"Because my father will sue the school if you do this." I say with unease.

"Sue the school?" Becker scoffs. "For what? Disciplining his wayward child?"

"My father doesn't believe in letting other people hit his children, Mr. Becker."

"So your father doesn't believe in giving a few deserved smacks?"

"He does, but unfortunately, he likes to do the smacking himself." I mumble. Becker rolls his eyes and snatches up the paddle.

"Get up here, Cullen."

"Carlisle is going to be very upset, Mr. Becker. He is very well known and respected in this town." I add on quickly, grasping at every tiny chance that I may get out of this. "It sure would be a shame if he spread a bad word about your school."

"Cullen." He grumbles, but I can see he's starting to doubt himself. I go in for the kill.

"It'd be a real shame if the best doctor in town was, you known, preoccupied if you or your family needed medical attention."

He clenches his teeth and sets the paddle on the desk. He eyes me like I'm a complete disgust to him, and I try not to smirk back. I've got him now.

"Excuse me, Mr. Kally sent me down to ask for a few extra copies of our literature text book." The familiar, and usually annoying, voice of my brother speaks from the other room.

"Let me check in the back room and I'll see if we have any left." The secretary responds.

"Thank you, ma'am." He says like his usual kiss ass self. The sound of his footsteps come closer to the principal's door, and stops right by the wall. He must be looking at the bulletin board there.

Becker smirks at me and tells me to stay put. He flings open his office door, then slams it shut before he starts interrogating Edward.

"Edward Cullen, tell me, who is the disciplinarian in your home?"

"The majority of the time my father fills that roll, sir. Every now and again my mother takes on the task." Edward says politely. "Why do you ask?"

"How are you Cullen boys punished?"

"Mr. Becker, I don't understand your intent with these-"

"Just answer my question, Cullen!" Becker scolds firmly.

"Yes sir. We get our hides tanned if we misbehave."

"What does your father think of our schools punishment policy?"

"Am I in trouble, Mr. Becker?" Edward asks innocently even though he must know that I'm the one in trouble from reading our minds. I gotta hand it to him, the kid is a good actor.

"No, but you will be if you don't answer my question!"

"My father is not fond of the school's paddling policy. He doesn't like strangers busting his kids." Edward says perfectly. I let out a sigh, happy that he went along with my story. "But he takes care of the unwanted behavior at home. Dad doesn't let us step out of line."

I hold back a groan. I know his last two sentences were jabs at me.

I know I'm going to get my ass beat. You don't have to bring it up! I snap at him mentally.

"Is something wrong, Mr. Becker?"

"Are you going home for lunch, Cullen?"

"Yes sir."

"When you get home, tell your mother that Emmett is in trouble, and that we need her at the school."

"Will do, sir."

Becker reenters the office with a sly smile.

"Can't I go home for lunch, Mr. Becker?" I ask. He eyes me suspiciously.

"You can stay right here, Cullen."

I groan, but immediately regret it when I see Becker's angry glare.

Looks like I'll be spending lunch with this lovely fellow.