"Good morning, Miss Swan, Mr. Cullen. What can I do for you?"
Astrid and Emmett go into her office and sit down, "Ms. Reilly, I was wondering if there is any way I can test out of the eleventh grade and graduate with Emmett?"
Ms. Reilly scrutinizes Astrid for a moment. She knows that the girl has a genius IQ and frankly is quite surprised that she isn't in college already. She had often wondered why Astrid chose to enroll as a Junior, but then she saw the two sisters together and realized that Astrid didn't want to leave her sister behind. Something had changed.
"Has something happened, Astrid?"
"No, it's just that I'm bored and would like to move on to college as early as possible."
Ms. Reilly gets on her computer and pulls up Astrid's records. She studies them for a moment then nods, "I can see why you're bored. You were in all advanced classes in Phoenix and at the top of your class."
"Yes, Ma'am."
Miss Reilly types in a few things on the computer then looks up at Astrid and Emmett, "Well, I don't see why you can't test out and move on to the senior class. You have more than enough credits to move on. So as long as you get Chief Swan's permission, I'll set up the tests."
Astrid smiled and stood up, "Thank you, Ms. Reilly, I appreciate all the help."
"You're welcome, Astrid. Oh, and once you've tested out, I'll change your schedule to the senior class."
"Okay, I'll talk to my dad this afternoon."
After leaving the counselor's office, Emmett noticed a difference in Astrid, "You seem happier."
Astrid looked up at him and smiled, "I am. Now that I've decided to move on with my life and not wait for Bella, I feel a lot lighter. I don't want to be mean, but having to dumb it down to be with Bella was starting to get frustrating."
"You're not going to miss your sister?"
"Well, yeah, but she hates me, and honestly I don't think that will change as long as she's with your brother. She's too obsessed with him."
"You think she meant it when she said she hated you?"
"Yes, she meant it, Emmett. You didn't see the hateful look she gave me. All because I thought what your brother was doing was wrong."
Emmett shakes his head. As they walk to Astrid's locker, they see that Edward and Bella are also making their way to Bella's locker. The girls stop and Bella glares at her sister. She takes Edward by the hand and goes to her locker to get her books. Astrid rolls her eyes and goes to her locker to get her books. Neither girl says anything to each other.
Edward and Emmett look at each other, 'This is all your fault.' Emmett thinks.
"I don't care," Edward whispers back.
Emmett looks at his brother, not believing what he said. How could he not care that he was ripping two sisters apart?
"Because Bella is mine." He whispers back.
Astrid grabs her books, puts them in her bag then closes her locker without looking at Bella once. She turns towards Emmett and hugs him, "See you later, Big Guy."
Emmett hugs her back, "Yeah, see you at lunch."
Astrid nods then take toward her first class.
Bella goes back with Edward and stares at Emmett, "So you and my hypocrite sister are dating now?"
Emmett gives her an odd look, "What are you talking about, Bella? How is she a hypocrite?"
"She can date you, but I can't date Edward?"
Emmett starts laughing, "Astrid and I are not dating; she's my best friend that's it."
"Yeah, right."
"Think whatever you want, Bella, I don't care," Emmett says then walks off.
Bella huffs, she takes Edward's hand then walks off in the opposite direction.
The morning went by as it usually did neither boring nor exciting, just there. The only class that held Astrid's interest was Art class, where they were asked to paint their favorite mythological being. Astrid became so excited; she already knew who she was going to paint. Thor God of Thunder. She found that after reading all of those Norse mythology books, she had an affinity towards Thor. There's just something about him that drew her. She had also thought of painting a picture of one of the Amazon warriors, but she was barely starting to read about them so she would do it next time.
She quickly began to draw how exactly she wanted Thor to look. Very tall, muscular, wearing a cape, his winged helmet and hold Mjolnir. The only thing was that she drew him from behind. Since Astrid didn't know what Thor looked like and the depictions of him didn't do him justice in her mind, she decided that this was the best way to go.
By the time she finished drawing him, the class had ended. Now she had to go to the class she had been dreading all morning, gym. She knew that being in the same class as Bella was going to be very awkward and that everyone was going to know that the Swan sisters were at odds. But it was unavoidable. So, Astrid sucked it up and went to class.
Sure enough, right ahead of her, she saw Stupid and Bella walking towards the gym. Astrid narrowed her eyes and walked past the pathetic couple crashing her shoulder into Edward as she walked past by.
"Bitch," Astrid heard Bella say.
Astrid put her hand behind her back and flipped her off then kept walking. She went into the locker room changed and went out to the gym. Luckily coach Clapp was already there. Astrid decided to see if there was a way she could get out of gym class from now on.
"Coach, I was wondering, is there another way I can earn my gym class credit?"
"Sure, Swan, join one of the teams and that will substitute this class."
"Crap I can't, I have MMA training after school."
The coach's eyes widened, and she looked at Astrid. "Are you serious?"
"Yeah, I just started yesterday."
"How many times a week are you going to train?"
"Everyday after school."
Coach Clapp thought for a moment, "Tell you what, I'll give you a pass to the library for this class and give you credit for your MMA training. Whatever we do in this class is nothing compared to what you're learning with them."
"Really?"
"Yes. I think it's only fair. Today will be your last day of gym class."
Astrid squeals and hugs the coach. At that moment, Bella comes into the gym. She scowls at seeing her sister so happy. She walks up to her sister, "What's got you so happy?"
"None of your fucking business."
"You're such a bitch."
"And you're so pathetic."
"At least I have a boyfriend."
Astrid stared at her sister and rolled her eyes.
The class got underway. Bella and Astrid ended up on opposite teams for volleyball. Bella's team kept her in the back and out of the way while they played, but Astrid decided to give Bella a little taste of what it's like without her protecting her.
She deliberately hit the ball hard in Bella's direction, causing the brunette to shriek and flail her arms in hopes of avoiding the shot. Just as Astrid intended it hit her right in the head. Bella glared at her sister.
"You did that on purpose!"
"Yes, I did. If we're going to win, we have to expose all the other team's weaknesses, and that happens to be you, Bella."
"I hate you."
Astrid smirked, "I know."
Once the rest of the team saw Astrid go after Bella, the rest of the team did the same thing. In the end, Astrid team ended up trouncing Bella's side. When class was over, Astrid happily skipped off to the locker room to change and head off to lunch. When she gets to the cafeteria, she sees Bella and Edward sit with his family, but Emmett isn't there.
She looks around the cafeteria and sees that he's sitting alone at a table with enough food on his tray for two people. He spots Astrid and waves her over. Astrid smiles at him; she goes and sits down with him.
"So, what's the deal, why aren't you sitting with your family."
"Well, as you can see, we have an unexpected guest at our table, and I don't want to deal with your sister's bullshit."
Astrid's eyes narrow, "Did she say something to you?"
"Not to me, per se more about you."
"What?"
"She called you a hypocrite because she thought you and I were going out. She said that why could you go out with me and she couldn't go out with Edward."
"Because if you and I were dating, we would at least have a normal healthy relationship. Not like Bella and Dickwad. What did you tell her?"
"I told her that we weren't and that you're my best friend."
"I am?"
"Hell yeah, you are."
"Aw thank Em. You're my best friend too."
Emmett beamed at Astrid and started giving her half of the food on the tray, "So how was gym class?" Emmett asked as he watched her take a big bite of her hamburger.
"Great, I don't have to go anymore. I get to go to the library instead."
Astrid then proceeded to explain why. Then she told him what happened during class. Emmett listened with rapted attention. He laughed when Astrid told her about hitting Bella with the ball. He looked over at the table where his siblings were and saw Edward glaring at Astrid. Emmett could hear Edward softly growling.
'Oh please, dude, she'll kick the shit out of you so quit it,' Emmett thought.
Edward's eyes shifted to Emmett's, and he sneered. Emmett just chuckled.
After lunch, Astrid and Emmett walked to anatomy class together. They sat at their lab table and continued their conversation. "So do you think your dad will let you test out of the 11th grade?"
"Yeah, he kept telling me that I shouldn't waste my time with high school and go on to college. But stupid me wanted to wait for Bella."
"Well, I'm glad you did. Otherwise, I never would have met you."
"You know what, so am I."
The afternoon went by quickly, and soon Astrid and Emmett were on their way to her house to pick up her workout gear. Astrid promptly ran into the house to get her stuff then they headed out to Port Angeles. Once they arrived at the gym, Astrid went to the locker room to change then met up with Matt.
"Good to see you, kid. Today you're going to work with one of the other trainers on your footwork."
Astrid nodded and went over to the trainer that was waiting for her. The first thing the trainer had Astrid do was Ankle Mobility Warm-ups. Once she was warmed up, they started with the basic footwork drills. He had her do that 50 times. They then moved on to Directional Quickswitch, Switch and Pivot Drill, The Spinning Check, Footwork Drills for Punching, and Dominant Angles Drill. While she was doing her drills, Matt would walk by and check her progress.
By the time Astrid had finished having done each drill fifty times, she was exhausted but happy. Matt told her she was finished for the day and that she could hit the showers. She nods and heads for the locker room. Astrid comes out of the locker room, and Matt calls her over.
"You did good, kid, for the rest of the week we'll work on your footwork and increase your agility then put you back in the ring and have you spar against Carlos again."
"Okay, then I'll see you guys tomorrow after school."
"Okay, Astrid see you tomorrow."
Astrid makes her way over to Emmett, "So, what did you think?"
"I thought that was pretty cool. I don't see what Matt means that you need to work on your footwork you seem pretty fast to me."
"No, I can see what Matt means. The fighting style I'm used to is different than what they use. I can tell that I'm a little slower. Not by much but enough."
Emmett nods, "So, do you want something to eat?"
"No, that's okay, I think I'll go home and make something for my dad and me. You're welcomed to stay if you want," Astrid tells Emmett as they walk out of the gym.
"Not tonight, besides don't you have to tell your dad about your conversation with the counselor."
"Oh shit, I forgot. Thanks for reminding me, Em." Then she hugs him.
Emmett stiffens again; he looks down at Astrid, "Not that I mind, but what's with all the hugging?"
Astrid looks up at him, "I've discovered that I like hugging you, but if it bothers you, I'll stop."
"No, no, hug me all you want," Emmett says with a smirk.
"Thank you; I think I will."
They get back to Forks an hour later, and Astrid says goodbye to Emmett.
"Do you want a ride tomorrow?"
"Yeah, if you don't mind?"
"Of course not. Then I'll be here bright and early."
"Okay, Em, goodnight."
"Night, Astrid."
Astrid goes inside and finds Bella making dinner. Astrid completely ignores Bella and goes upstairs to change. Astrid doesn't bother to come downstairs until she hears Charlie get home from work. When she enters the kitchen, Bella turns and glares at her.
Astrid ignores her. She sits down at the table with Charlie and serves herself and Charlie some chicken, potatoes and green beans. Bella grabs two sodas and a beer from the fridge. She sets the beer in front of Charlie and slams the drink in front of Astrid. Charlie looks over his newspaper at his girls. He can tell that Bella is upset with Astrid about something, but he doesn't say anything.
Bella sits down, and they begin to eat in silence. The tension between Astrid and Bella is so thick you can cut it with a knife. Charlie looks between the two girls, "Alright, what's going on with you two?"
"Nothing." They both say.
Charlie's eyes narrow.
"Pass the salt, Bella, your potatoes are a bit bland."
"Get off your lazy ass and get it yourself, Astrid!" Bella snarks.
"Okay, what's going on?"
"Nothing." The girls say again.
"Try again. Astrid, what is it?"
"Why do you ask her first?!"
"Because I said so, Bella. Astrid."
"Bella's pissed off at me because I don't like her fucking boyfriend."
"Hey, hey, what have I told you about-" Charlie stops short and turns to Bella, "Wait, you have a boyfriend?"
"Don't sound so surprised, Charlie," Bella said.
Astrid gritted her teeth; she hated when Bella called Charlie by his name. She knew it hurt his feelings.
"Don't you mean, Dad, Bella."
"That's right; he's my dad, not yours, Astrid. You're just some orphan my parents found on their doorstep."
"BELLA!"
"And yet they love me more."
"Astrid!"
"If that's what you have to tell yourself to get through the day."
"Alright, girls stop it! You girls are sisters."
Bella suddenly stands up, "That bitch is not my sister!" She screamed, then ran upstairs.
Charlie watched Bella run upstairs then turns to his youngest, who is calmly eating her dinner, "You okay, Honey?"
"Yeah, Dad, I'm fine. Let's finish our dinner. I want to talk to you about something."
Charlie stares at Astrid for a few seconds then goes back to eating. When they finish, he takes their plates and puts them in the sink. He walks over to Astrid and motions for her to stand up. When she does, he hugs her, "Are you sure you're okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. A little surprised but I'm not hurt."
"Okay, so what do you want to talk about?"
They walk into the living room and sit down, "I want to test out of the 11th grade and graduate this year. You were right Dad. I should have gone on to college instead of waiting around for Bella. This year is incredibly boring. The only class I like is Art, Anatomy and Language Arts. Everything else is a joke."
"Can you do it?"
"Oh yeah, I already talked to Ms. Reilly, the counselor. She said that I have enough credits and I only need your permission."
"Is that the only reason?"
"No, I don't want to be around when Bella's life goes to shit."
"What do you mean?"
"I'm convinced that this boyfriend of hers is no good for her, but she won't listen. All I want to do is protect her, but if she doesn't want my protection, then she's on her own."
"Who is she dating?"
"Edward Cullen."
"Oh, well, I've heard nothing but good things about that family."
"I get a bad vibe off of him."
"Maybe you're wrong, Honey."
"Do you know what she told me they're in love?"
"They are? How long have they been dating?"
"Few days."
"You're kidding?"
"Nope. I've known Emmett longer, and I'm not in love with him. She doesn't know the first thing about him."
"Well, Honey, I think this is going to have to be a lesson that Bella is going to have to learn on her own. You can't protect her from everything. I know that's the reason you didn't go on to college you've always protected her even if she is older. But it's time you worry about yourself."
"You're right, Dad. Does that mean I can test out?"
"Yes, you can. Do what you have to do for yourself."
Astrid stands up and hugs her dad, "Thanks, Dad."
"You're welcome, Princess."
With that, Astrid went upstairs to get ready for bed and to call her best friend.