Chapter 35: Confront

B POV

I wake up early Monday morning due to the nerves I have crashing around in my head and stomach that have caused me to develop some sort of restless leg syndrome. Today is the day I face the e-mail I wrote to Mrs. Denali, the e-mail that will finally force this whole tirade of Tanya's into the open.

I've spent the past two hours, showering, dressing, cleaning, switching laundry, eating breakfast, mopping the kitchen floor, dusting, vacuuming, basically anything to get my mind off of the confrontation I'm sure is inevitable today.

I look up at the clock for the millionth time this morning and sigh loudly. I can't procrastinate going to school anymore. Edward and everyone else are waiting for me. I grab my keys and backpack from the entryway and grudgingly stomp to my truck. The Beast roars to life and whines loudly as I ease it out of the driveway.

As I creep into my parking spot I begin to hyperventilate minorly. I glance in my rearview to see Edward striding towards me from across the parking lot. When he gets to my door he looks in the window at me. I look up to him with what I hope is a smile but he must not believe it because he yanks the door open.

"You okay?" He asks reaching for my hand.

"Fine," I squeak.

"You're worried about Tanya aren't you?" God, he knows me too well.

"Maybe," I shrug as I slide out of the truck and into his arms.

"It's going to be okay." He pulls my face into his chest and rubs up and down my back. "You'll see. Mrs. Denali is one of the most objective, fair and honest people I know. She won't let this go unanswered." I can't form words so I just nod into his chest.

"Let's get to class." He says. I nod and loop my hand into his back pocket, his arm winds around my waist as we walk towards first period. We file in with the rest of the students and take our seats. The bell rings and my eyes are glued to the clock, waiting for the morning announcements to start.

Edward's hand squeezes mine in reassurance and I squeeze back. My eyes flash to the teacher's desk when the phone rings. Oh shit, oh shit, it's for me. I know, I'm about to be called to the office.

"Hello?" The teacher answers. "Yes, I'll send her down now." She hangs up the phone and scans the room quickly before her face finds mine. I stand, not needing any more information.

"Bella, you're requested to the principal's office." I nod and turn back to Edward.

'Good luck' he mouths and I give a small smile in return. With that I head out of class and to my demise. I pass a couple of students who are running late in the hallway and finally reach the door to the administration office. I approach Mrs. Cope, the assistant and smile.

"Can I help you?" She asks politely.

"I'm here to see Mrs. Denali." I answer breathlessly.

"Oh yes, go right in to her office. She's in there." Of course she is, probably with Tanya.

"Thank you," I manage to squeak as I dodge around the desk and march towards the door. I knock twice.

"Come in!" The voice sounds back. I open the door slowly and peak in. She's at her desk, no Tanya in sight.

"You wanted to see me?" I ask quietly.

"Isabella, yes. Please sit down." She motions to one of the chairs. I edge in, shut the door and take a seat. "Do you know why I asked you down here?"

"Yes," I answer, swallowing the lump in my throat.

"Good, then would you mind clarifying some things for me?" She takes her reading glasses off of her nose and sets them on the desk.

"Sure," I nod.

"Firstly, I called your old school. They didn't call anyone here. In fact they remembered me calling them, but I know for a fact I didn't." I nod. Well, I was caught in a lie on that one. "So why did you send me an e-mail telling me that they called you?"

I take a deep breath to calm myself. "I didn't want to get anyone in trouble." I hang my head and look down at my hands as I fumble with my bracelet.

"Who would you get into trouble?" She asks a look of understanding placidity on her face.

"I don't think I should tell you." I answer.

"Why? Because you think I won't believe you over my daughter?" She states bluntly as she stands and moves around her desk to lean against the front.

"Yes," I nod in response.

"I need the truth Isabella. I am a principal first and foremost. Every student here I see as equal. I show no favoritism, no preference. I will deal with this as is spelled out in the code of conduct and rules that this school abides by. Do you understand?"

"Yes," I nod weakly again.

"Good, then please. Don't be afraid to be honest with me." I take a deep breath and nod before looking up into Mrs. Denali's face.

"You know I moved here after being bullied at my last school." I decide to ease into it because despite the fact that she is the principal, she is also a mother. Getting news that your daughter has been verbally assaulting another student can't be easy for any mother to take.

"Well, when I came here I decided to try and keep my head down, not bother anyone. That didn't end up working so well as I was directly involved with that huge food fight mess. I put a huge target on my back after that. Then when Edward and I started dating the target got bigger. I knew that it was the opposite of what I had wanted, but I couldn't help it. Tanya seemed to feel I was becoming a threat to her socially. I mean, I don't know if she was under the impression her and Edward were dating, but she seemed to think she had some sort of claim to him. When I started inching closer to him she decided she didn't like it." I pause to take another long breath to steady my voice. I look back at Mrs. Denali whose eyes are bright with curiosity. She gives me a slight smile and nods her head for me to continue.

"Anyway, this weekend I found out that she had gotten James to try and scare me off. She had him try to mug me in the parking lot of the football field so that I wouldn't go to any more games. When that didn't work she tried to threaten me herself. That didn't work either, so she had James, yet again, try to embarrass me in the hallways. All that did was make Emmett and others stand up for me. After that she decided that getting others to do her bidding wasn't enough, neither were empty threats and harsh names. She cornered me at the Valentine's Dance and admitted to me that she had called down to the school, pretended to be you and gathered enough information about me to try and use my past to hurt me." I snap my mouth shut and look back down at my hands.

"Why now? From what you've said this has been going on since the food fight, but you're just now coming to me. Why?"

"When I told my friends about what happened they encouraged me to come to you with it. I couldn't let it go on anymore. I'm past letting people walk all over me." I admit out loud without really thinking about it. As soon as I say it though, it's like a huge weight has been lifted off my chest. I care more about myself and how I feel than I do about being invisible. Something inside me clicks and I sit up straighter, hold my head up and look into Mrs. Denali's eyes.

"Good. Thank you for letting me know about this Ms. Swan. I will deal with it. You are excused from my office and can go back to class. However, I would like you to stop by during lunch. Please feel free to bring Mr. Cullen with you as well."

"Thank you Mrs. Denali." I answer and stand. I exit her office just as I hear her pick up the phone and start dialing.

I take a large, enlivening gulp of air as I enter the hallway. I never thought that I could feel better or more alive than when Edward would look at me, but now, this new sense of pride, sense of accomplishment, sense of confidence in me makes my whole body shoot with tingles.

I stride through the hallway, a smile on my face, a swing in my hips. I don't have my head down; I don't look away from people when they look at me. I reach the door to my classroom and open it. I step in and search for Edward's face. He looks up from whatever he's working on and his eyes widen. Can he see the change already? I confidently stride along the wall and slip into my seat.

"Hey you," he whispers.

"Hey yourself." I chime back with a wink.

E POV

As soon as the announcements begin Bella is called to the office. Oh how I wish I could go with her and back up her story. Tanya's actions recently have been ridiculous. Not to mention, the whole James thing. If I could punch one girl in the face, it would be Tanya.

I sit there for the next twenty minutes, waiting for Bella to come back. I'm tempted to ask the teacher to go to the bathroom and take the long way so that I can catch a glimpse and see if Bella is alright. I stare down at the history textbook and read the same line over and over as I try to focus. The door swings open and my eyes immediately lock onto Bella.

Her chin is up, her chest out and she smiles when her eyes lock onto mine. I guess this means everything went well. She heads to her seat and slips into the chair.

"Hey you," I whisper at my new and improved girl.

"Hey yourself." She tosses me a wink.

The teacher starts the lecture and we both fake our attention. I open my notebook and write her a quick note.

Everything went well I take it? I slide it to her and she slyly reads it. Her hand flashes along the paper and she pushes it back at me.

It was fine. She knew I lied about the high school calling me. She wants to meet you and me in her office at lunch. I read it quickly and then look up at her. She smiles and reaches for my hand to give it a squeeze.

What does she want with me? I write quickly and slide the notebook back to her.

To corroborate my story probably. She answers and pushes it back when the teacher is looking away. I nod and focus back on the history of World War II. When the bell rings I pick up our conversation.

"So what did she say?" I ask as I slip my stuff back into my backpack.

"She said that she called the school and they told her no one down there had called anyone, that they were the ones who received the call from her. She knew that wasn't true and called me on my story." I hold the door open for Bella as we enter the hallway. "She made me tell her everything that happened. I felt bad because even if she is the principal first and foremost at this school, it still must be hard to hear that your child is capable and has been acting in that manner."

"Yeah I mean I know how that is. If one of us kids got into an accident and ended up at the hospital, Carlisle wouldn't be allowed to help in assisting us as he would be emotionally involved. Obviously nobody's life is at stake in this situation, but still, Tanya is her child and she's not going to be able to separate her feelings completely." I say as we travel to our second period together.

"Exactly. Anyway, she asked me why I was just now coming to her. She asked why I didn't come to her sooner and what changed my mind."

"I would like to know the answer to this as well." I state as I stop in midstride and face her quirking my eyebrow.

She exhales a large breath and begins. "I told her that not only did my friends help encourage me, but that I finally was done caring about other people more than I cared about myself. I mean of course I care about others, but I need to put how I feel ahead a little bit more. I can't let people walk all over me anymore." She shrugs and looks directly into my eyes.

FINALLY! She was beginning to stand up for herself! This is what I had been waiting for! Me standing up for her wasn't going to be enough forever, she's finally speaking up for herself! I launch myself at her and throw my arms around her shoulders in an exuberant hug.

"THANK GOD!" I practically shout. She laughs and hugs me back.

"Wow!" She says as she pulls back. "Didn't know my stance on self esteem would be such a turn on for you."

"Well it is! Confidence is sexy!" I purr into her ear as I lean in to kiss her cheek. Before I have a chance to say anything else a loud shriek cuts through the air.

"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?" Tanya comes flying out of my peripheral and barrels into Bella. Before I can even understand what's going on they're both slamming into the lockers. The hallway is still full and someone yells "CHICK FIGHT!" Immediately people engulf Bella and Tanya, effectively shoving me away from the fight my girlfriend is in.

I try my best to shove in through the wall of people, but it's too crowded. SHIT!

B POV

"THANK GOD!" He triumphantly crows as he wraps himself around me in the middle of the hallway. My entire body hums with accomplishment. Edward is happy I'm gaining confidence. He kisses me on the cheek and as he pulls back to kiss me again I see a murderous face behind him, Tanya.

"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?" She screams right before she launches herself at me. I put my arms up in defense but her hands shove me backward into the bay of lockers. The next thing I'm aware of is bodies, a wall of bodies all around me and Tanya's hands in my hair as she yanks at me. She yanks me towards her then pushes away and the sting and bite of my hair giving out causes me to snap back to reality.

I reach out with my hands and grab a hold of the first thing I can, her shirt. I tear the fabric and a loud ripping is heard. I keep grappling for more. I feel something hard and metallic and rip it, beads from her necklace go flying everywhere and we both start slipping on them.

Her hands dislodge from my hair as she careens to the floor. My legs are pushed out from under me and we're on the ground. She kicks her feet and I feel a blow to the leg. I scramble up and manage to plant myself on top of her. She's slapping and kicking me like a seizure patient. I manage to get a hold of her wrists and pin them above her head.

"Get the fuck off of me FATASS!" She yells. "You fat slut! You've ruined me! If I'm going down, so are you!" With that she careens her head up and lets the projectile fly from her mouth. I feel a glob of gum and spit land just at the crown of my head. Oh no she did not.

"Bitch, what is your problem?" I shout in return as she tries to kick me again.

"HIT HER! HIT HER!" Some kid from the crowd around us yells.

"BELLA!" I hear Edward's perfect voice ring out to me. "BELLA!"

"YOU ARE MY PROBLEM!" Tanya screams. "You ruin my shirt! Give me detention! Steal the boy I like! Make my own mother turn against me! Get me suspended from school and kicked off the cheerleading squad! I HATE YOU! If I can't have any of it neither can you!" With that she flicks her tiny wrists out of my grasp and manages to get a hold of my hair again.

I scratch and claw in return, trying to get her to let go. I manage to get a hold of her large hoop earring and give it a tug. "Let go of my hair oh so help me God I will rip this thing out of your ear!" I threaten. Her hands still as the pain registers and she looks up at me with narrowed eyes.

A sharp metallic whistle sounds over the chanting of the crowd and before I register it strong hands are pulling me off of her. Her hands disentangle from my hair and I reluctantly release her earring. I look up to see Emmett's scowling face pulling Tanya off the ground.

I turn and put my head into Edward's chest. He smoothes my hair down my back in long soothing motions. "It's okay, it's over. I'm sorry Bella, I couldn't get to you." He says as my breath hitches.

I pivot around and look at Tanya again. "Psycho bitch!" I grit under my breath.

"What's going on here?" Mrs. Denali nearly shouts as her furious eyes glance from Tanya to me and back.

"She's ruined my life!" Tanya shouts as she makes another lunge for me only to be held in place by Emmett.

"I didn't do anything to you! You've created this personal vendetta against me simply for being here! I didn't come here with the intent to ruin your life! You've done that to yourself!" I fire back as I take a step toward her. Edward's arms snake around my waist and attempt to hold me back even though I have no intention of lunging at her again.

"The four of you. My office. NOW!" Mrs. Denali shouts as she points to Edward, Emmett, Tanya and I. "Everyone else head to class!" She turns to the bystanders.

With that Mrs. Denali turns on her heel and leads the way to her office. Edward and Emmett separate Tanya and I from one another as we walk through the hallway. I sneak a glance over at Tanya, her face is filled with anger, fear and frustration. My eyes roam to Emmett who has a serious but amused look on his face. Edward looks over at me as he gives my hand a squeeze.

His face reflects worry as well as something else I can't quite identify. I give him a reassuring smile as the tense procession to the principal's office continues. We finally reach her office. As soon as the four of us are in the room she shuts the door forcefully. She stands in front of her desk, her arms crossed.

"Mr. Cullen." She turns to Edward. "What happened?"

Edward pauses, looks at me, then Tanya, then back at Mrs. Denali. "I'm not exactly sure. One minute I'm hugging Bella, the next Tanya's slamming her into a locker."

"You are aware of what is going on are you not?"

"Well, yes." He nods once. "I know what Bella has told me and I've witnessed some of Tanya's behavior in the past few months."

"Why didn't you report anything?" Edward looks down the row at Tanya and back.

"Bella asked me not to. I was respecting her decision."

"So you let your girlfriend deal with belittling and bullying for months on end without saying anything?" Edward's head drops as he mumbles a quiet yes.

"And it was justified in your eyes?" Edward shakes his head minutely as his fingers pinch the bridge of his nose.

"Stop it!" I voice. "Leave him out of this. It was my decision. I should've come to someone the night I was harassed by James and Victoria." Edward's head remains down and I shift closer to him, trying to remain strong for him, for us, like he has since day one.

"You should have. Fighting on school grounds is prohibited. I may not be able to do anything about that night, but today's issue is inexcusable. Tanya you're suspension is now going to be lengthened by another week. Isabella you are going to be given detention for two weeks." She moves to sit at her chair behind her desk.

"Emmett you are dismissed. Go back to class." He nods once, turns to me, winks and heads out. I sneak a peek over at Edward. He's pinching the bridge of his nose still, his head toward the ground. I want to reach out and comfort him, kiss away his pain and self-doubt, but now isn't the time.

"Tanya did you retrieve your stuff from your locker?" Mrs. Denali huffs as she looks up from her desk.

Tanya shakes her head no, her eyes narrowed, arms crossed. "Go get your books and come back." With that she stomps out and nearly slams the door.

"Miss Swan, Mr. Cullen, you are excused for the day. I'm calling your families to tell them to expect you home." I nod once and head out the door, dragging Edward with me. As we enter the now empty hallway Edward seems to gain some composure.

"She's right." He says hollowly. "I should've said something, should've done something to prevent it from getting to this point. I let you take it and take it when it should have never happened in the first place."

"Stop it, right there." I growl as I pull him to a standstill. "We already agreed there was nothing you could've done to prevent Tanya from coming after me. She's had it out for me since day one. That's something you're going to have to accept. If I hadn't been so spineless and belittling of myself then I could've stood up to her a long time ago. Don't you dare put this on yourself Edward Anthony Cullen." I forcefully answer him.

He looks up at me with pitiful eyes. "Bella…" he trails off. I wrap my arms around him and pull him to me, crushing my head to his chest.

"Dammit Edward." I grit. "Not now, don't give up on us now. Not after everything we've been through. If you do this, if you start second guessing yourself, you're second guessing us. When you start doing that, Tanya wins. Don't let her win. We're stronger than that."

He rests his cheek on my head and pulls me closer and chuckles. I pull away and look in his eye.

"It's not funny. I'm serious here." I answer sharply.

"I know." Edward smiles. "It's such a relief to see you fighting for us too. I thought I was alone in that department."

"No, it just took me a while to catch up. I'm sorry if I ever let you doubt my feelings about you, about me, about us. I love you Edward.