I'm sorry I never acknowledged the reviews this week. I've not been too well. Epilepsy sucks. I hit my face as I fell during my last seizure and had to have a tooth removed as I cracked it beyond repair.

I have been told you might need tissues for this chapter.

Narrated by Shelly Cope.

Chapter 7

First grade was in full swing. It was difficult for a few pupils at first, but they calmed down once Mrs. Clapp told them the rules. Gale was concerned about Izzy; she wasn't the bubbly child she had heard about in the staffroom. She had put it down to her mother leaving, and Esme Cullen seemed to be on top of it.

Izzy had her cast removed a month into the school year. She was pleased to be able to take her guitar lessons again. Izzy missed Miss. Denali. Mrs. Clapp shouted at her when she sang when she drew or painted. She tried to remember that she couldn't do that in class.

Jess, Siobhan, and Lauren teased Izzy relentlessly about her mom leaving. They said it was because she was ugly, telling her no one could love her. After all, she was weird. They also gave Teddy a hard time because Izzy had to stay at his house. They kept saying she was his girlfriend and said they would get married. Teddy always knew he loved his Izzy, and they would get married; she was his one, after all. But he didn't want everyone else to know.

Charlie had tried everything to find out where Renee had gone. He hadn't been able to find anything. Charlie filed a missing person's report hoping that he might find her wherever she was in the states. He didn't want her back. Charlie wanted a divorce and to charge her with child endangerment. He planned on hiring a nanny who would live in part-time. He hated having to rely so much on the Cullen's.

It seems that now that the kids have gone into the first grade, everyone began to have birthday parties just inviting their friends. Izzy, however, had a big birthday party hosted by the Cullen's. They had invited everyone in both first-grade classes.

~T&I~

It was the end of the school day, much to Izzy's relief.

"I thought you were going to miss the bus, Izzy. Why were you so long getting your things?" Teddy asked.

"I couldn't find my coat. I thought I would miss the bus and my dad would have to come and get me again. He was so mad at me last time," Izzy recalled.

"You're going to have to be more careful where you put your coat," Teddy instructed.

Izzy scowled at him because she knew that Lauren or Siobhan had moved it. They were smirking at her. They always tried to sit next to Teddy, and he didn't seem to mind her having to sit on her own.

"I have an invitation to go to Micky Newton's birthday party. It's a week from next Saturday. I'm hoping I'll be able to go. You can't come as it's a boy-only party. We are going to the ice rink. So, you will have to find somewhere else to go if your dad is working as I won't be at home that afternoon," Teddy instructed.

"Okay, I'll have to see what my dad can arrange if he's at work that day. I think I might be too young to be on my own. Even if I play in my treehouse," Izzy worried.

Teddy never replied. He was busy talking to Tyler about the party. After all, his first party didn't involve his parents or Izzy. Getting off the bus on the corner of his block, Teddy took off running home so he could tell his mom about the party invitation, leaving Izzy trailing behind him. When she got to the Cullen's front door Teddy had shut it; Izzy didn't like to walk in, so she knocked, waiting for someone to open it.

"Teddy, where is Izzy? She didn't miss the bus again, did she?" Esme asked.

"No, she was behind me somewhere," Teddy replied. "I got an invitation to Micky's birthday party. It's next Saturday at the ice rink in Port Angles."

Esme heard a knock on the door. "Wait a minute, Teddy let me get the door," Esme advised. "Izzy, sweetheart, why are you knocking at the door. You know you can walk in."

"I didn't know what to do. Teddy ran home before I got off the bus," Izzy replied.

Esme took Izzy's hand and walked toward the kitchen.

"Did he now? Teddy, why did you leave Izzy to walk from the bus on her own?" Esme asked.

"I just wanted to tell you about the party invitation. I think Izzy can open a door all on her own," Teddy growled.

Esme didn't like Teddy's attitude, but she left it to slip this time.

"Next week, I can drop you both off at the party and look around a few shops I need to go to," Esme planned.

"It's a boy-only party, mom. She's not coming," Teddy said smugly.

"That's okay. Izzy and I can spend time together. She can help me look round the shops I need to while you're at the party, Teddy," Esme replied.

"You can't take her with you. I've already said that Ben and Tyler can come with us because their parents can't take them," Teddy growled out.

"Teddy, you can't promise people a ride without asking the person who is driving. What is Izzy supposed to do while I'm not here?" Esme asked.

"Stop coming here and staying at her own house. It's not our fault her mom hated her so much that she ran away," Teddy snarled.

"Edward Anthony Cullen, get yourself up those stairs and sit on your bed and think about what you have just said. As of now, if your behavior doesn't improve, you won't be attending any party," Esme yelled.

Looking around, Esme saw Izzy curled up in a ball in the corner of the room, crying.

"Honey, I don't know what's gotten into him. Teddy has never been cruel like that before," Esme cooed.

"What's happened to Izzy's mom? Has someone hurt Izzy?" Jasper panicked.

"Only your youngest brother," Esme replied.

"I want to go home, Doctor Teddy's mom." Izzy sobbed.

"Your dad is at work until six, sweetheart. There's no one at home," Esme answered.

"I tell you what, Izzy, how about Ali and I take you to the diner for dinner. Then we can see if the Chief will give us a key to take you home. How does that sound?" Jasper asked.

Izzy just nodded. She was not looking up from the floor.

~T&I~

Things never got any better for Izzy. When Carlisle dropped Teddy and the boys off at the skating rink, he was shocked to see Lauren, Jess, and Siobhan at the party. Teddy started to play with Micky and his friends at recess. He even sat with them at lunch. Izzy sat in the corner mostly on her own. Sometimes Angie and Ben would sit with her.

Teddy stopped his guitar lessons at school because his friends said it wasn't cool. He asked his parents if he could take private lessons like he did his piano lessons.

Micky had made up the name Issasmella. That is what everyone called her, even Teddy.

Teddy now wanted to be called Edward because, according to him, Teddy was a name only for babies.

It soon came that Teddy was cruel to Izzy when they were at home. Izzy tried to find an excuse because she didn't want to go to Teddy's house after school some days.

Izzy had found her mom's house key and had hidden it in the treehouse if she ever needed to come home. That day came sooner than she thought.

~T&I~

"Why are you here again. No one likes you," Micky said as he sat in Teddy's treehouse.

"My daddy is at work, so I stay here until he comes home," Izzy replied.

"But we don't want you here," Jess said.

Lauren pushed Izzy down the steps of the treehouse.

Izzy screamed as she hit the floor, cradling her shoulder. Ali heard the scream and came out to see what was happening. Izzy tried to get up as they all laughed at her.

"Izzy, honey, have you had another tumble. Let's get into the house and see what the doc says about this shoulder. How did you fall?" Alice asked as she carefully helped Izzy from the floor.

"Teddy, this had better not have anything to do with you or those others up there. Don't forget Izzy was your first friend when you went to school." Alice growled out.

"You don't even live here, so you can't say anything to me," Teddy shouted down.

"Yes, but I do you little shit. Em is coming home for thanksgiving, and so is Rosie it's going to be fun to see how he will come down on you. You know how he sees Izzy like a little sister," Jazz yelled.

"How did you fall, Izzy?" Carlisle asked.

"The steps are a bit wet, and they are slippery," Izzy replied.

"I think it might be time for the treehouse to be out of bounds until the spring," Carlisle said. Jazz went outside and shouted to Teddy.

"Teddy, come down and play indoors. If Izzy has fallen on the steps, it is too dangerous for you to be up there." Jazz shouted up.

"I've told you I want to be called Edward. I don't even know why Issasmella is even here. Why does she have to spoil everyone's fun? I didn't invite her to come and play," Teddy growled.

"You get into the house; you little shit before I hit you," Jazz growled.

"Esme!" Carlisle shouted.

"Yes, honey," Esme replied. "My goodness, what happened, Izzy, sweetheart?"

"She fell on the wet steps. From now on the treehouse is out of bounds until the spring. Teddy needs to be in his room until I get back, and these children need to go home. Could you also call Charlie and tell him that Izzy looks like she has fractured her shoulder," Carlisle informed.

Alice got into the car with them, carefully strapping Izzy into her seat.

"I think we are going to have to rethink your Halloween costume for Teddy's Halloween party next weekend. Are you still coming trick or treat with us?" Alice asked.

"I don't think so. My arm might still be hurting," Izzy quietly said.

"I tell you what; how about Jane and I take you. We will take you home if it gets too much for you until the Chief gets home. How does that sound," Alice asked?

"I would like that. But we won't go to Micky, Lauren, or Siobhan's house, will we?" Izzy asked.

"No, honey, we don't have to go anywhere near them," Alice replied sadly. She noticed Carlisle looking through his rearview mirror at them.

They were met at the hospital door by Charlie. He looked tired and like he hadn't been eating.

"Hi, Izzy, you had another tumble?" Charlie asked.

Izzy just nodded, not looking at her dad.

"Thank you for bringing her Carlisle. Thank you, Alice. I'll have to take you back to the station once we have finished here," Charlie said, rubbing his face.

"Chief, I'll call Jane, and we will stay with Izzy. Are you working the night shift? If so, we can stay overnight and get her to school in the morning and still get to school on time," Alice offered.

"Charlie, we will have to see what her injury is because she might not be able to go to school. If she has a concussion, she will have to stay overnight. Esme will come and stay with her," Carlisle counselled.

"How did she do this, Carlisle. She seems to be having so many accidents. Does she have something medically wrong with her that is making her fall?" Charlie asked, sounding desperate.

"No, Charlie, she is being bullied, and those bullies are hurting her. One of those bullies is my son. We will be dealing with him once we get Izzy treated," Carlisle said.

"You're telling me that Teddy has been bullying my Izzy! When did you find this out? I trusted you and Esme with Izzy. Don't you think that poor kid has been through enough already? There is no way I'm letting her come to your house, not to let her get bullied. I think you should leave Carlisle before one of us says something we will regret," Charlie growled.

"Okay, Charlie, but we need to talk about this. We still want to help you. The Stanley girl and Newton boy will not be coming to our house. Ali, will you be staying here with Izzy?" Carlisle asked.

"Yes, I'm staying with Izzy. Can you ask Jazz to bring my bag here please?" Alice asked.

"Of course, I will. I'll see you later, Izzy. I think that Esme will be coming to see you before the night is over," Carlisle said as he got up to leave.

The entire drive home, Carlisle was getting angrier and angrier. He was hoping that Esme had already sent those kids home, and Teddy had better still be in his room. He never thought that one of his children would become a bully—especially not Teddy. When Teddy was bullied, it was Izzy who stuck by him. How could he have done this to her?

Carlisle slammed his car door, pushing the front door open he was so angry to see all the kids running around the house, including Teddy. What the hell was Esme thinking.

"Esme, I want you in my study now," Carlisle yelled. "Jazz, could you ring the parents of all these kids? They need to be picked up now. Then could you take Alice's things to the hospital? She will be staying with Izzy tonight."

"Why isn't Izzy coming back here? She usually sleeps over when the chief works a night shift," Jazz puzzled.

"I don't know if she will ever come here again. Why would she want to, or the Chief let her when her best friend has been bullying her? Now I don't know which one of them pushed her out of the treehouse, but Izzy could have been killed," Carlisle growled. "Teddy, I told you to go to your room; now go."

Turning, he walked to his study, followed closely by Esme.

"Carlisle, are you sure about this?" Esme gasped.

"I'm sure. Izzy wouldn't say anything because I think she doesn't want to tell us," Carlisle suggested.

"Carlisle, you stay in here while you calm down a little. I'll make sure all the kids have left. Then I'll bring Teddy to your study," Esme said, completely upset.

Carlisle turned his chair around, looking out of his study window, trying to work out when things with Teddy went so wrong.

A short time later, there was a knock on the door, and Esme walked in, followed by Teddy.

"Sit," Carlisle growled, not taking his eyes off Teddy. "Why, Teddy. Why would you do that to your friend?"

"I've told you my name is Edward. I don't like Izzy. I have friends who don't treat me like I'm stupid. Izzy thinks I need her all the time, but I don't," Edward yelled.

"Do not shout at me, Edward. Izzy sacrificed making friends when she went to school, so you weren't alone. But you have taken that friendship and thrown it all away. Izzy is having a bad time now. Her mom left her," Carlisle began to say.

"Her mom left because she hated Issmella. No one likes smella, not even you. You only have her here because you feel sorry for her, not that you like her," Teddy spat out.

"Don't you ever call her that again! Her mother left them because she didn't want to live in Forks anymore. It has nothing to do with the fact she doesn't want Izzy. Who told you that?" Esme demanded.

"Jess did, and her dad owns this town," Teddy told them.

"That's where you're wrong, Edward. Jess's parents have never owned this town. Her dad was the mayor. He is no longer the mayor; Mr. Wells is now the mayor. Jess's parents had to find jobs. Mrs. Stanley fills the shelves in the grocery store, and Mr. Stanley still doesn't have a job," Esme growled. "So don't believe what Jessica tells you."

"I want to know who pushed Izzy from the treehouse. Don't say she fell because I'm a doctor, and I know when someone has fallen and when someone has been pushed," Carlisle asked.

Teddy just shrugged his shoulders.

"Well, Edward, you will be going to school and coming straight home. You will not be having a Halloween party or attending one. You will not be going to any birthday parties until further notice. If you ever treat Izzy the way you have again, we will be having a more serious talk," Carlisle instructed. "Now go to your room. We will tell you when your dinner is ready."

"I've got to go to Izzy. She must be feeling so hurt and confused. She is going to need a mom's love now. I always wanted her to feel safe here," Esme said.

"Esme, sweetheart, I don't think that is a good idea. I don't think you will be well received. Charlie is very hurt and feels betrayed now. Alice and Jane are with her," Carlisle softly said.

Sobbing, Esme went into the kitchen to fix the dinner. Jasper heard most of the conversation and saw his mom crying. He hated to see her like that. He planned on contacting Emmett, but first, he had more pressing things to do.

Tearing down the hall to Teddy's bedroom, he would make sure that little shit realized what he had done.

~T&I~

Things never got any easier for Izzy. After the accident, she couldn't attend school, so she did her schoolwork at the station or at home. Esme eventually persuaded Charlie that Izzy was better at the practice surgery or at home. A police station wasn't the best place for a child.

For Christmas, Izzy got a watch and an alarm clock. Everyone thought an alarm clock was a strange gift for a child her age. People didn't know that Teddy had made it unbearable for her, so she lied to both the Cullens and her daddy. She would leave the Cullen's house at six in the evening, saying her dad was picking her up as he wasn't working at night. Izzy went through the woods waiting for her daddy to leave for work, and then she sneaked into the house through the back door.

Izzy knew not to use a flashlight in the house. After all, she had seen Home Alone that's how the bad guys knew he was in the house. She knew someone would call the station if they saw the flashlight. They would think the house was getting burgled.

Setting her alarm so she could get up before her dad got home, Izzy would dress, wait in the woods, and then near the corner to catch the bus.

Izzy had her lunch sometimes she had to sit on the floor as there wasn't always a seat available for her to sit.

At parties, her daddy was buying gifts and cards for the children. Her daddy or the Cullen's dropped her off. She waited to go through the woods to her treehouse, stashing the gifts and cards, waiting to get back to the party, and waiting away from the home of the birthday child, so they never knew she wasn't invited.

~T&I~

Then one day in May, Izzy received an invitation from Rebecca and Rachel to their birthday party.

Izzy tried her best not to show how excited she was to be going to her first party. Her Daddy would drop her off on his way to work. He asked Alice to pick her up. Alice agreed to pick up Teddy on her way back from a cheerleader's competition and dropped them off at the Cullen's.

Excitedly, Izzy put on her best overalls and new reds Doctor Martin. She was getting excited as she did her hair. Charlie just smiled, not realizing this was her first party.

"Come on, daddy, I'm going to be late. They have a jumping castle. They have a clown that makes things out of balloons," Izzy said excitedly.

"Come on, kid, don't forget the cards and gifts. All these parties sure cost me money. I'm glad Esme organized yours," Charlie chuckled.

On the drive to the party, Izzy was getting more excited. The party seemed to be in full swing when Izzy got there.

"It looks like you are one of the last to come," Charlie laughed. "Don't forget Alice is picking you up, and I'll come later to get you."

"Okay, daddy, I haven't forgotten," Izzy said, getting out of the car.

Waving, she made her way into the back of the house into a big garden.

"Oh, hello Isabella, I didn't know you were coming. Put your gift over there on the table. The others are playing over on the bouncing castle," Mrs. Call said, looking puzzled.

Izzy skipped over to Teddy and Siobhan. They started giggling when they saw her. It made Izzy a little nervous.

"What are you doing here?" Rebecca demanded.

"You gave me an invitation?" Izzy said, puzzled.

"It was by accident," Jess laughed.

"You need to leave. Now," Rachel shouted.

"Isasmella, you need to go to my house and get all your things that I have in my treehouse. My mom and dad don't want you at our house anymore," Teddy growled.

Panicking, Izzy ran to the fence and climbed over it, and made her way to her house, crying all the way. She should have realized that they didn't want her there. Izzy got her bike and rode to the Cullen's; going up the drive,

"Is that Izzy. I thought you said all the kids are at a party," Jared said as he was hanging out the bedroom smoking a joint.

"Where?" Jazz asked.

"At the treehouse. I thought the Doc said that was out of bound until the spring?" Jared added.

"Jared man, there's no one out there," Jazz chuckled.

"She was on her bike. That pink one with the tassels on the handlebars," Jared confirmed.

"Serious dude, you should lay off the weed," Jazz laughed.

Izzy was out of the drive before anyone had a chance to see her.

No one had noticed the green van that had been driving around town the past few days. As no one seems to see Izzy on her own. It took a man a few minutes to jump out of the side of the van, grab Izzy, and pull her into the van. He put a cloth with chloroform over her mouth as the van sped out of town.

I hope you're not too cross with Teddy (or me). Peer pressure is horrible when you're young as Teddy.

Thanks as always to my dear friend Kellie (Klcivinski) for pre-reading through the chapter and pointing out it made her cry.

Thanks also to Donna (EdwardsFirstKiss) for editing the chapter and helping it make sense.

Any mistakes are all mine.