Usual Disclaimer applies.

A/N: Sorry for the lack of updates today guys! I got called into work this morning when I wasn't supposed to go until this afternoon. Oh well. This one is a long one anyways ;)

March, 2012

~32~

Dinner with Dad is tough.

When he asks me how my day was and then proceeds to eat in wait for my answer, an answer he is obviously expecting to be generic or normal, I freeze.

I want to unleash all of the stress, all the information and ugliness that I have been carrying for too damn long. I want to share it with Dad. I want him to make it all go away, to make it all better. Hell, I'd been at the point of tears all day, why not break down again now?

But some things aren't my secrets to tell.

Mom… with Carlisle. How do I go about telling Dad that one? The last thing I want to do is hurt him. And that information hurts. It hurts a lot.

And then there is Leah.

Sam and I had talked for over half an hour, discussing details, informing each other on what we knew. I had even missed History class.

Leah came first.

Sam told me that Leah had refused to come to school all of last week and today. And she definitely didn't want to get anyone involved, including teachers and administration at school or the police.

I felt like I knew where she is coming from.

When something happens to you like that, something so horrible that you never want to think about it again, you want to bury it deep inside and pretend like it never happened, then the last choice you will make will be telling someone about it. Furthermore, this town upholds a definite hierarchy, resulting in the East-Enders getting away with everything. So putting yourself out there, confessing something that you can barely even bring yourself to think about, will only get you more hurt.

No one will do anything if Leah or I tell.

Slamming the door shut and dropping his gun belt to floor, Dad slumps down in his recliner.

I know from his behaviour that he has had a bad day.

I grab a cold one from the fridge, and pouring it into a glass with ice, I bring it to him.

"Thanks Sweetie." He says, his voice reflecting the exhaustion he feels.

I sit down on the wide arm of his chair. With one arm wrapped around his shoulder, I lean in and ask him what's wrong.

His usual reply is something like, "Oh, nothing you should worry about" or, "I didn't like some of the decisions made today, that's all."

But this time, this time, he looks me in the eye and gives me a real answer. Maybe it's because I'm older and can understand more or maybe it's because with Mom gone now, we are all each other has left. And we need to learn to trust in and be honest with one another.

"Bella, a couple rich kids got away with assault today in court. They were both twenty-one and assaulted a Native man out at the La Push bar. Because the man they assaulted is a well-known alcoholic, not to mention Native American, no one took any sympathy even though the pair made sure that he will remain deformed for life.

"No matter who you know and don't know, no matter which people you think are good people, and which don't look so good from the outside, you need to always be impartial, always make the decision based on what you believe is right and wrong."

I give him a hug, crushing my face into his chest. "Okay Dad."

After my long minute of contemplation, Dad finally looks up from his meal, surprised that I haven't said anything yet.

"My day? It was fine Dad, just fine."

~SW~

Sitting at my desk overlooking my window, I work on math homework when suddenly my phone starts to buzz.

Flipping it open without checking the caller ID, I am surprised to hear Jasper's voice greeting me.

"Hey, Bella. Umm, you missed history today and we got a major project assigned. Everyone had partnered up…"

Of course.

"So I told Ms. Baragar that I could be your partner. You know, since you weren't there. I…I hope that's okay Bella?" Jasper's voice is soft, questioning, and unsure.

I nod, regardless of Jasper not being able see it. I think I'm agreeing to a lot more than simply his question.

"Yeah, it's fine Jasper. Thanks."

"You're welcome Bella."

"Hey Jasper?"

"Yeah?"

"Weren't you going to have people over tonight? For baseball?

"Oh…right. Umm, it didn't work out tonight apparently."

"Oh. Well, too bad I guess. So want to meet tomorrow? I could come by your place…"

Jasper's voice brightens considerably when he replies with an enthusiastic "Yes!"

I laugh slightly and disconnect.

Only then do I realize I forgot to ask what the damn project is about in the first place.