Jake's Pov
We came to school with Bella the next morning. My mom had dropped us off after a perfect breakfast of bacon, eggs and cheese sandwich

"Why do we have history class today? That class makes me sleepy" Bella yawned as we strolled through the hallway

"You're such a nagger" Laura chuckled, hitting her head with a book.

"Hey! My brain is in there" Bella whined, rubbing the sore spot

"I didn't know there was a brain in that little head of yours" I teased, squeezing her small head

"Jake Jonathan Allen, you're asking for a beating" she warned, pounding my back with her fist.

"Ow!" I laughed, spinning around Laura like a crazy person while Bella chased after me.

"You two are making me dizzy" Laura giggled, grabbing the back pack that hung on one side of my shoulder. I made a stop, grabbing both of Bella's hands.

"You hit like a dude, Bella"

"I'll smack...."

"Hi Bella" Bianca's sassy voice interrupted as she walked towards us with Chloe & Rebecca. They were all in matching outfits and I felt they looked like a unicorn pooped on them in those pink timberlands, black jeans, pink bows and pink designer tops that said 'divas' "We brought you some hotdogs" she held out the McDonalds hotdogs to Bella.

"What new charade is this?" Bella frowned, knocking the hotdogs to the floor

"We are just offering our deepest condolences. We heard what happened to your poor dad" Rebecca answered, a mocking smirk engraved on her face.

"We are super sorry, sweetie" Chloe stated sarcastically "Were you able to eat breakfast this morning?" The girls broke out in unison laughter

"I don't need your sick sympathy" 

"Let's go Bell. Ignore them" l said, holding her hand and Rebecca grabbed the other

"I wasn't done talking" Rebecca spat

"Let go while I'm being nice!" Bella demanded, pulling her hand away "You really do not want to do this with me"

"You are in no position to speak so rudely to me because now you're just the daughter of a murderer"

"Says the daughter of a criminal" Bella fired back

"Rebecca, you're being mean" I said, getting fed up

"I wasn't talking to you Mr knight in shinning armor. It is true afterall what they say about birds of the same feathers flocking together. Poverty suits you three perfectly"

"And that bitchy attitude suits you well" Laura shot back

"Just leave this over pampered brats to me. I came to school knowing that unless you don't have a tongue anymore you won't stay quiet. That's why I'll help you stay quiet forever" Bella said, bringing out a cordless bosch mini chainsaw from her bag. The girls flinched as Bella hit the switch.

"Are you crazy?" Bianca stammered "P...Put...Put that down you psycho!"

"Why don't I start with you first?" Bella grinned, wrapping her hand around Bianca's neck.

"Bianca!" Chloe cried

"Ha!" She let out a girly scream, panting heavily as the saw came closer to her face "Rebecca, save me!" 

Laura and I snorted as we tried to hold back our growing laughter and everyone else present in the hallway couldn't hold back their laughter

"Leave her!" Rebecca demanded, trying to hide her fear

"Oh shut up!" Bella hissed, pushing Bianca into Rebecca & Chloe's embrace.

"She's crazy. Let's go" Bianca cried. I felt giddy as she wiped the sweat on her head with shaky hands.

"Come on" Rebecca said walking away with Bianca and Chloe running behind her

"That's right, run away" Bella shouted back, laughing.

"Good job Bella" I grinned, giving her a high five

"Way to go Bella" Laura chuckled, putting her hands over her shoulder

As we turned to leave I could have sworn I just saw Kristen walk into the girl's bathroom with a smirk latched on her face

*******
Not much students took history class, but with miss Rhoda it was kinda bearable. Today's class lasted longer than usual. I was getting bored and craving my mom's S'mores

"Students, you'll be doing a group project" our petite sized European history teacher said "Each group of four will do an artistic painting on the people who have contributed greatly to the world and write a brief history on them"

God, I hated group projects. It was just an excuse for bullies to trample on the weaker ones. And Miss Rhoda, she made the wierdiest & oddest groupings. 

"Chloe, Jacob, Mark & Rebecca you're group 1" she said, earning complains from the students "Your complaining isn't going to change anything"

"Poor Mark, it's obvious he'll be the one doing all the work" Bella said, shaking her head

"There's no way I'm getting my flawless nails messed up with paint" Rebecca gawked at her peach polished nails "I'll just sit looking as fabulous as always" she mumbled, applying lipstick to her lips

"Put the lipstick down miss Shawn" Miss Rhoda said, spotting her "This is a classroom, not a circus" The whole class let out a short laughter and Rebecca lowered the lipstick.

"How rude" she whined, rolling her eyes

Miss Rhoda was among the few teachers at Nevaeh who knew how to handle the students and wasn't scared to voice out her opinion. She was everyone's favorite teacher.

"Alright. Ray, Peter, Bianca and Troy, group 5. Be nice Ray" she ordered, poking his sides

"I'm nice" Ray answered with a playful grin on his face

Let's just pretend I agree with you" she teased "Um, who's left" she looked in our direction "Looks like Jake, Laura, Bella and Kristen are in group 6"

This was going to be fun. Bella and Laura smiled, feeling just as excited as I felt right now. Being in a group with Kristen - We could get a chance to know her better.

"Now this might just be my favorite group assignment ever" I grinned, winking at Kristen

"Miss Rhoda" She called

"Yes Kristen. Is there a problem?"

"I don't approve of my group mates. You should have at least found people with some class"

"Excuse me?" Bella said, corking her head in Kristen's direction

"Kristen, that is no way to speak" Mrs Rhoda said softly "Everyone else was shared in a group. You won't be an exception"

"I don't want them" Kristen answered rudely "Their three brains put together is not even up to mine. What use is their bird brains to me? I am the smartest so I won't be needing them"

"Oh yes you will, or be prepared to score an F. If you're too mighty to abide by the rules you might as well build a school for yourself where you can do as you please" she grabbed her laptop & bag before walking towards the door "See you next week" she said, disappearing into the teachers lounge.

"My entire week's ruined" Kristen complained as she packed her books into her bag

"It's going to be nice working together Kristen" Laura said, giving her an innocent smile

"Fun?" She rolled her eyes "You wish. This...." She paused, pointing to Bella, Laura & I "is the greatest nightmare of my life"

We were stunned as she strolled out of the class. she's a real douche, but I couldn't get angry. There was something about her that just....I just couldn't comprehend

"Wow, she's got quite an attitude" Bella said, breaking the silence

"Bird brains" I laughed "Was that a joke I didn't quite catch on to? She calls A students like us birds brains. I mean, Ray, Rebecca and their gang are the ones to be called half of her brain. Wow Kristen, you're a skilled joker"

    ********
It was raining heavily after school. We waited in the slightly empty hallway with my mom for the rain to die down. I looked around for any sign of Kristen

"Mom, that's her" I said, finally spoting her. She had her head hung up, looking at the sky, and her hand cupped under the rain. Strokes of water splashed on her clothes and black sneakers where she stood. Her eyes looked fascinated by the sight and she had a different look in her eyes. It was warm and beautiful

"She's such a beautiful child" my mom said, her smile revealing her white set of teeth

"Go talk to her already" Laura urged, pushing her forward

"You got this" she assured herself as she walked towards Kristen

"Hi" 

"Do you need something?" Kristen asked innocently

"Do you know me dear?" Mom asked, beaming a smile

"Why? Are you important?" she answered, apparently back to her usual self

"Well.... I'm Amelia. I'm Jake and Laura's mother"

"Oh! So you're the mother of those uncultured people"

"You shouldn't say such things about people. It's not nice"

"What exactly do you want from me?"

"Laura, Jake and Bella are consigned about you. My dear, If you have something that's troubling you so much we'll be glad to help you through it"

"Consign you say? I don't need anyone's fake affection, so you should just turn around and leave. I'm sure you've got better things to do than to pry into people's lives"

"Do you also talk to your parents like this, Kristen?" she asked softly

"Are you here to insult me?!"

"I can understand what you must be going through not having your parents by your side always. It must be hard not having friends to share your worries"

"You're overstepping your boundary. You don't know a thing about me"

"Kristen you need friends"

"I don't believe in friendship or relationships. It's an utter joke!"

"You may feel that relationships are a joke, but if you just give it a try you'll see the magic in it. Kristen, friends are like ship lights in the stormiest of nights. Friendship has no limitations"

"That's total nonsense. You should stop these tall claims and leave. Nothing you say can change anything"

"Kristen"

"I have everything I want - fame and wealth to my name. I don't need friends. If I wanted anyone by my side then all I need to do is give them tons of money and they'll come running like a stray dog"

"Tossing a few notes cannot buy you happiness. Character is power, child. It draws, mars and paves the way to happiness. You can never compare character to material things"

"You're deeply mistaking. You seem to have a back sight illusion of life. You're experienced enough, so how can you be so blind?"

"Kristen, life's not a shadow. Power and money may rule the world, but it certainly isn't the only thing that matters. True love cannot be bought. You need friends who can give you joy and love the vanities of this world cannot give"

"Are you so clueless?" Kristen growled, her eyes brimming with tears

"Who hurt you, Kristen?"

Things seemed to be getting out of hand. Kristen's expression was etched with hurt and I couldn't watch my mom take it all

"Love, Friendship, sacred bonds, cannot be signed like a contract" my mom continued, her voice sober. I could see she was getting affected by all this "Friendship is the most beautiful relationship"

"There's no such thing as a beautiful relationship. All relationships can be broken. Love....." She went silent for some moments, her voice jiggly "- Friendship and family ties have made a mockery of me. It's all a sham. With every passing day, my theory of life still proves right"

"How do I help you Kristen? Let me understand you" mom said, staring softly into her eyes "If you're this hurt because of your parents then let me talk to them. They need to know how much you're hurting"

"Just stop it already!" She exploded, tears rolling down her cheeks "What do you think of yourself? I really don't need your help so just stay away" Her pent up tears erupts and she crys harder, burying her face in her soft palms

"She's crying" Laura muttered. we were all taken aback as we walked towards Kristen

"What's wrong, Kristen?" Bella asked, her voice iced with worry

"Kristen" I spoke softly, slowly holding her face up. Her teary glistened eyes met mine

"Let go" she breathed, pushing my hand away

"I'm sorry if I said anything that hurt you" mom apologized

"It is said that experience is the best teacher" Kristen said, brushing the tears from her eyes "No one would know that better than I do"

She turned to leave, bumping into Jacob

"Hey watch it!" He yelled. She ignored him and dashed towards the girls bathroom, her hair flying in the air as she ran

"What's wrong with her?" Ray pondered as he watched her with worry in his eyes

"Dude, you should forget that chick" Peter said

"Do you want a beating?" Ray growled, shoving his clenched fist at him "I'll smash your tomato sized face if you tell me what to do again"

My head ached with questions from what just happened. I have never seen Kristen shed a tear, more or less cry so helplessly. And for what reason? I had no idea. Did my mom's words hurt her that badly? Even enough for her to cry? 

"Sorry about what happened, mom. Kristen must have hurt you" I apologized

"No Jake, don't apologize. That child's broken and I feel so bad that I poked on her wounds. Now I won't be at peace until she's happy again"

"Thanks mom" Laura said, smiling

"Enough of these formalities" she smiled sweetly "Listen, Bella dear"

"Yes aunt"

"How's Rhea doing?"

"She's awake now. The doctor said that my mom may never recover unless a miracle, but its okay because I still have my mom with me"

The doctor had previously told us that even though Rhea wakes up they couldn't guarantee the state she'd be in, and when she finally did, she was paralyzed from her waist to her legs and was now confined to a wheel chair

"You're such a charming child" she smiled, placing a kiss on Bella's cheek "And that's why I love you so dearly. You view life from a different perspective"

"You're such a flatterer, aunt" Bella chuckled

"That I am" she beamed "Anyway, did you guys find a place to stay? If not I'm fine with you and your family moving in with us"

"We found a place. It's small, but it's comfortable and we're happy. You don't have to worry"

"That's a relief" She sighed "Everything will be fine dear"

"I'm truly greatful for all your support, aunt"

"You're welcome anytime sweetie"