachers know about, um, your problem." She said looking embarrass...

I nodded reassuringly, "This is your schedule, if you need someone to show you around I could send someone with you."

I shook my head before she finished. I opened my notebook and wrote, "It's fine." I turned to leave.

The school was anyway the same size as my old school, with the same number of students.

I turned to building eight when a blonde guy with a baby like face came up to me. "Hi, I'm Mike, aren't you the girl who fell for Emmett?" I could feel my mouth open and a deep blush in my cheeks. Can these kids be any vainer? Wow! Not to mention gossipy, I haven't even entered the classroom yet! Another point to disable. This will be along list to remember, I had better write it down. I obeyed Nathan's rule again and ignored Mike walking into the classroom.

The teacher was talking to some students when I entered. When he turned, I walked over to him with my schedule; he looked at it, and nodded toward his class. "Class this is our new student, Isabella Swan." I grimaced at my full name. "Please take a seat," he pointed to one of the empty seats.

I walked down the aisle, tripping twice, but not falling. I had just sat down when a strawberry-blond-haired person's hand came up. "Sir, isn't she going to introduce herself?" she smiled evilly at me. I knew she did not know what my disability was, obviously the girl was embarrassing a new student, one more point to disable. I smiled internally and stood up, composing myself before the teacher answered for me, I walked slowly toward the board while the teacher threw me an apologetic expression. I took the erasable marker and wrote in capital letters. "I AM MUTE." Let the reality begin I thought. From across the class I heard gasps. I grinned at everyone; their gasps were victories of applause.

Alice POV

I heard from Tyler, who heard from Jessica, who heard from Mike, who Emmett told, that the new girl threw herself at Emmett. I grimaced at the words. I was making plans to be friends with her and here she turned into clone of Jessica too, but what really was confusing was that when Rose got possessive and that the new girl started to laugh silently and left for the office. Rose just got more pissed for being ignored. I really was not expecting chief Swan's daughter to be like Jessica, Tanya, or Lauren.

They are the cheerleaders of the school and all three are always hitting on Edward and Emmett. Good thing Jasper is Rosalie's brother. The three witches hate Rosalie for 'stealing our Emmett' as they put it and Jasper for siding with Rosalie. That left Jasper all for me! I smiled at my wonderful luck.

Now, all three of the crazy lunatic girls were after Edward. It is a good thing mom is strict on him or else he would turn like Emmett.

Just like me, Edward did not like fact girls. I rather have selfish, rude Rosalie over Tanya, Jessica, and Lauren any time. Unlike them, Rosalie is at least sincere and faithful.

I waited in the cafeteria for my two brothers and boyfriend to come up. My luck is definitely good. If Jasper and my brothers weren't good friends, they would never approve of me having a boyfriend.

I saw the cafeteria room open, Edward, Emmett and Rosalie by Jasper's side. Jazz's eyes found mine and I could feel my smile getting bigger.

"Hey baby," I felt his hands wrap around me and I kissed his cheeks. Emmett and Rosalie just rolled their eyes while taking their seats. Right behind them, were Angela and her huge crush Ben. No matter how much I told her Ben like her, she never believed me, but it is cute how they both crush on each other.

"Did you know the new girl is completely into me?" Emmett suddenly started bragging while Edward and I rolled our eyes. However, Angela looked livid and Ben kept on shooting glances toward her.

As if on cue, a brunette girl opened the cafeteria doors. She moved slower than others, keeping her head down and hiding behind her straight hair. She is actually cute, I thought. Her shyness is definitely sweet. She walked over to get her lunch, but ended up stepping on her own foot, grabbing the lunch rail for support. I could hear chuckles around our table. The girl finally balanced herself and began paying for her lunch. When she turned to find a table, she tripped again, but composed herself. She did not glance towards anyone. Her walked slowly to the empty lunch table in the corner and sat down.

"Man, she's a klutz, I'll call her over here, and she'll fall on me again." Emmett snickered at his own joke.

Angela and Ben's looks masked disgust.

"Whatever Emmy, she's just a slut."

At that word all of our heads turned towards Rosalie. I don't care that she is rude to the other school bitches, but Rosalie did not have to say that about the new girl. I glanced at Edward whose expression agreed with me, we were just about to tell her off when Angela smashed her fists on the lunch table.

"You know what Rosalie; you're the most disgusting person I have ever met! I wish I was never your friend to begin with!" her voice was the angriest voice I have ever heard. Angela and Rosalie's words were said in a range that the entire cafeteria could hear.

Angela grabbed her stuff and made her way toward the table where the new girl was sitting, her head down, looking at her untouched lunch tray.

Ben grabbed his stuff too, "You guys are disgusting! Popularity has finally screwed up you guys." He looks in rage while walking after Angela.

"What's their problem?" Rosalie screeched, for the first time I saw her shocked by someone who told her off.

"Oh my god, can you believe Angela! Taking sides with her..." Tanya screeched running toward Rosalie as if they were best friends. "And to think, going against you!"

"I know! Can you believe her?" Rosalie ran her hands on Emmett's hair.

"Just for a Mute!" Tanya finished with a smirk.

All of our heads turned toward her. Mute! As in she could not talk!

"Mute," Rosalie whispered while all of us were stiffening from the shock.

"Yeah, she's a mute! I asked her to introduce herself since the teacher only told her name in front of the class today, and guess what? She actually wrote on the board she's mute!" she started laughing.

I felt so mad; I just wanted to hit her. How is this funny? It is horrible! I turned towards Rosalie who had a face on that seemed like someone slapped it. Emmett looked scared while Edward expression looked mad. Both Edward and I stood up from our chairs at the same time when I saw Angela and Ben throw their hands around the new girl and take her out of the cafeteria. I wanted to go after them so badly; I turned to look at Edward in the same predicament.

Esme POV

Hmm, am I forgetting something? I asked myself as I looked down at my cooking material list. Nope, got everything. I started to turn to my cart when I saw Chief Swan pulling his cart toward the frozen meat section.

"Hey Charlie!" I called waving my hands. He suddenly turned dumbfounded and blushes when he sees me.

I laughed involuntary; obviously, it was embarrassing to be shopping for food for a police officer. "Hey Mrs. Cullen, how are you this afternoon?" He asked awkwardly.

I started laughing out loud "You sound like I caught you stealing chief." I teased him.

He grumbled in return. "What brings you to the grocery store? Last time I heard you almost burned the stove when making soup!" How he ever did that, no one could figure out.

"I wasn't making soup, it was stew!" he defended himself, I only laughed louder.

"Well anyway what brings you here; you know I could always cook! How long can a person last on can food?" I planted my hands on my hips.

He shook his head while reading the green bean labels. "You tell me, your husband is the doctor."

"You know if I didn't know any better I would think you're trying to shoo me away!" I narrowed my eyes.

He smiled at me, "I won't if you don't tell anyone you saw me here and how to make an Italian dish."

I smiled back in return, "Don't worry I don't gossip like Mrs. Stanley!" I shook my head at the thought of Jessica's mother. "And if I told you how to make Italian, you would end up burning it. No offence. How about I make it and drop it off." I started mentally making a list of lasagna.

"Well I wanted to make it myself." He turned to the cans again, not meeting my eyes.

I smiled putting his situation together. "Oh, is this for a special person?"

He turned and grinned the biggest smile I had seen yet. "Bella is here, after so many years! I want to do something special for her."

I mentally "awed." I remember the little girl with red cheeks, she was mute and after divorce Charlie's wife took her. "Your daughter! Wow Charlie, this is special. I am so happy. You have to bring her for me to meet. The last time I saw her was in Carlisle's office when she was scared to get a vaccine for chicken pox!"

Charlie started to laugh and nodded his head. After a few seconds, he got quiet. "I don't think it will be good for her to socialize yet. You know her..." I nodded my head before he finished. "She had many friends back in Phoenix, but that was because of her school." I nodded again remembering the disable school Renee applied for as a teacher. "I just think it might be too soon for her to be around...you know."

I nodded my head smiling. "I understand Charlie, I apologize for being so fast, you take your time, and I'll drop off an Italian dish at your station."

His eyes went wide, "Are you crazy? If you do and the smell of your food gets out, that dish will be finished even before I see it. Drop it off at home; Bella's going to come home after school anyway."

I felt myself frown, "School?"

"Oh yeah, she was stubborn and adamant to join the school here, I told her it wouldn't be a good idea, but she said she wanted to explore being normal...I don't know how to explain to her that she is too special for normal!" he seemed in confusion and hurt.

I understood his predicament, but she is too young to understand. "She has to be the one to explore that truth Charlie. You cannot keep her separate from the other world. If she gets hurt, you will be there to make her stand, but right now let her walk."

"But what if she gets discourage by this?" I cut him off.

"Then all of us will help, but let her do it this time. Let her at least try to see it herself that 'the thing that doesn't kill only makes you stronger.'" I quoted well-known words of Frederick Nietzsche.

He grinned back; suddenly his walkie-talkie went off. "Chief Swan this is Chief Johnson, I repeat Chief Johnson, is Chief Swan in?"

Charlie gave me an apologetic glance before unhooking it from his belt. "Chief Swan here, I repeat Chief Swan here." He responded in his cop voice.

"Chief Swan, there is a phone call from your daughter's school. She has left the school premises without permission. I repeat she has left Forks High school." Johnson's voice caught my attention.

Charlie's face went pale. "I'm coming." He finished while pushing his cart away, running down the aisle.

"Wait Charlie," I called after him. "I'll come with you." All my kids went to the same school, they would know what happened, and as far as I knew, Charlie did not understand sign language.

I took out my cell to inform Carlisle and Charlie was already in his cruiser by the time I left a message to the reception. I drove right behind him, reaching the parking lot at the same time. Both Charlie and I stepped out of our cars when we saw three kids approaching. However, the figure I did not recognize made me shock out of my mind.

A beautiful girl, with long shiny brunette hair and dark brown eyes just like Charlie's, with a deep crimson blush and tears running down her cheeks, was approaching Charlie with Angela Webber and Ben Cheney huddled together.

"Honey, are you okay?" Charlie worried voice reminded me of Carlisle's voice for Alice.

Instead of answering, she just looked to the ground. Poor thing, couldn't even talk. I approached her instead. "Honey, I can speak sign language, I'm here, don't worry, just tell me."

She looked up from her wet eyelashes, my heart went out for the poor thing, and she started signing very quickly. "It was a mistake to come here. I proved my point, the world is evil, I rather be disabled for life than normal. I will do home schooling, I just want to stay with Charlie. I hate every ...normal...human...being..." she just sobbed at the end.

I didn't realize when I grabbed and hugged her, giving her full permission to let it all out. I felt the memories of the past envelope me, but I still held her firm. I looked up to see Edward and Alice chasing after Angela and Ben. Charlie was still starring at Bella helplessly; I motioned for him to leave. I knew Charlie wouldn't understand a girl's point of view and she needed a woman right now. He nodded without speaking, but his steps were fighting to run and hold his daughter. Bella started to move her hands again signing.

"I might be a disabled mute! But I am not an S-L-U-T!" At first, I did not understand the spelling of the last word, but when I looked at her figures moving, adding each letter to spell the word she was trying to sign. I couldn't help, but gasp in realization; did she just sign what I think she did? Oh god, I hugged her even tighter, stopping her wrists making her unable to sign again.

"No, No you're not honey, never!" How can life be so cruel! "Come on. Let's go." I couldn't leave her, she needed my help, the poor thing, and I saw my twin kids starring at me with fascination. I decided both of their presences would help Bella calm down. "Alice, Edward, how about you help Bella inside the car, while I go to speak to..." I was cut off when Bella glared Edward and Alice down. Automatically both Edward and Alice took a step behind. Alice looked like she was going to start crying and Edward looked frozen in mid-step. At that moment, I knew this situation had to do with my kids. I looked at them with disapproval as I touched Bella's arm to move her toward my car. Looking over my shoulder, I told my kids my decision, "I will see all of you after seven, and not a minute before do you even think about coming into the house." I knew my voice sounded sneer, but if they were the unknown reason Bella is crying, then they completely deserve it. Suddenly I realized, I had just told my kids off for a complete stranger, but I felt a thug in my heart telling me what I was doing is completely right. I sat in the car with Bella and drifted away.