Chapter 20: “Who Needs A Werewolf for a Boyfriend When You Have a Vampire for a Best Friend…?

“Please turn to page 31 in your textbook,” Mr. Banner droned on, I couldn’t pay attention to another boring lecture. Although I had to absorb myself in something otherwise Nessie would give me that concerned look again. I really hated being the source of everyone’s concern especially when they were putting themselves in such grave danger to keep me safe. “I am going to go get the video that we will be watching today, so starting reading this chapter and make sure that you all behave while I’m gone.” Mr. Banner joked, “Jeffrey you are in charge,” the classroom erupted into laughter as Jeff Crowley slapped up Andrew Newton. I had to giggle at the scene that was unfolding, honestly what was Mr. Banner thinking leaving one of the most irresponsible idiot at Forks High in charge of the class? Nessie looked at me and rolled her eyes as soon as Mr. Banner stepped out of the classroom Jeff crumpled up a piece of paper and threw it at our table, “Hey, so we heard you ladies are coming to homecoming with some of the LaPush freaks Friday night.” Nessie suddenly became very angry, I noticed her hands shaking and her eyes became liquid gold. “Yes we are coming with our boyfriends and the only freaks even remotely close to La Push are you imbeciles.” The class burst into laughter and a few “oohs” as people were egging the fight on. I suddenly chimed in riding the waves of Nessie’s comments, “and may I ask who your lovely dates are?” They both looked down lost for words their faces red, Andrew chimed in, “dates are a waste of time,” Jeff jumped into rescue him, “yea, and there is no one good enough at this school.” Nessie had stopped shaking and was smiling at them through her gritted teeth, “Well perhaps you should consider acting your age for starters and then try lowering your standards a bit.” One of their buddies let out a guffaw and their faces became even redder. The rest of the class dissolved into shrieks of laughter, Nessie looked over at me and winked, “I’m so sick of those morons she whispered to me. I laughed, “tell me about it I have been stuck with them since kindergarten, and believe me they haven’t changed all that much over the years.” Nessie smiled at me warmly, “well I am glad that they have brightened you up a bit with their stupidity.” Nessie suddenly whispered to me, “Mr. Banner is almost back,” I smiled to myself and considered the benefits of having a vampire for a best friend as I acted as though I was overly absorbed in my reading as Nessie did. Mr. Banner walked in to see everyone goofing off and he looked over at our table, “Well apparently next time I will have to leave Ms. Cullen and Ms. Stanley in charge,” he said as he threw Jeff a sharp look. Nessie and I snuck each other a private grin, as Jeff looked at us angrily. The rest of my day flew by I was going to drive Nessie, and myself back to the Cullen’s afterschool so that we could go shopping for our homecoming dresses with her aunts. I met her at her locker, “So are you ready for five solid hours of shopping?” she asked glumly. I laughed at her, “Ness don’t you think that you are over exaggerating a bit?” She opened her eyes wide with a look of mock horror, “You really have no idea what you have signed up for do you? My aunt does not just run into one store, we will be shopping until the mall closes,” I looked at her and smiled a tiny smile, “you forget I never had this kind of opportunity, no mom, remember? I would love o shop with them all night.” Nessie’s eyes became sorrowful, Aw Si In sorry I should have been more sensitive to that.” I hugged her, “its ok, you don’t have to walk on eggshells around me I'm a big girl I can handle it. You know I do love spending time with your family though, your aunts and grandma are wonderful! I love your whole family; I smiled a little “especially your aunt rose and Uncle Emmett they are really special, you know that right?” Nessie smiled at me, “They are…” She put the last of her books away and snapped her lock in place on her locker. When she shut it I jumped, Jeff was standing there. Nessie didn’t jump she must have known he was there. “Hi Jeff, what can I do for you,” she crooned in mock civility. His face was red, and his eyes were enraged, “Don’t you ever make me look bad in front of my friends again,” Nessie smiled her brightest smile at him, “Aw Jeff, I can’t take credit for anything it was all you. Honestly, you didn’t need our assistance you did a wonderful job on your own.” I laughed out loud Jeff Crowley was very rarely put in his place especially not by a girl. “Shut up Cullen you’re a freak your whole family is a bunch of freaks.” All of the laughter left Nessie's face, her entire body clenched up and started shaking her eyes again became liquid topaz ,”What did you say,” she spluttered. “You heard me,” I groaned, “Aw come on Jeff leave hera lone what is your problem,” He turned ob me next, “My problem?” he asked condescendingly, “More like what is your problem, you act like you are her long lost sister or something. You are both freaks.” He got right up in my face, “Maybe if daddy was around more you wouldn’t be dating a res' freak,” I felt the hot tears start to betray me as they stung my cheeks, “Jeff you are an asshole I whispered and turned to run. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Nessie walk up to him and get in his face, I didn’t hear what she said I was running blinded by my tears. I didn’t see where I was going bad I ran into someone. “Sienna, what’s wrong?” Jake had caught me. “This jerk is giving me and Nessie a hard time,” suddenly Jake looked concerned, “Where is she?” I looked behind me, “She was right behind me,” he followed my view and when he didn’t see her he muttered something vulgar, “I don’t think that Jeff will hurt her, “ I reassured him. “I’m not worried for Nessie, Sienna.” Jake and I ran back to Nessie’s locker by this point Seth had caught up with us, “why are you crying” he demanded. I didn’t answer him because I was trying to catch up with Jake. There was a small crowd gathered around Nessie’s locker. She had Jeff by his collar, held against her locker. “If you ever have an unkind word for her again you will be sorry,” she growled. Jeff’s eyes were wild, “Ok, ok, I’m sorry.” He said quietly, obviously disturbed she slammed him against her locker. “Do NOT apologize to me scumbag.” Nessie gestured towards me, my mouth hit the floor. “I’m sorry Sienna.” Jeff mumbled. “Easy Tiger,” Jake said with a twinkle in his eye as he pulled Nessie off of Jeff. Suddenly he looked over his shoulder he must have heard something “We need to leave now” he said in a severe tone. Nessie never took her eyes off of Jeff as we walked out of the building. I made the mistake of looking back though, and the look on Jeff’s face as he stared after us sent shivers down my spine.