Confused Replacement (Twilight FANFIC)

Chapter 13: Actions Have Consequences

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"4 'O Clock, on the dot. That kid trying to brown-nose me now or something?" I rolled my eyes at Charlie's greeting, memories of spending my time studying with Edward in our field fading as I slumped into the empty space on the sofa.

"Now he's too punctual for you?" I scoffed.

Charlie sighed heavily, folding up his paper and offering me his complete focus--"Okay. You understand why you're being punished, right?"

"I put you through hell," I nodded along.

"Yes, you did. But I have other reasons for grounding you. Like, uh...I just want you to get some separation from him."

"I understand, dad. From your point of view, every time I've ever gone off the rails is because he upset me, or he left me--it's not the best first impression and I get that. But I love him, dad. And you may hate him, but Edwards in my life. You've seen what I've been like when he's not. I'm sorry to say, but we're so much better together than apart."

"...I know..." he sighed again with his reluctance.

"You want me to be my own person, not depend my every waking moment on a boy and I'm grateful for that. You're doing the best you can in your situation, so I respect your wishes," he drank from his beer, eyes debating how to suggest the topic he wanted after hearing me accept the punishment a little too willingly.

"How about I make you a deal?" I raised a brow, his body turning to face me--"You're not grounded anymore if you use your new-found freedom to see some of your other friends, too, like...--"

"Like Jacob?" His head bowed with my guts guess.

"He's going through a really tough time right now. His dad's really worried about him. I remember when that was you. You needed a friend. Jake was there."

"I know," huffed a breath past my lips as I sank further into my seat, "He's been avoiding me for weeks, dad. Ever since I--..."

"Ever since what?" he frowned.

"Nothing. I'll call him."

"Thank you," a kiss was placed on my forehead before Charlie escaped to top up his drink.

-----THE NEXT DAY-----

"Bella, please--"

"No, we're in a fight. Maybe Alice should have shared that your actions have consequences when snitching on me last night." He gave up after that, silently filling the seat next to me and taking the hint whenever I nudged further and further away from his touch.

"Hey," smiles synced when my friends' table of four morphed into a table of six.

"Just in time. All right, check it out," Mike picked up his pencil.

"All right. Let's see what you got," Eric encouraged.

" 'My fellow students.' Right?" Mike began the speech.

"Good," Eric nodded.

"Right?"

"Cute," Jessica confirmed.

" 'We are the future. Anything is possible if you just believe.' "

"Nice," came Angela's affirmative.