Dealing With Mike, Mike asks Bella on a study date

[Bella Swan]

It was the middle of fifth hour, this was the only class Bella had with an assigned seating chart. Mr. Melina had taken notice of Edward and Bella's relationship, and thought it would be wise to separate them so they wouldn't be distracted.

The poor man had no idea that Edward was very enthusiastic about Bella's education , and wouldn't want her to do bad in anything.

But of course, he had to have Bella sitting by someone, and that someone just had to be Mike Newton. Bella wasn't to happy about who Edward was sitting be either, her not-so-friendly friend Jessica Stanley.

Mike was blabbing at Bella while Mr. Melina passed out worksheets for the algebra problems he had assigned.

"Well? What do you say?" Mike asked, finally breaking through to her with his question.

"What? Sorry I didn't hear you." she said, trying to pay more attention. She noticed Edward grip the edge of the table he was at with exceeding force. She worried that he would break it in little pieces.

"Do you want to come over to my place later to study for this stupid algebra test?" He said hopefully. Bella's mouth fell open a little. Was he serious? Did he have no brain? Had he recently stopped taking his medication? How could he still have hope that she would stop being with her Edward to be with him?

"Mike..." she said warily. She would have continued but there was a flash of tan and dark blue to her left.

Oh, crap. She thought to herself.

[Edward Cullen]

Deep breaths. Calm. It was difficult for Edward to even think the word calm while he was across the room from where he was supposed to be. Mr. Melina's plan to better Bella's education had been a good one until he sat her next to that disgusting, childish, vile Mike Newton. Just the name made his fingers curl under the desk, the wood chipping into little pieces. The boys thoughts were another matter entirely.

Then there was the added bonus that Jessica Stanley had been placed next to him. He snorted at his own sarcastic thought as Stanley continued to babble to herself in her mind. I wonder if I should get that top that I saw last week at Port Angeles? He'd like it right? She turned her beady eyes slightly to look at him, trying to be secretive. He turned his head and let his glare land on her. She looked away quickly, twirling her hair in between her fingers. Mike's great and all but...woah! How did Bella get so lucky?! He shook his head at her comment. It was the other way around. How did Edward get so lucky to have Bella?

Mike's thoughts had turned nervous for a moment as he thought over a plan on how to spend more time with his Bella. A movie? Nah. The last time I got sick. That'd bring back bad memories. Pictures of Newton looking at his green faced self in the mirror popped up in his head. Edward stifled a chuckle. Weak human. I got it! Study date! Edward's mood suddenly plummeted as Mike continued to lay out his new plan. How dare he try and ask his Bella out when he was right across the room! Did this child have any sense? Shots of throwing Mike up against a wall and hearing the snapping of his bones made a wicked smile grow on Edward's face. Dark thoughts indeed.

"So Bella...do you want to uh...come over to my house to study this...you know...algebra stuff?" Newton asked. Both he and Edward held their breath for Bella's answer but she didn't say anything. Had she not heard him? Mike's confidence was fading. "Well? What do you say?"

"What?" her angelic voice asked, confusion deep in her tone. "Sorry I didn't hear you."

Mike tried again. "Do you want to come over to my place later to study for this stupid algebra test?" he said quickly with not an ounce of confidence left. He merely wanted to get it out.

She was silent for a moment, maybe in shock, before she stuttered out his name in a tired sort of way. Edward couldn't hold back his seething anger anymore. Asking her on a study date? The wood of the desk cracked under his white knuckles and a piece even came off. He hid it, throwing it quickly over his shoulder and kicking it under the desk, before Jessica turned to look at him. But he was ready to jump across the room and snap Mike Newton's neck here and now.

[Bella Swan]

Bella heard a small crack, and her head turned toward the back of the classroom. There was a small dent in the wall. She wondered if Edward had made it. Bella knew how his temper could get him in trouble. She had only been looking at the back of the room for a few seconds when she heard Mr. Melina talking in a worried and confused voice, and she could sense a little hint of fear trying to be hidden.

"Edward, what are you doing? Get back in your seat! We do not condone violence in this school," Mr. Melina said.

Her head whirled around to see Edward frozen halfway between his table and hers. His shoulders were tensed, and his hands were clenched at his sides, slightly extended in front of him. She could tell why Mr. Melina had mentioned the no violence rule that they had at the school. There was a murderous glint in his eyes, and his lips were pulled slightly over his teeth.

Everyone had looked up from their work and was staring at Edward, she knew that he needed to compose himself, and she needed to make people look away from him. She racked her brain for something to do, and settled on choking.

Bella coughed loudly, and patted her chest, then made her coughing become more desperate and frantic. A few of her classmates rushed to her, and all eyes, accept Mr. Melina’s were off of Edward.

[Edward Cullen]

Edward could barely take this agony anymore. Newton was still trying to come up with a plan to get his Bella to acompany him somewhere. The dark thoughts continued to run through Edward's brain. 'The Many Ways On How to Kill Mike Newton,' he liked to call it. There was, of course, the snapping of the bones, maybe drowning? Choking? His fingers flexed at the thought of Mike's purple face. It was difficult to feel any remorse for what he would do to the boy.

Maybe dinner at that La Bella Italia place in Port Angeles? Newton thought.

That was it! Edward stood quickly from his seat, the chair falling over in his haste. Everyone turned to look at him as he gripped the table top. Sit down! Sit down, he hissed at himself. But he couldn't move. He was going to break this up before Newton did any real damage. Edward was halfway towards Bella's desk before Mr. Melina's voice was heard.

"Edward!" he cried, many different emotions running through the teacher at once. "What are you doing? Get back in your seat! We do not condone violence in this school!" At the moment he didn't care about anything the schools rules said. He was going to pummel that child for having any thoughts about his Bella. It would be easy since Mr. Melina was frightened out of his mind at his students outburst. The poor mans heart beat was doubled and there was even a small bead of sweat dripping down from his forehead. Edward would give him some points for trying.

Suddenly he wasn't the centre of the attention anymore. Bella was coughing, no hacking, as people turned to stare at her. His anger immediately faded and a strong sense of worry washed over him as a crowd gathered around her. What had happened? He turned to give Mr. Melina one baleful look before walking into the crowd.

It wasn't difficult for him to find his way to her through the other students. They practically cleared a path for him. Bella's cheeks were turning a slight pink as Mike tried patting her back, her coughing only getting worse. Edward swatted the boys hands away, hoping he broke one of his fingers in the process, while holding Bella's shoulders.

"Bella," he said staring into her brown eyes. She continued to cough and there was some sort of glint in her eyes and he suddenly realized something. She was acting. Bella had never really been a good actress but he had to be looking into her eyes to figure out her act. Taking the oppoutunity he quickly bent and lifted her into his arms, ignoring the protests out of her mouth as she tried to continue her charade.

He gave Mike one dark look before striding out of the classroom with Bella in his arms and all the humans in the room staring after him. Taking her down the hallway and out into the parking lot he placed her back on her feet when they hit the pavement. Looking down at her he smirked slightly. "I thought I told you acting wasn't a suitable career choice for you, love?" he asked with a chuckle.

[Bella Swan]

Bella felt Edward put his hands on her shoulders, she looked up at his eyes and the only emotion in them was concern. All the traces of anger were gone. She continued to cough, to keep up the act. For a moment she felt bad and proud, bad because Edward believed her act and was worried about her for no reason. Proud, because he didn't see through her act immediately.

Bella felt Edward's cold marble arms weave around her. There was no place in the world she would rather be than in his arms, but she didn’t think it was a good time for him to lift her like a feather, she gave a weak protest between fake coughs. But of course, he didn't listen. He scooped her up and went out the door, ignoring Mr. Melina’s protests.

Edward took her halfway to the Volvo, and set her on her feet. He looked at her and smiled her favorite crooked smile, and laughed, "I thought i told you acting wasn't a suitable career choice for you, love?" He said, his honey smooth voice amused.

"I think i have opened the door to that profession, Mr. Cullen. I do recall you believing me as well, for a second," Bella said, smiling at his flawless face, that face alone was enough to make her grin like a bumbling idiot, but she controlled her facial muscles most of the time.

She leaned forward and got to her tip-toes to touch her lips to his. Letting her arms find their way around his neck.

[Edward Cullen]

Edward couldn't help but laugh at the proper vocabulary she used when responding to him. "I think I have opened the door to that profession, Mr. Cullen." she said with a grin that made him smile back. "I do recall you believing me as well, for a second." He had to admit, she had him there. It was difficult not to worry about her when she seemed fagile and prone to accidents. Anything could happen to her with the bad luck she carried around with her. Something like choking to death...

He was immediately brought out of his thoughts when he felt her arms around his neck. Bella's potent and deliscious scent engulfed him as he let his hands rest on her slim waist, his fingers feeling the warmth of her skin through her shirt. She hesitantly touched her lips to his and he responded by pulling her closer and pressing his mouth more urgently against hers. Bella's kisses were indescribable to anyone. There were never enough words to describe the feelings that ran through Edward's body when their lips connected. Having her so close was like having his own heaven, and he'd fallen in love with the angel.

But he had to pull away so she could breath again. So he did, before resting his forehead against hers and continuing to take in her scent. Freesia, he thought with a smile as his eyes slid closed and he pressed small kisses to her face.

'Yes, Dr. Cullen. Just stormed out of the room!'

Edward groaned before burrying his face in Bella's hair. Mr. Melina had finally found a telephone and had decided to call the one person Edward never wanted to upset. Carlisle. What would his adoptive father say about Edward's reckless behaviour? Wouldn't he understand that he could no longer take Newton's flirting and needed to whisk Bella out of the room as soon as possible? Highly unlikely.

'I believe they are still here. Okay then. Thank you.' Melina hung up the phone and peeked out the window again to still see Edward and Bella embracing in the parking lot. These Cullens. I knew they were strange but I never thought one could have such a temper.

Edward dipped his head to whisper in Bella's ear. "Don't look now, but our teacher seems to be spying," he chuckled lightly before kissing her hair.

[Bella Swan]

Bella was a little frustrated that Edward had ended their kiss so soon, but she did need to breath. She could feel her heart beating loudly in her ears, going overtime like it always did when he touched her. She felt his forehead press tenderly to hers, and she opened her eyes and saw him gazing adoringly at her. Bella felt a familiar heat come to her cheeks, and his eyes were burning a liquid topaz that reduced her soul to goo.

When he said Mr. Melina was spying on them she truly attempted to not look. Unable to help herself, Bella looked under Edward's arm, despite the fact that her had just asked her not too. Sure enough she could see Mr. Melina was peaking at them out of the classroom window. He looked strangely smug. She wondered if Edward would be in trouble for taking them out of the room without permission. She blushed deeper as she realized that her teacher must have seen them kiss.

"Is he mad? Are you in trouble or something? Should we just leave?" Bella said worriedly. She didn't want to deal with Mr. Greene, or an angry Charlie. She figured Edward wouldn't get grounded or anything, but she also knew that he and Charlie were still not on good terms. Bella didn't want to hear from Charlie how much of a bad influence Edward was, because he was the exact opposite to her.

[Edward Cullen]

The heat of her blushing cheeks cuaght his attention and sure enough her skin was turning a soft pink of embaressment. Of course he wondered what it was for but he no longer had to catch himself trying to look into her mind for the answer. Everytime he had tried it in the past he had failed and this time would be no different. Bella was still a locked vault, her mysterious thoughts, feelings and memories safely tucked away from prying eyes like Edward.

But he could never say he didn't want to see into her mind. It would be an experience to finally figure out why she was acting in such a way or why she said something. But since he used to find her silence annoying, Edward had grown used to the quiet of her mind. It seemed to be refreashing and calm since he wouldn't have to deal with the thoughts rolling around in her head. Their time alone was one of relaxation where Edward could finally get away from the hectic minds of those around him.

"Is he mad?" she asked suddenly. "Are you in trouble or something? Should we just leave?" Her nervous rambling made him chuckle again before placing his finger on her lips.

"Calm down, love," he said with a grin. "I wouldn't quite say he's mad but frustrated might be a better description of his emotions at the moment. I assure you, getting into trouble with the school isn't my biggest worry right now but I believe Carlisle will have a few choice words for me and my..." he frowned as he thought of a good word. "...behaviour."

He paused for a moment. "Although...I don't want you getting into any trouble, Bella. The school year is almost over. Classes are bringing out the more tedious and important school work. You shouldn't miss any of it..." He finally felt the guilt of pulling her out of class so late in the year. What if she didn't graduate because of him?

[Bella Swan]

Bella was relieved when Edward said Mr. Melina wasn't angry. She was sure he wouldn't want Carlisle to be upset with him, no matter how small the incident. She understood that, but she wasn't too put out with Mike. She didn't mind that his thoughts and actions had given her more alone time with Edward, for that she could only be grateful, but she didn't like the idea of him doubting her relationship with Edward. It wasn't like they were acting any different around each other, and if they were they were being closer. Bella decided it would be easier to just forget about it and enjoy the man in front of her.

Bella smiled at Edward's worry about her class work. His finger was still at her lips so she pulled it away and back up to cup her cheek and wove her fingers through his, holding it there. His large hand fit the entire side of her head in it. Her heartbeat sputtered again.

"Missing one day of class will not cause me to fale my senior year, besides, I can always do better next time I'm a senior."

[Edward Cullen]

Edward's teeth immediately gritted as she mentioned the 'next time' she becomes a senior. He knew she was talking about becoming what he was. About losing her soul and being forever doomed to the dark. It was difficult to get himself to accept that she would be changed at some point, Alice had seen it. It would have been easier for him if she had asked for Carlisle and not himself to actually bite her. To let his venom flow through veins and tarnish her beautiful humanity. What if lost control? What if something went wrong? He just couldn't imagine a life without Bella. He had already lived through too much without her by his side, but if she really did die he would be sure to follow her.

He squeezed his eyes shut and inhaled slowly, trying to calm his anger that was boiling under his skin. He could not get mad at her. He had to keep his control around such a fragile creature as Bella. It took him a moment of silent concentration before he blew out a breath.

"Bella," he said as calmly as he could. "You know that's not going to happen for quite some time. You have a lot of human experiences left, including graduating high school " - his eyes opened and he looked down at her sternly - "with blood still running through your veins."

He held her face gently between his hands and stared down into her brown, doe eyes. "I refuse to take any of that away from you," he whispered. "It's not right that you should give up everything for this...change. You need to experience life as a human and be able to do everything." He stroked her cheek lovingly. "I don't want you to be drowned in the darkness, like my family and I are destined to be."

[Bella Swan]

The small smile that had crept on Bella's face at the mention of her future life fell to a frown immediately when she saw pain flash on Edward's perfect face. She regretted bring up the sensitive subject.

The pain on his angels face quickly turned to anger. His square jaw tightened, and his lips twitched slightly before settling into a hard line. HIs eyes closed, and his brow furrowed, Bella didn't think he was breathing.

She hated making him unhappy. That wasn't what two people in love were supposed to do for one another, they were supposed to take away the pain. She opened her mouth to apologize when he spoke. He was doing well to hide the anger in his voice, but Bella knew him well enough to hear past the calm in his tone. She wanted him to smile again.

"Bella, you know thats not going to happen for quite some time. You still have a lot of human experiences left, including graduating high school. With blood still running through your veins." Edward said.

Bella still wondered at times why it was so important to him that she experience everything possible while human. Bella always thought that she could just do it later, and didn't quite understand the difference. She knew he loved her, and that that was the reasoning behind his persistence. She felt her eyes go glassy with unshed tears, from both anger and pain for his anger, when his cold marble hands pressed gently to the sides of her face. Bella looked up at him, they were standing close enough together, that she had to look almost straight up to see him. Bella loved how Edward looked at her, his ocher eyes intent on hers.

She expected his next words, and he did not prove her assumption wrong.

"You need to experience life as a human and be able to do everything. I don't want you to be drowned in darkness, like my family and i are destined to be." He stroked her face while he spoke, and his fingers left hot trails on her skin. Bella closed her eyes and turned her face into Edward's hand, and sighed. She loved him with everything she had, and it stung when he doubted his own beautiful soul.

After a few minutes Bella opened her eyes and put her hands on Edward's wrists, rubbing her thumbs along the inside of his wrist, where blood had once flowed. She looked up at him again, not wanting to get into this conversation in their school parking lot, and smiled weakly.

"Not now," she said simply, her voice saturated with her love for him, "Let's just go home." Bella knew he understood that she meant the white house on the river. Bella waited another second before pulling away from him and walking around the Volvo to the passenger door.

[Edward Cullen]

The tears. Oh how the tears pained him. He could see the shining in her large brown eyes and he knew that he made this happen. But was she scared? Was she angry? It frustrated him again that he didn't know and couldn't find out. It was one of those moments when he wished he could read her mind, if anything to find the reason for her tears.

He continued to stroke her cheeks softly, his grip careful as if he were holding glass covered in silk. She was just so fragile and seeing her this way, with her cheeks flushed and her eyes shimmering with tears, made him feel breakable as well. She had that power over him where he would do anything to see her smile.

He felt her fingers gently grip his forearms, her warm skin setting a spark of electricty shoot up his spine. Her thumbs rested on the inside of his wrists and even though he could feel the pumping of her blood through her fingers, he knew she could feel nothing but cold from him.

She suddenly looked up at him and tried to put on a genuine smile but this was not the true smile he wished he could see, the kind where her eyes lit up. "Not now," she told him. "Let's just go home." And she left his side to walk over to the Volvo. He stood there for a short moment before racing to open her door for her, feeling foolish for not noticing this before.

As soon as she had sat down he closed the door after her and went at human speed to the drivers side. He had been lucky when he went to open the passenger door that Mr. Melina had not been watching. But he was now, wondering if he should stop them or not. Edward didn't give him enough time to make up his mind. He had already started the car and pulled out of the parking lot before the teacher could leave his own classroom. And he knew where he was going when Bella mentioned home. And it would be her home...soon enough.

He could think of nothing to say to her at that moment so instead of speaking her reached over and took her soft, warm hand in his and held it gently. He sighed suddenly and let his eyes drift over to look at her before staring back at the road. "I apologise for the way I acted, Bella," he said with a frown. "I shouldn't have been so -" he grimaced at the word. "-dominant."

[Bella Swan]

Bella wasn't exactly sure how to respond to him, so she just smiled and took his hand as he drove much to fast down the road away from the High School. She wondered if Carlisle would be at the house when they got there, or if he would be at the hospital. She figured Esme would be there, but she wouldn't mind if it was just her and Edward.

She looked over to Edward and just looked at his face, it was still in a frown, but it was still the most beautiful face in the world to her. She still had a small smile on her face when she reached up her hand that was not holding his to rest her wrist on his shoulder and run her fingers through his messy bronze hair. His hair was one of her favorite things about him.

It was a very quiet ride on Bella's side, and she was still watching Edward when they reached the trail head to the Cullen's house. She sighed and wondered if anyone would be there, or if they were all out.