Chapter 22

The first thing I noticed were the signs. I followed out Molina, the burnouts, sociopaths and other dregs of Forks High to find a protest of three. Baseball Boy and his sister held Free Bella signs that featured unflattering stick figures of me. It was the giant's sign that was truly special.

In crooked block letters he wrote, Caged Swans Cannot Fly Free. Under it was a misshapen blob with eyeballs. I guessed that was the swan. It was strangely creative. Perhaps I underestimated him?

Then he opened that giant mouth of his. "Hey jail bait! How ya doin', little girl?"

I was going to kill him. Then follow with the murders of Baseball Boy and Alice. I would miss the kid's lips, but it must be done.

"What the Hello Dolly are you doing, kid?" I grabbed Baseball Boy's arm.

Alice squealed, "You like Hello Dolly, Bella? They're doing it for the spring drama production! Will you tryout with me?"

"No." I wrinkled my nose and pulled away from the kid quickly. He was eyeing my nostrils and licking his lips. "I need to reprimand your brother, Tiny Dancer."

Baseball Boy was at that moment was being yelled at by Mr. Molina.

"I can't dance, Bella!" Alice exclaimed. She couldn't stop talking. "Do you mean like the Elton John song?"

Kill me now. "Molina has a vein popping out of his forehead. I should help the kid..."

She continued on, ignoring me, "You could call me by my name."

"Not gonna do it." I watched as Molina started shaking his stubby finger in the poor kid's face. It was kind of sweet of the kid to try to defend me. Not that I would ever admit it. I wouldn't even admit it in a court of law. "Listen, Molina is..."

"So you know Jasper?"

"Who?" I looked at Alice and she pointed to the blond Bob Marley wannabe. "You mean Cheech?"

"Isn't he dreamy?" She swooned. I gagged. "Can you introduce us?"

"Do I look like Yente from Fiddler on the Roof? If you start singing that matchmaker song, I will gag you with my hoodie. It has many magical uses."

"You do like musical theater!"

I grabbed her arm and dragged her over to my stoner buddy. "Hey you. This is Alice. Be nice and don't get her high. I kicked James Taylor's ass. Twice. Don't mess with me."

Kate giggled like a loon and grinned at me. I think I have an admirer.

I stomped over to Molina. "Teach, he's exercising his freedom do speech."

"Miss Swan, I'm about to give you all detention for the rest of the year!" The man's bald spot was bright red. It was like a ripe tomato.

"Rick? Why the hell are you yelling at my kid?" Chief Charlie to the rescue.

"Daddy, he's mean." I wrapped my arms around my father's waist. Dad looked scared and Edward looked jealous. "I had detention. Ground me."

"Sir, your daughter had been fairly accosted by James. She defended herself and was unfairly punished," The kid pulled me away from my father and hugged me tightly. "She should be heralded for her bravery."

"When did you learn big words, kid?" I asked aloud. I turned to Chief Charlie and added, "I kicked James Taylor in the baby maker."

"That's my girl!" Chief Charlie cheered. "Wait...you kicked my favorite singer in the groin?"

Serenity now.