Surviving High School

Welcome to My Life

A/N: Oh my dear readers, Edward seems to have pissed quite a few of you off. It's okay. I understand. He pissed me off, too. I certainly hadn't expected him to take that attitude about things, but he did. Just remember that I believe in Happily Ever After and that we will get there. Eventually (insert evil laugh here).  So, if there's anything you'd like to say to Edward, please feel free to leave a review and tell him what you think of him and his attitude. 

....

The rest of the week passed in a daze. My encounters with Edward were awkward and strained, at best. Whereas I'd once relished the moment until I could see him, I now cringed at the thought of dealing with his attitude. I tried to stay positive, I truly did; but by the time Friday rolled around, I was ready to throw in the towel. I was drained from the silent treatment and hateful glares from Edward. I was tired of the stares in the hallways, and the whispered conversations about me behind my back. Alice hadn't had much luck getting Edward to open up to her, and I felt horrible that this whole situation was affecting her relationship with him.

As soon as the bell rang, signaling that school was over, I was out the door in a flash. I didn't even stop at my locker – just grabbed my bag and headed toward Chuck as quickly as I could. Halfway to my safety beacon, my left arm was grabbed, and I was spun around. I found myself face to face with Lauren, looking a bit smug.

“It's true, isn't it?” she asked.

“What are you talking about, Lauren?” I snapped as I shook her hand off my arm.

“What everyone's saying — that you attacked Victoria after she caught you trying to fuck Edward.”

My mouth dropped open. 

“What? I never tried to fuck Edward, and I've certainly never attacked Victoria,” I managed to get out through clenched teeth.

“Sure, Bella. Whatever you say. I'm just glad the whole school knows what you really are. A lying whore.” With those words, Lauren spun on her heel and headed toward Tyler and Mike. I noticed them glancing my way, and Mike had a definite sneer on his face. It figures he'd believe that crap. What an ass. Shaking my head, I continued my retreat and sought refuge inside of Chuck.

I drove home, fighting the tears that were welling up. There was no way I was going to shed any more tears over this screwed up situation. Victoria could say what she wanted about me, but I knew the truth as did my real friends. Yeah, that sounded good. Now, if only I could get myself to believe it.

I pulled into the drive, only to come to the realization that the last thing I wanted to do was sit at home and have to explain to Charlie why I was in such a funk. I backed Chuck out the driveway and headed toward La Push. There were some beautiful cliffs overlooking the ocean, and I thought, perhaps, they would be a good place to clear my mind and just breathe.

I approached the cliffs and found a spot to park Chuck. I got out and grabbed an old blanket I kept in the back and my beat up copy of Jane Eyre. There was a huge rock near the ledge, but not so close that I'd fall off, and I made way toward it. I spread my blanket out on the rock, opened my book, and lost myself in the world of nineteenth century England. I was so wrapped up in the story that I failed to hear the sounds of approaching people.

“Is that? It is. Hey, Bella!” a male voice shouted, startling me.

I looked up and noticed a Native American guy heading my way. Jacob Black — the son of Charlie's best friend, Billy. Jacob was a few years younger than me, and while we hadn't hung out recently, we had spent much of our youth playing together on the reservation or suffering through fishing trips that our fathers made us go on.