Chapter 37: Plans

E POV

I slowly walk back into the café to finish talking with my parents. I slide into the booth where Charlie and Bella had just been sitting.

"You okay son?" Carlisle asks me as I rub my forehead.

"Yeah, just frustrated and tired and feeling guilty." I admit.

"Edward honey, why do you feel guilty?" Mom asks with nothing but concern in her voice.

"I don't know." I huff. "Chief Swan is right. I could've done more to prevent this. I should've told you guys or Mrs. Denali or Bella's dad, anyone. But I didn't. I let it happen and now Bella has detention for fighting, which will go on her permanent record and could affect her ability to get into college." The repercussions for this simple act could affect her entire life.

"Edward I hardly doubt Bella won't get into college just because she was in a small fight. You'd be surprised what schools tend to overlook or disregard."

"I know." I answer. "But really it wasn't her fault at all! She was attacked by Tanya! I saw the whole thing! She didn't say or do anything!"

"Unfortunately that doesn't matter," Esme shakes her head. "She fought back, not that anyone can blame her. But still…she fought." Esme shrugs and reaches her hand out to me. I take her small hand in mine and remember a time when I used to think Mom's hands were huge.

"I've been there Edward." Esme's voice gets heavy and I know to what she's referring, but she continues. "When your father would hit me, I would take it and take it, knowing that if I said anything he could get into a lot of trouble. I didn't think I was worth more of a life than that. I just knew that if I took it that you wouldn't have to. But then he started yelling at you, or saying offhand comments about you and I knew that you would get caught in his path of destruction too. It wasn't until I reached a breaking point that I was able to stop him. Sure he deserved it, but there were consequences I had to face too." Esme's voice breaks and a tear escapes her eye. Carlisle wraps his arm around her shoulder and kisses her temple.

"Son," Carlisle begins. "Your mom is right. Bella has reached her point. She seems to have shifted. Now what she needs right now is for you to be supportive and help her. You were there for her when she didn't have another person just like I was there for your mother. So stop feeling guilty about what you could've done and start feeling thankful for what is now."

I understand what they're saying. They both have been in this situation before and they got through it. Bella and I can too.

"Thanks mom, thanks dad." I smile and scoot out of the seat as they both scoot out as well. Esme wraps me in a hug and I tuck her head under my chin as Carlisle pats me on the back.

"We love you Edward." She smiles.

"Love you both too." I say.

Ten minutes later I'm pulling up to my house. All I want is to lay down on my bed and wait for Bella to call. I high tail it up to my room and collapse on my queen-size bed. I must have fallen asleep because the next thing I'm aware of is someone knocking on my door.

"Come in!" I groggily shout. The door is pushed open and Rose comes in.

"Edward? Can I talk to you for a second?"

"Yeah," I answer as I rub the sleep out of my eyes and sit up. I scoot to the edge of the bed and Rose sits next to me. "What's up?"

"Well, I wanted to let you know what I did." She whispers.

"Okaaay," I answer, mildly confused but mostly curious.

"Well, earlier Bella came back to the school with her dad. Her dad went and talked to the principal and I came looking for Bella because I had found something. Apparently Eric Yorkie was making a video about hallway PDA and captured the whole fight on his camera. I mean from the point where you're hugging Bella to Tanya attacking her to Mrs. Denali leading you guys to her office."

"Really?" I ask, suddenly alert. "That's great! Did you show it to Mrs. Denali?"

"Well, I tried to." Rose shrugs. "But when I went to press play I accidentally erased it from the memory card."

"WHAT?" I yell.

"I'm sorry Edward! I didn't mean to! I was trying to prove Bella's innocence but the little trash can button is right next to the play button and before I even knew what happened it got erased." Rose drops her head into her hands.

"Well," I shrug. "It's alright. What's done is done. Thanks for trying though Rose, you're a good friend."

"Thanks Edward. It doesn't make me feel that much better, but thanks for trying."

"Heh, I know how ya feel." I answer.

"Tell ya what Edward. If you stop beating yourself up over this whole situation so will I."

"Deal." I smirk at Rose. She hugs me and then turns to leave.

"Hey Rose," I call to her before she exits my room. "Tell my brother he's a jackass for making bets on chick fights, even if he did bet on my girlfriend."

"I think Tyler Crowley is a little pissed that Bella apparently grew a backbone when she did."

"Tyler Crowley can eat shit." I answer. Rose laughs and heads down the hallway.

B POV

Things didn't calm down from the chick fight fiasco for another week. It was all anyone talked about around school. I kept my head down and reported for my detention every day after school, not wanting to get in even more trouble.

From what was being leaked through by the other two Denali sisters Tanya was in a world of hurt with her mom. She had her phone, car and laptop taken away and was forced to volunteer her time at a local retirement home during the days.

The next week people lost interest in me and moved onto the latest scandal. Something about one of the coach's hooking up with a student. Frankly I didn't care, so long as the heat was off of Edward and I.

Lately though all that's being talked about is Prom. This is the topic of conversation as we sit at the lunch table.

"As head of the prom committee it's my job to come up with a theme. Any ideas ladies and gents?" Alice asks notebook and pen in hand.

"Under the sea?" Emmett offers. All the girls roll their eyes and ignore him. "WHAT! I'm just trying to help." He grumbles.

"I know baby." Rose kisses his temple. "But your ideas are terrible. It's not your fault, you're a guy. You don't understand."

"How about a fifties theme?" Jasper provides.

"Better, but still cliché and overdone." Alice shakes her head. "Anyone else? Bella? Edward?"

"Don't look at me!" Edward puts his hands in the air in surrender.

"We could do some sort of movie theme." Alice offers. "Like a Moulin Rouge type of theme."

"You know what I always thought would be cool to go to?" I ponder aloud. "A masquerade, like in Phantom of the Opera. Lavish costumes and elegant masks. The whole black and white theme is so classy and elegant too." I finish my thought and spear another piece of pineapple into my mouth before looking up.

Alice's eyes are wide and she's staring through me, like she sees something that's not there and you can almost see her gears turning. The whole table is quiet for a bit before Alice finally cracks into a huge smile.

"That would be amazing!" Alice trills. "I don't think that's ever been done before. The mask element would be fun to do. Oh and the black and white thing has my mind overflowing with decoration ideas! Bella you are a genius!"

"Thanks." I answer as a blush creeps over my face. Before anyone else can say anything though Lauren and Angela come up to our table.

"Did you hear yet?" Lauren asks Alice.

"Hear what?" Alice replies.

"That they are contemplating downsizing prom this year!" Angela finishes.

"WHAT?" Alice shrieks. "Who said that? When? Why? WHAT?"

"I just heard Mrs. Cope talking about it. They apparently are running low on funds and the little they have left has to go towards the yearbook. So instead of going all out like they have in the past they are going to go cheap."

"NO! They can't do that to me? Do they have any idea what I've just planned?" Alice mourns as she throws her head into her hands.

"Just being the operative word." Edward mumbles. I rib in the elbow. Alice seems really distraught over this.

"Is there a way we can raise the money?" I ask trying to get Alice to calm down and come back to reality.

"What?" She looks up at me. "How would we do that?"

"An auction?" Rose offers.

"What kind of auction?" Jasper asks.

"Something that would get a lot of revenue and maybe some pull from the surrounding area." Rose chimes in.

"Pfft, that's easy." Emmett interrupts. "Auction off dates with some of Forks High School most eligible bachelors." Everyone at the table stares at Emmett dumbly.

"That's…" Rose starts.

"Not a bad idea." Alice finishes.

"Really?" Emmett asks surprised. "I mean, of course It is!"

"Yeah, we could invite girls from surrounding high schools, put our men up for one date, no strings attached." Lauren offers.

"Oh my goodness!" Alice begins frantically gathering her stuff up. "I have to go talk to Miss Cope, NOW!" She throws everything into her shoulder bag and slings it over her shoulder. "Come on girls!" And just like that, Alice "The Whirlwind" Cullen is off to save prom.

"Well, that was interesting." Edward breathes.

"I'll say." Emmett grunts. "Who knew Alice would fall for something so stupid. And awesome! FINALLY, I get to show some of my moves off!" Rose looks at him sideways and scoffs.

"Just don't let this go to your head. I'd hate for you to think that your too hot of shit. I don't like the idea of you being up for grabs by skank bitches."

"Oh babe," Emmett throws a meaty arm over Rose's shoulder. "You know I only reserve my extra special moves for you." He nuzzles up to her ear and she giggles and leans in to capture his lips.

"You're not gonna let those skank bitches get me are you love?" Edward whispers in my ear.

"Absolutely not." I tease. "I'm a heavy weight champion who goes home with her prize."

"Good." Edward nuzzles into my neck and I sigh. I just hope Tanya doesn't think she can hold her own against me.