Challenging Humanity Chapter 4

Edward POV (from the beginning of the day)

I woke up to the sound of my sister's voice yelling around six in the morning. She was screaming at Emmett again to wake up and shower quickly and if he didn't take the shower now, he would end up getting cold shower. The great Alice likes to hog all the hot water, so we are all on schedule showers. I would purposely go last, but it was a good compromise; I get to sleep in, and I didn't mind cold showers after 17 years of living with Alice, but right now I couldn't sleep because of the shrilling shouts.

I grabbed the pillow underneath my head and brought it in front of my face, wrapping it around to reach my ears in hopes of silencing the screams.

No such luck, how could someone so small be so annoying? I groaned when I heard Emmett yelling back at her. Can my morning be any worse?

After an hour, I finally selected my shirt to wear and went downstairs. My family was in kitchen, eating breakfast. Emmett was glaring at Alice like every morning for waking him up early and Alice was doing a great job of ignoring him. She is always the perkiest in the morning, actually anytime of the day. She animatedly conversed with mom about new clothes while mom cooked pancakes. My dad had his morning coffee in his hand and newspaper in the other.

I walked up to the table, where he would notice me. He smiled and put his coffee down. "Hey Edward, did you have a chance to read the newspaper? Apparently you made the headlines!" he said proudly.

I took the paper, to see it for myself. "THE YOUNGEST FOOTBALL PLAYER HAS TOUCH DOWN AGAIN!" and printed on the side was a picture of me from the yearbook. I was happy, but the whole article was about me. The game on Friday was a whole team effort, not just me. This is exactly what created the heated arguments in the locker rooms. I shook my head and threw the paper on the table. Everyone turned to look at me, "What? It was the whole team that won, not just me!" I could sense my rage grow, I don't deserve everyone's compliments, it wasn't just me who ran on the field!

Emmett started to shake his head in denial, "Little bro, you pumped most of the team. Your speed is what kept us ahead of the opposing team."

I wanted to smash his head in two, how could he give me all the credit. It was the same arguments we had after every game. This time, Alice ended our argument before it went too far. "Okay you guys, calm down. Emmett there is no "I" in team and Edward, you helped the team more than others. There, now let's go before we get late." She grabbed Emmett's and mine arms while pulling us toward the door. I heard Emmett sigh of defeat; no one could argue with Alice.

I drove my favorite possession, my Volvo, at the fastest speed possible. I loved to drive fast and would do it all day long if I could. Alice called the shotgun causing both and Emmett and I to groan. She had the most chick-like taste in music than any girl I knew. We ended up listening to 'Barbie girl,' which added the cherry to the top of the horrible morning. I mentally reminded myself to start bringing earplugs.

I parked my baby by Rosalie's BMW. Rosalie and Jasper were sitting inside waiting for us like always and Alice jumped out before I even parked properly. I rolled my eyes; as much as I liked Jasper, I didn't like him with my sister. It's clique to say my brotherly instincts kicked in, but the only reason I didn't say anything is because Alice is never as happy as she is when she is with Jasper.

I climbed out after Alice, "Hey man" Jasper waved his hand, while Alice ran to hug him.

"Hey" I replied back, walking over to the gym lockers. I just didn't want to see both of them making out, I didn't have enough patience for that.

While I was walking in the gym, Tyler caught up to me. "Edward, hey did you see the paper?" he asked as he slapped my shoulders playfully.

I resisted the urge to hit him. "It was a team effort," I gritted my teeth.

"Yeah, tell that to the team members." He laughed with a smirk. I knew what that meant. Newton and his posies would provoke coach to get me in trouble. Ever since I joined the team, there was an argument everyday in the boys locker room. Tyler didn't take sides; he just humored himself by watching Newton's performance.

Mike Newton, the ultimate piece of trash in the world. He is not only a scumbag, but also a pervert. He doesn't have any respect for any girl and uses her only for one-night stands. If that's not enough, he talks about them to every other guy. The first time I had met him, he didn't know Alice was my sister. He made the mistake of talking about my sister's looks. Needless to say, that the same day he met my dad… as one of his patients.

The principal had called my mom on the first day of school, informing her why I was getting suspended for a day and detention for two weeks.

*flashback*

Emmett, Alice and I walked into Forks High School on our first day of school. Everyone was starring at us like we were the first humans to enter a planet. All the girls were fluttering their eyelashes at Emmett and me while the guys checked out Alice in a perverted way. Emmett and I both felt we would have problems with the guys at this school.

We all had different classes for our first period. When I went to world geography, the teacher asked me to introduce myself. I wasn't easily embarrassed in public and very confident in speeches because of my mom's tendency to introduce us in her little ladies parties.

"My name is Edward Cullen, I moved here from Chicago, Illinois because my dad was offered a job as a doctor here and he accepted." I said in a confident voice. I could sense the surprise in everyone on my confidence. I smiled in victory, receiving flirty looks of girls.

'This will be interesting class,' I thought as the teacher, whose name I have already forgotten, told me where to sit. Five minutes after he started the lecture, the door opened—successfully interrupting the class—as a blond, spike haired guy walked arrogantly to his seat as if he was the king of the school.

"Mr. Newton, it is the first day of school! See me after class." The teacher glared at him for a moment before going back to his lesson.

After the period ended, my schedule directed me to gym. It made me shake my head in despair; apparently, I had to take gym all four years. As I made my way to the gym, I walked past what looked like lockers when suddenly I felt something touched my shoulder. I turned around to find myself starring at a blond hair girl wearing a short skirt and small shirt that was showing her cleavage. Her eyes were twitching as if she had something in them.

"Hey, I'm Jessica Stanley, you're new here, right? I could show you around." I felt her arms tightened around my shoulder. I shook my shoulders, pretending to change positions of my backpack, inconspicuously shaking her hands off. She was actually making me very uncomfortable.

"Um, that's okay, I can find my own way…" I said trying to remain a gentleman.

"Oh, are we shy? Don't worry, I won't tell anyone." She said in a, supposedly, flirty voice as she came closer while I took a step back.

"Jess!" I heard a shrilly, husky sound some where from behind and I turned around to find another blond girl, with clench fists glaring at Jessica.

"Um..oh…hey..Tanya. I was just asking Edward if he needed any help…" Jessica stuttered looking scared.

"He doesn't need your help!" she sneered then turned to me, plucking her lips. "I could help him." She pushed her chest out a little while walking closer toward me.

…Awkward, I thought. I heard the bell ring and didn't realize I was holding my breath until I let it out in relief. "Saved by the bell," I thought.

"Actually I'll find the way myself, thanks anyways." I escaped my way through the crazy girls.

I went into the gym. The word small was an understatement, in Chicago gym was three times in it size. I went directly to the coach to have him sign my sheet. He took a look at me and nodded his head. "There are basketball try-outs after school. If you're interested, it will be right here," he said while signing.

I nodded my head and went to the bleachers. I knew Emmett would make me try out, like he did in Chicago. Maybe it might be fun since there aren't many people here.

"Hey, I saw you met, Jess and Tanya. They're beauties, aren't they?" I turned to see the same blond guy from first period talking to me.

I shrugged my shoulders nonchalantly, I don't know where he was going with this, but I knew it wouldn't be a good direction.

"Those two are really fun, I mean they could go on all night…you know what I mean." He smirked and winked at me.

I could feel myself stiffen. What a pervert! "Whatever," I clenched my jaw trying not to say anything else.

"Yeah, but now I heard, there is a new a addition. You know the new girl with black spiky hair. Man I can't wait to try her!"

My patience exploded! He better not be talking about my sister! I didn't realize when my fist came in contact with his face, but I felt proud when I saw him bounce off the bleachers like a basketball while clutching his bleeding nose. "That's my sister! Stay away from her!" I sneered murderously.

By now everyone had come to his rescue. "Edward Cullen! Principal's office! Now!" the coach bellowed towards me. Crap! I thought. There goes my weekend. My parents will kill me! When I saw Newton trying to stand up, I couldn't help but laugh as he wobbled on his legs like a chicken.

I walked away ignoring the crowd, I couldn't careless of what others thought and said. Just as I walked inside the office, the secretary shook her head in disapproval and pointed toward the principal's room. 'Man, the word travels fast at this school,' I thought.

I knew I should feel uncomfortable or uneasy having to face the principal for the first time, especially for hitting someone on the first day of school. However, I felt too good to feel negative even though Iknew I would get hell for this at home.

I took a seat while the principal gave me looks resembling the secretary's. "Mr. Cullen, you're a freshman in a new school and the first day, you decided to practice violence! Are you trying to make an image of yourself? Taking out your frustration to move to a new school? Well what do you have to say for yourself young man!" he kept up his accusations while I looked at my shoes. Better he lets out his anger now then when I start speaking.

He moved his hands toward the phone, "I'm afraid I will have to call your parents." I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath. I was afraid of that.

My dad's cell was off and he was busy, but the old man left a menacing message explaining part of what happened at school. Then he called my mom, asking her to come and get me.

My mom entered the office after a few minutes, looking concerned and worried, "Edward is everything okay? What happened?" she took a seat next to me.

The principal interrupted her concern, "Well, Mr. Cullen here punched a student." He gave me a pointed look, continuing, "There is a no violence policy we strictly follow, and specially a bad impression on the first day of school." My mom's face turned into a glare by the time he was done. I didn't dare look up.

"Well I am sorry on his behalf, I will make sure this won't happen again." She just stood up to leave. "Let's go Edward." I nodded standing up.

The decrepit, old man interrupted, "He is also getting suspended for one day, and two weeks of detention."

There goes my record, I wanted to groan, but just kept my eyes downward. I didn't say anything all through the ride home; I just went to my room, grounding myself before mom had to do it. I knew she would call my dad anyway and it was better to deal with both of them at once.

I didn't know I had dozed off until I heard a knock on my door. When it opened, I saw my dad with his arms folded across his chest and standing with a stern face.

I heaved a sigh while sitting on my bed, looking at the blanket wrapped on my legs. I resisted the urge to squirm. Usually if I did something wrong, I squirmed the whole time under his gaze, but I felt nothing I did nothing bad by hitting a pervert, especially one that was eyeing my sister.

"So Edward," he started "I would have to thank you for sending me my first patient, Mr. Mike Newton, in tears with a bloody nose!" he glared.

I bit the inside of my cheek to keep my laugh bottled up. The big baby, he couldn't even handle a nosebleed! Well, it was probably more that a nosebleed, I did hit him kind of hard. I tilted my face down so Carlisle wouldn't see the smirk that was fighting to appear.

"Edward! It is the first day of school! You have never hit anyone in your entire life, besides Emmett for fun, but you started now, what is going on? This will not be acceptable, not ever. Your attitude started today and will end today too, your grounded for a month, no arguments, I am not going to deal with your rebellious actions, plus, you ruining your school record even before it started is also unacceptable." He took a deep breathe while pinching the bridge of his nose.

I wanted to protest so badly, but I held myself together. If I say anything now, he would double my punishment. I just nodded my head, mentally making note of explaining everything to mom tomorrow; tonight dad was too mad to listen to hear my side.

"Good, since you are suspended tomorrow, you could help your mother with all the boxes. You will not get help from Emmett or Alice, understood." I guess my punishment wasn't over.

I nodded again, never looking up. Crap! The boxes were heavy, Emmett helped with all the packing while Alice easily could tell where each box went. Tomorrow would be a long day.

"You will also clean your record that you messed up, I don't care what it takes, I want your record the it was. Taking community service or sports, I don't care, you will do it." He ordered, ignoring my nods.

"Yes, sir," I answered. That was not an option. I would have to do them; I didn't want to ruin my record. I would have to join the team. I just hope the coach would let me still try out, maybe I could talk to him one on one.

Carlisle gave out a sigh, "This is not over Edward; we will be talking about this some more. Come down for dinner, this talk will continue tomorrow." He walked out.

I let out a breathe of relief. I could live through tonight.

Next Morning

Last night was horrible; Alice kept glaring at me for not telling her why I'm suspended while Emmett was telling how someone hit Mike Newton. Those two idiots didn't make the leap of me hitting him. I guess that was expected, since I have never hit anyone before in my life and was always a good student. When they both left for school, they were still glaring until the door closed this morning.

"Okay take all these boxes to Emmett's room, and these on the left are the living room things." Esme ordered pointing to each of the boxes.

Not moving I turned my pleading eyes toward her. "May I say something, please…" I pleaded.

I heard Carlisle come downstairs, joining us too.

Esme nodded, "I was expecting an explanation." She waved her hand telling me to continue.

By now I had Carlisle's attention too. I took a deep breath, "Okay, what I did, I knew it was wrong. Although, if I had to repeat…I would!" I stopped and looked at their shock face before continuing. "What I'm trying to say is, for every coin, there are two sides…all you saw was tails. Yes, I did hit Newton" I sneered his name, but continued without hesitation, "but it was his fault. He said something that he shouldn't have. If he says it again, then I hope he has medical insurance." I clenched my teeth and kicked my shoe.

"Edward…" Esme's voice was full sympathy, "was it something about us?"

I shook my head, taking slow breaths. "Worst," I said above a whisper.

"Whatever he said, I don't care, you shouldn't let it effect you," Carlisle spoke loudly.

"It does effect me as a brother! If that was the case maybe you should have sent me to all boys school or something." I wanted to scream, but my voice didn't have permission to be raised in front of my dad, so I just used my normal voice.

"What did he say?" my mom repeated.

I sighed in defeat, slumping on the chair of the dinner table. I placed my head in between my hands. "He said he would like to try Alice out since he already tried out every other girl in his bed." I mumbled keeping my eyes shut.

I felt my mom massaging my stiffened shoulders. I slowly opened my eyes to find my mom's comfortable sight and my dad fighting back a smile.

Flashback over

I walked over to my locker, chuckling softly. My dad just grounded me for a week instead of a month, but it didn't make a difference because the whole week both of my siblings helped me unpack. After I told them what happened, Emmett was proud, but wanted another round with Newton and Alice was mad, because she thought she could take care of herself; she took martial arts when she was little. That didn't mean I couldn't protect her, she got even madder when dad sided with me and accused him of stating "double standards." That accusation went out the window the minute dad gave her, his credit card. I knew he just didn't want Alice to start crying; however, Esme got frustrated then saying, dad was bribing her daughter. Emmett and I laughed when dad promised her a special dinner out of town the coming month.

My dad still disagreed with me for messing my record, but I knew he was proud I looked out for Alice. My mom called the principal that same day and stirred quite a fire and the school board all agreed my mom. Apparently Mike Newton was a troublemaker. I still had to serve detention, but now it wouldn't go on my permanent record. I still decided to try out for basketball.

The coach first objected saying he didn't want any fighting in his team, but after I ran a couple of miles, he was sold out. Apparently I broke the record of being the fastest runner in the team. I became my coaches' favorite soon after my first game, creating jealousy for Mike Newton.

Mike always tried to provoke me into hitting him in front of the coach to get me kicked out, but ever since Emmett joined the team, Newton kept his mouth shut.

Once Jasper moved into town, Emmett and I convinced him into the team. Alice began to come in often to watch all of us play, worming into the coach's good side, being the only girl there. She pretty much yelled she's in love with Jasper and after that even the coach warned Mike, that if he creates any problems with Jasper or me he would kick him off the team in a second without listening a word he says. Since then Mike just holds a grudge on me for everything bad that happened to him.

I entered the class, getting mobbed by Tanya, Jessica and Lauren. "Oh Eddie.." I cringed from the name they called me. "You were so, like, great last night." Tanya squeaked loudly in my ears.

"Ladies! Please go to your class" Mr. Johnson yelled to the cheerleaders. He didn't like loud noises in the morning. I didn't blame him, their voices were enough to make your ears bleed. "Mr. Cullen, take your seat please." I nodded sitting down while the cheerleaders glared at the English teacher for throwing them out.

Jasper entered right before the bell rang. Taking his seat next to me. "Alice is excited today, there is a new girl coming today. She's hoping to get another shopping buddy." Jasper smirked toward me.

I rolled my eyes, "Poor girl," I sympathized while Jasper snickered. We both know how crazy Alice gets when shopping.

In my next class Emmett joined me. "Hey, man, did you hear? The new girl completely fell into me!" he chuckled. I raised my eyebrow, the new girl did what? "Yep, Rose got possessive and you should have heard how she called me hers," He bragged.

I shook my head and went back concentrating on what the teachers were saying. Emmett was sometimes too crazy to be listened to.

Lunch Time

Jasper, Emmett, Rose, and I walked toward the cafeteria with the cheerleaders following behind me. They didn't dare walk near Emmett; Rose was a fighter, she took self- defense classes couple of years ago and would go off on them the minute a fingernail touches Emmett.

I sat at our table, ignoring Emmett and Alice and their lovers. When Ben and Angela joined us, Emmett started bragging again about the new girl falling on him. At the same time I saw the cafeteria doors open.

A beautiful girl with long brunette hair walked slowly toward the lunch line. I couldn't take my eyes off her, she kept on tripping on her own foot but she balanced herself. I wish I could see her eyes, but she kept looking at the floor. I would hear the chuckles around the table, and I couldn't help but feel protective of her. I wish I could help balance her, wrapping my arms around her slim wrist. Her tries to balance were so endearing. My concentration was broken when I heard Rosalie call her a slut. I could feel my rage coming on, Rosalie didn't even know her and I was about to tell her off when Angela already said what I wanted to say.

I have never seen Rosalie so shocked, but she deserved it. I saw Angela and Ben get up after sneering at us, and walked toward the table the new girl was sitting at. I felt the urge to go with them, just then I heard a screech from Tanya, who was running up to us.

"Oh my god, can you believe Angela! Taking sides with her..." Tanya screeched running our table and looking at Rosalie while winking at me. "And to think, going against you!"

"I know! Can you believe her?" Rosalie was running her hands though Emmett's hair, but I knew it was a way to make Tanya believe she didn't care what just happened; however, Rosalie really did liked Angela and her words effected her more than she led on.

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

All of our heads turned toward her. Mute! Did Tanya just say she was mute?

"Mute" Rosalie whispered I stiffened.

"Yeah, she's a mute! I asked her to introduce herself since only the teacher 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 didn't see or focus on anything. The new girl is mute! I could shock waves coming on me. I saw Alice's face in same shock. Rosalie looked speechless. My rage returned toward Tanya, how is this funny? I didn't notice Angela and Ben leaving the cafeteria side-by-side with the new girl. I wanted to follow her. I couldn't take it; I jumped from my seat causing my chair to hit the floor.

"What the heck Tanya! She is a mute! How is that funny?" Just as she was about to say something I cut her off, "You know what? I don't care!" I shouted. I grabbed my bag and made a run toward the doors. Alice was right next to me; I could feel she was on the verge to cry.

I reached Ben and Angela when I saw my mom, walking toward the brunette girl. I froze when I saw the girl moving her hands really fast. Esme moved her hands too and hugged her fiercely repeating "No, never" I was mesmerized. I never knew Esme could understand sign language. The way both their hands moved, reminded me of origami. The girl kept on sobbing on Esme's shoulder, "Come on, let's go" she said quietly to the girl. She finally noticed us standing. "Alice, Edward how about you help Bella inside the car, while I go to speak to…" the sobbing girl looked up then at us. Not even looked, it was more like a deadly glare, the saying "if looks could kill," has never been truer.

I don't know why, but I felt thorns in my skin through her glares. No one had ever affected me this way before. I met her angry filled chocolate, brown deep eyes and took an involuntary step back. I realized that she is mad at me! No girl has ever looked at me this way; I wish I could remove her anger. Esme was saying something that I didn't catch. I just starred into her eyes, watching her tears nearing to spill behind her anger. Her cheeks were bright red, reminding me of cherries. Those features of her face were the most beautiful sites I had ever seen. The girl suddenly started to walk away with Esme. I tried to follow them when I felt a familiar hand restrain my moves. I turned around to find my twin in tears.

My brotherly instincts kicked in, "What's wrong?" I moved my arms around her.

"Mom is so mad, I can't believe Rosalie and Tanya, she's mute! Mute! Edward!" Alice sobbed on my shoulder.

Reality suddenly sunk in, everything that happened from lunch to now, recapped in my head.

"Let's go home," I decided. I didn't feel like facing the stupid situation.

Alice shook her head "We can't, didn't you hear what mom said? Not to dare come before seven!" I frowned, when did she say that? Alice continued, "Didn't you notice? We're so going to get hell for this. She must be the chief Swan daughter that was supposed to join. Didn't you see Chief Swan behind Mom?" I shook my head.

How could I miss so much? I was standing right here. I heard the bell ring in the school building.

"Come on, you'll get late," Alice pushed me inside. However my mind kept wondering if I was in my senses or not?

A/N okay guys. All these chapters are now edited. I am working on chapter 5 now. I will have it done hopefully in a week. Thank you all for reading the unedited chapter 4 and ignoring the errors but now all chapters will be hopefully error free. Just heads up, the first chapter is edited by another Beta while 2-4 chapters by Girlwithoutaname. Chapter one beta was hayleyhoo.! So thanks to both my story is ready to continue. I hope to make this story to the good completed twilight fiction group. Hopefully even 1000 reviews but that is up to all of you who read it. I love you all!