Chapter 9 Dust Up

Since the plans for the movie fell through I didn't have anything to do. I did my homework and then there was nothing to really do. I had checked my email and then I started to fabricate the parts for the drone I had been designing. The automac started to get to work and it didn't require my direct attention, TAV would monitor the session and alert me if a problem occurred.

The entire time I kept thinking about my conversation with Edythe. The last five weeks had been rough, rougher than I had imagined it could be. She said she was dealing did that mean that she was still upset with what happened or was she upset about the separation between us. I shook my head, we had only just met, this obsession with her had no ground to stand on.

All night long I played the different possible scenarios in my head. What was the worst that could happen if I tried to be her friend again. It definitely couldn't be worse than this. But at the same time was it okay for me to do this to her, being who I am and with my dark life. Was it justified for me to want to be with her, was it even safe. I was terrified of her learning about the real me. Because then she really would have a reason to avoid me. There was no way I could see for her to be able to accept me. I wrestled with this all night. It even plagued my dreams. That night I had dreamt of Edythe Cullen.

I woke up unrested. My mind had waged war on itself all night and now I was surely paying for the consequences. I woke up slightly later than I normally did. I had to skip my workout and get ready for school. I created a plan to talk to Edythe before classes started so I needed to get there slightly early and try to beat her to the campus. I finished getting dressed when my phone went off. It was Alexi calling. I sighed.

"What is it?" I asked.

"My mole in Rictor's inner circle has recently let me know that Rictor is going to be having a meeting with a known supplier of Julius."

"That's not exactly good news. What do you have in mind?"

"Simple after the meeting we tail the guy and if the opportunity was to arise we grab him and have a chat."

I smiled. "Well, do you want some help with that?"

"Well if you can drag yourself away from that school thing then yes I would like some help. You are after all quit the chatter." Alexi laughed.

"Yeah I'll meet you outside of town near that old gas station."

"Ok kid."

The line went silent and I layed the phone down.

What was I thinking. How could I let myself become attached to Edythe. My life was just too dangerous, I was too dangerous. Just like that my illusion of a regular life was gone and I was stuck in my gloomy hell. I decided to not even attempt to talk to Edythe this morning and it was probably for her best interest if I went back to being a prick, I probably should start being a real asshole to everyone at school. It wouldn't be hard and most of the teachers didn't even call on me anymore in class because my answers were always right. It would make perfect sense, a rich guy annoyed by simple backwater townspeople. I really only had to be in this place for another fifteen months.

I sighed and walked down to my car and drove to school. When I got to school I assumed the role of the asshole. I momentarily glanced at the Cullen's car and they were all standing near it. Edythe was standing by her taller sister that I had seen the day before and man she was jacked for a girl. This was going to be a long day and now I was in a relatively bad mood so at least being a dick would be easier. I stepped out into the cold air, it was comforting. I walked to the trunk of the car and grabbed my bag. I felt like someone was watching me so I scanned the parking lot and my eyes locked with Edythe's. Her eyes burned into mine. They looked like melten honey today but I could have sworn they were black as coal yesterday. It was something I had noticed before but never gave much thought until now. This only made the desire to go talk to her reammerge and I had to fight it. She took a step towards and that's when I broke the contact and it felt like I had been kicked in the gut.

"Hey Jaxon!" I heard Mikayla shout. I sighed and turned my head towards the tiresome group of which I had spent the majority of my time with. I didn't have the energy to deal with them today. I pulled the hood of my hoodie up over my head and walked towards the school building. I was going to give everyone the cold shoulder today and that would be the start of my isolationism towards the people of Forks. I had long ago mastered the art of making people uncomfortable in my presence if need be. I dialed up the attitude and practiced a steady glare that would pass for sulking.

I walked slowly to my first period and no one said anything to me and when class started I just sat there reading the assigned book To Kill a Mockingbird. I had read the story when I was younger and had found Atticus to be an idol one that I had hoped I could be. As I skimmed the book I was left to my thoughts. It truly was a disappointment that my life was cursed the way it was. Some would say that it would be a fair trade for the wealth and luxury I was accustomed to. Hell many of my classmates here would kill for an ounce of the life that I had, well the life that they assumed I had. If they really had to live with the deeds that I had done they would have imploded with guilt and self disgust. The only reason I do what I do is because someone has to do it so why shouldn't it be me. Better I than someone else. I would trade all the money and power I had for a simpler life, one of peace and ignorance. Like they say ignorance is bliss.

The day crawled by ever so slowly. In the second period we were to break down into groups and write a paper on the proper form of government. I told the teacher I would rather do it myself and Miss Jefferson aloud me. I turned in my paper 20 minutes later outlining the proper form of a democratic government.

Trigonometry was boring as usual. Math was so easy and the test we had today only took me 8 minutes. Most of the class took the majority of the class to finish. Spanish was equally boring. I was fluent in 14 languages and Spanish was one of the easiest. I was rarely called in Mr Goff's class. I sat there translating the Spanish textbook into Arabic. It kept me occupied. I had successfully not had a single conversation with anyone today apart from the text messages Lex and Dave kept sending to the group chat. They wanted to do a family Christmas thing. I didn't what to do anything for Christmas, it just wasn't my thing and besides those two were lighter than I. Though Dave was involved in Order business I was more invested. He just wasn't cut out for the dirty work of it, not that he couldn't do it. It just bugged him more.

Lunch rolled around and I walked slowly through the halls. I was so tired of sitting with Jeremy and his posey, so I debated sitting alone at a table near the windows. I started to build a salad at the small little salad bar. The music was buzzing in my ear bud. It still did not drown out the chatter from the cafeteria. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Edythe ahead of me in the line picking out her tray. I groaned internally. Ryder was walking next to her trying to hit on her. Ryder was a new kid that arrived a little after I had. I only had gym with the kid and he stayed clear of me. Though from what I had heard he was a real asshole. He had hit on almost every girl in the school. But he has really taken a fancy to Edythe and I couldn't blame him. He even tried to sit with the Cullens, but Royal chased him off quickly. Edythe looked irritated by him and she was giving him the cold shoulder I had grown accustomed to. She paid for her lunch and started to walk over to her family when Ryder stepped in front of her. I could feel my blood boiling. I took my ear bud out to listen.

"Come on babe, why don't you give me a chance?" Ryder said in his winning voice.

Edythe just stood there, obviously irritated.

"Can you please get out of my way." She said as she stepped to go around him.

She started to walk away from him towards her family.

"Whatever you are a bitch anyway." He yelled at her. Well that did it. I walked towards him. I was now pissed.

"Hey watch your mouth!" I said in my commanding tone, fixing my ice cold gaze at him. His head snapped around to look for his opponent. Once his eyes landed on me his eyes widened. I noticed for a second that we had the attention of the surrounding tables.

Edythe had turned around now too.

I continued. "Apologize to her, now."

He just stared at me blankly like his brain fell out of his skull. Then this little light brightened in his beady little eyes.

"You know Stone, you need to mind your business and let me and my girl handle our shit." He winked at Edythe.

I turned my head to Edythe a fraction and she scoffed. I stepped closer to Ryder turning my back towards Edythe.

"Ryder if you can't tell Edythe doesn't want to talk to you and I think I can speak for most of the female body when I say you need to catch a hint." I said loud enough for it to carry to the surrounding tables. Edythe giggled and some girls yelled and cheered at what I said.

We had a pretty large audience. I wanted to humiliate this creep. He needed to be brought down a peg or two.

He was getting pissed, his face was turning red and he was glaring at me. He just stood there so I turned to Edythe.

My back was to Ryderand she was smiling at me. Finally something good was happening. But then it faded.

"Jaxon watch out!" Edythe yelled.

I turned my head back towards Ryder who was throwing a right hook. Great Ryder wanted to fight. What a pussy swinging on someone with their back to them.

I acted on instinct. I shifted my weight to the left to move my head out of the path of his fist. I caught it with my left hand and flipped him over my shoulder with his arm in one motion and slammed him down to the ground pinning him in a hold. When his body made impact with the floor it made a loud bang. I moved and placed my hand at the base of his neck, securing my hold on him. My senses came back to me. I was moving on instinct and I might have handled him a little rougher than I should have. He was screaming in pain, probably more fear than actual damage. I didn't break his arm, I knew that but I did have him in the position if I needed to. People were staring at me and I saw teachers move in to break up our fight. I realized that I had used this hold the last time I killed. My hands began to shake and I let go of him instantly and he began to roll around dramatically. I didn't hurt the kid, besides he had swung at me. It was only self defense. The room was silent except for Ryder's cries and the teachers breaking through the crowd. Edythe was staring at me, everyone was staring at me. My breathing increased to almost hyperventilating. I turned and walked out of the crowd and out of the cafeteria. I needed air.

I walked out and began to breathe in and out. I finally realized I was going to kill him. I wasn't going to stop, it was my instinct to kill him. What had I done, I almost killed someone, an innocent kid. Had I become that numb to killing.

"Jaxon!"

I opened my eyes and turned to look at her.

"Are you okay?" She said rushing to me

She had run out here behind me into the rain. Her face was full of emotion and it wasn't fear, it was concern.

I stayed still. She walked up next to me slowly. She was studying my expression. She was waiting for my response.

"Yeah I'm fine, just needed some air. That got a little out of hand in there." I tried to grin but my face was locked with guilt.

I sat down at the bench near the awning. Edythe sat down next to me.

"You didn't have to come to my aid. I had it under control, you know."

I nodded. "Yeah I did, someone needed to teach that prick some manners."

"Well thank you, but you know you are probably going to get in trouble now right?"

I nodded. "I kinda figured."

"I think you will probably get detention."

I chuckled.

"Why are you laughing?"

"Because this place is like a bad 80's teenage drama show."

She laughed.

cleared her throat.

Edythe and I turned our heads to her.

"Excuse me Mr Stone, Miss Cullen. If you both would follow me.

She looked irritated and I had no clue how this was going to go. I knew that usually getting in trouble and being sent to the principal's office was bad, but I wasn't a normal student.

Edythe stood up and I followed. We walked behind to her office. She opened the door to the administration office and there was Ryder sitting with a scowl on his face and when he saw Edythe he smiled till he saw me. Fear set in and he looked down at his shoes. I smiled, I enjoyed this.

Edythe and I walked into 's office.

"Sit."

We both sat down.

"Okay I want to know what happened. I've talked with other students who saw what happened. I also talked with Ryder. Let's hear your side of the story.

Edythe started. " , Jaxon was only defending himself. Ryder swung on Jaxon when his back was turned to him."

"I'm aware. Jaxon, do you have anything to add?"

"No, I'm good." I said.

"Okay I'll be right back." said as she left the office.

I sighed and pulled my phone out. It had been blowing up.

Jax I'm going to be in Seattle. Let's get together later this week and hang out, we can go get a beer or something. -Dave

Hey I can fly in and we can all go do something, you know as a family. -Lexie

I rolled my eyes and shook my head. I didn't see the point. I sighed and put my phone up, I didn't want to respond. So much was going on.

I leaned my head back against the wall and closed my eyes. I knew if I got in trouble there wouldn't be any consequences for me. I was basically an adult and my dad wouldn't care. He thought this school thing was a joke. On the other hand what if my actions caused Edythe to get into some trouble. That I couldn't let happen, Ryder and I deserved the brunt of the punishment she was just a witness.

I opened my eyes to look at Edythe, she was just sitting there with no real sign of worry on her face. Well that's a good sign I guess. She turned her face to me, her eyes locked on mine. They were so breathtaking, but something about them through me. I swear the day before her eyes were onyx black, today they are a dark honey color. I guess she could be wearing contacts or I was losing it.

finally walked back into her office.

"Okay, I have reviewed the security footage. Ryder did swing first, and Jaxon you only defended yourself, that being said we have a zero fight policy so I'm going to give you a warning."

"Okay then. Is Edythe in any trouble because she was just a witness?"

Edythe looked up at .

"No. Edythe didn't do anything wrong."

I nodded. "Okay cool, is there anything else or can we go?"

"You may go, but please do keep out of anymore trouble, okay?"

"Yes ma'am." I said standing up.

Edythe stood as well. We both walked out of 's office. Ryder was sitting there and he was glaring at us. I was about to lose it again. This little weasel really irritated me for some reason. I took one step but Edythe pushed my backpack closer. I figured she realized what I was getting ready to do. I sighed and walked out the door, Edythe following me.

"Thanks for that."

"For what?"

I turned my head to look at her.

"For pushing me. Ryder and I were about to go for round two."

She laughed. "Little hot headed aren't you."

I shrugged and rubbed the back of my neck.

"So do you want to go back to lunch?" Edythe asked me.

I shook my head.

"I think I'll just head to class. I don't really feel like being the center of attention right now."

"Ok. Well would you like some company?"

What was this? She wanted to talk to me again. I guess we were finally past our mutual tiff.

"Yeah that would be cool."

She beamed up at me. She was happy. This couldn't be such a bad thing for us to get to know one another. I just need to keep some barriers so she wouldn't get too close to the dark parts of my life. I was getting ahead of myself, let's just try being friends. If she wanted to be near me I wouldn't object.

We walked in silence to our classroom. Mrs Banner wasn't in the room yet. I didn't really know what Edythe would want to talk about. I knew she was interested in music and she was rather intelligent so there was sure to be something we could talk about while avoiding the elephant in the room. I didn't want to bring up our one month hiatus.

My phone buzzed as I sat down. It was Alexi. I sighed.

Kid, the meeting is a go. I will meet you at the gas station. Bring a piece. -Alexi

I shook my head and put the phone down. Alexi would know my silence meant my answer. Edythe stared at me.

"Everything okay?" Edythe asked.

"Yeah, just some business I have to deal with after school."

"Oh yeah, you run a company don't you?"

I smiled lightly. At least I could let this play off as the excuse for not talking about my real problems.

"Kinda, I'm not really in the administration, I'm technically an executive but right now I'm on forced leave."

"Why are you on forced leave?"

"My dad thought it would be good for me to experience high school. I kinda got into some trouble at home. So I'm here now."

She laughed. "So when you said the board made you come to high school you meant your dad?"

"Yeah. StoneTech doesn't have a board. My dad is the board. We own the company as a private corporation."

"So what did you do to get in trouble?"

I could tell my face went red. "I ugh kinda got photographed on a binge at a club."

Edythe face looked shocked.

"Yeah I used to party a little to hard."

"Used to?"

"I used it to hang with the wrong crowd."

She nodded.

There was a pause. I didn't want her to get the wrong impression of me.

I pulled my notebook out, the class was going to start soon.

"So what have you been doing with your time?"

I looked at her. That was a strange question but Edythe did have some odd mannerisms. She spoke properly, actually like an old film.

"I haven't really been doing anything. I work on my cars a little bit here and there." I would mention my weekly meetings with the syndicates.

Her eyes glowed brighter at that.

"You are a grease monkey?" Her tone was really soft now.

I nodded. "Yeah all my life."

"That's odd."

"What's odd?" I asked. What could be odd about that.

"We have something in common."

Wow she knew about cars.

"You like cars?"

"Yes, my brother Royal has taught me a lot about them. What are you working on currently?"

"I'm turning a 1928 Chevy national into a hot rod."

"That's a good year."

"Yeah, I've completely rebuilt everything and I've restored the interior by hand."

I pulled my phone out to show her some photos. The class was slowly trickling in.

I hand her my phone.

"I like the paint scheme. When is it going to be ready?"

"It's going to be a few weeks. The engine keeps flooding and I'm narrowing it down still."

"Keep me in the loop with her. I love cars."

I nodded. Mrs Banner was about to start class.

I looked around the class. All my friends looked surprised that I wasn't in detention. Mikayla looked pissed for some reason. I shrugged. I turned my head back to Edythe and her shoulders were shaking like she was laughing.

"Ok class, tomorrow we are going to the BioDome Ecological Research Facility. We are going to be doing an info scavenger hunt. You will all be working with your lab partners to find all of the information. Once your research is done you will need to create a presentation for the class with your partners.

Well this was a positive change of events. Edythe and I would have to spend quite a bit of time together and I wouldn't mind at all.

"Today you and your partner will do some initial research on the BioDome Facility. Please get a laptop off the cart.

I slid my hand into my bag and pulled my MacBook out.

I immediately typed in BioDome. It was the top google link. It was an agricultural research facility that was working on advanced technology to increase plant yield and researching methods to grow foods in inhabitable areas. It was definitely some I would look into for ST. Edythe and I spent the rest of class coming up with an attack plan to get the research done for tomorrow. I was really looking forward to spending the day with her.

The class moved too quickly for my liking. Edythe was funny and she was incredibly bright. Towards the end of class we had finished all of our class work, so I opened up my ST email. I could still get access to all the assets and I wanted to send Trish an email regarding BioDome because it would make a good addition to ST.

Trish,

I'm going on a field trip tomorrow, weird I know. But the place we are going to is called BioDome Eco Facility. I want you to develop an impact and acquisition report on it. Their research would make an excellent addition to our agricultural projects in Africa.

Thanks,

Jaxon Stone

Chief of Research and Development

STONETECH HOLDINGS

I closed my Mac and stacked my books on top of it. Edythe had her phone out texting. I had to leave as soon as the next period was dismissed. Alexi would be impatient to get this over with. I'd be lying if I hadn't thought about asking Edythe out for dinner tonight, the thought had crossed my mind more than once while we had been working on our work today.

The bell rang and brought me out of my thoughts. Edythe was staring at me.

"Are you okay?" She asked me.

I nodded. "Yeah I'm fine." I stood and grabbed my bag. I turned and Edythe was already at my side. Damn she was fast. I never even saw her actually stand.

"Well I'll see you tomorrow, partner." I said.

"Looking forward to it."

I smiled down at her. We both had to leave now, but I didn't want to. It seemed like she didn't want to either. Suddenly she reached up to my face, her hand was moving slowly like she was being hesitant. She pushed a piece of my hair off of my forehead. Her hands were ice cold, but it didn't startle me.

We locked eyes and then I blinked. Edythe turned her face away from me.

"Ugh sorry. I have to get to class. I'll see you tomorrow Jaxon." Edythe said rapidly. She turned and hurried off.

I stood there until the bell rang. Gym went by in a haze. As soon as the bell rang I hurried to my car and left school for my house. It was time for Alexi and I to get our intel on Rictor. I pulled into the garage and checked the automac to see if it had finished the fabrication. It had and I put the drone parts on my workbench. This would be a fun distraction. I walked up to the loft to grab my pistol.

I got in my McClaren to go meet Alexi.