8. I Want To Go To School

EPOV

Bella had just fallen asleep in my lap, and I continued my slow, rocking pace with ease. I would do this all night, if it would keep her asleep. I planned on letting her sleep-in for two hours in the morning, so she wouldn’t be so tired tomorrow. I looked down at her angelic face and couldn’t help but kiss her soft, bruised skin again. Finally, she looked peaceful. After an entire day of turmoil and stress, she was resting. Fucking finally. I started thinking about the discussion we had, after her shower.


I had just told my Bella that I want to spank her. What the fuck was I thinking? Granted, that is the method of discipline I have always seen and agreed with, and I was telling the truth about my need to correct her behavior, but what must have that sounded like to Bella?


I didn’t here her protesting though…




I could smell her fear when I said it. And a part of me absolutely loved that. Her fear, her adrenaline...so sweet. The monster inside of me was laughing darkly and practically begging her to do something ‘naughty’ so that I could smell some more of that deliciously enticing adrenaline as anticipation crosses her features while she helplessly wonders what I will do to her.


Ugh, I am sick. Sick! This is BELLA.

I can’t get aroused by her fear and excited by the aspect of demonstrating my control over her.


When those very wrong feelings came over me, I had to reign in my control, and quickly, while she questioned my intentions. She was right to be curious about why I would want to do that to her. And after my explanation of my promise to be everything that she needed, including the occasional authority figure, and the assurance that I would never leave a mark on that creamy white skin, she seemed to understand…as much as she possibly could understand, anyway.


I left out that I also need to protect her from herself. Most of the time, the most dangerous thing to Bella, is Bella herself. She has demonstrated that a lot in the past. And I can’t help but toy with the idea in my head, that if…if all it would take is me showing her a little bit of discipline, even if it’s just a one-time thing, then all the ridiculous behavior would stop. Motorcycles, cliff diving, smoking, violence, and stupid werewolf friends…all of these things are fucking unacceptable. All of these things need to be dealt with.


Ah, but at the same time, am I kidding myself? The idea of hurting Bella is repulsive to me. And I’m sure that my hand smacking her delicate flesh would hurt her, and I’m almost positive that it would result in some tears…and that’s where this gets complicated because I just can’t fucking stand the sounds of Bella’s crying. I can’t deal with it. It puts my mind in hyper anxiety-mode and my number one mission in life is to just fucking make the noises stop so that she can feel better, and I can relax. I have an ingrained need to comfort her.


And with that aspect in mind, I really don’t think I could go through with it. Just last night, with the light tap I gave her for trying to avoid sleep, was almost too much for me. She actually seemed okay with it, but I was a mess. The whole time, between the slap and her falling asleep, I was afraid that I had messed things up somehow. But she had been surprisingly receptive to it…and she also did what she was told afterwards.

Interesting…


Huh…this is going to be tricky.


Bella’s stirring interrupted my reverie. I looked at the clock across the room, to see that it was 3:34 in the morning. Her eyelids fluttered open after a minute and with the way I had her head angled, she opened them up to the sight of my face looking down at her.


I gave her a soft smile and whispered, “Go back to sleep, angel…it’s still really early,” and then kissed her forehead, making sure to keep up the slow rocking pace in this chair.

I watched as she closed her eyes again and started to snuggle her head further into the crook of my shoulder. I tried to accommodate her slight shift in position and then held her a little tighter against my body. She moaned sleepily and I shushed her.


Six minutes later, she opened her eyes again and started to sit up. I thought she was trying to switch positions, but it turns out, she wasn’t, because when her back was straight and she turned her head to look at my eyes with her bleary ones, she didn’t make a movement to try and lay back down on me again.


Maybe she needs to use the bathroom.


“Edward,” she croaked, her voice thick with sleep.


I put my hand on the small of her back, still rocking. “Hmm?” I responded, looking at her tired face.


Her eyes starting to glisten a little bit and I heard her sniffle. She looked around her bedroom, lit up only by her small bedside lamp, and then back to my face. I could smell the salt in her tears and it put my mind on alert, completely aware of the fact that my Bella was starting to cry.


She blinked the tears out of her eyes, letting a few fall. I wiped them away for her while she gave a delicate sniffle and asked in a sleepy voice, “Is my dad here?“

I shook my head. She didn’t need to worry about him anymore.

She sniffled again and then asked, “Where’s Alice?”


I furrowed my brow, a little confused as to why she was getting upset. “She’s at home sweetheart, you‘ll see her at school in the morning.” I paused and then continued on, “It’s still in the middle of the night, Bella. Why do you want Alice?”


She rubbed her eyes sleepily, sniffled again and answered, “I fucking miss her. Is she going to leave me and Bell like before? Will she still like me even though I don‘t want her to dress me up in all that frilly shit?” she mumbled, clearly exhausted.


…What? OH! Marie.


“Marie?”


She sighed and tried to stretch but seemed too tired to move much. “Yeah?”


“Hey,” I said softly, seeing her distress at the idea of Alice leaving her, and maybe not liking her anymore. Bella really was right…Marie is just a broken, insecure girl.


I wanted to alleviate her fears. “No, Alice isn’t leaving, and yes she likes you. Even if you don‘t want to play dress-up with her. Ok, love?” I kissed her cheek and then informed her of her body‘s exhaustion, which she didn‘t quite seem to understand. She appeared to be getting frustrated with the sleepy movements. “You’re really tired, Marie…that’s why you can barely move, or keep your eyes open. You wanna snuggle up with me? I’ll hold you, and you can go back to sleep,” I told her as I pulled her back down, against my body.

She complied and nodded against my chest. “You smell yummy…I want Alice, damn it, ” I heard her voice whimper, before she slipped back to sleep.


I stuck my nose in her hair and breathed in, deeply. I enjoyed the burn in my throat, whereas before I would shy away from it. I found that recently, I need the burn, like a drug and I was a hopeless junkie. It’s not just about the scent anymore, but the feeling of my throat burning, my muscles tightening, and the venom pooling in my mouth. All of these things meant that my Bella was alive and well. After her suicide scare, I needed that constant reassurance. I was like a dying man in a desert, and the burn in my throat that she always ignited was my salvation. With the burn, my internal wounds I had inflicted on myself after Bella‘s birthday, started to heal. I would do this every night now…torture my body to calm my fears. It seems almost twisted, but it makes sense to me, and that’s all that matters.


I let myself burn for hours, until the morning, and then around 8:00, I started to kiss my Bella awake. After a quick stop at the pharmacy, we had school today, and then afterwards, we would do some packing. She would be moving in with me today. At that thought, I couldn’t stop smiling as I pecked little kisses all around her beautiful face.

BPOV

After I was dressed and ready to go to school, I went down stairs. I was headed for the kitchen, but Edward stopped me, telling me not to worry about breakfast, because he was taking me out for some ‘good and greasy food’ after we stopped at the pharmacy to fill my new script for sleeping meds. I just shook my head, but agreed, knowing that he was trying to get me to gain some weight. I really was a little too thin and I knew that fruit or dry toast in the mornings, wouldn’t be helpful to my new goal of weighing 110lbs.


I waited in the Volvo while he went into the store to drop off my prescription at the one-hour pharmacy. I was fiddling with his Ipod dock when I heard that familiar voice in my head.


Where’s Alice, Bell?


She’s probably at school. I looked at the clock. Should be in art class right now.


Well then, can we go to school?


Umm, yeah, after breakfast.


Fuck breakfast. Let’s get on with the going to school.


Breakfast won’t take that long . Besides, I’m enjoying being out with Edward. Even if it is just to drop off my script and grab a bite to eat.


When he gets back in the car, tell him that you just want to go to the motherfucking school. Say that your stomach is upset, or some shit.


No, I’m hungry.


Goddamnit Bell, just fucking do it! she demanded.

Why?


I want to make sure Alice is really there. That they didn’t lie. They are liars, you know.

Well, I know she’s at school already, and I’m not worried about it. But I’ll hurry through breakfast and then we can go to school, alright?

She didn’t respond. And when I saw Edward walking out of the store, back towards the car, my vision started to blur. Damn it.

Marie, no.


Fuck off and don’t tell me what to do.

EPOV

I was standing in line at the pharmacy, intent on dropping her prescription off so it could be filled and ready after we got out of school. While I was waiting I kept looking back out the store window towards my car. I could see Bella clearly from here, with my vampire vision, and I could see a look of concentration on her face. Like she was trying really hard to figure out a difficult puzzle. I saw her eyes glance over my dash board and then fix straight back ahead, with the same look on her face.


What is she doing?


“Next, please,” the teller behind the counter called to me, drawing my attention.


After I finished up at the counter, I headed back out to my car. I got in the driver side and was turning the heat up a little for my Bella, when she spoke up.


“I want to go to school,” she informed me.


I quirked a smile, “Do you?” I asked while pressing buttons to fix the temperature in the car.

She nodded in response.


“Well, you’re lucky then, ‘cause that’s where we’re headed after I take you to breakfast. When is your project due again? Today or tomorrow?” I asked, remembering her confrontation with Newton yesterday.


She didn’t answer, and instead responded with, “I don’t want to go to breakfast. I want to go to school. Now, please,” she said and then I heard her stomach growl, betraying her words.


I looked at her then, and noticed that she wouldn’t make eye contact with me.

Why is she trying to starve herself?

She needs to eat. And she is definitely hungry.


Why is she lying?


After I took a calming breath, I asked, “Why don’t you want to go to breakfast?” I asked, my patience wearing thin through my voice.


“I…” she hesitated, “I…have a stomach ache,” she answered with a nod.


“Why are you lying to me?” I asked bluntly.


She turned to face me then. “I’m not fucking lying, Edward, I just don’t want to motherfucking eat, alright? What I do want, is to go to the goddamn school. Now,” she demanded.


I sighed.

Marie. What to do with you…you rebellious little girl. Hmmm…


Then she swallowed before adding, “Please,” ever-so-lightly, as if it hurt her to speak with some damn manners.


“Ah, Marie, dear…aren’t you fucking delightful this morning,” I remarked with a smile.


She smirked. “Edward, I just want to go to fucking school, alright? Can we do that?”


“No,” I replied with a shake of my head, then backed out of my parking space and headed off towards the diner here in town.


“And why the fuck not?”


I shrugged, “Umm…because I said so? Yes. Because I said so. I think I like that answer,” I said casually.


“You’re a dick. I want to go to school, now. I don’t want to eat breakfast, so I’m not going to eat breakfast,” she said while crossing her arms over her chest. Her stomach growled again.


I sighed. Time to exercise some of that authority.


“Oh, yes, you will eat. You will sit your ass down in that seat and stay put until your plate is clean, do you hear me?” I said firmly.


Alright, you may be playing her at this game of her‘s, but you are in control, damn it. Don’t let this get out of hand. Just make sure she eats. Without any casualties.


“Fuck off, you can’t make me do anything,” she said with a glare.


Jesus Christ, she can be a brat I thought while pulling into the parking lot of the diner.


I unbuckled my seatbelt, and then undid hers. “If you don’t want me to drag you in there, kicking and screaming, you had better start cooperating right now,” I warned her with a glare of my own.


I took my keys out of the ignition, and got out of the car without looking back at her, then started strolling over to the passenger side door. I was both relieved, and a little surprised to see her getting out of the car on her own when I arrived next to her door.


Hmm, being a ‘dick’ must be working, then.


As soon as the passenger door, closed and I clicked on the car’s alarm with my key ring, I heard Marie pout, “I don’t want to eat breakfast, I wanna go to school!” she punctuated her rant with a stomp of her foot.


I grabbed her upper arm and quickly pulled her up against my side so I could whisper to her ear without making a scene in front of the other customers. We were still in the parking lot, but people could see us out of the windows.


“Stop it, right now,” I growled lowly in her ear.


She yanked her arm out of my grip and then with a huff, she stomped all the way inside the restaurant, with me right behind her. I shook my head at her retreating form.

Why was she so transfixed on avoiding breakfast to go to school?


The waitress walked us to a booth and Marie plopped down in the seat opposite of me, so we were left staring at each other. I nudged the menu in her direction, and she nudged it right back at me. Then she lifted her chin defiantly, and turned to stare out the window. I smiled, knowing that I could just order for her. I knew what my Bella liked to eat. I relaxed into my seat, never taking my eyes off of Marie until the waitress came by asking if we were ready to order. I informed her that we were, in fact, ready to order, to which Marie shot me a look that clearly said, ‘I hate you’. After I ordered the two pancakes, one scrambled egg, and fresh fruit along with a chocolate milk, the waitress walked off, leaving me and Marie alone again.


Now that we were in the restaurant and I was relaxed, knowing food was on the way, her tantrum was actually becoming amusing to me. She stayed quiet, clearly giving me the silent treatment and kept her eyes fixed on the parking lot outside of the window.


About ten minutes later, Marie’s plate was placed down in front of her, along with her glass of chocolate milk.


“Is there anything else I can get you?” the waitress asked Marie.


Marie looked up to the sound of her voice and…actually, glared at her and the waitress’s eyes widened.

Damn it, she needs to learn some fucking manners.


“No thank you, this looks delicious,” I said in apology for my rude girlfriend.

The waitress looked at me and after a minute of apparently being star-struck by my evil gold eyes, she nodded her head and flitted off to do something else.


“That was rude,” I admonished Marie once we were alone again.


"You’re rude. I hope you enjoy your fucking pancakes, ‘cause I’m not eating them,” she said shoving the plate over in my direction.


I didn’t respond, tired of her tantrum again all of a sudden, and just shoved the plate back in her direction.


She shoved it back, daring me with her eyes to do something about it. I ignored the taunt and her immature behavior and just shoved it back to her. She shoved it back, keeping eye contact with me.


I shoved forward.


She shoved back.


I shoved forward.


She shoved back.


Damn it!


I shoved it back towards her but kept my hand on the plate this time and held it in place.


She huffed, “Let go of my plate.”


“Eat your food.”


"You eat the motherfucking food.”


“Eat your food, Marie,” I said again, keeping my voice calm and even.


“No,” she told me, raising her eyebrows in a challenge.


“Eat your food,” I repeated one last time.


“I don’t want to,” she whined and kicked her legs at me a bit.

I raised one eyebrow and gave her a hard look, daring her to kick my leg again.

She didn’t, but she did continue to whine. “I wanna go to school,” she said with a scowl on her face, and crossed her arms.

My voice was stern now, realizing that I obviously had to step this up a notch. Playing it cool stopped working like, five minutes ago. “We will go to school when you’re done eating and not a second earlier.”


She looked down at the food as her stomach growled, yet again, but she shook her head, silently telling me 'no'. Again.

“Eat your food, I’m not going to repeat myself again. If you want to continue to throw a fit, then I’ll put all of this in a to-go box and take your little ass back out to the car to deal with you,” I threatened.


If what Bella said was true, then I knew that Marie had heard the conversation that I had with Bella last night and she would know what I meant by ‘dealing with her’.


Obviously the threat worked, because she reluctantly picked up her fork and stabbed some of the eggs, bringing them to her mouth.


So she does know what I was talking about. Good.


That could help out a lot when it comes to dealing with her. And my Bella did say she was going to be a handful.


After she swallowed, I smiled at her. “Good girl,” I commented.


The rest of breakfast was spent in silence. She ate almost everything except for a few bites of her pancakes.


"I’m full now, I want to fucking go to school already. I want to see Alice,” she stated after she gulped down her chocolate milk.


We were waiting for the waitress so I could pay the bill, when I responded. “Is that what your little tantrum was about, Marie? You wanted to go to school to see Alice?”


She nodded, looking me in the eye.

It was the eye contact that did it…I knew that she wasn’t ashamed or remorseful. She didn’t see anything wrong at all with acting that way to get what she wanted.


Yes, this will definitely be a problem.


I ignored that for now and let her know, “Well, if you would have cooperated from the beginning, we probably would have already been out of here and at school 30 minutes ago.”


This fact seemed to puzzle her as she looked at me in disbelief. “No shit?” she asked after a minute.


“Next time, just do as your told. It’ll save you lotts of time,” I advised her.


Her shoulders stiffened at my comment. “I’m not a child, Edward.”


I scoffed at that and shook my head a little before looking back at her. “Yes…yes, you are.”

Her behavior, actions, and the fact of what she actually is, just proves that she was in a child-like mind state.


She didn’t respond and I paid the bill. When we were back in the car, driving towards the school it was getting close to 10am.


“When we get to school, it’ll be time for our Trig class, so make sure you have that book in your bag, love.”


Marie unbuckled her seat belt and twisted around to the back seat to grab her bag. When she brought it up front with her and set it on the floor board, I noticed that she didn't buckle back up before she unzipped her bag and started to dig through it. I didn't comment on it though, because we were basically right outside the school parking lot now, but it was something that I noticed was different from Bella. Bella was actually a little scared of my driving and a stickler for traffic laws. She would have immediately grabbed for the seatbelt again to buckle back up.


After a second, she held the book up to me. "Got it," she said then stuck it back in her bag, and grabbed her pack of gum. After putting a stick of spearmint in her mouth, she smacked the gum loudly and held the pack out for me to see, as well. "Edward, I'm almost out of my fuckawesome minty gum..." she said in a sad voice.


Aw.


"I'll pick up some more for you after school, sweetheart. We're going to the store anyway to get some boxes."


She nodded at me and then started blowing little bubbles with the gum in her mouth. A song came on the radio as we pulled into a parking space, Nickleback's 'Rockstar', and she turned it up, bobbing her head a little bit to the beat. I was kind of suprised when she started singing along with the song perfectly in tune, word for word. I sat there in silence, enjoying the sound of her voice.

Afterwards, she turned to me with a smile, "I fucking love to sing," she informed me.


And, there's another difference. My Bella would have never done that...she was too shy.


I smiled back at her, "I fucking love hearing you sing," I replied as I turned my car off and put my keys in my pocket.


We exited the car and held hands all the way to our trig class.

BPOV

"Any questions?" my trigonometry teacher's voice echoed in the quiet room. I blinked against the bright flourescent lighting in the room and looked around.


What the fuck...?


We're almost out of gum, but Edward promised us some more after school I heard Marie's voice say.


What happened? I asked while chewing on a delicious piece of spearmint gum and looking for a clock. 10:26am.

Marie didn't respond though.


I didn't feel hungry, so I knew I had eaten breakfast, which was good because I was starving and I didn't want to upset Edward.


Edward.


My head whipped around to my left to see him sitting beside me. He smiled at me and I smiled back, relieved at being in his presence. He mouthed 'I love you' and I blew him a kiss.


We are so corny I thought with a smile.


Yep her voice piped up.


"...Miss Swan?"


Damn it.


I slowly looked in the direction of the teacher and hesitantly responded, "Hmm?"


"The answer, please?"


I sighed, trying to stall for time, "Uhhm...the answer? The answer...."

Quick, what's the answer?!


How the fuck should I know?


God, were you even paying attention?


Nope, too fucking busy chewin on my yummy gum and lookin at my man she responded casually.


"The answer is....the answer is a tough one, you know. Maybe you could repeat the question?" I asked slyly.


Edward snickered and the teacher shot back, "Maybe you could pay attention in my class?" he mimicked my tone back at me.


"Yeah. Yeah, ok, I could do that," I responded casually then he went on with his lesson, never giving me a second glance.


Edward whispered, "Having trouble in math now?"


I shook my head and whispered back, "What happened, Edward?"


"Bella?"

I rolled my eyes and nodded.


"I'll let you know after class," he whispered and then winked at me.


So, after class and all through lunch, Edward explained what had happened this morning and I constantly apologized for Marie's behavior. He shrugged it off, though, assuring me that he could handle her and that it wasn't bad at all. It sounded bad though, but if he's not going to fret over it then I won't either. Alice hugged me and then talked excitedly about my new wardrobe in Edward's closet. Or, should I say, our, closet. She was anxious to get me all moved in tonight.


"Well, we're going to the store to get some boxes, and then I'm gonna pack a few things. It probably won't be more than ten boxes or so, Alice."

She nodded in response.

"So, are you sure this is okay with everyone?" I asked hesitantly, playing with the cap to my juice bottle. I wasn't really sure that Jasper wanted me around in the first place, let alone actually live with him.

"Ofcourse it's okay, Bella. Why wouldn't it be?" Alice asked.


I hesitated again, and looked down. I don't know why, but I didn't want to bring the subject up. And I really didn't want to make it seem like I didn't like Jasper, or that she had to choose between us. I felt Edward's hand on my back and I looked up at him. He must have seen something in my eyes, because he became instantly concerned.


"What is it, love?"


"I..." I sighed, but soldiered on, and i found that it was easier to say this to the tabletop below me, instead of the two vampires sitting beside me. "I don't know what to do about Jasper. Uhmm...I don't want to make him uncomfortable. And I know he doesn't like me, because of that. I make him uncomfortable. Will he hate me more if I move in? I...I just don't want to cause any trouble. I want him to like me, but I don't know what to do that will change his mind. I mean, I like him...when he's not being all creepy. I just...don't know what to do," I shrugged.


Edward's hand stilled on my back and then there was silence.


A very long silence.

I decided to look up after a few minutes and saw that Edward and Alice were doing there silent communicating thing, leaving me momentarily forgotten. I watched them as they continued.


Talk about creepy.


Tell me about it.


"Bella, Jasper doesn't hate you," Alice consoled me while shaking her head sadly. "You must understand, that what happened was because of our insticts, not because of any ill feelings he has for you. Jasper likes you, hun. I thought you knew that?"


"Well, yeah I thought he liked me too...until he tried to eat me," I mumbled, looking down.


"Bella," Edward's voice washed over me. "Love, it will never happen again. No one will hurt you, I swear it," he spoke, his voice strained with the weight of our topic.


I looked up at him incredualously. "I know that, Edward."


His brow furrowed. "Then why do you think it won't be okay for you to move in, baby?"


I frowned. "Because I don't think Jasper likes me," I told him sadly.


Alice wrapped her arm around me comfortingly. "How about you and Jasper have a talk about that tonight? Trust me, Bella. He likes you."


That thought did make me feel a little better. I nodded and smiled, "Sure."


The bell rang then and we got up from our table. We headed off to gym class and I went with Alice into the girl's locker room so we could change into our uniforms. Class was going to be outside today on the blacktop. It wasn't sunny outside, but it wasn't really cold either. After getting dressed, Alice and I walked out the back of the gym doors and met up with Edward. He took my hand and we sat down in our spots, waiting for the rest of the class while Coach Clapp was setting up different balls and jump ropes.


While we were waiting, I remembered all of Marie's confrontations last night. "Alice, what about last night?" I asked, slightly panicky.


Edward watched our exchange while Alice replied calmly, "What about it?"


"Marie was so rude to Emmett and Rosalie. Are they mad? Oh God, what do I do?" my voice rising just above a whisper as panic was winning out.


Edward lightly squeezed my hand, "Shhh, sweetheart," he said, trying to calm me.


"Relax, Bella. I already talked to them. Emmett thinks you're funny and that Marie has got some spunk, and Rosalie actually respects you a little more, because of your ability to stand up to her now. Albeit, inadvertantly...but you still put her in her place."


I nodded and breathed out a sigh of relief, happy to hear that Marie didn't ruin anything last night.


Ofcourse I didn't fucking ruin anything. You need to have more goddamn faith in me, Bell. I'm a little disappointed in you.


"She is hurt about what Marie said about not being good with kids though," she continued.


Well, she's not and I'm not fucking sorry.


"Sorry," I told Alice and she smiled and nodded.


The rest of the class was outside now and the coach started barking out instructions. We had to do fifty reps with the jump ropes, ten push-ups, and then just stand there when we're done, and wait for the rest of the class, then we were going to do something with the balls he had out. Everyone walked over to the jump ropes and grabbed one. I grabbed a red one and went back over by Edward and Alice, wondering how they were going to do this at a human pace. I guess I wasn't surprised to see them faking it perfectly. I just shook my head at them, suppressing a grin and started my jump rope reps. I was finished pretty quickly and went to put my jump rope away.


I heard Lauren Mallory whispering my name as I walked by her. Then I heard Jessica Stanley's annoying nasal giggling. I knew they were talking about me and that pissed me off. So I slowed down as I walked back over to my spot and casually stepped closer in there direction, then hung my head a bit and tilting towards them so I could hear what they was saying.


"...can't believe he is with her again. She was so pathetic when they left town, I can't believe he finds that weak little bitch attractive," I heard Lauren whisper.


"I know, right? I mean, she's not even pretty," Jessica whispered back.


I had heard enough, so I picked up my pace and went back to my spot, quickly dropping down and doing my assigned push-ups. I heard Alice say something to me, but I wasn't paying her any attention to know what it was.


"1."


Fucking cunts...


"2."


Calm down, Marie.

"3."


No, I don't want to.

"4."


Please?

"5."


You need to stick up for yourself more often, Bell.


I strained and counted out, "6."


Maybe then I wouldn't have to do it all the fucking time.


I sighed, "7."

Lauren laughed again and Jessica peered at me from the corner of her eye, only fueling my anger more.


They aren't worth my fucking time. They are jealous whores, and damn it, don't they have anything better to do, than ridicule and gossip?


"8."


I heard a low growl beside me and knew that Edward and Alice could hear everything those girls were saying loud and clear.


Apparently not, but I could give those bitches something to gossip about Marie chuckled darkly.


"9," I ground out then my vision blurred.

EPOV

I heard what those immature little girls were saying about my Bella, and I was concentrating on trying to reign in my anger while doing these insanely mundane, pointless pushups. Suddenly, I saw Bella rise out of her push-up posture, without completing her reps, and walk casually over to Lauren and Jessica. Alice and I stood up but stayed in our spots, watching and wondering what Bella was doing. Half of the class was standing, and the other half was either still jump-roping, or completing their push ups. Coach Clapp had left to go inside and use the restroom, telling us to finish up and wait for his next instructions.


I heard Alice's sharp intake of breath as she realized Bella's decision, a second before I saw Bella's hand flash out a slap Lauren's face. Hard. The blow actually had the girl taking a few steps back. Lauren screamed and Jessica walked up to Bella, but Bella pushed her down on the ground. She just stood over them...not at all angry, but the picture of calm. She was breathing normal, and her face was relaxed, as she watched the two girls in front of her while a crowd started to gather around them.


"You bitch!" Lauren cried out, holding her cheek.


"Why don't you step back on over here, and I'll show you what this bitch can do," Bella said casually.


Lauren staggered back and swung for Bella, which had me walking towards the girls. I wouldn't let her touch my Bella. But Bella was surprisingly fast. She moved her face to dodge Lauren's cheap shot, then clenched her fist and swung back, hitting Lauren square in the jaw. Lauren knelt down on the ground, holding her face and crying.

"Fucking whore," Bella...or Marie spat at the injured girl on the pavement.

When her gaze turned on Jessica, Jessica started scooting back on the pavement, keeping her fearful eyes on Bella's and then she stood up, headed for the gym doors, intent on telling Coach Clapp what happened.

When I reached Bella, I grabbed her arm and turned her towards me. She immediately stiffened, then relaxed once she realized it was just my cool touch.

She looked up into my concerned face and smiled. "Hey there, sexy," she winked.


"Marie, what were you thinking?" I asked her once I realized she really was fine.

I let go of her arm and looked at her hand, inspecting it for damage. Suprisingly there was none. Marie knew how to throw a punch.


"I was thinking that they should learn to say things to my motherfucking face, instead of behind my back. But I realize now that they can't do that. I broke that one bitch's jaw, and the other scandalous cunt ran off scared." She sighed, "What a goddamn shame..." she said while shaking her head a bit, then she looked back up at me. "I really wanted to know what they had to say about me."


I shook my head at her. "Marie, it doesn't matter what they were saying about you, the violence has got to stop," I told her, hoping she would understand the seriousness of it all. Lauren could press charges if she wanted to.


Coach Clapp came up behind us then, looking angry, with Jessica following behind.

I glared at her.


Fucking tattle tell bitch.


"Bella!" Coach yelled in her direction. But Marie didn't turn towards him. Probably because 'Bella' wasn't her name.


She was still watching me, trying to contemplate this new 'no violence' concept I was trying to talk to her about. I nodded in his direction to let her know he was approaching her, but I wasn't fast enough, because before she could turn towards him, he grabbed her arm. Roughly.

A low growl rumbled in my chest and I suddenly wanted to break the hand he had ahold of her with, then rip his fucking arm off.


It startled Marie and she jumped a bit. She knew what my growling meant, usually anger or some kind of danger, so with wide eyes, she turned around immediately and kneed Coach Clapp in the groin without hesitation.

He let go of her arm and landed on his knees on the pavement, groaning and holding his privates.


I heard Alice gasp. "Oh, no..."


Well, this is quickly turning into a disaster.


Marie peered down at his form on the ground and tsk'd. "No," she scolded him while pointing a finger. "You don't fucking touch me."


I wrapped my arm around Marie's waist and pulled her back with me a little bit. I warring with myself to grab her up and make a quick escape, but I knew it wasn't possible.

Everyone just stood there taking in the scene with a stunned sort of silence, the only noises were Lauren's cries from the ground below as she held her face in her hands.