I ran out of the classroom and through the schools empty hallway, trying to erase all the painful laughter and the looks; the looks of malice from Lauren, the looks of pity from Rose and just that blank emotionless stare from Edward. It was all too much; I collapsed against the wall sliding down until I hit the floor, putting my head in my hands. Tears cascaded down my cheeks, still hearing those words swirling round in my head.
"And the best part was that he broke your heart, and ruined you, all for money! He was paid to do it! He would never have touched you otherwise!"
Those words stung right in my chest, I still couldn't quite bring myself to believe them. He was paid, paid. It made me feel like a worthless piece of shit. It made me feel like nobody could ever or would ever love me in the way I wanted to be loved. I knew I was loved, I couldn't ever deny that, I have my parents and great friends, but it still wasn't enough and falling in love with Edward made me realise that.
I thought about Lauren's last statement; "Do you want to know how much you're worth?"
Some perverse part of me was curious as to what the cost was, how much was I really worth, but the other was too disgusted to even think about it and was chastising the other part for thinking such a demeaning thing. By now the tears ran freely down my cheeks, my emotions in tow, bringing everything out into the open.
I was finding it difficult to breathe; I couldn't quite bring it back to normal after running away from all that, fuelling the aching pain in my chest. I wrapped my arms around my legs and pulled them close to me trying to hold myself together, keeping myself from breaking in this very hall. So I sat, taking deep breaths to calm myself down, a repeating pounding in my temples.
I could have been sitting here for hours, but when people started filing down the corridor for the end of lesson I realised I had only been here for twenty minutes at most. I could hear people passing by me; hearing the whispers I made my decision. I wasn't going to let Lauren win, I wasn't going to give her the satisfaction of seeing me like this. I pushed myself off the floor and clenched my fists in anger, I started my walk back to my locker to get my things, the pain in my chest amplifying with every step I took, so I could just leave and wallow in peace without having to display it in front of the whole school.
When I got there I saw a crowd of people around my locker, all riled up shouting fight, fight, fight over and over again, drilling into my head, getting louder and louder . I pushed through the crowd to get to my locker not really caring who was fighting because frankly fights happen all the time and there was nothing I could do to stop it without getting hurt myself. My thoughts completely changed however when I saw what was going on.
"How dare you do that to her! You bastard!" I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw Edward being pushed up against the lockers by Emmet and Jasper. I watch as Emmet pulled his fist back and let it snap forward into Edwards face.
"You hurt Bella, now we hurt you." I watched as Jasper, the calmest person I know pull back his knee, bringing it full force into Edward's crotch, Edward cried out and doubled over. I snapped out of my trance and called to Emmet and Jasper, they didn't move Jasper just pulled Edward by the collar right close to his face, his blue eyes flashing dangerously.
"She didn't even deserve what you did, but you definitely deserve this." He pulled his fist back and pushed it full force into Edward's face repeatedly between each venom filled word.
"Son. Of. A. Bitch" he said each word so low and menacing it made me shiver. I rushed forward to try and stop Jasper before he did any real damage; I could see blood running down from Edwards's nose on to crimson lips.
"Jasper! Stop it!" Jasper and Emmet turned to look at me, the scowls on their faces softening, with the rest of the crowd turning their heads to watch me, waiting to see my next move. I simply gave Edward a look of disgust and anger.
"He's not even worth it." I told them shaking my head, both their eyes look solemn. They let go of Edward, his legs buckled and he slid down the lockers hitting the floor. They started towards me the whole crowd watching the exchange; you know I wished they would just leave. However, that was the least of my worries when I saw Edward wipe his face with the back of his hand get up and start towards Emmet and Jasper my eyes widened, I knew what he was going to do.
Before I could warn him Edward grabbed Jasper by the throat and shoved him against the wall. Jasper grunted trying to get away from Edwards grasp as he punched him in the gut, Jasper still struggled against Edward neither moving an inch as they were both so evenly match. Then Emmet stalked forward and grabbed Edward by the back of his shirt, too surprised to keep a grip on Jasper, Edward lost his grip on Jaspers throat . Emmet pulled him off Jasper and threw him back against the lockers knocking the wind out of him.
"You've gone too far" Emmet sneered, eyes black, filled with pure rage, almost mirroring the look on Jaspers face. I watched as Edward pushed himself up still not willing to give in, he wiped his nose with the back of his hand wincing as he did. He straightened up. then lunged at Emmet knocking the two to the floor Jasper leapt at the two trying to pull them apart getting caught up in the fight, I could see and so could everyone else that there was no way Edward could win.
I stepped toward them again body racked with worry I didn't want anything to happen to any of them. Even Edward, I hated myself for caring, but I couldn't help it, however much I didn't want to care - I did.
"Stop it!" I screamed, "stop it now!" They all seemed to freeze on the floor in a tangle on limbs, the tension in the air was tangible.
"Get up," I said softly, warning them not to challenge me. They all looked a mess and I could see that they were all in pain, but they just didn't want to show it. They all silently stood Edward standing across from Emmet and Jasper fists clenched. I turned to Emmet and Jasper seeing how dishevelled they were, they both had bloody knuckles and Jasper had a split lip no doubt they had other injuries I couldn't see.
"Go." I told them they both gave me bewildered looks. "Go to the nurse's office and get cleaned up." they did so reluctantly. I turned to Edward his faced hard and emotionless as I looked into his eyes giving him a level stare. His body was leaning to one side, blood dripping from his nose and mouth, it hurt me to see him so haggard, but I couldn't dispell the anger growing inside me.
"You have got to be the most heartless bastard I have ever met," I said my voice still soft I looked down and shook my head, the looked up again meeting his gaze. "But you didn't deserve that."
"Bella, you have to let me explain," he whispered only low enough so I could hear, his eyes filled with pain, I almost wanted to let him, but my mind was hazed with anger and at that moment I couldn't think of any reason to excuse why he made me feel this way. My lips pressed firmly together and my fist clenched at my side. I watch as he flinched away from the look, but I wouldn't let him break the stare. I brought my fist up, his eyes widened as they realized what I was about to do, and before he could move out the way it connected with the side of his face.
"But you sure as hell deserved that." I spat turning on my heel and walked away to the nurses office leaving the gasps and shocked whispers behind me. When I reached the nurses office I saw the nurse bustling round Jasper and Emmet who were sat perched on the bed.
The nurse turned to see who had entered, gave me a smile, then turned to look back at jasper and Emmet attending to their wounds. Emmet flinched when she applied antiseptic to the cuts before she dressed them with the bandages and plasters.
"Are you two okay?" I asked my anger slowly melting away as I saw the injuries they had, I couldn't stay mad at them not when those injuries where because of me. I knew their hearts where in the right place when then where fighting him, however much I hated it. I gave them a smile, letting them know it was okay.
"You're not mad Bells?" They both said giving me perplexed looks.
"No, Well, not with you anyway."
"So... what happened after we left?" he asked excitement lighting his eyes.
"Emmet!" Jasper scolded giving him a whack on the back of the head.
"Oww, dude!" Emmet rubbed the back of his head giving him a glare. The nurse gave them a disapproving look walking out the room shaking her head muttering she would be back in a minute and for them not to move.
"So?" Emmet looked at me again; Jasper lifted his hand to whack Emmet on the head again.
"Jasper, don't its fine really." I watched in amusement as Jasper reluctantly dropped his hand and glared at the back of Emmet's head as Emmet grinned in triumph."If you must know, I punched him," I muttered cradling my hand to my chest, I felt a stab in my chest as I thought back to the look in his eyes, making my voice waver slightly.
Emmet just looked at me then broke out into a huge smile then started to laugh "Go Bella!" he hollered. I just shook my head - typical Emmet. Jasper just gave me a look, I nodded and he whacked Emmet round the head. Emmet jumped in surprise whacking his head of the wall behind him shouting out in pain, whilst Jasper bit back his laughter.
"Hey! Stop that!" Emmet fixed Jasper with a glare then pushed him off the bed, Jasper glared up at him from his place on the floor. Emmet just grinned down at him then put his feet up where Jasper was sitting before making himself comfortable. I just laugh at the two of them.
The nurse walked in shocked when she saw Jasper sprawled out on the floor and Emmet lying over the whole bed.
"I thought I told you boys not to move," she scolded as she pushed Emmet's feet off the bed.
"Well, Jasper wanted to sit on the floor, so I just decide to make myself comfortable." Emmet just shrugged whilst Jasper just sat there looking at him in disbelief.
"Emmet! Why the hell would I want to sit on the floor?"
"How am I suppose to know it was you who sat there." Jasper opened his mouth to respond, but after thinking about it didn't bother, Emmet, pleased with himself, just gave Jasper an innocent smile.
"It doesn't matter any way boys your injuries weren't too severe, you have nothing broken just a few cuts and bruises here and there, so you'll survive." Then a thought occurred to me.
"Aren't you going to tell the principal about the fight?" She looked at me and eyes crinkling at the corners in a warm mischievous smile, raising an eyebrow.
"Fight? What fight?" she said still smiling, we all just gaped at her then she spoke again "Go on boys, get out of here, but don't think you'll be so lucky next time!" we all left the nurses office and walked to my locker. Emmet oblivious to all the stares kept asking for details on my hitting Edward and whether I did any damage.
When we reached my locker, Rosalie was standing there a pitying look on her face which I really didn't need right now. She stayed in silence so I opened my locker and got out my books as soon as i close the locker door she looked at me and started to speak;
"Bella, I..." I knew by the look on her face what she was going to say.
"No! Don't you dare apologize!" I was confused as to why she felt the need to. "None of this was your fault!"
"I just feel like I could have warned you or I - I don't know!" she wailed "I hate seeing you upset especially over a prick like Edward." She gave me a small smile.
"I know I just need to be alone right now. I think I'm going to walk home, ok?" I told her as I hauled my bag over my shoulder and stuffed my books into it. She studied my face for an immeasurable amount of time then nodded, turning to Emmet and Jasper, who had stayed silent the entire time we were talking, she gestured them to follow her. Although they both looked reluctant to leave me alone, they both turned to Rose and walked away down the cramped corridor.
I slowly made my way outside, where it was tipping down with rain, letting it wash away all my emotions and walked out of the gates, leaving school and everyone inside it behind me.